Mr. Sunshine

Name a more Oscar-worthy drama… I’ll wait

Upon a quick glance at the title and the promotional poster, you’re probably already thinking wow, this sure looks underwhelming! Well, dare I say that those were precisely my first thoughts – but now, I don’t even hesitate for one second when someone asks me whether this drama is any good, because my answer will always be the same, and that is: ‘exceptional’ doesn’t even begin to cut it.

Initially, I thought the premise was very lacklustre – set in the early 1900s, this mini-series focuses on Righteous Army activists fighting for Korea’s independence against foreign forces, but the more I watched, the more I began to realise how fascinating this was. Not only did it act as a device to help viewers establish the rationale behind each of the character’s motives, but it also contributed to the story’s development in more ways than I could have imagined. The idea of a premise is that it lays down the most basic foundation of a writer’s work, and just like a movie post or an illustrated cover of a book, it paints a simple image of what’s inside, but not much more. And here’s the thing, it’s incredibly unfortunate to still see so many K-drama writers (whether old or new to screenwriting) fall into this rut when it comes to bringing an idea to life. However, for Mr. Sunshine screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, this doesn’t ever appear to be a problem she faces.

Kim is one of the most accomplished and sought after screenwriters in the industry, and it’s a no-brainer as to why this is the case. In the last 10 years, she has written the script for some of the most commercially successful dramas: Secret Garden (2010), A Gentleman’s Dignity (2012), The Heirs (2013), Descendants of the Sun (2016), Goblin (2016), The King (2020), and this drama included. Yes, she may have incorporated overused clichés in a few of her written work (e.g. rich guy-poor girl, evil mother-in-law, etc), but at the same time, it’s evident she continues to develop narratives which are so unique and enthralling; a talent which is unsurpassed in the industry. Unlike many writers whose dramas flopped, each one of her projects has stood the test of time, and this drama is no exception.

But the success of Mr. Sunshine ought to be shared equally with director Lee Eung-bok, whose creative direction and vast use of cinematic techniques in this drama was just out of this world. Together, they raised viewers’ awareness of Korea’s history, and shed light on those deemed peripheral in society. Many with very little understanding or are quick to judge will say that everything portrayed is historically inaccurate or rubbish, but what these people fail to acknowledge is that these very cruel and tragic events did happen, and whether or not this drama perfectly encapsulated that 101% accuracy is irrelevant. Mr. Sunshine was a cleverly crafted masterpiece to simply put, and I have no doubt the producer called in a historian to ensure the historical and factual basis of the premise was presented in such a way that had more to do with the storyline and character development, rather than the accuracy value it would have added to the plot.

The storyline was wonderfully perplexing, with each dramatic turn adding all these unexpected twists. It was fuelled with long-awaited revenges, political debacles, and palace shambles, all atop a crumbling social class system and a country’s disastrous attempt at stopping the Japanese from invading. Unlikely friendships formed, loyalties tested, identities challenged, and moral compasses questioned, but till the very end, not one person flinched, nor did they flee their allegiance to join another simply for the sake of love or friendship. But what I really appreciated about Mr. Sunshine would be this: the delivery of a poignant love story without the need for any kissing scenes.

I’m not going to lie when I say that there’s got to be smooching involved to make the chemistry somewhat convincing, but even when there was none of that here, I wasn’t the slightest bit concerned or disappointed. Because when there was grief, I ugly cried; when there was suspense, I went numb; when characters embraced, my heart melted; when a character experienced pain, I too felt my heart being ripped out of my chest; whenever a villain or antagonist appeared, my insides burned with rage; when a character showed their quirks, I chuckled with amusement; and last but not least, when a scene was so profoundly sad, it did more than just move me beyond tears.

I also admired Kim’s screenwriting, because instead of cheapening the plot with unnecessary exchanges, I found myself immersed in eloquent poetry and an engaging dialogue that actually built towards something, whether it was revealing important information about a course of action or disclosing a certain character’s disposition. And every time a flashback or sentimental object re-appeared, I knew what purpose it served because the story behind it was so powerful that it became an etched memory (e.g. Lady Yun’s norigae (ornament), ragged shoe floating in the well, wooden music box, red paper windmill, etc). The stunning cinematography was also something to marvel at; not just acting as a visual aid, but in creating this immersive historical experience. With a beautifully composed soundtrack to match, I was well and truly enchanted. (Two songs in particular which struck a chord was Park Hyo-shin’s “The Day”, and Baek Ji-young’s “See You Again”; both of which evoked so much soul, emotion, and lyrical meaning).

