However, all other aspects of the drama were great. It's has a really interesting plot where even many supporting roles seem necessary (not all but really quite a lot). A war story is certainly a good material and here even the production is impressive and obviously expensive. The characters are really charming and the chemistry about the main actors (well, as we can see in reality... ;) ) is at the point. Song Hye Kyo is undoubtedly my favorite Korean actress because of her elegant expressiveness and here she's a real pleasure. I also like very much Song Joong Ki and here these two actors create a real field of charisma :D
Well, the soundtrack, unfortunately, can't be compared with that of Goblin but... the drama was fine... 9,5 :D
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High Expectations, Mixed Feelings
I watched Descendants of the Sun because it’s such a famous Korean drama. So many people talk about it, and I think it was really popular when it came out. Because of that, I had pretty high expectations.I really tried to appreciate the series. The first time I started it, I quit around episode six. I just couldn’t get into it. But I have this thing where I hate leaving a series unfinished, so about a year later I decided to give it another try and continue where I left off.
There are definitely some exciting scenes. Sometimes halfway through an episode the tension really builds up and peaks. But then it’s over quite quickly, and after that it goes back to a lot of dialogue again. The story takes place in mostly the same settings, so there isn’t much variation. They also keep building on the same few events over and over again.
It’s really a romantic drama, and for me that makes the military aspect feel a bit unrealistic. Everything is very romanticized. That’s fine, of course, but then I would have liked more action or stronger tension arcs to balance it out. For me, the story feels quite slow. There are some beautiful emotional and intense scenes, but not enough to keep me fully hooked.
Also, sometimes the characters speak English in the show. I have to be honest — it’s really not good. The characters brag about how well they speak English and that they studied in America, but when they actually speak it, it sounds very slow and hard to understand. That part felt a bit awkward.
There’s also a gang of criminals in the series, but they’re all young guys who literally look like fashion models straight out of a magazine. I just didn’t feel threatened by them at all. It made those scenes less believable and less intense.
And then the music. There’s one song that gets played over and over again — mostly the same little melody from it. After a while, it became a bit repetitive.
All in all, the storyline is different from the average Korean drama, and I understand why people like it. Maybe you just have to be into this kind of romantic military drama. For me, it didn’t fully live up to the hype. I’d give it a 7 out of 10.
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In India when we like a movie we say that the movie is total ‘paisa vasool’ which means it was totally ‘worth the money’. That’s exactly what I felt after watching Descendants of the Sun. This show is total paisa or shall I say ‘time’ vasool. The show is a perfect blend of action, romance, suspense, humor, and grief. This was one show where I not only liked the protagonist’s love story but also enjoyed parallel storylines of the all the supporting characters.Let’s weigh Descendants of the Sun on our show beam balance and see what makes the show worth watching.
Good Weights
Good-Looking Cast – What? Did I promise not to mention this point as a good weight? Gah!!
Remarkable Plot – I still can’t believe Korean TV channels were sceptical of taking up this show only because it dealt with a controversial topic (by which I mean the military). I was hooked on from the first episode itself. And the episode cliffhangers made me so impatient I would often find myself binge-watching the show. This medical-military drama was so hatke(unique and different) that I am totally impressed by the writers who wrote it. The love story between people belonging to two completely different fields of work seems so unlikely but the story has been woven so beautifully that the scenarios and their growing fondness for each other seem plausible and convincing.
Well Defined Characters – Every character is well written and the actors have done full justice to their roles. Each character contributes in its own way to the development of the story. Another point I want to add here is that this is the first Korean drama (for me) where the central female character doesn’t have multiple suitors vying for her attention. And the guy is not a total jerk ill-treating his girl. Mo Yeon is intelligent, responsible, and ambitious. Si Jin is chivalrous (a rare quality in most K-Heroes), handsome (couldn’t help adding it here), committed, and brave. The characters in the show seem real and relatable.
Chemistry – Be it lead couple Yoo Si Jin and Dr. Kang Mo Yeon’s chemistry or supporting cast Ha Ja-ae and Sang-Hyun’s all the couples on the show are simply cute and interesting.
Acting – I loved Song Hye Kyo (Dr. Kang Mo Yeon) in Full House and after this show, I have officially added my name to her never-ending fan list. She was phenomenal. Her look in the show was plain and natural but she still looked breathtakingly gorgeous. Her acting is so effortless that you almost believe that she is a doctor in real life. Her comic timing is also perfect. Somehow I do not like her in romantic scenes as I fail to see any love in her eyes (I know that sounds strange). She always has this tight-lipped smile, even during romantic scenes, which looks a little fake. Other than that I do not see anything lacking in her acting.
Song Joong Ki (Yoon Si Jin), Dude! Where have you been all this while? This is the first show I saw of his and mahn! What a performance. He looks perfect as the charismatic and valiant captain. He is swift in the action scenes, soft in the romantic scenes and serious in the comic scenes. The stupendous rise in popularity of this actor, following this show is totally justified.
And not just the central characters but the supporting cast has also acted superbly well. There was not a single dull or boring moment in the entire show for me. And that I guess says a lot about the supporting cast and the sub-plots.
Bad Weights
Absurd Situations – Si Jin is a soldier with, what appears like, superhuman qualities. ((Spoiler Alert)) There is a scene where he is shot by terrorists with AK-47, he arrives at the hospital as a critical patient, suffers a cardiac arrest, receives shock treatment and boom he is back on his feet ready to take on the antagonist. Yeah right! But this is a K-drama yaha sab chalta hain (anything is accepted).
