Canto dos Bandidos (2023)

Sequel to Mr Sunshine???

Is it the next Mr Sunshine?? Really feels like a sequel without being one. Set around the same time period where Mr. Sunshine ends. Here, it is the rebels who are trying to reclaim their country from the Japanese occupation. This series is based in the 1910s and beyond as they struggle to maintain their independence.

Shown is a dark story that is very tragic. The people suffer in great pain, when their own country is ruled by another empire. The Japanese imperialists run as they please in their order. Very clear with their political pressures. The land has become theirs, they rule on their terms. At the same time, there is a third party that is ruining it for everyone too, the gangs in the wilderness and in the villages. These gangs act a bit like bounty hunters, they don't bother the Japanese fully. When they are paid for their missions, they are no threat to the great power.

The male lead is a patriot with his own motives. He starts out as an ex-soldier with no particular background at all. His competence interests people who can imagine sacrificing themselves for the same goal. The special forces he commands have quite distinctive character traits. These have unique skills that are very bullet proof with their gear. Not much romance in focus at all, just team spirit and patriotism through and through. However, he encounters a counterpart with the same goal who does not want to cooperate with him. She follows her interests primarily as a real opportunist.

Musically, there are good soundtracks, however, the rock music changes the mood in certain moments and makes it feel more comical, strangely enough. There is a lot of action and fighting with some carnage delivered every now and then. It is very fast paced and fast paced. Lots of intense battles going on in full swing. Nice effects and well-made duels occasionally. Would describe this one as Mr. Sunshine on steroids, with a large overdose of violence. Many wild western environments and nice landscape pictures. The mix of the music and the environments makes me think of Quentin Taratino's movies at times but also gets the vibes of Money heist: Korea. It is well thought out and heavy. Very fun to see that they are trying to make a series in the western part. I, who don't watch very many historical series, have finally found one I like. Very interesting!!!!

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My initial thoughts on SOTB

May contain Spoilers:

Binge-watched it a few days back. I am actually liking this new move by Netflix to drop all episodes at one-go.

Captivating drama with excellent cinematography and fantastic action sequences and great acting from everyone. TBH it was more movie-like and less of a drama. Backed by great background score and sharp editing for Season 1. The story reminded true to its Wild Wild West theme and the Japanese occupation of Korea. Very raw and realistic. So kindly don't expect any candy-floss romance or fantasy. They showed things as they are. But in between all that there were some good character building and humour and most importantly the need to carry on the fight to re-claim the land from the Japanese.

There were only three important woman characters and all three of them had a specific purpose within the story. Also I am very impressed that all of them had their parts within the action sequences.

Special mention of the character Eon Nyeon (and Lee Ho-jung - the actress who played it). It was a brilliant idea to develop that character as the perfect foil to the ML and the actress did a splendid job. TBH the amount of action this girl did in this drama is either on par or more than what Woo do-hwan did in Bloodhounds or Kim Nam Gil himself did in this drama. (these are the only 2023 dramas that I have watched so far to compare with).

The ending is being criticised in online forums but I get the feeling that there is definitely a season 2. So for those of you planning to watch - be prepared for the open-ending and even if there is no season 2 I am still ok with the ending as it is realistic given the historical context. But hopefully there is a season 2 to satisfy all of us.

And finally the review is incomplete without mentioning Kim Nam Gil. He totally rocked in this drama and was cool/suave with all those guns/rifles handling and the action sequences. I am personally very happy with his drama choices. Also kudos to him for giving woman characters in his dramas equal space/more prominence in the sense that they all come across as strong characters and hold themselves up very well on their own. I have noticed this from his 2017 drama - Live Up to Your Name up until this 2023 drama.

Only thing to add is - Romance and KNG is not meant to be I guess. After this drama - I am giving up even the remotest idea that he will in future do a reasonable romance role. (I personally think even in LUTYN they added in that possible happy ending as an after-thought).

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An upbeat version of Mr Sunshine?

It's a basic story taken from a small but crucial page of history. It doesn't matter if it's historically accurate or not. I watch for entertainment, not for class. I got Mr Sunshine vibes with an upbeat western feel. I remember the main character from "Live up to your Name" a good Joseon Era to modern day time travel series. It was cool to see scenes blending old and new times. The weapons ranged from swords, shotguns, and bows and arrows. There is a possibility for a second season given the short number of episodes. Despite its small flaws, I enjoyed the story and the characters.

