Mr. Sunshine (2018) — Filming Locations & Guide

Story

Synopsis

A concise overview of the premise, tone, and dramatic setup.

Set in the early 1900s, Mr. Sunshine follows the journey of a young man from Korea who escapes to the United States and becomes a US Marine Corps officer. Upon his return to Korea, he encounters a noblewoman dedicated to the fight for Korean independence. Their love story unfolds against a backdrop of social class struggles and political turmoil, as Korea grapples with the threat of Japanese imperialism and the complexities of its class system.

The drama portrays the lives of five characters, each navigating their own challenges during this turbulent period, as well as the sacrifices made in the name of love and national pride. With stunning visuals and a compelling narrative, Mr. Sunshine has garnered acclaim for its portrayal of historical events and personal struggles, making it a standout series in the landscape of Korean drama.

Filming locations

Places connected to scenes, checked against source links before they appear publicly.

01
Sunshine Land
선샤인랜드
102 Bonghwang-ro, Yeonmu-eup, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do충남 논산시 연무읍 봉황로 102
Sunshine Land features various historical buildings and sets from 'Mr. Sunshine', providing a nostalgic experience for fans of the drama.
Here, there are five modern-style buildings, 19 tiled houses, four thatched houses, and nine Japanese-style houses, all contributing to the formation of #SunshineLand.
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02
Andong Hahoe Folk Village
안동 하회마을
1176-1 Hahoe-ri, Pungcheon-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do경북 안동시 풍천면 하회리 1176-1
Hahoe Folk Village is a traditional folk village surrounded by the Nakdong River, known for its beautiful scenery and traditional houses.
Hahoe Village is a traditional folk village where the Nakdong River wraps around the village in an S-shape.
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Discovery

More to explore

Step beyond this drama — explore filming sites, food spots, and related titles across the catalog.

View all locations

Not available for this drama

Details

Production

Broadcast details, runtime, language, and key production credits.

Country

South Korea

Original language

Korean

Episode runtime

75 min

Spoken languages

English, Japanese, Korean

Production companies

Hwa&Dam Pictures
Studio Dragon

Creators: Lee Eung-bok이응복
Kim Eun-sook김은숙
Directors: Lee Eung-bok이응복
Jung Jee-hyun정지현
Jang Young-woo장영우
Writers: Kim Eun-sook김은숙

Source: TMDB

Characters

Cast & characters

Key roles, performers, and character context for quick scanning.

Eugene Choi / Choi Yu-jin
Lee Byung-hun이병헌
Eugene Choi, also known as Choi Yu-jin, is a young man from Korea who grows up in the United States. He returns to Korea as a US Marine Corps officer and becomes romantically involved with a noblewoman who is advocating for Korean independence, facing challenges from social class and political ideology.
Go Ae-shin
Kim Tae-ri김태리
Gu Dong-mae
Yoo Yeon-seok유연석
Kudo Hina
Kim Min-joung김민정
Kim Hui-seong
Byun Yo-han변요한
Hwang Eun-san
Kim Kap-soo김갑수
Jang Seung-gu
Choi Mu-sung최무성
Go Sa-hong
Lee Ho-jae이호재
Lee Wan-ik
Kim Eui-sung김의성
Takashi Mori
Kim Nam-hee김남희
Yoon Ho-sun
Kim Hye-eun김혜은
Il-sik
Kim Byong-chul김병철
Chun-sik
Bae Jung-nam배정남
Servant
Shin Jung-keun신정근
Haman-daek
Lee Jung-eun이정은
Im Gwan-su
Jo Woo-jin조우진

Source: TMDB

Actors

Lead actors

Lead performer biographies and notable credits.

Lee Byung-hunas Eugene Choi / Choi Yu-jin

이병헌

1970-07-12 · Seongnam, Gyeonggi, South Korea

Lee Byung-hun (이병헌), born on July 12, 1970, is a South Korean actor, singer, and model celebrated for his versatile performances across various genres. He gains significant acclaim for his roles in films such as Joint Security Area (2000), A Bittersweet Life (2005), The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008), I Saw the Devil (2010), Masquerade (2012), Inside Men (2015), The Man Standing Next (2020), and in television series including All In (2003), Iris (2009), Mr. Sunshine (2018), and Our Blues (2022). Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards and nominations. In the United States, he is recognized for his portrayal of Storm Shadow in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) and its sequel G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), along with notable appearances in Red 2 (2013), Terminator Genisys (2015), and The Magnificent Seven (2016). Additionally, he plays the Front Man in the critically acclaimed Netflix series Squid Game (2021–2025).

