Totally agree. This drama doesnt have the best plot. But it has its own charms. What makes this a hit is SJK. His acting and chemistry with SHK and his bros... Plus, The chemistry of the cast.

I'll watch few ep if it's him, he still looked young,
But what if they go Peter Ho and make muscle yoo shi jin, damn this remake make me imagines lots of things

I think DoTS romance reminds of Cdrama a bit so I feel like they can make the romance that full of fluffy things and of course, the never ending RIO may present (sometimes I timed when rio came to the scene, like a scheduled cameo)

Wallce chung is more intense than SJK imo, feel like they kinda in the same aura while Wallace Huo and Hu Ge more fitted to the soldier badass look, WH and HG already being flirty in their early drama,
*sorry I am making no sense here,

but if one of them do that, I guess the big news is impeccable since they had lots of fan.
I like YSJ character and Song Jong Ki is well fitted, he make his own YSJ, but I think that some other great actor can make the role different

I just think it's a role that another actor can play. Not every actor, but one with reasonably solid acting skills and good looks & the right physique. I don't think it's an iconic or unique role – there's a lot of 'stock' in this character.

I'm sure this role is winning SJK more fans than any of his other roles, earning him more money & better roles in the future, but acting-wise it’s not the most illuminating performance of his career (not his fault of course: the character isn't written in a way that allows him to show a wide range of skills –  he doesn't even have a 'character arch'). If he's irreplaceable here, it would be mostly for his visual charm... but that I find sad to judge an actor as good as SJK on.

@ alua,

Please indulge me, as I again, try to fully understand (and not assume) what you are saying. This might be viewed as thin, however I can see how some might argue (based on some of the comments I have read here and there) that YSJ has had a "character arc."

1-The YSJ of epis. 1 and 2 (and beyond) was not thinking about how the relationship could play out long term, whereas the YSJ post episode 12 has been made aware that thinking (possibly) long term is a good and necessary thing for this relationship (and how to try to make that happen). We even see him in ep.13 use the code phrase KMY gave him (twice).

2-The YSJ of epis. 1 and 2 (and beyond) would not want to bring KMY into his world (and she was not asking for every minute detail of it, just enough so that she could know what she was getting herself into). It is also very possible that he didn't know how, at the time. The YSJ post episode 12 would be open to letting KMY in, in so far as letting her know when he is in pain (so she can comfort him as well), and letting her know when a mission would be dangerous enough for her to worry. He would also not always feel the need to cover things up with jokes and a facade. So in a sense, the YSJ post epis.12 might be more "real" to KMY than the YSJ of ep.1 and 2 (and beyond, I know).

3-The YSJ of ep.1 and 2 (etc...) might have wanted to protect KMY (physically and emotionally), however he might not have thought about how things looked like from KMY's POV. Ther YSJ post ep.12 was made to consider KMY's perspective and feelings, though he could still be protective of her.

These are the first things I could think of, and if I have more time, maybe I could think of more? I don't know. I need to stop here though, so I can attend to other things.
So some might argue (as thin as it might appear), that YSJ has had a "character arc" based on what I tried to present. In your opinion, it is still not a "character arc?" On the other hand, I do see how KMY (as a character) grew more than YSJ, in this drama.

I just thought I would get your perspective, once more.

Who did she have in mind?

I'm not doubting that SJK is doing his best. :-)

@ gpap,

About this, "KES wrote his part having another actor in mind and that’s so obvious." What in your opinion makes it so obvious? I don't know if it was because of a few comments I had read, however I think that before I watched the drama, I was under the vague impression that the role had gone straight (meaning being offered) to SJK, and so somehow, somewhere I assumed that the role had been written with SJK in mind. I actually just reread a comment written by one of his fans on another site who wrote (quite a few times) that the script had been rewritten to fit SJK. I don't know if that is true or not.

The earlier comment I made (here: 4.1 Ivoire April 7th, 2016 at 5:15 AM) was based on an article that was pointed out to me. Here is the link,

http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/descendants-of-the-sun-producer-on-k-dramas-unlikely-success-song-joong-kis

I find it interesting that you seem to be right on the money, though I wonder what gave it away for you? Also, I did not watch Secret Garden. How did KES "camouflage" her first choice in that drama? (I do know that Hyun Bin was not the first choice, and I later read that KES had to fight for him to be accepted as the lead actor in that drama).

@ alua,

unfortunately, the article does not say who they had in mind, though they certainly make it sound like they must have been bigger stars than SJK (at that time, I am assuming). What I do not understand is why they would reject the drama on the basis that it would be pre-produced and shot overseas. Considering where they went overseas, I would think it would be a reason to want to go (from what I have seen, the places seem gorgeous, especially the beaches, and the water). And with the drama being pre-produced, wouldn't the working conditions be a little better, compared to what they usually are? (another incentive to give this drama a shot?)
Well... SJK grabbed that opportunity, and we can see where it is taking him.

I don't disagree with what you say about SJK in DoTs, but still think others could have done that too (a few Korean actors) or can do it (good Chinese actors that might be cast in the remake).

There's doing well... and there's shining. He shone in Werewolf Boy – not that he's irreplaceable there either (very few roles probably are) but that was a performance that probably only a single handful of actors (from his age-range) could have delivered.

Obviously all just my opinion. :-)

No, I didn't think she was criticising him. :-)