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I've heard a lot about this drama and that's one of the main reason why I watched it and wow oh wow! It took me by surprise!I knew this drama is good based from what I've heard but I never really thought it would be THIS good. It exceeded my expections by 1000%. I'm really not the biggest fan of dramas about war or was set during that period but somehow I just found myself wanting to watch the episodes consecutively. I just can't seem to stop. And I really don't know what is the reason for this. I thought to myself, I wasn't a huge fan of anyone here, not really a huge fan of the main couple BUT something about this drama just makes me keep wanting to watch more.
would 100% recommend this drama to every one. The sexual tension between the FL and the three MLs are no joke, really did not know whom to ship her with since all the three guys are amazing in their own ways. During the initial episodes you can already tell that the three MLs are genuine. Really love their brotherhood. But what kept me from enjoying their mischievous acts in the beginning might be because I already foresaw that their ending won't be a happy one.
The last episode made me cry a lot. This drama might be a fiction but watching these types of films makes you realize what type of life our ancestors had. What sacrifices were made for us to live a life that we are living now. It gives you a deeper appreciation on the things that we have now. The last episode also made me realize that choices we make now, big or small, will somehow have an effect on us which is why always choose to be kind no matter what. This was shown in the beginning of the last episode. I literally had goosebumps when the people tried to protect Ae Shin. It was such a touching moment.
I really felt sad for the three male leads but I feel more for Kim Hui Seong and Go Dong Mae because I think they weren't given the recognition that they deserved.
This is me just rambling on because it has just been 10 minutes since I finished this drama and my thoughts are all over but bottomline is THIS IS A MASTERPIECE. IF YOU HAVEN't WATCHED IT YET PLEASE DO.
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A complicated poem saved by the bell
Choi Yu Jin fled to America after his slave parents were murdered. Due to the harsh treatment which he endured for being a slave in the Joseon period, Eugene feels no love or kinship towards Joseon. In America, he is known as Eugene Choi and has climbed his way up to be a distinguished figure by joining the American military. Several years later, he is stationed in Joseon during an American expedition. There he meets a noblewoman Ae Shin who by day seems to be a quiet lady but by night she's running across rooftops with her sniper rifle, secretly fighting for Joseon's independence. He falls for her but he isn't alone as she is also loved by her joyful quirky fiancee Hee Sung and a yakuza Dong Mae whose heart is a black box. Neither of them is really sure if the other is a friend or foe. This makes three relationships that look like they can never be: Ae Shin and Eugene, Ae Shin and Dong Mae, Ae Shin, and Hee Sung. This is not a love square but a love pentagram because there is also a mysterious hotel owner Kudo Hina who is also a fencing master. So there is lots of love but no one's really happy, yes it's very sad.A few things that draw me into this drama are first, I know this is a show of quality and I'm gonna enjoy it. There is an artistic flavor to how every scene is set up and shots from the color grading to the music to the overall backdrop are very breathtaking. However, it's not glamorizing life, for every gorgeous breathtaking sunset there's a brutal portrayal of war and violence and death and these scenes are visually engrossing. Second, it was deeply rooted in real important history and also it is set in the early 1900s which doesn't feel that long ago, there was real political scheming in this drama that still left an impact on today's society.
The five leads came from multiple cultures but don’t really belong anywhere, their stories are so full of heart and their arcs are so noble. I think a lot of diaspora like me can relate to Eugene as a character who doesn't belong to either Joseon or America, he's in this gray area. He is a very nuanced character and he holds the whole drama together. Even though he's happy being accepted by the American, as the show progresses he becomes more and more interested in the Korean culture and he wants to find his roots. I just love that his one bullet was used with such wisdom and just such grand effect. Ae Shin is a very compelling character, I love Kim Tae Ri played this role with such unbelievable complexity and nuance that I want to watch her and everything that she does: she gets a lot across with simple looks and she also has an extremely royal noble way about her presence. Kudo Hina, the hotel owner is truly one of the best most complicated female characters and the script took her exactly where I wanted it to.
I absolutely loved the iconic Dong Mae with the double swords at his hip and his sweaty hair, open chest, and half ponytail. Simply Yoo Yeon Seok acting was amazing as the dark and tragic Dong Mae. Hee Sung is such a man with tremendous growth, he goes from this total privilege boy to a guy running an underground newspaper to spurn on the resistance and I was so proud of him at the end. I really loved when he realizes his fiancee is not going to be with him and he respects it, he still loves her but he is respectful. His character was so well written and played so amazingly by Byun Yo Han.
