Drama Treasure Trove - #5: Mr Sunshine

Mr. Sunshine is a South Korean TV series from 2018, created by Kim Eun-sook and directed by Lee Eung-bok. It features a star-studded cast, including Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung, and Byun Yo-han. The drama is set in Hanseong (present-day Seoul) during the early 1900s and centers around the struggles of activists fighting for Korean independence. The show aired on tvN every Saturday and Sunday, starting from July 7, 2018, and concluded on September 30, 2018. It was also available internationally on Netflix.

Mr. Sunshine became the third highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history upon its final broadcast, with the last episode reaching 18.129% and netting an average rating of 12.955%, which was the highest average rating ever recorded for cable television at the time. The show received critical acclaim for its cinematography, storytelling, and portrayal of strong female characters and the lower classes. However, some viewers criticized it for its perceived inaccurate representation of historical facts, accusing it of being "pro-Japanese," while others argued that it reinforced stereotypes of the Japanese as villains and the Americans as heroes.

The series received a significant investment of ₩30 billion from Netflix. This marks the third collaboration between writer Kim Eun-sook and director Lee Eung-bok, following the success of Descendants of the Sun and Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. Notably, this drama also marks film actress Kim Tae-ri's first foray into the small screen.

Originally pitched to SBS by Studio Dragon, the project was ultimately passed on due to financial and advertising constraints. The cast underwent some changes, with Kim Sa-rang initially cast but later replaced by Kim Min-jung due to scheduling conflicts.

Filming for the drama commenced in September 2017 and took place in various locations throughout Korea, including Busan, Daegu, Gokseong County, Gyeongju, and Hapcheon County. Production crews built sets specifically tailored to the early 1900s Korean setting, with a massive 20,000 m2 site in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, and another 6,600 m2 indoor set in Daejeon. In one battle scene alone, 1000 extras were hired.

Interestingly, the drama was originally intended to be a sports-themed period piece set in the 1920s and 1930s, featuring an American lead character. Shin Woo-chul, Kim Eun-sook's collaborator for the "Lovers" trilogy, was initially attached to direct the series in 2009.

Mr. Sunshine tells the story of Eugene Choi (Lee Byung-hun), a former slave from Joseon who joins the Marine Corps in the United States after escaping during the 1871 Shinmiyangyo. He returns to his homeland on a mission and falls in love with Go Ae-shin (Kim Tae-ri), the granddaughter of an aristocrat who is involved with the Righteous Army. However, their relationship faces challenges due to their different social classes and the presence of Ae-shin's childhood betrothed, Kim Hui-seong (Byun Yo-han). Eugene also encounters Gu Dong-mae (Yoo Yeon-seok), a ruthless samurai, and Kudo Hina (Kim Min-jung), the owner of the popular "Glory Hotel". As he investigates a plot by the Empire of Japan to colonize Korea, Eugene becomes involved in the fight for his birth country's sovereignty.

Mr. Sunshine is a 2018 South Korean television series that tells the story of Eugene Choi, a former slave who returns to his homeland of Joseon and becomes involved in the fight for Korea's independence from Japan. The series features a talented cast, including Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung, and Byun Yo-han. Mr. Sunshine received critical acclaim for its cinematography, storytelling, and portrayal of strong female characters and the lower classes. Although the series faced some criticism for its accuracy in historical representation, it remains one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean cable television history. Overall, Mr. Sunshine is a captivating and emotional tale that explores themes of love, patriotism, and sacrifice.