2016 K-drama fever goes to...

Descendants of the Sun.

After the world was blown away by the mysterious alien Do Min Jun (Kim Soo Hyun) last year from My Love from the Star, this year another drama has taken the drama world by storm, even bigger and harder than last year. All thanks to the ultimate duet, Song Joong Ki, who was just dispatched from the military last year, and Song Hye Kyo, Korean goddess whose beauty seems to be everlasting. 

This drama is a little different from other dramas, as all its 16 episodes were pre-recorded, making it impossible to change the storyline midways according to the audience's response. It's a huge risk to take, considering usual dramas are not entirely pre-recorded, and the story will shift along with viewers' ratings. Sometimes they can make more episodes if the response is positive, or otherwise, cut it short. But thankfully, since the first episode, Descendants of the Sun (DOTS) gained positive feedback, and continued doing so until the very last. It was able to keep up with the viewers' expectation, and the drama is now a huge hit. Its ratings surpassed even the mega hits My Love From The Stars, and many TV stations around the world have bought the license to air this series. It's so popular that the minister of foreign affair of China released a statement that warn his people not to be drowned in an imaginary character as it can hurt the real relationship with real people. That's how crazy Chinese people are about DOTS, it can lead to national threat.

DOTS is a military/melodrama which revolves around a star doctor from a big hospital, Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye Kyo), and the captain of the Korean Special Force Alpha Team, Yoo Si Jin (Song Joong Ki). They meet by coincidence, and have shown mutual attraction since day 1, though because of different idealism, have to go their own ways in the second episode. Fate, however, brings them back together, when they bump into each other again in an imaginary country, Urk. The relationship starts again, now with even more problems. In a conflicted foreign land, as peacekeepers, things are unpredictable. Conflicts are around in every corner, and each one brings our couple closer, until they can reach a mutual understanding. 

Aside from the star couple, there is another couple which I think is a real scene stealer. Capt. Yoo Si Jin's second in command, Sergeant Major Seo Dae Yong, and a military doctor, Han Myung Joo. Their forbidden love story has always been interesting to watch from the very beginning, and admittedly Seo Dae Yong's charms are irresistible. Their struggles and development often times are even more fun to watch than the main couple, and I'm satisfied that they are given a happy ending as well. I was so afraid one of them was going to end up dead, as I recall that is somehow a common thing in a drama sets in conflicts or wars. But hey, everybody is alive and well! What a huge relief. 

Maybe it's the perfect casts that bring a big success to the series, and part of it comes from the stunning shots and picturesque scenes, and DOTS does deserve all its attention. I also highly appreciate the fact that all the love lines are pretty simple and clear, without a menacing third person getting in the way, or awful in-laws with all their dirty tricks. It's refreshing and calming at the same time, knowing that the only person who can get in the way of their relationships is themselves. However, it's not a perfect drama. It truly lacks in common sense with a lot of plot holes, as we see doctors operating in an outdoor setting, full of dust and bacteria, far from hygienic. Sometimes you'll see badly wounded soldiers roam freely, second after getting their initial treatments, cameos speaking in broken English everywhere that makes you cringe, or even a volcanic eruption in Canada. All are forgiven, because somewhere along the way you throw your common sense away, as Song Joong Ki is just too adorable to hate, and all the characters are just too good to be true. You just stop caring and enjoy the beauty, or the bromance. 

DOTS is officially over, and 3 special behind the scenes episodes are about to air starting next week. It seems we're not ready yet to let go of this beautiful drama for many good valid reasons, and I understand why. I wonder if there will be another explosive series this year after DOTS. It will be a tough job for everyone, as DOTS has set the bar pretty damn high. Meanwhile, I'll go re-watch our dumb and dumber duo, Yoo Si Jin and Seo Dae Yong, and get lost in my wonderful imaginary world where all soldiers are unbelievably good looking and adorable.