However, I didn't enjoy a significant chunk of my watching experience as the story goes on because this show is very heavy with political maneuvering. It's really taking 20 episodes' time to set up and I got bored but I keep watching for the main characters. Also, there are a lot of different languages being spoken there's Korean, Japanese and then there's American English with a very weird accent. I'm very sensitive to dislike English-spoken very weirdly in Korean dramas. It feels like they're trying to over-pronounce things correctly. These elements dominate the screen time and are really too dry to watch. It is so unfortunate because there are a lot of actions with gunfights and fist fights within each episode and when they do action, these scenes are so well-choreograph almost perfection! I wish there had been a bit more action and bromance moments.
This drama has a fantastic and unlikely bromance between Eugene, Dong Mae, and Hee Sung at its core. Whenever they were on screen together, they made me so happy because they blurted out humor and heart to the drama. I was not expecting these three weird trio were going to be so beloved and it was definitely the highlight of the drama for me. Without giving any spoilers, the finale is an absolute masterpiece, which is really impactful! I dropped my heart because it just gave such cathartic blows. It feels like I was being rewarded for all the time I sit through and overcome the frustrations I had in the first 20 episodes. Thus, my overall impression is actually really positive as time goes by. I'm glad I watched it and the way it impacted me when it's done makes me feel like I came out a better person. If I can divide my enjoyment value, I would give up 1-20 a 7 and ep 21 - 24 a 10.
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Phenomenal
Mr Sunshine has gone well beyond a drama to a masterpiece in its own right. I just finished watching it and I have to say it is easily one of the most stunning dramas that I have ever seen. The performances of every actor involved were so evolved that every character came to life in a gripping and heart wrenching manner and yet there were so many times when I found myself smiling and falling in love with even the secondary characters at the way they could still manage to find humour in such difficult times.All in all this was a story of epic proportions and a true epitaph to all those who fought so hard to keep their own national identity and independence. Thank you to all those involved in the making of this wonderful piece and to the fallen and those who continued the fight I salute you. You brought a story that needed to be told not just to the generations of those who followed but to the entire world. Well done.
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The setting of the drama is what initially attracted me. At the turn of the century, it is an important time for Joseon, where their fate for the next few decades, even up to our day and age, would be determined during that time. One of the themes that were emphasized in this drama is the injustices some Koreans went through at the hands of their people, especially due to hierarchy. This resulted in many people with a grudge against their own country, especially against the nobles.
Another very strong point about this drama is the character development. Other than the Japanese antagonistic, and the depiction of some traitors, many of the characters were given layers and layers, that you can't help but feel for. Of course, it all bloomed thanks to the talented actors behind it. Starting with Kim Tae Ri playing the character with a mission Go Ae Shin. This character could've easily become overbearing (think Gaksital FL), yet here she remains constant. As the story goes on, you can't help but be driven by her plight. And that is what happened with all 4 other leads. Eugene Choi on the other hand is the character I connected with the most. The feeling of not belonging to neither country can be lonely. You see him struggle daily trying to understand where he stands. I admired how he never felt ashamed of his origin and felt for his pain and grudge against those who caused it. Then you see his grudge falter as he is met with people that kept challenging the preconceived notion of his birthplace. Lee Byung Hun really gave his all for this character, especially towards the end.
Watching Yoo Yeon Seok after seeing him in "Hospital playlist" it is difficult to accept that is the same person. Looks aside, his character is the most pitiful and toxic. He has no problem slicing anyone in half if they got on his wrong side, yet he won't hesitate to protect them if he sees anyone being unfairly treated. The most tragic character is Kudo Hina / Lee Yang Hwa played by Kim Min Jung. Having been sold off previously like some commodity really shaped her personality. She is all about being in control, however, the one thing she could never control is the action of her parents. This breaks her time and again throughout the drama. You can also sense the sadness in her eyes. Finally, Kim Hui Sung played by Byun Yo Han was the main reason for me for starting this drama. He was the actual sunshine here. His smile lightened my day, even when you could feel the heavy burden behind it.
Of course, what made this drama memorable is a large number of supporting characters. Gunner Jang was a character I followed and rooted throughout. This story was as much his story, as it was Go Ae Sin's story of a man who rejected the leaders of his country but chose its people. He was the forever rebellious Jang. Another character that stood out is the king. He was frustrating for most of the drama, but as the story went on, you realize how helpless he felt, and how carefully he chose his actions to protect his people. Being in his place is the most crumbling experience. There were many more, too many interesting characters.
