Descendants of the Sun (Korean: 태양의 후예) is a 2016 South Korean television series. It stars Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo, Jin Goo, and Kim Ji-won. The story was written by Kim Eun-sook and Kim Won-seok. It follows the relationship between Yoo Shi-jin, a captain in the South Korean Army's special forces, and Kang Mo-yeon, a surgeon. At first, their different ideas about life and duty caused them to separate. Later, they meet again in a fictional country affected by a disaster, where they work together to help people in need. A side story shows the relationship between Seo Dae-young, a master sergeant, and Yoon Myung-joo, an army doctor.

The series began developing in 2011. Kim Eun-sook's script was based on Kim Won-seok's original story, Doctors Without Borders. Before filming, the production team looked for locations and used more than 350 people. The show was directed by Lee Eung-bok and Baek Sang-hoon. Filming happened in South Korea and Greece, with a budget of ₩13 billion. Unlike most Korean dramas, which are filmed as they air, this series was fully prepared before being shown. The music was composed by Song Dong-woon and Gaemi. The series has 16 episodes and three special episodes. It aired on KBS from February 24 to April 22, 2016. It was the first Korean drama to be broadcast at the same time in China through iQIYI. Later, it was shared with 32 countries.

Critics gave the series good reviews for the acting and dialogue. Some said the story was hard to believe and had too many product placements. The show was a big success, becoming the first miniseries in South Korea to reach more than 30% viewership since 2012. It showed many aspects of Korean culture and helped spread the Korean Wave. The series had a large economic impact of ₩3 trillion, including more exports, tourism, and product sales. It won awards, such as the Grand Prize in television at the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards and Best Drama at the 9th Korea Drama Awards. Remakes of the series were made in the Philippines and Vietnam.

Cast and characters

• Song Joong-ki as Captain Yoo Shi-jin:
• Song Hye-kyo as Kang Mo-yeon:
• Jin Goo as Master Sergeant Seo Dae-young:
• Kim Ji-won as First Lieutenant Yoon Myung-joo:
• Park Hoon as Sergeant Choi Woo-geun: A bomb disposal specialist and sniper. He is the only married member of Alpha Team. His nickname is Snoopy.
• Choi Woong as Staff Sergeant Gong Cheol-ho: The youngest member of Alpha Team. His nickname is Harry Potter.
• Ahn Bo-hyun as Sergeant Lim Gwang-nam: An Alpha Team sniper. His nickname is Piccolo.
• Kang Shin-il as Lieutenant General Yoon Gil-joon: Myung-joo's father. He is the main obstacle in his daughter's relationship with Dae-young.
• Kim Byung-chul as Lieutenant Colonel Park Byung-soo: The commander of the Taebaek Army in Uruk. He is impulsive and often has disagreements with Shi-jin because Shi-jin's actions are hard to predict, which causes problems with Park's superiors.
• Kim Min-seok as Private First Class Kim Ki-bum: A former pickpocket who joins the army after being stopped by Shi-jin and Dae-young. He is trained by Dae-young. His story shows how the military helps change people's behavior.

• Onew as Lee Chi-hoon: A first-year thoracic surgery resident who starts as inexperienced. His story focuses on his growth as a doctor. The Uruk earthquake helps him face his weaknesses and professional mistakes. He is engaged to fellow resident Jang Hee-eun.
• Lee Seung-joon as Song Sang-hyun: A general surgeon and Mo-yeon's senior colleague. He is disorganized and humorous but skilled. He helps the team with medical tasks. He has long admired Ha Ja-ae.
• Seo Jeong-yeon as Ha Ja-ae: The head nurse of Haesung's ER. She is practical and calm. She leads rescue efforts in Uruk with Song. She has an on-and-off relationship with Song.
• Park Hwan-hee as Choi Min-ji: The youngest nurse in the medical team. She is cheerful and energetic. She helps lighten the team's mood even during stressful situations.

• Hyun Jyu-ni as Pyo Ji-soo: A pathologist and Mo-yeon's friend. She uses a wheelchair, but the reason is not explained.
• Tae In-ho as Han Seok-won: The hospital chairman. He values power more than medical ethics. He sends Mo-yeon to Uruk after she refuses his unwanted advances.
• Park Ah-in as Kim Eun-ji: A professor who joined the team through family connections. She is disrespectful and often criticizes others.
• Jo Woo-ri as Jang Hee-eun: An anesthesiology resident and Lee Chi-hoon's pregnant fiancée. She worries about his safety during the Uruk disaster.

