Pachinko in Busan: 4 Spots (4 Reported)

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Pachinko is an Apple TV+ series based on Min Jin Lee’s novel. The Busan Film Commission says a team of about 200 filmed in Busan for six days in November 2020, at ten locations, and that Yeongdo is the hometown of the heroine, Sunja.

Every place here is reported by the Busan Film Commission.

Yeongdo, Sunja’s island

Yeongdo is an island district joined to central Busan by bridges. The Busan Film Commission says scenes of the older Sunja longing for home were filmed at Gamji Beach, and it also lists Taejongdae, the clifftop park at the island’s tip.

Across the harbor

Jagalchi Market, on the harbor facing Yeongdo, is on the same list, as is a footbridge in Beomil-dong. The commission also names Centum City Station and BEXCO in Haeundae. A residential village, a district office and a memorial park from the list are left out of this guide.

For more films and dramas shot in the city, see our Busan hub.

Getting there

From Nampo-dong or Busan Station, search the route to Yeongdo on Naver Map (English UI). From Seoul, you have two good options: KTX trains to Busan Station (about 2h40m; check Korail), or flights from Seoul Gimpo (GMP) to Busan Gimhae (PUS) — about 1h05m in the air, with one-way fares typically ₩35,000–110,000; check current prices. For door-to-door time, the KTX often wins once airport transfers are counted.

Good to know: Traditional market (시장) culture

Jagalchi is Korea’s most famous traditional market. Here’s how to make the most of it — and any market you visit.

Korea’s traditional markets (시장) are the beating heart of neighborhood life — and a favorite K-drama backdrop for everything from chase scenes to quiet morning errands. Gwangjang Market in Seoul, Jagalchi in Busan, and the fifth-day markets of the countryside each have their own rhythm. Go hungry: markets are the best place to graze, from bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) to freshly sliced hoe (raw fish). A few practical tips: carry some cash, as smaller vendors may not take cards; don’t be shy about tasting samples vendors offer — it’s part of the culture; and bargain gently at clothing or goods stalls, but not at food stalls where prices are fixed. Markets are busiest in the morning and around mealtimes. Many now have multilingual signage and food-tour programs, but learning two phrases helps enormously: “이거 얼마예요?” (igeo eolmaeyo — how much is this?) and “맛있어요” (masisseoyo — delicious). Remember that vendors work long hours in tight spaces — keep aisles clear and avoid blocking stalls when taking photos.

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