Photos by Hyemin Lee ()
Suncheon Open Film Set is a famous filming location, recreating Korea from the 1960s to the 1980s. It’s been the backdrop for over 70 movies and dramas, including “Pachinko” and “Bread, Love and Dreams.”
Visiting this open set will allow you to travel back in time, experience an era of struggles with the aftermath of the Korean War and the period of rapid economic growth.
While enjoying various activities and photo zones here, you will fully soak into the retro sentiment of Korea’s past. Many visitors enjoy taking unique and entertaining photos with their friends here and Koreans who actually lived through the period often feel a visit is like reliving their youth. Don’t miss the chance to experience scenes of Korea’s modern history and make sure to capture some of unforgettable photos!
Address: 24 Biryegol-gil, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do, Naver Map Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Ticket: 3,000 won (If you bring your Suncheon National Garden/Wetland ticket, you can get a discount) Parking: 1,000 won to 3,000 won depending on the size of car (all day) Duration of trip: 1-2 hours
Try a 1970s school uniform!
Price: 5,000 won for 1 hour / 1,000 won for additional accessories
At the entrance, head to the shop that looks like an old classroom. Here you can rent a classic Korean grade school uniform for some great pics on the K-drama sets.
There are two types of school uniforms from the 1960s to 1980s. One is the ordinary national school uniforms which you can choose between summer and winter versions. Another option is the training uniform, which Korean high school students wore during military training, in case they were called upon to serve in the military during this tense period. Various sizes of uniforms are available, and the staff will kindly assist you as needed.
Places to explore
When you purchase your ticket, don’t forget to ask for a map to help you navigate the three districts here:
Suncheon Downtown in the 60s
The downtown street features a comic book store, police station, marketplace, and more. The small stream that flows past the marketplace is famous as a filming location for movies and is also renowned as a photography spot due to its unique scenery.
70s Shanty Town
Walking up the hill, you can find a 1970s neighborhood called “Daldongne.” In Korean, “Dal” means moon and “dongne” means town. “Daldongne” is a term that refers to a shantytown with densely clustered housing for poor people on the high ground of the city during a period of explosive population growth and rapid urbanization.
The outskirts of Seoul in the 80s
The district houses some trendy hangout spots among Korean youth in the 70s and 80s, including cafés for dates, an old-fashioned dance club, and movie theater.
