Review: Descendants of the Sun

Overview:

Yoo Si Jin, captain of the Special Forces army unit, has a chance encounter with surgeon Kang Mo Yeon. While they are attracted, their attempts at dating fail due to the restrictions in their professions. Eight months later, Kang Mo Yeon is sent to Uruk as a medical volunteer… also the place where Yoo Si Jin’s unit is stationed. With the army and medical team combined, they work towards a common goal: to keep the people of Uruk safe.

Genres: Romance, Melodrama, War, Medical

Overall Rating: 9/10

Storyline: 8.9/10

Relationships: 9.4/10

Feel: Light-hearted, serious (counter-intuitive, but yes...)

Characters: 8.5/10

Soundtrack: 8.5/10

Production (acting, cinematography, etc.): 9/10

Most redeemable quality: Male lead's charm

Personal enjoyment factor: 10/10

This drama has received a lot of hype, broke a lot of records in all fields, and is well deserving of all its praise. There is nothing explosively different about it, except that it takes a great premise, executes it beautifully, and enhances the individual aspects that make up a drama to intensify the whole drama experience. I would give each episode an 8/10, consistently, for every second. And because it has such consistency of enjoyment in its episodes (which I've never, ever seen in a drama before), its overall rating is much higher.

Storyline: 8.9/10

The story line is great, and moved with good pace, spanning medical and military endeavours which were complemented with the romance. I appreciate that they take you to through so many places and different dilemmas that can occur in a military scenario, and portrayed each scene realistically. And I can happily say that this drama had one of the best and most engaging first episodes I’ve ever watched in any TV series– I was hooked from then on– and this great feeling is replicated in every episode following it down to the very last minute of the finale (which, by the way, concluded things very nicely).

Relationships: 9.4/10

Omfg that romantic tension.

Yoo Si Jin and Kang Mo Yeon– whew! From the very first episode, I was cheering for their romance. There are two possible reasons why someone would support a romance in a drama: either the couple is adorable and perfect for each other, or the viewer is completely in love with one of the characters themselves. What completely made up this drama for me, was Yoo Si Jin, with that adorable face and overwhelming charisma! I instantly fell for his character: a complete smooth-talker (and flirt) who does not treat the protagonist like shit, but is a sweetheart from the first encounter– he's playful, funny, confident. While there is insecurity in their relationship, it didn’t hold back Si Jin’s charming character and humour and still allowed for cute interactions. However, what worries me the tiniest bit is that, as great as their romance was, would things have progress the same way if either one was slightly less attractive? It was love at first sight… some of the things Si Jin does for her are honestly irrational for an initial physical attraction. Even so, it all makes your heart flutter.

I swear, I'm just using this page as an excuse to post some seriously heart-punching pictures.

The romance between Seo Dae Young and Yoon Myeong Joo was lovely. They're really the biggest melodramatic aspect of the drama. They tugged on my feelings a little bit, but their relationship was a tad bit repetitive and didn’t capture me as much as the Si Jin and Mo Yeon– not that their relationship was boring, but because Si Jin and Mo Yeon are just fantastic. I’ve heard many people adoring the Dae Young and Myeong Joo interaction more though, so who knows?

What’s also very impressive is Si Jin’s relationship with his entire unit: they had so much respect for his leadership but equally treasured him as a friend. Si Jin is the best kind of leader. As a contrast, the relationship development between Mo Yeon and Myung Joo was done gradually and expertly. I also love how there is no seriously considered love triangle in the drama. (I found the jealousy scenes so, so hilarious, though.)

Feel: Mix - Light-hearted, serious (existential)

This drama explores serious themes of life, death, war and patriotism… it’s classified as melodrama, but it’s also amazingly lighthearted. Especially at the beginning, you feel cheery when you watch it because of the witty humour– this drama is surprisingly really funny. There are, sad undertones in this drama that kick in later. There is seriousness/ contemplation about life and humanity. Later, a lot of people I know did some crying (although I didn't channel the despair at all for some reason and felt guilty that my eyes were dry), it'll be good to take note that you might indeed need some tissues.

Characters: 8.5/10

Yoo Si Jin: The charismatic, cheeky gentleman who has all the charm and humour of everyone’s ideal guy, and has an impeccable body, face and fighting skills. His negative trait is perhaps his tendency to lie (even if it's to protect people). Also, the fact he sets the bar so high for real men to compete. I loved him in every stage of the drama and is easily, easily one of my favourite male leads (the only other one at this stage being Seo Jung Hoo from Healer).

Kang Mo Yeon: Her character is fairly typical but is different because she isn’t useless: she has skill and a brain, knows how to use them, and has humour to back her up. It was satisfying to see her take charge of emergency situations like a boss. She just has her share of insecurities but knows how to control herself and when to stop.

