I don't even think I will be able to do justice of how good this drama is with this review but I couldn't resist ,this is my first official review which is just a testament of how awesome this drama was.
This is one of the most satisfying ending of a Korean Drama I have ever watched.there was no unnecessary death of beloved characters like other dramas do in the name of making it memorable ,the chemistry between the actors was on point, all the evil people got their deserved ending and I was happy about the characters that got redeemed as well.I also enjoyed the growth and character development, the character of amogee was honestly the best, he made such an impression on me. I also liked the romance no matter how small it was and I liked the clear distinction between the main leads 2 love interest and the choices they made.
The drama was not perfect it had its flaws but because of how well written the dialogue was and how well executed the drama was I still gave it a 10 because the ending really put a smile on my face.
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What I liked about this drama:
The story. The way it unfolds, it may seem like a typical one but trust me it's not. The way that all the actors had put their hearts into each character was heartwarming. From the kids/minor cast to the main casts, each role was portrayed beautifully. The leads had great chemistry, even the bro-romance was on spot XD.
This drama seriously gave me friendship goals and left me sated. Instead of being called "Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People" it should be called "Rebel: Thief Who Stole People's Heart" coz Hong Gil Dong surely stole mine!
What I did not like:
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ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!
Saranghae Hong Gil Dong, you shall be missed! <3
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The acting is superb, especially of the evil king, he did the best job, I've seen him in many plays but this one is defiantly his best work
The rest did a wonderful job too. All characters portrayed their work so good that you loved the good and hated the evil ones with a vengeance.
saw and then re saw with my husband again and enjoyed both times equally.
Sageuk lovers don't miss on this one.
Overall: highly recommended.Enjoy!
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This is a drama that will melt your heart either by heart break or laughter. I was never really into dramas that had some to almost no romance, but I watched the first two episode when it first came out and I couldn't stop. I cried rivers and rivers. It's a beautiful drama.
The romance is slow but it's there. It'll get there, but if I'm being honest, there's not too much until later which I don't necessarily consider romance because it's between a married couple. But they count too.
Like most dramas, there will be some parts where it drags, I've been a drama addict for almost 10 years now, I've kinda learned which parts in a drama to skip or skim through. (Like those scenes where they just stare into space and "think" or when the director chooses to go through a flashback of memories for almost a whole episode)
This drama will keep you upbeat. The music does a great job helping that upbeatness. I found the antagonist a bit odd but his oddness makes him a unique and talented actor. :)
Love Lee Ha Nee (Honey - Miss Kore) She'd getting old now but she's a still a beauty. So far she's played respectable antagonistic roles, she does great.
Main character is so tall and handsome :)
This drama was a great success!
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This review may contain spoilers
The acting is awesome, the music is haunting, the storyline is good and it's a happy ending. Kim Sang-joong as Ah-mo-gae is already worth watching the first half of the drama. While Yoon Kyun-sang's Hong Gil-dong doesn't quite match up to his dad, he is by no means bad and was especially memorable during the last 2-3 episodes. Chae Soo-bin does an excellent job as Ga-ryung, and will dry you of your tears whenever she is given the chance to. While some might feel the progression slowed down in the middle, it wasn't for me and I enjoyed every episode of it. The only thing I wished there were more of was the lovely moments between Gil-dong and Ga-ryung, as we only get them in flashbacks most of the time. Overall, this probably one of the most underrated Sageuk drama out there you don't want to miss!
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As some of you may already know, there are a lot of adaptations to this story. I haven't gotten the chance to see or read the others, but regardless of that, I can still confidently say that this version will always be my favorite. My only regret is that it lacked closure for some parts. Maybe those blanks were purposely left blank for us to fill in ourselves, I don't know. However, I would've liked it more if it wasn't.
If there's one thing all of us reviewers can come to agree on, it'd be that the acting in this drama was absolutely remarkable. The cast did an amazing job at bringing each and every one of their characters to life, which is more than I could've possibly hoped for.
When it came to the music department, they were certainly not lacking either. I don't think there are enough adverbs in the dictionary to describe just how much I love it when they add traditional elements into an original soundtrack. Not to mention all of the great instrumentals packed in here as well. In addition to that, it's always nice to see the cast lending their beautiful voices into the mix.
Overall, I had a blast watching this series unfold. I would easily recommend this to anyone who's craving a good historical drama. I am only saying goodbye for now because I'm pretty sure a day will come where I'll be back to watch it all unravel before my eyes again.
With that said,
Llama out.
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LOVE
I have nothing but absolute love for this Drama! It only gets better after each episode. I can re-watch over and over and never get bored. Every character had a role to play and was given their own light to shine…no matter how slight they are.The females were not greedy, overly sensitive, bitter, or devious like most females you watch in these historical dramas.
I was happy Uh Ri-ni memories returned and the siblings were once again reunited. I especially loved and very much enjoy Gil Dong and his gang of brother's interaction. They never failed to make me laugh.
Gil Dong has come such a long way and have learned so much. He is everything a hero ought to be (strong, sensitive, always wanting to do right by others worthy of it. Standing up for lowly people and giving them reasons to fight and survive) Every time Gil Dong cry, I cry. Every time he bleeds—my heart breaks. He is just one of those character you connect so deeply with you cannot help feeling what he feels.
Episode 30 was bittersweet. I pitied the King who was never true to his people. I pitied even Soo Hak—though his family was wicked to Gil Dong family. I loved that last scene between Gil Dong and Gong-hwa. It was beautifully sad, gentle, and emotional. I could see as well as feel the affection they have for one another.
It was the happy ending I had hope for from the start!
