History Series / MrSunshine2018

Mr. Sunshine is a K-Drama broadcasted on the Korean channel tvN and uploaded on Netflix worldwide in 2018.

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* VestigialEmpire: The series' setting marked the twilight of Joseon Korea, which the once-isolated kingdom faced a crisis against Western Imperialism and internal strife from discontent reformers.

* GenreDeconstruction: The series provided a nuanced take on dramas set Joseon Dynasty, which is the main staple of Sageuk historical dramas. Unlike most mainstream series focusing on upper-class characters, the ugly side of Joseon Dynasty was shown to practice their slavery, caste system, rigid gender roles, and their cultural stagnation by the end of the 19th century. As a result, lower classes characters like Eugene (a former slave) and Dong Mae (son of "unclean" butchers) had negative views towards the dynasty compared to many traditional aristocrats.

* ImproperlyPlacedFirearms: The American soldiers in the series are armed with what is similar to Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifles, which is a standard issue of the British military.

* EvilOldFolks: Hee Sung's grandfather is a major example as he almost killed Eugene as a [[SinsOfTheFather group-punishment for his parent's escape even if he was not informed about it]]. Furthermore, he sold off the land of a desperate farmer just to buy him a watch for his grandson.

* GreyAndGrayMorality: Everyone in the show basically had its flaws and strengths. Eugene only felt loyalty to [[{{Eagleland}} the United States]] since he had a bad childhood as a child born to a family of slaves, but he is nonetheless willing to help Joseon if possible. Joseon Dynasty is defending their culture and independence but they suffered from general divide among the nobility (some influential aristocrats being pro-Japanese) and many commoners on the Righteous Army only had ties with them as EnemyMine situation. While the series portrayed Imperial Japan as villainous, many characters ranged from generally kind people to sociopaths. In addition, many LesCollaborateurs characters--especially lower-ranking people like Dong-Mae--founded Japan as for a chance to advance their stations restricted by their home country.

* ImproperlyPlacedFirearms: The American soldiers in the series are armed with what is similar to Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifle, which is a standard issue of the British military.

* DeliberateValuesDissonance: The series tends to portray the less-ideal part of Joseon Dynasty, especially before the arrival of foreign powers. One example is Dong Mae's DarkAndTroubledPast as a child of butcher family who were ostracized due to their "unclean" nature of their work. Another being Joseon's slavery that had been widespread to the point that slave hunters were hired to find escapees who would be brought to be executed for their crimes. Finally, Go Ae Shin had to deal with restrictions on the account as a noblewoman by her traditional grandfather who would have her stay at home rather than being informed, though this also may have to do with the fact that her parents were killed by Japanese soldiers for their activism. Even when slavery was abolished and modernization appeared in Joseon, many citizens still linger on social and gender stratification with a major example being Ae Shin's servant discouraging her from visiting a school meant for commoners.
* {{Eagleland}}: The United States in 1871 was portrayed as a somewhat Boorish-leaning mixed example as it intends to control Korea after the Spanish-American War, but Eugene is a Beautiful example as he wishes to reform Joseon Dynasty as it experienced its downfall. Though in fairness, every powerful nation states--especially Japan-- have [[NotSoDifferent similar goals towards imperial ambitions]].
* EvilChancellor: Though more towards stubborn and arrogant, Gojong's regent basically advise entire court to be more hawkish while ignoring the words of [[OnlySaneMan realistic-minded bureaucrats]] that their "inferior barbarian" invaders have superiority in military and technology. Also the fact that entire country's military is too busy with quelling unrest didn't help the matters of sparing additional soldiers for foreign defense. After their "defense" ended with massive casualties, he intends to condemn the surviving soldiers for "cowardice", which Seung-goo and other prisoners were disillusioned with their government after they were spared by an American commander.

* GreyAndGrayMorality: Everyone in the show basically had its flaws and strengths. Eugene only felt loyalty to [[{{Eagleland}} the United States]] since he had a bad childhood as a child born to a family of slaves, but he is nonetheless willing to help Joseon if possible. Joseon Dynasty is defending their culture and independence but they suffered from general divide among the nobility (some influential aristocrats being pro-Japanese) and many commoners on the Righteous Army only had ties with them as EnemyMine situation. While the series portrayed Imperial Japan as villainous, many characters ranged from generally kind people to sociopaths. In addition, many LesCollaborateurs characters--especially lower-ranking people like Dong-Mae--did it as they found a chance to advance their stations restricted by their home country.

* GreyAndGrayMorality: Everyone in the show basically had its flaws and strengths. Eugene only felt loyalty to [[{{Eagleland}} the United States]] since he had a bad childhood as a child born to a family of slaves, but he is nonetheless willing to help Joseon if possible. Joseon Dynasty is defending their culture and independence but they suffered from general divide among the nobility (some influential courtesans being pro-Japanese) and many commoners on the Righteous Army only had ties with them as EnemyMine situation. While the series portrayed Imperial Japan as villainous, many characters ranged from generally kind people to sociopaths. In addition, many LesCollaborateurs characters--especially lower-ranking people like Dong-Mae--did it as they found a chance to advance their stations restricted by their home country.

