[Drama 2018] Mr. Sunshine, 미스터 션샤인 - Winner of Critics’ Choice Award for Drama category

[rubie]

June 25, 2018

 

Lee Si-hoon Joins "Mr. Sunshine"

 

Source: TV Daily via HanCinema.net

 

 

Actor Lee Si-hoon will join "Mr. Sunshine" according to Yuleum Entertainment.

 

"Mr. Sunshine" is set in the early 20th century and tells the story of a star-crossed love between a common soldier in the resistance movement against the Japanese occupation, and an aristocrat's daughter. It is written by Kim Eun-sook and directed by Lee Eung-bok who are responsible for the hits "Descendants of the Sun" and "Goblin".

 

Lee Si-hoon takes on the role of Hwang Eun-san's (Kim Kap-soo's) student.

 

He has been active in theater plays and dramas, "Suspicious Partner", "Return", "A Poem a Day" and "Pretty Sister Who Buys Me Food".

"Mr. Sunshine" begins on the 7th of July.

 

 

June 26, 2018

 

K-drama writer Kim Eun-sook denies divorce rumors
 

Screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, the mastermind behind hit dramas such as “Descendants of the Sun” and “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” has nixed rumors that she divorced her husband.

 

Earlier on Tuesday, a local media outlet reported that Kim recently separated from her husband after 12 years of marriage. It claimed that the writer has been focusing on writing the script for “Mr. Sunshine,” a highly anticipated tvN drama, after overcoming the pain. 

 

Shortly after the news broke, Kim took to Twitter to refute the rumors herself. 

 

She wrote, “I got snaked while sleeping, as I suddenly became a divorced woman after I woke up. I saw the article that was written as if the rumors were true.”

 

“I am not divorced. Three members of my family are living well, and I’m very frustrated that this kind of article could be published without my confirmation.”

 

While strongly denying the rumors, Kim added that she would not be able to attend a press conference for “Mr. Sunshine” that is scheduled to be held Tuesday in Seoul, as she is too busy putting the final touches on the script. 

 

Starring big-name actors Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tea-ri, “Mr. Sunshine” centers on a young boy born into a house servant’s family. He travels to the United States during the US expedition to Korea in 
1871. 

 

The drama will premiere exclusively on Netflix starting July 7. Some of the most popular dramas written by Kim include “Lovers in Paris,” “On Air,” “Secret Garden” and “The Heirs.” 

 

(lotus@heraldcorp.com) 

[AlexandraReid]

PRESS CON CLIPS

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

FULL

 

[rubie]

June 26, 2018

 

'Mr. Sunshine' depicts lives of unsung heroes of national independence

By Woo Jae-yeon

 

SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- The formidable writer-director duo Kim Eun-sook and Lee Eung-bok have teamed up again, hopefully to deliver yet another blockbuster hit following two hugely successful television series -- "Descendants of the Sun" on KBS 2TV and "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" on tvN.

 

The two dramas ended with 38.8 and 20.5 percent in viewership ratings, respectively, with the latter reaching an all-time high for cable TV programs.

 

Featuring A-list actor Lee Byung-hun and rising actor Kim Tae-ri, the new series "Mr. Sunshine" is a delicate mix of dramatized history and tantalizing romance.

 

This image provided by CJ E&M shows a poster for the upcoming television series "Mr. Sunshine." (Yonhap)

 

The epic drama, set in the late 1800s and early 1900s, follows Choi Yoo-jin, played by Lee, who is born to a servant family and witnesses his own parents killed by the master.

 

The historical time period is what sets "Mr. Sunshine" apart from other period dramas, the director Lee said during a press conference in southern Seoul on Tuesday.

 

Attesting to huge interest and high anticipation, a few hundred reporters from in and out of the country attended the event.

 

"There are many dramas set in the 1930s when the Japanese occupation of Korea was in full swing. But there weren't many dramas -- or historical documents for that matter -- about the early 1900s when people struggled to protect the country from an impending invasion by Japan," he said. Japan occupied Korea from 1910 to 1945.

