KDrama to Watch: Descendents of the Sun (2016)

Descendants of the Sun (2016)

Grade: B+

16 Episodes
Viewing Platform: Netflix

Yoo Si-jin is a special forces captain who has a run-in with a pretty doctor after stopping a motorcycle thief and breaking up a street fight, all on his off-duty time along with his best friend Seo Dae-young, a sergeant in the special forces unit with him. Despite the punk's thieving, Si-jin takes pity on the struggling young man who was just trying to leave behind the gang life. Dr. Kang Mo-yeon is suspicious of Si-jin's identity, thinking he's also a thug, but a mutual frenemy – who happens to be Dae-young's on-again, off-again girlfriend – confirms Si-jin is relatively harmless. It's difficult to accept Si-jin's career, however, and Mo-yeon decides to not see the captain anymore. Then, after Mo-yeon abruptly shuts down her hospital chairman's egotistical (and very inappropriate) advances, she is sent to a country in the Middle East for a month on a goodwill service mission. It just so happens that Si-jin and Dae-young are dispatched in the same area. What happens when a natural disaster strikes, trapping Korean workers in a half-finished, collapsed plant with the military and medical teams having to work together? Will Mo-yeon be able to accept what it takes to be in a relationship with a soldier, or will she continue to resist her feelings, opting for emotional certainty and safety?

*For a show about soldiers, it was not based on a central political conflict or war, which I found intriguing. However, it is mostly action and drama, with plenty of violence in the mix, and that combination doesn't hold my interest very well. There was some humor, but it was subtle and only sprinkled in for flavor, and while some characters struggled with romantic feelings, it was not central to the plot. This did lead to dynamic characters that go through some development over the course of the show, including those in supporting roles, which does make for good writing.There is a definite sense of patriotism in this drama as well, which I can appreciate. Then there is Si-jin, who positively drips with charisma (Song Joong-ki from “A Werewolf Boy,” [2012], “Penny Pinchers,” [2011], and “Sungkyunkwan Scandal,” [2010]). I did NOT like how one of the characters broke the 4^th wall at the end of the show, though; it didn't fit the serious, realistic feel of the rest of the drama. And I'm still not sure how the title relates to the show. Overall, it is a quality production, and I might watch it again.*