* GreyAndGrayMorality: Everyone in the show basically had its flaws and strengths. Eugene wanted to salvage Joseon even if it means serving the ambitions of [[{{Eagleland}} the United States]]. Joseon Dynasty is defending their culture even if it has proven to be stagnant and corrupt thanks to their hesitation towards change. The reformers ranged from WellIntentionedExtremist and LesCollaborateurs for Imperial Japan as many of them saw them as a successful example of a country who modernized themselves in the face of western colonialism.
* ImproperlyPlacedFirearms: The American soldiers in the series are armed with what is similiar to Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifle, which is a standard issue of the British military.

* GenreDeconstruction: The series provided a nuanced take on dramas set Joseon Dynasty, which is the main staple of
Sageuk historical dramas. Unlike most mainstream series focusing on upper-class characters, the ugly side of Joseon Dynasty was shown to practice their slavery, caste system, rigid gender roles, and their cultural stagnation by the end of the 19th century. As a result, lower classes characters like Eugene (a former slave) and Dong Mae (son of "unclean" butchers) had negative views towards the dynasty compared to many traditional aristocrats.

A young boy born into a house servant's family escapes his master and travels to the United States during the 1871 Shinmiyangyo (U.S. expedition to Korea). He returns as a U.S. marine officer during a period of political turmoil, and falls in love with an aristocrat's daughter.

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Mr. Sunshine is a K-Drama broadcasted on the Korean channel tvN and uploaded on Netflix in 2018. A young boy born into a house servant's family escapes his masters and travels to the United States during the 1871 Shinmiyangyo (U.S. expedition to Korea). He returns as a U.S. marine officer during a period of political turmoil, and falls in love with an aristocrat's daughter.

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Sageuk historical dramas. Unlike most mainstream series focusing on upper-class characters, the ugly side of Joseon Dynasty was shown to practice their slavery, caste system, rigid gender roles, and their cultural stagnation by the end of the 19th century. As a result, lower classes characters like Eugene (a former slave) and Dong Mae (son of "pariah"-butchers) had negative views towards the dynasty compared to many traditional aristocrats.

* GenreDeconstruction: The series provided a nuanced take on dramas set Joseon Dynasty, which provided its more ugly side like their slavery, caste system, rigid gender roles, and their cultural stagnation by the end of 19th century. As a result, Eugene had no love for Joseon's ideals as a former slave while Dong Mae only rose through the ranks as a Japanese Yakuza enforcer instead of impoverished life as a butcher's son.

* DeliberateValueDissonance: The series tends to portray the less-ideal part of Joseon Dynasty, especially before the arrival of foreign powers. One example is Dong Mae's DarkAndTroubledPast as a child of butcher family who were ostracized due to their "unclean" nature of their work. Another being Joseon's slavery that had been widespread to the point that slave hunters were hired to find escapees who would be brought to be executed for their crimes. Finally, Go Ae Shin had to deal with restrictions on the account as a noblewoman by her traditional grandfather who would have her stay at home rather than being informed, though this also may have to do with the fact that her parents were killed by Japanese soldiers for their activism. Even when slavery was abolished and modernization appeared in Joseon, many citizens still linger on social and gender stratification with a major example being Ae Shin's servant discouraging her from visiting a school meant for commoners.

* AnachronismStew: When Ae Shin was born in Japan in the 1880's, her parents use Mauser C96 pistols when they fend of the Japanese instead of era-appropriate guns like the Smith and Wesson Model 1871, Colt 1860 or SAA revolver, or British Bulldog revolver.

* CurbStompBattle: the Koreans couldn't stand a chance against either Americans using Rolling-block Rifles and Beech-loading cannons(using their outdated Matchlock rifles) during the Battle of Ganghwa and the Japanese (most of them were well-trained and have experience fighting in China and Russia) when they took over Korea.

* {{Eagleland}}: The United States in 1871 was portrayed as a somewhat Boorish example as it intend to control Korea after the Spanish-American War, but Eugene is a Beautiful example as he wishes to reform Joseon Dynasty as it experienced its downfall. Though in fairness, every powerful nations--especially Japan-- have [[NotSoDifferent similar goals towards imperial ambitions]].
* EvilChancellor: Though more towards stubborn and arrogant, Gojong's regent basically advise entire court to be more hawkish while ignoring the words of [[OnlySaneMan realistic-minded bureaucrats]] that their "inferior barbarian" invaders have superiority in military and technology. Also the fact that entire country's military is too busy with quelling unrest didn't help the matters of sparing additional soldiers for foreign defense. After their "defense" ended with massive casualties, he intends to condemn the surviving soldiers but an American commander gave them mercy.

* GenreDeconstruction: The series provided a nuanced take on dramas set Joseon Dynasty, which provided its more ugly side like their slavery, rigid gender roles, and their cultural stagnation by the end of 19th century.

* RagsToRiches: Eugene/Yoo Jin was born as a slave in Joseon dynasty before he was shipped off to America before becoming a prestigious Marines officer.

