Pohang K-Drama & Coastal Healing

Pohang's #1 must-see — a 333-metre steel walkway shaped like a roller coaster that you walk (not ride) above Hwanho Park. The panoramic view of Yeongil Bay, the East Sea and POSCO's vast industrial skyline from the top is genuinely spectacular. One of Korea's most Instagrammed public art installations.

Stroll the beach and visit the Yeongildae Pavilion — a traditional-style wooden platform built over the sea. Then lunch on Pohang mulhoe: fresh raw fish in a spicy-sweet gochujang broth poured over rice — a uniquely Korean way to eat sashimi that surprises and delights every first-timer.

The main filming location of the hit K-drama When the Camellia Blooms. A perfectly preserved colonial-era Japanese merchant street with beautiful stone staircases and traditional wooden facades. Climb the stairs for a sweeping view over the fishing village, then stop at the real-life Camellia café featured in the drama.

The easternmost tip of the Korean peninsula — where the sun rises first over Korea. The landmark here is Sangsaeng-ui Son ("Hands of Coexistence"): giant bronze hands emerging from land and sea, symbolising national harmony. A surreal and photogenic sight that baffles and delights every foreign visitor.

The largest traditional market on the East Coast — dive in for fresh crab, hoe (sashimi) and street snacks. After dinner, walk to the beach promenade and watch the POSCO steelworks light up across Yeongil Bay — a glittering industrial night view that's unexpectedly beautiful with a cold beer in hand.

A dramatic red anchor-shaped viewing platform extending out over the East Sea, surrounded by dense coastal pine forest. The emerald water below and the sea breeze make this one of the most quietly beautiful spots on the entire East Coast — perfect for calm morning photography.

The actual market that became "Gongjin Market" in the global hit K-drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. The drama's iconic shops — Bora Super, Cheongho Hardware, Yoon's Café — are preserved exactly as they appeared on screen, making this a pilgrimage site for fans worldwide. Have a simple local lunch of kalguksu or boribap inside.

The clifftop park where the drama's hero kept his boat on a hilltop — a quirky detail that delighted global audiences. Climb the steps for a sweeping panorama of Pohang's northern coastline and open East Sea. A gentle hike with a deeply rewarding view.

For the adventurous: hike to the Gonlyunsan paragliding launch, an artificial-turf hilltop with an all-encompassing ocean view that doubles as one of Pohang's top Instagram spots. For a relaxed finish: settle into one of the floor-to-ceiling glass ocean-view cafés along the coast and watch surfers while sipping coffee — the perfect Pohang ending.