Goblin: 939 Years of Waiting
Goblin: The Lonely and Great God premiered on tvN in December 2016 and swiftly became one of the defining Korean dramas of the decade. Written by Kim Eun-sook, the powerhouse screenwriter behind Descendants of the Sun and Mr. Sunshine, the series stars Gong Yoo as Kim Shin, a Goryeo Dynasty warrior cursed with immortality for 939 years, Kim Go-eun as Ji Eun-tak, the bright-spirited high school student destined to be the Goblin's bride, and Lee Dong-wook as the Grim Reaper, a supernatural being with his own buried secrets. The show's finale reached a staggering 20.5% viewership rating, a record-breaking number for a cable network at the time. Beyond ratings, the drama's cultural impact was enormous. The OST track "Beautiful" by Crush climbed to number one on Korean music charts and remains a karaoke staple years later. Phrases from the show entered everyday Korean conversation, and the drama's blend of mythology, humor, and heartbreak resonated with international audiences when it became available on Netflix. One of its most distinctive creative choices was the decision to film key sequences in Quebec City, Canada, lending the series a European fairy-tale aesthetic that set it apart from other Korean fantasy dramas.
Behind the Scenes
Director Lee Eung-bok was meticulous about matching each filming location to the emotional tone of the scene. Jumunjin Beach in Gangneung was chosen for the fateful first meeting between Kim Shin and Eun-tak because the production team envisioned a setting where the sea and buckwheat flowers could coexist in a single frame. The crew scattered thousands of artificial buckwheat blossoms across the sand to create the ethereal, windswept effect visible in the final cut. For the Goblin's iconic door-opening scenes, where Kim Shin steps through a portal and emerges in a completely different location, the team used the tree-lined tunnel paths inside Incheon Grand Park. The towering trees formed a natural archway that, combined with careful lighting, created the illusion of a mystical gateway. The overseas shoot in Quebec City lasted approximately two weeks and was among the most ambitious international K-drama productions of its time. The crew filmed at Petit-Champlain, the picturesque narrow street with its colorful storefronts and the famous red door, and at the imposing Chateau Frontenac, one of the most photographed hotels in the world. Quebec's cobblestone lanes, horse-drawn carriages, and centuries-old stone walls gave the Goblin's world an Old World grandeur that purely Korean locations could not replicate.
Filming Location Travel Guide
For domestic locations, the most popular destination is Jumunjin Beach. From Seoul, take the KTX to Gangneung Station (approximately 2 hours), then transfer to local Bus 111 or 112, which reaches Jumunjin in about 40 minutes. The beach area where the first-meeting scene was filmed is clearly marked with a signboard and statue. Incheon Grand Park is conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from Incheon Grand Park Station on Incheon Metro Line 1. The park is enormous, so head toward the tree-lined promenades near the main entrance to find the filming spots. Bogum Bridge, the pedestrian walkway attached to the Banghwa Bridge, is accessible via a 15-minute walk from Banghwa Station on Seoul Subway Line 5. The walk along the Han River to reach the bridge is pleasant in itself. For Quebec City, international visitors should fly into Jean Lesage International Airport. The old town, where most filming took place, is compact and easily walkable. Petit-Champlain is in the Lower Town, reachable by the funicular from Terrasse Dufferin, while Chateau Frontenac dominates the skyline of Upper Town. Korean tourists visiting Quebec have surged since the drama aired, and several local tour companies now offer dedicated Goblin walking tours in Korean and English.
Fan Pilgrimages
Jumunjin Beach has been permanently transformed by the drama's legacy. The local government erected a life-sized Goblin statue alongside a designated photo zone with props and signage recreating the first-meeting scene. On weekends and holidays, fans line up for their turn to pose at the exact spot where Gong Yoo stood with buckwheat petals swirling around him. Bogum Bridge earned its affectionate nickname from fans of actor Park Bo-gum, who appeared in a cameo. The pedestrian walkway is especially atmospheric at sunset, when the Han River glows orange and the city skyline creates a cinematic backdrop. Incheon Grand Park offers a different kind of pilgrimage experience: quieter, more contemplative, and beautiful across all four seasons — cherry blossoms in spring, dense green canopies in summer, fiery foliage in autumn, and snow-dusted branches in winter. Each season gives the Goblin's door scene a completely different mood. In Quebec, Korean visitor numbers to the old town reportedly surged by over 30% in the years following the drama's broadcast. Local businesses on Rue du Petit-Champlain have embraced the connection, with some shops displaying Korean-language signs and Goblin-themed merchandise.
Nearby Food & Attractions
In Gangneung, a trip to Jumunjin Beach pairs naturally with a visit to the Jumunjin Fish Market, one of the east coast's liveliest seafood markets. Freshly caught crab, squid, and sashimi platters are available at stalls where the vendors will prepare your purchase on the spot. After the market, head south to Gangneung Coffee Street (Anmok Beach), a stretch of oceanfront cafes that has become a destination in its own right — the city is widely considered the coffee capital of Korea. If you have an extra morning, make the trip to Jeongdongjin, famous for having the train station closest to the ocean in the world and for its spectacular sunrise views over the East Sea. Back in the Seoul-Incheon area, after visiting Incheon Grand Park and Bogum Bridge, consider exploring the broader Incheon Chinatown and Songdo area for food and waterfront scenery. Accommodation near Jumunjin ranges from beachfront pensions to modern hotels in downtown Gangneung, while the Seoul-based locations are easily visited as day trips from any hotel in the city.