But what this drama could really not have done without was the outstanding performance of its talented cast (whether lead or supporting). The main cast comprising of Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung and Byung Yo-han all had a unique charisma and stage presence about them, and I’m so thankful that their talents did not go to waste when they auditioned for their respective roles as Eugene Choi, Go Ae-shin, Gu Dong-mae, Kudo Hina and Kim Hui-seong. To be able to see each individual connect with their characters by immersing themselves in the script was one thing, but then the ability to translate and deliver the right amount of expressive energy and a certain personality on-screen was another. Thus, it was really pleasing to see that actor was emotionally, mentally, and physically invested in whatever challenges their character faced.

To start off, Lee Byung-hun did a marvellous job acting as Eugene Choi. His natural charm and ability to bring so much depth and emotion to the screen was very enthralling, and I couldn’t help but be captivated every time his character spoke, laughed, or smiled. Eugene was a man of chivalry and didn’t hesitate to rise and display authority whenever he was placed in a position of conflict. He was clever, ballsy, and uncompromising, but at the same time, considerate, sincere, and likeable because he always spoke his mind. Lee’s action scenes in particular just exuded this wow factor you’ll rarely see from other male leads; attributed to all the stunt, weapons, and martial arts training he had done in the past to be better prepared for his Hollywood action roles. Combined with his knack for being able to also speak English and Japanese fluently in the drama – you couldn’t help but think, what can’t this man do?! If anything, Lee is a true embodiment of fine wine that gets better with age.

Likewise, Kim Tae-ri absolutely killed it as Go Ae-shin, and who would have thought Mr. Sunshine would be her first breakout role on the small screen! What really stood out to me about Kim’s character was that she was such a badass, fierce, smart, and tenacious noblewoman who wasn’t unlike every other female lead, and it was only through her ability as an actress that she was able to deliver a strong and empowering female protagonist that was more than just a pretty face. Ae-shin was quite literally living proof of Mulan under disguise in a black suit, and the fact that she risked her life, nobility and feminity by switching out of a traditional hanbok and into clothing that placed her in a man's world to protect her country, and her country’s people was worthy of admiration. Simultaneously, Kim did a stunning job at portraying Ae-shin as this graceful aristocratic lady whose posture, speech, and movements were refined, articulate and well-paced.

But if there’s one person who I really want to commend for his acting, it would be Yoo Yeon-seok. This man’s performance was just incredible, and even if his character were barbaric and callous, you have to really give him credit for emulating someone like Gu Dong-mae. Dong-mae was the kind of character that gave you chills just by the way he smirked, tinkered with his samurai swords, or held a gaze, and that’s the sort of talent you want to invest your time in watching. That said, his character wasn’t all that coldblooded and indifferent. Eventually, we see that he wants to be a part of a society where people don’t fear him, and whenever we caught a glimpse of his softer side, it was often met with sorrow and sympathy. Yoo genuinely did an excellent job at his portrayal of Dong-mae not only as the loyal and merciless leader of Musin Society, but also as someone who was authentic and selfishly selfless.

It is also worth noting that Mr. Sunshine upped the ante to showcase the strength and power of women in characters like Kudo Hina/Lee Yang-hwa (Kim Min-jung). Although her role was secondary to that of Go Ae-shin, I really admired how Kim’s character was this affluent, elegant, cultured, and classy modern-day lady who was very ruthless at times. Her role as an accomplished owner of Glory Hotel not only allowed her to indulge in elaborate kimonos, Edwardian fashionwear, and an array of Victorian-era hairstyles, but it also gave her the opportunity to shine through as a skilled linguist, fencer, trendsetter, and businesswoman. It’s quite rare to come across a second female lead this alluring, and a multifaceted character at that, so needless to say that I was impressed by how Kim always exuded the right amount of charisma with the perfect expressions to match in her portrayal of Kudo Hina.

And then there's Kim Hui-seong (Byun Yo-han), the charming third male lead who plays the second wealthiest man after the King of Joseon. From his use of self-deprecating humour to enliven sticky situations, playful teases, and softly-spoken lines, to the way he showed true, genuine concern for those around him, Hui-seong was nothing quite like the condescending and smooth-talking Casanova aristocrat I thought he’d be. Byun showed the audience that his character was more than just a womaniser; he was a gentle soul, risk-taker and a free-spirit who really wanted to contribute to society. It also goes without saying that he is a natural when it comes to conveying the expressions of someone who is genuinely in love. Hui-seong’s gaze always dazzled with adoration for his fiancée, and he never hesitated to wear a tender smile which carried with it this sweet sadness.

