Mr. Sunshine
"Those who voluntarily protected the country, righteous army"
▲ (Mr. Sunshine episode 1) Young Eugene (left) and Eugene's father (right) who were born as slaves and treated as simple possessions
The main character, Eugene Choi, was born as a slave in Joseon. Eugene witnesses the death of his parents in front of his eyes and moves to the United State. Eugene Choi, who chose the United States as his country, made many contributions by becoming a U.S. army. Eugene Choi, who chose the United States as his country, made many contributions by becoming a U.S. army.
Eugene, who had not good feelings for Joseon, intended to come back to the U.S. after finishing his work. But in Joseon, he meets a woman who shakes his heart. Ko Ae-shin.
▲ (Mr. Sunshine Episode 20) Ko Ae-shin punishes the traitor
Ae-shin is the last precious blood relative of the the Ko’s family. Ko Ae-shin is a flower-like Aegissi (young aristocratic lady, mademoiselle) that everyone in the neighborhood loves. But at night, she secretly carries a knife and gun and engages in righteous activities like flame.
Ae-shin is not the only one who acts as a righteous army. In the drama, there are many nameless heroes such as slaves, butcher, women, and confucian scholars who engage in righteous army with a strict sense of duty regardless of their status
The photo above was taken in Korea by F.A. McKenzie, a British war correspondent of "Daily Mail" between 1906 and 1907. There are images of righteous army in the picture. "Mr. Sunshine" touched people by recreating the photo in drama.
McKenzie described them as follows while taking this photo.
"A bright look and a confident smile on your face"
Who the is the 'righteous army' in Mr. Sunshine?
Who are they to smile confidently?
What did they fight for?
▲ (Mr. Sunshine EP. 24) Reproduction of the righteous army in the drama
#Then what is the righteous army?
Righteous army refers to people who voluntarily armed themselves and fought for state when state was difficult, such as foreign invasion.
Even without coercion, the righteous army voluntarily sacrifices their lives to protect the country.
Signs of righteous army can be found throughout Korean history. The reason why Goryeo was able to fight for decades when it was invaded by Mongolia (1231-1259) was because there were people who sacrificed their lives to protect the country voluntarily. During the Imjin War (Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592~1598), the reason why the country could be preserved from Japan was largely due to the role of righteous army in various regions of the country.
Inheriting this spirit, righteous soldiers are active at the Late Period of Joseon. They fought against Japan's unjust interference. Mr. Sunshine is a drama about the activities of righteous soldiers at the end of the Late Period of Joseon.
▲ (Mr. Sunshine Episode 18) The appearance of the Japanese military Colonel "Mori Takashi"
“(Mori Takashi) Joseon survived up to now in spite of wars with Japan and the Qing Dynasty.
Do you know why? People risk their lives to save their country every time. Who? It's the common people. They call themselves the ‘righteous army’.
The children of those who were righteous army in the year of Imjin become righteous army in the year of Eulmi.
Then, What are the children of those who were righteous army in the year of Eulmi doing now?”
"Mr. Sunshine," a drama about righteous army in the late Joseon Dynasty. If you he righteous army of the early periodtake a deeper look at righteous army during this period, you will be able to better understand the drama.
#History of righteous army in the late Joseon Dynasty
1. the righteous army of the early period (the righteous army in the year of Gabo, Eulmi)
Early righteous army began in 1894 when the Japanese army occupied Gyeongbokgung Palace by force. Later, Japan assassinated Empress Myeongseong, the queen of Joseon (Eulmi Incident) and the government promulgated the ordinance prohibiting topknots.
Then Righteous army arose around Confucian scholars trying to protect the Neo-Confucianism order. They tried to protect Confucian ethics and drive out foreign powers. Farmers also actively participated in the righteous army.
However, when King Gojong withdrew the ordinance prohibiting topknots and recommended the disbandment of the righteous army, most of them disbanded.
On the surface, it was disbanded, but a number of righteous army commanders who were active at this time participated in activities that took place later.
2. the righteous army of the middle period (the righteous army in the year of Ulsa)
▲ (Mr. Sunshine Episode 20) The U.S. Marine Corps "Kyle" informs Eugene Choi of the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War
With the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War (1904), the Japanese invasion of Joseon began in earnest. The victory of the Russo-Japanese War tilted toward Japan. In August 1904, the Korean Empire signed the first Korea-Japan Agreement under the coercion of Japan. Japan sent advisers to the Korean Empire to begin meddling in domestic affairs. And the following year(1905), Japan deprived Korean Empire of the diplomatic power through the Protectorate Treaty between Korea and Japan (Eulsa Neugyak). Then a number of righteous army rose up. At this time, the first righteous army commander from the common people appeared. The size and influence of the righteous army were growing.
3. the righteous army of the late period (the righteous army in the year of Jeongmi)
▲ (Mr. Sunshine Episode 22) King Gojong is threatened and says he will he will hand over the throne.
In 1907, Japan forced King Gojong to abdicate and forced the Korean army to disband. Threatened by the existence of the country, a national uprising broke out across the country. At this time, the disbanded soldiers also actively participated in the righteous army. So the fighting power of the righteous army was strengthened.
Confucian scholars, slaves, butchers, students, teachers, farmers, etc.
People with one will gathered to protect the country regardless of gender, status, or occupation.
Righteous army from all over the country united with each other and planned a "The Seoul advance Operation" to defeat Japanese troops stationed in Seoul. However, "The Seoul advance Operation" was foundered, and Japan deployed infantry and naval ships to suppress the righteous army on a large scale.
In particular, in 1909, Japan extensively subjugated the righteous army through the Great South Korean subjugation operation, and the activities of the righteous army were restricted.
#The Story Afterwards
▲ (Mr. Sunshine Episode 24) The righteous soldiers who are continuing their anti-Japanese activities abroad
"The Seoul advance Operation" ended in failure. There were many casualties and property damages, but the activities of the righteous army were not in vain. Even after the subjugation, righteous army activities continued in various parts of the country. The righteous army activity is a national resistance movement in Korea against foreign invasion and domination. It is an effort to protect Korea's independence and a movement to protect national consciousness.
In addition, the righteous army moved to Manchuria and the Maritime Province and continued to resist.
They became the basis of the independence movement of the 1920s.
The history of the righteous army shows Korea's sense of resistance. The righteous army resisted the imperialist trend that was widespread around the world at the time. They fought for their country and for human freedom and peace.
I hope you remember the stories of these people who gave their lives to defend their country, regardless of their status.