Discovering Jumunjin: BTS + Goblin Shooting Locations

Jumunjin was my next stop after 2 nights in Sokcho.

You'll rarely encounter Jumunjin in travel or Korea blogs. All I know is that Jumunjin is near Sokcho, a perfect stopover before heading back to Seoul especially for fan girls like me! You'll find two popular Hallyu shooting locations in this northeastern town of Gangneung City.

How To Go To Jumunjin From Sokcho

I took a bus from Sokcho to Gangneung. Then another bus from Gangneung to Jumunjin. It sounds tiring, but at that time my mind was focused on seeing snow (according to Accuweather). I used the waiting and traveling time to update my social media. Before I knew it, I was already in Jumunjin.

Travel time from Sokcho to Gangneung is only about an hour (almost same as when I go to events in Makati coming from Alabang), and only around 20 minutes from Gangneung to Jumunjin.

Bus fares cost KRW 7200 and KRW 2400 respectively. I bought my tickets on-the-spot at the ticket booths inside the bus terminals, no online reservations required.

The bus stop in Jumunjin is in front of a 7Eleven. I took this picture the next day when skies were already clear, but on the actual day of my arrival it was raining non-stop (no snow).

I was only carrying a small luggage and a light backpack, but holding a phone on one hand to make sure I am on the right track made navigating difficult under the rain and freezing weather.

And so after crossing the main road....

And a bridge...

...I finally spotted my home for a night in Jumunjin!

Upon entering Kangdbang Guesthouse, the guesthouse owner (G.O.) welcomed me in a homey common room filled with books, magazines, and wooden fixtures. It looks straight out of Kinfolk.

G.O. showed me to my room, and handed me fresh sheets for my bed and pillows. We also toured around his humble guesthouse, while explaining the house rules.

After finding out that I haven't had lunch yet and that I'm a vegetarian, G.O. excused himself and bought packs of vegetarian ramyeun in a nearby convenience store even though it was a downpour! Dun palang, I was super ready to give this guesthouse a perfect 10 rating.

It was way past lunch time, so I decided to head out after our meal. It was tempting to just stay put in the guesthouse and chill, but there's no time to waste!

If not for the rain, going around Jumunjin was a breeze. They only have one bus line stopping at both Jumunjin Beach and the Breakwater. I used my T-Money Card to pay for my bus fares.

Upon going down the bus, I immediately saw this BTS signage on the street. Btw! Both "BTS Bus Station" and "Jumunjin Breakwater" are on Google Maps!

  

Hay, imagine being at the beach, but with this overcast and cold weather. 😐

I finally saw it! It's not hard to spot the BTS Bus Stop! Coming from the main road, just walk to the beach, then turn left! There are restaurants (mostly closed) on the other side facing the beach. Would have been nice to hangout there.

  

Up to now I still can't believe I was able to go here, hours away from Seoul, and on my own! :) Savoured the moment and the Bangtan breadcrumbs while I sat there and waited for the rain to stop.

Then finally saw it! You'll know you're on the right breakwater when you see other tourists stop by and take photos. 4 years since the Kdrama ended, and this shooting location still gets attention! 😊

Something to consider: May harang na sya when I went there. Maybe it's because of the bad weather and HUGE waves.

It was difficult to take self-timer pictures coz walang mapapatungan (matatangay ng waves). I asked another solo traveler to take my photo, but pumatay yung camera ko so I settled for my phone! When I offered to take his photos too--he went inside the railings! Naloka ako while ako sa bungad lang nagpapic haha! So I had to follow him inside, and take his pictures in the middle of the breakwater. Inabutan tuloy yung shoes namin ng waves wah!

Thank you editing apps! I just removed the rails from my photo hehehe.

Decided to go back in my area, and looked for a place to eat dinner. Had hot soup in a family restaurant, one of the many recommendations of G.O. I remember having a hard time ordering from ajumma, so she called her daughter who helped me with my vegetarian noodles.