Final comments
I have never been more impressed by an AMAZING supporting cast, and although I may not know everyone’s names, it is without a doubt that their acting has left a lasting impression on all viewers such as myself. Kim Eui-sung especially, did an incredible job acting as Lee Wan-ik (the drama’s primary villain) and it only just occurred to me that he played the evil businessman in ‘Train to Busan’. Honestly, this guy’s expertise must be in villainous roles because his character in Mr. Sunshine was hardcore wicked with no redeeming qualities, and the fact that he could make you hate his character’s guts on a level you’ve never felt before is a true testament to one’s acting capabilities.

Not only did Mr. Sunshine record the 6th highest rating for any given episode in cable television (previously coming in 3rd place before the release of Hotel del Luna [2019], Crash Landing on You [2019-20] and the World of the Married [2020]), but it also netted an overall average rating of 12.955%, making it the second highest-rated K-drama of all times in cable television. What makes this latter figure far more significant than the first is because not only does it reflect the popularity of the series during its broadcast, but it also evidences strong audience engagement.

There is no doubt that Mr. Sunshine is probably my most favourite drama to date (along with Crash Landing on You and Signal), but if you ever just need to know why again, please don't hesitate to re-read this review.

Favourite quotes
Kudo Hina: “Three men who are worse than strangers are gathered in one room.”
Ae-shin: “Not goodbye but see you again.”
Lee Wan-ik: “I may be a mutt or a hound, but I’m the boss of all other dogs.”
Ae-shin: “You only have one bullet”, Eugene: As always, I just need to use it wisely.”
Kudo Hina: “Before you leave, act like a decent father for once in your life.”
Dong-mae: “We, unlike our parents, can shoot a gun or drive a sword through anyone.” Eugene: “I made a choice. We, unlike our parents, have the luxury of making choices.”
Ae-shin: “Gun. Glory. Sad Ending.”

Character summaries
Eugene Choi/Choi Yu-Jin (Lee Byung-hun) is the son of slave parents who flees Joseon at a young age and becomes a naturalised American citizen. Growing up, Eugene knew he was different from all the other kids – from his skin colour, long hair to his poor English speaking abilities – getting heavily bullied as a result. From the point he realises that he can no longer live as a Joseon man in a western world, his growth is exponential, and Eugene defies all odds to end up becoming a very admirable U.S. Marine Corps officer. Despite his accomplishments, he continues to be tormented by his past memories of being hunted down by slave hunters and keeps hold of Lady Yun’s norigae (a traditional Korean accessory that is hung from a woman’s hanbok skirt) as a reminder of his mother’s sacrifices. But make no mistake when I say each flashback of Eugene being thrown that norigae by his mother came with profound sadness; a true testament to the saying that “a mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path." But that is not the only object which served a purpose in the story – Eugene also kept with him a very peculiar wooden music box, which played a hauntingly enchanting yet sorrowful melody. What made this music box so special was its significance to Eugene; the melody evoked happiness, hope, and life in spite of the tragedy and grief he suffered fleeing Joseon as a very young child.

Upon his return to Joseon, we see that Eugene’s unwavering loyalty to America remains unchanged when he is sent to the American Legation in Joseon to uphold peace and friendly relations between the two countries. Although he is often dragged into Joseon’s political debacles by Emperor Gwangmu (Lee Seung-joon) and anti-Japanese minister, Lee Jeong-moon (Kang Shin-il), Eugene explains that he has no intention to be swayed by their desperation to protect Joseon from Japan and all for a very good reason. At the same time, we learn that every action he makes is somehow unintentionally politically motivated – both a win for himself, and for the Emperor and his underlings; demonstrated by what he ends up doing with the ‘Certificate of Deposit’ (i.e. the King’s bank certificate), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lee Se-hun, and his position at the Royal Military Academy where he shares with his trainees a very powerful Arabic proverb: “An army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lion led by a sheep.” Although Eugene is seen to be this serious, calculating, and audacious character, I loved that he also had this warmer side to him which he shared with Go Ae-shin (Kim Tae-ri) – the Joseon woman he fell in love with and cherished more than his own life.

Unlike Eugene, Ae-shin was more reserved and careful with how she carried herself, and their love story was met with a lot of difficulties and uncertainties whenever a mission arose, or their situations changed, and neither of them would know the outcome of one another – symbolised by the placing of a red paper windmill at each other’s place of residence, or at the Apothecary (where they would often meet in secret). Although the portrayal of their relationship was far from the lovey-dovey type that you would otherwise normally expect to see in K-dramas, you could tell that their love for each other was nonetheless so pure, and every misty-eyed gaze and embrace became more heart-wrenching than the last.

