When I was a young girl, I used to watch Korean dramas with my halmeh (grandmother) before she passed away. I didn’t pay too much attention to them because Korean dramas back then were serious, no-nonsense affairs — not too interesting to a young mind. I didn’t really get into Korean dramas again until college, when Korean dramas entered its renaissance period. I still remember the drama that first got me hooked: 가을동화 (Autumn in My Heart). Does anyone else remember this drama? Oh, the tears I shed over their ill-fated love!
I wouldn’t say I regularly watch Korean dramas, but whenever I hear/read about a popular one, I usually make it a point to check it out to see what all the fuss is about. Then, about five years ago, I stumbled upon a drama called Mr. Sunshine on Netflix…
The synopsis (“A young boy who ends up in the US after the 1871 Shinmiyangyo incident returns to Korea at a historical turning point and falls for a noblewoman.”) didn’t seem like the typical drama I usually like. But I noticed that it starred Lee Byung-hun, who is a huge star and would not take on just any role.
(Fun fact: I once met Lee Byung-hun at a bar in Manhattan K-town back in my bar-hopping days. He tried to hit on one of my friends!)
It was during Covid lockdown, and I was bored. I figured, “Why not?” and hit “play.”
You guys. YOU GUYS.
It is a heart-wrenchingly beautiful story. Yes, there is romance, but it is a slow burn…yet still engrossing. And you have to remember that it’s set in 1902 Korea — the main leads do not even kiss. And it’s completely believable and almost refreshing.
Set just before the Japanese occupation of Korea, Korea is still trying to assert its independence. The characters are so well-rounded and deep, and the relationships between them so beautiful and painful at the same time. And despite the three male leads having fallen for the same woman, they still develop a bromance and the chemistry between them is unbelievable.
And the cinematography! I read that Mr. Sunshine had a large budget for a Korean drama, and you can tell that they spent quite a bit on production. Your eyes will be in for a treat.
There are 24 episodes, with each episode over an hour long, so it’s certainly an investment. And the middle episodes can feel like they’re dragging along, but when you get near the end, you can see that each scene was there for a reason. And the last few episodes? They will have you in tears. Yes, it has a sad ending. But it’s satisfyingly sad, if that makes sense.
Mr. Sunshine is one of the few Korean dramas that I can watch over and over again. I highly recommend you give it a go, especially if you like period dramas and/or ensemble casts.
