This review may contain spoilers
Gun, glory and sad endings
I have a lot to say about this show so bear with me...First of all, this is not a love story, it's a story about the sacrifices one must make in order to protect what they love, whether that’s a person or a country, as happens with the two main leads.
This is an incredible show and I really don’t understand why it doesn’t get more recognition. Even if you forget the real inspiration behind the show and the fact that it’s based on a historical period, the cinematography, the acting and the ost, all together will make you travel back in time and be a part of this epic story. You’ll totally forget that you’re watching a drama, because everything will seem so real. You will connect to every single character and wish you were a part of this rebellion. Just like Eugene, by the end you’ll feel un urge to fight along side with them. Not because it’s your country that’s on the line but because you love the characters so much that you want to stay by their side and protect them at all costs.
I think I’ve never seen a show with so many outstanding characters. One of the aspects that makes this show shine so much (pun intended) is for sure the relationships and dynamics between all the characters. And I’m not just talking about romantic ones, but comradeship, devotion, mentoring and friendship. This show has more bromances than I can count and all the characters are so beautifully written that you can't help but root for every single one of them. I must refer to one of, if not the best triangle I’ve seen portrayed on a drama: the sword, the gun and the flower. Dong-mae, Eugene and Kim Hee-sung had such a great chemistry and I can’t even put into words how exciting and pleasing their scenes together were. These drinking buddies made me shed a lot of tears but also won over my heart and made smile the brightest.
Although I love the main couple and fall for Kim Tae-ri in every single role she plays (Ae-shin was no exception, she did a brilliant job), I must admit the 3 second leads stole my heart. I think they gave the show so much depth by portraying these complex and conflicting characters in an outstanding way, making the show far more interesting.
I wish Hee-sung had someone with him on his final moments, someone to cherish him and cry for him. For someone who always seemed to smile and bring a lightness to the scenes, I always found him a bit lonely. I wish I could say goodbye to him in a prettier place, somewhere where he could look up at the world with his hopeful, charming and secretive eyes that hid so much pain, but always seemed to look for the beautiful things in sight. He had a wonderful soul and I think the writers did a wonderful job with him giving him one of the best character developments of the show.
Hina Kudo and Dong-mae… I was mesmerized by these two. Their beauty and strength in a world that never treated them well, the fact that they overcame it and did what they had to do to survive. I think they saw and understood each other on a deeper level and there was true love between them but sadly like much on this show, love isn’t always enough and life gets in the way, specially in times of war. The scenes in the beach really broke me but they were one of my favourites of the whole show. They will stay with me for a really long time and I will miss them a lot.
I must say that I had some problems adjusting with the change of pace in the final episodes of the show. I think they spend a lot of time setting the mood and the context of a very fragile state of peace until BANG the plot explodes and hell breaks loose. However, I think maybe that was necessary for showing how wars begin in the first place and countries lose their independence.
This is not the kind of show you binge watch, mostly because sometimes it's just too painful. You have to stop, recharge and keep going. Emotionally it's very challenging but it's completely worth it.
Unlike Ae-Shin, we always knew what “sad ending” meant, we knew where we were going but still a part of us always hoped for a better outcome. But as they often reminded us along the season, a sad ending was always in the horizon. That said maybe it wasn't such a good idea to watch this right after I finished Scarlet Heart (yeah I did that). I’ve seen a lot of people comparing both dramas, and I can see why. However, I think there’s a big difference between the two: Sad endings vs. tragic endings.
In Mr.Sunshine, I feel like the deaths always had a higher purpose, they’re not just used to make us suffer. They represent the character’s choices and are always aligned with their personalities and with what we know matters the most to them. I feel like every person here died for a cause, they died fighting for what they believed in, to protect who they loved and that makes it easier to cope with I think, making it more sad and less tragic. It brings the bittersweet meaning to a whole new level though.
I saw in a comment somewhere that Ae-shin represented Korea. She was the precious thing everyone protected at all costs, the thing that a lot of people risked their lives for. As heartbreaking as it is, I think the fact they all loved her and sacrificed their lives for her, it’s because she was the future. This show really does an incredible job with symbolisms and this is the major one. You can see it clearly in the final scene, where she’s holding the flag: she outlived them all because she’s the future, and she carries with her every single person who died for her, they’re all a part of her, she has in her all their spirits representing the Korean people at its finest hour and carrying them to a brighter day. This a true love letter to the Korean people, a tribute to their spirit, strength and courage.
