<P> Descendants of the Sun (Hangul: 태양 의 후예; RR: Taeyang - ui Huye) is a 2016 South Korean television series starring Song Joong - ki, Song Hye - kyo, Jin Goo, and Kim Ji - won . It aired on KBS2 from February 24 to April 14, 2016, on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 22: 00 for 16 episodes . KBS then aired three additional special episodes from April 20 to April 22, 2016 containing highlights and the best scenes from the series, the drama's production process, behind - the - scenes footage, commentaries from cast members and the final epilogue . </P> <P> The series was a major hit in South Korea where it drew a peak audience share of 32%, and gained popularity across Asia . It received several awards, such as winning the Grand Prize in television at the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards; and was named the Most Popular Show of the year by Korea Broadcasting Advertising Corporation . </P> <P> Yoo Si - jin (Song Joong - ki) is the captain of a South Korean Special Forces unit . He and his friend Sergeant Major Seo Dae - young (Jin Goo) are off - duty when they witness a young man, Kim Ki - bum (Kim Min - seok), steal a motorcycle and apprehend him . The thief is injured during his capture and therefore sent to the hospital . Dae - young realizes his cell phone was stolen by the thief and goes to the hospital along with Si - jin to retrieve his cellphone . </P> <P> In the emergency room, Si - jin meets Dr. Kang Mo - yeon (Song Hye - kyo) for the first time, and is instantly attracted to her . Mo - yeon mistakenly assumes Si - jin is part of the thief's criminal gang, due to his nickname "Big Boss", which is actually his call sign . He proves his identity with the help of army surgeon Yoon Myung - ju (Kim Ji - won). </P>

Song joong ki name in descendants of the sun