Descendants of the Sun (2016)

Soo annoying

This is the first Korean drama I felt like Chinese drama. Shameless ML, brainless plots, repeating scenes etc… More than 4 times he got rejected by FM still shamelessly repeating the same and keeps on following her wherever she is and thinking of her all the time even during rescue missions, military base or in the meeting. I think this drama degrading the mentality of the Korean army. The disappointing thing is, ML is the commander of the special force but become shameless without any bottom line after meeting FL. In the initial episodes he always used to tell rules, orders blah blah blah but for her he forgot all rules orders everything. Most annoying is even in the military base he keeps on searching, following confessing her but got rejected repeatedly. Even the commander has no self respect is very shameful character.

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total bs

This was my least favorite kdrame ever. The story was exceptionally boring and repetitive. Overall, this was a total injustice to the both ML and FL actors, who I both love. I really did try my best to keep an open mind, but had to really push myself to finish it. The storyline just got worse and worse. It's literally the same thing over and OVER again.

A huge pain point for me was the flirting and then the sickly coy response to said flirting. By EVERYONE. They all seemed so detached from one another it was REALLY hard to believe anyone loved their partner. And when I say every one, I mean it! Like Onew's mini meltdown and then ghosting his pregnant gf? Who just brushes it off like it's nothing? Just...wtf?

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the room with alex *For Saeji*

While this drama is enjoyable, there were notable propagandistic undertones. The Korean nationalistic message was notable throughout the drama in in the way that the military and patriotic values are portrayed. Soldiers are portrayed in a positive light, shown as protectors of life rather than the ones who take it in foreign lands. The pleasing physical appearance of the soldiers help the soldiers seem more likeable and reliable. It portrays the mindset that being a soldier is the epitome of masculinity. There was also the uncomfortable comparison of doctors to soldiers. Soldiers and doctors should not be compared because one takes life while the other saves it. This drama can be enjoyed by the young, easily swayed audience who do not take into account of propaganda and can easily overlook these nationalistic tendiences and juxtapositions that DOTS portrays. However, parts of the drama were likable. The romantic plot line and chemistry between Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Ko was very enjoyable as well as the storyline. Overall, this drama with all of its propaganda and its romance, is a solid 8/10.

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A classic for new and old viewers

And yes Descendants of the Sun is everything I had ever heard, a fluffy and tender romance and a story that is worth it, I think there is little to say about this series that has not already been said, it is one of the most famous series in and outside of Korea and I dare say one of the most important.

The first thing is that the performances are very good both Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki are old acquaintances for me and I must say that in all their performances they always leave me satisfied and here is no exception, in the same way all the actors who have a supporting role are very good at their work, achieving even steal screen in some poignant moments.

The correct word for this series, I think is: Heartwarming. They present us with a group of doctors and soldiers who, despite living in complicated situations, always seek the best for others, committed to their work and who manage to grow through adversity. The series always puts tragic and lost situations always on the most hopeful side possible where the human will will prevail over difficult situations; it is also deeply patriotic.

One thing I appreciate is Yoo Shi Jin's personality, his constant jokes and laid-back way of being contrast perfectly with the frenetic and dangerous life he leads and greatly lighten the tension in complicated moments of the series.
On the other hand, Kang Mo Yeon seems to me to be one of the best female representations of a Korean series, at least from those times, she is a strong, intelligent and determined woman and at no time did I feel that her reason for life was him, it is It is true that she loves him and that she wants to be with him, but she has her own motivations and desires that make her an interesting and complex character, the way in which she grows up and comes to understand her vision as a doctor is beautiful, even when she believes he is dead, she finds reasons to go on her way and uses the pain she feels as an impulse to help other people.

The secondary couples are also a great success, the series gives everyone moments to shine and develop so they feel organic within the main story and they empathize very well with the public.

Of course, the series does not exploit in every sense the horrors of war or living in the middle of one, not only they as external help but the people who live there who have nowhere else to go, but still in a somewhat "pink" try to put these things in evidence, I understand well that the purpose of the series is not that, so the moments a little more serious regarding these issues are a good addition.

Both the musicalization and the stages are very good, we move away from all the exuberance of Seoul and we get closer to rural and calm landscapes, and well the main theme is a classic so I have little to add about it.

As I said, this series is already a legend in the world of K-dramas on its own and I am sure it will continue to attract new and old viewers for much longer, it is a good start for anyone interested in the Korean entertainment and i think that in one way or another its success was a watershed for what would come later and how the k-drama has evolved to become more relevant in the world, with increasingly good and schematic-breaking stories and endearing characters.

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2nd Couple takes the lead!

