A veritable masterpiece
What an epic, sweeping masterpiece. This story is full of heart, han, and jeong. It is deeply patriotic to Korea. I am almost envious of that level of national pride. Where I'm from, we are all hyphenated identities; an amalgamation of immigrants living our lives in the same physical location. I don't know all my East-Asian history, but it's almost overwhelming to think about how a tiny nation could be so powerful (or so vulnerable) and how quick we are to forgive and/or forget things in the not-so-distant past.I appreciate the moments of levity, love, and friendship too. This show depicts ALL the emotions and facets of life. Kim Eun-sook is known as the master of quippy one-liners — and for good reason! Somehow, all the characters endear themselves to us. My heart is full and aches at the same time.
Guns, glory, and sad endings indeed.
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Gun. Glory. Sad Ending.
"My romance lies in the muzzle of a German rifle. Who knows? How you saw me that night could have been romance in and of itself."I watched this drama without any knowledge of Korean history which is why I was a bit confused in the first two episodes. I almost dropped it, but I'm glad that I didn't (because I'll surely regret it in the future) and decided to continue watching it. And after the third episode, I realized that this is the best kdrama that I've ever watched.
Everything about this drama is almost perfect, if not perfect. The storyline, character development, cinematography (which is top-notch), OSTs (whose lyrics were all beautifully written) and most importantly, the emotions that it evoked from the viewers. All the characters are memorable: from the main characters, to the minor ones, and even the cameos. The actors portrayed their roles flawlessly but the writer should also be commended with the way she wrote each of the characters who are perfectly imperfect in their own ways.
What I love the most in this drama are the dialogues of the characters which are so impactful and meaningful. I feel like I'm watching a movie and reading a book at the same time. It's amazing how "Protecting you", "Maybe it's the end of jealousy", and "I don't even know my way around Joseon, and yet I'm walking toward somewhere far away" can be a love confession, and how "I will pray for you and console you" and "You should keep moving forward, I am taking a step back" can show how much you care for someone.
When I finished watching this for the first time, what remained in my mind are the emotions that I felt throughout the story. But when I rewatched it, I appreciated the story even more and I find it more exquisite than the first time I watched it. I came to notice the little details and the symbolisms used which I didn't notice before. It may be hard to rewatch this because of the number of episodes and the pain that it'll bring, but I do think that it is worthwhile.
I don't know if I'll ever come across another drama as great as Mr. Sunshine, but even so, this drama will surely have a special place in my heart.
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Outstanding show with a plot like a rudderless boat
This is the sort of show that you have to watch and be forgiving of its weaknesses because the performances, the direction, the development of the relationships, the cinematography, the sets and the costumes are so outstandingly good.It’s main weaknesses comprise two things: the plot, which is like a rudderless, leaking boat meandering on the current, constantly threatening to capsize whilst being patched together with coincidence and miracles; and the English speaking script and actors, which are, as usual, pretty abysmal.
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Others might feel it's too slow but for me, I appreciate the build up, episode by episode, I get to pay more attention to the character's circumstances and what makes them who they are as opposed to the typical in your face descriptions. Cinematography definitely is key in this build up, it extremely inviting and captivating, I couldn't take my eyes off my screen in fear that I might miss something.
If you're looking for a historically accurate account, this isnt for you.
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poignant, beautiful, inspiring... a masterpiece
mr. sunshine's power and beauty cannot be expressed in words.this story was perfect from start to finish. chills, tears, smiles and butterflies are guaranteed.
i'll keep it short, this is the real gem you're looking for in kdramas. a must watch.
the cinematography is impeccable, the music heartbreaking, the acting powerful, the story heart wrenching and riveting. every character was so intriguing and deeply developped, which made you very attached to each and everyone of them. from anti heroes like kudo hina and dong mae, to brave patriots like aeshin, all flaws, strengths and weaknesses of the characters were wonderfully portrayed. the episodes had me glued to the screen, the pace was perfect. i would've even watched a 60 episode long mr. sunshine haha !
but most importantly, this is a heavy but crucial story of the fight for independance, which will make you tear up and squeeze your fists. if you haven't watched it already, please do. i'd love experiencing watching mr. sunshine for the first time again,,, so please enjoy !