• David Lee McInnis as David Agus: An antagonist and former Delta Force member. He is Shi-jin's former comrade. After leaving the military, he becomes a gang leader in Uruk. He creates a conflict for Shi-jin, who must decide whether to kill a former friend who has become a villain.
• Jo Jae-yoon as Jin Young-soo: The executive manager of the Uruk Power Plant. He is dishonest and follows Agus's orders, causing problems for the main characters and accidentally starting the M3 virus outbreak.
• Ji Seung-hyun as Senior Lieutenant Ahn Jung-joon of the Korean People's Army: A North Korean officer. He starts as Shi-jin's enemy but becomes an ally after Shi-jin helps him prove his innocence in a conspiracy. He later saves Shi-jin and Dae-young.
• Jasper Cho as Daniel Spencer: A doctor with the Peacemaker and a skilled handyman who owns a hardware store.
• Jeon Soo-jin as Ri Ye-hwa: A Koryo-saram nurse with the Peacemaker and Daniel's wife.
• Lee Yi-kyung as Kang Min-jae: A worker at the Uruk Power Plant and earthquake survivor. He resents Lee Chi-hoon after a failed rescue attempt, which affects Chi-hoon's mental growth.
• Zyon Barreto as Fatima: A girl nicknamed "Red Rose." She is saved by Mo-yeon and Shi-jin from a human trafficking group. Her presence causes Mo-yeon to face moral challenges.
• Elena Zhernovaia as Valentine: A waitress who helps the relief team.
• Jun In-taek as Yoo Young-geun: Shi-jin's father and a retired master sergeant. Shi-jin respects him, which influenced his decision to join the military.

List of actors and characters who made special appearances and were acknowledged in the closing credits:
• Lee Kwang-soo as a shooting arcade operator (episode 1).
• Jung Ji-won as a television announcer (episodes 2, 16).
• Lee Jong-hyuk as Captain Kim Jin-seok (episodes 2, 5, 10, and 15): A soldier killed during a mission to rescue Agus. He appears only in Shi-jin's flashbacks.
• Ryu Hwa-young as Seo Dae-young's ex-girlfriend (episode 4).
• Park Joon-geum as Lee Chi-hoon's mother (episodes 7, 11).
• Yoo Ah-in as a bank teller (episode 13).
• Lee Jae-yong as Lieutenant General Choi Ji-ho of the Korean People's Army (episodes 13, 14): The leader of a plot to use North Korean soldiers for criminal activities. Shi-jin helps Ahn expose him as a traitor.
• Red Velvet as themselves (episode 16): The group visits the military base to perform "Dumb Dumb."

Production

On February 18, 2014, Hwa&Dam Pictures announced that writers Kim Eun-sook and Kim Won-seok were working together on a new drama called Descendants of the Sun. The project was described as a drama that focuses on people and is very popular, set in places affected by disasters. This type of story was rare in Korean television. The drama was originally planned to air on SBS.

Planning for the project began in 2011, but it was not well received at first because it required a large budget and focused on disaster themes, which were seen as risky. Kim Eun-sook reached out to Kim Won-seok to help adapt and improve his 2011 screenplay, Doctors Without Borders. The two writers worked closely together, discussing and changing ideas until they agreed on a final version. They were inspired by the work of groups like World Vision, 119 emergency services, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command.

To make the story more romantic and dramatic, Kim Eun-sook changed the main character, Yoo Shi-jin, from a doctor to a special forces officer in the ROK Army. She said the fictional mission was based on the ROK Army’s 2004 mission in Iraq. The title Descendants of the Sun and the setting in "Uruk" were noted by researcher Patrick Flamm as references to the ancient Sumerian city and the Epic of Gilgamesh. Kim Won-seok said Kim Eun-sook’s ability to improve the script was "magic." He joked that "if [she] wrote the scenes that make people emotional, I wrote the scenes with action and explosions." To ensure accuracy, Kim Won-seok and the production team worked with the ROK Army and medical experts.

In July 2014, Hwa&Dam Pictures handed the project to Barunson Inc., with Next Entertainment World (NEW) as an investor and distributor. At the same time, Kim Eun-sook ended her 12-year relationship with SBS. The network refused the series, saying it was too expensive and might not attract enough viewers because it focused on disasters and used military uniforms, which limited advertising. Other networks also turned it down because of its large scale and a budget estimate of ₩30 billion. In October 2014, KBS agreed to air the drama and started planning production for early 2015.

