DIARY

Hallyu Diary Vol.18

Are the places we see onscreen the same in real life?
Drawn by this curiosity, I set off on a trip to Gunsan and into the world of cinema.
Gunsan is a city where about 200 movies have been filmed,
and where every step feels like walking past still cuts straight from the movies.

Today, I’ll be sharing the cinematic atmosphere of Gunsan exactly as I experienced it.
Come with me to see how scenes from the screen come alive in the real world.

As soon as I arrived in Gunsan, the first place I headed to was Cinema Road.
As it is located inside the Gunsan Time Travel Village,
you’re greeted by a strong sense of Korea’s modern past the moment you step inside.
It’s almost as if time has come to a standstill on the street,
and you feel naturally drawn into a scene straight out of a movie.

It’s no wonder Gunsan has a reputation of being Korea’s flagship film location.
In some years, an astonishing 18 films were reportedly shot here at the same time!
The classic atmosphere that unfolds at the entrance of the street feels
almost like an old reel of film being projected.
As I walked along, I could see why this place was such a sought-after filming location.

A little farther in, I was greeted by a wall lined with still cuts from films shot in Gunsan.
Just reading the titles brought famous actors and iconic scenes to mind.
From the classic romance movie, Christmas in August , to the edge-of your-seat thriller Tazza: The High Rollers, and The Man from Nowhere, starring Won Bin,
it was clare that variety of films-across all genres- had been filmed in Gunsan

There is a brief introductiono of movie along with detailed descriptions of filming locations, it was fun to walk down the street and discover which films were shot in this very city
It was the best place to start a film location tour in Gunsan!

A little farther down Cinema Road, I finally came upon Chowon Photo Studio!
My heart started pounding at the thought of standing in a place I had only ever seen onscreen.
Because it’s directly connected to Cinema Road,
the walk to the studio felt like I was moving with the story arc, 
and it truly felt as if I were stepping into the world of Christmas in August.

As soon as I arrived, I was swept up by the distinctive mood of the film.
This movie is often considered a classic of the Korean melodrama genre,
telling the quiet love story between a photo studio owner and a parking enforcement officer.
It isn’t a flashy movie by any means, but its lasting emotional resonance stays with you long after,
which is why so many Koreans still consider it one of their all-time favorites.

When I walked into the studio, I was met by a faint scent of old film,
which gave the impression that time itself had paused momentarily.
Although the space has been renovated once before,
it was easy to see why people have continued to visit for more than 20 years,
as the atmosphere remains beautifully intact.

More recently, the location gained renewed attention
when IU paid homage to Christmas in August
with the music video for her remake for “Never Ending Story.”

Not surprisingly, the area in front of the studio was fairly busy,
filled with visitors hoping to experience that same mood.
Obviously, I took a photo there as well to commemorate my visit,
which captured the melodramatic mood of the film, making the moment so very special.

Leaving the studio behind, I next headed to the Gunsan Modern History Street!
From here, I gazed upon the classic face of the city as I walked down the historic street.

I was starting to feel a bit hungry when I happily spotted a nearby street
specializing in jjamppong spicy noodle soup!
The restaurant I chose turned out to be the famous filming location
from the movie Tazza: The High Rollers.

With my appetite fully satisfied, I continued exploring the Modern History Street.
Heritage buildings standing next to contemporary shops created a unique cityscape,
and strolling through the area made me feel like a character in a film.
Each alley had its own distinct atmosphere, so there was never a dull moment during my walk.

It was also fun to swing by the Gunsan Modern History Museum,
where you can take in the city’s past in one glance.
Each exhibition space captures everyday life from the past
and the transformation of the city through time, making for an interesting tour.
Gunsan isn’t just full of filming locations,
as it also offers the opportunity to experience its heritage, making the journey feel even richer.

My last stop on this trip, not unlike the final scene in a film, was Haemanggul Tunnel.
The semicircular tunnel, first opened in 1926, burrows beneath Wolmyeong Park,
and served as a wartime command post in the past.
Walking slowly along the tunnel, it felt as if I was heading backwards in time.

Haemanggul Tunnel is closed to vehicle traffic and open only to pedestrians,
which means visitors can fully take in the tunnel’s distinctive atmosphere.
As you move deeper inside, you’ll notice bullet marks from the war still visible on the walls,
allowing Gunsan’s history to overlap with the present
to create an entirely new emotional sensation.

That must be why the entrance to the tunnel was such a popular photo spot,
because no matter where you stand, the framing somehow turns out quietly dramatic.
I loved snapping pics from the tunnel as all the photos came out effortlessly cinematic.

Photo credit: Blogger 지오락

Also, Wolmyeong Park, connected to the tunnel, is a facous filming location from the movie Man in Love .
From the top of the park, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of nature and the Gunsan sea,
making it immediately clear why filmmakers are drawn to this spot.
After taking my last few photos there,
I wrapped up my Gunsan cinematic journey on a warm, satisfying note.