Sunshine Studio Nonsan Guide: Tickets, Transit & Sets
Key takeaways
Sunshine Studio in Nonsan is a 20,000-square-meter 1900s K-drama set. This guide covers admission tickets, KTX transit, Thursday closures, and costume rentals.
Sunshine Studio in Nonsan spans 20,000 square meters in Yeonmu-eup, featuring 37 historical structures that recreate early 1900s Hanseong. Foreign visitors can buy standard adult tickets at the gate for 10,000 KRW using international credit cards without navigating Korean ticketing apps. Iconic structures like the Glory Hotel and Hongdaegyo Bridge remain accessible via local transit routes. Reportedly, many independent travelers pair this studio visit with nearby regional highlights.
Travelers heading out for a drama pilgrimage (Mr. Sunshine, Pachinko, or Gyeongseong Creature) or a vintage photoshoot will find that planning transit logistics ahead of time prevents delays in rural Chungcheongnam-do.
Sunshine Studio vs Sunshine Land: Understanding the Complex
Sunshine Studio sits within the larger Sunshine Land complex, a joint development between Nonsan City and private partners. Confusing the two often leads visitors to miss their bus stops or direct taxi drivers to the wrong gate.
| Zone Name | Historical Era | Admission Fee | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunshine Studio (선샤인스튜디오) | Early 1900s (Gaehwagi / Enlightened Era) | Paid (10,000 KRW) | Glory Hotel, Hongdaegyo Bridge, Streetcars, Hanok Mansions |
| 1950s Studio (1950 스튜디오) | 1950s Post-War Korea | Free | Vintage Korean storefronts, retro film posters, alleyways |
| Military Experience Center (밀리터리체험관) | Modern | Activity-based fees | Virtual reality shooting, indoor screen shooting, tactical games |
Visiting Sunshine Studio lets you tour both the 1900s set and the adjacent 1950s Studio in one morning. Setting "Sunshine Studio" (선샤인스튜디오) as your taxi destination ensures arrival directly at the main ticket office.
Official Hours, Admission Fees, and Gate Rules
Sunshine Studio operates six days a week throughout the year, making weekdays ideal for avoiding crowds.
According to official studio operations as of November 2026, admission pricing follows these tiers:
- Adults (Ages 19–64): 10,000 KRW
- Teens (Ages 13–18): 8,000 KRW
- Children (Ages 3–12) & Seniors (65+): 6,000 KRW
- Infants (Under 36 months): Free admission with passport verification
Tickets can be bought on-site at the box office with foreign credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. No local Korean phone number or identification card is required. Keep your paper ticket handy, as staff inspect tickets at entryways for indoor heritage buildings like the Glory Hotel exhibition floor.
How to Travel from Seoul to Nonsan: Train and Bus Steps
High-speed KTX trains running from Yongsan Station or Seoul Station to Nonsan Station offer the fastest connection, taking roughly 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Advance train reservations are essential on weekends. Travelers using international credit cards can review our guide on how to book KTX train tickets with a foreign card to navigate the Korail ticketing system.
Express buses depart daily from Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Central City) to Nonsan Express Bus Terminal. The bus trip takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes and costs between 12,700 KRW and 24,000 KRW, depending on whether you choose standard, excellence, or premium seating. On arrival in Nonsan, local transit options to Sunshine Studio match those from the train station.
How to Secure a Return Taxi in Rural Yeonmu-eup
Because Sunshine Studio is located in Yeonmu-eup, outside central Nonsan, taxis rarely wait outside the venue for hailing passengers.
Setting up ride-hailing software before your trip avoids long wait times. Visitors can check our walkthrough on using the Kakao T taxi guide for foreigners without a Korean phone number or bank account.
A taxi between Nonsan Station and Sunshine Studio costs between 15,000 KRW and 18,000 KRW as of late 2026, taking roughly 20 minutes along Route 68.
