The one that took over the world. If you ask any kdrama fanatic this one is bound to be not only on their viewed list but also their favourite list. Worry not if you are new to this kdrama universe as this is a great one to begin with. Descendants Of The Suns, or DOTS as it is called. The title seemed so majestic, one could believe it is mythological one. However upon researching the plot (Yes, I am that kind! The spoilers don’t bother me much. Yes, we exist!) and completing the drama I realised title has its own significance in the contemporary world.
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Although it was not my first Kdrama (Boys Over Flowers was, just like for many many people out there), it did feel like a first. I don’t know why. I don’t even remember how I came across the drama, maybe because it topped all the charts? It certainly was a different experience altogether maybe because a lot of time had passed by from Boys over flowers days. For those who have already watched it, hold your breath! A sequel is in planning.
It starts of on what I would say is a different and difficult note. It’s hard to get the inital scenes in the first go and picture a (spoiler alert!) love story. Then it proceeds good a few episodes, it does get me excited at some points. The ost had caught hold of me by then. It seems to stretch a little around episodes 6-9. However the earthquake scenes had been well choreographed, they seem very realistic. The drama picks up real good in latter half. The direction is really amazing even if the episode as a whole wasn’t as entertaining as the next one. There are so many technicalities involved which you can see and there are some that you can’t. I feel it is made that way, some to see and some to understand/decipher. It’s not a 1dimensional drama where things are black and white like they are in many dramas. There are tiny tiny intricacies like after the male and female lead kiss and return back to base, a new scene opens when the light bulb comes to focus in the shape of heart. (Because the love has started to blossom!) The Song-Song couple (male and female protagonists) are married in real life, I was so happy when I found this half way between the drama it made watching the rest of it so much better for me.
Some scenes are real amaze. They get you on your feet. Adreline runs through the entire body. Like the one where Lee Chi-Hoon was bitten. It really made me scream. Other scenes made me smile and laugh and smirk and diss and cry as well (only a tiny bit). I loved the theme music and few songs as well. It’s not all serious, comedy has been carefully crafted at pin points as well. For instance, all the soldiers dancing on Red Velvet songs, the hospital scene where Captain Yoo arrives in the bed just after shootout.
Coming to the characters, I think all have done a fantastic job. Right from Captain Yoo, Doctor Kang to the cafe girl, Valentine. Each character had it’s place. The supporting actors have put an equal foot with the leads. One thing I like is the representation of female characters from Doctor Kang, Lieutenant Yoon, Senior ER nurse Ha Je-ae, Fatima and Valentine. They may be supported by the male characters however they make their own decisions and bear the consequences.
And how can one not fall in love with Yoo shi Jin’s charisma? His fun side and his intense side. Even though the drama has some fine actors as a cast, personally for me Song Joongki was the takeaway.
I like the fact that the characters draw towards realism. With a soldier who isn’t self sacrificing at all times and a doctor who has compromised due to money issues, another who is scared to save a patient because he fears for his own life. It also shows some backend reality of professions. For soldiers, it is not guns and action always many a times it is paperwork (lots of it!).
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The concept was good as well, the views of two parallel yet opposite professionals on life. Doctors and Soldiers have similar battles but different battle grounds. It is very interesting to see them come together, and meet at crossroads.
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The only major issue I found as an audience is that they are never able to finish the movie that lead was watching as a date.
Overall it was a very different one. It’s the one that married my emotional self to Kdramas.
The Drama Bone 