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This review may contain spoilers
What the heck just happened
Let me start off this review by saying that Mr. Sunshine is so far from the type of drama I ever expected to watch, let alone completely fall in love with. I had always considered myself a rom com type of person, and I wanted to say that I absolutely hated anything angsty, overly complicated or political, and most importantly, having a tragic ending. Mr. Sunshine is the epitome of all those things, and if I, a religious rom com watcher, can see just how much of a gem this drama is, then almost anyone can.Story: Mr. Sunshine is an incredibly long drama (24 episodes!) which tells the tragic tale of 5 people during the japanese colonization of Joseon in the early 20th century. While I have to be completely transparent and say that this drama was definitely on the slow end (sometimes a little too slow :/), it was ultimately worth every single second. The pace of the story is perfectly mellow, and, despite being slow, I would never say it was dragged out at all. The pace perfectly fits the mood of the drama, and not a single one of the 24 episodes could be considered filler or irrelevant to the plot. The plot’s complexity completely baffles me, and I honestly believe that I will need to rewatch this at least twice more to fully appreciate the storyline. The tragic ending was perfectly executed, and, frankly, it is what made the drama so beautiful. Had the ending been anything different, I don’t imagine that the ratings would be the same, nor would the drama be nearly as impactful as it was. I am not ashamed to admit that I was bawling my eyes out like a baby the last two episodes, and that just goes to show how brilliant the drama is.
Acting/Cast: In this, I will also discuss the characters themselves, as well as the cast that played them. I absolutely adored every single actor, and I felt like they perfectly suited the role that they played. Despite some overacting by English speaking actors (*cough* ALLEN *cough*), the cast, especially the main characters, were wonderful actors and portrayed their characters perfectly. While I heard of some complaints of Lee Byung Hun’s stiff acting, I have to disagree and say that he wonderfully played the character Eugene Choi. I felt no stiffness in his acting, only the reserved and disciplined portrayal of a seasoned US Marine Captain. I have to give special recognition to Gu Dong Mae, for whom I probably cried the most in this drama. He was a beautifully tragic character who deserved so much better. I loved the bromance and the humor in the drama, and the tragic romance, despite a lack of kiss scenes, completely enchanted me and convinced me of Eugene and Ae Sin’s love.
Music: Ah, here we go… what can I say except that I have been playing the same one track from Mr Sunshine (Sad Waltz AKA Dong Mae’s theme) on repeat for the past several days and crying uncontrollably. Every single track in this drama was beautiful, and I will say that this is my all time favorite soundtrack from any drama with complete confidence.
Rewatch value: Like I stated earlier, this drama gets a 10/10 in this category because I already feel the urge to rewatch this drama besides just finishing it. I will definitely revisit it once my broken heart can stitch itself up at least a little bit, so see you in a few!
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Name a more Oscar-worthy drama… I’ll wait
Upon a quick glance at the title and the promotional poster, you’re probably already thinking wow, this sure looks underwhelming! Well, dare I say that those were precisely my first thoughts – but now, I don’t even hesitate for one second when someone asks me whether this drama is any good, because my answer will always be the same, and that is: ‘exceptional’ doesn’t even begin to cut it.Initially, I thought the premise was very lacklustre – set in the early 1900s, this mini-series focuses on Righteous Army activists fighting for Korea’s independence against foreign forces, but the more I watched, the more I began to realise how fascinating this was. Not only did it act as a device to help viewers establish the rationale behind each of the character’s motives, but it also contributed to the story’s development in more ways than I could have imagined. The idea of a premise is that it lays down the most basic foundation of a writer’s work, and just like a movie post or an illustrated cover of a book, it paints a simple image of what’s inside, but not much more. And here’s the thing, it’s incredibly unfortunate to still see so many K-drama writers (whether old or new to screenwriting) fall into this rut when it comes to bringing an idea to life. However, for Mr. Sunshine screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, this doesn’t ever appear to be a problem she faces.
