Summon Gong Yoo here！Filming location of the Korean drama “Goblin” — the Sacred Site of Mireu Stream

Text and photos byLittle Dot Paine

The attraction we’re introducing today is quite special. It’s called the Sacred Site of Mireu Stream (Gibeong Annyeon San), located in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. It has recently gained fame because the drama “Goblin” was filmed at the Mireu Stream Sanctuary, which features incredibly beautiful scenes that have drawn many visitors here. By the way, has anyone been to Anseong? I’ve been there before. The last place I visited was the Namsadang Tradition Transmission Hall (Aellacheon...?), which I haven’t written about yet, but it’s also a very peaceful place. So, my impression of Anseong is that it’s a very serene town.

Gibeong Annyeon San – Mireu Stream Sanctuary may not be a well-known place for many people. But for many Korean Catholics, this is truly a “sacred site.” Now, with “Goblin” being filmed here, it has become even more famous～

Source: Korea Tourism OrganizationMireu Stream means “Milky Way” in Korean. This place got its name because, in the past, many believers hid here to escape religious persecution — first during the Shin-yu Persecution (1801) and later the Gi-hae Persecution (1839) — forming a village of faithful followers. At night, when every household lit up their lamps, it looked like a shining Milky Way, hence the name.

Mireu Stream was originally one of the early Catholic missionary areas in Gyeonggi Province, including regions such as Gwangju, Siheung, Yongin, Yangpyeong, Hwaseong, and Anseong. As a result, by the time the main church was established here in 1896 — 50 years after Father Kim’s burial — there were already over 1,600 believers in the area. Father Kim Dae-geon was executed at the age of 26, and the royal court even ordered that he not be buried. Forty days after his execution, Lee Min-sik (Vincentius) bravely retrieved his remains and, under the cover of secrecy, carried them on his back until he could finally bury them in Mireu Stream.

Mireu Stream officially began its missionary work in 1972, and in 1989, the Grand Shrine commemorating the 103 Korean Martyrs was completed. As you enter the sacred site, the first thing you see is the memorial cathedral standing right in the center. This cathedral was built to honor the 103 canonized Korean martyrs. Behind the memorial cathedral lies the Cross Road, featuring 15 bronze statues depicting the process of Jesus being captured by Roman soldiers, bound to the cross, suffering, dying, and then being buried. Visiting Father Kim Dae-geon’s tomb, the Mireu Stream Sanctuary where his jawbone is enshrined, Father Kim’s statue, the Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, and Gethsemani Mountain will take approximately 2–3 hours.

Originally, we wanted to go inside for a visit, but unfortunately, we arrived right during Mass time, so entry was not allowed.

Isn’t the interior of the church just beautiful!!!!!! I really wish I could go in and take a look.
There are photos online you can check out. It’s actually bigger than I imagined. I’m not sure if it’s the color scheme or if it’s genuinely extra sacred, but I felt an inexplicable sense of reverence.

Since we couldn’t go into the large cathedral, there’s another, older church nearby that’s within walking distance, so we decided to head there instead.

I have no idea how old this church is — the guide didn’t mention it!!!

The interior of the church looks so simple. It reminded me of my childhood when I used to love visiting the chapel inside my kindergarten on weekends because the pastor and his wife would give me candy (I remember it was called Seastar Kindergarten). The chairs look similar to those in the big cathedral.

Wearing a veil for photos — this is just a fun photo idea, sort of like dressing up as the Goblin’s bride～

The grounds here are quite expansive, so strolling around does take quite a bit of time.

I tried looking online for transportation info to this place, but the bus service here is really limited. There are a few buses (like the 60, 60-3, etc.) that come here, but they only run twice a day, both before 10 AM, with no service in between. The last bus leaves around 7 or 8 PM, which is a very odd schedule. So, I don’t recommend taking the bus here. Don’t blindly check the schedule and wait for a bus that won’t come, because there isn’t one. Honestly, driving here yourself is the best option. Taking a taxi is expensive since it’s a bit far from the Anseong Bus Terminal. But since Taiwanese people can’t drive here, your best bet is to have a Korean friend drive you, or if you’re from Hong Kong or Macau where you can drive here, definitely come for a visit.

If your timing works out, there’s now an Anseong Tourist Bus running every Saturday.(Click here for details)Note that the itinerary varies depending on the date, so please pay attention to that.

Currently, the stops that include Mireu Stream Sacred Site are on 9/23, 10/21, and 10/28.
Currently, the stops that include Seonunsa Temple are on 10/7.[Gyeonggi Province] Anseong 'Seonunsa Temple (?Aellacheon). Goblin filming spot (Anseong Tourist Bus Info)

Departure times: 07:30 from Seoul City Hall Plaza, 08:00 from Seoul National University of Education Station Exit 9
Fare: 16,900 KRW (does not include lunch, same price for adults and children)
Inquiry phone: 02-318-1664 / 031-678-2492
For reservations, please email tour1@romancetour.co.kr (English communication available)

Introduction to the Anseong Tourist Bus:

Since the Joseon Dynasty, Anseong has had well-developed transportation as a hub connecting the Samnam region with the central government. In the late Joseon period, the Anseong Market formed around the Anseongcheon Stream, gathering goods from all over the country. Its location at a strategic point for transporting supplies to Seoul also contributed to its prosperity — people often said that goods here were two kinds better than those in Seoul.

Known for its “customized experiences,” Anseong offers a high-quality city tour filled with fun and interesting activities every Saturday. The tour departs from in front of Seoul City Hall, passing through the Jukjeon bus stop, making it convenient not only for Seoul residents but also for people from Gyeonggi Province such as Suwon, Seongnam, and Yongin. Unlike other regions, it plans routes tailored to the current season and month, and the “Annual City Tour Routes” are published weekly on the Anseong City Culture & Tourism website. Tours start in the morning and end at night, including lunch, with different sightseeing and experience programs each week — so even participating for two or three consecutive weeks won’t get boring.

In spring, you can try spring mountain vegetable digging, grape soap making at the Grape Museum, herb vinegar experiences, and astronomy science museum visits. Summer offers fresh harvest activities like potato picking, corn harvesting, cherry tomato picking, pear picking, and Kyoho grape harvesting. Autumn features events such as the Anseong Grape Festival, family fishing experiences, persimmon picking, and sweet potato harvesting. Every year from late September to early October, Anseong’s signature festival, the “Bawudeul Festival,” takes place.

The final activity of every tour is watching the Namsadang performance. Recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009, the Namsadang performance is held every Saturday and Sunday at the Namsadang Performance Ground. The Namsadang refers to a troupe of around 40 male traveling performers, and their folk performances are collectively known as Namsadang plays. Their performance style can be seen in the movie “King and the Clown.”

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