Seo Dae Young: He does a good job as our main character’s support and teasing, but he doesn’t seem to have many interesting characteristics other than his relationship with others. Yoon Myung Joo: It’s so interesting to watch a cold, stoic woman be in such passionate pursuit for love, and it's quite refreshing. It’s an element of complexity that the character deserves.

The whole unit had such personality and humour amongst them. Particularly a set trio, and Private Kim Gi Bum, the Colonel, and the Commander… Everyone shone. Oh, let’s not forget the medical team and how hilarious some of their interactions were, and the development that occurred in each character.

In terms of Agus, I don't think we got enough of his backstory. Yes, we get he is evil, but we don't have a solid reason as to why, and didn't get much of a feel on who he was before. Because I didn't know his 'before', I couldn't find the empathy or shock for his 'evil'ness.

Soundtrack: 8.5/10

This soundtrack is wonderful. Before I even watched the drama, I heard the soundtrack first and fell in love with it. Hence, I watched the drama. The OST perfectly supported the emotional and fun scenes, and really contributed to the warm fuzzy feeling I got in every episode. The slow songs are good, but I adore the two really upbeat songs that give that perfect feel of sweetness and energy. It flawlessly brings me back to the cute, fun romance between Yoo Si Jin and Kang Mo Yeon.

Seriously, as I’m writing this, I’m listening to the soundtrack and having this sharp hit of nostalgia and happiness.

My favourites (have a little listen while you read on):

'Talk Love':

'Everytime':

Honestly, the whistling part of the song gives it that little extra endearing, free-spirit quality.

And the slower but equally beautiful 'Always':

Production: 9/10

Acting - 8.5/10: Everyone is beautiful, so it’s pleasing to the eye, and things are well acted. Song Hye Kyo conveyed her character in a way that was not that annoying, despite the character’s traditionally annoying traits. Song Joong Ki brought the character Yoo Si Jin to life perfectly. But scenes between Yoon Myung Joo and Seo Dae Young, some stages it felt a little bit– just a little bit– stilted. Some of the romantic scenes didn't look comfortable for them (but it was still sweet to watch).

Cinematography - 9/10: Despite being shot in a war zone, a place of natural disasters, and illness, etc., it’s amazing how visually pleasing this was. Of course, you get the good looking actors, but the use of lighting, space, and shots are cleverly used, and the locations were superb. I would agree with other reviewers on the internet that the way this drama was shot is of the same quality of a movie, and of the same maturity/ style. Also, the budget for this drama was astronomical: essentially, each episode produced for this drama costed more than double the episode of the average drama. Hell, that was a massive gamble considering it was all pre-produced, but it sure as hell paid off.

I mean, it's a field after a natural disaster, but somehow the shot is GORGEOUS.

Every time I see a picture of the drama on the internet, my heart still twists. This picture is currently my desktop wallpaper, and I have no intention on changing it for a long time.

I would agree with other reviewers on the internet that the way this drama was shot is of the same quality of a movie, and of the same maturity/ style. Also, the budget for this drama was astronomical: 13 billion won to produce (2 billion of which was used for the set and art production). Essentially, each episode produced for this drama costed more than double the episode of the average drama. Hell, that was a massive gamble, especially considering a lot of broadcasting stations turned the drama down because of the risk. But hey, it sure as hell paid off and I sure as hell am super happy that our world was blessed with this drama.

Other Mentions:

Note: If you cannot deal with blood, proceed with caution when watching this drama. Not like it's in every scene, but Si Jin is a soldier, and Mo Yeon is a surgeon.

Here's another picture, just because.

The ethnical diversity, like many other people have mentioned, is highly commendable in this drama and I’m proud of the writer and director for this. There is also a considerable exchange occurring in English that caught me off guard a few times. I’ve watched so many Asian dramas with english being spoken by the protagonists which ended up with me being unable to identify what they were saying. It’s understandable because it’s a completely different language, and if I were to attempt Korean, I’d probably sound like I’m a spastic fish, but the English spoken by the protagonists here was actually quite good. I could understand it, most of the time.

One thing that was particularly unrealistic was the number of gunshot wounds that were completely disregarded within the next hour. How can you be shot so many times and still sit up straight let alone run around immediately after a wound that bad? I know they’re all soldiers, and it’s a drama, but come on.

I mean, I can’t even run around normally, whether I have a gunshot wound or not.

Special Episodes:

Special Episodes 1 and 2 were a mix of the key/ popular scenes from the drama put together. Special Episode 2 had one extended scene that wasn't in the original drama. It kicks in at about 20:45, give or take a couple of seconds depending on your version.

Special Episode 3 is a mix of interviews and behind the scenes commentary and rehearsals. They're a nice watch to simmer down your wild feelings after the drama.

Happy watching, my fellow drama lovers!

**Note: I had to cut this review down so much because I got so carried away with the feels! I have a lot to say about this one, and felt more emotional the more I wrote, so I couldn't stop.