 

"We want to talk about the people of that period ... Most nations have their own story about modernization and invasions by outside forces. So the story has universal appeal," he said when asked about if overseas audiences, who can watch it on Netflix simultaneously, could connect with the Korean period drama.

 

Cast members of tvN's upcoming television series "Mr. Sunshine" pose for photos in Seoul on June 26, 2018. (Yonhap)

 

The boy Choi flees home following the death of his parents and sneaks into a U.S. navy ship to arrive in the U.S. Clenching his teeth, he does his best to make it in the foreign land. Some decades later, he returns to Korea as Captain Eugene Choi of the U.S. Marine Corps, who works for America's, not Korea's, national interests.

 

Still simmering with anger against his motherland, which he believes miserably failed him and his parents, he faces an unexpected twist in his career -- and his life for that matter -- when he meets Ko Ae-shin, played by Kim, a daughter of a nobleman who died while fighting for the country. Like his father, Ko arms herself and guards against Japan's invasion of Joseon, Korea's last dynasty (1392-1910).

 

Spoiler

This image provided by CJ E&M shows a set of posters for the upcoming television series "Mr. Sunshine." (Yonhap)

 

Actor Lee makes his first appearance on the small screen in nine years. For the last decade, he mostly focused on films in Korea as well as in Hollywood.

 

"I started my acting career on TV. I've been heavily working on movies, but I was always open to doing a good drama. I had no reason not to jump in on the series made by Kim Eun-sook and Lee Eung-bok," the actor said.

 

"As the director said, we don't have many dramas or films set in that period. Moreover, the character is very interesting in that he is an American who harbors hard feelings toward his own country Joseon."

   

On the simultaneous airing of the drama on tvN and Netflix, he said he was very "excited" to see responses from overseas viewers who won't know much about Korean history.

 

Although the detailed production cost hasn't been unveiled, it is estimated to have cost some 40 billion won (US$35.8 million), one of the highest budgeted series in Korean TV history.

 

Wrapping up the press conference, the director said he will do his best to make the drama as best as he can to be worthy of countless unsung heroes' sacrifices as well as the drama's huge spending.

 

The 24-episode drama will premiere at 9 p.m. on July 7 on tvN.

 

jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr

 

[scarletlover1]

OMG, THIS LOOKS FREAKING AMAZING!!!

Oh, I am so ready for this! BRING IT!

 

[rubie]

Photo: impolaris

 

Clip: vishalist

 

Photo: spell03

Spoiler

 

 

[peonie]

June 26,  2018.

 

“Goblin”s ace screen writer pursues Lee Byung Hun.  His mood as “Mr. Sunshine” is subtle.   (A translation) 

 

 

 

South Korea's “Ace Screenwriter”  Kim Eun Sook and Korean director Lee Eung Bok hand-crafted Korean dramas “Descendants of the Sun” and “Goblin” and caused a stir in Asia.  Once again, they joined forces this year  to launch “Mr. Sunshine” which will premiere on the 7th of next month.  This time, Lee Byung Hun and Kim Tae Ri and the main actors Yoo Yeon Seok, Kim Min Jung and Byun Yo Han attended the press conference. The 47-year-old Lee Byung Hun, after a hiatus of 9 years returned to the small screen and changed from 'younger brother' to 'big brother’, letting him say 'the mood is very subtle'.

 

 

“Mr. Sunshine”  was set against the background of the latter half of the 19th century. The story took place before the Japanese colonial rule. Lee Byung Hun played the part of a slave-born Korean. He left Korea as a child and boarded a US warship. He returned to his homeland as a US military officer many years later and fell in love with a Korean nobleman’s daughter Kim Tae Ri.  Kim Min Jung played the part of a powerful woman, the owner of a hotel.   Yoo Yeon Seok was the son of a butcher who was secretly in love with Kim Tae Ri.  Byun Yo Han was her fiancé.

