You’ve reached the end of Hometown Cha Cha Cha and cannot let go of the magic that is Gongjin. Or perhaps, you’ve just started the show and you cannot believe a blissful place like it exists.
In either case, you’re frantically searching if Gongjin is indeed a real place in South Korean, and if yes, “here are my bank details.”
Gongjin is not a real place in South Korea. All of Hometown Cha Cha Cha’s scenes and iconic spots are filmed at Pohang in Korea’s North Gyeongsang province.
In fact, Pohang is quite a coveted filming spot for K-dramas and besides Hometown, When the Camelia Blooms has also been filmed here!
Now Gongjin may not be a real town, but you can definitely visit Pohang if you’re in Korea. I’ve put together all the important details about to get to Hometown Cha Cha Cha’s filming locations, so you better bookmark this page!
How to find Gongjin’s filming locations in Korea?
There are many modes of transport available to travel from Seoul to Pohang, but the most recommended and fastest one is the KTX (train), which will get you there in under two and a half hours.
Once you’re here, maps will be your best friend to get to all of Hometown Cha Cha Cha’s iconic spots.
- Let’s start with the one that will require the most effort: Chief Hong’s ship. The ship is located at the top of Mugeunbong Peak at Sabang Memorial Park. Mind you, it is quite a climb. But hey, all’s fair in love and K-dramas!
Sabang Memorial Park is generally known for short hikes and leisure activities, so if you’re an outdoorsy person, this may be right up your alley.
If you’re up for another big hike, do check out Mount Gonryun from where most of the show’s panoramic shots were taken.
- Hye-jin’s clinic AKA Yoon’s Dental Clinic is a mere 10-15 minute walk away from Du-sik’s boat. In maps, you can enter the location: 429 Cheongjin-ri, Cheongha-myeon.
- Now, a few of the other famous locations like Chun-Jae’s cafe, Cheongho Hardware Store and Bora’s Supermarket are all in the same area in Beongil. The shops and cafe are not functional, but they are open as tourist and photo spots!
You will find Gongjin’s marketplace and town sign if you search for Cheongha Market, Beongil in maps. I recommend trying out the local delicacies at the market for sure.
- This is my favorite location from the show and I wouldn’t ever miss going to:
Cheongjin Hang East Breakwater Light. Yes! The iconic red lighthouse whereDu-sik and Hye-jin confess their love for each other. I’d reckon if you ever see a random red lighthouse, you’ll immediately think of Hometown Cha Cha Cha.
- Let’s end with where Hye-jin and Du-sik’s journey first started, that is in real-life Wolpo beach. This is where they first met as kids and later as adults, then started to fall in love while playing in the rain and finally proposed to each other. Why not catch the sunset here?
Now I know what you’re wondering — I’ve given you the locations of almost all the famous spots except for the characters’ houses. You see, the houses belong to Pohang’s actual residents who leased it out for filming.
After Hometown Cha Cha Cha got super popular, a lot of fans began visiting these houses without prior permission and invading the residents’ privacy.
Due to this, the production team has requested fans to only visit locations that are open to the public.
That’s a wrap! If you’re a big fan of the show and want to relive some of its memories in the actual location it was filmed, this is one grand way of spending your day.
About Hometown Cha Cha Cha
Hometown Cha Cha Cha is a South Korean drama that is set in the fictional town of Gongjin. While it follows the idiosyncratic stories of its residents, it focuses the town’s newest arrival Yoon Hye-jin, who gives up her hectic life in Seoul to open her own dental clinic in scenic Gongjin.
She often clashes with Hong Du-sik, Gongjin’s overly skilled handyman with a traumatic past. Their different perspectives on life bring together, ensuing a romance full of healing.
The main cast is made up of Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho and Lee Sang-yi.
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