'Mr. Sunshine' takes flack for leaning to Japan

A scene from the drama “Mr. Sunshine.” Courtesy of CJ E&M

By Dong Sun-hwa

The Korean drama “Mr. Sunshine” is in hot water for allegedly being pro-Japanese.

The drama is set in the turn-of-the-century Joseon Kingdom that became so weak that Japan and other colonial powers were trying to take it over. Japan eventually absorbed it.

Viewers expressed dissatisfaction over Joseon's culture being portrayed as uncivilized and for the show's excessive justification of those who turned against Joseon.

The program is also taking flack for being lenient about Japanese pillage.

In particular, “Black Dragon Society,” to which Goo Dong-mae (Yoo Yeon-seok) belongs, was a right-wing Japanese organization.

“We will come up with a new and non-existent organization,” said the crew of the drama. “We apologize for causing inconvenience and confusion ― but we truly did not mean to praise Japan.”

“We are learning the need to be more careful, because our drama deals with a sensitive era.”

The drama was written by Kim Eun-sook, whose credits include such hits as "Descendants of the Sun" and "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God."

In the latest series, Lee Byung-hun plays Eugene Choi, a Korean-born U.S. Marine who falls in love with Ko Ae-shin, an assassin who fights for the Joseon. Kim Tae-ri, 28, has the female role.