Kim is one of the most accomplished and sought after screenwriters in the industry, and it’s a no-brainer as to why this is the case. In the last 10 years, she has written the script for some of the most commercially successful dramas: Secret Garden (2010), A Gentleman’s Dignity (2012), The Heirs (2013), Descendants of the Sun (2016), Goblin (2016), The King (2020), and this drama included. Yes, she may have incorporated overused clichés in a few of her written work (e.g. rich guy-poor girl, evil mother-in-law, etc), but at the same time, it’s evident she continues to develop narratives which are so unique and enthralling; a talent which is unsurpassed in the industry. Unlike many writers whose dramas flopped, each one of her projects has stood the test of time, and this drama is no exception.
But the success of Mr. Sunshine ought to be shared equally with director Lee Eung-bok, whose creative direction and vast use of cinematic techniques in this drama was just out of this world. Together, they raised viewers’ awareness of Korea’s history, and shed light on those deemed peripheral in society. Many with very little understanding or are quick to judge will say that everything portrayed is historically inaccurate or rubbish, but what these people fail to acknowledge is that these very cruel and tragic events did happen, and whether or not this drama perfectly encapsulated that 101% accuracy is irrelevant. Mr. Sunshine was a cleverly crafted masterpiece to simply put, and I have no doubt the producer called in a historian to ensure the historical and factual basis of the premise was presented in such a way that had more to do with the storyline and character development, rather than the accuracy value it would have added to the plot.
The storyline was wonderfully perplexing, with each dramatic turn adding all these unexpected twists. It was fuelled with long-awaited revenges, political debacles, and palace shambles, all atop a crumbling social class system and a country’s disastrous attempt at stopping the Japanese from invading. Unlikely friendships formed, loyalties tested, identities challenged, and moral compasses questioned, but till the very end, not one person flinched, nor did they flee their allegiance to join another simply for the sake of love or friendship. But what I really appreciated about Mr. Sunshine would be this: the delivery of a poignant love story without the need for any kissing scenes.
I’m not going to lie when I say that there’s got to be smooching involved to make the chemistry somewhat convincing, but even when there was none of that here, I wasn’t the slightest bit concerned or disappointed. Because when there was grief, I ugly cried; when there was suspense, I went numb; when characters embraced, my heart melted; when a character experienced pain, I too felt my heart being ripped out of my chest; whenever a villain or antagonist appeared, my insides burned with rage; when a character showed their quirks, I chuckled with amusement; and last but not least, when a scene was so profoundly sad, it did more than just move me beyond tears.
I also admired Kim’s screenwriting, because instead of cheapening the plot with unnecessary exchanges, I found myself immersed in eloquent poetry and an engaging dialogue that actually built towards something, whether it was revealing important information about a course of action or disclosing a certain character’s disposition. And every time a flashback or sentimental object re-appeared, I knew what purpose it served because the story behind it was so powerful that it became an etched memory (e.g. Lady Yun’s norigae (ornament), ragged shoe floating in the well, wooden music box, red paper windmill, etc). The stunning cinematography was also something to marvel at; not just acting as a visual aid, but in creating this immersive historical experience. With a beautifully composed soundtrack to match, I was well and truly enchanted. (Two songs in particular which struck a chord was Park Hyo-shin’s “The Day”, and Baek Ji-young’s “See You Again”; both of which evoked so much soul, emotion, and lyrical meaning).
But what this drama could really not have done without was the outstanding performance of its talented cast (whether lead or supporting). The main cast comprising of Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung and Byung Yo-han all had a unique charisma and stage presence about them, and I’m so thankful that their talents did not go to waste when they auditioned for their respective roles as Eugene Choi, Go Ae-shin, Gu Dong-mae, Kudo Hina and Kim Hui-seong. To be able to see each individual connect with their characters by immersing themselves in the script was one thing, but then the ability to translate and deliver the right amount of expressive energy and a certain personality on-screen was another. Thus, it was really pleasing to see that actor was emotionally, mentally, and physically invested in whatever challenges their character faced.