The daughter of an aristocrat, Ae-shin was well-known for her kind heart; never faltering to help those she saw in need. As if brains and beauty was not enough, Ae-shin ended up following in her parents’ footsteps to become a part of the Righteous army, a movement led by her grandfather to protect Joseon people from threats instigated by Japan and foreign forces. Although she was refused involvement on many occasions by Lord Go, I loved that her persistence, grit, determination, and fearlessness to provide for Joseon and more trumped feminity and nobility, thereafter, becoming the army’s most-skilled sniper after her master, gunman Jang Seung-goo (Choi Moo-sung). If there was anything to admire about her character, it would be that she was a reticent catalyst for Joseon people’s freedoms and women's liberation – and who doesn’t love a strong, empowering female lead?

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Tvn keep being strong!
There's no doubt that "Mr.Sunshine" is focused on everything visual.
- Beautiful natural landscapes/background and scenery.
- Amazing and epic cinematography.
- Good color work, light and shadow.
- Classic and cultural clothing.
- Great graphics and effects.
- And even a great sound work.
It is beautiful.
The drama is very descriptive, detailed and symbolic.

The drama has a deep love story, which is something I usually don't like, but surprisingly, this drama hits my favourites and was quite funny. The comedy is so subtle and well tailored into the scenes.

Lee Byung-Hun is one of the best korean actors and the most popular internationally and Kim Tae-Ri has so much talent. A she proves that in one of the best movies, "The Handmaiden", so these two actors accepted these roles because, they knew this drama would be different and epic.
Amazing support characters.
Even though 3 leads love the same woman, their love is pure and everyone of them is willing to sacrifice. I really like the fact that there is no jealous relationship that turned people into evil beings.
The drama also shows girl power with such badass and awesome female characters, which I completely loved!
You can wait for 10/10 from all actors.. Acting, characters, excellent.

Mr.Sunshine is a truly piece of art.

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A beautiful story

This story takes a while to get into. The first episode is a bit confusing but after a few episodes I began throughly enjoying the story and the characters.

Best Parts:
The characters are so beautifully written and complex. Many of the characters are neither good or bad but are somewhere in the gray area.

The cinematography is gorgeous. This show looks beautiful and it is obvious that the production team put their best effort to make this show look great.

Weaker Parts:
I would say my only complaint is some of the characters I wish we spent more on screen time with them.

A bit of warning: This show can get a bit violent/ bloody.

Overall: This is become one of my favorite dramas and I think the drama with the best production value I have ever seen. I recommend the watch.

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Not for folks who prefer the typical fast-paced super obvious romance. This drama will make you pay attention to the little details, you have to be able to read in between the lines and catch the metaphors being used to describe "love", the little smiles and gestures ...words not spoken. Everything about the drama screams subtlety, from the lead actor's awkwardly cute stiff strong personality to the actress' subtle steps to self realization and of course falling in love.

Others might feel it's too slow but for me, I appreciate the build up, episode by episode, I get to pay more attention to the character's circumstances and what makes them who they are as opposed to the typical in your face descriptions. Cinematography definitely is key in this build up, it extremely inviting and captivating, I couldn't take my eyes off my screen in fear that I might miss something.

If you're looking for a historically accurate account, this isnt for you.

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Excellent series

This series is amazing. All of the actors/actresses give outstanding performances. The editing, casting, set, camerawork, and clothing are all very high television quality. If it was not high budget it seemed to be.

The story for the most part is excellent. It is based on real historical events but has fictional aspects which has brought some criticism in korea. I think this issue is the only real flaw worth mentioning among most viewers. There are a few things i would have preferred to see within this story. This is mostly personal preferance on a few of the character's choices and the ending. That doesn't change the fact i binged this whole series and really enjoyed it. Honestly, i wish it had taken many more episodes to get to the ending :)

I highly recommend this series to anyone that likes period pieces. It is easily among the best of them.

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I NEVER watched any HISTORICAL drama but this one made me binge-watch it on NETFLIX!!
This series isn't even finish yet but I am currently rewatching it again for the 3rd time!
I love the cinematography in this TV Series. The staff/crew of the show really made an effort in making this historical drama.
It's amazing how the writer created this epic and unpredictable drama.
The love story is incredibly cute and makes me think of Eugene Choi and Ae-sin once in awhile(because it's that good!).
The actors are all superb; they all did a spectacular performance and delivered the lines pretty well.

