Beyond the Guardrail: A Night on the Yeongdeok Coastal Road
It was late by the time I finished my schedule in Pohang and crossed the border into Yeongdeok.
The rain was a persistent, rhythmic nuisance—stopping just long enough to let the fog settle before starting again. The moment I pivoted off the highway and onto the coastal road, the heavy, metallic scent of the East Sea clung to my windows.
The Yeongdeok Coastal Road, specifically the stretch from Gangu Port to Chuksanhang, is a celebrated scenic route. By day, the emerald waters draw tourists by the thousands. But at night, the conversation changes. This road has long been haunted by a recurring story:
“Someone was standing just outside the guardrail.”
They say that on rainy or foggy nights, drivers catch a glimpse of a figure standing perfectly still on the narrow shoulder, right against the metal barrier. I used to dismiss it as a standard roadside legend—until I stood there in the dark.
The Black Void and the Glistening Rail
I pulled over near Chuksanhang. The vibrant blue I had seen in photos was gone, replaced by a "Total Absence."At night, the ocean isn't a body of water; it’s a terrifying, ink-black abyss that swallows all light. The only thing separating the car from that void was the