Visiting Sunshine Studio Nonsan: Mr. Sunshine Film Set Guide

Stepping onto the cobblestones of Sunshine Studio in Nonsan feels less like visiting a tourist attraction and more like slipping through a seam in history back to early 1900s Hanseong. For most Koreans, Nonsan is famous for two things: juicy winter strawberries and the national army recruit training center where every young man eventually heads for military service. But for K-drama fans around the globe, this quiet city in Chungcheongnam-do is the undisputed holy land of Mr. Sunshine.

Built jointly by the city of Nonsan and the production house behind the legendary 2018 series, Sunshine Studio spans over 20,000 square meters dedicated to Korea’s Enlightenment Period (Gaehwa-gi). It is a rare architectural time capsule where Western-style brick buildings, traditional Hanok houses, Japanese-style wooden structures, and early electric tramways exist side by side. While Mr. Sunshine put this set on the map, astute drama watchers will also spot familiar corners from Pachinko, Youth of May, Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938, and Song of the Bandits.

Whether you want to sip drop coffee where Hotel Glory once welcomed foreign diplomats or walk the tram line where Ae-shin and Eugene Choi shared silent glances, this practical guide helps you navigate the studio like a local.

Glory Hotel

In Mr. Sunshine, Hotel Glory serves as the vibrant yet dangerous beating heart of Hanseong. Owned by the fiercely independent Kudo Hina, its grand lobby is where American officer Eugene Choi takes up residence, where Japanese samurai Gu Dong-mae keeps watch from afar, and where nobles and revolutionaries trade whispers over coffee cups. In real life, the building stands as an accurate two-story brick reproduction complete with a stained-glass entrance and a functioning second-floor café.

When you walk upstairs today, you can order cold brew coffee, traditional tea, or seasonal desserts while sitting at vintage wooden tables overlooking the entire open set. The interior displays screen-used props, costume sketches, and behind-the-scenes photographs from filming. Sitting near the terrace balcony offers a panoramic view of the main street, making it the best spot to absorb the set’s atmosphere before exploring the ground level.

How to get there

Glory Hotel sits prominently near the entrance hill of Sunshine Studio. To reach Nonsan from Seoul, take a KTX train from Seoul Station or 용산 (Yongsan) Station to Nonsan Station (approx. 1 hour and 40 minutes). Alternatively, take an intercity bus from Central City Bus Terminal to Nonsan Intercity Bus Terminal. From either Nonsan Station or the bus terminal, take local bus #216 or #201 toward Yeonmu-eup and get off at the Sunshine Land stop. Because local buses run on long intervals (often 40 to 60 minutes apart), taking a taxi directly from Nonsan Station to Sunshine Studio takes about 20 minutes and costs around 15,000 to 18,000 KRW.

The Streetcar Tracks and Hongdaemun Street

The central thoroughfare of Sunshine Studio represents Hongdaemun Street, the busy commercial artery of early 20th-century Seoul where traditional Korean life collided with modern Western technology. In the drama, this is where streetcars rumble down the tracks, carrying passengers across a rapidly changing city, and where Go Ae-shin and Eugene Choi famously walk side-by-side through crowd gatherings.

The set features real metal rails embedded into stone pavement, overhead power lines, and open-air streetcars parked along the route. Visitors can climb aboard the static streetcars to take photos inside the wooden carriage. Lining the street are detailed shopfronts including vintage tailors, bakeries, dispensaries, and dry goods merchants with retro Hangul and Hanja signage hanging from wooden posts.

How to get there

Once inside Sunshine Studio, walk directly past the main entrance turnstiles and down the main steps. The streetcar tracks run through the very center of the lower complex. If traveling by car or taxi, set your destination in Naver Map or KakaoMap to “선샤인스튜디오” (Sunshine Studio) in Nonsan.

Bullenmun Bridge

Bullenmun Bridge—a distinct red-brick arched structure spanning a small water course—serves as a poignant backdrop in Mr. Sunshine. It represents the literal and figurative bridge between the old Joseon order and the incoming modern era, serving as a backdrop for quiet evening conversations and secret rendezvous between characters walking under the night sky.

In reality, the bridge connects the Westernized quarter of the studio complex with the traditional Hanok and Japanese-style residential quarters. Constructed with deep red brick and stone masonry, it offers a grand vantage point over the lower alleyways. Standing on the bridge gives you an unobstructed shot looking back toward Glory Hotel and the surrounding tile-roof buildings.

How to get there

Walk past the streetcar terminus toward the eastern wall of the studio. The bridge is easily visible by its bright red brick archway. Keep in mind that stepping stones and brick staircases around the bridge can be slippery on rainy days, so wear comfortable walking shoes.

