[Drama 2016] Descendants of the Sun 태양의 후예

[MairaA]

So this guy from the Earthquake scene, who SJK rescues is having an ELLE interview, I think. They'll probably talk about DOTS as well, so it's something to keep an eye on! 

 

[WeunXK]

 

 

 

 

 

Asia falls for South Korean military romance Descendants of the Sun

 

This undated handout photo released by Next Entertainment World in Seoul on April 5, 2016 shows South Korean actor Song Joong-Ki ® and actress Song Hye-Kyo in a scene from the hit South Korean drama series "Descendants of the Sun". Photo via AFP

 

PUBLISHED  APRIL 11, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

SEOUL — Millions across Asia will sit down this week for the finale of a hit South Korean drama series that has triggered relationship health warnings in China, a thumbs-up review from Thailand’s junta chief and a trans-regional passion for its two young stars.

 

 

Descendants of the Sun tells the story of an army captain sent on a peacekeeping mission to a fictional war-torn country, Uruk, where he meets and falls in love with a surgeon working with a medical NGO.

 

 

 

 

The 16-episode show has garnered impressive domestic ratings for broadcaster KBS, but its real success has been overseas and the series has been hailed for reviving the so-called “Hallyu” (Korean Wave) of k-pop and k-drama that started spreading across Asia in the early 2000s.

 

 

It has proved particularly popular in China, where it has been simulcast on the video-streaming site iQiyi.com and has notched up more than 2.0 billion accumulated views, while becoming one of the top-ranked search and discussion topics on Weibo, China’s version of Twitter.

 

 

“Will I be able to find an acceptable husband if I keep watching K-dramas?” said one Weibo user, describing herself as “totally in love” with lead actor Song Joong-Ki’s character.

 

 

‘SONG JOONG-KI SICKNESS’

 

 

Such obsessive yearnings triggered a tongue-in-cheek warning from China’s Public Security Ministry about thousands of women who were suffering from “Song Joong-Ki sickness”.

 

 

“When chasing male or female stars, do not become too infatuated with them, because sometimes your casual words could end up hurting those who really care for you,” the ministry advised on its own Weibo account.

 

 

And it is not just China.

 

 

In Singapore, advertising executive Jamayne Lam, who described Song as “every girl’s dream”, confessed to getting hooked on the drama after just 10 minutes and binge-watching all 11 available episodes in two days.

 

 

In Hong Kong, where it’s shown on Viu TV — a free-to-air channel that also has an online portal — the series is popular with commuters who like to view it on their smartphones while travelling to and from work.

 

 

“After watching the first episode, I could not help but chase it,” said Susan Yuen, a 30-year-old clerk, adding that waiting for the latest episode upload had become a weekly routine for her and many colleagues in her office.

 

 

Korean dramas normally begin airing before later episodes are filmed — allowing for ratings-boosting script adjustments.

 

 

RISKY MARKETING STRATEGY

 

 

But Descendants of the Sun was pre-recorded in its entirety — a major “risk”, according to its South Korean producer Next Entertainment World (NEW).

 

 

“None of the pre-recorded dramas have been successful in the past,” a spokeswoman for NEW told AFP. “But it was necessary to pass Beijing’s censorship rules for our first simulcast in China.”

 

 

Censors did make some changes to the Chinese-version of the drama, including deleting a fight between South and North Korean soldiers in the first episode.

 

 

Pre-recording paid off by allowing a strong pre-broadcast marketing strategy that included airing movie-like teasers in South Korea and China three months in advance.

 

 

The drama has now been sold to 32 countries, including non-Asian broadcasters in the United States, England, France and Russia.

 

 

Its success is built on the same staples that have made k-dramas a lucrative cultural export: attractive lead actors, melodrama and romance.

 

 

What sets it apart, experts say, is its modern-day setting of military peace-keeping, upbeat patriotism and, perhaps most crucially, the fact that it’s a k-drama that isn’t “too Korean”.

 

 

“At a time when Asia has seen scores of natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes, the series projects a sense of universal humanity,” said Yun Suk-Jin, professor of Korean Literature at Chungnam National University.

 

 

“And because it is set overseas rather than in Korea, it appeals more to international viewers,” Yun said.

 

 

POPULAR EXPORT

 

 

It has spawned a mini industry, with Chinese fans snapping up cosmetics, clothes and fashion accessories favoured by the show’s stars — especially the female lead Song Hye-Kyo — and sold on iQiyi.com’s online shopping site.

 

 

The South Korean city of Taebaek — the location for the military barracks in the drama — is opening the film set to the public after President Park Geun-Hye told senior officials that the drama could fuel a boost in tourism.