To start off, Lee Byung-hun did a marvellous job acting as Eugene Choi. His natural charm and ability to bring so much depth and emotion to the screen was very enthralling, and I couldn’t help but be captivated every time his character spoke, laughed, or smiled. Eugene was a man of chivalry and didn’t hesitate to rise and display authority whenever he was placed in a position of conflict. He was clever, ballsy, and uncompromising, but at the same time, considerate, sincere, and likeable because he always spoke his mind. Lee’s action scenes in particular just exuded this wow factor you’ll rarely see from other male leads; attributed to all the stunt, weapons, and martial arts training he had done in the past to be better prepared for his Hollywood action roles. Combined with his knack for being able to also speak English and Japanese fluently in the drama – you couldn’t help but think, what can’t this man do?! If anything, Lee is a true embodiment of fine wine that gets better with age.
Likewise, Kim Tae-ri absolutely killed it as Go Ae-shin, and who would have thought Mr. Sunshine would be her first breakout role on the small screen! What really stood out to me about Kim’s character was that she was such a badass, fierce, smart, and tenacious noblewoman who wasn’t unlike every other female lead, and it was only through her ability as an actress that she was able to deliver a strong and empowering female protagonist that was more than just a pretty face. Ae-shin was quite literally living proof of Mulan under disguise in a black suit, and the fact that she risked her life, nobility and feminity by switching out of a traditional hanbok and into clothing that placed her in a man's world to protect her country, and her country’s people was worthy of admiration. Simultaneously, Kim did a stunning job at portraying Ae-shin as this graceful aristocratic lady whose posture, speech, and movements were refined, articulate and well-paced.
But if there’s one person who I really want to commend for his acting, it would be Yoo Yeon-seok. This man’s performance was just incredible, and even if his character were barbaric and callous, you have to really give him credit for emulating someone like Gu Dong-mae. Dong-mae was the kind of character that gave you chills just by the way he smirked, tinkered with his samurai swords, or held a gaze, and that’s the sort of talent you want to invest your time in watching. That said, his character wasn’t all that coldblooded and indifferent. Eventually, we see that he wants to be a part of a society where people don’t fear him, and whenever we caught a glimpse of his softer side, it was often met with sorrow and sympathy. Yoo genuinely did an excellent job at his portrayal of Dong-mae not only as the loyal and merciless leader of Musin Society, but also as someone who was authentic and selfishly selfless.
It is also worth noting that Mr. Sunshine upped the ante to showcase the strength and power of women in characters like Kudo Hina/Lee Yang-hwa (Kim Min-jung). Although her role was secondary to that of Go Ae-shin, I really admired how Kim’s character was this affluent, elegant, cultured, and classy modern-day lady who was very ruthless at times. Her role as an accomplished owner of Glory Hotel not only allowed her to indulge in elaborate kimonos, Edwardian fashionwear, and an array of Victorian-era hairstyles, but it also gave her the opportunity to shine through as a skilled linguist, fencer, trendsetter, and businesswoman. It’s quite rare to come across a second female lead this alluring, and a multifaceted character at that, so needless to say that I was impressed by how Kim always exuded the right amount of charisma with the perfect expressions to match in her portrayal of Kudo Hina.
And then there's Kim Hui-seong (Byun Yo-han), the charming third male lead who plays the second wealthiest man after the King of Joseon. From his use of self-deprecating humour to enliven sticky situations, playful teases, and softly-spoken lines, to the way he showed true, genuine concern for those around him, Hui-seong was nothing quite like the condescending and smooth-talking Casanova aristocrat I thought he’d be. Byun showed the audience that his character was more than just a womaniser; he was a gentle soul, risk-taker and a free-spirit who really wanted to contribute to society. It also goes without saying that he is a natural when it comes to conveying the expressions of someone who is genuinely in love. Hui-seong’s gaze always dazzled with adoration for his fiancée, and he never hesitated to wear a tender smile which carried with it this sweet sadness.