On November 13, 2014, Lee Eung-bok was named the director of Descendants of the Sun. Filming was originally planned for late 2014, but the team delayed it to mid-2015 and chose Greece as a filming location. To meet requirements for the Chinese market, the drama was fully pre-produced, meaning scenes were filmed before the show was broadcast. This was different from the usual Korean style of filming live. While this method aimed to improve quality and help actors prepare, it also made it harder to adjust scenes based on viewer reactions. The team said this was a financial choice to ensure the show could air in China at the same time as other countries, not a creative one.

By mid-January 2015, casting for the main roles began. Song Joong-ki was cast as the male lead, his first role after completing military service. Song Hye-kyo was considered a strong choice for the female lead. Their casting received attention because of their recent successes: Song Joong-ki in The Innocent Man (2012) and Song Hye-kyo in That Winter, the Wind Blows (2013) and My Brilliant Life (2014). On April 2, 2015, Song Hye-kyo, Jin Goo, and Kim Ji-won were confirmed as main cast members. Song Joong-ki played Yoo Shi-jin, a special forces officer, and Song Hye-kyo played Kang Mo-yeon, a doctor. Jin Goo played Seo Dae-young, a non-commissioned officer, and Kim Ji-won portrayed Yoon Myung-joo, an army surgeon.

Later in April, SM Entertainment confirmed that Shinee’s Onew would play a junior doctor under Mo-yeon. In May, KBS added Kang Shin-il and Seo Jeong-yeon to the cast. Kang Shin-il was initially cast as Yoo Shi-jin’s father. Other additions included Jo Woo-ri as Onew’s partner, Hyun Jyu-ni as Mo-yeon’s friend, Lee Seung-joon as a senior doctor, and Lee Yi-kyung. Jo Jae-yoon was later cast as an antagonistic construction manager. The production team included over 350 staff members. In October 2014, Hangzhou-based Huace Media bought a 13.03% share in NEW for CN¥323 million (₩53.5 billion), providing major funding before production began. By early June 2015, distribution rights to China were sold at a high price, helping cover production costs. Additional support came from Dal.komm Coffee and the Export–Import Bank of Korea.

The cast attended the first script reading on May 28, 2015. Principal photography, or main filming, began on June 12 in South Korea. Filming took place for three months at locations like military bases and hospitals. The production received support from the ROK Army and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Scenes set in the fictional country of Uruk, inspired by Iraq, were filmed on a large set in Taebaek and an indoor set in Anseong.

Filming moved to Greece from September 28 to November 2, 2015. Scenes focused on the coastal scenery of Zakynthos, including Navagio Beach, where the main characters had a romantic scene. To meet the deadline for simultaneous broadcast in China, filming in South Korea was scheduled to finish by December. Most of Ji Seung-hyun’s scenes were filmed late in the year, but he completed his first-episode scenes in August. On November 23, Song Joong-ki injured his leg during an action scene, halting filming for two weeks. Principal photography ended on December 30, 2015.

The production spent ₩2 billion on art design, with computer-generated imagery (CGI) used for the Uruk landscape and earthquake scenes. Visual effects (VFX) helped create realistic scenes, safely show dangerous actions, and include product placements for the Chinese broadcast. At a February 2016 press conference, the team described the series as a story about "wonderful young people." Kim Eun-sook said pre-production allowed the script to improve, but she worried that the inability to change scenes based on actor performances might

Thematic analysis

Descendants of the Sun combines romance, emotional stories, and action. It explores ideas that reflect South Korean society, which experts say help share Korean culture with people around the world. The story mixes traditional values, like respect for family and doing what is right, with modern ideas such as fairness, independence, and helping others globally. During difficult situations, the main characters focus on their jobs and saving lives rather than romantic relationships. The script uses humor and follows common emotional story patterns, including the idea that "men protect" and "women wait."

The series shows South Korea as a peaceful and responsible country, helping to make overseas military work seem normal as part of Korea’s global role. It connects with younger South Koreans, who care about national pride but may not always support strong military actions. By showing an Arab leader in a kind way and mentioning Korean construction projects in the Middle East during the 1970s, the show aims to reach audiences in Arab countries as part of the Korean Wave. It also highlights Korean reunification, the U.S.-South Korea partnership, love for the country, and respect for rules, no matter a person’s position.

The show portrays the South Korean military in an idealized way, without showing real problems like corruption or unfair treatment. It shows the military as a place that helps young people grow and change their lives. The series is often compared to a TV show called Real Man (2013–2016), but it focuses more on emotional stories about love rather than daily life in the military. A critic named Kwon Chang-gyu said one character, Yoo Shi-jin, is shown as a soldier who acts against unfair government actions, even though such behavior would likely break military rules.

