TV Show spotlight
The Return of Iljimae is a 2009 South Korean historical action television series, starring Jung Il-woo in the title role of Iljimae, Yoon Jin-seo, Kim Min-jong and Jung Hye-young. It aired on MBC from January 21 to April 9, 2009 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes. The series is based on comic strip Iljimae, published between 1975 and 1977, by Ko Woo-yung which was based on a Chinese folklore from the Ming dynasty about a masked Robin Hood-esque character during the Joseon era. MBC bought the rights to the comic strip for their adaptation, which was to star Lee Seung-gi in the title role of Iljimae. However he pulled out and was replaced by Jung, which makes him the third Korean actor to play the hero following Jang Dong-gun and Lee Joon-gi for Iljimae.
A young man, Iljimae, abandons his noble life after his mother's death and takes on the identity of a vigilante. He roams the Joseon Dynasty, protecting the poor and fighting against corruption. Haunted by his past and seeking justice, he becomes a legendary folk hero, known only by his shadow and his signature plum blossom.
The drama received a mixed to positive reception, appreciated for its visually stunning cinematography and the lead actor's performance. Some critics found the plot to be somewhat predictable, but the emotional depth and action sequences were generally praised.
Praised for its vibrant visual style and atmospheric portrayal of historical Korea.
The central performance by Jung Il-woo was highlighted as a strong point.
Some noted a familiar storyline but appreciated the heartfelt execution.
Google audience: Audience reviews were generally positive, with many viewers enjoying the hero's journey and the dramatic elements. The romantic storyline and the action sequences were often cited as highlights.
The drama is based on a popular Korean comic book series by the same name, which was created by cartoonist Lee Won-ho.
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Watching a drama with so much narration was kind of weird. It didn't help it case when the leads were whispering all the time with this monotone voice, almost like they were just reading lines off a script. Moreover, both of their performan...