While I don’t think that Eugene is completely emotionally detached from Joseon’s cause, Ae-shin has been and will always be his raison d’etre. All that he has done and will continue to do will be for her. In many ways, Eugene’s character has functioned in a chiefly supportive—and traditionally feminine—role.
For Ae-shin, on the other hand, the Cause will always take precedence over Eugene. I can’t blame her for this because she is fighting for something bigger than herself. In fact, she is fighting for both her own generation and the generations to follow. Yes, she loves Eugene, but she has to focus on the bigger picture. Ever since her grandfather’s death, she has committed herself to fully living as a freedom fighter; this is no part-time gig for her. I could see the benefit of having no lovers or family ties if one has to live such a life. While she has told Eugene to free himself from her on more than one occasion, the latter, living only for her, cannot make such a choice.
Eugene’s sacrifice at the end made sense for his character. And his actions once again benefited the Righteous Army, even if the chief motivation behind those actions was love for one woman.
I should have known that Eugene would die. Why was I not even thinking about that?
Dong-mae’s death, on the other hand, seemed obvious from the first moment he stepped onto the screen. I felt it coming, even if I was still taken aback by it when it finally happened.
Heesung’s death was another shocker. Interestingly enough, when the promotional material on the other characters started coming out, I remember commenting that both the Dong-mae and Heesung would die…that I was getting that feeling from both characters. And yet, as I watched the drama, I must have forgotten my initial prediction. Heesung’s death shocked and saddened me.
To the world outside, he might have lived a frivolous, meaningless existence, but little did most people know how much he was actually doing for the cause. Should we get a mini drama that follows the discovery of his buried pictures?
When Hee Sung him brought his seamstress and the kid to his parents for protection, I was hoping he would survive to show his parents that his seamstress wife would be a good choice. When the Japanese let Hee Sung go after realizing he’s a nobleman, I hoped his sly use of his status would help him survive. When Hee Sung warned the “Anything you want” guys to leave because they will be found out and in danger for providing the bomb, I also saw hope that Hee Sung would survive. Then…he didn’t watch out for himself. His anonymous newspaper was not so anonymous after all. His death was devastating. The ONE nobleman to see Joseon’s real situation gets knocked out of the story. More than Mr. Sunshine himself, Hee Sung brings the sunshine to every scene he was in…even in his last scene. So hard to watch. So devastating.
Peridot
October 1, 2018 at 7:41 AM
Here are some of my thoughts on Mr. Sunshine ep. 24. Please see my reply. I might re-post this on the final recap.
Peridot
October 1, 2018 at 7:41 AM
While I don’t think that Eugene is completely emotionally detached from Joseon’s cause, Ae-shin has been and will always be his raison d’etre. All that he has done and will continue to do will be for her. In many ways, Eugene’s character has functioned in a chiefly supportive—and traditionally feminine—role.
For Ae-shin, on the other hand, the Cause will always take precedence over Eugene. I can’t blame her for this because she is fighting for something bigger than herself. In fact, she is fighting for both her own generation and the generations to follow. Yes, she loves Eugene, but she has to focus on the bigger picture. Ever since her grandfather’s death, she has committed herself to fully living as a freedom fighter; this is no part-time gig for her. I could see the benefit of having no lovers or family ties if one has to live such a life. While she has told Eugene to free himself from her on more than one occasion, the latter, living only for her, cannot make such a choice.
Eugene’s sacrifice at the end made sense for his character. And his actions once again benefited the Righteous Army, even if the chief motivation behind those actions was love for one woman.
I should have known that Eugene would die. Why was I not even thinking about that?
Dong-mae’s death, on the other hand, seemed obvious from the first moment he stepped onto the screen. I felt it coming, even if I was still taken aback by it when it finally happened.
Heesung’s death was another shocker. Interestingly enough, when the promotional material on the other characters started coming out, I remember commenting that both the Dong-mae and Heesung would die…that I was getting that feeling from both characters. And yet, as I watched the drama, I must have forgotten my initial prediction. Heesung’s death shocked and saddened me.
To the world outside, he might have lived a frivolous, meaningless existence, but little did most people know how much he was actually doing for the cause. Should we get a mini drama that follows the discovery of his buried pictures?
Dl
October 1, 2018 at 12:42 PM
When Hee Sung him brought his seamstress and the kid to his parents for protection, I was hoping he would survive to show his parents that his seamstress wife would be a good choice. When the Japanese let Hee Sung go after realizing he’s a nobleman, I hoped his sly use of his status would help him survive. When Hee Sung warned the “Anything you want” guys to leave because they will be found out and in danger for providing the bomb, I also saw hope that Hee Sung would survive. Then…he didn’t watch out for himself. His anonymous newspaper was not so anonymous after all. His death was devastating. The ONE nobleman to see Joseon’s real situation gets knocked out of the story. More than Mr. Sunshine himself, Hee Sung brings the sunshine to every scene he was in…even in his last scene. So hard to watch. So devastating.
Peridot
October 2, 2018 at 9:17 AM
Very true!