The series uses actions and expressions to show kindness and respect, which are part of Korean culture influenced by Confucian ideas. It shows a system where older people have authority and must care for younger people, though this power can sometimes be used unfairly. The show uses many Korean traditions, like speaking Korean in certain situations. It shows kimchi being eaten in a place called Uruk, which helps people outside Korea understand Korean culture. It also mixes this food tradition with the habit of saying "cheese" when taking photos.

By showing South Korea’s modern successes without mentioning its past struggles, the series presents overseas military work as a sign of Korea’s strong international position. Female characters wear modern clothes that are modest and respectful, which helps viewers in Asian countries feel connected to the show. The fictional place called Uruk and the show’s name are inspired by the Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient story about power, friendship, and life. The show’s focus on Korean-led projects in Uruk reflects South Korea’s efforts to improve its global image. An expert named Patrick Flamm said these scenes are part of a plan to change how the world sees South Korea, moving from being seen as less valuable to being seen as high quality.

Original soundtrack

Producer Song Dong-woon worked with music director Gaemi to create the original soundtrack (OST) for the series. Song has previously managed soundtracks for dramas such as The Chaser (2012), It's Okay, That's Love (2014), Three Days (2014), Pinocchio (2014–15), and Who Are You: School 2015 (2015). The selection process for the OST began five to six months before the series premiered. Song reviewed about 700 to 800 song options and chose ten tracks that best fit the production. These songs were revised many times, with choruses rewritten multiple times to match the story. The production company wanted to create an album that people would want to keep and collect, rather than songs meant for short-term listening. The OST was released as weekly digital singles starting February 18, 2016. Some ballads included music from a 20-piece orchestra and piano.

The first song released, "Always" by Yoon Mi-rae, is the love theme for the main characters. "Everytime" by Chen and Punch is an orchestral song played during romantic scenes between Yoo Shi-jin and Kang Mo-yeon. "This Love" by Davichi uses piano and orchestral music to highlight the relationship between Seo Dae-young and Yoon Myung-joo. "You Are My Everything" by Gummy is the main theme for the lead couple, with lyrics about a love meant to be. "Once Again" by Kim Na-young and Mad Clown is a theme for Dae-young and Myung-joo, played during flashbacks. This song has a hip hop beat and emotional rap.

"Talk Love" by K.Will is a bright, pop song with a whistling melody and guitar, and its lyrics describe the challenges of a romantic relationship. "With You" by Lyn is a love theme for Shi-jin and Mo-yeon, with music that grows stronger to match emotional scenes. "By My Side" by SG Wannabe is dedicated to Dae-young and Myung-joo, using piano and orchestral music to show their difficult relationship. "Wind Beneath Your Wings" by M.C the Max has a changing melody used during tense moments for the main couple. The final single, "How Can I Love You" by XIA, is a jazz ballad played during romantic scenes for both the main characters and supporting couples.

During the series' broadcast, Gaemi and director Lee Eung-bok re-recorded four major tracks to better match the drama's scenes. Changes included adjusting lyrics and musical keys, with final mastering done in the United States. The soundtrack was released on CD in two volumes on March 24 and April 21, 2016. By the end of 2016, the albums sold a total of 80,198 copies in South Korea, according to the Gaon Chart. Two concerts featuring live performances and appearances by cast members, including Jin Goo and Kim Ji-won, were held on May 14, 2016.

Release

During the production of Descendants of the Sun, behind-the-scenes videos and photos of the cast were shared online. On December 24, 2015, NEW posted a 20-second clip on Facebook showing the romantic scenes between actors Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo. Another 23-second clip was shared on December 29. The first official trailer was shown at the 2015 KBS Drama Awards. On January 8, 2016, NEW released a teaser focusing on the emotional relationship between Jin Goo and Kim Ji-won. More teasers introducing the fashion, settings, and personalities of Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki were posted on January 15 and January 21. The promotional poster was revealed on February 1, 2016, showing Song Joong-ki kneeling to tie Song Hye-kyo’s shoelaces in a disaster scene.

On February 5, 2016, the main trailer was shared on Naver TV Cast. A short behind-the-scenes countdown video was released on February 12. The team continued to share promotional images, including scenes of Onew as a doctor, the chemistry between Jin Goo and Kim Ji-won, the teamwork between Jin Goo and Song Joong-ki, and the friendship between Song Hye-kyo and Kim Ji-won. On February 17, 2016, KBS released posters with the four main characters and aired a preview after the finale of The Merchant: Gaekju 2015. A second poster showing Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo kissing was shared the day before the show’s premiere.

