The story
Two hours from Seoul by KTX, Gangneung grew Korea’s first real coffee culture. In Myeongju-dong, the old administrative quarter, baristas brought tiled-roof houses and a rice mill back to life as cafes — and the old town has been picked for a five-year national program, running from 2026, to revive its commercial district. Have your coffee in the alleys, then take a bus to Anmok Beach, where cafes line the sand.