Mr. Sunshine (2018)

Mr Sunshine is a long ride. 24 episodes long, with a massive plot, great performances and a tragic ending, this one is not one of the usual fluff k dramas. Now, I'm only a bit familiar with Korean history, so I'm not sure if this drama was historically accurate. But if you don't mind your dramas to be kind of fictional and you like to focus on the current story that you are watching, then you won't be disappointed with this drama.
However, even though the story was good and very impressive, the drama had a slow start. It felt like it was dragging on for the first half. In the second half, fortunately, it picked up. The action scenes were more plenty and the plot thickened. Kudos for the ending as well, as it was bold to conclude things like this.
Moreover, the performances were excellent from all the actors and they were many many characters in this drama, so it was harder to pull off concistant performances from all of them. One thing that bothered me though, was the constant changing of the language of the dialogues throughout the drama. But that might not bother everyone.
Finally, the costumes and settings were really good and felt original and well made. Though the soundtrack wasn't that impressive, it suited the drama's mood well enough.
So, overall, 7 out of 10.

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When I watch Mr. Sunshine, I feel like I am watching an Oscar nominated film.

Mr. Sunshine is comprised of everything you would want in a drama. It has a stunning and talented cast, mesmerizing cinematography, an engaging and compelling plot that keeps you hooked begging for the next episode, complex/dimensional characters, quotable writing, and even comic relief. Don't let the first episode fool you in terms of heaviness as this drama has plenty of laughs to balance the grittiness. I find myself laughing throughout the entire episode, in between my tears. Each episode just gets better, and nothing feels like it's dragged, there's not an overdone use of flashbacks or that thing kdramas do when they the repeat a scene 5 times from different angles so we can see each side of the characters (like, can we just see the scene once from one angle, do we need to see them do the same thing 5 times in 5 different angles?? Thank you, Mr. Sunshine, for not doing this.) Honestly, this show has it all and it is now on my list of my favorite kdramas to date.

What I think I like most about Mr. Sunshine besides it being absolutely beautiful to look at is the characters. The main leads are compelling, as well as the rest of the main cast who have me rooting for them as well as feeling for them. They are layered, their decisions are not hasty, and they are not the types of characters you normally see in dramas. These characters really feel like humans making human decisions; I can see their reasoning, their logic, and empathize with them. Eugene defends his country, while feeling his ties to Korea, while Ae-Shin defends her country, which is Korea, and both of them are committed to their causes whilst figuring out their feelings for each other and how they can balance both. Dong-Mae, who rises from nothing, is someone I empathize with and somehow also root for despite his not so commendable actions, along with Hui-Seong, who turns to vices to fight with his inner demons. I honestly love them all and cannot get enough! Once this drama is finished, I know I will miss them dearly, like old friends.

Something else I must mention is the portrayal of the female characters. BRAVO WRITERS for writing such strong, smart, clever, and independent women who do not need a man to rescue them. Both Ae-Shin and Hina are absolutely AMAZING! Girl power! They are both autonomous, self-reliant women who stand up for their causes and do not run away from danger. They do not sit still, and when they disagree with something, they say it! They are smart and take everything by the reigns, which is something more kdrama female leads should do: they need to rise up and speak for themselves and not wait for romance or a man to save them from their problems. I cannot emphasize how refreshing this is to see in a kdrama, nonetheless a historical kdrama/sageuk! This drama certainly passes the Bechdel Test in terms of the portrayal of women in fiction.

One more thing to mention about Mr. Sunshine which is refreshing is that romance does not overpower the plot. Although this drama does have a heavy love triangle (rather, love pentagon?), it is not the main event. What takes the lead is the story, and the romance may be a big part of it, but the story itself stands alone and keeps me interested.

If I haven't convinced you by now, I do not know what else I can say to urge you to watch. Mr. Sunshine is amazing, trust me on that. (:

[I wrote this review on episode 18, but I still stand by it and think it deserves my initial praise]

I made a video tribute on my YouTube channel if anyone wants to cry again: https://youtu.be/iFNuGJe4YY4

https://78.media.tumblr.com/f68adce3cc33aa1741f7d475f3a36b8e/tumblr_pbp0wiqxR01vkz0npo4_500.gif

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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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It was really hard for me to rate this drama and describe my feelings about it because, on the one hand I do recognize it's quality (the story, the directing, the cast, the historical significance) but on the other hand, I felt like it took 20 episodes for it to get really, really good. The last episodes, while tragic given the historical back-drop of this story, had me glued to the screen. They were beautiful and emotional. I definitely cried.

