Visiting Kdrama filming locations gives Kdrama fans a feeling of excitement. If you are a fan of the 2018 Korean drama Mr. Sunshine, you are probably thrilled to know that there is a place where they filmed most of the scenes in that drama. It is called Nonsan Sunshine Studio (๋ ผ์ฐ ์ ์ค์ธ์คํ๋์ค) located in Nonsan, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea.
Nonsan is an agricultural city known for their strawberries and rice harvest. Moreover, you may have also heard of Nonsan because a lot of Korean celebrities completed their basic military training from ROK Army Training Center in the city. Few kilometers from the ROK Army Training Center is the Nonsan Sunshine Studio.
According to its website, Sunshine Studio is the first public-private joint drama theme park in Korea where Nonsan city provided the site and infrastructure. Letโs take a look on its main facilities and attractions:
GLORY HOTEL
This hotel is one of the most utilized location in the drama where majority of important and remarkable scenes were filmed.
The first floor of the hotel has the lobby, a mini theater where they play some scenes from the drama and a merchandise shop where some memorabilia from the drama are on display.
On the second floor is the Sunshine Gabaejung Cafรฉ and a photo area where the character of Kim Hee-sung usually gambles. You can also enjoy the view of whole studio from the second floor.
HANSUNG ELECTRIC CO.
This is a restoration of the First Electric Company building. There is a cafรฉ on the first floor and an exhibition called โLight and Motionโ showing the story of the history from the drama. Meanwhile on the second floor, you can see Eugene Choiโs office where his uniform is on display together with a photo exhibit of the major characters of Mr. Sunshine. The iconic scene of Go Ae-shin and Eugene Choiโs covering of each otherโsโ face was filmed here.
JONGNO STREET
Can you still remember the bridge where Go Ae-shin and Eugene Choi first met? This area is actually a restoration of Jongno street in 1900s.
MADANG HOUSE
Madang House is a hanok style structure which served as the house of Go Ae-shinโs grandfather.
DONGMAEโS HOUSE
On the first floor is the Japanese restaurant where our favorite trio: Eugene Choi, Kim Hee-sung and Goo Dong-mae usually have a drink. It has calligraphy displays which are lines from the drama. Dong-maeโs room is on the second floor.
BLANCHER BAKERY STORE
Ae-shin and Hina Kudo had a heart-to-heart talk in this bake shop. Note though that the pastries on display are not edible. They are just props.
HANYARK STORE
And who could forget Eugene and Ae-shinโs unique way of communication through a letter in a drawer? You can find that drawer where Eugene and Ae-shin leave their secret letters inside the Hanyark store.
BOSINGAK PAVILION
This is a restoration of Bosingak. People were using this bell this to keep the time during the Joseon era. Near the pavilion, you could see some of the items that they use as props in the marketplace scenes.
WANTED POSTERS
Another notable item inside the studio are the posters of wanted people in the drama. Can you recognize them?
HANSUNG ELECTRIC TRAM
The drama production used this tram in several of the scenes.
GYEONGUI LINE
The last significant moments from Mr. Sunshineโs finale was filmed in this train. If you havenโt watched it yet, spoiler alert!
SEE YOU AGAIN GARDEN
Speaking of the Mr. Sunshineโs finale, this remarkable garden in the last episode is there too.
To complete the Mr. Sunshine experience, they are also playing Mr. Sunshineโs OST all over the place. Sunshine Studio is definitely one of the best Kdrama filming location that you could visit Korea for a minimal fee.
Did you know that the ending of the Kdrama โThe King: Eternal Monarchโ was also filmed in Sunshine Studio?
OTHER INFORMATIONS
Operating hours: 10:00 AM โ 6:00 PM
Address: 102, Bonghwang-ro Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do (์ถฉ๋จ ๋
ผ์ฐ์ ์ฐ๋ฌด์ ๋ดํฉ๋ก 102)
Admission fee: 7,000 Korean won (krw) for adult. See other prices below:
HOW TO GET THERE
1. From Seoul, you can take a train from Yongsan station (์ฉ์ฐ์ญ) to Nonsan station (๋ ผ์ฐ์ญ). It usually takes 1 hour and 30 minutes via KTX (28,100 krw+) and 2 hours and 30 minutes by Mugunghwa train (18,400 krw).
Other option: You can also take a bus from Seoul (Central City Terminal โ Honam) to Yeonmudae Express Bus Terminal (์ฐ๋ฌด๋๊ณ ์ํฐ๋ฏธ๋) which usually takes 2 hours and 20 minutes. Premium bus costs 21,400 krw+; cheapest bus costs 12,400 krw+; or drop off at Nonsan Express Bus Terminal (๋ ผ์ฐ๊ณ ์ํฐ๋ฏธ๋) which usually takes 2 hours and 10 minutes. Premium bus costs 20,200 krw+; cheapest bus costs 11,700 krw+.
2. From Nonsan train station, go to Nonsan Intercity Bus Terminal (few minute walk) and take bus number 201, 202, 203,204, 211, 212, 213, 216, 220 or 221 and get off at Hullyeonso Ipsodaedae Bus Station (ํ๋ จ์์ ์๋๋). Walk around 1 km to get to Sunshine Studio; or
Other option: From Yeonmudae Express Bus Terminal (์ฐ๋ฌด๋๊ณ ์ํฐ๋ฏธ๋) or Nonsan Express Bus Terminal (๋ ผ์ฐ๊ณ ์ํฐ๋ฏธ๋), take bus number 216 to Hwanghwa 4 ri [ํฉํ4๋ฆฌ] and walk around 4 mins to get to Sunshine Studio.
Important Reminder: If you are going to commute and take the bus, make sure to check the local bus schedule so you will not end up waiting for hours for the next bus to arrive.
Disclaimer: Note that the estimated fees and fares are updated as of this writing but it may change in the future.
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