The film crew turned what was originally a garage into a photo studio with the owner's permission; it was torn down after filming, and Gunsan City restored it for tourism, so you can look around and take photos. Most of the movie was filmed near this studio, including the scenes of the hero Jeong-won's house and an elementary school.
Source: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes allowed) · 6 photos
6 photos ↓ · Source: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes allowed)
Tourist information in Gunsan: 8 tourist information centers, free tours by culture and tourism guides and the 47-point Gunsan stamp tour, with hours, departure times and completion rules
Public parking near sights in Gunsan: straight-line distance, spaces and fees for Gyeongam-dong Railroad Village, the Modern History Museum, Chowon Photo Studio, Iseongdang, Dongguksa Temple, Eunpa Lake Park, Seonyudo Island and Jangjado Island
Chowon Photo Studio was originally a garage that the Christmas in August crew converted
The Chowon Photo Studio building was not originally a photo studio but a garage. The crew of the movie 'Christmas in August' turned it into a photo studio after getting the owner's permission with difficulty. The crew had decided to shoot without sets and searched photo studios nationwide, but could not find a suitable one. Then, through the window of a cafe where they stopped to rest, they spotted this garage in the shade of summer trees. After filming, the building was torn down as promised to the owner. Today's Chowon Photo Studio is a restoration by Gunsan City for viewing and taking photos. source 1
The movie Christmas in August, which features Chowon Photo Studio, and the name 'Chowon'
The lead character of 'Christmas in August' (released in January 1998) is Jeong-won, a photographer in his mid-30s with an incurable illness. The movie follows him as he meets Da-rim, a parking enforcement officer, and leaves memories of a last love. Han Seok-gyu played Jeong-won, and Sim Eun-ha played Da-rim. The name Chowon Photo Studio, for this filming location, was chosen by Han Seok-gyu. He took it from the name of a photo studio in the neighborhood where he lived as a child. source 1
Behind the scenes at Chowon Photo Studio: Christmas snow made of cotton and salt, and real customers in a family photo
The snow in the Christmas scene at Chowon Photo Studio was made of cotton and salt. Filming took place in late November, so the crew spread cotton and scattered salt around the studio. After filming, neighborhood women decided to gather it up for making kimchi, which saved the crew the cleanup. A story goes that for a while many people walked into Chowon Photo Studio thinking it was a newly opened photo studio. Some real visitors, besides the extras, even appeared in the family photo scene in the movie. source 1
Chowon Photo Studio visitor info: free entry, no parking, on the Gunsan in the Movies Course
Chowon Photo Studio has no fee, and you cannot park there. Among Gunsan City travel courses, it is on the Gunsan in the Movies Course, Course B (Modern–Geumgang Area), and the 2-Night, 3-Day Course. For inquiries, call 063-445-6879. source 2
The movie 'Christmas in August' was filmed here. In the movie, Han Seok-gyu plays the photographer Jeong-won and Sim Eun-ha plays the parking enforcement officer Da-rim. Most of the filming, including Jeong-won's house and an elementary school, took place around the studio. source 1
Can you take photos at Chowon Photo Studio?
Yes. The studio was torn down after filming, and Gunsan City restored it so visitors can look around and take photos. source 1
Can you park at Chowon Photo Studio?
No, you cannot. Parking is not available, and admission is free. source 2
Who named Chowon Photo Studio?
The lead actor, Han Seok-gyu, named it. He took the name of a photo studio in the neighborhood where he spent his childhood. source 1
Was Chowon Photo Studio originally a photo studio?
No. It was originally a garage. The 'Christmas in August' crew got the owner's permission, turned it into a photo studio and used it for filming. source 1
When was the movie featuring Chowon Photo Studio released?
Christmas in August was released in January 1998. Han Seok-gyu played the photographer Jeong-won, and Sim Eun-ha played the parking enforcement officer Da-rim. source 1
Was the snow in the Chowon Photo Studio Christmas scene real?
No, it was not real snow. Filming took place in late November, so the crew spread cotton and scattered salt around the studio to make it look like snow. source 1
Did real visitors appear in the Chowon Photo Studio family photo scene?
Yes. One anecdote says that some real visitors, besides extras, appeared in the movie's family photo scene. source 1
Gunsan Movie Streetstraight-line 160 m
Marie Bookstorestraight-line 230 m
Japanese-style House in Sinheung-dong, Gunsan (Hirotsu House)straight-line 250 m
Gungjeon Galchijjimstraight-line 140 m
