Mr. Sunshine Studio—my impressions
February 5th, 2025
Mr. Sunshine Studio is an outdoor set specifically constructed for the drama titled “Mr. Sunshine” (hence the name of the studio). It is located near Nonsan. It is easily accessible by public transportation: several buses operate between it and Nonsan Bus Terminal, which is a short walk away from Nonsan train station). But the bus doesn’t stop directly in front of the park; you will need to walk.
Since “Mr. Sunshine”, the studio has been used for other films and dramas, and it is open for tourists to visit, which is fabulous ;-) It features a 19th-century Korean village, complete with period-accurate buildings and streets that reflect the late Joseon era.
The studio is lovely. It has an unparalleled atmosphere—it feels like stepping into the past. What really amazes me about this place is how the designers managed to combine buildings and various landscape elements to form realistic, detailed, and highly expressive corners and settings that can be used to film so many different scenes.
The first thing you see when you come into the studio is a cemetery. It looks like a nice park with benches, winding pathways, and blooming flowers. The few tombs are hidden in the shade of the trees. They aren’t real tombs, of course. But their presence sets the mood in an unprecedented way. The atmosphere, a blend of beauty and melancholy, alludes to a tragic conclusion of the story so inspiring and exemplary that it deserves to be remembered.
A wagon prop stands on the left side of the park. I would have never thought that such a simple construction could be sufficient to film a wagon! This is living proof of the magic that editors create ;-) (BTW, a short video plays on a loop in one of the rooms of the Glory Hotel, showcasing the editors' work on “Mr. Sunshine.” The before-and-after comparisons are fascinating to watch.)
From there, you can see the Glory Hotel—a truly magnificent Western-style mansion. Somewhat mysterious, exceptionally elegant, and inviting, it exudes a romantic aura reminiscent of European mansions from the 19th century.
The property features a paved courtyard with an iron archway as its entrance, and a beautiful garden. I would have totally loved to stay there as a guest for a couple of nights!
Maybe it is the presence of the drama museum on the first floor, but to me, the Glory Hotel feels like a genuinely historical building, filled with ghosts of the past and forgotten secrets lingering in the air.
The drama museum houses numerous valuable relics, including old letters, plates, paintings, and a vintage shaving set:
The reception area is exactly as it was in the drama, complete with the costume of the character who worked there:
Cozy sofas in the corners look inviting:
A meticulously polished wooden staircase leads to the first floor, where a café has been opened for the utmost enjoyment of tourists. Elegantly styled, it provides visitors with the opportunity to feel like true guests of the hotel as they relax in comfortable chairs with a cup of coffee.
Additionally, there is a balcony that offers a great view of the entire “little town” that the studio represents. The Glory Hotel is situated on a small hill, overlooking it all, in the finest traditions of European mansions ;-)
Curiously, the street in front of the Glory Hotel features a very European-looking bakery! Props of baguettes, brioches, and various other types of bread are displayed on the stalls and shelves; only the delicious aroma remains for the imagination ;-)
A tramway line makes a full circle of the studio, and the tramway prop is so popular, particularly among children, that it is difficult to find it unoccupied.
Here is what it looks like inside:
Many stalls and shops line the tramway rails. Some of them have a more Western-style aesthetic, such as the tailor shop featured in the filming of “Pachinko”. It is fully furnished with patterns, materials, mirrors—everything is authentic. You can almost imagine a stylish tailor in a cardigan and gold-rimmed glasses stepping out to take your measurements.
Another building that no one can overlook is the train station. Also designed in a Western style, it is likely the tallest structure in the studio. It has a clock tower on top and a Korean flag on the balcony, which is accessible to everyone and provides a stunning view. Standing there next to the flag and surveying the surroundings from above, I felt like a local authority whom everyone looks up to for a speech at an important event ;-)
Inside the building is equally impressive. An iron staircase and an old-fashioned elevator, and the high ceiling with warm, orange lamps create a unique ambiance.
On the first floor, there is a souvenir shop that also offers beverages. They sell many drama-related items, some of which are quite creative, such as a room key from the Glory Hotel. Only 2 room numbers are available—the ones used by the characters in the drama ;-)
A museum is here as well—the main character of the drama, Eugene Choi, was inspired by a real individual and real historical events (more about it in a separate post). This museum showcases historical events from that era through a collection of old newspaper articles and photos.
The exhibition continues on the second floor, focusing more on the drama elements. It features photographs of scenes and their corresponding costumes, as well as the first flag of Korea. Additionally, there is a stunning office display that includes books, letters, and many fascinating old photos.
In front of the train station, a small district of traditional Korean noble houses can be found. Charming gardens, picturesque gates, and lovely rooms invite visitors to sit for hours, relaxing while gazing at the lovely trees and flowers and listening to the birds. Slippers are provided for anyone wishing to enter, and many people take advantage of this opportunity—not only to take beautiful photos but also to sit comfortably and chat.
The Sunshine Salon is located on the other side of this small district. It is a red-brick building with a small garden, nestled behind a picturesque ivy-covered wall. Inside is the costume rental shop, which is impeccably styled and offers an impressive variety of costumes and accessories from the film. All the costumes are authentic and high quality; it must be a pleasure to wear them.
The fans can dress up as their favorite characters, take beautiful photos, and reenact memorable scenes from the drama. At one point, there was a contest for the best photos reproducing scenes from the drama. The best of these photos are displayed inside one of the buildings. It is really inspiring to watch—the joy and excitement of these people is contagious as they are living the magic of « Mr. Sunshine’s » world.
Another landscape element that no one wants to miss is the bridge. It is probably the most romantic and instagrammable spot in the entire studio. This stone double-arch bridge is beautifully adorned with ivy, and tramway rails pass beneath one of its arches. The bridge is picturesque from every angle; I wish it were possible to see it at night when all the lovely streetlamps on :-)
I loved every minute spent in this “little town”. I believe its unique personality and atmosphere will captivate even those who haven’t seen the drama.
P.S. Read more about the drama and the historical events it shows here ;-)
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Categories: My trip to South Korea, Inspiring, Miscellaneous