Gaehwagi Costume Rental: Fees, Rules, and Footwear Tips
Visitors frequently rent Gaehwagi (개화기) clothing—the Western-influenced Korean fashion of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Renting a vintage suit or ornate lace dress allows you to seamlessly fit into the historical backdrop of early 1900s Hanseong.
Rentals are available inside the set at Gaehwagi Boutique near the Glory Hotel. Rates run between 25,000 KRW and 32,000 KRW for two hours, covering accessories like hats, gloves, parasols, hairpins, and bowties.
To match period outfits, bring appropriate footwear:
- For Men: Dark leather dress shoes, loafers, or clean plain black boots.
- For Women: Dark leather pumps, low-heeled ankle boots, or plain black Mary Jane flats.
- For Hanbok Wearers: Plain white or black slip-on shoes.
Travelers interested in traditional clothing can also consult our Seoul Hanbok rental palace guide for sizing, deposit terms, and photo etiquette.
Iconic K-Drama Filming Locations and Easter Eggs
Although constructed primarily for the 2018 drama Mr. Sunshine, the studio's vintage architecture regularly hosts other historical film and television productions.
The Glory Hotel
This two-story red-brick building serves as the central hub of the set. Owned by Kudo Hina in Mr. Sunshine, it housed foreign diplomats and local characters. The second floor features a operating cafe serving coffee and tea, alongside a wooden balcony overlooking the complex.
Hongdaegyo Bridge
A stone arch bridge spans the middle of the grounds, recreating historical infrastructure from early modern Seoul. Key scenes between characters Eugene Choi (Lee Byung-hun) and Go Ae-sin (Kim Tae-ri) were filmed here.
Hanok Compound and Tram Lines
At the upper end of the property stands a traditional yangban (aristocratic) Hanok estate. Below it, vintage streetcars sit along historic electric tram tracks, accessible for photos.
Filming Locations for Other Shows
Several major international productions have filmed on location here:
- Pachinko (Apple TV+): Early 20th-century street scenes and storefronts were shot along the lower alleyways.
- Gyeongseong Creature (Netflix): Night market scenes depicting 1940s colonial streets utilized the studio's wooden storefronts and stone walls.
- Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 (tvN/Prime): Vintage shop exteriors featured in period chase scenes.
Combining Sunshine Studio with a Complete Nonsan Day Trip
Nonsan is known throughout Korea for its strawberry farms and regional landmarks. Combining the studio visit with nearby sites makes for an efficient day trip.
Setting up local navigation tools helps pin rural bus stops accurately. You can review our guide to essential Naver Map settings for tourists in Korea for setup instructions.
Topjeongho Lake features a 600-meter footbridge over the water. Stopping by in late afternoon offers sunset views across the reservoir before taking an evening train back to Seoul.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How long does it take to get to Sunshine Studio from Seoul?
Traveling from Seoul to Sunshine Studio takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours total. Catching a KTX train from Yongsan Station to Nonsan Station takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes, followed by a 20-minute taxi ride to the set in Yeonmu-eup.
Q. Do I need to book Sunshine Studio tickets in advance?
No advance booking is required for foreign independent travelers visiting Sunshine Studio. You can purchase standard admission tickets directly at the entrance gate using cash or international credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
Q. What is the difference between Sunshine Studio and Sunshine Land?
Sunshine Land is the overall municipal complex, while Sunshine Studio is the paid 20,000 m² 1900s K-drama set within it. Sunshine Land also houses the free 1950s retro street set and an interactive military experience center.
Q. How do I get a taxi back from Sunshine Studio to Nonsan Station?
Taxis rarely wait outside the rural set, so you should call one using the Kakao T app or request dispatch assistance at the studio entrance ticket counter. Drivers usually arrive within 10 to 15 minutes to transport visitors back to the train station.
Q. Are costume rentals available at Sunshine Studio?
Yes, Gaehwagi period costumes are available at the boutique inside Glory Hotel for 25,000 KRW to 32,000 KRW for a two-hour rental. Note that shoes are not provided, so visitors must wear their own vintage-style footwear.
