Mr. Sunshine

This deserves a 10/10 rating!!!!!

Instantly became the #1 best drama for me knocking down Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (I love u so much but I'm sorry TT^TT)
General: When you see a drama review where they say, "it's not your typical kdrama", well that line does not give justice to how every aspect of this drama is so unique and so well-thought of. It's a historical drama where there's actual history. 2 award-winning actors as leads, as well as award-winning actors as supporting characters! Even the villain is a veteran actor!!! Lee Byung Hun and Kim Tae Ri once again made me laugh, cry, fall in love, and feel warm.

Personal: As a person living in a country that was colonized by the same colonizing countries in the drama, I felt so connected with what the characters were feeling. It's a whole historical experience for me.

Love story: The leads' love story was so intimate in a very subtle way. I love how it was written and executed. It's a relationship/love that was not rushed, full of good qualities, they communicated despite conflicts, they understand each other's situations instead of having a fight. Basically, the whole journey of the love story in this drama is like a warm hug.

Antagonists: THEY. ARE. SO .GOOD. They'll make you hate them so much but in the end, you'll also praise them for their great acting. These characters along with the supporting characters actually made the drama even better. They're not one of those dumb and weird antagonists. Yes, they're annoying as hell but them and the leads and supporting characters were all so in par when it comes to acting and portraying their characters and executing certain scenes that will leave you wanting for moooore.

Supporting roles: I had to make a separate paragraph for them because they earned. They're all so freaking well-written I hate myself for not watching this drama sooner!!! They're not like other supporting characters where it's like the have their own separate world or own separate story/drama inside the drama itself. Not one of them became irrelevant throughout the series. Each one has something to do with the whole damn plot of the series. They're almost like lead characters. And since they're relevant to the whole story, you won't be distracted by a separate story. You'd want to know them more and I applaud the writers for that.

I honestly just started this because of one of the OSTs where Park Hyo Shin is the singer, and he's my favorite solo artist in the industry. But when I watched it, I was so surprised.

Lastly, the ending: I don't want to give spoilers you have to watch it I promise you everything will be worth it.

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I’m not the kind to write reviews ,but I had to here , this art work just one of the best korean dramas that I ever watched , it’s not like any I watched before something new and amazing , I really loved every part of it all idk how to express I’m so drown by it , such an art , thank you for giving us this masterpiece , I liked the way they expressed the romance here it was breathtaking keeping you hoping but pay it other way , I loved the filming here , just wow , the acting , and ofc I fall in love with the main actor , I loved how strong the personalities of all characters were , the story the acting , it’s all new subject in kdrama , and it was exactly all what I wanted in drama in one place , I’m so thankful for all of the ppl who helped giving this work of art , tbh , I want my memory to disappear and to return watch it again and get amazed by it again , all in a word “ masterpiece “

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WOW

Of the 70+ dramas I have watched, "Mr. Sunshine" was one of the BEST!! The story, acting, cinematography, EVERYTHING was absolutely perfect!
I did hear some complaints on how the history was showcased throughout the drama. Some also stated that the drama, Mr. Sunshine, showed a lot of bias. In other words, I guess the storyline showed Korea as the "very good guy" and Japan as the "very bad guy". But, I never really liked learning about history, so I thought that the story was amazing and beautiful!!
In regards to romance, there's no steamy romance with a lot of physical contact, I guess one can say. The hugs, eye contact, smiles, between the Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-ri were so sweet and anyone could tell that their characters loved each other. Other than the romance between the mains, the bromance was reallyyyy funny! Yoo Yeon-seok, Lee Byung-hun, and Byun Yo-han showed a lot of comical scenes together that always lightened up the mood. To this day, I still search up these three characters on YouTube just to see the scenes they acted out together ^^
Lastly, the cinematography!! The scenes were ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. I would like you to go on Safari, YouTube, or Google and search up "Mr. Sunshine Scenes" and click on images. They are very beautiful~~
I guess one small complaint I have is the cast... and I know that multiple people do agree with me and others don't.
------------ Lee Byung-hun was just... too old, I honestly believe that someone younger should've been casted-------------
I too know that other people do not think the same as me and believe that "age doesn't matter". I respect that opinion, but... I'm just sorry, the chemistry between the mains kind of got ruined (just a lil) because of the HUGE age gap (20-years people). But I didn't hate it. The acting from both characters were AWESOMEEEEEE still. I heard that if there really were kiss scenes between Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-ri, people would've had an uproar about it ^^
OVERALL, the story PERFECT, the acting AMAZING, the cast ALMOST COMPLETE (I just still wish there was someone at least a lilll younger - Hyun Bin - would've been fine tho) that's why I couldn't give a FULL 10/10, but still... WATCH IT
I ABSOLUTELY recommend to watch this drama! You will NEVER regret it~~