Final comments
I have never been more impressed by an AMAZING supporting cast, and although I may not know everyone’s names, it is without a doubt that their acting has left a lasting impression on all viewers such as myself. Kim Eui-sung especially, did an incredible job acting as Lee Wan-ik (the drama’s primary villain) and it only just occurred to me that he played the evil businessman in ‘Train to Busan’. Honestly, this guy’s expertise must be in villainous roles because his character in Mr. Sunshine was hardcore wicked with no redeeming qualities, and the fact that he could make you hate his character’s guts on a level you’ve never felt before is a true testament to one’s acting capabilities.
Not only did Mr. Sunshine record the 6th highest rating for any given episode in cable television (previously coming in 3rd place before the release of Hotel del Luna [2019], Crash Landing on You [2019-20] and the World of the Married [2020]), but it also netted an overall average rating of 12.955%, making it the second highest-rated K-drama of all times in cable television. What makes this latter figure far more significant than the first is because not only does it reflect the popularity of the series during its broadcast, but it also evidences strong audience engagement.
There is no doubt that Mr. Sunshine is probably my most favourite drama to date (along with Crash Landing on You and Signal), but if you ever just need to know why again, please don't hesitate to re-read this review.
Favourite quotes
Kudo Hina: “Three men who are worse than strangers are gathered in one room.”
Ae-shin: “Not goodbye but see you again.”
Lee Wan-ik: “I may be a mutt or a hound, but I’m the boss of all other dogs.”
Ae-shin: “You only have one bullet”, Eugene: As always, I just need to use it wisely.”
Kudo Hina: “Before you leave, act like a decent father for once in your life.”
Dong-mae: “We, unlike our parents, can shoot a gun or drive a sword through anyone.” Eugene: “I made a choice. We, unlike our parents, have the luxury of making choices.”
Ae-shin: “Gun. Glory. Sad Ending.”
Character summaries
Eugene Choi/Choi Yu-Jin (Lee Byung-hun) is the son of slave parents who flees Joseon at a young age and becomes a naturalised American citizen. Growing up, Eugene knew he was different from all the other kids – from his skin colour, long hair to his poor English speaking abilities – getting heavily bullied as a result. From the point he realises that he can no longer live as a Joseon man in a western world, his growth is exponential, and Eugene defies all odds to end up becoming a very admirable U.S. Marine Corps officer. Despite his accomplishments, he continues to be tormented by his past memories of being hunted down by slave hunters and keeps hold of Lady Yun’s norigae (a traditional Korean accessory that is hung from a woman’s hanbok skirt) as a reminder of his mother’s sacrifices. But make no mistake when I say each flashback of Eugene being thrown that norigae by his mother came with profound sadness; a true testament to the saying that “a mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path." But that is not the only object which served a purpose in the story – Eugene also kept with him a very peculiar wooden music box, which played a hauntingly enchanting yet sorrowful melody. What made this music box so special was its significance to Eugene; the melody evoked happiness, hope, and life in spite of the tragedy and grief he suffered fleeing Joseon as a very young child.
Upon his return to Joseon, we see that Eugene’s unwavering loyalty to America remains unchanged when he is sent to the American Legation in Joseon to uphold peace and friendly relations between the two countries. Although he is often dragged into Joseon’s political debacles by Emperor Gwangmu (Lee Seung-joon) and anti-Japanese minister, Lee Jeong-moon (Kang Shin-il), Eugene explains that he has no intention to be swayed by their desperation to protect Joseon from Japan and all for a very good reason. At the same time, we learn that every action he makes is somehow unintentionally politically motivated – both a win for himself, and for the Emperor and his underlings; demonstrated by what he ends up doing with the ‘Certificate of Deposit’ (i.e. the King’s bank certificate), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lee Se-hun, and his position at the Royal Military Academy where he shares with his trainees a very powerful Arabic proverb: “An army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lion led by a sheep.” Although Eugene is seen to be this serious, calculating, and audacious character, I loved that he also had this warmer side to him which he shared with Go Ae-shin (Kim Tae-ri) – the Joseon woman he fell in love with and cherished more than his own life.