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Hong Gil Dong - Take 2
The drama started off promisingly but took a nosedive after a pivotal moment around episode 7 when the plot took an unfortunate turn with the very conveniently timed amnesia break. This narrative choice not only broke the momentum built up until that point but also shattered the drama's coherence. After this abrupt twist, the series struggled to regain its footing, and the attempts to recover its initial momentum proved futile, leading to a disjointed narrative and a noticeable decline in quality. While attempting to portray the struggles of the oppressed, the series fell into repetitive cycles, as expected. The romantic elements felt forced and superficial. Rather than enhancing the storyline, the romantic subplot felt out of place and failed to integrate seamlessly into the overarching plot. It felt like they had to give the lead a girl, any girl. Would have been better if his siblings occupied that gap instead of being wasted on the love interest. At least the drama didn't end like Hong Gil Dong (2008).Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Rarely do I come across a well-rated, oft-recommended drama that fulfills all my expectations, and this is certainly one of them. This drama had everything I typically look for in a good drama, namely: good characterization, excellent acting, well laid-out plot, well executed and entertaining. While a story based on slaves or oppressed servants/people rising up against the corrupt and the cruel people in power is a well-worn and cliche idea, yet I have come to believe that it is not what the story is, but how it is executed; journey before destination, after all.I will first talk about my two favorite characters/actors I've completely fallen in love with: Nok Su (played by Lee Na Hui), and King Yi Yung (played by [i] Kim Ji Suk [/i] ). I'm a sucker for well-portrayed villains and characters caught in the grey area, not quite good but not entirely bad either. Nok Su's background, the motives behind her actions, her inner struggles and her determination make her an excellent character. Lee Na Hui's acting is beyond superb! Her expressions are everything! I've seen her in Come Back Mister and the film Extreme Job, and let me tell you, she becomes the character and owns it. She is the best at what she does. I was equally floored by the villainy of Yi Yung, his twisted mind, and yet he is not simply evil. Though Nok Su claimed that Yi Yung was incapable of love, yet he was capable of recognizing and valuing the loyalty and love of Nok Su and Second Eunuch Ja Won, the only two people who stayed by his side throughout. Kim Ji Suk's dialogue delivery, his expressions and his body language brought the character alive, and I could tell that he had completely owned the character.
Worth mentioning is the acting of Chae Soo Bin (I loved her acting so much! Glad she pursued her love for storywriting), and our main hero played by Yoon Gyun Sang. It was my first time watching both act, and I was extremely pleased with what I saw. I enjoyed Kim Jung Hyun's (who played Mo Ri) acting as well, though I have to admit that the character was not much fleshed out.
The plot and the episodes themselves were laid out and planned very well, and the drama did not falter nor became boring for me at any single point, which is a BIG PLUS. Usually there are one or two episodes where I just skip quickly, but not with this drama. Every single episode had meaningful, well executed scenes that added something to the story, and fleshed out even the minor characters Lady Jo, or Eom Cha Ji. There were very few scenes where I had trouble believing in what the story was trying to tell me (like the arrival of Oh Ri Ni and Ga Ryoung at court, and their close proximity to the King) , and I appreciate that.
The only reason I gave less stars to rewatch value is because I don't rewatch dramas. Period. There are too many new ones watch lol.
Overall, if you are hesitating in watching this drama, worry no more and just dive in!
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Story: So, so fun. I’ve always been a fan of historical shows, but add in the extra fantasy and folktale aspects and I’m hooked immediately. The pacing is so well done; I was never bored, and I never skipped any sections. Each and every storyline is engaging in some way, and you find yourself deeply affected by the characters. Which brings me to…
Characters: I. Loved. These. Characters. First and foremost, I love stories that are led by the characters and that focus on character development. Stagnant characters lead to a dull story, especially one like Rebel as it runs for 30, one hour-long episodes. Yet never once did I feel like the characters were flat. Ga Ryung was my personal favorite, so much so that she’s my favorite drama character of all time. It’s not common to see female characters as dynamic as Ga Ryung in dramas that focus on male-led stories, yet Rebel did not forget about her. Again, I could gush all day, so let’s head to the acting.
Cast: Phenomenal. I’ve liked Yoon Gyun Sang since I saw him as my baby Moo Hyul in Six Flying Dragons, and his acting in Rebel is also no joke. What I really loved was the way you could feel Ahmogae’s influence on Gil Dong by the way that he spoke; both Yoon Gyun Sang and Kim Sang Joong were incredible. And Chae Soo Bin as Ga Ryung! So amazing, I will definitely be keeping my eye out for her next dramas. I could gush about the entire cast because they were all incredible, truly.
Music: Again, incredible. Like Six Flying Dragons, Rebel has a soundtrack that will stick with you. It’s inspirational and emotional, and it truly sets the stage for the story. The soundtrack gives me goosebumps just hearing it!
Rewatch Value: Since it is a longer drama, I may not be watching it again any time soon. However, the characters were so wonderful that I could definitely see myself coming back for a rewatch or two. (Also those scenes between Ga Ryung and Gil Dong will definitely be getting watched again because they are perfect and I love them).
TL;DR this show left a huge impression on me and is very close to my heart. Definitely worth a watch for anyone that likes historical dramas, a fast-paced and well-written plot, and dynamic characters. Also Ga Ryung. Just watch for my baby, you’ll see. I love her.
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In short, this drama is absolutely a 10/10. I didn't even got bored on any episodes and all the characters are lovely. All the awards that this drama have won are worth it. You will love this drama and all it's characters. I would recommend you to watch this.
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