You know how show tend to focus way too much on main couple? This show isn't like this

It is very well-balanced, I really love all the casts (apart from the bandits lol). Not to mention, the music! One of the best OST that really brings out emotions and play at right timing. Till today, I still feel a lot when I heard the OST playing!

I am a fan of SJK character here, but not so much the 1st FL. While I don't dislike her, I won't say I really like her. I prefer the 2nd FL way better. What's interesting is the 2nd FL is actually the one that has the rank, status, etc, yet the 1st FL is the one who acts more spoilt. I don't appreciate how she, more than one time, acted almighty about doctor saving life and solider killing people. Yet, she is the one who NEEDS to be SAVED more than one time. So much talk about soldier killing life! What a hypocrite. That's what makes me lose my respect for 1st FL, and what takes away that 0.5 point from this show! Also, her crying seems to be just filled with tears, without REAL emotions felt

2nd FL on other hand is really strong minded. She also is such a great actress that when she cries, I always cry because I truly feel her. I also love 2nd ML. Overall, I prefer 2nd couple way better and I feel they save the show, especially on the romance side of thing

But to me, SJK remains the star, I am biased, I know but his acting is just so good.

That 2 couples aside, I also love every other cast. There are so many life lessons to learn from each person, whether it's those who died, almost die, and everyone else

I rarely rewatch a show, but i've rewathed this a few times now. And the more. I rewatch, the more I like the 2nd couple.

Despite what I said about the main FL, I still would say this show is very well done. You might just like the main FL, she is just not really my liking as I feel she gets in the way of the ML a lot of times, which is a typical stereotype KDrama!

Again, I feel 2nd FL should be the norm for FL, not the typical " I need to be saved FL!"

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this drama has become my new obsession...

The Korean drama blockbuster Descendants Of The Sun is an essential watch for all K-drama fans and can be enjoyed by both women and men, since, unlike many other K-dramas, it cannot possibly be confined to just a “chick flick” description; it has many delicious ingredients that will delight both sexes: romance for the gals, military skirmishes, lots of action shots, international politics, and criminal intrigues for the guys, and both sexes love the humor in their shows.

Descendants Of The Sun also features a significant portion of its story filmed on location in Greece (these were my favorite parts since I’m of Greek descent and have been there twice), adding a sense of exoticism rarely found in most other K-dramas today. I feel that traveling to other locations to shoot part of a story always adds interest to a K-drama because Koreans tend to be an insular people, so when their television dramas are set in locations around the world that makes their people more curious to check the stories out.

A love story develops between Captain Yoo Shi Jin, from South Korean Special Forces, and Doctor Kang Mo Yeon, who works as a Surgeon at Haesung Hospital in Seoul. They will find themselves in the middle of great events and deadly dangers, both in their Motherland and in the fictitious, war-torn country of Urk.

Anyways romance is about revealing more of the character and who they are. I am so, so happy that a couple that I love so much has one of the least problematic relationships in a kdrama I’ve seen. Between the hair grabs (Master’s Son) and the forceful, stiff kissing (Heartstrings, Gentleman’s Dignity), and all-around lack of female agency and deleting of female personality, a plethora of assholey main love interests and sexist tropes that saturate many, many kdramas, I was so worried this one was going to end up with me trying to claw out my eyes. Not so with this couple.

More detailed review here: https://bookswithnatasa.home.blog/2021/08/27/should-watch-25-descendants-of-the-sun/

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Binge worthy !

I am an old chook and and only recently (last 1 or 2 years) veered over to the 'GREAT' side, AKA Korean dramas. And oh wow am so glad I did. This one was binge worthy +++. Thank you.
I really liked the way this show flowed yet had many quirky and new ebbs to the storyline.
This show kept me glued to my seat (literally and on many occasions was 1am or 4am that I finally went to bed) All the characters had their own delightful personalities that shone through with terrific acting.
A few unexpected shock values in episodes that kept me glued to my seat. I was quite literally in the show and time just disappeared. This show gave me many laugh out loud moments, some scenes made me cry and just quietly would like to say how thoroughly I enjoyed the visions of loveliness from the male actors. Delicious!
Well done all and thank you.

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Amazing!!

I loved this one a fast paced story and the episodes were flowing like water like I am watching and after a while 5episodes?? But I was watching for a small while onlyyy!!
I am actually sad that I finished it so quickly it is definitely one of the best romance drama
It had a great mix of comedy, action and ofcourse romance the acting too was superb like you could not help but cry when the actors cried. The story was gripping from the start and the ending was wonderful.

My heart is currently broken cause the drama is finished and will take a day or two to heal from the loss

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