Mr. Sunshine is one of the best South Korean dramas from 2018. It tells the story of a young boy who goes to the U.S. after a war in Korea in 1871. Many years later, he comes back to Korea as a soldier from the U.S. When he returns, he falls in love with a noblewoman. This drama is set in the early 1900s in Seoul, Korea. It shows how people fought for Korea to be free. The main actors are Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, and Yoo Yeon-seok.
Mr. Sunshine Drama Review |
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Drama | Mr. Sunshine |
Hangul | 미스터 션샤인 |
Revised Romanization | Miseuteo Syeonsyain |
Channel | tvN, Netflix |
Director | Lee Eung-bok |
Producers | Kim Young-kyu
Yoon Ha-rim |
Starring | Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung and Byun Yo-han |
Writer/Screenplay by | Kim Eun-sook |
Country of origin | South Korea |
Release date | July 7, 2018 |
IMDB rating | 8.7/10 |
Google users rating | 92% liked this TV show |
Total episodes | 24 |
The first episode’s airing date | July 7, 2018 |
Average episode length | N/A |
Language | Korean |
Genre | Historical, Romance, Melodrama |
This show is | Historical and Romantic |
Maturity rating | 17+ |
Mr. Sunshine Drama Cast
Actor | Character |
Kim Tae-ri | Go Ae-shin |
Lee Byung-hun | Eugene Choi |
Yoo Yeon-seok | Goo Dong-mae |
Kim Min-jung | Kudo Hina |
Byun Yo-han | Kim Hee-sung |
Kim Ji-won | Kim Hui-jin |
Jang Dong-yoon | Joon-young |
Kim Yong-ji | Hotaru |
Choi Moo-sung | Jang Seung-goo |
Kim Byung-chul | Il-sik |
Jo Woo-jin | Im Gwan-soo |
David Lee McInnis | Kyle Moore |
Lee Jung-eun | Haman-daek |
Kim Eui-sung | Lee Wan-ik |
Choi Jin-ho | Yi Se-hun |
… | … |
Mr. Sunshine Overview
Mr. Sunshine is a K-drama that was released in 2018. It’s about a boy from Korea who, after a big event in 1871, ends up in the United States. When he grows up, he comes back to Korea as an officer in the U.S. military. Back in Korea, he meets a noblewoman, and they fall in love. This story is set in the early 1900s, a very important time for Korea because people were fighting for the country’s independence. The show has many characters, including fighters for freedom, and tells a story about love, bravery, and the fight for freedom.
Original SoundTrack
Nam Hye-seung made the music for Mr. Sunshine. She is famous for making music for many Korean TV shows. The music for this show was made in a new place in Vienna, Austria, called Synchron Stage Vienna. Nam Hye-seung went to Vienna to help make the music.
K-drama Mr. Sunshine Storyline
Mr. Sunshine is a story about a boy from Korea who ends up in the United States after a big event in 1871. When he grows up, he returns to Korea as a U.S. marine officer. This happens during a very important time in Korea’s history. The young man falls in love with a noblewoman. Together, they get involved in the fight for Korea’s independence from foreign powers. The drama is set in the early 1900s and shows the struggles and bravery of people who wanted Korea to be a free country.
Plot Summary
Mr. Sunshine follows the story of Eugene Choi, who was born into slavery in Joseon (now Korea). After a traumatic event, he escaped to the United States during the 1871 Shinmiyangyo incident and later became a U.S. Marine Corps officer. Returning to Joseon on a mission, Eugene falls in love with Go Ae-shin, a noblewoman who is secretly fighting for Korean independence. Their love faces challenges due to their different social statuses and historical events. Eugene also encounters other significant figures, including his childhood betrothed and rivals, as he becomes involved in the fight against foreign powers trying to control Korea.
Synopsis
“Mr. Sunshine” masterfully builds its story to a thrilling climax, intertwining personal tales with the broader historical struggle for Korea’s independence. The drama reaches its peak as the characters’ destinies collide amidst the turbulent backdrop of early 20th century Korea. Eugene Choi, the U.S. Marine Corps officer with a complex past, faces critical choices that test his allegiance and love.
