Mr. Sunshine

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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You will not regret

Not many people have seen this drama, I still don't understand why.
But if you are hesitating watch it now or leave it unwatched. I can tell you that you are missing a story that will hook you from the beginning to the end.

Do you like Japan? Do you like korea? Do you like United States?
Well, this is your drama, a drama in which three different cultures mix, where you feel every moment, you laugh, you cry, you worry, you can't stop watching it.

And most importantly, it is not a simple story about duty or love, it is more than that.
It is how each of your actions leads you to the right place, to a fight in which you should not be part of but you are in the middle.

What would you do?
Sit back or join the fight?

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YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS!

i cant exaggerate any more how amazing this drama is. from the story, to cast, to production, this drama is impeccably good. as a film student this is the kind of drama that sets standards for the rest. the filmography is beautiful and awards it indeed deserves.
there was never a moment that i was bored or un-interested. the strong build of character makes the smallest of scenes so much more interesting without adding too much to them.
the choice of actors couldn't have been any better, i fell in love with all of them. you do not understand how much i cried at the end of this series (no-spoilers tho), i was left heartbroken as well as heart warmed.
the filmography man... for a film student its like a dream come true.
i dont want to give too much away because its best to jump right into it and find out for yourself.
just please watch this show! i promise you wont regret it!

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My Roman Empire

This tale is a marathon. It's not for viewers who can't sit through a slow burn or prefer direct conversations. It is most definitely not for the lighthearted, either.

Buckle up; you're in for a fangirl review (read: this could've been finished within 3 lines if I held little affection for it).

I find sageuks enjoyable, but Lee Byung Hun isn't my style. Luckily, their ad ran on YT before, which was intriguing enough. So, first and foremost, cheers to the editing team for their stellar performance from start to finish.

It's 2024. About five years since this masterpiece floored my entire existence, yet Mr Sunshine remains my most beloved kdrama. As someone who lives in a nation that perennially suffers from the consequences of colonialism, this series brought me an overwhelming level of respect for my ancestors, who fought bravely and relentlessly despite the odds being stacked against them. Choosing to live for one's homeland every day is a daunting task. It requires selflessness and primacy. Only those who risk losing something genuinely precious to them can commit to a cause that keeps on taking without any assurance of giving recompense. To devote one's life to their country, they must love their family so fiercely as Eugene and Ae Sin did, enough to let love go and ultimately let love rest.

Mr. Sunshine is a well-rounded production. The cinematography was stunning. The soundtrack was epic. The costume department ate and left no crumbs. The character portrayal was magnificent. I could not think of a single actor or actress who fell short in their delivery. The humor? The banter? The flirting? Sure, kdrama was already popular when this aired. But imagine if it ran post-pandemic? When streaming's the new norm, sageuks are increasingly gaining more popularity, and kdrama has reached unparalleled heights. It would have effortlessly dominated trending searches.

This series remained faithful to its storyline. The plot was cohesive, the pacing was well-timed, the arrangement of symbolisms, forces, politics, and relationships was deliberate, the build-up was masterful, and the ending made sense. Every single moment was touching. The direction was devastatingly beautiful. My heart sings for every lingering gaze, touch, tone, and even the blockings. This was the best collaboration of Director Lee Eung Bok and Writer Kim Eun Sook (Descendants of the Sun & Goblin / Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, some supporting casts appeared in these projects too). This was also Kim Eun Sook at her peak. She has penned multiple bangers, but nothing hits quite like this period fiction.

I can never forget how there was not a single kissing scene. The first romantic kdrama I watched without one. The leads had an explosive chemistry — their impact was simply undeniable. There was no need for physical demonstrations of feelings. Their dialogue was already pure poetry. Their passionate, quiet confessions and mutual pining? It would take years before it can be outdone, let alone be comparable.

It's simply revolutionary.

Once in a while, I'll think about flames and pinwheels and trains and scraps of confessions in matryoshka dolls. I'll think about the man with no country to call his. I'll think about the woman who longs for Joseon's liberation, wearing a ring that honors a love long gone.

