This review may contain spoilers
Working together for the third time, Writer Kim Eun-sook and Director Lee Eung-bok forged yet again another drama into a landmark. Masterfully melded with realism and romanticism, Mr. Sunshine offers an indelible image of the waning age of the Korean Empire. By far the most ambitious K-drama ever mounted, it's a legendary saga of romance and war told in an unforgettably cinematic style.Every episode is like a mini-movie offering hardened yet vibrant characters, panoramic views, and emotionally-gripping action, climaxes, and plot twists. Further enhanced by heart-rousing OSTs, it's one of those black pearl-rare dramas that keep the viewer entranced right from the episode's very beginning and wired up to its last scene only to re-watch the whole episode again to fully savour and comprehend its magnificent scale and dramatic mystique.
Aforesaid praises aside, this drama is worth watching for the intelligent and memorable characterisations by a constellation of the brightest acting talents ever assembled. Protagonist or foe, adult or child, in main, supporting, or cameo roles - we've grown to either hate them or adore. It stars Lee Byung-hun as the righteous, enigmatic, and romantic USMC Capt. Eugene Choi; Kim Tae-ri as the sharp-shootin' spunky noblelady Go Ae-sin; Yoo Yeon-seok as the hapless romantic gang boss Gu Dong-mae; Kim Min-jung as the enchanting hotelier/fencing femme fatale Kudo Hina; Byun Yo-han as the noble-hearted dashing nobleman Kim Hui-seong; Choi Moo-sung as the hardy yet hearty gunner Jang Seung-gu; Kim Kap-soo as the famed potter/RA's revered leader Hwang Eung-san; Kim Eui-sung as the uber-wicked Lee Wan-ik; Lee Ho-jae as the venerable Lord Go; and many more.
In watching Mr. Sunshine, we've witnessed how noble, self-abnegating love works; how character is built; how unlikely friendships are formed; how loyalty is won; how cultural stereotypy of femininity is 'lunged' at and/or 'sniped'; how grace and equanimity can be maintained under surmounting pressure; and above all, how to make a difference esp. in a period of constant change and great tumult.
Two and a half hand-spans and back, we circumspectly yet excitedly nagivated the intricate terrains of Eugene's and Ae-sin's hearts as we concurrently entered into a world of history. At the end of our long journey, some of us have been left intrigued and wondering thus warranting a peer-back with critical eyes through the fog of time to re-examine important world events at the dawn of the 20th century. It is without a doubt that Mr. Sunshine not only left us overwhelmingly entertained but also edified.
Kudos to Kim Eun-sook for her astute and dynamic story-telling; to Lee Eung-bok for his meticulous and gorgeous camera work; to all the actors for their topnotch performances; to the crew for their diligent and painstaking efforts; and last but certainly not least, to fellow fans of Mr. Sunshine for helping make the drama an immensely enjoyable watch down to the last minute through your percipient comments, clever reviews, and delightful artworks.
Until next time.
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Maybe not your typical kdrama
To quote a line I heard somewhere before: This is not a love story, this is a story about love. There are no kissing scenes, there is no PDA, very little flirting. But there is more meaning in the way the characters talk to each other, look at each other, act for each other.One of the reasons I really like this show is the character interactions. You don't just care for the 5 main characters, you learn to love everyone around them as well. The first few episodes are focused mainly on the development of the character backgrounds and understanding the role of each character (because there are SO MANY). Many people got bored around the middle part which I agree I felt too. But stick to the story and it won't disappoint. Or maybe it will? Hehehe. Starting episode 14, the story really kicks off and the plot moves a lot quicker.
Maybe not everyone will like how it ends but I think it's what makes it so meaningful for me. (I still don't think I'm over this story)
If you're looking for a story with a good plot, loveable characters and great cinematography, I suggest you give this a try. You will both love and hate this drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
guns, glory, sand ending.At first I thought this drama would end happily in a fairy tale, ending with "living happily forever."
but unfortunately not.
the story is quite complicated for me to explain,
Sweet love from Yoo Jin and Ae Shin that made me laugh.