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So many sad moments, but 100% worth the tears

I love the cast's diverse linguistic skills - makes it feel very authentic because the time frame the series is depicted in. Lee Byung Hun is a marvelous actor and really expresses Choi Yoo Jin(Yu-Jin)/Eugene's emotional conflict, sadness of loss and the slow increase in his subtle, but growing smiles... are indeed like sunshine, they're so beautiful to see. Kim Tae Ri does a beautiful job & I can appreciate the dynamic of her being a strong woman working toward bettering herself to achieve her goals but still hold a playful, musing air when (as Go Ae Shin/Ae-Sin) she interacts with Choi Yu-Jin. At times there were a few places where she seemed a little stiff.

The 2nd leads, Yoo Yeon Seok (Gu Dong Mae / Ishida Sho), Byun Yo Han (Kim Hui Sung), and Kim Min Jung (Kudo Hina / Le) are amazing in their own right. The chemistry, conflict, emotion of their characters were conveyed well. Each contributed something memorable for their characters, even as I type I remember each of them; that's how great a "felt" impression they left for me. The dynamic of the relationships between all the characters in this story flows nicely and is masterful as the the threaded connections slowly shorten bringing all of them together for better or for worst.

In some episodes, there were cuts in a particular scene that weren't cleanly edited so the transition & time flow were smooth, but it added to the effect/benefit of another character in the following scene. It also made it feel like the progression of time was longer than what it was.

So many sad moments, but 100% worth the tears

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A True and Special Gift! Simply Magical in unlimited ways <3

There are Shows that impact you in a way that is hard to Describe. They change how you see the world how you see so many things in our lives. Mr. Sunshine was a Show I started knowing nothing about knew only a few Cast Members. It Ended being without a doubt one of my fave shows ever for sure in my top 5 all my life. I believe for it to be in that level it has this true power and Gravity behind everything Cast, the Locations the Music the list is endless it all just inspires so much. Love Hope Friendship in a series that is dark in topic yet beautiful in Substance. I feel shows that touch on history they might not be 100% True yet they paint a picture for those who were not there, not born yet or even live in that land to be able to witness something that needs to be remembered. <3 Mr Sunshine is a true Gift and the Cast was perfect 1000% Each of them created something Magical to share with the fans <3 Thank you all <3 This series has impacted me profoundly Tears and Laughter that I needed in my life today. One other thing for me I almost took my life in recent years and since those dark times in my life I embrace so much of the wonders of life the little things that inspire you to live a better life that make life worth living and those moments that I am blessed to still be here to witness or feel that otherwise I would have been gone to be a part of. Mr. Sunshine is 1000% That I am happy to have been alive to see this even if I am a few years late to have shared it in the moment with other Fans..... I know I am missing so much I want to share The Cast all I can say everyone brought their Gold Performances to create this beautiful and breathtaking Creation in the same breathe its Heartbreaking and Inspiring all Remarkably Done on so many levels.......... The Music is so beautifully inserted into moments perfectly


Thanks for opening my eyes and touching my Heart to a time in History I knew Nothing about


Dan

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I am at loss of words

Mr. Sunshine has redefined perfection. From cinematography to dialogues to story, acting. This show is perfect on every aspect of filmmaking and storytelling. This show is brutal, it is beautiful, it is honest. This show will rip your heart into pieces an you will still keep watching because it is that beautiful.