I'll forever be scarred by guns, glory, and sad endings. I'll be reminded of my people and how they helplessly came to terms with their unfavorable fates. May they reunite with their loved ones in the afterlife and be at peace knowing their sacrifices will be remembered, even if those who remember have to perpetually argue against their fellow countrymen who have forgotten.

To me, this story is comparable to the creation of the universe. So, whoever plans on writing a wartime romance should take notes because Mr. Sunshine shows how to do it properly.

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Hands down, the best kdrama I've ever seen.

I would honestly say that I really have high expectations for this drama. It was created by DOTS and Goblin creators so what should we expect right? It was so good that it exceeded my expectation. The storyline was old and based in the past but it was fresh; very new. The twists and rollercoaster ride they added to history made everything perfect.

There were so many things I want to say about it while watching but now that I finished it, I was speechless. I was so attached to the drama that a part of me felt left. It was a lovestory, but it wasn't just about romance. It's about love for family, love for friends, love for strangers who turned to family, love for comrades, love for the people and most especially love for the country. Just when I think I know the word 'love', I was just as clueless as Go Ae Shin, and no language can explain it.

The five actors really gave justice to their characters. I love how 5 different people from different countries with different plans ended up with the same goals. There were bad blood at first, but suddenly turned to fondness, and all became allies. The characters were all so unique and well written. Kim Hui Seong may be narcissist but he was never arrogant. He was so loving, selfless and precious. Go Dong Mae is evil, and he really is. But when it comes to the people he values, he is willing to risk everything. Who wouldn't love Kudo Hina? She's a strong woman who doesn't need any man in her life to back her up. As for Eugene Choi, oh my god, I love him so much. And Go Ae Shin? She's the best! Despite being noble and being untouchable she still stood tall and fought for the people who are powerless.

I was first skeptical to start because I've seen the age gap but it never bothered me. Thank God I really gave it a try.

"Guns, glory, sad endings"

I was wondering why those words were kept being mentioned in the first episodes and realized that the whole story revolved around those three words. The guns, where it all started. The glory, as every characters strove for their beliefs. And sad endings, because endings means good byes.

P.S. If you're planning on watching it get your tissues ready. It will be a fun but painful ride.

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Mr. Sunshine was a fantastic drama! Just the overall feel of it, the cinematography, the excellent writing, acting and the mesmerizing soundtrack made it look like an out of this world masterpiece. I probably started watching this because of the reviews and because Netflix also streamed it. It's a great series for beginners into the Korean drama world. Plus, it's educational and a must-see for history lovers. First of all, I appreciate all of the effort put into design, costumes and the scenery. It did feel like the viewers were living in Joseon. Second, there were so many various characters of different backgrounds and aims, so many to choose from to be your favorite. Personally, the badass Gu Dong Mae and the fiery Kudo Hina stole my hearts. Not to mention all of the side characters which made the dialog and storyline very enjoyable. The only thing that I disliked was that there were no intimate scenes between the lead couple. Some might argue that it isn't necessary for a drama of this sort, but somehow it made the love story a bit unrealistic at times. Third, I've admired the interchangeable serious and comedic moods throughout the drama. The comedy lifted off the seriousness once in a while and it was refreshing. In addition, the transition between Korean, English, Japanese and sometimes other languages felt super sophisticated and alive. And fourth, I have to admit that the soundtrack was fantastic and now in my daily playlist. So many great artist became a part of the OST and brought in different colors to the series.
Overall, this is definitely a gem and one of the best-produced Korean dramas out there. If you enjoy beautiful shots, historical shows and good quality dramas in general, please pick this one up and watch it. It will forever be remembered and quoted by me anyways!