The horror of colonialism is really well exposed here. The actions the Japanese did makes you wonder if it was possible to lose one's humanity to this point. Now, I do not know if what was portrayed was exaggerated. Some instances couldn've been, while others not. However, I do know the dangers of collective brainwash. When being constantly fed on how those "other" people are less than you, your brain accepts it and you become desensitized. Seeing what my beloved Japanese people did was really conflicting. But that is the truth of becoming a colonizer. Though they suffer a lot later due to losing the war, I think that was a blessing in disguise. It helped them reflect on what they have become and change. That opportunity was never offered to those that never lost a war.
Action scenes were great overall, but especially the sword fights with Gu Dong Mae. The scenery was beautiful, and some scenes were haunting. The train scene will probably go down as one of the most beautiful scenes in my memory.
While the drama had all those great things going for it, it still took me so long to finish. I lost my motivation to watch due to the lack of direction for the story to take. Each episode was between 75 - 80 minutes, with much of it had the characters walking around and eating dessert. The actual story starts at around episodes 19-20. Yes, it took THAT long for the story to take off. That is too much fat needed to shed. There is also the mix of history and myths that bothered me, and no reasoning given for actions that took so long to be taken. For example, the Mori character made no sense. They used it to turn the Japanese colonization of Korea to be some family centuries-old conspiracy when this had nothing to do with the truth, nor the overall story. Just added drama that didn't amount to anything. The portrayal of America is also in the same vein. On one hand, it's treated like this paradise, only to be brought down to reality by our Korea-American hero. One line said really stood out:
"America & Britain lent Japan a total of $410 million dollars, and 40% of it is being spent on the war. The two countries basically forced Japan into the war. Hence, America will never help Joseon. The Russo-Japanese war will result in a great deal of profit for America”
The music was overall negligible, but there was some sweet background that brought peace to the scenes.
It was overall a good drama to watch if it wasn't for the dragginess. I do recommend it to all.
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The Best Korean Drama. PERIOD.
It's my favorite korean drama EVER. Nothing can beat this one ever. It's perfect in many ways. It's a crime not to watch and even greater crime to not like it. It's SO PERFECT! It was so captivating that after 2 years I still haven't rewatched it yet. I dwelled so many emotions and energy while watching it. Just thinking about it makes me happy and bitter at the same time. I made it my routine to listen its AMAZING soundtracks. THEY ARE MAGNIFICENT! I still listen to them every other day. Which is also the reason why the drama still feels so fresh to me. It's a top tier korean drama in every way possible. Watch it and love it. It will leave a big impact on your life and mind.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
I've waited long enough for this drama to air last year. The moment they released its trailer, I knew that I should definitely watch it. So there came the month of July. I initially planned on watching this while it was on-going but the pacing from episodes one to nine was too slow for me. But good thing I picked it up again.
The element of getting yourselves on the edges of your seats was there, the element of anger, grievance, love, friendship, just... everything. I loved how well-rounded the characters were especially the five leads; they never tilted, they went forward to the paths where they knew they belonged.
Go Ae Sin had only one goal in her life and that was to save her motherland. Eugene Choi, a foreigner on the land of his roots, ended up saving the country who abandoned him. Gu Dong Mae loved only one woman and went on taking the road that would lead to her safety. Kina Hudo, a Japanese woman by name, yet a patriotic Joseon by soul. And lastly, Kim Hui Seong, the man who just wanted to know what his heart really desired.
This drama was like a movie extended to twenty-four episodes. The cinematograhy, the music, the costumes, the production design... everything was perfect. It was perfectly executed. The story-telling made you feel the feels, so is the topnotch acting of everyone--the support roles were really something, too. This drama was really deserving to bag the "Drama of the Year" award.
Thank you for lighting up the flaming desire in our hearts. Let us not say goodbye, rather, see you again.
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The most stunning piece of art and cinematography I've ever seen...