However, the 20 episodes leading up to them were largely very boring. There were great moments of bromance, humor, and even some just all around aesthetically pleasing scenes, but a majority of the screen-time was focused on politics and it was just so boring because I already knew what was coming. I wish we had focused more on the characters earlier on since they are so, so great. Eugene Choi, Goo Dong Mae, and Kim Hee Sung had me rooting for them the entire time...and not just to "get the girl" but to be successful in whatever direction their lives were going because they all were so genuine and had such depth.

Go Ae Shin is one of my all time favorite leading ladies. She isn't your typical lead at all and I love how she took her destiny into her own hands. She was strong, funny, and cute all at once so it did not surprise me in the least that all three guys mentioned above were smitten with her (as opposed to many a drama where I can't figure out why guys are falling left and right for the heroin). Kim Tae Ri was fantastic and I give her so many props for standing next to Lee Byung Hun and holding her own, it really shows how talented she is as an actress.

I think when I first started watching Mr. Sunshine I was disappointed because it wasn't really what I expected from writer Kim Eun Sook. Some of her trademark elements were there (especially when it came to the bromance/humor) but overall it just wasn't what I wanted it to be so I was upset. Once I got over that though and was able to watch the drama for what it was instead, I was able to appreciate it much more. This time period is made for epic stories and is so emotional and tragic. Every time I watch a drama or movie that takes place during this era I feel for the Korean people so hard. Having lived in South Korea, I've witnessed first hand the effect the terrible things that happened during the Japanese Occupation has had even today...there is still a huge scar. Mr. Sunshine in particular was an interesting story because it started right before the occupation, instead of in the heat of it as other shows I've seen previously have. That made it even harder to watch because you can see all the pieces falling into place leading up to this horrible time period you know is coming. So while watching, I knew exactly how it would all end. In a way, that made finishing this drama easier. I won't lie and say I still didn't bawl my eyes out...but at least I was expecting it. I still have some issues with the way certain things went down (not *what* happened so much as *how*) for our characters here but overall, I'm satisfied.

Conclusion: watch it for it's historical significance, beautiful cinematography, and lovable characters. Be patient with the story. Bring a box of tissues.

Ps. Was anyone else expecting Gakshital to just show up in the end? How epic would that have been?? (haha).

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This KDrama is more like an epic movie that (fortunately) doesn't want to end over 24 episodes

"Mr. Sunshine" is pure epic! Visually stunning! Heartbreaking. With a fantastic cast! In addition, there is a vivid and at the same time gripping history lesson (dealing with the turn of the 19th / 20th centuriy). The KDrama is more like an epic movie that (fortunately) doesn't want to end over 24 episodes. Complex characters, interwoven developments with sudden twists, cinematic camera, unforgettable soundtrack, everything seems handpicked, nothing off the shelf. The budget was correspondingly high, but it isn't just good because it was expensive. Rather, it is made with a lot of love from front to back and down to the last detail. There are hardly familiar motifs that we have often seen in variation. Everything is precisely coordinated in all scale levels. The personal decisions that the protagonists make over and over again in the course of the story remain unpredictable until the end.

Historically we learn about the relationship between Joseon and the Japanese, but also with the rest of the world. The story takes place before the country becomes a Japanese protectorate - in that brief window of time when Joseon (after a long period of isolation) became the Greater Korean Empire and then opened up to the rest of the world. For this reason, the USA also play a role in here, because the States - like Russia and Japan - are ready and waiting to get involved in the imperialist competition for the largest slices of the cake Joseon is offering. The country is rich in raw materials and therefore hot property. "Mr Sunshine" provides a vivid and gripping introduction to those geopolitical complications.


------------------ SIDE NOTE --- Historic setting: Joseon and the rest of the world ...
Since the 17th century, Joseon rather had itself isolated from the outside world. This rigorous attitude ultimately led to the first military confrontation between Joseon and the USA, which marks the kick off point to the plot of "Mr. Sunshine". In 1866, an American ship, the SS Sherman, entered Korean waters via the Taedong River. Since it did not turn around immediately when asked, there were violent arguments in which the ship was ultimately set on fire. This was followed in 1871 by the battle off the island of Ganghwa-do, in which the USA wanted to rescue the survivors of the shipwrecked crew and at the same time establish the first prerequisites for trade relations. However, since the desired diplomatic gesture of the Korean apology did not happen to take place, the Joseon garrison on the island was radically wiped out by the American warships and their crew. This first conflict with the USA went down in history as 'Shinmiyangyo'.