Hae-dram Pawnshop

Hae-dram Pawnshop brings lighthearted charm to the drama’s heavy historical themes. Operated by former slave hunters Il-sik and Chun-sik, this quirky establishment handles everything from pawning pocket watches to gathering high-stakes political intelligence for character missions across Hanseong.

The real set location is a beautifully preserved single-story Hanok building with an open wooden porch (daecheongmaru) and traditional courtyard. Inside, you can view carefully arranged props matching the show’s set design: wooden storage chests, calligraphic scrolls, pawn records, and retro knick-knacks. The open porch allows visitors to sit down, rest their feet, and take photos against the paper-pane sliding doors.

How to get there

From the main streetcar line, head north into the traditional Hanok neighborhood section. Look for the hanging wooden sign bearing the characters for Hae-dram (해드리오). Local transit directions to the main studio apply; once inside, follow the directional signage pointing toward the traditional village sector.

Make a Day of It

Nonsan is a peaceful city packed with hidden gems that make a full-day trip from Seoul or Daejeon well worth the travel time. After spending two to three hours at Sunshine Studio, extend your itinerary across the city with these nearby stops:

• Sunshine Land Military Experience Center: Located right next to Sunshine Studio within the same umbrella complex. While Sunshine Studio focuses on the period drama set, Sunshine Land features modern tactical survival games, virtual reality shooting ranges, and a 1950s-1970s post-war Korea drama set. Admission to Sunshine Land’s outdoor areas is separate from Sunshine Studio.
• Topjeongho Lake & Suspension Bridge: A 15-minute drive from the studio lies Topjeongho Lake, home to one of Korea’s longest pedestrian suspension bridges stretching 600 meters across the water. Walking across the bridge at sunset offers spectacular lake views, and the surrounding water deck trail is ideal for a relaxed evening stroll.
• Onbit Landmark Park: Made famous by the hit drama Our Beloved Summer and featured in Pachinko, this private forest park features dense meta-sequoia tree paths surrounding a calm lake and a rustic brown villa. It is approximately a 20-minute drive from Sunshine Studio and especially stunning during autumn when the needles turn rust-orange.
• Nonsan Strawberry Delights: If you visit between December and May, Nonsan’s local markets and cafes serve freshly picked local strawberries. Try a strawberry waffle or fresh strawberry latte at one of the cafes near Topjeongho Lake.

For a hearty local lunch, try Nonsan-style Sundae Gukbap (blood sausage soup) or local pork barbecue in the nearby town center of Yeonmu-eup before heading back to the train station.

Photo Tips

To capture photos that look like cinematic stills directly from Mr. Sunshine, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Dress the Part: Right inside Sunshine Studio, you will find costume rental shops offering Gaehwa-gi (1900s Enlightenment Period) clothing, including Western lace dresses, vintage suits, newsboy caps, and classic Joseon-style Hanbok. Renting a period costume for 1-2 hours completely transforms your photos against the streetcar and hotel backdrops.
• The Hotel Glory Balcony Angle: Head to the second-floor terrace of Glory Hotel café around 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM (Golden Hour). Position your camera low and frame the vintage streetcar tracks running down the center with the sunset light hitting the red brick walls.
• The Streetcar Crossing: Have your photo partner stand on the opposite side of the tram tracks while you stand near the steps of the streetcar. Shoot through the open window frames of the streetcar to create natural depth and framing.
• Low Angle at Bullenmun Bridge: Stand beneath the archway along the side path looking up toward the bridge decking. This angle hides modern visitors in the background and highlights the dramatic brick stonework.

FAQ

How much time should I plan for visiting Sunshine Studio?

Plan for roughly 2 to 3 hours inside Sunshine Studio itself. This gives you enough time to explore every alleyway, rent costumes, enjoy a coffee at Hotel Glory café, and take photos without rushing. If you plan to visit the adjacent 1950s drama set and Topjeongho Lake nearby, set aside 5 to 6 hours for your overall Nonsan trip.

Is Sunshine Studio open year-round?

Sunshine Studio is generally open throughout the year, but operating hours and closed days (often Wednesdays) can vary depending on maintenance and active filming schedules for new productions. Because this is an active filming location, certain areas or buildings may be temporarily restricted without prior notice. Always check local Korean search engines (such as Naver Map) or the official Sunshine Studio website to confirm current opening hours before embarking on your journey.

Can I rent period costumes directly at Sunshine Studio?

Yes, costume rental boutiques operate inside or adjacent to the Sunshine Studio grounds. They offer a wide selection of Enlightenment-era dresses, suits, hats, parasols, and traditional accessories on an hourly rental basis. Fitting services and simple hair accessories are typically included, though hair styling or makeup services may cost extra or require advance booking.

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