Spoiler-free K-Drama Review: Descendants of the Sun

Annyeong haseyo!

Photo Credit: Initial drawing by Karlo G./ Spoiler-free K-Drama Review: Descendants of the Sun (http://www.TheGracefulMist.com)

If you haven`t been reached by the craze fan girls(and boys) all over the world are experiencing, "Descendants of the Sun" is a hit Korean drama which just finished airing last month. It has gained popularity not only in South Korea but also here in the Philippines. According to some online reports, the production cost was ₩13 billion or approximately US$ 11,047,010.00/Php 515,514,245.16. With such high budget, the whole team of "Descendants of the Sun" must have really worked hard to give the viewers the best TV series they possibly can. And with the widespread enthusiasm and passion surrounding this drama, I think they`ve gotten a flattering response from people around the world.

Descendants of the Sun: Preview - Version 1:

Genre: Action and romance
Episodes: 16 excluding 3 special episodes
Time: Approximately 1 hour/regular episode
Location/s: South Korea and Greece

Main Cast:

• Song Joong-ki - Captain Yoo Si-jin (Call sign: "Big Boss")
• Song Hye-kyo - Doctor Kang Mo-yeon (Call sign: "Beauty")
• Jin Goo - Sergeant Major Seo Dae-young (Call sign: "Wolf")
• Kim Ji-won - Army doctor First Lieutenant Yoon Myeong-joo 

Descendants of the Sun: Preview - Version 2 - "Her Story":

Brief Summary:

Descendants of the Sun is a love story between a soldier (Captain Yoo Si-jin) and a doctor (Kang Mo Yeon). As they cross each other`s paths, they were met with an instant attraction towards each other. However, as Dr. Kang Mo Yeon got to know the realities and difficulties of being with a soldier, she faces the dilemma of figuring out the path for their blossoming relationship. Through the circumstances that both of them must face, they find themselves often bumping into each other`s paths giving opportunities for Dr. Kang Mo Yeon to figure out her true feelings and intentions.

Descendants of the Sun: Preview - Version 3 - "His Story":

Reviews

Story

Descendants of the Sun has fulfilled a great imagination of a beautiful love story for its viewers. I really like that both Captain Yoo Si-jin and Dr. Kang Mo Yeon have different jobs yet both admirable professions which they do with compassion and integrity. Captain Yoo Si-jin has what some may mark as part of a military man`s characteristics such as being a ladies` man, charming, loyal, protective and strong while Dr. Kang Mo Yeon possesses not only a pretty face but also genuine empathy for other people, pleasant and sweet personality, dedication to her profession and concept of morality. Both of their ideals in life and in their chosen career paths were admirable.

The story was through and through well-thought-out. From beginning to end, I felt like everything was flowing really well. The more serious action scenes were very fascinating as they added really important touches to make the drama`s theme more realistic. On the other hand, the cheesy lines being thrown suddenly were the little scenes that highlighted the fun and lighthearted part of Captain Yoo Si-jin and Dr. Kang Mo Yeon`s relationship.

Actors and Scenes

Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki really did well. I saw the romantic connection they exhibited. I think one of the main factors which made the drama so popular was the professional closeness of both actors in real life which helped them exude a comfortable association on-screen. This really helped boost the "kilig" (Filipino term for giving/getting the feeling of having butterflies in the stomach) factor for the viewers. They did so well on-screen so it`s not a question why admirers of the drama want them to be a real-life couple.

Song Joong-ki has a refreshing and young yet manly look which made his role quite appropriate for him since Yoo Si-jin`s personality has a very masculine and heroic yet likable and charismatic attributes. On the other hand, Song Hye-kyo is very pretty and elegant which also coincides with Dr. Kang Mo Yeon`s personality whose call sign is "Beauty".

As for the rest of the actors, I believe that they played their characters well as their roles proved to have supported the boost of romantic appeal of the main characters. I believe each and everyone of them performed necessary roles which helped create a great drama.

I felt the right emotions as I watched the drama. From feelings of having butterflies and admiration to anticipation and thrill. I thought that the actors have played their part so well that I suspect they might have premeditated the exact emotions the viewers must feel in every scene.

Considering they had spent so much producing the drama, I think they did good with the scenes. I`m glad they didn`t computerize some of the more disastrous scenes. I really liked the beautiful aerial shots they took for the beautiful places in Greece. The acting, location, props and timing of everything contributed to having almost every scene on point.

Rating: 

(5/5 flowers)

Overall, Descendants of the Sun is a great Korean drama which highlights the good and the bad of not only a soldier and doctor`s relationship but the romantic difficulties that many people who work in the military faces. It is a lighthearted drama despite the thrilling action scenes. It was good  in most aspects because almost every scene was exactly what I could`ve expected. This is now one of my top favorite Korean dramas of all time.

Have you seen this drama already? If you have, what did you think of it? If not, are you planning on watching it soon? Let me know in the comments` section below! I hope you will all have a wonderful weekend.

I would like to thank my younger brother, Karlo, for doing the initial drawing of the first photo/Descendants of the Sun fan art.

If you have any comments, suggestions, requests, and/or questions, please leave them in the comments` section of this blog post. Thank you.