I have been watching Korean shows since last 10 years and i have not seen a show as great as this.
I was completely ignorant about such a painful history of the Korea. I don't know how many shows or movies South Korea has made on Japanese colonization, but I must say this has got to be their best work.
I have never cried as hard as i did while watching Mr. Sunshine. It felt like they were my own countrymen. Being from India, a country that had been enslaved by The British for 200 years, I could relate so much of their pain and sacrifice. I have heard stories all my life about the martyrs and the freedom fighters of my own country. Never did I think i will see the same stories of another country.
May be all countries who fell victim of Imperialism still bears the scar of our ancestors.
I wish this show had a happy ending, but real life did not have happy ending. So this story has what real life had. At the end they had gun and glory. Happy Ending followed decades later.
I can go on and on about this show so may be this is enough. Please watch this show, no matter what.

Lastly, I must say each and every frame of this show is so picturesque that often i found myself pausing the show and staring at my computer screen just to grasp the beauty of the show.

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One of the Kind Drama

This is one hell of a damn good drama that will shatter your heart to a million pieces. It is a lush, breathtaking, and stunning epic historical drama set during the Joseon period of tumultuous change with foreign influences each having their own agendas on what they want to get out of Korea.

The areas the drama really excelled in:

- Impressive Immersive Storyline, very well written, good pacing, and tight plotting.
- Well thought out character back stories and narrative storylines, the viewer feels emotionally invested in the main characters. It is one of the best portrayals of strong female characters, Go Ae Shin and Kudo Hina top my list of favorite female characters.
- Excellent Acting, each of the main and support actors played their parts so well. They really captured the nuances and grey areas of their characters.
- Stunning Cinematography and Production, so many scenes where the cinematography just captures your attention. It is done exceptionally well with deliberation and it is simply breath taking.
- Great Chemistry between the leads and love interests
- Amazing OST, some of the songs are ethereal, sad, and whimsical at the same time.
- While it deviates from actual history and inserts fictional aspects to it along with some controversy, it still highlights a fascinating and absolutely tragic time. It explores the greed of corrupt internal traitors, sacrifices and the courage some make for a better future, meddling foreign countries with their selfish self interest, and Joseon caste system politics that leads to devastating childhood loss and trauma and makes their love forbidden.

It will be considered one of my top dramas for a while.

Absolutely stunning watch.

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Amazing and Powerful show with a great way of delivering history

Have always wanted to know about the history of japan's invasion of korea, and this show gave me a glimpse and a bit of knowledge on that history.
Just makes me reflect on how our ancestors fought for our countries.
Loved the way the story was told, soo powerful!
Definitely one of my favorites and also very close to my heart! Hats off to the cast and crew for making such a great show possible and delivering it to us! Really grateful.
It's just great to see the history through a show, really shows us how it was back then.
Highly recommend it if you haven't watched it yet!

P.s: First review..lol..so sorry if I didn't do it right

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Deserving of its praise.

Mr Sunshine Review:
This review is from my perspective as an international viewer.

=== Production Value: ===
The production value is SUPERB. The Joseon set designs were really good that I was able to immerse myself in their period. The set looks new for something in their time.

Though, I have some criticisms for the New York scenes. Especially those on the bridge. While I understand that they did not put extras for the sake of dramatic effects, it took me out of the drama since it feels like New York is a desolate city.

=== Plot: ===
The plot was really slow at first (This is a personal problem and preference because I really have a short attention span) though, as I though over it a few times that I kinda prefer it for the characters, especially with the looming war in the horizon. How I wish for them that time could just pass by slowly so that we don’t have to see them suffer.