The release of Descendants of the Sun was delayed several times during production. It finally aired on Wednesdays and Thursdays on KBS2, replacing The Merchant: Gaekju 2015. The series ran from February 24 to April 14, 2016. After the main series ended, KBS aired three special episodes from April 20 to April 22, 2016, featuring behind-the-scenes content. KBS and NEW agreed to split profits at a 40:60 ratio, which is different from usual industry practices where broadcasters usually keep most of the rights. Internationally, the show was sold to Japan for about ₩2 billion and aired on CS Channel from June 21 to August 9, 2016, with a re-airing starting September 27. In Vietnam, DID TV and Ho Chi Minh City Television acquired the rights, and a voice-over version aired on HTV2 from April 21, 2016. By late March 2016, broadcast rights had been sold to 32 countries.

iQIYI, a video-streaming service linked to Baidu, bought the exclusive rights to stream the show in China for about US$250,000 per episode, totaling about 40% of the production costs. The show aired on iQIYI at the same time as its South Korean premiere, making it the first Korean drama to air simultaneously in both countries. Due to strict rules in China, some scenes were removed, such as a three-minute fight scene with North Korean soldiers in the first episode, which was cut for political reasons. By September 2016, the series was available on Netflix for international streaming.

On April 30, 2016, Wisdom House published a companion book titled Descendants of the Sun Photo Essay. Some customers reported poor print quality and layout issues, and some requested refunds. A two-volume novelization, edited by Son Hyun-kyung, was released by Wisdom House on July 7, 2016. The series was released on DVD and Blu-ray in a Director’s cut version in South Korea on February 14, 2017. Home video versions were also sold in international markets like Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Plans for a two-hour film adaptation and a sequel were announced, but neither project has been completed.

Reception

In 2016, the K-drama Descendants of the Sun became the most profitable Hallyu (Korean cultural) content. By March 23, 2016, the production had paid back its 13 billion won production cost and earned over 10 billion won in extra profit through sales of broadcast rights to 27 countries and promotional activities. By the end of its run, the series was estimated to have earned 3.5 billion won from product placement and about 9.6 billion won from advertising sales, which included 6.6 billion won during the initial broadcast and 3 billion won from reruns. The show’s original soundtracks earned 12 billion won in 2016, which was about 58% of all music sales that year. In China, the soundtrack sold over 260,000 units on the KuGou music platform, generating about 916 million won in revenue by mid-April 2016.

The series was a major success in South Korea, praised for its acting, dialogue, and pre-recorded production style. Critics said the show updated the "disaster melodrama" genre. Kim Eun-sook, the writer, kept her usual storytelling style but added independent female characters and a professional military-medical setting. Other critics noted the show combined espionage and medical drama to make its romantic elements more appealing. Some believed the show’s fast-paced plot, which focused on international conflict and natural disasters instead of love triangles, helped it gain popularity.

Song Joong-ki’s acting was a key reason for the show’s success. Critics said his character’s decisiveness appealed to viewers tired of typical romantic conflicts. His physical condition from military service helped him portray the show’s themes effectively. Kang Mo-yeon, the female lead, was described as a strong, independent character who grew with the story. However, some critics said her role became less important as the plot progressed.

The show faced some criticism. Some said the story had unrealistic elements and overly romantic scenes. Others argued that the disaster and melodrama parts were repeated too often, making the story feel less meaningful. A critic said the show’s focus on romance over realism hurt its quality. Some praised the music and visuals but said the production choices aimed at the Chinese market made the show feel incomplete.

The show’s success was also linked to the chemistry between Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo, who played the main characters. Their ability to express emotions through glances made the romance more believable. Critics also noted the show explored themes like national duty and medical ethics, moving beyond simple romance.

The series received many awards, including the Grand Prize for Television at the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards and Best Drama at the 9th Korea Drama Awards. It also won top honors at the KBS Drama Awards and the Korean Broadcasting Grand Prize. Both lead actors received Presidential Commendations for their performances.

The show was criticized for too many ads shown in the story. After the plot returned to South Korea in episode 13, viewers said the ads for products like ginseng and cars felt forced and distracted from the story. The Korea Communications Standards Commission reviewed the issue. The writer denied any political intentions and said the ads were not as well integrated into the story as intended.