This show made me learn a lot about korean history and I came to admire the korean people even more. I think the strength they all had to have to not give up their nation and fight for it until their very last breath was really touching and to me moved me more than any romance plot.
That said, I think this is a remarkable story, told in the most breathtaking and meaningful way, a real masterpiece. I'm very thankful for all the work they put on this show and to all the actors who brought this complex and mesmerizing characters to life that I will keep in my heart for a really long time.
It was a long journey that made me cry my eyes out, but also made me laugh, hate, hope, fear and love along with them! <3
Goodbye and see you again…
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Secondly, I would like to thank the writer and director for being so damn good in casting these characters. I could not imagine if any other celebrities to act well as these casting did! I fall in love with all these main roles. Kim Tae Ri did so much super damn good in portraying her character. Fall in love with her the moment saw her on the roof with the black spy attire. I love Eugene Choi! He is such a manly character, matured and his voice is so much cool. Lee Byung Hun and Kim Tae Ri succeed in portraying their chemistry as the main lead characters. Dong Mae, Kudo Hina and Hui Seong did such an awesome art work... They really did best in this drama. This drama won't be this damn good without them.
Heartbreaking love story, but I do really fond this drama. After watching this drama for thrice, I still could not move on to the other drama yet. This drama successfully attached me and somehow I did saw them in my dream. Hahahahaha... Being so much dramatic now, but I do recommend you guys to watch this drama sooner.
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APPLAUSE!!!
I started watching this drama without knowing what to expect. I've never watched anything for Lee Byung Hun before so I was a bit discouraged.
BUT MY GOSH!!
I absolutely loved this!! The cast, the acting, the music, the directing, the outfits, the dialogue, not a single plot hole!
Every single actor played their character effortlessly and perfectly conveying the emotions beautifully! I was so immersed in the drama for 2 whole months.
The plot of the drama is not what I expected at all. I expected mainly a war/revenge focused plot, but it wasn't like that at all. It had friendship, romance, revenge, bromance, and war all executed perfectly.
I haven't enjoyed watching a drama this much in so long bravo!!
P.S. I watched the drama while it was airing two episodes every week on netflix and in my opinion that's one of the reasons I was able to enjoy it so much. It's a long drama with long episodes and so many things going on each episode. So for some people, it might be boring or too much.
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I knew that this drama would come with lots of heart wrecking moments. Moments that moved me so often because the story did an excellent groundwork of its characters. There were so many facettes of each of them, you unknowingly start to root for everyone, even though some of them might have started out with your disliking. Although... No, actually not. I never really disliked anyone who didn't deserve it. It's exciting to see everyone's story develop, to see where their decisions lead them. They are like branches, pointed towards different paths, and yet grew from the same tree. And in the end the wind blows them in the same direction.
I never felt that the story would move forward too slow because each scene was important to me. Like enjoying a good wine. Every tiny moment sucks you in and doesn't let go. And with all the historical background it was exciting and refreshing to hear at least 3 (sometimes even 4) different languages throughout the whole drama. Though I can't judge the Japanese parts, the English ones sounded pretty good to me.
This is not a drama that blends you with a stunning cinematography, pretty costumes and a nice setting, just to cover up a lacking story. This drama does have all these things AND a convincing and fullfilling plot which makes it a gem in this massive pool of dramas.
It's a story about friendship, loyalty, bravery, love and sacrifice. And it would be a shame to miss out on it.
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A veritable masterpiece
What an epic, sweeping masterpiece. This story is full of heart, han, and jeong. It is deeply patriotic to Korea. I am almost envious of that level of national pride. Where I'm from, we are all hyphenated identities; an amalgamation of immigrants living our lives in the same physical location. I don't know all my East-Asian history, but it's almost overwhelming to think about how a tiny nation could be so powerful (or so vulnerable) and how quick we are to forgive and/or forget things in the not-so-distant past.I appreciate the moments of levity, love, and friendship too. This show depicts ALL the emotions and facets of life. Kim Eun-sook is known as the master of quippy one-liners — and for good reason! Somehow, all the characters endear themselves to us. My heart is full and aches at the same time.
Guns, glory, and sad endings indeed.
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Gun. Glory. Sad Ending.