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Truly beautifully written masterpiece

Let me start off by saying I do not watch historical dramas. This is a rare occurrence but I became curious due to the ratings and reviews. I am currently on episode 20 and can confirm this is worth every waking moment. This is a beautifully written story with several twists and turns that cover everything from romance, unrequited love, the struggle between the rich and the poor, the righteous vs the corrupt, power and war. The drama intensely takes you through the impact that war, betrayal, social status, love and corruption had on the lives of all the main characters. There is an excruciating amount of pain throughout each episode; at times overwhelming and heartbreaking.  Yet, there are also those perfect moments in the plot that are just breathtakingly beautiful, humorous and heartwarming.

The acting and character development is phenomenal. From the two main female leads, though beautiful and poised also mysterious in their own way. Their strength is not just in their beauty. They have learned to survive in a world where their freedom is dictated by men and/or their country. The fearless yet hopeless romantics that play the male leads, Dong Mae, Hui Sung and Eugene Choi and even those within the Righteous Army each have a story that plays out. Right off episode one you dive into bits and pieces of everyone's lives. Discovering the closer you get to the end that they are all interconnected in one way or another.

What is there not to love about the three male leads? Aside from the fact you could slice the tension between them with a knife. One scene I can still recall is when Eugene addressed Hui Sung , who was still unaware of the impact his family had in Eugene's life. "When there is a man in front of you whose heart has been torn out. You shouldn't say you're hurt.....That would be shameful." While I watched this, though a minor part. I felt the pain piercing through Eugene's stare as he addressed the son of the family that killed his parents. Also, the chemistry between Eugene and Lady Ae-Sin is spot on. One of my favorite scenes is when she drops out of nowhere and directs him to a meeting spot after she waited days for him to reply to her letter. In that space, she ends up getting the upper hand by grabbing his gun and while pointing it directly at his face proceeds to question him. Romantic huh? But, regardless of what they were doing their romance is captivating even without having to exchange words.

Everything so far has come together seamlessly. Yet, as beautiful as this drama truly is there is also a significant amount of loss. But, I do hope the writer pulls through towards the end and that they can save us (the viewers) from a sad ending.

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Very memorable, very touching

This was one of my first historic K-dramas, and my-oh-my, did it leave an impression!
It must be at least a year and a half (probably more) since I watched it, and I have watched endless hours of K- and C-dramas since, but this still has a special place in my memory.

First of all: The acting was top-notch. They brought their characters to life in such convincing ways, displaying their inner and out emotions so you can’t not connect. That goes for both the main leads, and several of the supporting.

And then: The script. How it weaved the love story into the depiction of this difficult time in history. It made me interested in finding out more about this part of South Korea’s history, as not really something we learn about here where I live (or it’s just that I’m too old so don’t remember from my school days 🤭).

The cinematography and music was also good as far as I can remember.
This is one of a handful of dramas I highly recommend to my friends, and one I can see myself watching over again.
Warning: You will probably cry.

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Tragic and impactful, MUST WATCH

Let's start with my favourite quote from the show:
"Noble woman always resorted to living vibrant, like a flower"
"I'm no different, I also live vibrant.
The only difference is that I want to be like a flame"
Breathtaking, heartbreaking and unpredictable are three adjectives I'd used to describe this drama.
Every scene, every dialogue and every glance makes you feel all types of emotions. This show is filled with such beautiful written characters who all have thier own stories. All the characters are shown as extremely capable and passionate individuals who are ready to fight for thier rights and protect thier loved ones, come what may. Especially the women really stand out,none of them are weak and clueless, be it swords,words or guns they're always ready for anything. This aspect really sets it apart compared to every other drama,the depth of the character and thier development just makes you fall for every character by the end of the show.
This show is tragic, in every way possible and that makes it beautiful. A failing country, a love that will obviously have a sad ending and unrequited love that has gone on for decades. Sacrifices one makes for its country and loved ones,Patriotism, fighting for equality in the unfair world and how powerful a country can be when they all come together, is so beautiful displayed.
The symbolic meaning of every scene gives you goosebumps. Its incredible the impact this show has on its viewers,especially knowing that this is based on historic events.
The writer has mixed up 3 languages Korean, Japanese and English without making it seem funny or awkward,which is extremely hard.

What made me a little dissapointed is that they took this unrequited love aspect to another level. It was extremely unrealistic how a man's heart never changes, especially if the other person isnt interested in him. I felt like some of the love aspects could have been tuned down a little. But I do understand that love played a very important role in the story and was essential. I must say the mid portion of the show was a little slow and frustrating, nothing much happened. They really put in alot in the last 3 episodes though,maybe could have extended and slowed down the the story from 20th episode as alot was happening.
But nevertheless, this show really leaves you broken and then healed, extremely amazing. I cried so hard that tears stopped coming.

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