 

 

Park was just one of a number of political leaders to applaud the drama for helping to “instill a sense of patriotism among young people”.

 

 

In Thailand, former army chief-turned-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha praised the series for its sense of sacrifice, obedience and duty.

 

 

“So please watch it and if anyone wants to make such a drama I will financially sponsor it to make people love government officials,” Prayut told delegates at a government function in Bangkok.

 

 

His only criticism was that Song Joong-ki was possibly too young and handsome.

 

 

“In real life a captain must shoulder a lot of burden and would look older,” he suggested. AFP

 

c  todayonline.com

 

 

 

 

 

[Elaine Chua]

On 3/30/2016 at 1:53 AM, imfreakingawesome26 said:

Hi! I'm new at this forum and reading all your opinions are interesting. 

It's a bit off topic though still related in DotS.
I just want to ask, do you happen to know the title of the song played at the almost end of Episode 8, where KMY chose the song to be played from her cellphone. It is also the same song played in Episode 9 where Captain is aiming at KMY using his sniper rifle? Also the same song played at the start of Episode 9, before hearing KMY's confession. I don't know if it has been already asked and has been answered. If yes I apologize.

Its lyrics was like this' Everyday I give you all of my love oohh" and the beginning lyrics was " How can I stay with you". I've googled it but I failed.

thank you in advance.

 

Hopefully is not too late. I just found it as well but with background.

How can i love you - xia junsu

[Yippeun_eonnie]

1 hour ago, Astarzzz said:

@giragira  My personal opinion. I think YSJ knows he doesn't have much time left to save the NK guy, and MY is prolly going to stop him from doing his last bit for his "friend from afar" ... Furthermore, YSJ knows the importance and impact of saving the NK guy. Finally, after MY saw the news of the families being reunited a result of Alpha team's interference, she cannot bear to blame YSJ anymore right?!   

I want to see how he escape frim KMY at the time.... It must be thru the broken window... And his alpha team already waiting for him.... There must be some spiderman upps... Vampire act .... Vampire can crawl thru wall very fast right????

[IrisFM]

Please give them another kiss that will top this kiss.

via dc

.............................

Reading this article, I'm pretty sure DOTS will receive many prestigious awards at the "Korean Popular Culture & Art Awards 2016" by the government.

Park: 'Descendants of the Sun' exemplary case of cultural enhancement

SEOUL, April 11 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye on Monday praised "Descendants of the Sun," a popular South Korean soap opera, as an exemplary case of the positive effects of cultural content on the manufacturing industry.

The drama -- which tells the story of a South Korean army captain sent on a U.N. peacekeeping mission to a distant fictional country -- has gained immense popularity not only in South Korea but China and other countries as well.

Park said the KBS drama has been sold to about 30 countries and has been exerting positive influences there on South Korea's exports of such products as cosmetics, fashion and food.

"It is an exemplary case of the creative economy and cultural enhancement that shows the effects of the shared growth of the content industry and manufacturing sector,” Park said at a center for Korean food in central Seoul.

The chief executive made the comments after touring the center with Song Joong-ki, the lead male character of "Descendants of the Sun."

Park also said K-pop and Korean soap operas could become important catalysts for the sale of South Korean products in foreign countries.

The president has designated cultural enhancement as one of the top priorities of her administration.

entropy@yna.co.kr

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/04/11/0200000000AEN20160411005900315.htmlentropy@yna.co.kr

 

[Astarzzz]

33 minutes ago, miss sojisub said:

I want to see how he escape frim KMY at the time.... It must be thru the broken window... And his alpha team already waiting for him.... There must be some spiderman upps... Vampire act .... Vampire can crawl thru wall very fast right????

 

@miss sojisub He escapes with his pair of pleading puppy eyes.... and his queen melted... haha!  

[IrisFM]

Wiggle wiggle under their blanket....what's to become of this romantic moment...I have to wait 2-ish days more to find out  

CRTO

................................

Song Joong Ki Hopes To Return To ‘Running Man’ After ‘Descendants Of The Sun;’ Gushes About Co-Star Song Hye Kyo

By Bernadette Waldorf / Apr 11, 2016

"Descendants of the Sun" is down to its last two episodes and fans across the globe are wondering what will happen next to its lead stars Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo once the Korean drama comes to an end. The 30-year-old actor recently shared his thoughts on returning to the hit variety show "Running Man."

Song Joong Ki instantly became a household name following his successful portrayal of Captain Yoo Si Jin in the hit KBS2 drama, "Descendants of the Sun" next to Song Hye Kyo. It is no wonder that the actor has already received countless offers for CFs, pictorials and roles in upcoming movies and TV series.

