Goblin Filming Spots in Gangneung — and a Studio Where You Paint Your Own Backdrop

The 2016 Korean drama Goblin — known in English as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, and as Dokkaebi (도깨비) in Korean — filmed several scenes around Gangneung. If you are a fan planning a trip, the city is an easy place to spend a day by the sea. And there is one more thing you can do here that you cannot do anywhere else: paint your own backdrop, then take your photos standing inside it.

🎬 The Goblin Filming Location: Jumunjin Breakwater

The best-known Goblin filming location near Gangneung is the Jumunjin Breakwater (주문진 방파제), on the coast just north of the city. It is a public spot by the sea that fans of the drama have visited ever since it aired.

• How to Get There: From Gangneung Station, you can take Bus No. 300, which takes about 30 minutes, followed by a 20-minute walk to the breakwater (approx. 50 minutes total). If you take a car or taxi, it is a quick 20-minute ride.

• What to Do & Tips: Recreate the iconic, romantic scene from the drama and capture your own memorable photos. The coastline is lined with a variety of great restaurants and cozy cafes. For the best photo quality, we recommend visiting during the day, as the angle of the sunlight makes it much easier to snap that perfect shot.

⚠️ Safety Notice: Please note that waves can occasionally overtop the breakwater, and there was a recent accident where someone was swept by a wave while taking photos. Always watch the waves, stay safe, and give way to local residents at work.

🗺️ Things to Do in Gangneung While You Are Here

Gangneung is a beautiful coastal city with more than enough to fill a day or two beyond the filming spots. After visiting the breakwater, consider exploring these nearby attractions:

• Gyeongpo Lake: A serene lake perfect for renting a bicycle or taking a relaxing stroll. Following the walking path will lead you through a scenic forest trail straight to the Heo Gyun · Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park.

• Ojukheon House: Designated as a National Treasure in 1963, this is the birthplace of Shin Saimdang and her son, the Confucian scholar Yulgok Yi I—the first mother and son in world history to be featured on a nation's banknotes. The Mongryongsil room, where Yulgok Yi I was born, is one of the oldest residential buildings in Korea. The name "Ojukheon" comes from the black bamboo (Ojuk) that beautifully surrounds the estate.

🎨 Paint Your Own Backdrop: A Self-Photo Studio

Now or Never is a paint-and-photo studio in Gangneung. Instead of posing in front of a ready-made set, you paint your own 2.4m (7.8ft) backdrop by hand, then take your photos right in front of it. The painting and the photo become one unified piece—an artwork you made, and a picture of you inside it.

• Travel Time from the Breakwater: It takes about 22 minutes by car or taxi from the Jumunjin Breakwater (Goblin filming location) to the studio. If you prefer public transit, you can take the City 1 Bus, which takes about an hour.

It is a completely different kind of keepsake from a trip planned around a drama: not just a photo of a place you saw on a screen, but a unique image you created yourself. No painting experience is needed, and the studio runs strictly by reservation only.

👹 The Dokkaebi, in Your Own Colours

In Korean folklore, a dokkaebi is a goblin-like spirit — mischievous, lucky, and a little strange. The 2016 drama borrowed the name, but the folk character is far older.

In fact, Gangneung folklore features its very own famous dokkaebi named 'Jangjamari', a spirit that symbolizes abundance and prosperity. Why not try painting your own version of this local Gangneung goblin at our studio? If you are looking for inspiration, visit the Now or Never Gallery to see the wonderful backdrops painted by our previous guests. Whatever you decide to create, the backdrop is entirely yours.

📅 Plan Your Visit & Booking Guide

Now or Never operates strictly by reservation to ensure a private and comfortable experience. For our exact location and detailed operating hours, please visit our About page via the link below:

[➡️ Go to Now or Never About Page]

💡 International Booking Guide While our primary booking is handled through the Korean 'Naver Booking' system, we understand this can be difficult or impossible for international visitors without local payment methods. In this case, we happily arrange bookings via PayPal or other alternative methods. Please feel free to reach out to us via Instagram DM (@nowornever_gn) or email for assistance!

Paint your world. Step inside it.

Keep reading: Things to do in Gangneung (1-day itinerary) · Paint your own backdrop: the studio experience