http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Hong_Gil_Dong
Details
Title: 쾌도 홍길동 / Hong Gil Dong
Also known as: Sharp Blade Hong Gil Dong
Genre: Comedy, romance, action, drama
Episodes: 24
Broadcast network: KBS2 Broadcast period: 2008-Jan-02 to 2008-Mar-26
Synopsis
Based on a fictional book about a Robin Hood in Korea, Hong Gildong, this drama is very loosely based off of that book and the time it was set in.
Hong Gil Dong was the illegitimate son of a high ranked minister. A local monk took him under his wing and taught him martial arts. Hong Gil Dong was inspired to fight for the injustice in this society that divided people into nobles and ordinary citizens whereby the former enjoyed all the privileges due solely to their birth.
The heroine, Heo Yi Nok, had just returned to Korea from China with her grandfather. They made their living by putting on shows and selling their special brand of medicine in the marketplace.
Lee Chang Hwi had been told since he was young that he was the rightful heir to the throne which had been usurped by his half brother. He had also returned from his exile in China and was plotting to overthrow the emperor.
The three got entangled in love, hate, loyalty and betrayal and only one side can win.
Cast
Kang Ji Hwan as Hong Gil Dong
Sung Yu Ri as Heo Yi Nok / Ryu Yi Nok
Jang Geun Suk as Lee Chang Hwi Kim Ri Na as Seo Eun Hye
Review
Music: The music is a mixture of something like Rock music, and modern music, rather than the traditional music one would find in productions such as Dae Jang Geum and Hwang Jini. This definitely forces one not to take this drama seriously, and adds a fresh new flavor to the drama.
Acting:
The acting is well delivered in all parts. Sung Yuri gives a surprising performance considering the lack of acting skills in Prince's First Love. She, herself, has admitted that she sees improvement as she tries to grasp the character more than memorizing the lines.
Also watch out for Kang Ji Hwan, who also gives a great range of emotions, both in voice and facial expression. He's shown great range in Hong Gil Dong, from serious to downright childish.
I would also say that Jo Hee Bong is an excellent actor for this part since he ranges from downright looney to somewhat lucid throughout the scenes with nice fluidity, that one can believe there is not just insanity, but an undercurrent of conscience and intelligence.
Jang Geun Suk also does a nice job with subtlety, though his role doesn't call for as much range, his facial expressions are often dead on.
Overall the supporting cast doesn't have a weak bit of acting in them. The supporting cast has done a fantastic job of understanding and getting their characters in line in a short amount of time. The people you hate, you hate for the right reasons, and the people you feel bad for, you feel bad for the right reasons.
Visuals:
Lush visuals, and the right camera angles with that understated tone, make for a very visually pleasing drama. The rich colors of the Choseon Era definitely come alive.
The Good: The strongest points in this drama are the excellent writing and the excellent acting. However, the production overall is fairly strong.
The Bad: Some complaints people might have is that they don't like the smaller subplots, even if they grow out of the larger plots. Also some of the melodrama in Episodes 18-20 might drag people down from watching the drama. The melodrama, however, is never too heavy, and there is an underscore of some humor. In the same token the contrast from sad to funny might also leave people cold. It's not historical in the strictest sense either, however, the drama never promises from episode one and the use of contemporary music to be any serious history lesson.
Why Watch it: If you're a Hong Sisters fan, this is not far off from Chun Hyang. It's an enjoyable watch. It follows a lot of Chun Hyang conventions as well. Also it doesn't deviate from feeling too far from a Hong Sisters drama. It's funny and light with a gripping storyline.
It might turn people off who don't like political plots or use of any kind of melodrama in a comedy, however, it also doesn't use many of the normal drama conventions.
This is also not a simple drama one can play in the background. Nor one where if one likes the usual conventions that one would expect.
Recognitions
2008 KBS Drama Awards: Best Couple Award Sung Yu Ri and Kang Ji Hwan
2008 KBS Drama Awards: Popular Actor Award (Jang Geun Suk)
2008 KBS Drama Awards: Popular Actress Award (Sung Yu Ri)
Ohmy~his smile...