 

Lee Byung Hun’s previous TV series was “Iris” shown nine years ago.  For the past few years, he concentrated on making movies.   In 2016 with the film “Inside Man” he won “Best Actor” in Baeksang Arts Award, Grand Bell Awards, Blue Dragon Film Awards, thereby taking the Grand Slam and reached a new career high.  He attracted a lot of attention for acting in this drama after nine years.   However, he took an exception to this and said:  “I originally started my career in television;  although I have concentrated on acting in movies recently, I am also very willing to accept invitations for dramas. 

 

After talking about being away for 9 years, he laughed and said: “ the staff and crew are all very young. I'm not only the oldest in the cast, but also the big brother in the entire cast.”  He said that in the previous television series, he took the initiative and greeted everyone on the team.  For this series, “ I am the receiving end of greetings from the crew.  “The mood is very subtle”  ,   But he praised the staff for having kept smiling faces even though the shooting conditions were very hard. He was deeply impressed.

 

Screenwriter Kim Eun Sook is famous for writing love stories. After Lee Byung decided to act in the drama “Mr. Sunshine” last year, he was interviewed and mentioned that he “ heard her lines have a lot of flavour, so I would like to try it out.”  At the press conference today, he said:  “To be honest, when I got the script, I wanted to say sure enough, Kim Eun Sook’s language is different” and “ I felt l a bit unfamiliar and I could not adapt easily.”    But he emphasized that the biggest reason for accepting to act in this drama is the “golden combination”  of Kim Eun Sook and Lee Eung Bok.  “There is no reason not to perform.” 

 

Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae Ri are nearly 20 years apart in age.  Their age differences make the outside world very worried about whether they can create sparks in this drama.  With “The Hand Maiden”, Kim Tae Ri swept the “Best New Actress” awards in most of the major film awards in 2016.  Acting in a drama for the first time, she did not have a jerky feeling.  As far as the age difference with Lee Byung Hun is concerned, she said: “ I have always been asked how I felt acting with sunbae.  What is more burdensome is my fear that I would not be able to keep up with them if I did not do a good job.”

 

 

“ Mr. Sunshine” will be broadcast in South Korea on the 7th of next month. Taiwan is expected to be online at 9:00 pm on Netflix, and it will be broadcast in 190 regions in the future.  What are the feelings of such a large-scale broadcast? Director Lee Eung Bok directly responded:   “I am not from Netflix so I am not sure.  However, I am thankful that so many people can watch this drama.”  Lee Byung Hun said:  “Because the story is based on the historical background of Korea, I would like to know how people who do not understand the history will interprete this story.”  Are you not worried that overseas audience cannot understand it?  Lee Byung Hun explained: “Although it is based on historical facts, the focus of the story is still on the relationship between people, emotional entanglements,  and not knowing the history should not affect the comprehension of the drama.” 

 

Source:  https://tw.appledaily.com/new/realtime/20180626/1380173/

 

[Nymeria289]

Anybody have English subtitles for the 14 min long teaser, a link would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

[scarletlover1]

Yoon Yeon Seok...

I'm just so invested into his story after seeing his part which was a minute and 30 seconds. Not even that long but just seeing it... I officially have SLS.

[rubie]

June 26, 2018

 

Will ‘Mr. Sunshine’ be next ‘Descendants of Sun’, ‘Guardian?’
Blockbuster production to be released worldwide through Netflix 

 

Cable channel tvN is set to air its blockbuster drama series “Mr. Sunshine.”

 

The fantasy-romance series grabbed the attention of viewers even before its airing, as it will be scriptwriter Kim Eun-sook and director Lee Eung-bok’s third time working together. The famed duo have proven their teamwork through hit series “Descendants of the Sun” and “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.”

 

The story is set in Korea in the early 1900s, as it is on the verge of being colonized by Japan. 

 

“Not much drama or film has been made about the early 1900s. Not much history has been told, too,” director Lee said at a press event held Tuesday at Patio 9 in southern Seoul. 