King Gojong came to the throne in 1873 and, in contrary to previous national policy, decided to open up his country in the hope of flourishing trade and technical innovation. Japan pushed ahead and forced the Japanese-Korean friendship treaty of 1876 on the king, including military pressure, too. However, this was a contract between unequal friends... In the course of the international processes that had been initiated, King Gojong also sought contact and trade agreements with Western countries.
---------------------------------------------


During this time, "Mr. Sunshine" stages its main plot, in which protagonist Eugene, as US officer of loathed Korean descent, is supposed to sensitively, competently and diplomatically represent the interests of the USA with a consular mandate. But there is always more life has to offer... Eugene has to meet the love of his life, face his roots and reconsider his values in life. He can´t help it: he has to take a stand...

It is said that not everything is historically 100 percent precise, but the historical circumstances provide plenty of material for pure epic drama at its finest. Thrilling. Unforgettable.

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As a filmmaker myself, I am really impressed on how far the film industry of Korea can go. A high budget production for a Korean Drama series. Imagine how much it takes to produce a 2 hour movie... Now make that into a series and multiply that budget per episode. That's Mr. Sunshine. Big respect to the film industry of Korea. They are serious and passionate with the art.

I watched Goblin and I really liked it, it did set my standards for Korean Dramas before... Now, from the same creators comes 'Mr. Sunshine' - they set the bar too high haha.

CJ E&M's TVN has been producing really great movies and series lately and it makes me proud to be a partner of CJ E&M and DIA TV through my YouTube channel.

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Ho il magone.

Ho aspettato a lungo prima di vedere questo drama perchè avevo paura di imbattermi in qualcosa che mi avrebbe sconvolto e che si sarebbe portato via qualcosa di me una volta finita la visione. Non avevo torto.
Sto scrivendo questa recensione dopo aver appena finito l'ultimo episodio per cui perdonatemi se sarò particolarmente sentimentale.
Il titolo di questa recensione non è dato a caso, ho davvero il magone. Le lacrime mi si sono bloccate in gola da quanto avrei voglia di urlare e piangere. Il periodo storico che fa da sfondo all'intera vicenda è come un "filo rosso" del destino che intreccia diversi personaggi che per altrimenti non avrebbero avuto molto di incontrarsi e di stringere strane quanto mai alleanze. La storia d'amore che fa da cardine a tutto quello che succede è veramente bella e soprattutto sentita. Il sentirci impotenti come furono all'epoca i coreani di fronte all'esercito giapponese ci rende schiavi di questa serie, poichè ci fa sentire e patire almeno in piccolissima parte quello che accadde ormai un secolo fa. In un'altra parte del mondo, una parte di cui ahimè sappiamo davvero ben poco. Lo so, so che questa serie è in gran parte romanzata, ma secondo me riesce benissimo nel suo intento. Non avevo nemmeno finito i titoli di coda infatti, che sono subito corsa su internet a fare ricerche su quel periodo storico di cui noi non sappiamo pressochè nulla.
Le musiche sono fantastiche, la regia, la fotografia, i dialoghi, tutto. I rapporti umani.
In questo drama c'è praticamente tutto: amore, amicizia, mafia, violenza, sangue, combattimenti, intrighi di potere, vendetta, libertà. Voglia di vivere e di farsi valere da parte di chiunque, donna, bambino, uomo, vecchio.
Consiglio davvero la visione a chiunque, ma preparatevi psicologicamente ad essere abbattuti,

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UNA OBRA DE ARTE HECHA KDRAMA

Solo un drama como ''Mr. Sunshine'' podría reunir una producción tan increíble desde el primer momento. Comenzando con la talentosísima escritora Kim Eun Sook trabajando nuevamente con el increíble director Lee Eung Bok siendo esta su tercer producción en conjunto (Descendants of the Sun y Goblin), hasta las actuaciones porque me atrevo a decir que tiene un elenco de lujo y sigue siendo uno de los MEJORES cast en la historia de los kdramas. Por supuesto las expectativas estaban en Lee Byung Hyun y Kim Tae Ri y lograron cumplirlas y superarlas pero Byun Yo Han y Kim Min Jung se robaron el drama, pero quien logró impactarme aún mas fue Yoo Yeon Seok, fue su momento de lucirse y lo hizo mas que bien.

Pero las actuaciones van de la mano con los personajes tan bien construidos y desarrollados. Cada uno tiene su lado y están luchando por su propio beneficio pero el verdadero enemigo no está entre ellos y lo saben, por eso conocemos diferentes facetas de cada uno. Go Ae Shin y Kudo Hina son mujeres fuertes y que inspiran ese espíritu de lucha que no siempre se tiene o se siente forzado, eso no ocurre en lo absoluto con ellas.