Spoiler

 

Many fans, however, were wondering whether Song Joong Ki will be returning to the hit variety show, "Running Man" after he left the series to pursue his acting career. In their recent press tour for "DOTS" in Hong Kong, Joong Ki expressed his interest in returning to the series.

"I would go on the show at any time," Joong Ki told the local media, according to International Business Times. "'Running Man' is like my hometown to me. If I have the opportunity, I'd like to appear on the show."

Joong Ki has previously made a short appearance in "Running Man" after his military service came to an end. The "Innocent Man" actor appeared on the show along with his friends, Jo In Sung and Im Joo Hwan.

Meanwhile, as "Descendants of the Sun" is about to end, many fans were wondering if there would be a happy ending between Yoo Si Jin and Kang Mo Yeon. While it remains to be seen whether these two would ever get to live a happily ever after kind of story in the end, fans are even more curious over Joong Ki and Hye Kyo's relationship in real life.

According to Straits Times, the "Song-Song" couple recently gushed about each other during the "DOTS" press event in Hong Kong.

"She's really pretty," said Joong Ki about Hye Kyo. The actress, on the other hand, told the press that she and Joong Ki had a really great time filming on set.

 

http://www.parentherald.com/articles/36130/20160411/song-joong-ki-hopes-to-return-to-running-man-after-descendants-of-the-sun-gushes-about-co-star-song-hye-kyo.htm

................

Chinese love for Descendants of the Sun hits 2.2 billion views in latest episode

Korean powerhouse drama Descendants of the Sun has done it again.

Already Asia's most talked about drama this year, Descendants of the Sun is now also South Korea's most watched Hallyu (Korean wave) drama in recent years.

In China, where the show is broadcast on the same day as South Korea, the number of Weibo searches for the drama have reached 10.3 billion, Yonhap reported.

Descendants of the Sun has become so popular in the nation that last Thursday's episode garnered 2.2 billion views on online video platform iQiYi by Saturday. It also registered 5.6 billion on the iQiYi index, which measures how many times videos are played and how long they are played for. This rating is 300 million points above the highest rating for My Love from the Star, a 2013 Korean drama which was also a phenomenal hit at the time.

Spoiler

The online video platform is the only broadcaster of the KBS drama in China, Korea Herald reported.

Needless to say, the hit drama has catapulted its lead actors to superstardom, in particular lead actor Song Joong Ki, who plays a captain in the South Korean special forces.

Resourceful fans have discovered where Song's parents live, and tourists have since been visiting the family's home in the city of Daejon, hoping to catch a glimpse of the 30-year-old star.

As the drama draws near to its final episode, fans have begun to ensure that their favourite characters will continue to live on, by snapping up official Descendants of the Sun cookies, writing fan fiction and drawing fan art.

Even Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha is captivated by the show. He recently urged Thais to watch the drama because it has "a sense of patriotism, sacrifice, obeying orders and being a dutiful citizen".

The last two episodes of Descendants of the Sun will be broadcast April 13 and 14. A special three-part series will also be shown in the days after that.Singapore viewers can catch the show on Korean programmes streaming service Viu's mobile app.

http://news.asiaone.com/news/showbiz/chinese-love-descendants-sun-hits-22-billion-views-latest-episode

 

[gilaswan]

11 hours ago, happifruit said:

And then the farther-reaching effects of YSJ's injuries. Fine, I'll pretend the hallway scene never happened. Take away the adrenaline that may or may not have helped him to swagger into the hallway, and all of a sudden we have a whole host of other complications that, apparently, Korean doctors can combat in less than a day. 

Gotta say, that was the absolute weakest link in the drama so far. For all other almost perfect, fantastical portrayals of the military and medicine, I could still accept as well within reasonable and plausible limits of this universe, but that scene... The laws of that universe didn't apply. So no, all other explanations that have been given as "well, isn't Captain America fantastical too?' just won't work because in Captain America's world, science was written that way. I'm quite certain Captain Yoo's world is still written following the laws of physics and all other sciences known to man in the same world I actually live in.

"This drama was, from the get-go, written for a female audience. So of course, YSJ was written to be a sort of a fantasy for females. And this was highlighted in a lot of the 'omghe'ssoperfect<3!!!', 'omgIloveYSJIwantaboyfriendlikehim<3<3!!!' sentiment all over the interwebs."

This bit you wrote though - with the rest of your exposition that followed - is he really perfect with all his flaws then? Heh. Would you really want a boyfriend like that? Methinks not. He looks good and all, but he's in reality horrible boyfriend material.

