Descendentes do Sol (2016)

Descendants of the Mafia

He is her everything


Story has obvious flaws but enjoyable. Sometimes the pacing was abit scuffed. I feel like one of the events that happens feels like its happening over a year or something. When in the show its actually a month or something like that. Character continuity and them referencing things said in previous episodes was quite fun to watch.
Acting was a bit goofy at times. I find that the villains had better acting. The script was funny and well written. Music was peak. Osts were used well to fit the mood of the show or for dramatic purposes.
Minus 1 point for no title drop.
Overall very enjoyable watch. 8/10

Leia Mais

So, here I am. Two years on the site and 3 years watching South Korean media and I finally watch “Descendants of the Sun”. With an average rating of 8.8/10 over 36,639 users, this seemed like it would be an amazing watch.

Now, it was pretty good, but not amazing.

First of all, I really, really did like this series. I thought it was pretty good for a few reasons.

The main reason, in fact is that, romance is not my genre. At all.
It is not something I willingly sit and watch (and truth be told, I did only watch this for Lee Jin Ki as Lee Chi Hoon). Now, normally, I’d have thrown the towel in as the romance started going, rolling my eyes, sighing heavily and coming back to this after a few months and struggled through it for the sake of completing it. For “Descendants”? I found there was actually a lot of other sub-plots going on that allowed me to remain glued to my screen and involved. The action plots were pretty superb, the medical knowledge was pretty on point with very little mistakes, and the disaster line made me cry over three episodes more times than I can count.

However, I have some qualms that really knocked the rating down for me.

On the “Descendants” media page, we’re given the tag ‘strong female lead’. I’m sorry but Kang Mo Yeon hating most men until she falls in love, meanwhile being a horrendous jealous pathetic woman constantly talking behind other’s backs just because they’re more successful than her is not in any form a strong woman. This was exhausting and I actually cared less about her than most of the characters. Romance wise, all I cared about was the third story line – not the second leads, but Song Sang Hyeon and Ha Ja Ae. I felt I connected more to their story than I did the whole fall in love romance line going on with Yoo Shi Jin and Mo Yeon. Eye rolling and boring, if I’m totally honest.
This goes the same for Dae Yeong and Myung Ju… why are they acting like cat and mouse and they despise each other when? It made no sense, and they were all boring save for Sang Hyeon and Ja Ae.

Secondly, again, the romance was just everywhere. She hates him, she wants to go on a date with him, he tells her he has a very important job, she respects he has a very important job, he goes to do his job, she gets annoyed, and breaks it off, then suddenly they’re paired up again and falling for each other all over again? Come on, at least be slightly more realistic than this. As much as I loved the acting from these Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo, I really didn’t feel any chemistry between the characters and it drove me up the wall. I also felt Jin Goo and Kim Ji Won had no chemistry between their characters; save the one hazmat scene, I didn’t feel any other feelings for them.

Other than these two points? I loved the drama. I loved the rest of it, I loved the characters, I loved so much about this. It’s just a shame that the two main points let me down quite a bit, but I would quite happily rewatch this in the future. A solid 7.5/10.

Leia Mais

Mixed Feelings

Let's talk about the romance—or the lack of it. For a drama that is classified as a romance, it didn't feel like one. By the end of the series, I found myself more interested in Dae Young and Myung Jeo’s relationship than in that of Shi Jin and Mo Yeon. They seemed like the main couple, while Shi Jin and Mo Yeon felt secondary.
There were almost no truly romantic scenes, and the few that existed were repetitive and dull. Strangely, for someone like me who is a romantic at heart, I was more invested in the action than the romance, which was disappointing. Every interaction between Shi Jin and Mo Yeon felt uninspired and lackluster. By the end of the drama, it seemed like their relationship hadn't progressed at all; in fact, it felt stagnant. Instead of improving as they got to know each other, their connection seemed to deteriorate. The chemistry they had at the beginning just seemed to vanish.

The acting was a mixed bag. Yoo Shi Jin portrayed his character as a boyish yet badass Special Ops Captain, but at times, he came off as more childish than mature. There was a point where it felt like he was acting like a teenager in high school, which was disappointing given the character's potential established at the beginning of the story. Additionally, he took very little initiative in the romance between his character and Dr. Kang.
Mo Yeon, who played the doctor, delivered her role well, but I wasn't particularly fond of her character arc. Her emotions seemed inconsistent; one moment she was angry, and the next, she warmed up again. She would push Shi Jin away, only to run back to him shortly after. This back-and-forth was quite confusing, and I struggled to connect with her as a character. It felt like she couldn't decide what direction she wanted her character to take, which ultimately frustrated me.

In my opinion, the story was well-written. After finishing the drama, I found myself wanting more, particularly regarding the action. I was curious about the events that occurred during the year Shi Jin and Dae Young were missing. I wanted to learn more about what exactly happened to them, how they managed to escape with the help of Shi Jin's "friend", and the impact it had on their mental states. The ending felt rushed and downplayed. Additionally, the reunion between the two couples seemed bland and lacked emotional depth. I also found it strange that Shi Jin got promoted while Dae Young did not. This was really odd for me.