I cannot express enough my applause and love for this drama. It is just so full and so profound in many ways that captivated my heart and soul. The story was so well written that bound every single character in the drama, no matter how small their role was. The scriptwriter really succeeded in retelling a wartime story in such a new and passionate way. Usually, when I watch historical or wartime dramas and movies, I just consider myself as an audience and watch them because they are entertaining, informative, or dramatic. But with Mr. Sunshine, I really felt that the drama touched my heart and soul, leaving me feeling the same way with every character in the drama, and made me feel like I was just right there in the drama, standing beside these characters. The love lines between the characters are well developed, too, with portrayals of different ways of loving and caring for others. There's one thing that's interesting about the chemistry between the two main characters: even though there were almost no intimate acts (kiss or something more than that, the best they did was hugging, and I wish there was even one kiss scene), the love that both characters have for each other is very existent, it's like their affections for each other were oozing out of their eyes and body movements, it's just something that you can feel it even without having to look at it with your eyes. Really great acting and chemistry!Everything else than that, the cinematography, the OST, the scene set-up, the acting, were all top-notch. The drama gives the audience all kinds of emotions: heartbroken, happy, comical, angry, frustrated, disappointed, excited, and so on. As I said, this is a profound and fulfilling piece of artwork that deserves applause and appreciation.
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Fancy watching this during a pandemic. It's so beautiful; it took me by surprise.
Mr. Sunshine. This awe-inspiring one-season series and its many moments shined in every possible way. From its deep storytelling to its intricate cinematography. I loved it. I have watched several Korean dramas before, but this one was unlike any I had ever seen in every aspect. It was my first time to even cry while watching a K-Drama. Speaking volumes and truly setting the bar high.Story: The show takes place in late 19th/early 20th-century Korea, a time period not often depicted in Korean dramas. Yet, Mr. Sunshine fluidly combines history, action, drama, melodrama, romance, and even occasional humor. Never overbearing or overshadowing one genre over the other. Though the historical fiction aspect of Mr. Sunshine is based loosely on historical events and figures, they are well covered and bring more cohesiveness in the story. After having watched the first episode, I was hesitant to continue; it really dragged out the plot and I wondered if rest of the show would continue similarly. One episode later...I was so glad I stuck with it. There continued to be a multitude of slow-paced scenes and flashbacks in the following episodes, but they helped fill in the gaps or emphasize a foreshadowing. While mostly maintaining accuracy in the language used for the time period, the script was meaningful and witty and contained an abundance of memorable quotes. The overall story was a passionate and meticulous masterpiece writhed with metaphors and life lessons.
Acting / Cast: BRAVO! My hat's off to the main cast. Each main cast member exhibits great dedication to his or her roles, enveloping the character's personality and characteristics in each emotion. The characters are written to be three-dimensional and evolving, and the main actors follow through beautifully with that. The script includes several lines in English and Japanese (even some French). Even with these linguistic barriers, the main actors and actresses pull it off amazingly. I was especially impressed with Lee Byung-hun (Eugene Choi). It is one thing to speak English and another to act in English. Lee did both so well that I occasionally thought he was a native English speaker, as his diction and accompanying acting were clear and fluid. In terms of the Japanese spoken, I thought several of the actors were fluent in Japanese. I learned later on from a talk show, featuring Yoo Yeon-seok (Goo Dong-mae), that he and many of the actors didn't know Japanese. Instead, they had someone who was fluent in Japanese on set to critique their accents. The Korean supporting cast professionally starred in their own right. Some being familiar faces on other popular K-dramas. Continuing on with the supporting Western cast...well, they were written to be one-dimensional for the most part, more on the sidelines, more just to be there and speak English. I didn't have many expectations for them in acting and it could've been worse.
Production / Visual FX: The high quality production matches with the expensive budget. It goes all out to ensure each scene looks realistic, yet artistic. A multitude of visual effects are used, but they don't detract from the story. Several scenes are also shot in slow motion. With this in mind, the choice camera angles really contribute to the cinematography masterpiece that is Mr. Sunshine. Each shot had a meaning and if I didn't know the meaning while watching the particular episode, it would become much clearer in a future one.
Music: The soundtrack and score are top notch! The soundtrack evokes the melancholy, passion, and determination of the characters, befitting the scenes they are placed with. Not only with their tone and rhythm but their lyrics too. Another plus: the music never emanates the tackiness I occasionally hear from other romance OSTs. The majority of the OST is in Korean and, interestingly enough, some in straight English. I assume the English songs are meant to follow the current K-drama trend of including a handful of English-only songs, to allude to the "amicable" relationship that Korea had with the United States then and now, or to symbolize Eugene Choi and his existence as a forever foreigner in the show. Maybe even all. The score is very fitting to the time period and aligns well with each of the scenes' moods. I loved it all and still listen to the OST and score weeks after having finished the series.