[WeunXK]

DescendantsOfTheSun's ,SongSongCouple at the back cover of @BintangTabloid's April 09, 2016 issue.

=== Spoiler

 

Even N. Korea watches 'Descendants of the Sun' http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2016/04/201_202262.html

 

 

[IrisFM]

"Why are you being so hard on me? I am a patient after all. It's not like I can do anything to you." - YSJ

Spoiler

cr serenity2bliss.tumblr.com

...............

YSJ @ fake  landmine -  "I'll die instead !"

Cookie YSJ  - "Eat me instead !"

cr as labelled

[minhye1822]

In a week this thread increase 100 pages, so next week will reach 1.000 pages. Wow! (The power of DoTS). I'm proud of SJK, he become Korean Tourism Ambassador and he really enjoying his time with Korean President. He doeesnt look nervous, I believe because of his intelligence. I cant belive this week will become the ending of our drama, but the euphoria will still going on. In the special episode I hope we can see the NG and BTS. The most scene that I wanna see are :

1) The kiss (KMY YSJ in the truck and SDY YMJ in the car)

2) Dumb and Dumber in hospital (ep 14)

3) KMY dance when she's drunk.

Cant wait for episode 15 & 16, I dont care about the spoiler and the ending speculation. While waiting for ep 15, I'm rewatching from ep 1.

[Ahpheng]

@bebebisous33 no 2

 

[visiopeia]

Seriously i really need to stop visiting Koala's Playground blog. The latest two updates about DOTs is really shocking me! I can't believe it that the C-netizen really leak out the ending? Can't they updates anything better than the leak story??? Seriously.. everyone knows this week is the last episode!!!!! 

[thepixies]

4 minutes ago, visiopeia said:

Seriously i really need to stop visiting Koala's Playground blog. The latest two updates about DOTs is really shocking me! I can't believe it that the C-netizen really leak out the ending? Can't they updates anything better than the leak story??? Seriously.. everyone knows this week is the last episode!!!!! 

 

I am even trying to avoid /this/ thread as much as possible because of all the speculations. Think I'll return after I've watched it (and refrain from the live recaps too). Yeeeeeshhh

[andy78]

Song Joong-ki's life-sized figure gone from "Descendants of the Sun" photo zone

 

"Captain Yoo Si-jin's life-size figure is gone!"

"Descendants of the Sun" Yoo Si-jin, Song Joong-ki's popularity is soaring at the moment.

The KBS 2TV drama "Descendants of the Sun" has a photo zone with Song Joong-ki's life-size poster that is encouraging fans to visit.

The photo zone was a big hit as announcers and stars visiting the KBS building and fans from Korea and other countries stopped by to take pictures with the life-size poster.

However, those who visited the site on the 8th were disappointed to see that one of the two life-size figures of Song Joong-ki was gone. There were two of them, one of which is of Yoo Si-jin walking and the other one of him tying someone's shoelaces.

A female fan in her 40s told News N, "I went to the photo zone to take a picture with the figure of Yoo Si-jin tying my shoelaces. I wore sneakers for that too but the figure was not there". Sources say it might have been stolen.

According to witnesses, visitors of the photo zone had to wait in line to take pictures with the life-size figure. The popularity might have led to the theft of the figure.

Meanwhile, "Descendants of the Sun" is ending on the 14th with sixteen episodes. As method of soothing disappointed fans, KBS is programming a "Descendants of the Sun Special" for 3 days until April 22nd.

Source : www.newsen.com/news_v...

http://www.hancinema.net/song-joong-ki-s-life-sized-figure-gone-from-descendants-of-the-sun-photo-zone-93330.html

I FEEL SO SAD TO READ ABOUT THIS...I BELIVE KBS IDEA IS VERY GOOD

[Chellsee]

Hoping for a swagger confrontation scene between Capt. Yoo and the director. 

[hanhkhohaiduong]

5 hours ago, estherlim said:

I have rematch DOTS at least 5 rounds for each episode!

First time raw.

The English sub-low Quality.

The  English sub-high quality 

Then for the in between days till the next episode. . I watch again to ease my craving.

What shall I do next week??????? Can't imagine!

 

Hi, everybody. I am a new meber.

Can anyone give me link to watch 'The english sub-high quality'?

Thank you so much.

