Of all the kdramas I watched, Mr. Sunshine, tops it all out in my most favorite list.
I love historical themed dramas and of all the historical kdramas I have watched this drama has all the compelling reasons to binge watch.
Mr. Sunshine is a historical drama set during later part of Joseon era when Western imperialists built their spheres of influence in different Asian countries and while Imperial Japan invading and taking control over East Asian countries including Korea. This period of history as the drama's setting is observed as the first episode started with the Battle of Ganghwa, known as the Shinmiyangyo incident between Joseon and United States and with latest episodes showing the fall of Joseon with the Imperial Japan annexation of Korea.
The plot started with Yu-jin, a slave's son escaping from a powerful, noble family as her parents were beaten to death as a punishment from trying to escape from their master. He then met an American man and asked him to bring him to the United States. He survived in the US as Eugene Choi and joined the US army. He fought major wars for the US that earned him US citizenship, honor, and higher post. He was sent to a mission in Korea as a Consul at the American legation. In Korea, he met Ae-sin, a well-sheltered and seemingly typical noblewoman who is well-loved by the people for having a heart for the poor and the needy. But their first encounter at a rooftop hunting down the same target, proved that she is contrary to what the people knew about her. In the course of time, they eventually fell in love for each other but their love set in a battle ground is a battle in itself as they geared towards their missions, Yu-jin as a US military man serving for the interest of the USA, and Ae-sin taking on a noble plight against rapacious foreign powers who chose to raise arms against them by being a member of the Righteous Army, a rebel organization.
Set during the Joseon era, this drama is unlike many historical kdrama that I watched. The plot doesn't revolve around kings and their lovestory or the political conflicts among political clans. This drama showed the falling out period of the Joseon Dynasty when foreign powers exerted their own political agenda and political influence in the land that used to be so adamant of any foreign influence. It showed how Joseon dealt with the changing times that has greatly affected its political and social stability.
I also love that the story's progression was based on factual events written in history like the Shinmiyangyo incident, the assasination of Empress Myeongyeong and the Japanese occupation in Korea which fascinates me as I also learn about the history of the country.
Another element that is striking about this drama is the superb cinematography. The tight close-ups, the angled shots, the emotionally charged moment matched with music playing on the background and the striking viuals of real-life like war scenarios are set to play with my emotions. Historic events and places and the overall tone of the drama which is set during the past are implied by the rustic and light sepia tones applied to different scenes.
The characters have their own compelling attributes that add layers to the drama and creates a compelling narrative. Their characteristics which are expertly protrayed allows the audience to connect with them. Let's take for example Choi, Yu Jin, the main protagonist in the drama. His painful past, the hardships he had to go through as he journeyed away from the unaccepting land where he was born and with his determination to rise from the slavery on his own to become a free and powerful American soldier and being grateful to the people that helped him through that dark patch of his life captivates and made me so in love with his character. And you might as
well check on Ae-sin or Dong-mae who are equally interesting and fascinating characters of the story.
Each episode is packed with drama and intriguing scenes. Politics, Power struggle, war, revenge, betrayal, love, and action are the themes well played that will keep you up for the next episodes. And talking about falling in love in the most unstable period of history with someone you cannot consider a comrade or an enemy, makes Yu-jin and Ae-sin's love story compelling to watch as to how it will end. This series that interweaves drama and political turmoil of a political era has an ending that is quite expected for this kind of series. Kdramas tend to be more realistic in its ending. 🥺
There aren't enough words to describe my appreciation to this drama. So my rate for this drama is 10/10. It is so worth to binge. So if you decide so, brace youself for all kinds of emotions you'll feel as you journey in this 24 episodes long series.
Don't forget to take your daily dose of sunshine. 🌞 Have wonderful weekend.
