Experience “Goblin” Woljeongsa Fir Tree Forest Path & Jumunjin Breakwater, Making Hangwa, Gangneung Coffee Street

TVN drama “Goblin” might have ended for nearly a year now but its filming locations continue to receive high number of visitors everyday.

For the coming PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games, I had the pleasure to be invited by Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) to South Korea from 29 November to 3 December 2017, together with other 12 participants from eight countries.

We took some time to visit Gangwon province, where PyeongChang, Gangneung and Jeongseon are the host cities of the coming Olympic Games.

During the trip, we spent 2 days 1 night in the cities, where we were given deep insights into PyeongChang 2018 as well as visited Goblin filming sites and various experience activities.

Read more: Discover Arari Village, Byeongbangchi Skywalk, PyeongChang Tourism Night

Woljeongsa Fir Tree Forest Path

On the second day in Gangwon province, we first headed to the Woljeongsa Fir Tree Forest Path, which is popularly known as one of the filming locations of TVN’s fantasy drama Goblin of the scene when Euntak (played by Kim Go Eun) discovers her real purpose in life and attempts to run away from the ill-fated destiny.

Screengrab from TVN’s drama “Goblin”

It is at the Woljeongsa Fir Tree Forest Path that she cries out loud, resenting her fate.

When we arrived at the entrance of Woljeongsa, it was cold, really cold that morning. A check of the weather information revealed a sub-zero temperature of -10°C!

But we were warmly greeted and welcomed by our knowledgeable guide, who walked us through the forest, explaining everything about Woljeongsa Temple, culture, tradition and even a bit history of the remains of the two oldest fir trees that have already fallen down by heavy snow years ago!

Unfortunately, we could not visit Woljeongsa Temple at the end of the forest path due to ongoing construction work with many trucks around the area.

‘Wow PyeongChang’ group photo at Woljeongsa Fir Tree Forest Path

Address: 374-8 Odaesan-ro, Jinbu-myeon, PyeongChang-gun, Gangwon-do
(Source: Guide to Filming Locations of the Korean Drama Guardian: the Lonely and Great God, Published by Korean Tourism Organization)

We moved to our next destination. To keep Koreans and foreign visitors update of the preparations of the coming Olympic Winter Games, PyeongChang 2018 House is strategically set up in Gangneung as a promotional one-stop centre, providing essential information as well as various interaction activities and experiences for everyone. It was officially opened on 4 January 2016 by PyeongChang Organizing Committee.

Read more: Exploring PyeongChang House 2018 In Gangneung

Gangneung Galgol Hangwa Experience program

Next, we traveled to Galgol Hangwa Village. It is actually more like a building, which also has an exhibition hall and experience hall. For those who might not know, Hangwa is a general term which refers to traditional Korean confections that can be grouped into many categories like dasik (tea food), gwapyeon (fruit jelly), jeonggwa (fruit jerky), suksil-gwa, yeot-gangjeong, yugwa, yumil-gwa, and candies.

At the exhibition hall, our guide, who is the fifth generation of the Galgol Hangwa Village, ran through the history of Hangwa, including the wide variety of traditional Hangwa and the origin of Gangneun’s Hangwa.

Later on, we moved to the experience hall, where we had the opportunity for a practical experience to make our very own Hangwa. But it was quite an easy task for us. *grin

At first, I was thinking how on earth we could go through the whole process of making Hangwa. It did not seem easy from the introduction at the exhibition hall. It turned out that our host already prepared everything carefully for us. All we needed to do was to use honey as an adhesive to stick the beans, seeds and red dates onto it to design our own Hangwa.

A Hangwa masterpiece done by one of the participants from Singapore

But the experience of designing your own Hangwa is memorable for the chance to participate this important Korean tradition.

Address: 446, Nodong-ri, Sacheon-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

‘Wow PyeongChang’ group photo during Hangwa making experience program

Jumunjin Breakwater

This is probably the top coveted Goblin filming site that most K-drama fans would want to visit, especially to re-enact the scene when Euntak unknowingly summons the Goblin for the first time on her 19th birthday.

About Jumunjin Breakwater, it is geographically constructed between Jumunjin Beach and Yeongjin Beach to prevent sand from washing away. However, after Goblin selected the site as one of its filming locations, it is now famous for its scenic backdrop with the blue waves splashing away.

For a better drama-like picture, be sure to wear a red scarf with a flower bouquet just like what Euntak does.

Address: Gyohang-ri, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do (across the street from Haerang Raw Fish Restaurant” by Yeongjin Beach)

Gangneung Coffee Street

Finally, before we checked in our accommodation, we went to Gangneung Coffee Street to try out the specialty coffee in the city.

As some or most of us already know, the coffee culture is big in Korea, just like other Asian countries such as Singapore and Vietnam. So this street is perfect for all coffee lovers, where neat rows of cafes are located to make sure you are spoilt for choice.

Address: 17, Changhae-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
강원도 강릉시 창해로 17 (견소동)

‘Wow PyeongChang’ group photo at Gangneung Coffee Street

Related Articles:

• Discover The Other Side Of Seoul: K-Style Hub, Trick Eye Museum (Hongdae), BIBAP “The Chef” (A Hilarious Nonverbal Performance)
• Experience SMTOWN@COEX, Seoul Sky, Changdeokgung, Gwangjang Market & MBC World
• Discover Arari Village, Byeongbangchi Skywalk, PyeongChang Tourism Night
• Experience “Goblin” Woljeongsa Fir Tree Forest Path & Jumunjin Breakwater, Making Hangwa, Gangneung Coffee Street
• Exploring PyeongChang 2018 House In Gangneung
• This Aesthetically Pleasing Hotel In Korea Is An Art Museum – Haslla Art World
• Hunting For “Goblin” At Woljeongsa Temple, Jumunjin Breakwater & BBQ Premium Chicken Cafe

This article is presented for 2017 Wow PyeongChang Fam Trip, invited by Korean Tourism Organization (KTO). Special thanks to KTO staff Miss Lim Nam Hee, Miss Jinny Kim and Miss Jenny Oh.

Reporting by Adrian Cheng