 

(Yonhap)

 

Veteran actor Lee Byung-hun and rookie actress Kim Tae-ri are the main leads. Lee is to play Eugene Choi, who travels to the United States in the 1870s and returns as a US soldier. It’s Lee’s first time to feature in a drama series in nine years. 

 

“My character is very unique. He is an American soldier who is also a Korean. But he is not very patriotic about Korea, rather, he wants to have his revenge on the nation,” he said. 

 

Kim Eun-sook’s dramas are often appreciated for romantic, catchy lines. Gong Yoo, Song Joong-ki, Lee Jong-suk and Lee Min-ho rose as “national heartthrobs” after starring in her dramas as male leads. 

 

“She is a beloved scriptwriter. I am learning that there is this ‘Kim Eun-sook language.’ It was awkward and unusual at first for me. But now I fully understand the script, and the meaning behind it,” Lee said. 

 

Kim Tae-ri plays Ko Ae-shin, the daughter of a rich and noble family. But at night, she turns into a rebel, assassinating those who betray the country for Japan. The drama marks Kim Tae-ri’s first small-screen production. 

 

“I didn’t even read the scenario when making the decision to feature in the work,” Kim said.

 

“My character is very ironic. She is defiant, rebellious but also the daughter of a high-class family. She goes through inner conflicts, deciding what to take and what to discard.”

 

Kim revealed that she isn’t overwhelmed by the 20-year age gap between her and Lee. Rather, she considers herself lucky. 

 

“Luckily, I have had experience working with veteran actors. I am overwhelmed that I might not be able follow to Lee in acting, but not by age. I am so lucky, it is a great opportunity to learn,” she said. 

 

Apart from the lead couple, the cast includes big names such as Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung and Byun Yo-han. 

 

The Saturday-Sunday drama series is to air through Netflix, a global streaming service. It holds great anticipation as the scriptwriter and the producer’s previous works were greatly loved in and out of Korea -- making them very profitable as well. 

 

“Though I have starred in Hollywood films, it is my first time to be in a Korean production that will be showcased around the world at some time. It’s a thrilling event,” Lee said. 

 

“I think every drama or film is about humans in the end. It is about human relationships,” he said. “Though the series is based on the Korean history, foreign viewers will be able to understand the feelings and emotions through characters and their relationships.” 

 

The 24-part series will air its first episode on July 7 at 9 p.m.

 

By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) 

[kimtaerifan]

Spoiler

 

 

[sunshinefate]

Hi. I watched the long trailer last night and I saw the scene where Yoo Yeon Seok hugged Kim Min Jung. I thought that they would be the second lead couple like Jin Goo and Kim Ji Won in DOTS and Lee Dong Wook and Yoo In Na in Goblin, but the character poster of Yoo Yeon Seok tells that he will love only Kim Tae Ri's Goo Ae Shin. It even says 'the one and only woman he loves'. And the character relationship chart color is green which is a friendly relationship, not romantic. So, we won't have any secondary couple? Because the chemistry of Kim Min Jung and Yoo Yeon Seok is already good just looking at that one hug scene. 

[rubie]

Source: HeraldPop

 

 

Source: The Qoo

 

[kimtaerifan]

@Nymeria289 

 

 

Full video with English subtitles 

 

 

Edited June 27, 2018 by kimtaerifan
Embedded the YouTube video

[rubie]

June 27, 2018

 

Creators Talk About New Blockbuster Period Drama

 

Source: The Chosun Ilbo

Scriptwriter Kim Eun-sook and director Lee Eung-bok have teamed up once again to create period drama series "Mr. Sunshine." which starts airing next week.

 

The duo behind the hugely successful "Descendants of the Sun" and "Guardian" on Tuesday talked to hundreds of reporters who packed a press event for the show in Seoul.

 

"There are many TV dramas and films about Korea under Japanese colonial rule, but not many on the militia who were active just before Korea was annexed by Japan," Lee explained.

