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Holds up well with repeated viewings
This was a show that had it all: romance, action, drama, comedy, eye candy, bromance. This is one of the few shows that I can watch repeatedly, and catch something new every time.STORY/WRITING: I was so impressed with how this show was written. There were some seriously swoon-worthy lines, but I think what I loved the most was the comedy aspects of it. In the midst of a show with serious stuff going on, there were many refreshing moments of humor. The writer was able to continuously change gears so we, as the viewers, were never actually able to settle in comfortably. The action was interspersed throughout all the episodes, so there were no draggy periods, and just when you think you can't handle the stress, something funny would happen. The four main characters were written so well and they meshed together, playing off one another in a real way. The bromance between the two male leads was very engaging, as was the relationship between the female leads that resulted from a bad situation in their past. And the conversations when the women took sides against the men were a hoot.
ACTORS/CHARACTERS: Song Joong Ki as Yoo Shi Jin. He fit the mold of romantic lead perfectly, and when I found out he had just been released from the military three months before working on this show, I could understand why he seemed so comfortable in the role of a soldier. His character was very principled, loyal, and dedicated. He loved his country and he loved Kang Mo Yeon. He was fiercely protective of her. There were many, many moments of intense staring by him as he looked at her, and when you couple that with his boyish good looks and charm, and you've got the whole package. He was just so likeable.
Song Hye Kyo as Kang Mo Yeon - this was a difficult character for me. She's a wonderful actress but I often didn't like her character. She was a doctor and strong because of that, but in relation to Yoo Shi Jin, I felt that she was too wishy washy. She would tell him things that sounded like she didn't want to get involved, yet she flirted. She wanted everything to be black and white, when often life is shades of gray.
Jin Goo as Seo Dae Young - at the outset, you might be tempted to think that this character is cold and unemotional. He, also, was very protective of the woman he loved. Jin Goo was excellent at showing such depths of emotion with just the expression in his eyes.
Kim Ji Won as Yoon Myeong Ju - I've seen this actress in a couple of things and she plays the bitchy woman well. She is, to a certain degree, the same in this role. She's strong and knows what she wants, and does what she can to achieve things, while bucking up against circumstances trying to hold her back.
CHEMISTRY - I cannot say enough about how good the chemistry was between the couples themselves and the friendships they had with one another and the people that they worked with, both the soldiers and the medical staff. I was not overly surprised that the main leads had gotten married in real life following making DOTS. Sadly, they divorced last year.
OST - though there were a few times that I felt that the music was overly dramatic, for the most part it was terrific. Some of the same artists did excellent music in Crash Landing on You as well. There was one part in the show when the main song, rather than using vocals, was played on the cello and it brought such beautiful emotion to the scene.
I do have to say I didn't like the ending, the feel completely broke from the rest of the show and was just silly. Also, I know they have medical advisors for these shows, so why is the medical stuff always so inaccurate? How they do CPR, what they do to save someone after drowning, how when a patient pulls out their own IV it never hurts and it never bleeds. This is certainly not the only drama guilty of this.
I watched his show when I first started watching Asian dramas, and it's still as good after having seen it numerous times.
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Perfect combinations!
Where should I even start from?The skilled action scenes that are just perfect enough to create tension without being too draggy, the natural comedy that is much needed after intense scenes, especially when it appears in least expected scenarios, the medical aspect that is flawlessly intertwined with the military portion of the drama, or should I start from the love story itself?
Many dramas have a mixture of genres, but fusing them together so beautifully is what matters, and this drama not only succeeded at it, but you may say it mastered it even!
There really were no dull moments across the whole drama, which is quite rare honestly. Usually, somewhere in the middle, dramas seem to lose their charm, making the audience wish to just finish it off as quickly as possible, just to get to the end, and this is definitely not the case here at all. In fact, not sure if it is a plot driven or character driven story but it seems to be a mixture of them both as well, so there's always something that is developing whether it is the story line or the characters themselves.
So let me summarise the things I appreciated and loved the most about the drama...
~STORY pace
Its relatively fast pace is very easy to follow without getting bored at any time, especially since there's always something happening, almost as if there's no time to breathe. Having said that, even withing its action pack plot involving natural disaster for instance, it has its own moments of peace and tranquil, where characters are seen, reflecting, regretting, laughing, crying, mourning...growing really, keeping it very balanced and realistic.
Talking about the love story in particular, I'm quite surprised how though their professions are the polar opposite, there's still some sort of commonality which acts as the base upon which their relationships develops. The secondary couple's love story is worth mentioning too, just like each and every other characters's story as well.
It is truly admirable how it manages to keep a high quality from the very first episode till the last one.
~CHARACTERS, every single one of them!
It is very rare to find a drama where every character is loved, and this is one of those dramas for sure. In fact every character in this drama seems to be a scene stealer, whether they appear for one or many scenes, it feels like they've always been part of the story! Be it the medical or military team, the way each one of them showed their courage, vulnerability, sincerity and humanity is really commendable!
Not only the chemistry between the leads is heart touching, heart flattering or even heart wrenching, the chemistry between every other characters in general is what keeps the drama tied up together till the very end. So every emotion comes across very sincere and heartfelt.
Special mention to the acting of the lead couple, the way their eyes conveyed so much throughout the drama, maybe even words couldn't do justice in those scenes, so very well done to both Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo. Also the secondary couples' chemistry was top notch too, as most of the time they were parted, still their love and passion towards each other was very evident.
If you are wondering if it is a 'over-hyped' drama, then let me tell you that that's what I thought too, and then decided to give it a go after all these years. Eventually I was surprised myself realising how it didn't disappoint me at all! So I would of course recommend this drama if you want to experience an adventure of sincere love, team work at best and honest portrayal of vulnerable emotions.