As he and noblewoman Go Ae-shin navigate their forbidden love, they become deeply embroiled in the independence movement, challenging foreign powers and societal constraints. The climax is not just a high point of action but also an emotional crescendo, where sacrifices are made, and the characters’ deepest convictions are put to the test. This moment encapsulates the essence of the drama – a poignant exploration of love, bravery, and the quest for freedom, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats and deeply moved by the characters’ journeys.
Parents Guide
Based on the parent’s guide Mr. Sunshine is rated for mature audiences due to its moderate violence, mild profanity, and scenes involving alcohol, drugs, and smoking. The drama, not suitable for viewers under 17 in the United States (TV-MA) and similarly rated in other countries, features historical and complex themes that might be difficult for young children to understand. It includes intense scenes and strong violence that, while not excessively graphic, may be unsettling. The show’s portrayal of the fight for Korea’s sovereignty and its deep historical context suggests that it’s crafted for a more mature audience, requiring parental discretion for younger viewers.
Mr. Sunshine Award and Nominations
Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
2018 | 11th Korea Drama Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Lee Byung-hun | Nominated |
Best New Actress | Kim Tae-ri | Nominated | ||
Best Original Soundtrack | Days Without Tears (Kim Yoon-ah) | Nominated | ||
6th APAN Star Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Lee Byung-hun | Won | |
K-Star Award, Actor | Won | |||
Drama of the Year | Mr. Sunshine | Won | ||
Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Yoo Yeon-seok | Nominated | ||
Best Supporting Actress | Kim Min-jung | Won | ||
K-Star Award, Actress | Nominated | |||
Best New Actress | Kim Tae-ri | Won | ||
K-Star Award, Actress | Won | |||
3rd Asia Artist Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Lee Byung-hun | Won | |
Artist of the Year | Won | |||
Fabulous Award | Won | |||
Korean Tourism Appreciation Award | Won | |||
Artist of the Year | Yoo Yeon-seok | Won | ||
Best Actor Award | Won | |||
Best New Actress | Kim Tae-ri | Nominated | ||
2nd The Seoul Awards | Best Actor | Lee Byung-hun | Won | |
Best Supporting Actor | Yoo Yeon-seok | Won | ||
Best New Actress | Kim Tae-ri | Nominated | ||
2019 | 55th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Drama | Mr. Sunshine | Nominated |
Best Director | Lee Eung-bok | Nominated | ||
Best Actor | Lee Byung-hun | Won | ||
Best Actress | Kim Tae-ri | Nominated | ||
Best Supporting Actor | Yoo Yeon-seok | Nominated | ||
Best Supporting Actress | Kim Min-jung | Nominated | ||
Best Screenplay | Kim Eun-sook | Nominated | ||
Technical Award | Kim So-yeon (Art) | Nominated | ||
Lee Yong-seob (Special effects) | Nominated | |||
1st Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards | Best Creative | Mr. Sunshine | Won |
User Reviews
- A review praises Mr. Sunshine is an epic, visually stunning drama that feels like a long movie spread over 24 episodes. The complex characters, historical context, and detailed production bring early 20th-century Korea to life, highlighting geopolitical tensions and personal stories.
- Another review admires the high-budget production quality of Mr. Sunshine, comparing it favorably to other high-quality series and films. This review appreciates the drama’s artistry, storytelling, and the impressive standards set by its creators.
- One review describes the series as Perfection, noting its universal appeal and the ability to entertain the entire family without making the subtitles a barrier to enjoyment.
- The drama’s length and episode count are mentioned as its biggest flaw in another review, despite the fantastic story, characters, and cinematography. The reviewer was very much impressed by the historical setting and the emotional depth of the story.
- A review highlights Mr. Sunshine for its profound portrayal of patriotism and love, emphasizing the emotional attachment viewers develop with the characters. The drama’s handling of its historical setting, coupled with the intricate weaving of its character’s destinies, was highlighted for its emotional impact and the beautifully sad conclusion.