Sandglass
Drama guideEnded

Sandglass

모래시계
Air date: 1995-01-09
Episodes: 24 ep
Network: SBS
Rating: 8.7 / 10
Cast entries
20
Episodes
24
Locations
4
Food stops
1
Story

Synopsis

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

"Sandglass" is a renowned South Korean television drama that aired on SBS in 1995, consisting of 24 episodes. Written by Song Ji-na and directed by Kim Jong-hak, the series explores the tragic bond between three friends as they navigate the political and social turmoil of 1970s and 1980s Korea.

The show masterfully blends politics, melodrama, and action, showcasing powerful performances from its lead actors: Choi Min-soo, Go Hyun-jung, and Park Sang-won. "Sandglass" achieved a remarkable peak rating of 64.5%, marking it as one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean television history. Its portrayal of the Gwangju Massacre is particularly noted for its intense realism and emotional impact, making it a pivotal moment in the landscape of Korean drama.

Filming locations

Filming locations

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

  1. 01

    Jeongdongjin Sandglass Park

    정동진 모래시계 공원
    Jeongdongjin-ri, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province강원특별자치도 강릉시 강동면 정동진리

    Jeongdongjin Sandglass Park features a large sandglass that symbolizes the passage of time, making it a significant filming location for the drama 'Sandglass'. Visitors can experience the serene atmosphere that reflects the themes of the show. / Sandglass Park is a well-known sunrise spot and connects directly to Jeongdongjin Station. It features beautiful landscapes and is a popular location for tourists on New Year's Day. / The Sandglass Pine Tree is located near Jeongdongjin Station and offers a beautiful view of the sea, making it a picturesque spot for visitors.

    Since the re-release of 'Sandglass' on Netflix, I really wanted to walk along Jeongdongjin again. [...] In particular, using the deck railing as a subtle frame and capturing the shimmer of the water beyond resulted in some emotionally resonant photos.
    blog.naver.com
  2. 02

    Jungdongjin Time Museum

    정동진시간박물관
    990-1 Heonhwa-ro, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province강원특별자치도 강릉시 강동면 헌화로 990-1

    The museum features unique exhibitions related to time and is located within the Sandglass Park. It offers a fun experience for visitors.

    Jeongdongjin Time Museum - An interesting and unique exhibition space themed around Time.
    blog.naver.com
  3. 03

    Sun Cruise Resort

    썬크루즈 리조트
    950-39 Heonhwa-ro, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province강원특별자치도 강릉시 강동면 헌화로 950-39

    Sun Cruise Resort is situated on a hill and offers stunning views of the sunrise, making it a notable landmark in the Jeongdongjin area.

    Especially on New Year's Day, Jeongdongjin is a place crowded with tourists wanting to see the New Year's sunrise.
    blog.naver.com
  4. 04

    Jeongdongjin Rail Bike

    정동진레일바이크
    17 Jeongdongyeok-gil, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province강원특별자치도 강릉시 강동면 정동역길 17

    The Jeongdongjin Rail Bike offers a unique experience of riding along the coast while enjoying the beautiful views of the sea and the surrounding area.

    There are really many travelers coming to Jeongdongjin Station to ride the rail bike.
    blog.naver.com
Food guide

Food & places

Restaurants, cafes, markets, and dishes tied to the drama or the reader's visit path.

  1. 01Restaurant

    Mubongri Sundae Gukbap

    Sundae Gukbap
    2787 S Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80014, USA

    This restaurant is mentioned as a place where the author enjoyed a delicious breakfast during their stay.

    For breakfast, I quickly went to the Mubong-ri Sundae Gukbap restaurant, which is just a 5-minute walk away, and had a delicious meal.
    blog.naver.com
Discovery

More to explore

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

Details

Production

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

Country
South Korea
Original language
Korean
Episode runtime
60 min
Spoken languages
Korean
Creators
Kim Jong-hak김종학
Song Ji-na
Directors
Kim Jong-hak김종학
Yu Chang-guk유창국
Writers
Song Ji-na

Source: TMDB

Characters

Cast & characters

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

Source: TMDB

Actors

Lead actors

Lead performer biographies and notable credits.

Choi Min-soo

Choi Min-sooas Park Tae-soo

최민수
1962-05-01 · Seoul, South Korea

Choi Min-soo is a prominent South Korean actor, celebrated for his compelling performances and tough-guy persona. Born on March 27, 1962, he emerged as one of the leading figures in the Korean film and television industry during the 1990s. Choi first gained critical acclaim with his role in the film "Nambugun: North Korean Partisan in South Korea" (1990), which earned him the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. His popularity soared with notable roles in the television series "What Is Love" (1991) and the film "The Marriage Life" (1992). Choi's portrayal of a hardened character in the series "Walking Up to Heaven" (1993) firmly established his image as a "tough guy." His talent was further recognized with a Best Actor award for his performance in "The Terrorist" (1995), making him one of the few actors to have received accolades across all categories at South Korea's prestigious award ceremonies. Transitioning primarily to television, he starred in successful series like "The Legend" (2007) and continued to captivate audiences with performances in "Happy Ending" (2012), "Man Who Dies to Live" (2017), "Lawless Lawyer" (2018), and "Numbers" (2023). Choi Min-soo remains a significant figure in the entertainment industry, known for his versatility and enduring appeal.

