Intentionally structured like a storybook (complete with an initially over-intrusive narrator), the show jettisons many of k-drama’s structural clichés as it follows the growth of its protagonist from innocent young man to wiser hero. Jung Il Woo gives a lovely (in more ways than one) restrained performance full of moments of quiet sweetness and pathos. Jung Hye Young, as his mother, is also exceptional, radiating warmth and longing. There are plenty of fight scenes and large helpings of occasionally distracting slapstick comedy, but the show never loses its contemplative feel. The characters find fleeting moments of connection in sex, friendship, compassion, and sacrifice but the world’s injustices are always there, calling them away from comfort. The show suggests that heroism is not a natural gift, but something learned and struggled for and easily lost if the passion for justice tips over into hatred. There are occasional missteps, including a bizarre first episode, but once the show finds its rhythm, it becomes a hero’s journey very much worth the taking.
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Having watched 'Iljimae',I must say, there is very little in common between these two dramas, other than the 'Robin Hood' nature of Iljimae and his rather misfortunate connection to his parents.
The return of Iljimae has a broader framework,is more well written, and explores the identity of Iljimae as a hero of the times, working against injustice than for any personal quest. I felt that the story and the characters were more complete in this.
The action sequences are good. There must have been plenty of rope and pulleys used in the making, as Iljimae and numerous others are always flying and leaping about in these scenes.
The episodes are all interesting, and keep you moving forward without boredom.
Regarding the cast: I had wanted to watch this initially for Jung Il Woo, and he didn't disappoint. He is good as Iljimae, truly the 'pretty girl-like-boy' as often referred to in the drama (I loved his ponytail hair).
The supporting cast is good,with many strong performances except that some secondary characters were made annoying by over-acting.
Despite all this, I didn't feel really satisfied with this drama. There wasn't so much plain fun or happy-energy associated with it.
Iljimae's character is mostly solemn/sad/serious/angry. Very rarely do we get to see his smile, let alone hear a laugh. There are so many things happening, we can near feel him carrying the burden of the world on his shoulders.
The romantic relationship is developed on realistic terms, along the sidelines of the plot.
The ending too, although happy, has a solemn, contemplative feel to it.
To sum up, although lacking in story and character development, character Iljimae in the drama 'Iljimae' evoked more happiness than the one we find in 'The Return of Iljimae'.
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In particular, Jung Il Woo proved that he does have acting chops and this is his best work so far, in my opinion.
The plot is a seamless blend of action, melodrama and comedy. The story examines the life and history of this "hero" in such a convincing way.
The plot doesn't move that quickly and that may come off as jarring to some viewers. However, this drama is meant to be watched slowly and savored.
The characters are portrayed so realistically and they really remain in your heart even after the drama is over.
A highly recommended drama.
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This version also tells its story by frequent flash backs and moments in the past, which until you get the hang of it makes it difficult to follow. The story divulges into to the past of all its characters, thus dragging out the series and can sometimes seem to beat a already dead horse.
The quick action is left to a minimum in this version, and Il Woo just wasnt as charismatic as Jun Ki was.
-Bottom line "Return to Iljimae" seems to be a true history piece, slowly dragging you behind the main character. Can easily be fast forwarded . On the upside Il woo is cute when he smiles and this one seemed to have a larger production budget.
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It’s always difficult to review a complex drama like this one because it had so many things going on, different messages that it’s easy to lose track.
What I liked the most was the growth of our main Character, all along the drama he learns and gets closer to the idea of being a hero. He’s also lucky to have a woman next to him that supports him in every thing he does (whether she agrees or likes it). I also stuck by this show because all the characters were so well written and well acted, I got to care about them and was difficult to say goodbye at the end.
The ending was weird, I know but I also liked it in a strange way and I think it does fit perfectly.
One of my top 3 dramas of all time so far.
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The story is well thought out, there aren’t any holes or anything that doesn’t make since. Iljimae goes through so much that by the time I watched the 24th episode, I was just glad that it was over. It was hard to watch Iljimae face one tragedy after another. Then he has Wol Hee who lives her life solely for him and totally drives me crazy with her constant whining and crying. I only started to like her character at the end when she finally realizes that he has a greater purpose than to just sit around with her. She even starts giving herself another purpose to live FINALLY. The side stories are cute and give more to the story as well. At least the ending wrapped everything up.
The acting ofJung Il Woo as Iljimae is what makes this drama worth watching. If it weren’t for him, then I probably would have dropped this drama. The other actors are ok, but some of the actors for the side stories just got on my nerves. Kim Min Jong is also awesome as Lieutenant Ja Myeong. He is a really good actor.
The music is nothing special.
If you like historical dramas, then this is definitely on that you should watch.
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The Return of The illegitimate Thief
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 performance was quite poor in general, I know they have the talent but not in this drama. The story itself felt like it was dragging its feet endlessly. The ending was a weak attempt at redemption. It rushed major sections with too many skips to rush progression and conclusion but ended up creating even more problems, leaving major gaps to what could have been a very simple wrap up. Releasing another version of Iljimae within 1 year turned out to be a poor decision when they have had learned nothing from the previous one.Was this review helpful to you?
Historical life of Iljimae
What starts off as an exciting scene in modern Seoul turns into a historical drama and draws you into this unique story. You spend the entire drama waiting for it to switch back to modern times but it doesn’t, until the last minute of the final episode. I felt tricked into watching something that wasn’t there. The story flows well but the plot is a mixture of eternal loneliness and a macabre tragedy. The characters, some of them strange, are the real makeup of this drama. Some of them are annoying. The beggar who found Iljimae as a baby and claims to have raised him got on my nerves midway through the drama. All he did was whine and complain. He overacted but I think it was supposed to be funny, it fell short. The sideways man was amusing at first but his little squeal soon became fingernails across a chalk board. At times he sounded like Chewbacca from Star Wars.The lieutenant who fell in love, at first sight with Iljimae’s mother, was a main character that spent the entire drama in a state of morose. He was ultimately responsible for getting Dal executed, although the story kind of left that part out. Something about his character never quite rang well with me. Maybe it was his constant state of depression.
Iljimae, played by Jung Il Woo, was a good fit for the part. However, his character was just not quite the big hero they tried to make him out to be. Although he seemed to be on the side of good, he treated every woman around him with distain. Even Wol Hee, his final girlfriend he treated like a piece of furniture. Why she waited for him I will never understand. It didn’t feel like love, ever.
Iljimae’s mother was a breath of fresh air throughout the entire drama. Jung Hye Young was beautiful as Baek Mae and was the foundation of the entire drama in my opinion.
Yoon Jin Seo was great in her portrayal of Wol Hee. She was charming and giving and strong when she had to be. Her loyalty and dedication to Iljimae was beyond amazing. I didn’t feel a lot of chemistry between them because he never stayed around long enough to form any real kind of relationship. She waited nine years for him the final time. Who does that? Maybe as a single mother in historical times there are few options. Instead of feeling sweet and heart wrenching the long awaited for meeting felt awkward.
The drama kept me watching because it had a lot of exciting parts. Sadly romance wasn’t one of them.
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