 

The plot starts with the 1871 U.S. expedition to Korea. A son of a slave goes to the U.S., becomes a marine officer and returns to Korea, and the plot unfolds as he meets members of militia in the final days of the Chosun Dynasty.

 

The producers did not disclose the budget, but industry insiders estimate that the series cost at least W40 billion (US$1=W1,116). Filming took place all across the country, including Busan, Daegu, Gokseong, Gyeongju and Hapcheon. Over 10,000 extras were recruited for a realistic portrayal of the battle scenes.

 

Korea's first studio solely devoted to the early 1900s setting of Korea was built on a 20,000 sq.m site. "It was hard to recreate buildings in the style of the early 1900s as almost nothing remains. We had to do archival work in the U.S. and museums to be as accurate as possible," Lee said.

 

The director and cast of "Mr. Sunshine" attend a press event in Seoul on Tuesday. From left, director Lee Eung-bok, Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung and Byun Yo-han

 

Actor Lee Byung-hun (48) plays his first role in a TV series in nine years. "There was no reason why I shouldn't do this when it's a new work by Kim Eun-sook," he said. His paycheck caused some controversy as he reportedly takes home W200 million per episode, and W4.8 billion overall. He is also 20 years older than his partner in the series, Kim Tae-ri. 

 

"We don't feel it is a problem. He has a great sense of humor, and he treats me in a way that makes me feel comfortable," said Kim Tae-ri, who plays the daughter of a prominent family who fights for her country as a member of the clandestine militia.

 

It will be worth seeing whether Kim Eun-sook will avoid her stereotypical pattern of creating Cinderella-type fairy tales. The writer said last year, "In my next project, I will write about an independent and proactive woman who doesn't depend on a rich man."

 

"Mr. Sunshine" will also be streamed on Netflix, which paid a reported W30 billion for the rights, and be available in over 190 countries.

 

The weekend drama starts airing on cable channel tvN on July 7.

[Nymeria289]

10 hours ago, sunshinefate said:

Hi. I watched the long trailer last night and I saw the scene where Yoo Yeon Seok hugged Kim Min Jung. I thought that they would be the second lead couple like Jin Goo and Kim Ji Won in DOTS and Lee Dong Wook and Yoo In Na in Goblin, but the character poster of Yoo Yeon Seok tells that he will love only Kim Tae Ri's Goo Ae Shin. It even says 'the one and only woman he loves'. And the character relationship chart color is green which is a friendly relationship, not romantic. So, we won't have any secondary couple? Because the chemistry of Kim Min Jung and Yoo Yeon Seok is already good just looking at that one hug scene. 

I think Kim Min Jung is going to play somebody who will in a way narrate the story. All three men live in her hotel and Ae Shin visiting often. So she'll observe, interact, assist each character in various parts of the drama. I think Yoo Yeon Seok and Kim Min Jung have some form of feeling for each other. At least he seems to seek comfort, warmth in her company. Yes, Ae Shin is his love but love has many forms and layers. So...I am really interested to see how Hee Na and Dong Mae are connected and their bond. Also, I like Kim Tae Ri but I have least bit of interest in her story seeing the 14 minute teaser. It might change after the episode airs. I hope its better than what was shown. Lets see.

[marykarmelina]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kimtaerifan]

 

With English subtitles 

 

 

[rubie]

June 27, 2018

 

Lee Byung-hun stars in wartime romance

Star drama writer unveils 'Mr. Sunshine'

Actor Lee Byung-hun, second from left, and other cast members of upcoming tvN drama "Mr. Sunshine" pose during a press conference in southern Seoul, Tuesday./ Yonhap

 

By Park Jin-hai The Korea Times

 

What can possibly go wrong with the new blockbuster drama penned by a writer whose long track record includes pan-Asian smash hits "Descendents of the Sun" and "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God?"

 

The two dramas ended with 38.8 and 20.5 percent viewership ratings respectively, and the latter reached an all-time record-high viewership in the history of cable dramas. 

