A romantic drama set against the backdrop of a war-torn country, the plotline incorporating action-adventure and medical elements
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
Available on: Netflix
No of episodes: 16
Cast: Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo, Jin Goo, and Kim Ji-won
Genre: Romance, Action
TNL Rating: 7/10
"You do your job. The doctor will save our patient and I will protect what I have to" - Yoo Si-jin
"Should I apologize? Or confess my love?" - Yoo Si-jin
"Don't scare her. Don't touch her. Don't talk to her. Its only me you should deal with" - Yoo Si-jin
Storyline :
The story chronicles the love between an elite Special Forces soldier Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-Ki) and a doctor Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-Kyo). Yoo Si-jin is leader of the Alpha Team which engages in hostage rescue and counter terrorism operations.
Although they are attracted to each other, their work commitments and ethics do not allow for a relationship. Si-jin is trained to kill to protect lives while Mo-yeon tries to save lives. They part ways only to be reunited 8 months later, in the war-torn country of Uruk during a peacekeeping mission where Mo-yeon is heading a medical mission and Si-jin is stationed. They eventually get together as they work through an earthquake, a virus outbreak, a rogue soldier and other situations.
The secondary plot line follows Master Sergeant Seo Dae-Young (Jin Goo), another member of the Alpha Squad and Lt. Yoon Myung-ju (Kim Ji-Won), an army doctor. Although being in love , they are unsure of their relationship due to Myung-ju's father, a three-star general and commander of the Special Forces, who cannot come to terms with his daughter dating a non-commissioned officer. It takes a viral outbreak for them to get together.
Verdict :
It could be that I was still on high, post watching Crash landing on you, but somehow this series didn't work for me. Maybe going in, the drama was so over hyped, that it failed on many fronts. To begin with, it took me a couple of tries to complete the series. The plot was a little absurd with mafia fights, standoffs and random natural disasters all thrown into one. Even the story arc of Si-jin and Dae-Young being presumably killed in action was not required.
This show was the first of Joong-Ki’s projects after his discharge from his military service. With that experience, he portrays the role of Captain Yoo Si-jin as a elite soldier with conviction and confidence. But since I usually prefer the stoic ones (Captain Ri from Crash Landing on you being one), Yoo Si-jin's character, on a personal front, came across as a bit childish. The romantic dialogues delivered by him didn't much make an impact.
On the other hand, his second in command, Officer Dae-Young clicked all the right buttons. With his quiet, steady perception and quick sense of humor, he excelled in his role. Highlight of this series would definitely be his bromance with Soo-jin. Their easy rapport and terrific banter was pretty hilarious.
One thing I appreciated about the plotline was the lead couple owning up to their feelings without wasting much time. But what was unusual, was their inability to make things work. I agree they had not spent much time together but if I love someone, I would go to ends to make them understand and work things out. People say its their mutual respect for each other but if you really love someone, wouldn't you at least make an effort. The lead couple eventually gets there halfway through the story.
In terms of romance, I still prefer the second lead couple's forbidden love story. The tough, assertive and higher ranking military doctor, Myung-ju and her love interest, Dae-Young. Through out the first half, they spent longing for each other. It takes Myung Joo being infected with a virus for Dae Young to wake up and take an initiative to be together. The confidence Myung-ju had in herself, that she could convince Dae Young, was admirable. In spite of Dae Young's refusal to break the rules and date her, she never gave up on them.
Another thing I loved about the series were the military action scenes. I always have had a soft corner for the army guys. The standoff scene with Arab League President's bodyguards in Uruk and the airport tarmac scene where Si-jin's squad escorts the medical team is off the charts hot. Close-up, slow motion sequences were quite detailed.
Overall, Descendants of the Sun is a cheesy drama and a onetime watch. If you are a newbie to K-dramas and a sucker for cheeky, jovial male leads, you could definitely give it a shot. It has a good balance of romance, action, medical drama and an epic bromance.
Let me know if you’ve seen this drama, and what you thought about it.
TheNerdLife ❤❤❤
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