Reunion of 'Sunny' Cast: A Nostalgic Journey Without Min Hyo-rin

The much-anticipated appearance of Min Hyo-rin, who has taken a hiatus from her entertainment career after marrying Taeyang, was not realized as she did not show up. Instead, Kang So-ra led the group, reminiscent of scenes from the film released 14 years ago.

On the 5th, MBC's 'I'm Sunny Thank You' premiered, bringing together the stars of the movie 'Sunny' for the first time in 14 years, sharing a special time filled with laughter and tears.

The reunion, orchestrated by Kang So-ra, began with the arrival of Park Jin-joo, Nam Bo-ra, Kim Bo-mi, and Kim Min-young. The long-separated friends quickly rekindled their youthful camaraderie, exchanging jokes and pleasantries. The surprise appearance of Shim Eun-kyung, who is currently active in Japan, added to the emotional atmosphere. Comedian Lee Eun-ji, a self-proclaimed fan of 'Sunny,' donned a Min Hyo-rin mask, further enlivening the reunion with her humor.

The 'Sunny' members, who once knew each other so well they could recognize each other's scent, reminisced about their past, laughing at how they used to talk only about boys in their 20s. They shared anecdotes from the filming days, recalling how they would gather to practice lines and choreography the night before shoots, and how they toured the country in matching T-shirts for stage greetings after the movie's release. These memories remain vivid in their hearts as if they happened yesterday.

Their friendship has stood the test of time. As they replayed scenes from the movie, tears flowed, and smiles spread as they matched the choreography from their shared past. Studio MC Kim Sung-joo expressed deep empathy, noting how rare it is to maintain such relationships formed through work. Zhang Hao reflected on the future with his ZeroBaseOne members, wiping away tears.

Leaving the emotional reunion behind, Kang So-ra, Kim Bo-mi, Kim Min-young, and Lee Eun-ji embarked on a journey to China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Kang So-ra's fluency in Chinese shone as she effortlessly communicated with locals, taking on the role of guide, from itinerary briefings to checking into accommodations. Kim Min-young praised her as "So-raGPT," likening her to an AI for her impressive skills.

On the first day of their trip, the 'Sunny' members visited the Zhuang ethnic village of Zhengyang Eight Villages. They were welcomed with a traditional ceremony and responded by singing a verse of 'Tian Mi Mi,' delighting the locals. The exotic scenery, with wooden houses, misty skies, and the scent of green tea, was so picturesque that even Chinese MCs Yuqi and Zhang Hao exclaimed it felt like a movie.

The charming accommodations captivated the 'Sunny' members. Lee Eun-ji lamented, "I should have come here with my boyfriend," while Kim Sung-joo added, "My wife would want to come here if she saw this."

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr