Old Uniform Experience
On the Suncheon Drama Film Set
Written and photographed by Emmanuela Sabatini.
The Korean Wave is real! As a foreigner who loves to watch Korean dramas and movies, I have become interested in visiting filming locations. Fortunately, I have had the chance to pursue my master’s degree in Korea since 2018. While studying, I have also spent some of my time visiting filming locations in Korea, and one of those places is the Suncheon Drama Film Set (순천드라마촬영장) in South Jeolla Province.
The Suncheon Drama Film Set is a film set creating a background of Korea in the 1960–1980s. This place is divided into three villages, Seoul Street in the 1980s, Seoul Bongcheon-dong in the 1970s, and Suncheon in the 1960s. The Suncheon Drama Film Set has become popular as a tourist attraction after many Korean dramas, movies, variety shows, and K-pop MVs (music videos) were shot there. Among them are Gangnam Blues (1970), Love and Ambition (2006), East Eden (2008), Running Man (2012), Ode to My Father (2014) and Monsta-X MV (2016).
As Korean drama and movie lovers, my friends and I decided to visit and experience wearing Korean uniforms available at the film set. There are various uniforms to rent, including black and blue school uniforms and also military and training uniforms for men. Women can use the men’s uniforms if they want, and my friends chose to wear the military training uniforms. I chose a black school girl’s uniform, which was the general uniform worn at school in Korea in the 1970s. The rental price is 2,500 won for 1.5 hours; the use of other accessories such as bags, hats, and headbands are subject to an additional charge.
The uniform rental building is located in the Seoul Street of the 1980s village area, right after the entrance. There is also a big theater in the center where scenes of dramas and movies filmed there are shown, creating a feeling of nostalgia. We also went to the game center and House of Disco, where we felt the sensation of old disco from the 1980s!
As a highlight of the Suncheon Drama Film Set, we went to the Seoul Bongcheon-dong village area of the 1970s. There we could see a hill of housing. We also did a little bit of hiking to get to the top where you can see all the areas of the film set from above! Finally, do not forget to visit the village representing Suncheon of the 1960s, which is used as the set for South Korea after the Korean War.
It is very easy to visit the Suncheon Drama Film Set because it is located in Suncheon City. After arriving at Suncheon Bus Terminal or Suncheon Station, take buses 71, 777, or 991 to the film set. It will take about 30–40 minutes to arrive there. So, would you like to feel the sensation of Korea in the old days?
THE AUTHOR
Emmanuela Sabatini is originally from Jakarta, Indonesia. She graduated with a master’s from Keimyung University, Daegu, and is currently doing an internship at the Gwangju International Center. Meanwhile, she is enjoying her new life in Gwangju and is ready to visit many places in South Jeolla Province. You can follow her travels at www.emmasabatini.com