There were some elements of visual storytelling that I saw and seeing those small tidbits being set up before the war part coming together in the final act. Especially the EMOTIONAL SCENES. *Chef’s kiss*

I liked the creative liberties that they took in putting some internal conflict in the form of political intrigue in the drama.

== Characters: ===
I can see that diluting Ae-sin’s character to highlight others characters in the story was done deliberately. She’s not entirely a flatly written as her headstrong personality and a sense of duty of her country was what drew these three men to her and made them care for a country that abandoned them. (I’m not so sure for Dong Mae’s motivations but I am sure with Eugene’s and Huiseong’s though).

Eugene is a character who was already stable when the story started. He has a past then, he returned to Joseon after he became a soldier. He just goes with what America dictates to him before Ae-sin came into his life. After he met Ae-sin, his character was given depth as he was torn between his identity as a Joseon man serving as an American soldier. Even if the conclusion to his character arc was a sad one but it was satisfying. The dam of emotions I felt for this drama finally broke when his Lieutenant friend was reading what happened to him.

Dong Mae belongs to the character tropes that I really hate the most. He’s your average bad boy type who has a past and decided to join the Japanese gang, Black Dragon Society. He became a mercenary. He began to soften when he and Ae-sin interacted more. His interactions with Hina Kudo were also memorable to watch because their relationship seemed more of genuine and platonic friendship rather than lovers. (Heck, this was one of those platonic friendships done really well that I’ve seen in a drama.)

Huiseong also belongs to the type of men that I hate the most, PLAYBOYS. He’s one of those characters who bears the guilt of the sins of his clan and seems aimless with no motivations until he met Ae-sin and the other two men. With his character development, HE BECAME ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS. While the other characters preferred to fight using bloodshed (guns and swords), he prefers to fight using intellect, his camera and pen. I also like that when he was taking photos of the atrocities committed by Imperial Japan, they used gunshots as if the camera shots dealt some kind of impact. The sad part of his character arc was despite him finding a purpose, no one would remember his name as he fought for Joseon. He died in prison alone with no one to mourn for him. Despite being tortured, the smiling mask that he wears never seems to come off of him.

Kudo Hina/ Lee Yang Hwa is my favorite characters in this drama as someone who exemplifies true feminism. I admire how strong her character is. Her father just sees her as a pawn to expand his influence but still, she managed to make herself independent. With her cunning wit and charisma, she’s able to use her position as someone who allows different forms of life to enter her hotel to help Joseon. She also knows when to be feminine while being a badass who holds the sword elegantly at the same time.

This was also one of the few dramas where the side characters had more impact to the stakes of the situation they were in. They do not feel like props but as characters who also had to struggle during that time. There are too many to mention so rather not.

=== Dialogue ===
The dialogue had more purpose aside from serving as padding for this very long drama. They serve as extra setups for the grand event that was going to come and the callbacks to those little scenes and dialogues made me cry a lot.

=== More than just romance ===
I went into this drama expecting a romance. Though, I wasn’t disappointed that it was purely romance since I like the other elements in this story.

=== OST/Music ===
As for the instrumentals in the background, they didn’t bother me that much but for once, I am glad that they used classical pieces in the Glory Hotel scenes to accentuate the time period it was in.
The OSTs in this drama is not so overpowering compared to other dramas. When they’re played in the credits, I don’t feel tired hearing them again and again and had some impact on how I perceive the events that transpired in each episode.
One of those OSTs that I kept replaying is The Day by Park Hyo Shin.

Extra thoughts:

Playing The Day at the end of the drama with the flag of Joseon waving made me more emotional and a bit patriotic (not for Korea but for my country whose citizens seems to idolize politicians more to the point of them not being able to take criticisms directed towards them).

The deaths really shocked me and I finally cried upon seeing the objects that represents the characters being sold in the pawnshop.

If I have the time, I am surely going to re-watch this drama 100% despite it being tragic.

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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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