Unlike Eugene, Ae-shin was more reserved and careful with how she carried herself, and their love story was met with a lot of difficulties and uncertainties whenever a mission arose, or their situations changed, and neither of them would know the outcome of one another – symbolised by the placing of a red paper windmill at each other’s place of residence, or at the Apothecary (where they would often meet in secret). Although the portrayal of their relationship was far from the lovey-dovey type that you would otherwise normally expect to see in K-dramas, you could tell that their love for each other was nonetheless so pure, and every misty-eyed gaze and embrace became more heart-wrenching than the last.
The daughter of an aristocrat, Ae-shin was well-known for her kind heart; never faltering to help those she saw in need. As if brains and beauty was not enough, Ae-shin ended up following in her parents’ footsteps to become a part of the Righteous army, a movement led by her grandfather to protect Joseon people from threats instigated by Japan and foreign forces. Although she was refused involvement on many occasions by Lord Go, I loved that her persistence, grit, determination, and fearlessness to provide for Joseon and more trumped feminity and nobility, thereafter, becoming the army’s most-skilled sniper after her master, gunman Jang Seung-goo (Choi Moo-sung). If there was anything to admire about her character, it would be that she was a reticent catalyst for Joseon people’s freedoms and women's liberation – and who doesn’t love a strong, empowering female lead?
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What makes this show perfect?
The historical significance and symbolic.
The dialogues and the keenness of details. The balance of fast and slow pacing.
Stunning and talented cast. Even the minor roles are significant.
The epic cinematography.
A classic beautiful romance.
Classy and intellectual comedic.
The production quality is no joke.
Patriotism. Comradely. Friendship.
Mr.Sunshine is a true piece of art. It would always be in my heart. HAIL to all of those who fought and died for freedom!
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This review may contain spoilers
Gun, glory and sad endings
I have a lot to say about this show so bear with me...First of all, this is not a love story, it's a story about the sacrifices one must make in order to protect what they love, whether that’s a person or a country, as happens with the two main leads.
This is an incredible show and I really don’t understand why it doesn’t get more recognition. Even if you forget the real inspiration behind the show and the fact that it’s based on a historical period, the cinematography, the acting and the ost, all together will make you travel back in time and be a part of this epic story. You’ll totally forget that you’re watching a drama, because everything will seem so real. You will connect to every single character and wish you were a part of this rebellion. Just like Eugene, by the end you’ll feel un urge to fight along side with them. Not because it’s your country that’s on the line but because you love the characters so much that you want to stay by their side and protect them at all costs.
I think I’ve never seen a show with so many outstanding characters. One of the aspects that makes this show shine so much (pun intended) is for sure the relationships and dynamics between all the characters. And I’m not just talking about romantic ones, but comradeship, devotion, mentoring and friendship. This show has more bromances than I can count and all the characters are so beautifully written that you can't help but root for every single one of them. I must refer to one of, if not the best triangle I’ve seen portrayed on a drama: the sword, the gun and the flower. Dong-mae, Eugene and Kim Hee-sung had such a great chemistry and I can’t even put into words how exciting and pleasing their scenes together were. These drinking buddies made me shed a lot of tears but also won over my heart and made smile the brightest.
Although I love the main couple and fall for Kim Tae-ri in every single role she plays (Ae-shin was no exception, she did a brilliant job), I must admit the 3 second leads stole my heart. I think they gave the show so much depth by portraying these complex and conflicting characters in an outstanding way, making the show far more interesting.
I wish Hee-sung had someone with him on his final moments, someone to cherish him and cry for him. For someone who always seemed to smile and bring a lightness to the scenes, I always found him a bit lonely. I wish I could say goodbye to him in a prettier place, somewhere where he could look up at the world with his hopeful, charming and secretive eyes that hid so much pain, but always seemed to look for the beautiful things in sight. He had a wonderful soul and I think the writers did a wonderful job with him giving him one of the best character developments of the show.
Hina Kudo and Dong-mae… I was mesmerized by these two. Their beauty and strength in a world that never treated them well, the fact that they overcame it and did what they had to do to survive. I think they saw and understood each other on a deeper level and there was true love between them but sadly like much on this show, love isn’t always enough and life gets in the way, specially in times of war. The scenes in the beach really broke me but they were one of my favourites of the whole show. They will stay with me for a really long time and I will miss them a lot.
