The Brothers Sun: A Tale of Loyalty, Betrayal, and Family

The Complex Dynamics of Family Loyalty

Netflix's series The Brothers Sun tells an action-packed story ending with multiple twists and turns. The Brothers Sun follows Charles 'Chairleg' Sun (Justin Chien), the son of a feared Taiwanese gangster. After his father is attacked by an enemy, believed to be Sleepy Chan (Ben Wang), Charles is tasked with traveling from Taiwan to California to protect his estranged mother, Eileen 'Mama Sun' Sun (Michelle Yeoh), and brother, Bruce Sun (Sam Li). Immediately upon arrival, enemies start trying to kill Charles, only thwarted thanks to his martial arts skills.

the triad comes together in the brothers sun

After another attack at Eileen’s house, Bruce learns that his family are some of the highest-level gangsters in Taiwan. He becomes fascinated by the idea of becoming one of the Jade Dragons, but his mother insists that he focus on his studies. This comes to a head when Bruce joins Charles in his meeting with Sleepy Chan. After being forced to be the negotiator, Bruce learns that Sleepy Chan isn’t responsible for the attacks. This sets into motion an ending that keeps audiences guessing thanks to the writing and the performances by the stellar cast of The Brothers Sun.

Charles (Justin Chen), Bruce (Sam Li), and Mama (Michelle Yeoh) baking in The Brothers Sun

At the climax of The Brothers Sun season 1, episode 8, 'Protect the Family,' Bruce confronts his father with a gun. His father assumes he’s there to kill him and offers for him to take Charles’ place in the Jade Dragons instead. Rather than succumbing to his father’s coercion, Bruce shoots him in a specific part of the chest where the bullet won’t hit any vital organs. This is an important symbolic moment for Bruce. Bruce takes the good ideas from his parents, like protecting his family, while maintaining the core values that he’s developed from his environment. What’s more, he seems to recognize in that moment that family doesn’t have to mean people who share blood. The chosen family that he’s protecting includes a blend of biologically related individuals – Eileen and Charles – and people with whom he shares non-biological kinship – TK (Joon Lee) and June (Alice Hewkin).

Charles (Justin Chen) and Bruce (Sam Li) holding each other in The Brothers Sun

The Intriguing Deception of Big Sun

The start of The Brothers Sun shows Big Sun (Johnny Kou) going to the hospital after getting shot by an enemy. By the end, it’s revealed that Big Sun was alive the entire time, faking his death so that he could test Charles. He wanted Charles to take over as the Dragon Head, but he needed to prove to the other voting members that his older son was the right choice. Charles going to another country to protect someone important to the Jade Dragons proves he’s loyal to the criminal group.

Big Sun sits at a table in The Brother Sun.

Additionally, Big Sun needed to be confident that Charles would follow his orders so that he could still control the Jade Dragon after shifting the title of Dragon Head onto another person. This way, he can seem honorable by stepping down after his health issues but maintain control over the group. This is also why reacts so vitriolically when his wife tries to take over. He cannot control Eileen in the same way that he can Charles.

Mama Sun looks ahead in The Brothers Sun

The Revolution of the Boxers

Throughout The Brothers Sun, somebody is attacking the Jade Dragons. Charles assumes this is a rival crime group led by Sleepy Chan. However, it’s revealed a group called the Boxers – led by Bruce’s new girlfriend, Grace (Madison Hu) – are taking down the Triad. The Boxers are composed of disenfranchised Chinese people whom the Triad harmed. In addition to wiping out the Triad members, their goal is to set up community centers to help their community rebuild from the violence, crime, and drugs. Ultimately, the Boxers taking down the Triad represents the younger generation rising up and challenging those in power.

Grace laughs while at school in The Brothers Sun