Fans of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha often search for “Gongjin” as if it were a single real village. The drama’s seaside world, however, was assembled from several places around Pohang. That makes a fan trip rewarding, but only if you plan it as a route rather than expecting one compact television set.
The Korea Tourism Organization’s official VISITKOREA feature documents one of the most recognizable locations clearly: Cheongha Market in Pohang was used as Gongjin Market. The tourism page identifies the market as the setting for places associated with the drama such as the Oyun Café area, Bora Supermarket and Cheongho Hardware Store.
Start with Cheongha Market, not a random map pin
Cheongha Market is a sensible first stop because it gives fans several recognizable references in one walkable area. VISITKOREA notes that the market retains the everyday atmosphere seen in the drama and even mentions the squid statue at its center.
The official tourism page lists the market at 6 Cheongha-ro 200beon-gil, Buk-gu, Pohang-si. It also describes a bus connection from Pohang Station using express bus 5000 to the Cheongha Market stop. Bus operations can change, so use the current local transit app on the day of your trip rather than relying on an old fan blog timetable.
What still exists and what should be treated carefully
Filming locations are not all permanent visitor attractions. Some are ordinary shops, private properties or working businesses. VISITKOREA specifically warns that the location used for the Oyun Café is a working aluminum factory and asks visitors to wait until the factory has closed before approaching the recognizable filming spot.
That detail is important. A K-drama trip should not turn a real workplace or home into an unofficial theme park. If a location is fenced, occupied or clearly private, photograph it from a legal public area and move on.
How much time do you need?
If you only want Cheongha Market, one to two hours is enough for a slow walk, photos and a snack. If you want a broader Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha day, budget most of a day because the drama used locations spread across the Pohang region rather than one block.
A realistic plan is to choose two or three clusters instead of attempting every pin from a fan-made map. The more locations you add, the more time you spend in a car or bus rather than experiencing the coast that made the drama memorable.
A practical fan-day structure
- Morning: arrive in Pohang and go to Cheongha Market before the day becomes rushed.
- Late morning: walk the market slowly, matching scenes without blocking vendors or entrances.
- Lunch: eat locally instead of treating the market only as a photo set.
- Afternoon: choose one coastal filming cluster rather than chasing every remote location.
- Before sunset: stop at a legal seaside viewpoint and end the day with the coastal atmosphere that inspired the fictional Gongjin setting.
Driving versus public transport
Public transport can work for the market itself, particularly if you are comfortable using Korean map and bus apps. A car is much more useful if your goal is to connect multiple outlying filming locations on the same day.
International visitors who do not want to drive should consider either narrowing the trip to the market and one nearby area or using a taxi for the less-connected portion of the route. Trying to reproduce a car-based fan itinerary entirely by local buses can turn a relaxed drama trip into a timetable exercise.
How to recognize the market without over-staging photos
The best photos here are often wider street scenes rather than exact recreations with tripods in the middle of a working lane. Look for the market’s central features, storefront rhythm and the public spaces documented by the tourism authority. If a shop has changed signs or appearance since filming, that is normal; the drama was produced years before your visit.
If filming-location travel is your main interest, compare this route with our Queen of Tears filming locations in Mungyeong. Pohang works better for coastal mood and a dispersed fan road trip, while Mungyeong can be easier for travelers who prefer a more attraction-centered day.
What not to assume from old fan guides
- A cafe shown in the drama may not operate as a real cafe.
- Private property access can change.
- Signs and set dressing may have been removed.
- Bus routes and schedules may have changed since the drama aired.
- A location marked “Gongjin” online may be one of several separate Pohang sites.
FAQ
Is Gongjin a real town?
The drama’s Gongjin is fictional. The production used multiple real locations, including Cheongha Market in Pohang.
Can I visit the Oyun Café filming spot?
VISITKOREA notes that the filming location is a working aluminum factory and specifically advises visitors to wait until the factory closes before visiting the recognizable spot. Respect current access rules and the business operating there.
Can I do the locations as a day trip from Seoul?
It is possible, but it becomes a long day once intercity travel and movement around Pohang are included. An overnight stay is more comfortable if you want several filming areas rather than only Cheongha Market.
Do I need to rent a car?
Not for Cheongha Market alone. For several coastal locations in one day, a car or strategic taxi use can save substantial time.
Official source
Checked September 19, 2026. Filming locations can change because many are ordinary businesses or private properties. Verify local access on the day of your visit.