Gangneung & Jumunjin East Coast Guide: From the Iconic Goblin Breakwater to BTS Bus Stop & Anmok Coffee Street

Why Gangneung Is Korea's #1 Coastal Pilgrimage for K-Drama & K-Pop Fans

Stretching along the crystal-clear East Sea in Gangwon Province, Gangneung (강릉) offers a dramatic coastal contrast to Seoul's neon skyline. Thanks to the KTX Gangneung Line built for the 2018 Winter Olympics, travelers can board a high-speed train at Seoul Station or Cheongnyangni Station in the morning and stand beside crashing turquoise waves under two hours later.

Two of the most photographed pop-culture landmarks in modern Korean history sit just 3.5 kilometers apart along the northern Jumunjin shoreline: the stone breakwater where Ji Eun-tak first summoned Kim Shin by blowing out a birthday candle in Goblin (Guardian), and the pastel oceanfront bus stop reproduced for BTS's 'You Never Walk Alone' ('Spring Day') album jacket.

Exact Coordinates & Photography Tips Along Jumunjin Coast

1. Jumunjin Breakwater — Goblin Red Scarf Pier (주문진 방사제 — 1609 Haean-ro, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si): Unlike the northern fishery harbor breakwater, the exact filming jetty is opposite café street at Yeongjin Beach / Jumunjin southern coastal road. Nearby cafés rent red knit scarves and white buckwheat flower bouquets so you can recreate the exact framing from Episode 1.

2. BTS Bus Stop at Hyangho Beach (주문진 BTS 버스정류장 — 210-125 Hyangho-ri, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si): Built at the exact spot on the sandy edge of Hyangho Beach where BTS photographed the 'You Never Walk Alone' jacket, this shelter looks directly out over the horizon of the East Sea. Arrive before 10:00 AM on weekdays for clear, queue-free photos.

3. Anmok Beach Coffee Street (안목해변 커피거리 — Changhae-ro 14beon-gil, Gangneung-si): After exploring Jumunjin in the morning, head south to Anmok Beach, where over 30 specialty coffee roasteries line the white-sand promenade with multi-story glass windows overlooking the waves.

Local Gangneung Delicacies & KTX Travel Tips

Must-Eat Dishes in Gangneung: Chodang Sundubu (초당순두부 — silky uncurdled tofu simmered with clean East Sea seawater, including spicy seafood jjamppong sundubu and black-sesame sundubu gelato), Jumunjin fresh snow crab & raw fish market, and Gangneung Jungang Market's crispy dakgangjeong (sweet-spicy glazed chicken).

Transportation Tip: Book your round-trip KTX tickets to Gangneung Station at least 1–2 weeks in advance if traveling on a Friday or weekend. From Gangneung KTX Station, Gangneung City sets up an official Tourist Taxi program (3-hour flat-rate private taxi) that covers Jumunjin Breakwater, BTS Bus Stop, Arte Museum, and Anmok Beach seamlessly.