 

The star writer Kim Eun-sook and producer Lee Eung-bok duo's much-anticipated third project "Mr. Sunshine," following "Descendants" (2016) and "Guardian," (2017) was unveiled, Tuesday.

 

The overriding mood at the first press event for the drama has not been the question of if but how this drama can reach surefire success.

 

Drama writer Kim Eun-sook

 

The 24-part drama, starring veteran actor Lee Byung-hun and rising star actress Kim Tae-ri, set in Korea in the late 1800s and early 1990s before the nation was colonized by Japan, tells the wartime romance between a Korean-born American Marine Eugene Choi and Ko Ae-shin, a daughter of a family who fights against Japan's invasion of Joseon (1392-1910). 

 

"Mr. Sunshine" was inspired by historical events concerning a U.S. expedition to Korea in 1871, the first American military action on and around Ganghwa Island, which killed over 200 Korean troops. It forced the regent Daewon-gun to strengthen his policy of isolation until Korea established a trade treaty with Japan, after Japanese ships approached Ganghwa and threatened to fire on Seoul in 1876. Korea's Treaties with European countries and the U.S. soon followed.

 

"Although that period had a maelstrom of sudden changes, not many dramas tell the stories of that time," said Lee during a press conference in southern Seoul, Tuesday. Lee plays Eugene Choi, a servant boy who boarded a U.S. navy ship after his parents were killed by his master and returns to Korea as captain of U.S. Marine. "My character is very interesting in that he is an American who harbors hard feelings toward his own country Joseon." 

 

The upcoming drama is Lee's welcome return to the small screen in nine years after mostly appearing in movies including Hollywood films "G.I. Joe" "Red 2" and "The Magnificent Seven." Actress Kim, who shot to fame appearing in Park Chan-wook's film "The Handmaiden," will act as Choi's love interest Ko, a daughter from a noble family who turns into a patriotic assassin gunning down those who sided with Japan and betrayed the country. The drama will be her first small screen debut.

 

The Saturday-Sunday drama series, a production with an estimated 40 billion won budget, will be broadcast through Netflix to reach its global fans as well. "Though I have starred in Hollywood films, it is my first time to be in a Korean production that will be showcased around the world," said Lee expressing his excitement. Asked about the concerns about how the international fans, not familiar with Korean history, could respond to the drama, Lee said,

 

"Many of the global viewers may watch the drama with limited knowledge of that historical time period. But drama is about the unfolding of human relationships in the end.

 

"So, although the series is based on Korean history, foreign viewers will be able to understand the feelings and emotions through the characters and their relationships." 

 

"Mr. Sunshine" will premiere on July 7 at 9 p.m.

jinhai@ktimes.com 

[kimtaerifan]

This was just posted at tvN facebook https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=278207082750824&id=207759963128870

 

So cute!

 

 

[rubie]

June 28, 2018

 

Netflix Releases Key Art and Trailer for ‘Mr. Sunshine,’ a New K-drama from the Creators of ‘Descendants of the Sun’ and ‘Goblin’

 

by Blog Feature // Starmometer

Netflix has released both key art and trailer for its latest Korean Original offering, the k-drama Mr. Sunshine, from writer Kim Eun-sook and director Lee Eung-bok, who previously worked together on the global hits Descendants of the Sun and Goblin.

 

 
Based in Shinmiyangyo, or the U.S. expedition to Korea in the late 19th century, Mr. Sunshine tells the story of a Korean boy born into a family of a house servant running away to board an American warship, later to return to his homeland as a U.S. marine officer. He ironically falls in love with an aristocrat’s daughter and discovers the dark scheme to colonize the country that he once ran away from.

 

Lee Byung-hun, who was Storm Shadow in the G.I. Joe series and Han Cho Bai in Red 2, takes on the role of U.S. marine officer Eugene Choi, while Kim Tae-ri, who came into the spotlight with The Handmaiden, will play the aristocrat’s daughter, Go Ae-sin. Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung, and Byun Yo-han also join the cast playing key roles within the story.

 

The 24-episode series launches on Netflix on July 7.