Hui Seong's unrequited love.
hidden love from Dong mae.
story "betrayal, and death.
everything ends sadly.
and of course it really drained my tears.
especially in the last few episodes. You need a lot of tissue to remove your tears.
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Great cast, great acting, failed to remain interesting
I'm not someone who drops stuff left and right, it pains me to do so most of the time. But my time is valuable and I've been dragging this show for a few years, never being able to summon the interest to finish it. After watching a few more episode and being mostly bored out of my mind, I decided it was time to pull the plug on it.The acting is good, the cast is all stars, the first few episodes are very nice. I usually like political intrigues and romance and stuff. But my good the pacing... Again, I'm a former cinema student, I've seen worse and the pacing isn't something that will affect my watching experience most of the time. Except when it's starting to drag THAT much that early on. Except when the funny ha-ha jokes to brighten the mood get far and fewer between. Except when I cannot even really hold on to the romance to keep some kind of motivation to know how it's going to end up.
I made it up to more than halfway, about 60%+ in fact, and I don't care what happens anymore. It becoming so complicated and my lack of interest in the plot might not help me to understand what's going on, but like... the stakes are soooo high all the time that it weirdly feels like they don't matter anymore. The only few people I still care about are Goo Dong Mae and Kudo Hina. But there are not the main, so I won't stick around to find out how they end up.
I think it can still be a good show though, if you binge it. Is it bingeable? Really not sure. But don't spend too much time between each episode, because in my experience, you'll get lost and you will start to not care slowly but surely, and drop it as well . Or finish it, but by fighting against your better judgement.
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Maybe a Masterpiece for the regional audience¿¿..??
Historical dramas could be a lot more meaningful to regional audiences who may have lived through it. However for a global audience looking for pure entertainment this may not have such a deep impact.Everything was okay for me and I would've given it a 7 or 8, but there was a jarring situation.
Taking the risk of being cursed by the star -obsessed fans of the region, I must say that the lead couple was JARRING.
They were mismatched and uncomfortable with each other, there was no chemistry, in fact there was a certain distance or coolness to the relationship that went against the storyline.
The FL - as brilliant as I've seen her in other dramas- had one singular expression throughout. She looked like a 12 year old obstinate child. That's it. It didn't waver.
All the 3 male leads falling in love with her was a bit ridiculous to watch.
The romantic thread between these 2 totally mismatched and chemistry-less leads just messed up the drama for me.
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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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Indeed a Masterpiece.
This was a complex and sophisticated story but it was not hard to understand, I really enjoyed watching this and I'm glad it was not a waste of time. Every episode felt like a movie thus this is not a bingeable show. Mr Sunshine is not for everyone, it's really mature, detailed, slow paced and long. To my surprise I never got bored watching this I was so invested in it. The best thing I like about this drama is the character development as well as the characters. Every character was unique and developed in some way and it was interesting watching their relationships blossom. As for the two leads considering their age gap, they had amazing chemistry. You would feel every emotion while watching this. I cannot necessarily rewatch the whole thing, this is one of those dramas that I love but I can't bear to rewatch. Do I think it needed 24 episodes? no but each episode led up to something thus it was worth the watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Very good k-drama
I loved it although the ending was sad, I rarely cry and this k-drama almost made me cry so gonna clap to that. I would not recommend to watch this as your first k-drama because it will set your standards too high. I don't understand why this kdrama has 8.9/10 Because personally for me as a fan of romantic war I loved this. Although some scenes (usually the crying ones) looked a bit unnatural but other than that, the plot was amazing. I really loved the characters except the age gap kind of bothered me.. I honestly can't look at other k-dramas the same way because this one was just amazing and I didn't not know a k-drama could be this dramatic. I would most definitely rewatch this because after i finished watching the k-drama i just felt so empty. This k-drama really got me waiting for new episodes.Was this review helpful to you?
