Goblin Filming Locations Worth Visiting: A Self-Guided Korea Travel Guide
Goblin (도깨비, also known as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) was filmed across several regions of South Korea, as well as in Quebec, Canada. This guide covers the South Korean locations only — specifically those with documented travel value and public access.
The drama's filming locations span from Seoul and Incheon to the east coast of Gangwon Province, giving travelers a wide range of itinerary options. Some locations are easily accessible from Seoul; others require a longer trip but have strong independent scenic value.
Drama Info
| Director | Lee Eung-bok |
| Writer | Kim Eun-sook |
| Genre | Fantasy, Romance, Drama |
| Episodes | 16 |
| Released | December 2, 2016 – January 21, 2017 (tvN) |
| Cast | Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook, Yoo In-na, Kim Sung-kyun |
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Kim Shin is an immortal goblin who has lived for nearly a thousand years, searching for his human bride — the only one who can end his immortality. Ji Eun-tak is a girl who can see ghosts and unknowingly holds the power to summon him. Their story unfolds alongside a parallel romance between a grim reaper and a woman from a forgotten past.
Why This Drama Is Popular Among Travelers
The drama became one of the most widely discussed Korean dramas of its era, and its filming locations drew an immediate wave of fan visitors. Several locations — particularly the Jumunjin Breakwater in Gangneung and the Deoksugung Stone Wall Path in Seoul — became established travel destinations in their own right after the drama aired. The combination of accessible Seoul locations and a scenic east-coast destination gives the drama a naturally travel-friendly structure.
Filming Locations Worth Visiting
The locations below are listed by official Korean tourism sources or well-documented travel media as filming sites associated with the drama.
1. Jumunjin Breakwater, Gangneung
Korean: 주문진 방사제
About this location: A coastal breakwater on the east coast of Gangwon Province, listed by Gangneung City's official tourism portal as the drama's filming location for the iconic scene where Eun-tak first summons Goblin. The breakwater and surrounding Jumunjin Beach area have become a recognized fan destination, and the location retains its scenic coastal character independent of the drama. Also associated with BTS fan travel, as Jumunjin Beach was used for album photography.
Region: Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Province
Can you visit? Yes — it is a public coastal area. Access conditions may vary seasonally.
Worth visiting without a car? Possible. From Gangneung city, local buses or taxis reach Jumunjin. A rental car gives more flexibility along the coast.
Public transport access: From Seoul, take a KTX or intercity bus to Gangneung (approximately 1.5–2 hours by KTX). From Gangneung Station or bus terminal, take a local bus or taxi toward Jumunjin (approximately 20–30 minutes). Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Spring through autumn for comfortable coastal weather. The breakwater can be windy and cold in winter.
Self-guided tip: Combine with a broader Gangneung itinerary — the city has a strong independent travel appeal including Gyeongpo Lake, Chodang Sundubu Village, and the Gangneung Coffee Street. Allow at least a full day in the Gangneung area.
Local food tip: Jumunjin and Gangneung are known for fresh seafood, sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew), and Gangneung-style coffee culture. The Chodang area near Gangneung city is a well-known stop for sundubu dishes.
2. Baedari Secondhand Bookstore Alley (Hanmi Bookstore), Incheon
Korean: 배다리 헌책방 골목 / 한미서점
About this location: A historic secondhand bookstore street in Incheon's Baedari neighborhood. Hanmi Bookstore, identified by its yellow exterior, is the specific location associated with several memorable bookstore scenes in the drama. The location is listed by Incheon City's official tourism resource (itour.incheon.go.kr) as a Goblin filming site. The street itself is one of the few remaining traditional secondhand book markets in Korea and has independent cultural value.
Region: Dong-gu, Incheon
Can you visit? Yes — the street is publicly accessible and Hanmi Bookstore operates as a functioning bookshop.
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — accessible by subway from Seoul.
Public transport access: From Seoul, take subway Line 1 toward Incheon. Dowon Station or Jemulpo Station is commonly used for reaching the Baedari area. The bookstore alley is reachable by local walking route or short taxi ride. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Year-round. The bookstore street has consistent character in any season. Weekday visits are quieter.
Self-guided tip: Hanmi Bookstore is still an operating secondhand bookshop. The yellow exterior is the recognizable reference point for fans. Combine with a walk through the broader Baedari neighborhood and Incheon's Open Port area nearby.
Local food tip: Incheon's Chinatown and Sinpo Market are a short distance away. Jjajangmyeon, tang-suyuk, and Sinpo dak-gangjeong (sweet and spicy glazed fried chicken) are popular local dishes in this area.
3. Deoksugung Stone Wall Path, Seoul
Korean: 덕수궁 돌담길
About this location: A historic stone-walled pedestrian path running alongside Deoksugung Palace in central Seoul. Associated by drama travel sources with walking scenes connected to the drama. The path is lined with ginkgo trees that turn yellow in autumn, and the surrounding Jeongdong area — which includes historic Western-style buildings and Deoksugung Palace itself — has strong independent travel value as one of Seoul's most atmospheric walking routes.