Now, that’s a landslide verdict. The show excels in cinematography and direction. The show has been shot in South Korea and Greece which makes it a visual delight.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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I'm not giving this a failing grade because I always enjoy watching it, even if it has zero plot, poor acting, uninspiring chemistry between the leads and is very, very cheesy. There's something delightful about watching a drama be so boldly and confidently ridiculous, with none of the toxic undertones of something like Boys Over Flowers or Heirs. It has so much bravado and over-the-top action and drama that I always find myself laughing through it. There's something enjoyable, too, about watching two people be so consistently ready to die for each other, with no complications, ifs or buts. All in all, this is a wild glorification of the military, a comedy that's not that funny, an intense romantic drama that isn't any of those things, but it is a good time. People's mileage may vary, but I was all in as soon as I watched that unbelievably silly fight sequence in the opening episode.
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In this drama you can see 2 problem in the relationship. First of course our main couple problem, where you must deal with military man in special force which they can just not coming back from mission with no explanation. The second problem is the pride between couple, problem like Seo Dae Yeong and Yoon Myung Ju or Song Sang Hyeon and Ha Ja Ae.
What i really like apart from thr cast: especially because they keep it short with no much drama & the problem we can relate to.
Kinda like the ending where there is volcano eruption but the urk team are still remain calm.
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A Romance in the Midst of Conflict
"Descendants of the Sun" is a popular Korean drama that blends romance and action against the backdrop of military conflict. While the series has garnered a significant fan base, it also has its share of average moments.The drama follows the love story between Captain Yoo Si-jin, a special forces officer, and Dr. Kang Mo-yeon, a dedicated surgeon. Their relationship faces numerous challenges due to their demanding careers and the dangerous situations they encounter. The narrative takes the characters to the fictional war-torn country of Urk, where their love and professional lives intertwine.
The series excels in its high production values, with impressive action sequences and well-executed special effects. The chemistry between Song Joong-ki (Yoo Si-jin) and Song Hye-kyo (Kang Mo-yeon) is palpable, adding depth to their romantic storyline. The picturesque locations and cinematography also enhance the overall visual appeal.
However, "Descendants of the Sun" sometimes falls into predictable plotlines and melodramatic moments. The portrayal of military operations and medical procedures can feel unrealistic and exaggerated, detracting from the story's authenticity. Additionally, some supporting characters and subplots lack depth, making certain episodes feel uneven.
"Descendants of the Sun" offers an engaging mix of romance and action but may not fully satisfy viewers seeking more nuanced storytelling. While it has its highlights, the series occasionally leans on clichés and melodrama, resulting in an overall average viewing experience. Fans of romantic dramas with a touch of adventure will still find it enjoyable, but those looking for a more grounded narrative might find it lacking.
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Just average
Reviews I read said this series is up there with CLOY and others as the best Korean dramas of all time. Sigh.There is nothing best about this. At the end of the day, it is an average show with some average acting and a really not-that-believable storyline. There is sweetness to it and the somewhat believable chemistry between the leads lifts it up.
I guess for a European like myself the pretend country of XY didn't help - we all are familiar with the Greek island with the shipwreck. Overall it can be enjoyable to watch if expectations are kept on the middle of the scale. Although I should mention that this is the only series where I ended up wanting to hear the soundtrack after finishing it.
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I liked DOTS overall is it brought together military and medicine which are typically seen as polar opposites at the surface while in reality they share similar core values that save the common people. I felt that the main leads had a good connection in the beginning. They liked each other's personalities and went on a date without hesitating too much. The absence of the second main lead syndrome brought me huge relief. There were several inaccuracies and overdramatic scenes though. When Kang Mo Yeon and Yoo Si Jin fall from the cliff into the water, judging by the height of the fall, they couldn't have survived even if they fell into the water in a car with airbags. Also I wished that they showed the way Yoo Si Jin escaped from being locked up and returned to meet Kang Mo Yeon. It would have been much more interesting if they dedicated an episode to Seo Dae Young's and Yoo Si Jin's escape struggles. It felt like an originally intended sad ending was made happy to prevent backlash by fans. I believe that the end should have been better constructed to avoid this. I loved the way the earthquake brought together the military and doctors. Was this review helpful to you?
Story: +3. It's not complicated (like Black or School 2015), doesn't have a plot goal, yet entertaining.
Containing humor: +3. I give this overrated value. Humors always came when actors came into scenes. Especially, in this drama, I love soldiers' life and humors.
I love the characters (it's not like I love to see handsomeness or beauty with glancing eyes): +2. It's like anyone has humor sense, so it's entertaining me.
It doesn't have a plot twist and plot goal. Some scenes are odd if you think realistically.
It still can make anyone feel the tense. +1
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It makes you quickly attached and remembered for a long time.
This drama was one of the first I watched and I am attached to it sentimentally and for a good reason. Each episode was full of excitement and rather did not happen to bore me. This drama has a good storyline with exciting plots and good acting. Elements of comedy, drama and romance were combined, which emphasizes its universality. However, another good reason to watch this drama is also the actor Song Joong-ki himself, who does not disappoint with his work.Was this review helpful to you?
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worth it id say
js pulled an all nighter js to finish it mannn bouto wake up w baggy eyes 😩 anywayss so its a reall good drama, honestly it fits my standards well i had a bit high standards but at the same time a bit lower bc joong ki is in ts first of all but wnvr i watch a romance drama i always quit midway even if i love it so i thought i was gonna quit watching it on like ep 12 but ep 14 js killed me omgg so im rly surprised i ended up watching the whole thing without skipping any meaning id probably rate it about 8.5 honestttt. id say its worth watching and maybe for sm ppl who think its not worth it js try it out im sure ull have atleast some parts u like, i laughed, cried, felt jealous, simped, lit experienced every emotion iv ever felt watching ts plus the bromance between sijin and dae yeong omg im obsessed 😖Was this review helpful to you?
