"Mr. Sunshine" (Review)

A few years ago, while recommending TV shows to my friend, she told me that she and her sister were watching Korean dramas (or KDramas for short). Since then, I've had the show Mr. Sunshine on my list of shows to watch. After watching the finale of Squid Game, I finally decided the time had arrived to watch Lee Byun-Hun in a period drama. Mr. Sunshine was my first Korean drama, and I'm thrilled to say that I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

Mr. Sunshine is a historical drama set in the early 1900s. The show focuses on Choi Yu-jin, a young slave in Joseon. His father is beaten to death, while his mother dies trying to protect her young son. With the help of a Christian missionary, Yu-jin flees to America, changing his name to Eugene Choi. Eugene returns to his homeland as captain of the American legation, where he falls in love with a noblewoman named Lady Ae-sin. Lady Ae-sin secretly works for the Righteous Army, a militia dedicated to seeking sovereignty from Japan. Eugene must choose between helping Lady Ae-sin or maintaining a neutral position as a U.S. officer.

The show is filled with many great and complex characters, such as Kudo Hina, a young widow who owns a hotel in Korea. Gu Dong-mae is the son of a butcher. He's saved by Lady Ae-sin and flees to Japan, returning to Joseon as a member of the Mushin Society. Kim Hui-seong is a young nobleman, engaged to Lady Ae-sin, and he's trying to reconcile for his family's misdeeds. Apart from Eugene and Ae-sin, Kim Hui-seong was one of my favorite characters. When we're first introduced to his character, he comes off as spoiled and aimless, and yet he grows up to become an influential part of the Righteous Army's goal to ward off Japan's influence, finally finding his purpose in life.

I love a good period drama with romance. Mr. Sunshine is a slow-burning romance between Eugege and Ae-sin. Watching their relationship evolve from shaking hands, exchanging letters filled with intimate and personal details, and holding each other in a warm embrace. Aside from the romance, Mr. Sunshine is a historical drama that focuses on rebels fighting for Korea's independence. I love how the show depicts different forms of rebellion. Lady Ae-sin and the rest of the insurgents arm themselves, while Hui-seong documents everything through his newspaper and photography. Through this service, Hui-seong ensures that this specific point in time will not be forgotten. He may not be a soldier or warrior, but  Hui-seong provides a platform for marginalized voices, highlighting their struggles and triumphs; thereby, through his newspaper, Hui-seong inspires the people of Joseon to rally and advocate for change.

Eugene teeters between his duty as an American soldier and a Joseon man. While he holds a strong disdain towards Joseon, he demonstrates his noncompliance through his need to protect Ae-sin: by protecting Ae-sin, he protects Joseon.

Mr. Sunshine is endearing, extravagant, and romantic. I'm happy that this was my first K-Drama, and I look forward to watching many more.