Edited April 11, 2016 by hanhkhohaiduong

[ayaaa]

Actually, it was very disturbing to read all speculation ending of this drama. Come on, let's just enjoy the plot. Okay, we can share what we think based on scenes before, but all the ending rumor is so annoying. Even if its became sad ending, I'm still going to accept it, later after it aired, however, because I believe KES will give us a story that can’t be predicted. I often wondered story every week based on the preview that aired, but deng!! i can’t, we can’t guessing the right plot. So far, KES managed to provide the story with less intrigue that made-up, everything tasted rational both in terms of their jobs or love line. Because all of the estimated ending, I even will not read this forum for the next 2 days. But see, I can’t do it.

[giragira]

2 hours ago, miss sojisub said:

I want to see how he escape frim KMY at the time.... It must be thru the broken window... And his alpha team already waiting for him.... There must be some spiderman upps... Vampire act .... Vampire can crawl thru wall very fast right????

 

Hahah right! Well actually since SHK is busy maybe they just disguised him and go through a normal route. I also found it really weird that they kept a patient in a room with broken window! Normally they would immediately take actions like moving the patient to another room or barring the window with something temporary. 

Anyway, guy can't take off his pants by himself but can sniper shoot accurately, lol.

 

[sanaeozora]

Post-DotS Contingency Plan:

As per Thursday April 14th 2016 at 11:01pm KST, the world as we know it will end. But before we start flipping tables, pulling our hair out, eating an entire factory of chocolate and/or ice cream or contemporaneously collapsing Soompi, Tumblr and Twitter’s servers with our desperation fuelled posts, we will need to take a very deep breath (or a million) and put into action the following contingency plan.

1.       The series has indeed ended, that is a fact we need to assume, however we still have the three-day Post-DotS specials to look forward to.

2.       Before the highlights episodes, we should compile a list of our favourite moments throughout the series, that should keep us all busy. Then, during the broadcast of the highlights, we should all have our lists ready and see if they are featured.

3.       The Backstage Episode promises to bring more epicness.

4.       No matter how episode 16 ends, keep in mind we still have the REAL epilogue coming up.

5.       Steps  1 to 4 should keep us all well entertained until the weekend of 23^rd/24^th April. But fear not, even after that, there’s hope.  Keep on reading to figure out how to cope.

6.       On April 23^rd, we will have all 16 episodes PLUS the specials. That’s over 19 hours of footage! You know what that means? Yes, you guessed correctly: IT’S MARATHON TIME!

7.       After we’re done doing that, there are three activities we must complete:

a.       The Drinking Game:

i.                     One shot of soju (or soda if you’re a minor or don’t like alcohol) for every time that Captain Yoo Shi-jin does/says something swoon-worthy.

ii.                   One shot for every time Doctor Kang Mo-yeon sasses someone.

iii.                  One shot for every time a topless soldier appears.

iv.                 One shot for every time English is mangled by foreign actors.

v.                   One shot for every time a car is wrecked.

vi.                 One shot for every bromantic moment.

vii.                One shot for every time Myeong-joo or Mo-yeon are awesome.

viii.              One shot for…literally every time a shot is fired. Double if it’s Shi-jin doing the shooting.

ix.                 One shot for every time Lt Colonel Park loses his temper.

x.                   One shot for every time our disbelief needs to be suspended. Double if it’s due to some arguable medical practice.

xi.                 (…) Feel free to add your own moments.

b.      The Continuity Game:

i.                     Spot every time something does not add up in terms of continuity.

c.       The Selective Binge-Watching Game:

i.                     Compile your own highlights, by re-watching your own favourite moments.

8.       Now, after you’ve completed said activities, it’s time to continue making all sorts of graphics (gif, c-strips, wallpapers, lock phone screens, etc...), or playing the What-if or What-Happened-Next Games (these two might come in the shape of a fanfiction which we'll all be happy to devour).

9.       After all of that, if you still haven’t quenched your thirst, don’t forget that the quartet of actors who play our beloved two OTPs, have worked in many dramas and/or movies.  It is then time to explore the different roles they’ve played. For instance, did you know that Jin Goo has played a sergeant before? It was in a movie called Northern Limit Line. It’s actually a really good movie, based in real events so, give it a go if you haven’t seen it already!

10.   Last but not least, if they release it (which they should, unless the production company is allergic to making money) and if you can, buy the DVD or BluRay set so that you can re-watch it in glorious full HD quality with the official English subtitles.

As you can see there’s no reason to despair, we do have quite a tight agenda that should keep us very busy for many months and, who knows? Maybe by the time we complete this contingency plan, Song Hye-kyo, Song Joong-ki, Jin Goo, Kim Ji-won or any of our beloved secondary characters will have picked up another drama we can all look forward to.

So, as you can see, the future is very bright indeed!