It's finally here, folks! KBS's first pre-produced, star-studded drama "
Descendants of the Sun". The drama dominated the charts at whopping 14.3%. It's
Song Joong-ki's first drama after his mandatory military service, which is all too fitting. He as Soldier Yoo Si-jin is joined by
Song Hye-kyo as war doctor Kang Mo-yeon,
Jin Goo as Soldier Seo Dae-yeon, and as war doctor Yoon Myeong-joo,
Kim Ji-won-I.
From the trailers we knew that romance is the thread that will weave
through the story, but war and it's trials and horrors will drive the
plot as it brings people together and tears them apart. We've been
teased for months, and now, without further ado, I bring to you my
review of episode 1.
Those fans who have been waiting for
Song Joong-ki's
comeback will not be disappointed by the role he has chosen, his
performance, and, of course, by his post-military body. But before I
delve into his role, I have to say that the pre-production is evident.
So far, I'm a major fan. The polish on this episode was buffed to a
perfect shine. Yes, this is the first episode and it may not last, but
even the cuts on the product placement were slick. Light, sound, color,
and music were craftily coordinated in fight scenes or scenes full of
tension. Camera cuts were well-thought out and the dialogue is
well-timed with a touch of humor.
The episode was obviously devoted to situational and character
development, but there was still excitement in the fight scenes and
hospital scenes. The character introduction of young delinquent Kim
Gi-beom was a nice foil to upright Dae-yeon in that they both
suffer/suffered gang troubles, or at least that's the implication. A lot
of the tie-ins were neatly done, including the lovely cameo by
Lee Kwang-soo,
Song Joong-ki's real-life good friend and oftentimes acting partner.
Such fluidities speak of experience. Director
Lee Eung-bok has considerable experience in stories dealing with difficult subject matter:
"Secrets", "
School 2013",
"Dream High", and "
Sang Doo! Let's go to school"
Hints of difficult pasts gleamed through the cracks in the characters'
armor. The character bios that we've read include nothing different from
the usual hero and heroine: a rough, cocky soldier with a tragic past
and a good-hearted doctor. But what makes this couple special is the
sizzling chemistry, and the build up to the action that is sure to come.
Writers
Kim Eun-sook (
"The Heirs",
"Secret Garden", and "
Lovers in Prague") and
Kim Won-seok ("
The Queen's Classroom") also have penned a tragic tale or two. Some of
Kim Eun-sook's
dramas have been a bit precarious, but with the time given by
pre-production those rough edges can be smoothed out. If this first
episode is an indicator (which it may or may not be), than we have good
things to look forward to.
Musically, the background tracks were a bit overbearing, especially
when it came to the romantic tunes. This and the generic character
outlines are this show's biggest faults, but the characters are on a
great path to be molded into interesting people. For example, when
Mo-yeon is wrong about Si-jin's character, she apologizes quickly. Such
adult behavior is rare amongst adults in K-drama and it is much
appreciated.
Most of all, stepping into a story that's in
progress and peeking into the lives of the characters is the best part
of the show. Si-jin and Dae-yeon are friends and comrades. Dae-yeon and
Myeong-joo are estranged lovers. Myeong-joo and Mo-yeon are unfriendly
classmates. There is a world that exists that we are made privy to, and
that's just cool. The blossoming romance between Si-jin and Mo-yeon took
root in those relationships. Most of the main characters know each
other and we get to know them as Si-jin and Mo-yeon get to know each
other. That process is slow and so we have a lot of mystery and
backgrounds to uncover. But that is what the next fifteen episodes are
for.
If you're thirsting for something to tide you over until tomorrow, check out Orion's post on her home country
Greece where some of the drama was filmed, and her
Preview into the show for tasty morsels of information on this promising drama.
Written by: Raine from '
Raine's Dichotomy'
"
Descendants of the Sun" is directed by
Lee Eung-bok, written by
Kim Eun-sook and
Kim Won-seok-II, and features
Song Joong-ki,
Song Hye-kyo,
Jin Goo, and
Kim Ji-won-I.
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