Overall, this drama was enjoyable, but it really fell short in the romance and chemistry department. The action sequences were impressive, and the combination of action, politics, and military elements is what kept me engaged. I don’t think this can truly be classified as a romance drama. The romantic storyline felt quite flat for me, to the point where I found the romance between the secondary leads more compelling than that of the main characters. While I would still recommend this drama, if you are specifically looking for a romantic drama with great chemistry, you might want to look elsewhere.

Leia Mais

I can perfectly understand why this drama is so popular: the brilliant cast, a really well written story of one of the most original kdrama screenwriters and quite rare in Asian dramas camp the war thematic. I really watched this drama with a great pleasure, only that thinking about it, firstly come to mi mind this adolescent love-story conception when a kiss acquires more significance when all the war. Or to be precise, when the love between lovers becomes so prudish that they, even after crossing the most risky situations, still feel to embarrassed to make love, as it were much more fearsome than all the danger they survived. And the most terrible that this prudish behavior occupies the center of the drama in like two or three episodes. It's too much, especially thinking about the age of the characters.
However, all other aspects of the drama were great. It's has a really interesting plot where even many supporting roles seem necessary (not all but really quite a lot). A war story is certainly a good material and here even the production is impressive and obviously expensive. The characters are really charming and the chemistry about the main actors (well, as we can see in reality... ;) ) is at the point. Song Hye Kyo is undoubtedly my favorite Korean actress because of her elegant expressiveness and here she's a real pleasure. I also like very much Song Joong Ki and here these two actors create a real field of charisma :D
Well, the soundtrack, unfortunately, can't be compared with that of Goblin but... the drama was fine... 9,5 :D

Leia Mais

In India when we like a movie we say that the movie is total ‘paisa vasool’ which means it was totally ‘worth the money’. That’s exactly what I felt after watching Descendants of the Sun. This show is total paisa or shall I say ‘time’ vasool. The show is a perfect blend of action, romance, suspense, humor, and grief. This was one show where I not only liked the protagonist’s love story but also enjoyed parallel storylines of the all the supporting characters.
Let’s weigh Descendants of the Sun on our show beam balance and see what makes the show worth watching.
 
Good Weights
Good-Looking Cast – What? Did I promise not to mention this point as a good weight? Gah!!
Remarkable Plot – I still can’t believe Korean TV channels were sceptical of taking up this show only because it dealt with a controversial topic (by which I mean the military). I was hooked on from the first episode itself. And the episode cliffhangers made me so impatient I would often find myself binge-watching the show. This medical-military drama was so hatke(unique and different) that I am totally impressed by the writers who wrote it. The love story between people belonging to two completely different fields of work seems so unlikely but the story has been woven so beautifully that the scenarios and their growing fondness for each other seem plausible and convincing.

Well Defined Characters – Every character is well written and the actors have done full justice to their roles. Each character contributes in its own way to the development of the story. Another point I want to add here is that this is the first Korean drama (for me) where the central female character doesn’t have multiple suitors vying for her attention. And the guy is not a total jerk ill-treating his girl. Mo Yeon is intelligent, responsible, and ambitious. Si Jin is chivalrous (a rare quality in most K-Heroes), handsome (couldn’t help adding it here), committed, and brave. The characters in the show seem real and relatable.    

Chemistry – Be it lead couple Yoo Si Jin and Dr. Kang Mo Yeon’s chemistry or supporting cast Ha Ja-ae and Sang-Hyun’s all the couples on the show are simply cute and interesting.

Acting – I loved Song Hye Kyo (Dr. Kang Mo Yeon) in Full House and after this show, I have officially added my name to her never-ending fan list. She was phenomenal. Her look in the show was plain and natural but she still looked breathtakingly gorgeous. Her acting is so effortless that you almost believe that she is a doctor in real life. Her comic timing is also perfect. Somehow I do not like her in romantic scenes as I fail to see any love in her eyes (I know that sounds strange). She always has this tight-lipped smile, even during romantic scenes, which looks a little fake. Other than that I do not see anything lacking in her acting.
Song Joong Ki (Yoon Si Jin), Dude! Where have you been all this while? This is the first show I saw of his and mahn! What a performance. He looks perfect as the charismatic and valiant captain. He is swift in the action scenes, soft in the romantic scenes and serious in the comic scenes. The stupendous rise in popularity of this actor, following this show is totally justified.
And not just the central characters but the supporting cast has also acted superbly well. There was not a single dull or boring moment in the entire show for me. And that I guess says a lot about the supporting cast and the sub-plots.


Bad Weights
Absurd Situations – Si Jin is a soldier with, what appears like, superhuman qualities. ((Spoiler Alert)) There is a scene where he is shot by terrorists with AK-47, he arrives at the hospital as a critical patient, suffers a cardiac arrest, receives shock treatment and boom he is back on his feet ready to take on the antagonist. Yeah right! But this is a K-drama yaha sab chalta hain (anything is accepted).
 
Now, that’s a landslide verdict. The show excels in cinematography and direction. The show has been shot in South Korea and Greece which makes it a visual delight.

Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in

Leia Mais

I'm not giving this a failing grade because I always enjoy watching it, even if it has zero plot, poor acting, uninspiring chemistry between the leads and is very, very cheesy. There's something delightful about watching a drama be so boldly and confidently ridiculous, with none of the toxic undertones of something like Boys Over Flowers or Heirs. It has so much bravado and over-the-top action and drama that I always find myself laughing through it. There's something enjoyable, too, about watching two people be so consistently ready to die for each other, with no complications, ifs or buts.

All in all, this is a wild glorification of the military, a comedy that's not that funny, an intense romantic drama that isn't any of those things, but it is a good time. People's mileage may vary, but I was all in as soon as I watched that unbelievably silly fight sequence in the opening episode.

Leia Mais

Finally i gave in and watched this drama. Yeah finally i understand with all the fans excitement with the relationship between song2 couple ^_^. The chemistry between them is really good & instant if i may say. Unfortunately the real relationship between them is not work out in the end.

In this drama you can see 2 problem in the relationship. First of course our main couple problem, where you must deal with military man in special force which they can just not coming back from mission with no explanation. The second problem is the pride between couple, problem like Seo Dae Yeong and Yoon Myung Ju or Song Sang Hyeon and Ha Ja Ae.

What i really like apart from thr cast: especially because they keep it short with no much drama & the problem we can relate to.

Kinda like the ending where there is volcano eruption but the urk team are still remain calm.

Leia Mais

A Romance in the Midst of Conflict

"Descendants of the Sun" is a popular Korean drama that blends romance and action against the backdrop of military conflict. While the series has garnered a significant fan base, it also has its share of average moments.
The drama follows the love story between Captain Yoo Si-jin, a special forces officer, and Dr. Kang Mo-yeon, a dedicated surgeon. Their relationship faces numerous challenges due to their demanding careers and the dangerous situations they encounter. The narrative takes the characters to the fictional war-torn country of Urk, where their love and professional lives intertwine.

The series excels in its high production values, with impressive action sequences and well-executed special effects. The chemistry between Song Joong-ki (Yoo Si-jin) and Song Hye-kyo (Kang Mo-yeon) is palpable, adding depth to their romantic storyline. The picturesque locations and cinematography also enhance the overall visual appeal.
However, "Descendants of the Sun" sometimes falls into predictable plotlines and melodramatic moments. The portrayal of military operations and medical procedures can feel unrealistic and exaggerated, detracting from the story's authenticity. Additionally, some supporting characters and subplots lack depth, making certain episodes feel uneven.

"Descendants of the Sun" offers an engaging mix of romance and action but may not fully satisfy viewers seeking more nuanced storytelling. While it has its highlights, the series occasionally leans on clichés and melodrama, resulting in an overall average viewing experience. Fans of romantic dramas with a touch of adventure will still find it enjoyable, but those looking for a more grounded narrative might find it lacking.

Leia Mais

Just average

Reviews I read said this series is up there with CLOY and others as the best Korean dramas of all time. Sigh.
There is nothing best about this. At the end of the day, it is an average show with some average acting and a really not-that-believable storyline. There is sweetness to it and the somewhat believable chemistry between the leads lifts it up.
I guess for a European like myself the pretend country of XY didn't help - we all are familiar with the Greek island with the shipwreck. Overall it can be enjoyable to watch if expectations are kept on the middle of the scale. Although I should mention that this is the only series where I ended up wanting to hear the soundtrack after finishing it.

Leia Mais

I had problems with everything in this drama. I didn't really like the two main characters (but I was rooting for them as a couple anyway), the story, in general, was not bad, but also had things what I didn't like, I was rooting so much for the second couple I loved them more actually, but they also did some weird things, but still, they were my favorite. What I liked were the songs. Also liked Onew as an actor, I also had some problem with his character, but he definitely played him well. The places where they were shooting were also really nice. Their English skills were also not that good, so sometimes it was hard to understand what they were saying. There was an episode where I was crying really hard, but then how they continued felt really weird and unrealistic. In all, it wasn't that bad, but definitely not that good as it could be. I will never watch it again as a whole, but I can imagine watching again some scenes.

Leia Mais

I liked DOTS overall is it brought together military and medicine which are typically seen as polar opposites at the surface while in reality they share similar core values that save the common people. I felt that the main leads had a good connection in the beginning. They liked each other's personalities and went on a date without hesitating too much. The absence of the second main lead syndrome brought me huge relief. There were several inaccuracies and overdramatic scenes though. When Kang Mo Yeon and Yoo Si Jin fall from the cliff into the water, judging by the height of the fall, they couldn't have survived even if they fell into the water in a car with airbags. Also I wished that they showed the way Yoo Si Jin escaped from being locked up and returned to meet Kang Mo Yeon. It would have been much more interesting if they dedicated an episode to Seo Dae Young's and Yoo Si Jin's escape struggles. It felt like an originally intended sad ending was made happy to prevent backlash by fans. I believe that the end should have been better constructed to avoid this. I loved the way the earthquake brought together the military and doctors.

Leia Mais