Es uno de los pocos dramas bélicos que he visto y al ser además histórico tiene la desventaja de no ser precisamente la preferencia para el público general, pero yo que sin estar acostumbrada al género pude conectar tanto con la historia es porque vale completamente ver cada uno de los 24 capítulos, que no incluyen relleno ni subtramas innecesarias.

Guerra, amistad, valor familiar, discriminación social y racial, multilingüe, un cast diverso, romance, comedia, tragedia y mucho más presentado con una cinematografía y dirección simplemente HERMOSAS, cada escena y cada toma era un nuevo escenario y paisaje precioso.

No suelo recomendarlo tanto como debería, pero desde el momento en que lo ví, sabía que se convertiría en uno de los mejores dramas coreanos alguna vez producidos.

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UM PRIMOR

sou novato no mundinho dos doramas, mas esse já considero simplesmente um dos melhores já feitos (junto com a outra preciosidade crash landing on you).
o quinteto protagonista é tudo que qualquer drama precisa, incrívelmente bonito e cheiroso, com ótimas atuações e muita química/sinergia entre si. (eugene's smile ♡)
a história possuí um ritmo lento que conciliavam, drama, romance e uma boa dosagem de humor de maneira linda e poética (apesar da trama).
a ambientação, cenário e vestuário também estavam incríveis, com lindos takes e uma ost perfeita (days without tears e see you again não saem do play).
eu amei o fator de todas às mulheres da história serem decididas, fortes, destemidas, inteligentes, bastante humanas e com personalidades únicas.
ps: apesar de já esperar aquele destino final não deixou de ser menos doloroso. (deprimido e com saudades dos meus nenês)

GUN, GLORY, SAD ENDING.

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Filho de escravos e depois de ter presenciado seu pai ser espancado até a morte e sua mãe ter se suicidado depois de se jogar em um poço, por um pedido fútil de um nobre para com sua mãe (o nobre queria que a mãe do Choi visse dele) Eugene Choi, com a ajuda da sua mãe depois de ter feito uma nobre grávida refém, consegue ajudar seu filho a escapa do destino que seu pai teve e contando com mais uma ajuda, um estrangeiro americano e missionário, Eugene Choi chega aos EUA, depois de muito sofrimento e aprendizado, ele volta onde nasceu depois de 30 anos, mas não com um escravo e sim como um alto comandante da Marinha e um cidadão americano, tudo isso para se vingar dos nobres que mataram seus pais e o fizeram ter anos sombrios, porém enquanto ele está atrás de sua vingança ele conhece no meio do caminho uma nobre chamada, Go Ae Sin e se apaixona por ela, a partir desse encontro e amor impossível, várias verdades vem a torna.

O começo do drama é meio lento e demora a engrenar de verdade, ele só vai jogando casos na cara do espectador sem da solução, mas tudo tem um motivo, tudo para o telespectador ter afeição aos personagens apresentados, para os atos que estarão por vim.

Outro ponto genial e a interação dos personagens, todos os personagens principais, os 5 principais, assim podemos dizer, tem momentos sensacionais juntos, outra coisa que também não posso deixar de citar, são que os não só os principais, mas todos os personagens tem momentos fundamentais no drama, nenhum está ali só por está.

E o que dizer da fotografia, do cenário apresentado, da coreografia nas cenas de luta de espadas, parecia tudo mágico, sinceramente não seria audacioso da minha parte citar que isso foi o ponto alto do drama.

A trilha sonora, foi okay, mesmo que em raros momentos ela arrepiava até a alma principalmente no episódio 23, o que foi aquilo, mas no geral foi bem normal, nada espetacular.

Nem deveria dizer sobre o romance, pois o foco principal nem foi esse, foi sobre vingança e sobre a traição de alguns coreanos em vender/dar sua pátria aos japoneses, assim fazendo o exército dos justos se levantarem contra a tal traição, porém obviamente tudo que os três principais fizeram foi por isso, um amor impossível e era isso que movia a história de um jeito ou de outro, porém eu achei que eles se doaram demais a esse amor e não foram recompensados da mesma forma, sim eu sei que não deveríamos esperar algo amando uma pessoa, mas mesmo assim...

Alguns pontos negativos do drama pra mim foram os longos momentos de tela do sofrimento dos personagens, alguns duravam minutos, como por exemplo do começo do drama com o Eugene quando criança olhando pra longe de caixa de músicas e chorando, aquilo parecia interminável, entre outros momentos, os momentos que os personagens se encaravam também duravam muito e por fim os conflitos que o drama me trouxe não concluíram. No mais é um ótimo drama.

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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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