Notable credits on this site

Squid Game
2021

Kim Tae-rias Go Ae-shin

김태리

1990-04-24 · Seoul, South Korea

Kim Tae-ri is a South Korean actress who begins her career in theater and modeling for television advertisements. She makes her feature film debut in 2016 with Park Chan-wook's The Handmaiden, having been selected from 1,500 candidates during auditions. Park's initial impression of Kim evokes memories of his first encounter with actress Kang Hye-jung, who rose to prominence in his 2003 film Oldboy. Kim also appears in 1987: When the Day Comes (2017) and Little Forest (2018).

Notable credits on this site

Twenty Five Twenty One
2022

Yoo Yeon-seokas Gu Dong-mae

유연석

1984-04-11 · Seoul, South Korea

Ahn Yeon-seok (born April 11, 1984), better known by the stage name Yoo Yeon-seok, is a South Korean actor. After making his acting debut in 2003 with a small role in Oldboy, he resumed his acting career in 2008. His notable works include the films Re-encounter (2011), Architecture 101 (2012), A Werewolf Boy (2012), Whistle Blower (2014), and Love, Lies (2016), as well as the television series Reply 1994 (2013), Dr. Romantic (2016), Mr. Sunshine (2018), Hospital Playlist (2020–2021), and When the Phone Rings (2024).

Notable credits on this site

Hospital Playlist
2020

Kim Min-joungas Kudo Hina

김민정

1982-07-30 · Songpa, Seoul, South Korea

Kim Min-joung (Hangul: 김민정; born July 30, 1982) is a South Korean actress who debuted at the age of six in the MBC Best Theater episode "Widow." Rising to prominence as one of her generation's most in-demand child actresses, she successfully transitioned into adult roles, becoming one of the few Korean child actors to achieve this feat. Her notable television series include "Ireland," "Fashion 70's," "New Heart," "Strike Love," and "The Thorn Birds." Additionally, she has appeared in films such as "Flying Boys," "Forbidden Quest," and "The Scam." In 2018, Kim was cast in the romance melodrama "Mr. Sunshine," written by Kim Eun-sook.

Byun Yo-hanas Kim Hui-seong

변요한

1986-04-29 · Incheon, South Korea

Byun Yo-han, born April 29, 1986, is a South Korean actor known for his expressive eyes and versatility across film, television, and musical theater. He builds his career on the independent film scene rather than debuting in mainstream projects. An alumnus of the prestigious Korea National University of Arts (KNUA), Byun honed his craft by appearing in over 30 short and independent films starting in 2011, which prepared him for nuanced roles like the lead in the independent hit Socialphobia (2015). His breakthrough came in 2014 with the cable series Misaeng: Incomplete Life, where he portrayed the empathetic intern Han Seok-yool, earning the Best New Actor award at the APAN Star Awards. Byun solidified his reputation in historical dramas, notably in Six Flying Dragons (2015–2016) as Ddang-sae / Lee Bang-ji, earning critical acclaim and an Excellence Award at the SBS Drama Awards. He starred in the highly-rated drama Mr. Sunshine (2018) as Kim Hee-sung, showcasing a lighter yet melancholic side to his acting. In film, Byun starred in the black-and-white historical drama The Book of Fish (2021), earning multiple nominations for Best Actor, and achieved significant recognition in the 2022 naval blockbuster Hansan: Rising Dragon, where he played the antagonist Wakizaka Yasuharu, winning the Best Supporting Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards, Blue Dragon Film Awards, and Grand Bell Awards. Most recently, he appears in the Disney+ political drama Uncle Samsik (2024) and the thriller series Black Out (2024), continuing to choose complex, character-driven narratives. Byun Yo-han's career is characterized by his commitment to emotional truth in his performances, establishing him as one of South Korea's most acclaimed contemporary actors.

Streaming

Where to watch

Availability is grouped by country and provider type.

JapanView on TMDB

Netflix
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KoreaView on TMDB

Netflix
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TVING

United StatesView on TMDB

Netflix
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Streaming data via JustWatch through TMDB.

Episode guide

Episodes

Episode stills, air dates, runtimes, and summaries.

