Of all the K-drama pilgrimages on Korea’s east coast, few are as instantly recognizable as the Goblin breakwater in Jumunjin. This is the lonely stone jetty on Yeongjin Beach where, in the smash 2016 drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God — known everywhere simply as Goblin — a schoolgirl blew out her birthday candles and summoned an immortal from the sea. That single scene turned an ordinary fishing-village breakwater into one of Gangneung’s most-photographed spots, and fans have been recreating it, red scarf and bouquet in hand, ever since. It sits just up the coast from Jumunjin proper and makes a memorable stop on any east-coast day.
The Scene That Made It Famous
Goblin was a cultural juggernaut across Asia, and its imagery — snow, candlelight, a fated meeting by the water — is burned into the memory of anyone who watched it. The breakwater scene, where Ji Eun-tak first calls the Goblin into being, is the one fans most want to stand in. What makes the spot work is how little it has changed: it’s still a plain concrete-and-stone jetty reaching into the East Sea, with the same wide sky and restless water behind it. There’s no set dressing, no ticket booth — just the sea, the breakwater and the scene playing in your head as you walk out along it.
What to Expect When You Visit
Yeongjin Beach is a small, unhurried stretch of coast, and the breakwater is right there when you arrive. Local vendors near the beach rent out the exact props from the scene — the red scarf and the bunch of buckwheat flowers — for a few thousand won, so you can pose for the photo without carrying anything from home. Some stalls also sell hot drinks and snacks, which makes the wait for your turn on the jetty a pleasant one on a breezy day. It’s a friendly, low-key spot: on quiet days you may have the jetty nearly to yourself, while weekends and holidays bring a gentle, self-organizing queue of fans taking turns for the shot. Mind your footing on the breakwater, especially when the water is high or the wind picks up, and keep back from the edge for photos.
How to Get There from Seoul
The smooth route is the KTX from Seoul to Gangneung, roughly two hours as of 2026; book ahead on weekends and holidays via Korail’s English site. From Gangneung Station it’s about a 30-minute ride on local bus 300 toward Jumunjin, or a quicker taxi. Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for live bus times, since Google Maps is unreliable for Korean transit. The real reward is that you’re now in prime pilgrimage country: the BTS bus stop on nearby Hyangho Beach is a short hop away, letting you knock out two of the coast’s most beloved photo spots in a single morning.
Best Time to Go and Nearby Stops
Early mornings on weekdays are the sweet spot — soft east-coast light, calm crowds, and the wistful, empty-beach mood the drama traded on. Golden hour late in the day works beautifully too, with the sun low over the water behind you. Build the visit into a broader coastal loop: Jumunjin’s seafood market is minutes away for a fresh-off-the-boat lunch, and Korea’s beloved Gangneung coffee coast is an easy drive south for a hand-drip with an ocean view. For the full picture of the region, our guide to the mountains and beaches of Gangwon maps out how to string these stops together over a day or two.
Good to Know
- Free and open around the clock — it’s a public beach breakwater, with no tickets or hours.
- Navigate to “Yeongjin Beach” (영진해변) near Jumunjin, Gangneung, using Naver Map or Kakao Map.
- Nearby vendors rent the red scarf and buckwheat-flower props for a few thousand won.
- KTX Seoul–Gangneung runs about two hours; from there take bus 300 or a taxi toward Jumunjin.
- Watch your step on the breakwater and stay clear of the edge, especially in wind or high water.
- Pair it with the BTS bus stop at Hyangho Beach and lunch at Jumunjin’s seafood market.
Goblin Breakwater FAQ
Is this the actual breakwater from the drama?
Yes — the jetty on Yeongjin Beach is the real filming location, not a replica. It’s an ordinary working breakwater that the show made famous, which is part of its charm: what you see is exactly what appeared on screen.
Can I combine it with the BTS bus stop in one trip?
Easily. Both sit on the same stretch of coast near Jumunjin, only a short ride apart, so many visitors photograph the Goblin breakwater and the BTS bus stop at Hyangho Beach on the same morning before heading to lunch.
Do I need a car to visit?
No — KTX to Gangneung plus a local bus or taxi covers it. That said, if you plan to hop between several east-coast beaches and filming spots in one day, a rental car from Gangneung makes the coastal logistics much easier.
Rent the red scarf, walk out to the end of the jetty, and for a moment the sea, the sky and the scene all line up exactly as you remember them.