PS. The cinematography is wonderful, whether it is how beautiful locations were shot or even how the disastrous settings were created and filmed very realistically! The OST also was very adequate, which helped enhance emotions and create unique atmosphere.
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This review may contain spoilers
Descendants of the Sun is unique in its storyline
This drama has a combination of amazing music, fabulous scenaries, great cast, each and everyone of the characters are built in great detail, both main couples have an extraordinary chemistry, there is constant action, is not boring, has rommance and comedy, but I think the storyline is the most important of all. Setting the controvery bewteen the different missions of doctors and the miltary, by saving lives or killing to protect people, opens up the different perspectives the characters have to face, learn and then accept that is what happens in real life.Furthermore, the drama brings up moral values, patriotism, love for the country, love for their professions, fulfilling duties, honorable actions, all of that so devaluated these days.
There are two scenes worth mentioned, whe they are standing facing the flag every morning and the honor to those hurt in the earthquake. The main character said he always protects "the beautiful women, the elderly and the children." There was no one moment I didn't enjoy this drama. The part of the "speakers on" were everyone heard her message is hilarious. Also worth mention is the Private Kim Ki Bum character, it starts as a supporting cast but for me he became part of the main cast, that relevant was his performance.
I have watch Asian dramas for many years now, and I can say this is at the top of my favorite Korean dramas.
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Love the Song-Song Couple on this drama
Loved the Song-Song couple in this drama. The story is engaging and is the type that will keep you wanting to watch until the end. The couple started out bickering but quickly enough, SJ got attracted to MY. The setting as well as the story gave a nice backdrop to the blossoming romance between the two. The Song-Song couple truly was very nice to watch together onscreen. The chemistry between the support leads is really good too. I wish they will have their own drama where they will be the leads. [kdramabinge.com]Was this review helpful to you?
Saruman thrillingly approves!
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Beautiful
This was my first ever K drama and I couldn't wish for sometime better.I liked it very much and cried a lot (no spoilers though;3)
I have and unauthorised fable for military dramas/guys since I watched that.
And I love when someone shows off with skills and knowledge which they do a lot here.
On top of this it has humour at all the right places and a brilliant bromance too!
I don't really wantch straight romance dramas anymore but once in a while (mostly when I need comfort-) I come back to this and enjoy a good drama :3
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Once something drags on for too long, i normally get the strongest urge to skip parts, because i get impatient, but i did not skip any scenes in this drama, and that scores highly in my book of dramas.
I don't like dramas that have things moving along very quickly, and are shallow with no in-depth analysis of some kind, but this drama shows an almost perfect balance between comedy, romance, reality, and the seriousness that comes from all of them combining. I definitely recommend giving this a go!
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Great romance! and AMAZING ending
So I initially started this drama back when it was airing, then life happened and I never finished (I had two episodes left). However, I liked it very much then and I really wanted to cross it out of my watchlist. So after 5 years, I was finally ready and rewatched it again, and oh boy was I in for a ride.The chemistry between the leads was there from the get go. Their acting was great. The music was simply outstanding and added extra value to all the most important moments. There was no silly love triangle, and the second leads were also superb. I remember watching it the first time I was head over heels for Sergeant Seo and had exactly the same opinion as MyeongJu when they ask if she likes the ML. Watching it this time, I could finally understand why so many women and girls were squeeling for ML, as the actor and his character were so charismatic and so confident that you could not help it just love him the way FL did.
The things I liked less was horrible English thrown here and there by ML mostly but some other secondary characters too, it was really cringy and did not match the emotions of the scenes they were used in (however kudos to the FL, she portrayed the emotions well even when she was speaking in English, and it was actually decent). The same sentiment goes to most of the supporting non-Korean cast, their acting was less than great...
Additionally, while the story was interesting and well written, the show could have easily finished after the doctors return to korea.. The ending of that episode was good and wrapped everything up. However, the rest of the episodes were engaging and served the viewers some GREAT romantic scenes, heartbreak and everything in between so who am I to complain?
Judging the drama by the standards of all the tv shows ever made it is definitely not perfect and some flaws are very significant. Judging by the standards of romantic tv shows and especially romantic kdramas? It is outstanding. Cheese, chemistry, love, emotional OST and finally finally a great ending not sometime in a thousand years or in another life but here and there for the characters I so easily came to love. If I had to evaluate the joy this drama brought me it would be 12/10.
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Sometimes too cheesy but still a good watch
Saw the show after hearing so much hype around it and it certainly didn't disappoint. From the action to the story arcs, everything was well executed. There were moments where it felt a little dragged and sometimes to cheesy but overall was a good watch.The humor was quite on point and gave some really good memorable moments, be it the dance during the idol concert or trying to stop the girls from opening the parcel.
The show gives you all you need from an army based show and tells about all the sacrifices the soldiers make to protect the country and their loved ones.
Song- Song couple might not be together in real life but for sure will remain one of the best onscreen ones till now. SJK as a soldier and SHK as a doctor were perfect casting. I was skeptical at first regarding SJK playing an army officer as he doesn't really has that stature but he did justice to his character.
KimJiWon as always nailed the character and her love story arc with JinGoo was cherry on cake. Her being a feisty and extroverted girl while him being calm and composed. Both helped each other grow and face problems together instead of running away.
The show's ost was quite good too and matched well with the vibe os the show and characters.
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Acting wise, I felt like it was OK. No memorable performance. Some cute romantic scenes, sure.
The soundtrack was enjoyable.
Overall, I would say there are better dramas out there to invest your time in.
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