The Drama's Gangwon-do Gongjin is Actually Pohang!
Do you remember the tvN drama "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" that aired in 2021 and achieved a peak rating of 11.6%? The perfect chemistry between Shin Min-a and Kim Seon-ho, the heartwarming stories of village residents, and above all, the beautiful seaside scenery captivated viewers' hearts in this healing romance drama.
While the drama portrayed a fictional location called "Gongjin-dong, Cheongho-si, Gangwon-do," the actual filming location is Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Approximately 80% of the drama was filmed in the areas of Cheongha-myeon in Pohang's Buk-gu and Guryongpo-eup in Nam-gu. Today, let's take a journey to visit the places where Hye-jin and Du-sik shared their heart-fluttering moments.
1. Cheongha Market (Gongjin Market) - The Heart of the Drama
Address: 6, Cheongha-ro 200beon-gil, Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Features: Traditional 5-day market open on days ending in 1 and 6
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| Source: Pohang-si |
Cheongha Market is the most central filming location of "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha." This is the Gongjin Market from the drama. A small traditional market that has existed since the 1920s, it was once a quiet place visited only by local residents, but after the drama aired, it became a popular destination attracting fans from across the country.
As you enter the market entrance, the first thing you'll see is the "Coffee at Noon, Beer at Midnight" café. This is the café run by Oh Yoon, the washed-up singer in the drama. Although it's actually a set, during the drama's airing, waiting lines exceeded 40 meters for people wanting to take photos here. Take a commemorative photo in front of the café as if you're the main character in the drama.
Going deeper into the market, you'll find familiar places from the drama still preserved, including Bora Supermarket, Cheongho Hardware Store, Gongjin Laundry, and Gongjin Stationery & Toy Store. The fun of taking photos while recalling drama scenes at each location is priceless. Especially in front of Cheongho Hardware Store, various items are displayed, creating an even more realistic atmosphere.
On one side of the market, there's a "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha message board" with character photos, famous lines from the drama, and post-it notes filled with visitors' impressions. Reading through these messages one by one, you can truly feel how much love this drama received.
Visiting Tips:
- Parking is available near the market's public restroom, making weekday parking convenient
- Parking may be limited on market days (1st and 6th of the month)
- Please be considerate not to disturb the daily lives of market vendors
2. Yoon Dental Clinic (Cheongjin 3-ri Village Community Center)
Address: Near Cheongjin 3-ri Village Community Center, Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
The Cheongjin 3-ri Village Community Center, about a 10-minute drive from Cheongha Market, was used as "Yoon Dental Clinic" where Hye-jin worked in the drama. With its neat blue and white exterior, this place was constantly filled with visitors during the drama's broadcast.
This is where Hye-jin's awkwardness when she first arrived at the village, her heart-fluttering moments with Du-sik, and warm scenes of caring for patients were all filmed. Standing in front of the actual building, you'll recall each scene from the drama with deep emotion.
Important Notice:
This is actually used as a village community center, so please only take photos from outside and refrain from entering the building.
3. Gonryunsan Paragliding Site - Pohang's View Restaurant
Address: 914-5, Chilpo-ri, Heunghae-eup, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Duration: About 20 minutes on foot from entrance to summit
Gonryunsan Paragliding Site is exactly where Hong Ban-jang would take outsiders and introduce as "our neighborhood observatory." Even before appearing in the drama, it was already known as Pohang's hidden view restaurant.
Using Chilpo Auto Camping Ground or E-mart 24 Pohang Chilpo-ri store as your starting point, park nearby and walk up. It's about a 20-minute hiking course, but note that the slope is quite steep. However, once you reach the summit, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Chilpo-ri village and the vast East Sea spread before your eyes.
This is where Hye-jin and Du-sik sat together and talked in the drama, where their heart-fluttering feelings began. You can witness that scenery with your own eyes. Visiting around sunset when the ocean and village are colored by the setting sun is especially romantic.
Visiting Tips:
- Comfortable sneakers are essential due to the steep slope
- There are no restrooms at the summit, so take care of this beforehand
- It's good to bring kimbap or drinks
- Be careful not to interfere with the paths of actual paragliding enthusiasts
- While camping was possible in the past, tent setup is now prohibited due to crowds
4. Seokbyeong 1-ri Village (Main Characters' Houses)
Address: Seokbyeong-ri, Janggi-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Note: Private property, external viewing only
This small fishing village centered around the Seokbyeong 1-ri Village Community Center is the actual background of "Gongjin Village" in the drama. The houses where main characters like Hye-jin, Du-sik, and Grandma Gam-ri lived are located here.
