Quebec City: why is this unremarkable door is a sensation with Asian tourists?

In a twist that could rival the most imaginative fiction, an utterly unremarkable red door nestled inconspicuously within Quebec City’s quaint Le Petit Champlain neighborhood has soared to unprecedented fame, all thanks to its unexpected role in a South Korean television phenomenon. Aptly christened “Goblin’s Door” by excited tourists, this unpretentious entrance has evolved into a must-see spectacle, drawing visitors from all corners of Asia and beyond to its threshold.

Tourists take a photo in front of a door in the Quebec city neighborhood of Petit Champlain in Quebec city. The "red magic door" plays a major role in the episode 2 of the popular Korean TV show Goblin: The Lonely and great God
Tourists take a photo in front of a door in the Quebec city neighborhood of Petit Champlain in Quebec city. The “red magic door” plays a major role in the episode 2 of the popular Korean TV show Goblin: The Lonely and great God

While beauty might not be its strong suit, this door has an uncanny knack for seizing the limelight. Witnessing eager sightseers lining up, posing for snapshots, you might think they were awaiting the grand inauguration of an A-list restaurant – but no, it’s all about this unassuming red door. And the intrigue? Well, it seems this door has had an encounter with stardom, or at the very least, star-studded television sets.

Tourists take a photo in front of a door in the Quebec city neighborhood of Petit Champlain in Quebec city. The “red magic door” plays a major role in the episode 2 of the popular Korean TV show Goblin: The Lonely and great God

Unbeknownst to the majority of Quebecers ambling past this doorway in their daily routines, it’s anything but an ordinary entrance. In fact, it’s a bona fide celebrity in its own right, having taken a leading role in the wildly acclaimed Korean TV series, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, known to fans as Goblin: The Lonely and Great God. This fantasy drama, which has captured the hearts of audiences in South Korea and around the world, showcases this very red door as a “magic portal” connecting the mystical and mortal realms.

A unique pose, meticulously curated to match the posture of characters as they pass through the door, has become a hallmark of the pilgrimage to “Goblin’s Door.” Tourists from across the globe flock to its crimson threshold, adopting this distinct pose as they capture photographs that harmonize with the scenes etched in the collective memory by the television series.

Even the locals, who might have walked past this red door countless times without a second thought, are starting to take notice. The door has morphed into a symbol of the unexpected links that can sprout from the most ordinary of places.

As seasons ebb and flow, and the red door continues to weave its enigmatic spell, it’s evident that the saga of “Goblin’s Door” is far from its conclusion. Who could have foreseen that an unadorned entrance would evolve into a transcontinental sensation, bridging cultures and eliciting smiles from Quebec City to Seoul and beyond?

Tourists take a photo in front of a door in the Quebec city neighborhood of Petit Champlain in Quebec city. The “red magic door” plays a major role in the episode 2 of the popular Korean TV show Goblin: The Lonely and great God

So, when you find yourself strolling through Le Petit Champlain, be sure to pay a visit to the door that has turned heads, captured hearts, and become an international sensation – all while maintaining its effortless, unassuming charm. A friendly reminder that you can never predict where a seemingly ordinary door might lead, particularly when it’s a star in disguise.

What is actually behind the red door?

In an intriguing twist of fate, the very same door serves as the entrance to a storage room within a diminutive local theater – a detail that adds an extra layer of mystique to this remarkable tale.

Where to find the “Red Door” at Théatre Petit Champlain