Some viewers also complained about loud background music that made dialogue hard to hear. In episode 8, a scene with a character swearing caused debate. The commission issued a warning for breaking broadcast language rules. In Vietnam, the show’s popularity led to discussions about South Korea’s historical role in the Vietnam War. Some viewers said the show focused on a fictional UN mission and did not address past conflicts.

Viewers also pointed out unrealistic scenes, such as a helicopter landing on a hospital roof and impossible car stunts. Some plot points, like incorrect medical details, were criticized as inaccurate.

Legacy

In 2016, the Korean drama Descendants of the Sun had a major effect on the economy of South Korea. The Export–Import Bank of Korea said the series created about ₩1 trillion in economic benefits. Other studies, which included non-monetary effects like improving South Korea’s image, estimated the value at ₩3 trillion. The show influenced Chinese consumers, as viewers wanted to buy health products and fashion items shown in the series. This led to more online sales and increased spending on tourism in early 2016. After China lifted a 10-year export ban in 2015, the drama’s portrayal of samgyetang, a traditional Korean soup, helped increase its popularity and exports to China.

The drama also helped the Chinese streaming platform iQIYI. Paid subscriptions to the platform grew from 10 million to 15 million during the show’s run. Chinese media estimated that iQIYI earned at least ₩35 billion from the series. Product placements in the show led to increased sales in South Korea and China. Large companies in duty-free shopping, cosmetics, and airlines competed to have the lead actors as models. Some beauty brands reported a 50% increase in sales, and products shown in the series sold out worldwide. The series helped promote South Korea’s image globally. The lead actor, Song Joong-ki, became the face of international tourism campaigns. Locations used in the show, such as Taebaek and Paju DMZ, were developed into tourist attractions.

Song Joong-ki’s popularity in China caused fans to call him the “Nation’s Husband.” The Chinese government warned on social media about “Song Joong-ki lovesickness,” as some fans became overly obsessed and caused family problems. Meanwhile, a Chinese newspaper praised the series as a “great national service advertisement” and a tool for recruiting soldiers. Thailand’s Prime Minister said the drama inspired patriotism and suggested the government support similar shows. South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye noted that the series increased interest in Korean culture and later referred to South Korean peacekeepers in South Sudan as the “real descendants of the sun.”

Descendants of the Sun was the first major Korean drama to focus on peacekeeping missions, showing South Korea as an active global player. This was different from earlier dramas like Iris (2009) and Athena: Goddess of War (2010–2011), which centered on the Korean Peninsula conflict. The drama became a symbol of South Korea’s growing influence as a middle power, blending a fictional story with national identity. Its success led to many academic studies, especially in China, where researchers examined how television can spread a country’s culture.

The production of the drama showed a shift toward international co-productions and away from focusing only on the domestic market. By directing viewers to legal platforms and helping reduce piracy, the show’s success suggested that broadcasting the series in China and South Korea at the same time could increase profits. As the first major success of the 100% pre-production model, the series proved a strategy needed to meet Chinese censorship rules. This led to more pre-produced dramas for the Chinese market, such as Uncontrollably Fond, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Saimdang, Memoir of Colors, and Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth. However, many of these later shows did not perform well, leading to the term “pre-production jinx.” Some failed because they did not match current trends or had timing issues, like showing winter scenes in summer. Descendants of the Sun remained a rare success in this format.

While the drama was popular, Netflix announced plans to create original Korean content and buy the rights to distribute the series internationally. The lead actors, Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo, denied dating rumors but announced their engagement on July 5, 2017. In response, the KBS Drama channel aired a two-day marathon of the series. The couple divorced on July 22, 2019.

In July 2016, a Chinese film adaptation of the drama, directed by Zhang Yibai, was announced but has not yet been made. In the Philippines, a version called Descendants of the Sun: The Philippine Adaptation aired from February 10 to December 25, 2020. The cast included Jennylyn Mercado, Dingdong Dantes, Rocco Nacino, and Jasmine Curtis-Smith. This version won the Most Popular Foreign Drama of the Year award at the 15th Seoul International Drama Awards.

A Vietnamese adaptation with 48 episodes aired from September 29 to November 19, 2018. Directed by Trần Bửu Lộc, the remake starred Song Luân, Khả Ngân, Hữu Vi, and Cao Thái Hà. The Vietnamese version received mixed reviews. The Vietnamese government asked the broadcaster VTC to correct errors about the People’s Army of Vietnam in the series. The Vietnamese adaptation’s rights were later bought by iQIYI and Netflix, where it was edited into 24 one-hour episodes.