However, these houses are all private properties where actual residents live. During the drama's broadcast, many tourists flocked here, causing inconvenience to residents' daily lives, leading to a notice from the production team. To avoid causing harm to residents who supported the drama with good intentions, please only observe quietly from a distance and take photos respectfully.
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| Du-sik's house |
5. Guryongpo, Heunghwan, and Wolpo Beaches - Backgrounds for Ocean Scenes
The beautiful ocean scenes in the drama were filmed at several beaches in Pohang.
Guryongpo Beach
Address: Guryongpo-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Features: Fine sand and gentle waves, popular with families
Heunghwan Beach
Address: Donghae-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Features: Quiet and peaceful atmosphere, favored by locals
Wolpo Beach
Address: Heunghae-eup, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Features: Moon-shaped beach, beautiful for both sunrise and sunset
Each beach has its own unique characteristics, so if time permits, we recommend visiting several locations.
Other Pohang Attractions Worth Visiting
Igari Anchor Observatory
Address: Igari, Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Features: Observatory shaped like an anchor when viewed from above, panoramic view of the East Sea
Homigot Sunrise Plaza
Address: Homigot-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Features: One of the first places in Korea to see the sunrise, "Hands of Harmony" sculpture
Guryongpo Japanese House Street
Address: Guryongpo-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Features: Street preserving buildings from the Japanese colonial period, modern history experience
Recommended Pohang Restaurants
During your filming location tour, you'll get hungry, so here are Pohang's representative restaurants.
Kkakkunae Mori Noodles
Location: Guryongpo
Menu: Mori noodles (spicy noodles with monkfish and seafood)
Features: Over 50 years of tradition, representative hangover soup of Guryongpo fishermen
1703 Café
Location: Songra, Pohang
Features: Emotional café called "Little Greece of Pohang," East Sea view
Default Coffee Bar
Location: Near Guryongpo Beach
Features: Full windows overlooking Guryongpo sea, espresso specialty shop
Important Notices for Visitors
- Limited Public Transportation: Bus service from downtown Pohang to Cheongha-myeon is infrequent. Rental car or taxi use is recommended.
- Respect Residents: Most filming locations are actual residents' living spaces. Please be careful not to make loud noises or enter private property without permission.
- Photography Etiquette: When taking photos, be considerate of other visitors and ask shop owners for permission before photographing.
- Trash: Please take all trash with you to preserve the beauty of the locations you visit.
- Best Visiting Time: Visiting on weekdays or non-market days allows for more leisurely exploration.
Recommended Tour Routes
Day Trip Course
09:00 - Arrive in Pohang
09:30 - Cheongha Market (Gongjin Market) tour
11:00 - Visit Yoon Dental Clinic
12:00 - Lunch (Mori noodles or Pohang restaurants)
14:00 - Climb Gonryunsan Paragliding Site
16:00 - Guryongpo Beach & Japanese House Street
18:00 - Sunset viewing at Homigot
19:00 - Dinner and return
2-Day 1-Night Course
[Day 1]
Morning - Cheongha Market, Yoon Dental Clinic tour
Afternoon - Gonryunsan, Guryongpo Beach
Evening - Guryongpo Japanese House Street, Seokbyeong-ri Village (distant viewing)
[Day 2]
Morning - Sunrise at Homigot
Afternoon - Igari Anchor Observatory, Wolpo Beach
Before return - Pohang city restaurant tour
In Conclusion
"Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" was more than just a romance drama; it offered warm comfort to tired modern people. The story of Hye-jin finding her true self in a small seaside village away from the complicated city, Du-sik's character who continued helping others while carrying his own wounds, and the stories of village residents caring for and embracing each other touched many hearts.
Although several years have passed since the drama aired, Pohang's filming locations still preserve the emotions from that time. If you're exhausted from busy daily life and need healing, or if you miss the love story of the two characters, head to Pohang's seaside village.
Amid the blue sea, warm sunlight, and charming market scenery, you too can feel the heart-fluttering sensations that Hye-jin and Du-sik experienced. Just like the famous line from the drama, in that place where "there are many who regret and reflect, but not a single bad person," may you also put down beautiful roots.
Wishing you a happy Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha pilgrimage!