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

[rubie]

I kinda get what you mean @chickfactor, after a few confessions and unexpected happenings the couple got closer sharing love-notes, sweet moments and secret rendezvous but they haven't really, and truly been tested. So far, Ae Shin's support group (Mr. Haengrang, Ms. Haman & Gunner Jang) were the only ones fully aware of the relationship. Maybe, Hina too.. but she's too business-minded to admit anything. There's Kyle, he knows there's a woman in Eugene's life but he'd rather be writing poems pretended not knowing. Perhaps, in episode 15, that moment of truth at the river will show just how much they love each other and realize the reality they have to face. So far, they have been straightforwardly open with each other, as if they're just comrades, while masquerading in the moonlight. If and once the relationship is out in the open, there'll be other hurdles to overcome.. from the family, and LWI who will see this as an opportunity for him to hurt both Lord Go and Eugene in one attack.

 

Anyways, we already got workout scenes courtesy Dong Mae while Eugene's full-clothed run doesn't really count (unless he goes the IRIS-route). Random topless scene.. this one's tough.. and the river is still frozen, too. But we'd never know..

 

Lee Byung Hun had stated that Hee Sung's role is one that interest him the most. So, who we're seeing now isn't the way he'll turn out later. At least we're lucky he didn't inherit the bad genes of his grandfather and father, hopefully.. just their reputation.. unfortunately.

 

Some more nice photos from eps 13-14, thanks to Chungmuro Crumb for the compilation

 

[aurelionsol]

@charray @mistergenie I was thinking about this photo for a moment and it seems to me that Eugene stands or sits somewhere (military crate?). She gives the impression of looking in some direction. She was waiting for someone and want say "are you going?". Eugene could become a consul (asian american) in Japan but in what year it is possible politically? 1911-1914?  She adapted the western style and looks natural.
This is now possible they could meet up with old friends (those who survived). HS could travel to the USA but others like DM dont have such opportunities. A bitter sweet ending. 

 

It is just a theory - they can't change sad history (annexation Joseon)

[rubie]

This is a lovely clip, shared today on IG, the media people picking up Ae Shin's "COME HERE, COME HERE" greeting (it's barely audible in the background but can be heard if we listen to it carefully) ~ Btw, Kim Tae Ri is so petite! 

 

Clip: Chungmuro Crumb

 

[charray]

2 hours ago, aurelionsol said:

@charray @mistergenie I was thinking about this photo for a moment and it seems to me that Eugene stands or sits somewhere (military crate?). She gives the impression of looking in some direction. She was waiting for someone and want say "are you going?". Eugene could become a consul (asian american) in Japan but in what year it is possible politically? 1911-1914?  She adapted the western style and looks natural.
This is now possible they could meet up with old friends (those who survived). HS could travel to the USA but others like DM dont have such opportunities. A bitter sweet ending. 

 

It is just a theory - they can't change sad history (annexation Joseon)

 

@aurelionsol  After I read again the interviews that PD Lee and Kim Eun Seok had given earlier, I realised that they both said Mr Sunshine is set  in the period from 1900 to 1905. Therefore it is unlikely that the drama will dwell on the period from 1905 onwards. If they include 1911 or after, it would likely be a time skip to 1 or 2 scenes in that time which may be the ending.

 

There are comments in Weibo speculating if that is a scene in Shanghai in current time period. But that is not the Qing soldiers uniforms too, right?

 

Anyway, no point killing my brain cells over this. . I will just sit back and relax and leave it to Kim Eun Seok to tell her story in good time. 

 

 

 

I am not sure if this had been posted earlier. Is it the uniform worn by Eugene in the BTS photos different from his current uniform?  I thought it looks different. Does it mean he is no longer an American soldier  but a Righteous Army soldier instead in later episodes? Can’t wait to see....

[mistergenie]

41 minutes ago, charray said:

 

@aurelionsol  After I read again the interviews that PD Lee and Kim Eun Seok had given earlier, I realised that they both said Mr Sunshine is set  in the period from 1900 to 1905. Therefore it is unlikely that the drama will dwell on the period from 1905 onwards. If they include 1911 or after, it would likely be a time skip to 1 or 2 scenes in that time which may be the ending.

 

There are comments in Weibo speculating if that is a scene in Shanghai in current time period. But that is not the Qing soldiers uniforms too, right?

 

Anyway, no point killing my brain cells over this. . I will just sit back and relax and leave it to Kim Eun Seok to tell her story in good time. 

 

is set  in the period from 1900 to 1905. Therefore it is unlikely that the drama will dwell on the period from 1905 onwards. If they include 1911 or after, it would likely be a time skip to 1 or 2 scenes in that time which may be the ending.

 

@charray Thanks for the umpteenth time. You're a font(fount?) of some great info. 