* EvilChancellor: Though more towards stubborn and arrogant, Gojong's regent basically advise entire court to be more hawkish while ignoring the words of [[OnlySaneMan realistic-minded bureaucrats]] that their "inferior barbarian" invaders have superiority in military and technology. Also the fact that entire country's military is too busy with quelling unrest didn't help the matters of sparing additional soldiers for foreign defense.

* AnachronismStew: When Ae Shin was born in Japan in the 1880's, her parents use Mauser C96 pistols when they fend of the Japanese instead of era-appropriate guns like the Smith and Wesson Model 1871, Colt 1860 or SAA revolver, or British Bulldog revolver.
* the Japanese were guilty of this. while they used Arisaka Rifles during the series, they use Gewehr 88s during the 1880's flashback instead of the Mauser 1871. they also used Gatling guns when they attacked the Royal Military Academy instead of Maxim machine guns.

* EvilChancellor: Though more towards stubborn and arrogant, Gojong's regent basically advise entire court to be more hawkish while ignoring the words of [[OnlySaneMan realistic-minded bureaucrats]] that their "inferior barbarian" invaders are outmatched in military and technological might. Also the fact that entire country's military is too busy with quelling unrest didn't help the matters of sparing additional soldiers for foreign defense.

* {{Eagleland}}: The United States in 1871 was portrayed as a somewhat Boorish example as it intend to control Korea after the Spanish-American War, but Eugene is a Beautiful example as he wishes to reform Joseon Dynasty as it experienced its downfall. Though not that every power--especially Japan-- have [[NotSoDifferent similar goals]].

* ArtisticLicenseHistory: There is no way Eugene would be accepted into military, let alone serve, as a Korean in white-exclusive military institution.

** to writer Kim Eun Sook's works in general, moreso than ''Series/{{Goblin}}''.

* GreyAndGrayMorality: Everyone in the show basically had its flaws and strengths. Eugene wanted to salvage Joseon even if it means serving the ambitions of [[{{Eagleland}} United States]]. Joseon Dynasty is defending their culture even if it is proven to be politically corrupt and stagnant but too stubborn to admit them.

* GreyAndGrayMorality: Everyone in the show basically had its flaws and strengths. Eugene wanted to salvage Joseon even if it means serving the ambitions of [[Eagleland United States]]. Joseon Dynasty is defending their culture even if it is proven to be politically corrupt and stagnant but too stubborn to admit them.

** every Japanese in this show is this, with the exception of Dong Mae's men.
* LoveDodecahedron: Hoo, boy. Eugene loves Ae Shin and she loves him, but he was born as a slave and she was a noble. To complicate matters, Hee Sung is Ae Shin's Fiance, Dong Mae has feelings towards Ae Shin since they were kids, and Hina falls in love with Eugene, but after realizing that Eugene and Ae Shin are meant for each other, she falls again for Dong Mae. It still fails since Dong Mae has no interest towards her. Poor girl, she really wanted a hug.

* LoveDodecahedron: Eugene loves Ae Shin and she loves him, but he was born as a slave and she was a noble. To complicate matters, Hee Sung is Ae Shin's Fiance, Dong Mae has feelings towards Ae Shin since they were kids, and Hina falls in love with Eugene, but after realizing that Eugene and Ae Shin are meant for each other, she falls again for Dong Mae. It still fails since Dong Mae has no interest towards her. Poor girl, she really wanted a hug.

* ActionGirl: Go Ae Shin, a ColdSniper and a member of the [[Main/LaResistance RighteousArmy]]. Kudo Hina is no slouch either since she is skilled at fencing.
* BittersweetEnding: Ae Shin finally leads The Righteous Army in Manchuria, but at the cost of the lives of [[spoiler: Dong Mae, Hina/Yang Hwa, Hee Sung, and Eugene/Yoo Jin]], Joseon being conquered by Japan in 1910, and leaving her countrymen at home behind.

* BittersweetEnding: Ae Shin finally leads The Righteous Army in Manchuria, but at the cost of the lives of [[spoiler: Dong Mae, Hina/Yang Hwa, Hee Sung, and Eugene/Yoo Jin]].

! ''Mr. Sunshine contains examples of these following tropes:

* BittersweetEnding: Ae Shin leads The Righteous Army in Manchuria, but at the cost of the lives of [[spoiler: Dong Mae, Hina/YangHwa, Hee Sung, and Eugene/YooJin]].

** to Kim Eun Sook's works in general, moreseo than ''Series/Goblin''.
* ForegoneConclusion: Despite Eugene's efforts to save Joseon from ruin, his home country was conquered anyway by InperialJapan.

Mr. Sunshine is a K-Drama broadcasted on the Korean channel tvN and uploaded on Netflix in 2018. A young boy born into a house servant's family escapes his masters and travels to the United States during the 1871 Shinmiyangyo (U.S. expedition to Korea). He returns as a U.S. marine officer during a period of political turmoil, and falls in love with an aristocrat's daughter.

Mr. Sunshine is a K-Drama broadcasted on the Korean channel tvN and uploaded on Netflix in 2018.