Iljimae 一枝梅

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Today’s topic is Iljimae, maybe it’s too late for me to share about this Korean Drama.. But it’s OK, this is one of Everlasting Korean Drama in My Heart besides Goong S.

Iljimae 일지매 or 一枝梅 in Chinese characters is a Colosal Drama (called Saeguk in Korean) which Broadcast by SBS TV and had 20 episodes..
This drama 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 (a little similar with Robbin Hood).
It is loosely based on a comic by Ko Woo Yung. It was produced by Lee Yong Suk. The plot is different from the original comic because the production company could not get the rights to the story. The rights went to MBC who will broadcast its version of Iljimae in early 2009. Although produced as a television series it has been produced previously as a movie. Jang Dong Gun played Iljimae in TV series on MBC in 1993, and Choi Su Jong played him in a modernized version in 1990.

Iljimae is a mysterious, black-swathed thief who robs from corrupt government officials and gives to the poor. He steals not only material treasures but also people, be they wrongfully held prisoners or criminals hiding from judgment. At the scene of each robbery, he leaves a small painting of a branch of red plum blossoms called a “meh hwa”. The citizens support Iljimae while the king and the nobility try to catch him and find his identity.

Geom is the son of a virtuous nobleman who is a trustworthy supporter to the king and a central member of the secret organization, Hanowheh, of important nobles and the king as their leader. He moves away from the capital to live peacefully with his wife, daughter, and baby son in the country. Years later, he returns to the capital to meet with another member to discuss the state of matters. However, a mysterious rumor is spread that he is plotting to overthrow the king.

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.

Casting

Lee Joon Ki as Yong, Yi Geom, Iljimae

”There’s something I have to find, before this item is found, I wont be caught, absolutely not …”

When he was 8 y/o, he’d witness the killing of his father, but he didn’t dare to cry aloud, just watch silently as his father wa dying. After his father’s death, Geom become Yong, the foster son of Seol Deol. Young grew up and become a gangster in the market place. Coincidentally, he remembered bits and pieces of the past and became suspicious about his father’s death. But he only had a single lead. That wa the etching made on the sword that killed his father. In order to find the owner of that sword, Yong has decided to become a bandit. But instead, he became Iljimae.

Park Shi Hoo as Ja Deol, Shi Hoo ( Iljimae’s Rival )

”I want to capture you with a passion, there’s only one way that I don’t have to be sub-human..There’s only one way that I could become somebody that;s to capture iljimae…”

He’s the natural sin of Dan. Prior to being 9 y/o, he has always thought that Sol Deol was his natural father. When he was exactly 9 y/o, while working for Byun Shik on the behalf of his father, he antagonized Byun Shik and in danger of being killed by Byun Shik. That’s when Dan came to Byun Shik and told him that Shi Hoo was really his son.
From that day onward, Shi Hoo became Byun Shik’s own son. Despite the fact that his life is now abundant like his previous hope and dram, he was bullied constantly by Shi Jong and looked down by the entire household.
He sank deeper and deeper into hopelessness. Because of his desires to be accept by everyone. And to realize his hope and dream, Shi Hoo determined to capture Iljimae.

He has fallen in love with EunChae, Byun Shik’s daughter and also his own younger sister by theory. But after finding out that Iljimae’s the only person in Eun Chae’s heart, he became a desperate in trying to capture Iljimae.

Han Hyo Joo as Eun Chae ( Byun Shik’s Daughter )

”Once and one more time, could you remove your mask? Even if I wont ever be able to see your face, now it is already too late, because you have taken my heary with you..You’re my first and last love person in my heart…”

She was very smart and lively, completely different from all the other noble’s daughters. She was very attune to current events, she was the first person in choseon that wants to run a hotel. She used her father’s influence to open a hotel and made by substantial amount of money. She’s used those financial gains to help the destitue villagers, her personalityt was completely different from her brother Shi Jong. She’s very caring and gentle with Shi Hoo, a person who is look down by her family as well as bullied by her brother.
Eversince the sudden appearance of the bandit Iljimae. She was fascinated by this individual/ eventually, fate interbened and the two of them met each other.

Lee Young Ah as Bong Soon

”I know your real face, your thoughts and your painful past. I will protect you…”

She and Kunghe Monk (an imposter) is an infamous gang, specialized in trickery. They practised their shady arts all over the kingdom. She and Mong Kung He always argue with each other to the point of total destructions of each other. She always said that he’s a good for nothing old man. But the father / daughter team has always believe and depend on each other.
In one of their journey around the country they arrived at Han Yang. She was cheating Yong, but instead got caught by Yong. She became Yong’s hostage until all the debts could be repay. She fell in love with Yong. But because Eunchae also loves Yong, she felt many conflicting emotions…

Another Casting / Little Iljimae

Lee Joon Ki, Han Hyo Joo, Yeo jin Goo and Kim Yoo Jung

Han Hyo Joo and Kim Yoo Jung

Byun Shik’s Family

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Filed under K-Movies & K-Series, Red Plum

Tag: Iljimae, Lee Joon Ki, Park Shi Hoo, Yeo Jin Goo