 

will just sit back and relax and leave it to Kim Eun Seok to tell her story in good time.

Same here. But I have to say, that pic was intriguing enough to get our speculation juices flowing. 

 

I am not sure if this had been posted earlier. Is it the uniform worn by Eugene in the BTS photos different from his current uniform?  I thought it looks different. Does it mean he is no longer an American soldier  but a Righteous Army soldier instead in later episodes? Can’t wait to see

 

@charrayThe eagle crest on his hat - can we have a comparison with the one he currently wears as a Captain of the US Marine Corps and the collar of his current American uniform coat too. I looked and I think it is the same one - watch Episode 4 ending as Eugene climbs up the steps to his former master's home to confront HS's parents - clearest look at  his cap in that frame - so this is definitely still an American uniform. 

[mistergenie]

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[aurelionsol]

3 hours ago, charray said:

 

@aurelionsol  After I read again the interviews that PD Lee and Kim Eun Seok had given earlier, I realised that they both said Mr Sunshine is set  in the period from 1900 to 1905. Therefore it is unlikely that the drama will dwell on the period from 1905 onwards. If they include 1911 or after, it would likely be a time skip to 1 or 2 scenes in that time which may be the ending.

 

There are comments in Weibo speculating if that is a scene in Shanghai in current time period. But that is not the Qing soldiers uniforms too, right?

 

Anyway, no point killing my brain cells over this. . I will just sit back and relax and leave it to Kim Eun Seok to tell her story in good time. 

 

Hmm, I just think about 1-2 scenes as ending.  

I just like this ending - personal opinion

 

No, they are definitely not soldiers from late Qing dynasty. They are Japanese soldiers (one is superior private and other... I dont see rank - same? ) 

It may be 1905, but the uniforms seem quite modern. The change of Japanese uniforms lasted several years. 

Maybe they wear model 1905 summer tunic -  in that case they are very well equipped. I have enough of searching and thinking about it.  

 

 

The series shows 30 years (events) so this is not only the time 1900-1905. There is a chance for the scene from later years.

 

@charray @mistergenie

cap is black and not grey (present) - this is difference. Some time skipped? New american uniform?

[charray]

@mistergenie  Here is a picture of Eugene with the cap. The eagle crest on the cap looks the same so you are right.

 

[rubie]

A rare, uplifting and positive review article on MR.SUNSHINE. 

 

August 21, 2018

Herald Review

‘Mr. Sunshine’ offers ray of hope with mesmerizing fantasy

Historical fiction with charming characters and flair captivate viewers

 

By Kim So-hyun The Korea Herald

 
People say there is no point asking the “what if” question in history. 

 

But maybe, there is, if the intention is to help heal wounds of the present and instill hope for the future through creative work.

 

“Mr. Sunshine,” a 24-episode TV drama series aired by cable channel tvN is a historical fiction that starts with the question “what if there were a ranking Korean-American at the US Legation in the Joseon period before Japan annexed Korea in 1910?”

 

“Mr. Sunshine,” a 24-episode TV drama series starring Lee Byung-hun 
Credit Netflix

 

Lee Byung-hun, one of the best known Korean actors in Hollywood, plays the Korean-American Marine Corps officer Eugene Choi, who falls in love with a noble woman and secret member of “righteous army” militias that sought to thwart looming Japanese invasion in the beginning of the 20th century. 

 

According to an article published by the Center for the Study of Intelligence under the US Central Intelligence Agency, US Minister Lucius Foote at the US Legation in Seoul requested a contingent of US Marines to guard and protect the legation property after witnessing a three-day failed coup d’etat in 1884 to unseat the royal family, followed by days of riots and mob violence in the city.

 

But the US never actually sent their Marines to Joseon.

 

Eugene Choi appears to be the product of wishful imagination inspired by US naval attache George Foulke, who spoke Korean, explored various parts of the country, and even understood the political intrigues between factions in Joseon’s court that were influenced by China and Japan at the time.

 

The producers of “Mr. Sunshine” also took note of the US expedition to Korea in 1871 that led to an armed conflict known as Shinmiyangyo, which roughly translates into “Western disturbance in the Shinmi year.” It was the first American military action in Korea and left five Korean forts destroyed and more than 350 Koreans dead on and around Ganghwa Island.

 

The first two episodes of the series are emotionally difficult to watch as they portray the brutality of some in the ruling yangban class, and how Joseon was a cruel place for those in the lowest ranks of the social hierarchy. 

 

Choi was the son of a nobi, a serf who was considered property. He ran away after his father was beaten to death at the orders of the yangban who owned them, and his mother killed herself.

 

Thanks to several people, including two nobi chasers -- an actual profession in the Joseon era -- who turned a blind eye to the 9-year-old boy, Choi was able to escape to the US. 

 

But the show’s key message is not about Joseon-era social hierarchy. 