Rewatch Value: I have rewatched the majority of Mr. Sunshine and was never disappointed. Each time I rewatched a whole episode or a few scenes from a prior one, I noticed new nuances, whether it was in character development or a metaphor relating to the culture, time period, and juxtaposition of characters. It felt like strolling through an art museum that I could never get tired of. Art that could never grow out of taste and style.
Overall: STANDING OVATION *slow clapping with tears. That was my reaction after having finished Mr. Sunshine. I would recommend this drama even to those who dislike K-dramas or who have never considered trying it out. It was that amazing.
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Finally watched it
I knew it was going to be good but having watched a lot of Joseon set dramas, I was a bit reluctant to watch yet one more. But Mr. Sunshine is one of a kind and that's what makes it powerful. We usually see period dramas with the same setting. The palace, the king, the court etc... we know the setting we know the costumes.But this drama is set in at the end of the XIXth century beginning of the XXth and the mix of costumes, cultures and languages is a feast for the eye. The actors are mixing English, Korean and Japanese (and a bit of French too!) and I loved it. Seeing this page of Korean history was really interesting.
The actors are sensational. I discovered (finally) Kim Tae Ri when watching her new drama 25/21. I tend to like feisty actresses and she's one of them. She has soul, determination and is perfect in the role of this noblewoman who will do anything for Love and Country.
Lee Byung Hun is also a discovery (late as well) and I loved his way of playing this man in quest of his identity, vengeance and ultimately, love.
The impressive supportive cast was also a fantastic addition on this period piece about love, pride, loyalty and survival.
No wonder it was one of Netflix's top series before Squid Game arrived.
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Like a combination of a museum painting and a 24 hour long masterpiece of a movie
9.5/10Writing a review for Mr.Sunshine is so hard because i don't know how to describe how it made me feel or how to articulate how good it is. Definitely the greatest historical drama or tv show i have ever watched. I''ll keep this review short in order to try to convey what i loved and why it feels like a painting + a masterpiece of a movie.
Maybe some of the best character driven shows? I know it sounds weird since is a show that is mostly moved by its plot points an historical events. But this plots and events would be nothing without how the characters are written and loved by the people that wrote this show. When i say that the people that wrote this show love the characters is obviously not because of their fates or happy things (if you watched the show you know this people go through hell and beyond), when i say it i mean that each character is given such depth and layers that made them feel beyond human.
One of the best love stories ever written hands down. Its the power of their dialogue, touches, glances and the overall chemistry between the leads that convey some of the most painful yet beautiful romances i have seen.
Some of the most interesting depictions of historical events, how they build up to a climax and how they affect everyone's life no matter how much involvement they had. There is not plot hole or moment you go "that comes out of nowhere" or "that doesn't make sense". HOWEVER, here comes the reason why i gave this show a 9.5 and not a 10. The pacing was so well done BUT in some middle episodes, specially between episode 10 - 15. I struggled a bit to get through does episodes and i think it has to do with the idea of "building" towards something. Now, its not the shows fault entirely. Those plot points in those episodes are important, but they are more of the part that builds towards the third act of the show, one of the best acts of the show. I think the pacing could have been done better in those episodes cause it were a little difficult to get into. STILL, the payoff was beyond excellent.
NOW, here is what i mean by a combination of a museum painting and a 24 hour long masterpiece of a movie. If you take all the things i mentioned prior and give them one of the key ingredients, the cinematography and direction in general, this show is unmatched. Just as a museum painting, it is a whole finished picture that can de studied and looked at forever and you will still find new things and beauty about it. And because of the direction of the show in general, and by that i mean the work of the director and how they decided to tell each shot, scene, arc, etc, is that this show feels like a masterpiece of a movie. This show feels like a love letter to Korea, but even if you don't know anything about Korea or have never been there, you can still feel the message of be proud of where you come from and be proud that you are part of what makes history exist.
Hope everyone gives this show a shot even if a lot of people are scared or put off by historical dramas. This show is what every kdrama or piece of media in general should be: stories that from start to finish were given 100% of effort, love, creativity and importance.
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Music- There were so many sad OST’s and I loved them all. There were especially two that would catch my attention and I'm not sure of the names, I would have to check it later.
Rewatch Value- It's definitely going to be lower for me. It was an emotional drama, I rarely cry when watching any dramas labeled as tragedy or sad, but this drama hit you in the feels in the very end. I can't bear to re-watch those scenes that made me cry again, but at the same time I would still want to rewatch most of it since I enjoyed it just as much as it made me cry.
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