Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha Filming Locations Worth Visiting: A Self-Guided Pohang Travel Guide
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (갯마을 차차차) was filmed primarily in the Cheongha-myeon and Guryongpo areas of Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. This guide focuses only on locations with real travel value — places that are publicly accessible and worth visiting on their own terms.
One important note: the drama's fictional village of "Gongjin" does not exist. The production built its warm, small-town atmosphere using real streets, markets, and coastal scenery around Pohang's quieter northern districts. Knowing this helps set realistic expectations before you visit.
Drama Info
| Director | Yoo Je-won |
| Writer | Shin Ha-eun |
| Genre | Romantic Comedy, Drama |
| Episodes | 16 |
| Released | August 28 – October 17, 2021 (tvN) |
| Cast | Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho, Lee Sang-yi, Gong Min-jeung |
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Yoon Hye-jin is a perfectionist dentist from Seoul who ends up staying in the small seaside village of Gongjin after a series of unexpected events. Hong Du-sik — known as "Chief Hong" — is a seemingly idle but surprisingly capable local who helps everyone in the village with anything they need. Their relationship shifts gradually from friction to something warmer as Hye-jin discovers what the village and its people mean to her.
Why This Drama Is Popular Among Travelers
The drama's Gongjin village felt so real to viewers that fans immediately wanted to visit — and it turns out the filming locations in Pohang are genuinely worth the trip. Unlike dramas set in Seoul, almost the entire story takes place in a quiet coastal town environment that still looks and feels the way it did during filming. The Pohang city government preserved and enhanced the filming locations after the drama aired, adding signage and restoring the market area. Several filming spots are clustered near Cheongha Market, making self-guided visits practical.
Filming Locations Worth Visiting
The locations below are associated with the drama and are widely listed by travel sources as filming sites.
1. Cheongha Market (Gongjin Market)
Korean: 청하시장 / 공진시장
About this location: The real-life Cheongha Market served as the drama's central Gongjin Market. This is one of the most recognizable filming locations from the drama. The market area now includes a squid statue at the entrance — a recognizable landmark from the drama — along with filming location signboards installed by the Pohang city government. The market itself is a traditional 5-day market with a modest but genuine local character. Pohang city enhanced the area with parking, restrooms, and clear signage after the drama's success.
Region: Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province
Can you visit? Yes — the market area is publicly accessible. The market is most active on traditional 5-day market days; check current schedules before visiting.
Worth visiting without a car? Possible but easier with a car or taxi from Pohang city center.
Public transport access: From Seoul, take KTX to Pohang Station (approximately 2 hours). From Pohang, take a local bus or taxi toward Cheongha-myeon (approximately 30–40 minutes). Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Year-round. The market days bring more local character, but the filming landmarks are accessible any time.
Self-guided tip: Look for the squid statue at the market entrance as the main orientation point. From there, the key filming spots — including Bora Supermarket, Cheongho Hardware Store, and Oyun Cafe — are all within a short walking distance. The Pohang city signboards make the area easy to navigate.
Local food tip: The Cheongha and Pohang area is known for spicy marinated pork (양념돼지고기 구이), fresh seafood, and gwamegi (semi-dried herring, a Pohang specialty). Local eateries near the market serve these regional dishes.
2. Cheongjin-ri Fishermen's Welfare Center (Yoon Dental Clinic Exterior)
Korean: 청진3리 어촌계회관
About this location: The building used as the exterior of Yoon Hye-jin's dental clinic in the drama is actually the Cheongjin 3-ri Fishermen's Welfare Center — a working community facility. The location is documented by KKday, Creatrip, and multiple drama travel sources. It sits near a small harbor with views of fishing boats, giving it the seaside character central to the drama's visual identity.
Region: Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang
Can you visit? The building exterior and surrounding harbor area are accessible. The welfare center is an active community facility — visit respectfully and do not enter private areas.
Worth visiting without a car? Possible but easier with a car. It is a short distance from Cheongha Market.
Public transport access: Same as Cheongha Market above. The two locations are close enough to combine in one visit. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Morning, when fishing activity around the harbor is most visible.
Self-guided tip: Combine with Cheongha Market and Sabang Memorial Park for a half-day Cheongha itinerary. The harbor views near this building are among the most scenic in the area.
Local food tip: Fresh seafood near the harbor. Small local restaurants in the Cheongha coastal area serve grilled fish and seafood dishes.
3. Sabang Memorial Park
Korean: 사방기념공원
About this location: A public park in the Cheongha-myeon area, listed by multiple drama travel sources as a filming location associated with outdoor scenes in the drama. The park has coastal views and a pleasant walking environment, giving it independent travel value alongside its drama connection.
Region: Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang
Can you visit? Yes — it is a public park. Access conditions may vary, so check current information before visiting.
Worth visiting without a car? Possible with a taxi from Cheongha Market area.
Public transport access: From Cheongha Market, a short taxi ride. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn for the most pleasant walking conditions.
Self-guided tip: Combine with the other Cheongha-myeon filming locations for a natural half-day itinerary.
Local food tip: Same area as above — Cheongha coastal seafood and grilled pork dishes are the local specialties.
The building used as the exterior of the drama's Live Café & Pub was originally a hardware parts factory. After the drama aired, fan visits disrupted factory operations. The Pohang city government subsequently built a replica of the pub exterior nearby so fans could take photos without affecting the factory. When visiting, look for the purpose-built replica rather than the original factory building. Current status and exact location of the replica may change, so check recent visitor information before visiting.
Cheongha Market (squid statue, Bora Supermarket, Oyun Cafe) → Cheongjin-ri Fishermen's Welfare Center and harbor → Sabang Memorial Park → lunch with local seafood or grilled pork nearby
A rental car or taxi from Pohang city makes this itinerary most practical for international visitors.
How to Watch Outside Korea
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is available on Netflix in many regions. Availability, subtitle languages, and audio options may vary depending on your region. If the title does not appear immediately, try searching by both the English title and the Korean title, 갯마을 차차차.
Final Travel Summary
| Location | Region | Visitable? | Without a Car? | Best Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheongha Market | Pohang, North Gyeongsang | Yes | Possible (taxi) | Year-round |
| Cheongjin-ri Welfare Center | Pohang, North Gyeongsang | Exterior only | Possible (taxi) | Morning |
| Sabang Memorial Park | Pohang, North Gyeongsang | Yes | Possible (taxi) | Spring / Autumn |
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and When the Camellia Blooms are both set in small coastal towns around Pohang, making the city an ideal base for a K-drama filming location day trip that covers both dramas. The two sets of locations are in different parts of Pohang — Cheongha-myeon in the north for Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, and Guryongpo in the south for When the Camellia Blooms — so a full day with a rental car can cover both.
Sources and Notes
This guide was compiled using official tourism pages, Korean and international travel media, and verified drama location sources. Filming location details may vary by source, so some locations are described as "associated with" or "reported as" filming sites.
- Creatrip — Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha filming locations — Detailed location guide including Cheongha Market and welfare center
- KKday — Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha filming locations in Pohang — Address-verified location details
- Korea Travel Post — Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha filming locations — Overview of Pohang filming areas
Travel information such as market schedules, opening hours, and access conditions may change. Please check Google Maps, Naver Map, and official tourism pages before visiting.
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