For almost two decades, Korea, in the mind of US officials, was seen as as hostile foreign power. Of course, the US tended to believe Japan’s narrative ever since the US-Korean conflict in 1871 during which, due to multiple misunderstandings on both sides, the US essentially invaded and killed over 200 Koreans. In their telling, Korea was the problem that prevented peace. Meanwhile, as these negotiations were under way, Japanese Ministers, government, and newspapers spread anti-Korean propaganda, saying Korea was the reason why so much turmoil existed in the Far East. As a result of that agreement, the US would support a peace treaty between Japan and Russia that handed Korea over to Japan. The US too, under President Teddy Roosevelt and the US Foreign Secretary, agreed to hand over sovereignty of Korea to Japan as long Japan gave up every right to the Philippians which the US had recently won from Spain. Nevertheless for all of Korea’s lobbying at the Hague and elsewhere in the US and Europe, Britain joined with Japan in its bid to control Korea. If the United States does not watch Japan closely she will force the Americans and the English out of the Far East.” Japan is bitter against the United States and against Great Britain.
The Japanese adopted a policy that in the end will give her complete control over commerce and industry in the Far East. One representative warned forebodingly of Japanese ambitions in Asia: “The United States does not realize what Japan’s policy in the Far East is and what it portends for the American people. Indeed, Korean Ministers set up a second Ministry in San Francisco where they actively lobbied Korean Americans in support of their mission to keep Korea independent. Although the Korean representatives were blocked by the Japanese delegates, they did not give up, and later held interviews with newspapers. Following the Protectorate Treaty of 1905 between Korea and Japan, which forcibly stripped Korea of its rights as an independent nation, Gojong sent representatives to the Hague Peace Convention of 1907 in order to try to re-assert his sovereignty over Korea. In 1904-5, the Japanese military achieved a comprehensive victory in the Russo-Japanese War. Indeed several nobles sent their male children to Japan, which was among the more technologically advanced and worldly nations, to complete their educations. Some amongst the nobles balked at his plans while others embraced them. Furthermore, Gojong realized the might and advanced technology of these foreign nations and, to keep his Kingdom safe, sought to bring those advancements to Korea. But geopolitics and Korea’s own military and political weakness made that impossible. It sought, like Japan decades earlier, to keep foreigners out. It wanted to be left alone and remain neutral. Korea is now, the Joseon Dynasty, at the end of the 19 th Century, was a hermit kingdom.
In public statements, Japan painted itself as the defender of East Asia from foreign dominance, much as they saw the Monroe Doctrine protecting Latin and South America from European incursion.Īs No. Japan publicly considering itself the rightful defender of East Asia. Japan resented Russia’s land grab and feared Russia’s potential as a political rival in Asia. To make that happen, Russia annexed not only Manchuria but also a portion of China that borders what is now No. Blocked by both ice throughout much of the year and other nations on Atlantic, ports on the Pacific Ocean seemed perfect ports for Russian trade and influence expansion. To make sense of the historical background surrounding the drama, it’s necessary to understand the geopolitical dynamics within East Asia.įirst of all, Czar Nicolas of Russia sought to expand his empire across Manchuria to the warmer waters of the Pacific. Sunshine takes place in the early years of the 20 th Century (around 1905), prior to the complete annexation of Korea and while Emperor Gojong was still on Korea’s throne. Unlike Korean films and dramas set later in Japan’s occupation – post annexation of Korea – Mr. While a love story between a Korean noble woman, fighting for Korea’s liberty from Japan’s control, and an American Navel Captain who just happens to be is an escaped child of Korean slaves, the backdrop of the story is Japan’s occupation of Korea.
The drama was written by Kim Eun-Sook and Director Lee Eung-Bok of Descendants of the Sun and Goblin fame. Sunshine, airing simultaneously on Netflix (Sat and Sun). As mentioned before, I’m currently watching the TvN drama Mr.