I was savouring my hot, home-cooked meal, while watching the news of the corona virus outbreak in some parts of Korea. Ajumma and daughter were conversing, with a tinge of worry in their voices.

After this meal, I bought my first KF94 mask in a supermart to replace the sponge mask I've been reusing since the start of my trip. Time for extra filters against the new virus!!

 

After that, I had a hot bath so I won't get sick, and was ready to sleep. But before entering my room, G.O. introduced me to the guest who just arrived. He offered me to try Korean drinks!

Guest brought 2 bottles of Korean rice wine, products of the company he works for, which he generously shared to us. Ang sarap! I sat with G.O. and guest for a good hour, we talked about travels, Korean age, work life, and drinking culture. We compared Korean and Filipino drinking cultures including pulutan, tagay, and who should pour a drink for you. I was also asked about Philippines' own alcoholic drink aside from San Miguel, buti nalang naalala ko ang lambanog (coconut wine) to which one of them replied with "masiseoyo!"

Super nag-enjoy ako! Nahiya lang ako mag selfie coz baka di sila comfortable, sayang wala man lang akong souvenir na nanyari talaga yun hehehe!

I was supposed to leave for Seoul in the morning, but decided to stay til the afternoon when I woke up to a better weather!

When I went out of my room, G.O. already prepared our breakfast. We had apple slices, toast, cereals mixed with nuts, boiled eggs, and coffee. Everything's good! Guest said, "He's a good guesthouse owner!" I second the motion!

It was warmer and brighter. Saw these shells stacked outside our guesthouse:

Saw the 7Eleven again, where I stayed yesterday:

Saw signages, shops, and instalments that I missed the other day:

Waves were still huge, and may harang parin sa Goblin breakwater. Just walked along the stretch of the beach, then decided to dine in one of the local shops.

I went for this gelato place. I love its interiors! Very clean, modern minimalist, and most importantly, all their seats face the sea so guests can enjoy the view while having gelato.

  

Here's the name of the gelateria: Chodang Gelato. Forgot what flavor I got, but I usually pick the hazelnut, salted caramel, or vanilla flavors.

I had a nice view of the Goblin breakwater from the 2nd floor:

Decided to continue my walking mode by the beach to the direction of my guesthouse. Then, half-heartedly, checked out from Kangdbang to catch the bus to Seoul.

Passed by this snowy area from the bus window:

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⁣⁣⁣ I only had 24 hours to appreciate the beachtown of 𝐉𝐮𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐢𝐧—the gameplan was to see the 𝐁𝐓𝐒 𝐁𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 and 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐆𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧. It was rainy when I got there via bus from Sokcho-Gangneung, hands freezing as I pulled my luggage to my guesthouse. 𝘎𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘰 𝘵𝘰! 😅⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Today, on my way back to the same bus stop but heading for Seoul, I was welcomed with warmth and sun. My sneakers are finally dry after getting wet from plunging into the breakwater, trying to jump away from the huge waves while taking pictures of this classic Kdrama location (Now or Never!)⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Jumunjin was a short adventure, but unbelievably I still felt that tiny pierce in my heart whenever I say good bye to another city (have you felt that too before?). ⁣ ⁣ To puddles in front of the bus stop, newly launched local vegetarian ramyeun “on the house”, a sanctuary called 7Eleven cafe selling giant rubber slippers, to enjoying sool (Korean rice wine) at night with good conversations & orange as 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘯, and finally seeing the beauty of the beach with the sun out, nutella gelato in one hand. ♥️ ⁣ ⁣ Thank you Jumunjin! Maybe I’ll encounter you again someday.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ “𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡. 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭.” - 𝘎𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ #koreanagon⁣⁣ #anagonvacation⁣⁣ #kdramatour⁣⁣ #goblin⁣⁣ #BTS⁣ #btsbusstop⁣ #youneverwalkalone⁣ #jumunjin

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