Region: Jung-gu, Seoul
Can you visit? Yes — the path is publicly accessible. Deoksugung Palace has a separate admission fee and operating hours that may change.
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — easily accessible from City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2).
Public transport access: Take subway Line 1 or Line 2 to City Hall Station. Exit 2 leads directly toward the stone wall path and Deoksugung Palace. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Autumn (October–November) for ginkgo foliage. The path is pleasant year-round but especially atmospheric in the late afternoon.
Self-guided tip: The path itself is a short walk — allow time to explore the Jeongdong area around it, including the historic buildings nearby. Deoksugung Palace's changing-of-the-guard ceremony is a popular additional stop. Check the palace's official schedule before visiting.
Local food tip: The Jeongdong and City Hall area has a range of cafes and restaurants. Gwanghwamun and Cheonggyecheon are nearby and offer additional dining options in the area.
4. Incheon Open Port Area
Korean: 인천 개항로 일대
About this location: The historic Open Port area of Incheon, including Incheon Art Platform and the surrounding streets of preserved late-19th and early-20th century buildings. Listed by Incheon City's official tourism as part of the drama's Incheon filming locations. The area has genuine historical character — it preserves architecture from when Incheon was one of Korea's first internationally open ports, and the streets around it include Chinatown, Jayu Park, and the Incheon Art Platform warehouses. The drama connection adds a layer, but the area is worth visiting independently.
Region: Jung-gu, Incheon
Can you visit? Yes — the streets are publicly accessible. The Incheon Art Platform has separate exhibition hours and access conditions that may vary.
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — accessible by subway from Seoul via Line 1.
Public transport access: From Seoul, take subway Line 1 to Incheon Station (last stop). The Open Port area, Chinatown, and Art Platform are all within walking distance of Incheon Station. Total travel time from central Seoul is approximately 60–75 minutes. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Year-round. Spring and autumn are particularly pleasant for street walking.
Self-guided tip: Combine with the Baedari Bookstore Alley for a full Incheon half-day. The two areas are connected by a walkable route through the older parts of Incheon city. Allow 3–4 hours for a relaxed visit to both areas.
Local food tip: Incheon Chinatown is immediately adjacent to this area. Jjajangmyeon and Chinese-Korean fusion dishes are the area's most well-known local food.
Several scenes in the drama — including key romantic moments and the goblin's long walks — were filmed in Quebec City, Canada, particularly around the Petit-Champlain area and the historic streets of Old Quebec. These locations are outside the scope of this Korea travel guide, but are a draw for fans who visit Canada.
Some sources list a university campus in Seoul as a filming location for certain scenes. Visitors have reported that the campus posts notices discouraging fan visits, as it is an active academic institution. Out of respect for the campus community, this guide does not include it as a recommended destination.
Seoul focus (half-day): Deoksugung Stone Wall Path + Deoksugung Palace → Gwanghwamun area
Incheon day trip (from Seoul): Baedari Bookstore Alley → Incheon Open Port area + Chinatown + Jayu Park
East coast trip: Gangneung (KTX from Seoul) → Jumunjin Breakwater → Gyeongpo Lake → Gangneung Coffee Street
How to Watch Outside Korea
Goblin is available on streaming platforms such as 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 titles — 도깨비 or Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.
Final Travel Summary
| Location | Region | Visitable? | Without a Car? | Best Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jumunjin Breakwater | Gangneung, Gangwon Province | Yes | Yes (bus/taxi from Gangneung) | Spring–Autumn |
| Baedari Bookstore Alley | Dong-gu, Incheon | Yes | Yes (subway) | Year-round |
| Deoksugung Stone Wall Path | Jung-gu, Seoul | Yes | Yes (subway) | Autumn / Year-round |
| Incheon Open Port Area | Jung-gu, Incheon | Yes | Yes (subway) | Year-round |
Goblin gives travelers a natural reason to combine a Seoul city visit with an east-coast trip to Gangneung — two very different travel experiences that the drama connects through its story.
Sources and Notes
This guide was compiled using official tourism pages, Korean city travel resources, and verified drama location sources. Filming location details may vary by source, so some locations are described as "associated with" or "listed by tourism sources" as filming sites.
- Gangneung City Tourism — Goblin filming locations — Official city tourism page confirming Jumunjin Breakwater as a drama filming site
- Incheon City Tourism (itour) — Goblin filming locations in Incheon — Official Incheon tourism resource covering Baedari and Open Port area
- Visit Korea — Deoksugung Stone Wall Path — Official tourism page for the location associated with drama scenes
- Visit Korea — Baedari Secondhand Bookstore Alley — Official tourism page noting the Guardian filming connection
Travel information such as opening hours, admission fees, and access conditions may change. Please check Google Maps, Naver Map, and official tourism pages before visiting.
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