"My romance lies in the muzzle of a German rifle. Who knows? How you saw me that night could have been romance in and of itself."I watched this drama without any knowledge of Korean history which is why I was a bit confused in the first two episodes. I almost dropped it, but I'm glad that I didn't (because I'll surely regret it in the future) and decided to continue watching it. And after the third episode, I realized that this is the best kdrama that I've ever watched.
Everything about this drama is almost perfect, if not perfect. The storyline, character development, cinematography (which is top-notch), OSTs (whose lyrics were all beautifully written) and most importantly, the emotions that it evoked from the viewers. All the characters are memorable: from the main characters, to the minor ones, and even the cameos. The actors portrayed their roles flawlessly but the writer should also be commended with the way she wrote each of the characters who are perfectly imperfect in their own ways.
What I love the most in this drama are the dialogues of the characters which are so impactful and meaningful. I feel like I'm watching a movie and reading a book at the same time. It's amazing how "Protecting you", "Maybe it's the end of jealousy", and "I don't even know my way around Joseon, and yet I'm walking toward somewhere far away" can be a love confession, and how "I will pray for you and console you" and "You should keep moving forward, I am taking a step back" can show how much you care for someone.
When I finished watching this for the first time, what remained in my mind are the emotions that I felt throughout the story. But when I rewatched it, I appreciated the story even more and I find it more exquisite than the first time I watched it. I came to notice the little details and the symbolisms used which I didn't notice before. It may be hard to rewatch this because of the number of episodes and the pain that it'll bring, but I do think that it is worthwhile.
I don't know if I'll ever come across another drama as great as Mr. Sunshine, but even so, this drama will surely have a special place in my heart.
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I'm on my 7th rewatch
There's something new to love, laugh, or cry over every single time. The story is a sweeping epic told during turn of the century Korea at cusp of war with 5 complex main leads. Each lead is well fleshed out with their own stories and motives and come together in a most satisfying way.It's a beautifully written ensemble cast; each time I choose one character, major or minor, to follow through the story.
Every actor and actress hold their own in this.
I've cried every time I've watched this drama. I can also cry the soundtrack of the drama.
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if I had to choose 3 dramas that can kinda reflect on my drama preferences, then this drama would be num1. it has everything I look enjoy in any type of show;
1- strong independent smart yet soft and awkward female lead
2- clean cut cold dark traumatized male lead that is naive and clueless
3- a beautiful elegant smart fashionable business woman
4- a brutal messy killer with a sad life/story
5- a ragged disheveled playboy that loves "beauty" and hates hard work
and many many more layered and interesting side characters all intertwined in a beautiful story about protecting a country.
if I were to describe the guys' reaction to Ae Sin's life choices I'd say;
Hui Seong wanted to be a shadow Ae Sin could hide in
Dong Mae wanted to tie her down/stop her from doing anything that put her in harms way
and Eugene wanted to walk by her side.
I'm currently rewatching it so I'll fix this review later ;p
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Sweeping Epic
"Mr. Sunshine" is a grand story, taking place in Korea during the 1895-1910 time frame, as the Japanese gradually, and brutally, colonize Korea. We watch as the characters are swept from their old lives into a new, ugly era. It is a heavy story, and (slight spoiler) the ending is true to the that heaviness.What did I like?
The main characters are distinctive with their own internal conflicts. The main character, Eugene Choi, was born in the slave class of Korea; as a child he escaped to the USA, and decades later returned to Korea as an officer in the Marine Corps. Eugene maintains his American identity to the end, but paradoxically falls in love with the aristrocrat-turned-assassin Go Ae Shin. Go Ae Shin is universally respected and cherished, a symbol of what's good in Korea; when she met a boy from a butcher family (a social status similar to Eugene's), that boy, Gu Dong Mae, called her a "spoiled, noble fool", which so haunts her that she eventually joins the anti-Japanese militia. After that encounter Gu Dong Mae had escaped to Japan, where he joins a yakuza-like organization, and then returns to Korea to lead a group of swordsmen who wreak havoc on Korea. Kim Hui Seong also has returned from Japan to his wealthy Korean family, ostensibly to marry his betrothed, Ae Shin, but he struggles with a vague alienation from his social standing. Rounding out the main cast is Kudo Hina, the daughter of a traitorous and powerful Korean official; Hina is a young widow, whose wealthy Japanese husband died under mysterious conditions, leaving Hina enough money to build a large hotel in Hanseong (Seoul).