Ep 1Episode 1
2018-07-07 · 73 min
Joseon stands firm against U.S. incursion. Yu-jin survives in America — as Eugene. Ae-sin knows that great change is afoot with global ramifications.
Ep 2Episode 2
2018-07-08 · 70 min
The empress has been murdered: For Ae-sin, words are useless against rapacious foreign powers; she’ll take up arms instead. Eugene gets a new post.
Ep 3Episode 3
2018-07-14 · 68 min
In an age of imported coffee and fashions, Ae-sin prefers her German gun, but wonders what the English word “love” means and whether Eugene is a friend.
Ep 4Episode 4
2018-07-15 · 68 min
Suspicions run deep as U.S. troops lose a gun on a train. Ae-sin shows Dong-mae compassion, Hui-seong returns to Joseon, and Eugene considers revenge.
Ep 5Episode 5
2018-07-21 · 73 min
Ae-sin meets Hui-seong for coffee at the hotel. Eugene deals with Japanese troops at the U.S. legation, and wants to know why Ae-sin defends Joseon.
Ep 6Episode 6
2018-07-22 · 69 min
Ae-sin gets a new mission. Eugene, Dong-mae and Hui-seong have something in common. Eugene delves into his past, and finally gives Ae-sin his answer.
Ep 7Episode 7
2018-07-28 · 73 min
Ae-sin learns love’s real meaning and crushes a thug. Emperor Gojong asserts Joseon’s authority. Eugene reveals his Korean name to Ae-sin.
Ep 8Episode 8
2018-07-29 · 68 min
Despite being advised to lay low as a noble lady, Ae-sin undertakes a dangerous operation. Eugene makes a surprising move and Hui-seong probes his past.
Ep 9Episode 9
2018-08-04 · 73 min
Eugene wants to know why Ae-sin can’t pull back, but her path is with the Righteous Army. Hui-seong disagrees with Ae-sin and offers an alternative.
Ep 10Episode 10
2018-08-05 · 74 min
The emperor seeks Eugene’s aid. Hui-seong visits the tailor. Ae-sin feels conflicted after hearing Eugene’s story, but later sees him on a snowy night.
Ep 11Episode 11
2018-08-11 · 74 min
Ae-sin apologizes to Eugene, but he hopes that she’ll keep fighting for her Joseon. Hui-seong takes a streetcar ride with Ae-sin and proposes a plan.
Ep 12Episode 12
2018-08-12 · 74 min
Reaffirming her commitment, Ae-sin stands by her decision and settles on an unforeseen pact over castella cake. Eugene investigates an old photograph.
Ep 13Episode 13
2018-08-18 · 79 min
Ae-sin and Eugene take a ride out to the sea. A nefarious traitor shows great interest in Hui-seong and Eugene. Lord Go Sa-hong meets with Hui-seong.
Ep 14Episode 14
2018-08-19 · 74 min
Eugene gets devastating news, Dong-mae is apprehended, Ae-sin asks Hina for help and Hui-seong comes to the rescue when Eugene finds himself cornered.
Ep 15Episode 15
2018-08-25 · 78 min
A disquieting sight vexes Emperor Gojong. Ae-sin defies Lord Go, Eugene refuses to forgive, and Hui-seong visits the Go family estate.
Ep 16Episode 16
2018-08-26 · 77 min
Hui-seong starts a newspaper and makes a personal sacrifice. Lord Go marshals support, Ae-sin imagines a different life, and Eugene goes to the palace.
Ep 17Episode 17
2018-09-01 · 76 min
After giving up that which means the most to him, Hui-seong gets a friend a gift. Lord Go leads an urgent appeal, and Ae-sin faces Japanese troops.
Ep 18Episode 18
2018-09-02 · 77 min
Eugene contends with a viperous imperialist. Seeing Lord Go’s incarceration, Hui-seong publishes a special edition. Ae-sin snubs a Japanese official.
Ep 19Episode 19
2018-09-08 · 77 min
Lady Ae-sin loses a part of herself. Lord Go counters mounting imperialist schemes, Hui-seong avenges Ae-sin and Emperor Gojong strikes down a snake.
Ep 20Episode 20
2018-09-09 · 81 min
The Righteous Army retaliates against Japanese troops and Ae-sin seeks justice. War breaks out in Joseon -- and Eugene gets orders to return to the U.S.
Ep 21Episode 21
2018-09-15 · 76 min
Called an American imperialist, Eugene later asks Ae-sin why she persists in a futile cause. Hui-seong helps Ae-sin out of a bind. An ally joins Ae-sin.
Ep 22Episode 22
2018-09-16 · 81 min
Emperor Gojong tries to shield the nation but is thrust into an impasse. Finding herself behind the eight ball, Ae-sin concedes that words have power.
Ep 23Episode 23
2018-09-29 · 81 min
Seeing the explosion, Hui-seong, Dong-mae and Eugene fear the worst. The world’s indifference dismays Emperor Gojong, but Joseon’s defiance gets bolder.
Ep 24Episode 24
2018-09-30 · 97 min
Joseon remains steadfast. The Righteous Army perseveres on its course. Ae-sin keeps her flame ablaze, while Hui-seong, Dong-mae and Eugene try to help.