If you ask me what I consider amazing in this drama for you to watch it, I'd say everything is amazing. Have you ever wondered what a drama would look like without flaws? Mr. Sunshine is a flawless drama; from its cast, its storyline, how everything was directed, and everything in between.
I know that a lot of people tend to avoid historical genre dramas, but hear me out. While I believe that a lot of other historical dramas are good and have their own charm, Mr. Sunshine is in another class of its own. It wouldn't be boring as you might expect it to be, because this drama was set during the time Japan was conquering Korea and right before World War 1 (1914), so industrialization was already taking place; guns, trains, electricity, and whatnot were already being used. While certain elements of the story were fictitious, a lot of the story was still based on the true history of Korea; so you could learn a lot about their history and culture. Dramas like this tend to be slow, while Mr. Sunshine isn't necessarily a fast-paced drama, it isn't really a slow one either despite having 24 episodes. When you're watching, you won't feel the drama being draggy, and after watching all episodes you'll realize that not one episode passed by without having something meaningful happen.
Now let's talk about some of the notable things that made this drama so perfect:
1) The cast: The cast was perfectly handpicked. Every single one of them played their role perfectly. You could actually feel their emotions being displayed in full throttle as if they were actually living in this drama itself. I believe that all the cast in Mr. Sunshine deserves an award for their acting, and some of them did. Lee Byung Hun won the best actor award, and Yoo Yeon Seok won the best supporting actor award respectively, beating out other amazing actors from other amazing dramas that also have one of the highest ratings in My Mister, Mother, and Prison Playbook. Unfortunately, Kim Tae Ri didn't win the best new actress award, but she still deserves the praise and nomination nonetheless.
2) The plot: The story was so rich! The writers did an amazing job crafting such an amazing story, and I can't stress this enough. What's more amazing is how they managed to direct such an amazing story to make it even better. The whole drama was so smooth and I didn't feel like there was part of the drama that should've been removed. The cinematography was great and the production of the film itself deserves an Oscar. You don't really have to worry about non-essential episodes wasting your time because Mr. Sunshine did not have any filler episodes; every single episode was meaningful and contributed to the build-up of the whole storyline.
3) The music: Well, not much can be said about this but I just wanted to put it out there. The OSTs of Mr. Sunshine perfectly fit the theme, and highlights/magnifies the emotion felt of every scene perfectly.
Overall, as I said, Mr. Sunshine is the best. I've never been this attached to a drama ever, and I think I'll be forever scarred by it as well. Prepare yourself fully before watching this, as you'll have your emotional sensitivity automatically set-up on high during most of the drama. In certain scenes, I was trying to hold my heart in my chest as it literally felt like my heart would explode from all the crying. I kid you not, prepare yourself for one emotionally unstable roller coaster. Please do consider watching this masterpiece of a drama, I'm sure you won't regret it.
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This review may contain spoilers
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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The characters & acting were marvelous, Lee Byung Hun is great in any role he does & he did his role perfectly & it’s suited him perfectly.. but Gu Dong Mae won my heart fair & square.. his acting, his role & his background story were all great that touched my heart.. it’s my first time seeing Yoo Yeon Seok & he actually win a spot in me with his great acting.
My only problem were Go Ae Sin character.. I don’t know exactly what it was but I found her character the least interesting in all.. Kim Tae Ri is a great actress & she did her best in this role but I feel that her age wasn’t suitable for this role especially with her baby face which made her look more younger.. I believe that Ha Ji Won would suit this role more action wise & age wise.. she is one of the top actresses who aces action roles most.
I believe that this drama can go shorter as I skipped many scenes which didn’t affect the story.. also I found the middle part were lengthy & a bit boring because of the fillings.
In the end I didn’t regret watching it.. the ending was full of tears with me but I knew it would end like this.. a memorable show indeed..
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