I must say that I had some problems adjusting with the change of pace in the final episodes of the show. I think they spend a lot of time setting the mood and the context of a very fragile state of peace until BANG the plot explodes and hell breaks loose. However, I think maybe that was necessary for showing how wars begin in the first place and countries lose their independence.
This is not the kind of show you binge watch, mostly because sometimes it's just too painful. You have to stop, recharge and keep going. Emotionally it's very challenging but it's completely worth it.
Unlike Ae-Shin, we always knew what “sad ending” meant, we knew where we were going but still a part of us always hoped for a better outcome. But as they often reminded us along the season, a sad ending was always in the horizon. That said maybe it wasn't such a good idea to watch this right after I finished Scarlet Heart (yeah I did that). I’ve seen a lot of people comparing both dramas, and I can see why. However, I think there’s a big difference between the two: Sad endings vs. tragic endings.
In Mr.Sunshine, I feel like the deaths always had a higher purpose, they’re not just used to make us suffer. They represent the character’s choices and are always aligned with their personalities and with what we know matters the most to them. I feel like every person here died for a cause, they died fighting for what they believed in, to protect who they loved and that makes it easier to cope with I think, making it more sad and less tragic. It brings the bittersweet meaning to a whole new level though.
I saw in a comment somewhere that Ae-shin represented Korea. She was the precious thing everyone protected at all costs, the thing that a lot of people risked their lives for. As heartbreaking as it is, I think the fact they all loved her and sacrificed their lives for her, it’s because she was the future. This show really does an incredible job with symbolisms and this is the major one. You can see it clearly in the final scene, where she’s holding the flag: she outlived them all because she’s the future, and she carries with her every single person who died for her, they’re all a part of her, she has in her all their spirits representing the Korean people at its finest hour and carrying them to a brighter day. This a true love letter to the Korean people, a tribute to their spirit, strength and courage.
This show made me learn a lot about korean history and I came to admire the korean people even more. I think the strength they all had to have to not give up their nation and fight for it until their very last breath was really touching and to me moved me more than any romance plot.
That said, I think this is a remarkable story, told in the most breathtaking and meaningful way, a real masterpiece. I'm very thankful for all the work they put on this show and to all the actors who brought this complex and mesmerizing characters to life that I will keep in my heart for a really long time.
It was a long journey that made me cry my eyes out, but also made me laugh, hate, hope, fear and love along with them! <3
Goodbye and see you again…
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APPLAUSE!!!
I started watching this drama without knowing what to expect. I've never watched anything for Lee Byung Hun before so I was a bit discouraged.
BUT MY GOSH!!
I absolutely loved this!! The cast, the acting, the music, the directing, the outfits, the dialogue, not a single plot hole!
Every single actor played their character effortlessly and perfectly conveying the emotions beautifully! I was so immersed in the drama for 2 whole months.
The plot of the drama is not what I expected at all. I expected mainly a war/revenge focused plot, but it wasn't like that at all. It had friendship, romance, revenge, bromance, and war all executed perfectly.
I haven't enjoyed watching a drama this much in so long bravo!!
P.S. I watched the drama while it was airing two episodes every week on netflix and in my opinion that's one of the reasons I was able to enjoy it so much. It's a long drama with long episodes and so many things going on each episode. So for some people, it might be boring or too much.
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if I had to choose 3 dramas that can kinda reflect on my drama preferences, then this drama would be num1. it has everything I look enjoy in any type of show;
1- strong independent smart yet soft and awkward female lead
2- clean cut cold dark traumatized male lead that is naive and clueless
3- a beautiful elegant smart fashionable business woman
4- a brutal messy killer with a sad life/story
5- a ragged disheveled playboy that loves "beauty" and hates hard work
and many many more layered and interesting side characters all intertwined in a beautiful story about protecting a country.
if I were to describe the guys' reaction to Ae Sin's life choices I'd say;
Hui Seong wanted to be a shadow Ae Sin could hide in
Dong Mae wanted to tie her down/stop her from doing anything that put her in harms way
and Eugene wanted to walk by her side.
I'm currently rewatching it so I'll fix this review later ;p
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