Review/Discuss: Hong Gil Dong (홍길동)

[cellosweet x)]

홍길동 ♥

If anyone is interested in korean dramas, or would like to see one, you should watch this one drama, HONG GIL DONG.

The story takes place in the Joseon period of Korea.
aracter, Hong Gil Dong, is Minister Hong's son born of the maidservant Chun-Seom, during Sejong's reign in Joseon dynasty, in the capital of Seoul. Gil Dong practiced Taoist magic since a young age and would someday become a splendid individual, but due to his illegitimate birth he carried the grudge of not being able to address his father and siblings. His family feared Gil Dong's unique skills would be the root of calamity someday, thus they hired assassins to get rid of Gil Dong. Upon escaping danger, Gil Dong left to wander and became a bandit leader. Gil Dong schemed to seize treasures from Hae-In-Sa, and afterwards with the name Hwal-Bin-Dang (army saving the poor), with skills and Taoist magic, he seized fortunes from the corrupt officials all over the country and gave them to the poor people, but did not take a penny from the common citizens.
Gil Dong captured treasures from the governor of Ham-Kyeong and the governor submitted a report to the royal court. Thus, Hong Gil Dong became a wanted grand offender by the criminal capturing branch of the government. Even the top police general, Lee Heup, tried to capture Hong Gil Dong, but Lee was only made a fool. Despite the King's order to capture him, no one could escape from suffering by Gil Dong's magic of ho-pung-hwan-woo (act of calling for wind and rain) and dun-gap-jang-sin (act of disappearance to hide onself). The royal court then appeased to Minister Hong, and with support by Gil Dong's brother In Hyung, they petitioned to make Gil Dong the Minister of Army and War. Gil Dong came to Seoul to become the head of army and war ministry. Later on, Gil-Dong left his homeland toward Nam-Kyeong, but discovered the nation of Yul-Do, which was scenic with mountain and streams. He conquered the goblins and saved the beautiful woman, who were captured as hostages, and became the king of the Yul-Do nation. Then, upon hearing news of his father's death, he returned to his native land and mourned for 3 years. He later returned to Yul-Do nation and managed his nation well." (from Soompi's thread)

Board Message

if you want to read more about this drama, visit that thread.

This drama is VERY addicting. Currently, it is being subbed by WITHS2 (only 12 episodes have been fully subbed; they are currently in the process of subbing episodes 13 and 14). This drama is rated to be the #1 drama so far.

Ratings

TNS Media
Episode (Date) / Nationwide (Ranking) / Seoul (Ranking)
Episode 1 (Jan 02) / 16.2 (#6) / 15.9 (#6)
Episode 2 (Jan 03) / 15.3 (#7) / 15.0 (#7)
Episode 3 (Jan 09) / 14.9 (#6) / 14.8 (#7)
Episode 4 (Jan 10) / 16.2 (#7) / 15.7 (#7)
Episode 5 (Jan 16) / 14.5 (#8) / 14.2 (#8)
Episode 6 (Jan 17) / 15.8 (#8) / 16.0 (#9)
Episode 7 (Jan 23) / 13.9 (#9) / 13.1 (#10)
Episode 8 (Jan 24) / 17.0 (#8) / 16.8 (#8)
Episode 9 (Jan 30) / 15.7 (#7) / 15.3 (#8)
Episode 10 (Jan 31) / 15.6 (#8) / 15.1 (#8)
Episode 11 (Feb 06) / 14.8 (#6) / 14.3 (#6)
Episode 12 (Feb 07) / 8.5 (#15) / 8.5 (#15)
Episode 13 (Feb 13) / 14.0 (#9) / 14.2 (#9)
Episode 14 (Feb 14) / 14.8 (#9) / 14.9 (#9)
Episode 15 (Feb 20) / 13.4 (#10) / 13.2 (#11)
Episode 16 (Feb 21) / 13.2 (#9) / 13.3 (#9)

(also from Soompi's thread)

official picture of the drama:
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9823/hgd2ta1.jpg

character pictures:
Hong Gil Dong (played by Kang Ji Hwan):[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/tsam834/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/tsam834/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg[/IMG]
"An illegitimate child born from a servant. His birth mother died as soon as she gave birth to him.
At the age of 3, he showed signs of being a genius by memorizing the Analects of Confucius & Book of Mencius without anyone teaching him. Because of that, he became the target of jealously and caution. He was treated as a black sheep in his home. His father neglects him, his stepmother treats him like a bug, and on top of that, he was also being tortured by others. His brother, In Hyung, recieved lots of love from his mother, Mrs. Kim, while Gil Dong grew up lonely without a shield."
Hong Gil Dong then tried to correct the corrupt noblemen and stole their money to give back to whom it rightfully belonged, the poor. He became the leader of the Hwal Bin Dang, band of robbers who thieve from robbers. He becomes close to Heo Yi Nok, and starts to like her more and more. He gets caught off-guard many times due to her unflagging devotion and willingness to help him and believe in him.
Heo Yi Nok (played by Seong Yu Ri):

"Her true identity is that she's the only daughter of Minister Ryu Geun Chan.
Without knowing her true identity & past, she grew up as the granddaughter of Heo No In, a physician and a crook.
Without any reason, she always dresses like a guy, wearing her grandfather's clothes, just because guy clothes are comfortable."
She became close to Hong Gil Dong, and they became more than friends. She was the first person he could really trust. She is in a love triangle with Hong Gil Dong and Lee Chang Hui.
Lee Chang Hui (played by Jang Geun Seok):

"King Sun's only child.
His brother, Kwang Whe, who is Choi Sook Bin's son, was already crowned prince and then became King.
Chang Whe was sentenced to death. With his mother's sacrifice, he and court lady Noh were able to escape. To everyone, he is the dead prince.
He and court lady Noh make a living as a merchant, while waiting to make a comeback. He lives each day waiting to take revenge."
Little by little, he changes due to Yi Nok, and grows to cherish her, but this is only a one-sided love.


Note: Images, statistics, and whatever is in quotation marks are taken directly from Soompi's thread of Hong Gil Dong. A link to it has already been provided above. Whatever is not in quotation marks is my own words.

If anyone is interested, please discuss.
Currently, I have finished episode 15, and about to watch episode 16.

[BlackandWhitePoley]

There is no "I've never heard of it" option so I just put "I don't care." Sorry. I'm not big into American dramas, anyways. et alone Korean dramas. ://

[sparklepop.]

Hmm. I've heard of the
drama but never watched it.

I usually don't like dramas that
are set in the past.

HMM. After reading about it,
I really want to watch it.

haha. =)