 

Although history unfolded a dismal path for Joseon, “Mr. Sunshine,” as its title hints, is about how ordinary Koreans can help build a better society. It is a fantasy created to inspire viewers living today’s deep-rooted political and socioeconomic divisions.

 

As the show moves on to the following episodes, typical Korean-style, but original whiffs of humor disarm viewers. Touching stories of the characters, beautiful scenes and music quickly mesmerize viewers. 

 

All the recurring characters in “Mr. Sunshine,” save a few Japanese, Americans and a Russian, represent the people living the past and present of Korea. 

 

A boy who lost his hunter father during Shinmiyangyo, for example, grows into a member of the underground militia who trains yangban woman Ko Ae-shin as a sniper.

 

Ko, played by actress Kim Tae-ri, was a newborn when her “euibyeong (righteous army)” parents were killed by pro-Japan collaborator Lee Wan-ik.

 

Lee is a fictional recreation of a real person in history -- Ye Wan-yong, a pro-Japanese minister of Korea who signed the Japan Korea Annexation Treaty which placed Korea under Japanese rule in 1910. 

 

Like the 2016 tvN hit drama “Reply 1988,” “Mr. Sunshine” accentuates the different dialects spoken by the amiable recurring cast as part of efforts to underscore social harmony in a country where its two largest political parties fed on regional animosities. 

 

Despite criticism that the drama series can be historically misleading as it is way too imaginative, the fantasy of “Mr. Sunshine” deeply resonates with viewers thanks to its K-drama forte in attractive cast, synopsis full of life and artistic flair.

 

“Mr. Sunshine” airs Saturdays and Sundays on tvN. The 14th episode was broadcast last Sunday, marking a high viewer rate of 15.6 percent.

 

By Kim So-hyun (sophie@heraldcorp.com)

[Ahpheng]

 

[great_aldebaran]

@Ahpheng our Aegissi can have a taste of beer as much as she wants in her next life time

 

 

[rubie]

Glad to see that DB is still recapping MR.SUNSHINE. Hopefully we can all enjoy the wonderful drama, the remaining 10 episodes in good mood and positive mode, despite the not-so-happy ending it'll bring. The last thing we want is watching a drama that feels like doing a chore. 

 

August 22, 2018

 

Mr. Sunshine: Episode 14

by tipsymocha Dramabeans.com

Oh, Dong-mae, trust you to retain that cynical smile of yours even as you’re being tortured. Additionally, it feels like everyone and their mother are out to put Eugene in a coffin this episode, but at least we learn a couple of things about this Righteous Army and their plans to save Joseon (finally). I’m happy to report that a lot of plotlines got some forward movement today, though I do wish this king would stop making secret documents that requires the attention of our key players, since I care much more about their growing roles in Joseon’s fate than I do about some piece of paper, royal seal notwithstanding.

 

EPISODE 14 RECAP HERE

[Ahpheng]

@great_aldebaran indeed KTR can have as much beer as she wants, after all she is the model for Kloud Beer

[Ahpheng]

 

[rubie]

Thanks to Chungmuro Crumb for the highlight 

[elfvanvan]

@rubie

 Me too i thought they dropped this show after some complains in the comment section on episode 13, but i think  DB change the recapper for episode 14

@Ahpheng

Your strip  as always made my wait for saturday bearable 

[rubie]

 Special delivery for Ms @Ahpheng 

#TeamEugeneChoi #Twitter #SOS

 

 

 

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

 

[Ahpheng]

@rubie ahhh.....I 'lo bu' you  thank you very much, you fulfilled my wishes ! 'Come here, come here' let me give you a 'hug' ! 

 

@elfvanvan aww.....glad my strips did ! 

[aurelionsol]

 

Thoughts 

 

 

2/3 story behind us.

They must lead the story forward - time ends to prolong certain threads.

 

Jeon Seung-jae will run away because they let him. EC planned it to lead to confrontation. AS will find out who betrayed and how her father looks (photo).

Potter and member of RA dont know about their relationship. I'm sure they ask who she trusts more. The leader of RA and father's friend or an American (consul, captain US army) who wants to destroy RA and Joseon.

AS says simply "This is my man, his heart belongs to me." 

He did a lot of things for her. This time she show her courage and help EC to solve the problem with RA.  I can already see their faces when they realize that this is a sincere and real relationship between a noblewoman and a former slave. They were so wrong. A relationship that opposes archaic law and customs.

 

 

Grandfather will give her parents wedding photo. In the preview she looks at something that looks like a box and I think wedding photo is there. 

It seems to me that her grandfather will see in the city EC and AS. She steal away few times from the house after strengthening the guard. He meet her at the apothecary and talk. It's time to explain things and speed up the plot. 

[Ahpheng]

This week's preview Credit IG MrSunshineNetflix