Iljimae

[edit]Synopsis

Set during the Joseon Dynasty, Yong acted as a hooligan in the marketplace by day but at night he was a thief who robbed corrupted government officials to give to the poor. After each robbery he left behind a painting depicting a plum tree branch to make his mark and was thus named Iljimae. His main purpose was not so much to rob but to search for the owner of a specially designed sword which he saw as a child was used to kill his father, a loyal subject of the emperor. Eun Chae is a government official's daughter who despite her upbringing has a lot of empathy towards the poor. She met Iljimae by chance and couldn't help admiring him for what he stood for even though she had never seen his face.

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Lee Joon Gi (Geom/Yong/Iljimae)
Main Role

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Lee Young Ah (Bong Soon)
Main Role

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Han Hyo Joo (Eun Chae)
Main Role

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Son Tae Yeong (Yeon-Yi)
Supporting Role

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Kim Yoo Jung (Young Eun Chae)
Supporting Role

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Kim Sung Ryung (Dani)
Supporting Role

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Apr 4, 2012 20 of 20 episodes seen

iindu
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Other reviews by this user
- Overall 7
- Story 9
- Acting/Cast 10
- Music 8
- Rewatch Value 6
The story and actors are great, but it wasn't a great drama.
Probably because the plot isn't well developed. There are gaps in story telling that are never fixed.

The story itself took about 4 episodes to warm up. From then on, it was definitely entertaining to watch. Once Iljimae appears, things become exciting and fun. Everything about the character of Iljimae is very interesting- his adventures as Iljimae, his life as Gyeom and Yong, and the people in his life.

And it would have been great, if only for the blunt and inconclusive ending. Perhaps it is due to lack of time? but the last episode ends like a recap of the first episode, without adding any explanation on what happened or why the characters are the way they are now. It just feels incomplete.

Lee Jun Ki is great in the lead role. He gives the character an undeniable charm and exuberance.

Shi Hoo is a character who is built up almost parallel to that of Gyeom, but his character felt inconsistent at times, as he shifts from one side to the other. More than a sense of being conflicted, he gave a feeling of being closed. I can only wonder what was going in that head.

The music was fine, the stealing and fight sequences are very good. Then again, don't look for logic in the many fight scenes, where he miraculously fights and escapes. It's a wonder he isn't praised as much for his martial arts skills in the drama, considering that he manages to conquer everyone he spars with. (Every time he gets hit is because of his often-proven-wrong-yet-unshaken belief in the opponent's righteousness)

The romance bit starts off very well, and sustains till almost the last quarter, only to peter out to nothing by the end. If the romance bit had been handled better, it would have added to the charm surely, but as it is- When Iljimae himself has no time for romance, why would we care?

Overall, Iljimae is entertaining and has charming actors, but left me unsatisfied. read more
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Mar 25, 2012 20 of 20 episodes seen

animefayinc
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Other reviews by this user
- Overall 10
- Story 10
- Acting/Cast 10
- Music 9
- Rewatch Value 7
Yay~ My first review ^^

Ok, here goes. Hm... I never did remember why I started watching this particular drama... I think it was because of recommendations or something, but I have NEVER, NOT EVEN FOR ONE MOMENT, regretted it. In fact, this was the drama that got me obsessed with Lee Jun Ki~ XD

The story. The plot line was absolutely fantastic, even though I'm afraid to say I was a little hesitant at first. When I read "Historical Drama", I'm just not that interested, to be honest. And for those of you who are like me, let me just tell you this. Historical will be the last thing on your mind as this drama is filled with intense action, blooming romances, heartbreaking tragedies, and absolutely amazing acting. Especially Lee Jun Ki's acting. I cried when he cried, and laughed when he did~ TTuTT Once you watch this drama, and his other dramas, you'd be amazed at the kind of actor he is.

The music was pretty good, to say the least. The producers did a great job in matching the music with the mood. There was one OST that actually brought tears to my eyes because together with the amazing acting, I just couldn't hold them back...

Rewatch value. Because I gave this a 7, many people may not agree with me. However, let me first explain my reasons. A 7 is actually quite amazing for someone who hardly ever rewatches any dramas/movies, no matter how good they were. Why? The first time you're watching a drama, you are kept on your toes, and when something unexpected happens, you'll react the way you're supposed to. If you watch it again, you'll be expecting the unexpected, and it just won't feel the same. Once I finish a drama, I have a feeling that stays with me. The last few episodes of each drama are extremely memorable, especially if its a drama as good as Iljimae. And after I wrote all of this, I feel as though I am a hypocrite, because I have indeed rewatched this drama a couple of times over~ ^^ I couldn't resist. In fact, when I was rewatching it, I still couldn't hold tears back. That's how good of a drama this is.

