Nonsan Sunshine Studio: Real Life Mr Sunshine Filming Location

Stepping into 1900s Hansung at Nonsan Sunshine Studio

The heavy brass bell chimes above the wooden door, and for a brief second, you genuinely expect Kudo Hina to step out from behind the mahogany counter offering a warm cup of gabi coffee. Standing inside Sunshine Studio in Nonsan feels less like visiting a television set and more like stepping through a temporal tear straight into 1900s Hansung. For anyone who shed tears over the 2018 hit drama Mr. Sunshine, this sprawling open-air facility in South Chungcheong Province is the ultimate pilgrimage site.

Co-created by the city of Nonsan and the production house behind the series, Sunshine Studio spans roughly 20,000 square meters dedicated to preserving the unique architectural blend of early modern Korea. It was here that Eugene Choi, Go Ae-sin, Gu Dong-mae, Kudo Hina, and Kim Hui-seong crossed paths amidst the political storm of the dying Joseon Dynasty. Unlike temporary sets built from flimsy board, the structures here were built with real stone, red brick, period-accurate wood, and imported glass, giving the entire site a remarkable sense of permanence and realism.

Plan Your Visit

Location & Access	Rough Time Needed	Rough Budget Range
Nonsan, Chungnam (KTX to Nonsan Station + local bus/taxi)	3–4 hours (including Sunshine Land)	Budget–Moderate (KTX fare + local transport + entry fee)

*Please verify operating hours, admission fees, and transit schedules before visiting.

Glory Hotel

In the drama, Glory Hotel serves as the neutral ground where foreign diplomats, Joseon nobility, American soldiers, and underground resistance fighters cross paths over western coffee and wine. It is also where Eugene Choi rents his room and where Kudo Hina quietly observes every secret moving through the city.

In real life, Glory Hotel is the crown jewel of Sunshine Studio. The grand two-story red-brick building sits prominently on a raised slope overlooking the set town. The interior of the building has been converted into a functional cafe on the second floor where visitors can sip coffee while looking out through the large wooden-framed windows. The ground floor acts as an exhibition space displaying original production props, costume sketches, and behind-the-scenes displays from the filming crew.

How to get there

Take the KTX train from Yongsan Station or Seoul Station to Nonsan Station, which takes roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes. From Nonsan Station, head to the bus stop outside and take local bus 201 or 212 to the Sunshine Land bus stop, which takes around 30 to 40 minutes. Alternatively, a taxi from Nonsan Station to the set takes approximately 20 minutes. Once inside the main studio gate, follow the primary uphill path to reach the red brick facade of Glory Hotel.

Daehan Empire Street and Electric Trams

This wide boulevard is where the early modern streetcars roll past brick bank buildings, bakeries, and tailor shops. In the show, it is the backdrop for dramatic street encounters, subtle glances between Eugene Choi and Go Ae-sin, and public marches during a time of sudden national change.

The location in real life features full-scale streetcar rails embedded directly into the cobblestone path, complete with two fully restored vintage green-and-white streetcars parked along the line. Visitors can step inside the static streetcars to sit on the wooden benches or take photos through the open windows. Surrounding the streetcar line are period-accurate shopfronts, vintage hand-drawn advertisements, and period light posts that mirror early 20th-century Seoul.

How to get there

Daehan Empire Street forms the central axis of Sunshine Studio. After entering through the main ticket gate and moving past the initial entry pavilion, walk straight onto the main cobblestone avenue where the tram rails run down the middle.

Bullang Ankyung (The Spectacles Shop)

In Mr. Sunshine, this cozy optical shop serves as a covert contact point for the Righteous Army resistance network. Characters drop off encrypted letters, exchange secret passwords, and pick up custom-made circular spectacles used to blend into modernizing city crowds.

The actual location is a meticulously styled storefront along one of the secondary alleys in the studio complex. The interior features wooden display cabinets filled with vintage-style frames, magnifying glasses, and period optical tools. The atmosphere inside remains dim and atmospheric, matching the secretive tone from the series perfectly.

How to get there

From the main streetcar track on Daehan Empire Street, turn into the narrow side alley located directly behind the bank building. The optical shop storefront sits halfway down the cobblestone lane on your left side.