Ko Hyun-jung

Ko Hyun-jungas Yoon Hye-rin

고현정
1971-03-02 · Hwasun, South Jeolla, South Korea

Go Hyun-jung, born on March 2, 1971, is a prominent South Korean actress who first captured public attention as a runner-up in the Miss Korea beauty pageant in 1989. Her acting career took off with her role in the iconic drama "Sandglass" in 1995, which is celebrated as one of the highest-rated series in Korean television history. After her marriage to chaebol Chung Yong-jin in 1995, Go put her career on hold, stepping away from the limelight. However, following their divorce in 2003, she made a remarkable comeback, quickly regaining her status as a leading actress. Her talent and hard work paid off, and she became the highest-paid actress on television, thanks to her acclaimed performances in series such as "Queen Seondeok" and "Big Thing." Today, Go Hyun-jung remains a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, known for her versatility and enduring appeal.

Lee Jung-jae

Lee Jung-jaeas Baek Jae-hee

이정재
1972-12-15 · Icheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Lee Jung-jae is a renowned South Korean actor, filmmaker, and businessman, born on December 15, 1972. He started his career as a fashion model in 1993, quickly transitioning to acting with notable roles in the film "The Young Man" and the TV series "Feelings" and "Sandglass," the latter of which became one of Korea's highest-rated dramas. His breakout role came with the film "An Affair" in 1998, followed by the acclaimed "City of the Rising Sun" in 1999, which earned him the Best Actor award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards. Over the years, Lee has starred in a variety of successful films, including romantic dramas like "Il Mare" and "Last Present," alongside action-packed projects such as "Typhoon" and the critically acclaimed "The Housemaid." His impressive filmography includes box office hits like "The Thieves," "New World," and the "Along with the Gods" series, which solidified his status as one of Korea's top movie stars. Lee gained international recognition for his role as Seong Gi-hun in Netflix's "Squid Game," earning nominations for prestigious awards such as the Primetime Emmy Award and the Golden Globe Award. His performance marked a significant milestone as he became the first male Asian actor to achieve nominations across multiple major award shows. Beyond acting, Lee is also a successful entrepreneur with ventures in the restaurant industry and real estate development. In 2022, he received the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, underscoring his contributions to South Korean culture and arts.

Notable credits on this site
Park Keun-hyong

Park Keun-hyongas President Yoon

박근형
1940-06-07 · Jeongeup, North Jeolla, South Korea
Streaming

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Streaming data via JustWatch through TMDB.

Episode guide

Episodes

Episode stills, air dates, runtimes, and summaries.

  1. Episode 1
    Ep 1Episode 1
    1995-01-09 · 60 min
  2. Episode 2
    Ep 2Episode 2
    1995-01-10 · 60 min
  3. Episode 3
    Ep 3Episode 3
    1995-01-11 · 60 min
  4. Episode 4
    Ep 4Episode 4
    1995-01-12 · 60 min
  5. Episode 5
    Ep 5Episode 5
    1995-01-16 · 60 min
  6. Episode 6
    Ep 6Episode 6
    1995-01-17 · 60 min
  7. Episode 7
    Ep 7Episode 7
    1995-01-18 · 60 min
  8. Episode 8
    Ep 8Episode 8
    1995-01-19 · 60 min
  9. Episode 9
    Ep 9Episode 9
    1995-01-23 · 60 min
  10. Episode 10
    Ep 10Episode 10
    1995-01-24 · 60 min
  11. Episode 11
    Ep 11Episode 11
    1995-01-25 · 60 min
  12. Episode 12
    Ep 12Episode 12
    1995-01-26 · 60 min
  13. Episode 13
    Ep 13Episode 13
    1995-01-30 · 60 min
  14. Episode 14
    Ep 14Episode 14
    1995-01-31 · 60 min
  15. Episode 15
    Ep 15Episode 15
    1995-02-01 · 60 min
  16. Episode 16
    Ep 16Episode 16
    1995-02-02 · 60 min
  17. Episode 17
    Ep 17Episode 17
    1995-02-06 · 60 min
  18. Episode 18
    Ep 18Episode 18
    1995-02-07 · 60 min
  19. Episode 19
    Ep 19Episode 19
    1995-02-08 · 60 min
  20. Episode 20
    Ep 20Episode 20
    1995-02-09 · 60 min
  21. Episode 21
    Ep 21Episode 21
    1995-02-13 · 60 min
  22. Episode 22
    Ep 22Episode 22
    1995-02-14 · 60 min
  23. Episode 23
    Ep 23Episode 23
    1995-02-15 · 60 min
  24. Episode 24
    Ep 24Episode 24
    1995-02-16 · 60 min

Source: TMDB

Media

Videos

Trailers, OST, interviews, making clips, reviews, and recommendations.

Trailers & teasers

OST

Interviews & making-of

Reviews & recommendations

Source: YouTube

Discovery

Similar dramas

Related titles to continue browsing.

Source: TMDB