I like her character, very cute.
Jang geun seok!!! My fav celebrity currently. ^^
Notes
Hong Gil Dong was a fictional character from a Joseon dynasty story. He robbed from the rich so he could give the money to the poor.
Both actors Joo Ji Hoon and Jo Hyun Jae were supposed to star in this drama as Hong Gil Dong and Chang Hwi but they both were unable to make a compromise with the production agency. Both dropped out of the drama 2 weeks before it was slated to start filming.
The Story of Hong Gildong
Due to the strict Confucian laws of the Joseon Dynasty, Heo expressed his ideas in this novel, where Hong, born an illegitimate child, is not accepted by his father and family. His father, after hearing from a shaman that his son is cursed, attempts to kill him but fails. Shocked and appalled at his father's actions, he goes out into the world, where he becomes a bandit leader. He becomes a bandit for the people, and steals from the rich only to give to the poor. His popularity within the peasant society soars, and many view him as a hero. Because of this, he is wanted by the government under Yeonsangun and is marked as a national traitor. With the order from the King, the government forces try to capture him many times, only to capture three hundred of his manifestations. Eventually, to control him, the government offers him the job of War Minister in which he accepts. For a while, he is satisfied with his occupation, but later, he realizes that the people still suffer. To find out the truth, he departs for Nanking to seek truth there. On his way, by chance he discovers the nation of Yul-do, which was oppressed by demons. He defeats the demons, and is elected the king of Yul-do. However, he hears the news of his father’s death, and hurries back to Joseon to serve his father’s funeral for three years, according to tradition. After his service, he returns to Yul-do, where he lives happily as a king and hero.
Interestingly, Hong is shown as returning to serve his father's funeral for three years, whereas his father attempted to murder him years ago. This reveals Hong's heroic state of mind furnished by Heo Gyun.
Due to the strict Confucian laws of the Joseon Dynasty, Heo expressed his ideas in this novel, where Hong, born an illegitimate child, is not accepted by his father and family. His father, after hearing from a shaman that his son is cursed, attempts to kill him but fails. Shocked and appalled at his father's actions, he goes out into the world, where he becomes a bandit leader. He becomes a bandit for the people, and steals from the rich only to give to the poor. His popularity within the peasant society soars, and many view him as a hero. Because of this, he is wanted by the government under Yeonsangun and is marked as a national traitor. With the order from the King, the government forces try to capture him many times, only to capture three hundred of his manifestations. Eventually, to control him, the government offers him the job of War Minister in which he accepts. For a while, he is satisfied with his occupation, but later, he realizes that the people still suffer. To find out the truth, he departs for Nanking to seek truth there. On his way, by chance he discovers the nation of Yul-do, which was oppressed by demons. He defeats the demons, and is elected the king of Yul-do. However, he hears the news of his father’s death, and hurries back to Joseon to serve his father’s funeral for three years, according to tradition. After his service, he returns to Yul-do, where he lives happily as a king and hero.
Interestingly, Hong is shown as returning to serve his father's funeral for three years, whereas his father attempted to murder him years ago. This reveals Hong's heroic state of mind furnished by Heo Gyun.
Hong Gil Dong - NG Collection
Haha, they are happily dancing Wonder girls' "Tell me".
It's really a nice drama. It's different from those typical ancient time drama in a way that they actually added some modern elements into it. Might sound ridiculous but I think it's fun watching it. The drama contains some sensitive political issues too, such as corruption, opium intrusion, learning foreign language, social inequity etc. The ending was sad. Though I dislike it but I think it's reasonable because it's not possible for Hong Gil Dong (with his democratic thinking)to be able to survive in that time. However, the drama doesn’t just end here. It teaches us that if people continue to strive towards this dream, the impossible will become a possible reality. For those who have watched the show already, don't miss its SPECIAL programme show.
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