Hae-drap Pawnshop

Run by the beloved duo Il-sik and Chun-sik, Hae-drap is the go-to agency in Hansung for anything from private investigation to pawned goods and forgery. It provides many of the show’s rare lighthearted comedic moments while remaining vital to the main plot.

The real-life set of Hae-drap is filled to the brim with traditional Korean antiques, wooden medicine chests, hanging scroll paintings, and brass locks. Walking into the shop gives you a close look at the detailed props used to convey the cluttered, lively nature of the duo’s business.

How to get there

Hae-drap is situated near the boundary where the Western-style brick buildings transition into traditional wooden structures. Walk towards the lower western section of the studio street complex, and you will spot the iconic wooden hanging sign representing the pawnshop.

Hongjecheon Wooden Bridge

This rustic wooden footbridge spans the small stream connecting the traditional Hanok neighborhood with the modernized downtown district. In the drama, it acts as a symbolic dividing line between old Joseon traditions and the incoming modern world, featuring in several quiet night scenes and emotional character farewells.

In reality, the bridge is built over a constructed stream bed inside the set grounds. It connects the lower Hanok cluster with the upper street section. Standing on the bridge gives you an unobstructed panoramic view of both architectural styles in a single frame.

How to get there

Head to the northern section of Sunshine Studio where the traditional tile-roof Hanok houses are situated. The wooden bridge crosses the artificial stream directly alongside the path connecting the Hanok yard to the main tram line.

Make a Day of It

Nonsan is located in South Chungcheong Province and offers several historical and natural sights that complement a trip to Sunshine Studio.

Right next door to Sunshine Studio is Sunshine Land, a larger military-themed complex operated by Nonsan City. It features a 1950s-era drama set replicating post-war Korea, an interactive military shooting range, and a virtual reality survival game arena. Exploring both Sunshine Studio and Sunshine Land takes roughly 3 to 4 hours.

After finishing your tour of the film sets, head over to Topjeongho Lake, located about 20 minutes away by car. Topjeongho Lake is famous for its massive suspension bridge, which spans 600 meters across the water, making it one of the longest pedestrian suspension bridges in the country. Walking across the bridge during late afternoon provides breathtaking sunset views over the water.

For food, Nonsan is famous across Korea for its fresh strawberries. If you visit between December and April, stop by local farm cafes or fruit markets to try fresh strawberry desserts, strawberry lattes, and hand-picked strawberries. For a traditional meal, try Yeonsan Sundae (a local blood sausage soup specialty with decades of history) or a full Korean table d’hote (hanjeongsik) in Nonsan city center.

Photo Tips

To capture the best photos at Sunshine Studio, timing and angles are everything. The second-floor balcony terrace of Glory Hotel offers the absolute best vantage point over the entire studio town. Frame your photo looking down the tram tracks toward the main gates to capture both the Western brick buildings and the traditional Hanok roofs in one shot.

The best lighting occurs during the golden hour, between 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM (depending on the season), when warm sunlight hits the red brick facade of Glory Hotel and casts long shadows across the cobblestone tram tracks. For the Hongjecheon Wooden Bridge, shoot from a low angle on the stream bank looking up toward the bridge facade to capture the contrast between the Hanok and Western streetscapes.

Mr. Sunshine Fan Checklist

• Photo Spot Route: Glory Hotel balcony → Daehan Empire Street vintage tram → Bullang Ankyung alley → Hae-drap Pawnshop → Hongjecheon Wooden Bridge.
• Set Etiquette Reminders: Do not move or lean heavily on historical prop displays, keep indoor cafe volume respectful, and yield narrow photography alleys to other fans during busy hours.

Key Takeaways

• Authentic Modern History Recreation: Built with solid stone, red brick, and authentic wood, Sunshine Studio offers an immersive 1900s Hansung experience unmatched by temporary film sets.
• Faithfully Preserved Filming Locations: Key sites from Mr. Sunshine—such as Glory Hotel, the vintage tramline, and Hae-drap Pawnshop—remain fully intact for fans to explore.
• Seamless Day Trip from Seoul: A 90-minute KTX trip to Nonsan combined with visits to Sunshine Land and Topjeongho Lake creates a complete cultural and historical itinerary.

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