Overall? Definitely a ten. If you ask me ten years later, after I rewatched it hundreds of times over, I would still give it a ten. read more
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Make a Recommendation | More recs.Recommendations

Hong Gil Dong

Both are historical dramas from South Korea. Both have similar plot with "robin hood" characters.
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Comments (28)

sweet_angellesley 26 days ago
This drama is interesting!!! I'm so in love wit park shi hoo. Han hyo joo is also casted <3 Super love this drama!!
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emily235 Mar 25, 2012
Just a comment to anybody who plans on watching this for the romance; don't expect too much in that area, or you'll be disappointed, I think.

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Nowakikun Mar 22, 2012
Park Shi Hoo is one of the few people who can manage to look handsome even while wearing that ugly hat thingy and a dress. First few eps were horrible but maybe mister handsome will make it better.

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- Lily2PM Mar 25, 2012
  Did you see him in The Princess' Man? He just gets hotter and hotter in that show plus the show is really good!
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- Nowakikun Mar 25, 2012
  I haven't gotten around to watching that quite yet, maybe I should watch it when I'm done with Iljimae ^^
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- Lily2PM Mar 26, 2012
  You definitely should. I like Iljimae but I'd go with The Princess' Man. =)
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RoseRouge Mar 20, 2012
4th episode only and I'm already crying, what will it be at the end ? :o
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Lily2PM Mar 18, 2012
I really love this drama. But I can't give it a 10/10 because of the love story. I think there was a better connection between Yong/Iljimae and Bong Soon rather than him and Eun Chae.
But other than that it is a really good drama <3

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- LisNoir Mar 25, 2012
  I agree with you about the love story.
  
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b2uty Feb 29, 2012
Sometimes when i watch a drama that just blows my mind, i go through a withdraw period after finishing it where i continue to have dreams about the drama, contemplate the ending a hundreds ways over, and really just cannot accept any other dramas into my life for that time... ive been in the Iljimae withdraw period for weeks now... THAT'S HOW GOOD THIS DRAMA IS.

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- Dream33 Mar 1, 2012
  Igot the same emotion like u when i watch it month ago and now iam in same condition with bake dong soo i still can't get over it
  
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- Lily2PM Mar 26, 2012
  Same! But then I discovered The Princess' Man... <3
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Starlitelet Feb 25, 2012
I dropped this and now I'm watching it again. The storyline is kind of mixed up in my head because I haven't watched it in two years. Though, I'm dying to see more of PSH and HHJ. I remember I dropped it because I didn't like their sense of humor/comedy... especially Bong Soon's.
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DramaLlama18 Feb 21, 2012
The first 2 ep are really hard to watch, but they are really important for the plot. After that this drama is tottaly addicting! You laugh your pants off and cry your eyes out. You are truly missing out if you don't watch it.
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PrettyBrown_Eyes Jan 27, 2012
I have this on dvd and watch constantly - literally !! Seen it over 10 times its that goood :) fell in love with Lee Jun Ki in this!! <3
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mariliis Jan 9, 2012
the first episode was so bad and ridiculous.

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- MyOwnJudgement Feb 19, 2012
  I really agree, but it's gets better eventually. It becomes great after a while. The main character is really interesting.
  
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ChikaHikari Sep 9, 2011
All time favourite drama Lee Jun Ki amazing in this...made me fall in love with him. Acting was just superb and you'd laugh and cry with it <3 10/10!!
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KuroiDaiyamondo Jul 22, 2011
One of my favourite drama's!
damn Lee Jun Ki ♥

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- soso1988 Jan 7, 2012
  ME 2
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SOLvip Jul 18, 2011
the dam ending was so stupid...how can you cut off the loveline. they made it so that the main girl character would've been completely useless throughout the whole story...they also didnt even show what happened to the moms...unsatisfying ending!!!
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- Lily2PM Mar 18, 2012
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- Lily2PM Mar 18, 2012
  The only thing I didn't like about the show it the love story. I didn't feel the connection between him and the noble girl. I was rooting for Bong Soon. And I was disappointed too that we never get to see what happens to the mothers.
  That's why I've only seen the last episode once... I created my own ending :)
  
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Dreamweaver Jun 28, 2011
I would consider this my all time favorite drama!
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Tsuyu Jun 25, 2011
Overall, a very good drama. Although the plot was pretty basic, the intricate parent/sibling relationship kept it from being boring. The ending was disappointing, but I enjoyed this drama nonetheless.
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