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There are many aspects to this drama but what struck me most are the many faces of love portrayed here. There is the mother who wills her son to run away and live, the mother who chases her son away because she doesn't want hom to suffer a life like hers, an aristocratic grandfather who allows his beloved granddaughter to learn gunnery and attend a western school so that she will be better equipped to face the new world, a slave soldier who loves a noblewoman with a love so warm and protective though he knows he can never have her, a Japanese samurai heading a violent gang, obsessed with a love for her born out of a single act of kindness and an aristocrat, born to wealth, having known no hardship at all, frivolous, lighthearted, till he learns of the terrible things his family did.
Everyone of the five main characters touched my heart in different ways. The acting was on point. The humour was delightful especially as the relationship of the three men moved to a different level of empathy and understanding. The scenes in which Ae Shin learns English and Eugene learns Korean were delicious!
And most beautiful of all was the love story of the American Joseon soldier who didn't belong anywhere and the plucky young Go Ae Shin who fought to protect her motherland. He loved her but he hated Joseon and yet he helped her in every way he could. This is the best love story I have ever watched in a kdrama and I find myself going back to their scenes together again and again.

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Always know the translation of word “Love” on other foreign country.

A beautiful romance that always find its way home in tragedy and sadness. Mr. Sunshine shows how far one can go to protect the thing you love, your country, your people, and the one you truly love. It depicts love that forgets its social status, work position and birth right, but every choice they made to pursue such love reminds them of all the things they tried to neglect.

Mr. Sunshine achieved its high caliber quality through its great cinematography, good story and right casting. I can never wished for more to its casting especially the five main leads. All those artist except Yoo Yeon Seok, are not familiar with me. I’ve seen Lee Byung Hun but never got a chance to watch his dramas, but because of Mr. Sunshine I will. I think his comeback on the small screen, really means that he really trusted this project. At first look, I really don’t find any chemistry with the main couple, or to any main leads. But after I watched it, I can never wished for anyone who will act for those main lead characters. The support characters are worth mentioning for they take the whole drama to next level. I really love Gunner Jang.

The drama runs on 24 episodes for 70-80 minutes long. It is longer compares to other drama. I think it can have less scenes to lessen the number of episodes but it will spoil the sincerity of each scenes. The background view, the stare, the silence, the flashbacks and every second of this drama is truly breathtaking.

One of the most tragic ending for all the characters but a happy ending for Joseon. As much as how heartbreaking main leads’ fate have been, it still such a great finale.

P.S. And I of Nuest, one of drama’s OST brought me here.. And I will be forever thankful for that. Every OST in this drama is such a good tracks.

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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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Richly crafted and visually mesmerizing, Mr. Sunshine is a sweeping tale of romance and political intrigue. From the first scene, the most apparent thing about this drama is the beautiful cinematography. I felt like I was looking at pages of a graphic novel - each scene stunning and carefully composed. As the drama progressed, I was thankful that the characters and story are on par with the quality of the visuals. On the surface it is a dramatic love story set during a turbulent time in Korean history. But it's also a stirring story about identity, patriotism and the characters' relationship with their homeland. The great acting, visuals and character development make this drama a notch above the rest for me.

You know how lots of dramas start off strong and peter out? This one starts strong and gets stronger and stronger as it progresses. The story pacing seemed a bit slow to me at first. There may be a few too many dramatic pauses. But it's worth it. As the plot unfolds it really builds to an exciting crescendo that wouldn't have been as powerful or heartbreaking if we hadn't been given the time to really know the characters. The last few episodes are so powerful I can't get some of the images out of my head. It finishes strong.

The story centers around 5 main characters - each intriguing and well portrayed - each with a particular viewpoint and relationship with the country of Joseon. There is Eugene, the slave who escapes to America as a young boy and returns for revenge, Ae Shin, the badass noble woman who leads a double life as a rebel and Dong Mae, the fearsome swordsman with a fatal weakness. Hina is the tough, enigmatic hotel proprieter and Hui Seung is Ae Shin's affable fiance. These characters play off each other marvelously. I love the unspoken and begrudging admiration that develops between them - even when their motives are sometimes at odds. I fell in love with them and I cried for them all.

There are so many pieces to the story and its put together perfectly - a great balance between the history, love story and thrilling action scenes. There's even a little humor and cuteness. Mr. Sunshine is a beautiful historical drama - well written, exciting, emotionally stirring and heartbreaking. Don't miss it!

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