These characters engage with each other and the contrasts are interesting and entertaining. As their own personal histories become overshadowed by the growing Japanese crisis, for their own reasons they converge, and this convergence (more so than the war itself) is the center of the story. There's some off-beat humor that comes with this convergence (the humor helps to convey the convergence), as these people grow closer even with obvious reasons to not like one another.
The acting is superior. I saw the characters as people. My only concern would be that some of the bad guys were over the top, but the historical record suggests that the actors in some of the villainous roles may have underplayed it a bit.
The cinematography is gorgeous, both inside and out. I have a whole list of locations in South Korea I now want to visit. The production values are high -- obviously I don't know what exactly Hanseong looked like in 1903, but I buy the details that they're presenting.
What did I not like?
The show has action-packed war scenes looming, and yet it's character-driven with gorgeous imagery, which means some folks thought the pace was way too slow. I tend to luxuriate in these scenes, particularly as I need to read the bottom of the screen for the translation of the dialogue, but, yes, the story often drags. Scenes where Eugene and Ai Sin are alone, simply conversing with one another, could be the worst culprits.
In spite of the slow pace and the lengthy close-ups, the character development does have a bit of a hole to it: Why are these three guys so devoted to Ai Sin? She is pretty and passionate and pure of heart, and maybe that's enough. We don't really get significant personal interactions that would show the development of the relationship, and the story felt a bit thin here.
Finally, to reiterate, this is a heavy show. Between episodes, I found myself repeatedly asking "Was it really that bad?" And the answer was generally "Yes, and it's going to get worse." There is no way I could re-watch 35 hours of this any time soon, as entertaining as I thought the series was. In addition to pondering the fates of these characters, I spent so much time thinking about what really happened, and my understanding of the history of that period has gotten darker. Now I need to find some some light-hearted romantic comedy.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Slow but absolutely worth all the time put into it (May need to fast forward at times)
*Some mild spoilers*Mr. Sunshine is seriously one of my favorite kdramas of all time. Honestly it's astounding that the scriptwriter for this kdrama is the same as the one from Heirs. This is undoubtedly her best work and it will be difficult to top this. It's bizarre that not that many international fans talked about this drama compared to the Heirs etc.
The story and the characters was absolutely beautiful. I think all the main characters were nuanced and tragic in the same way.
The con of the story is honestly how slow it could be. There were times I would simply fast forward through Lee Byung Hyun and Kim Tae Ri's scenes, simply because they would be staring at one another for so damn long. Additionally, their age difference was so unnerving to me, especially because Kim Tae Ri looks much younger than her age and Lee Byung Hyun looks obviously 40.
But I understand why they casted him. His character was difficult to portray and to some I would understand why they would call him boring, but to be able to make me actually like and understand this kind of stoic character (not really he also has a lot of comedic moments without Ae Shin).
The side characters Gu Dong Mae and Lee Yang Hwa (Kudo Hina) CARRY THE HELL OUT OF THIS DRAMA. Because the main characters are the respectable and noble heros, these two are the anti-heros and much more grey but oh my god their acting and their story DESTROYED ME.
Mr. Sunshine is an experience and I'm so glad I watched it. Truly beautiful and the metaphors behind the characters elevate it way past a simple historical romance kdrama.
The OST is great. I finished the drama months ago, but I still listen to the ballads to this day and I hate ballads normally.
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Very memorable
I first watched this drama when I was still new to dramas a few years ago and decided to rewatch it with my husbad because he showed a little interest to the historical aspect of a different drama. And this one has a lot of History in it.This is one of those dramas that is builds up a story almost painfully slowly with lots of details. The pace varies a lot sometimes it feels like everything happens at once, other times may feel like filler episodes that packed with seemingly unnecessary details. However as the story progresses even the smallest detail is put in to place, and everything is tied together. Emotional, beautiful and worth every single moment of build up, and yes the build up is long.
It is a drama that will leave a lastning impression, with some scenes that are so powerful that no matter how many dramas you watch, afterwords they will still stay vivd in your mind .
Rewatching this drama, I noticed a lot of details that I had missed the first time, so not only do I recommend a first watch but also a rewatch.
P.S. Some of those vivd scenes came a lot earlier and others a lot later then I remembered, yet each little detain of those very memorable scenes where indeed just as I remembered them.
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