“Sunny” Stars Reunite in Travel Variety Show “I’m Sunny Thank You”: Kang So-ra, Shim Eun-kyung, Zhang Hao Included

Fourteen years after the release of the beloved Korean film Sunny, the iconic high school girl gang is reuniting not for a sequel, but for a new travel variety show. According to a report from JTBC Entertainment News on June 13, MBC is preparing to air a new program titled I’m Sunny Thank You, starring key members of the original film’s ensemble cast.

The cast includes Shim Eun Kyung, Kang So-ra, Kim Min-young, and Kim Bo-mi, who portrayed the younger versions of the Sunny characters in the 2011 box office hit. Some members of the cast reportedly traveled overseas in April to film parts of the program, while others who could not join the trip will still appear in various capacities.

I’m Sunny Thank You aims to capture the real-life 14-year friendship among the actresses who played the high school “Sunny 7 Princesses” in the film. Alongside Shim Eun-kyung, Kang So-ra, Kim Min-young and Kim Bo-mi, the original seven also included Park Jin-joo, Nam Bo-ra and Min Hyo-rin. Since filming Sunny, the actresses have maintained a close bond, regularly meeting and attending events together.

Their enduring friendship has been evident in recent public appearances, including Nam Bo-ra’s wedding and the premiere of director Kang Hyeong-cheol’s new film Hi-Five. These reunions have only increased public anticipation for their on-screen comeback.

ZEROBASEONE’s center Zhang Hao is also set to appear on this MBC variety program. Following his appearance on The Manager alongside fellow member Sung Han-bin in April and his confirmed role in the upcoming drama Fly Me to the Moon (tentative title), Zhang Hao continues to receive love calls from MBC, further expanding his popularity.

According to a report by TenAsia on June 16, Zhang Hao will showcase a different side of himself through I’m Sunny Thank You. The show aims to deliver laughter and heartfelt moments.

Released in 2011, Sunny tells the heartwarming and tear-jerking story of seven women who reconnect 25 years after forming a tight-knit group in high school. The movie resonated deeply with audiences, celebrating themes of friendship, memory, and personal growth. It became a cultural touchstone, attracting over 7.45 million viewers in theaters and continuing to find new fans over the years.

The film is particularly remembered for launching the careers of several young actresses, including Kang So-ra and Shim Eun-kyung, who brought each character to life with vivid, unique charm and emotional depth.

Set to air later this year, I’m Sunny Thank You is expected to offer viewers a nostalgic yet fresh look at the long-standing relationships between the actresses. The show promises laughter, heartfelt stories, and a deeper behind-the-scenes look into how the Sunny cast’s bond has evolved over the past 14 years.

As one of Korea’s most iconic ensemble films gets a new chapter in reality TV form, fans can look forward to reliving old memories while creating new ones—this time, off script and in real life.