Today, I’d like to introduce you to Neungpadae in Goseong.
Most travelers heading to Gangwon-do point their car toward Sokcho or Gangneung, chasing the same crowded beaches and the same coffee shops everyone else already photographed. That’s not a bad plan, but it means missing a stretch of coast just twenty minutes north of Sokcho that barely resembles the rest of Korea’s shoreline at all.
Wind and sea spray have spent thousands of years carving a granite coastline into something closer to a lunar landscape than a beach town — and it happens to be the exact hidden gem where BTS shot their 2021 Winter Package.
Here is what a visit to this otherworldly destination actually looks like.
Honeycomb Rocks: A Goseong Neungpadae Coastline Carved by Wind and Salt
Neungpadae’s name translates roughly to “a place where waves break against the rocks,” and that’s not poetic exaggeration — it’s a literal description of how the place was made. For millennia, the East Sea’s winter winds and salt spray have hammered these granite boulders, hollowing them out into a spectacular geological pattern called Tafoni: honeycomb-like cavities and deep pockets that pit the rock’s surface.
Walking the well-maintained wooden boardwalk that winds through and over the boulders feels less like a beach walk and more like exploring a cave system turned inside out. Some of the larger hollows open straight onto the ocean, framing the deep blue water like a natural window. It’s the kind of raw texture that photographs beautifully in any light, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
BTS Filming Location: Retracing the 2021 Winter Package Photoshoot
Geologists and local photographers had known about Neungpadae for years before it became a global pilgrimage site. That changed when HYBE’s art directors picked this exact stretch of Goseong coast for the BTS 2021 Winter Package shoot.
Instead of heavy winter padding, the directors dressed the members in warm brown tones, cozy knits, and classic autumn coats that played off the dark, pitted texture of the rock behind them. The contrast — soft fabric against jagged stone, warm earthy tones against a cold grey sea — is part of why that photobook remains a legendary aesthetic in K-pop history.
- ARMY Pro-Tip: If you’re retracing those iconic shots, look for the large, hollowed-out rock windows facing the water. That is where most of the members’ solo portraits were framed. The boardwalk makes it incredibly easy to reach nearly all of them without any real climbing, making it perfect for a quick photo stop rather than a strenuous hike. Don’t forget to bring your favorite photo cards for the ultimate proof shot!
A Quiet Half Hour by the East Sea Horizon
What makes Neungpadae absolutely worth the detour — even without the BTS connection — is how wonderfully empty it usually is. While Sokcho and Gangneung absorb the massive weekend crowds, this specific stretch of the Goseong coast mostly doesn’t.
The walk from end to end takes about 20 to 30 minutes. It is just long enough to hear the waves crash directly beneath the wooden deck, feel the clean ocean breeze come in off the open water, and stare out with absolutely nothing between you and the horizon. It’s a short stop, but it’s the exact kind of peaceful reset that changes the entire pace of a longer road trip.
Goseong Travel Practicalities: Address, Transit, and Local Food
To help you plan your itinerary seamlessly, here are the essential travel details for visiting Neungpadae:
- Address: 65 Gwaejin-gil, Jugwang-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do (강원 고성군 죽왕면 괘진길 65)
- Admission & Parking: 100% Free! A spacious parking lot is available right at the entrance of Munam Harbor.
- By Public Transit: Take an intercity bus from Seoul’s East Seoul Bus Terminal to Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal (approx. 2.5 hours). From Sokcho, catch local bus No. 1 or 1-1 heading north, get off at the Munam-ri stop, and walk about 10 minutes toward the coast.
- By Rental Car (Highly Recommended): The easiest and most scenic option. Neungpadae is roughly a 20-minute drive north of central Sokcho along Gangwon’s coastal road.
- Honest Food Recommendation: Before you leave the area, stop by a nearby local spot for a bowl of Goseong Makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles in a savory, refreshing broth). It is traditionally served alongside a plate of tender boiled pork (Suyeok), making it the ultimate regional dish to refuel after your coastal walk.
Closing Thought & Your Next Korea Itinerary
Neungpadae isn’t trying to be Korea’s next massive, commercialized beach destination, and that’s exactly its appeal. It’s a hidden gem where geology did something incredibly strange over thousands of years, and where seven of the world’s biggest pop stars stood to capture a moment of cinematic magic.
Add it to your Gangwon itinerary, and it stops feeling like just another stop on a checklist — it starts feeling like the one place on your trip that didn’t look like anywhere else on Earth.
If you are planning your journey starting from Seoul or looking for more authentic culinary spots before heading east, make sure to check out our honest guide to Hidden Spots for Real Locals in Seoul to maximize your Korean adventure!
Have you ever visited a K-pop filming location in Korea? Let us know your favorite spots in the comments below!