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Well, something of an East-meets- Spaghetti-Western, with really good sound track and great action. Perhaps most of the similarities end there, but they are all pretty great. The specific setting and period means that the similarities are limited to what the time and place demand.
Set during the early 20thC Japanese rule of Joseon much of the action takes place in Gando, a border area claimed by both China and Joseon, with a frontier desert landscape peopled by bandits and "questionable" characters. The landscapes and towns / villages represent almost further characters in this drama, with some stunning cinematography showing its beauty and harshness.
Great costumes and styling, with attention to both Joseon and Chinese traditions all in a state of transition into the modern world. These somewhat show the complexity of these communities on the edge, all rigidly overseen by Japanese army aiming to secure full control of the people. This conflict is particularly significant because Gando is remote, logistics for the Japanes are difficult and the area is in fact a centre for the small liberation movement made up of different factions who are not aware of each other but aim for similar goals.
Japanese occupiers see native Joseon as mere animals, even where they adopt Japanese customs with loyalty to the Emperor. They routinely massacre entire villages or towns and abuse Joseon people in all the usual ways
Lee Yoon is a phenomenal gunman and fighter, and of course KNG has incredible charisma in this role. But while the man with no name was a loner, Lee Yoon is a brilliant military leader as well as moral giant, has his own struggles but is still a truly 'ideal' man, rising from slavery to genuine greatness.
Lee Yoon's former master/owner, Kwang Il, was supposedly kind, and did free his slaves. However, now a member of the Japanese army, he has fully adopted their ideas, mostly as a self serving strategy. When Lee Yoon severs his friendship/ connection to him, he resolves to have him killed, using a female assassin who as a child escaped her village's massacre and now lives only to survive.
In the meantime, Li Kwang's fiancee lives a double life.
The tensions in the area are complex, with bandits in Japanese pay, others just thieves, others fighting to undermine the Japanese, a kind of mainstream independence movement (playing a very minor role here), Japanese regular army plus Japanese colonial forces (who jostle for power), and of course 'middle class' settlers who are probably loyal to the Japanese, and peasant settlers who could be in Japanese pay, or rebel spies, or simply looking for a quiet life. But it's not very obvious who could be who.
The story is lively, with lots of locations and lots of action, including different levels of battles between factions. Of course there's a love interest, but while it's one of those soulmate passion plays, it's very low key and is left open ended.
I really enjoyed this series. It feels gritty and authentic (though the recovery times for multiple injuries is rather ... optimistic). Characters, even where support rather than main, and even where quite minor roles, are well written and well portrayed – with many familiar faces in play. I loved the visuals, and how it is presented with so many echoes of classic westerns, yet never losing its sense of place. The music is great too, and well suited to the action and mood of each moment.
I'm trying to think of flaws. But I can't, unless I nitpick really hard – for example I wasn't much into the romance moments – but the actors and performances were very believable and chemistry was good even if subdued which was dramatically appropriate.
The ending is slightly rushed and inconclusive, but since we have reason to look for S2 I thought it was OK.
Kim Nam Gil has already leaked the question of an S2 stating that if there is another series it won't be made by Netflix. I am intrigued by what happened behind the scenes to prompt that – or whether it is issues on profit shares – wouldn't be the first time.

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Slick, brutal and emotional

Really liked the combination of genres and influences. Besides the Western, I also felt some vibes of John Wick and even Fury Road. I loved the cinematography, the editing, the music and the cast. Great ensemble of fun characters to root for in the group of Bandits. I didn't mind too much the FL; I think she was unfortunately not given a lot to work with, and a non-action character in an action show is harder to carry. I loved Eon and Yoon's relationship, especially in the later episodes.

What really got me hooked was the fight scene at the end of the first episode. There's a but that is looks like it was all done in 1 continuous shot, although it was edited that way. But the edits/cuts are so smooth and seamless that it's hard to tell. Absolutely great directing, staging and editing.

Really unfortunate about the ending and the editing. Finding out they cut the episodes from 20 down to 9 is so disappointing. Hoping for a continuation.

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The best drama of the year

This is for me the best drama of the year. Everything was perfect. The cinematography, the acting, the action, the funny parts, the music, the story of the carachters and the individual stories, the romance, the bromance, the friendship and the caraters developments. Everything is well described, well excecuted and extremely well acted.
The OSTs are a amazing.
the actors carried the show very well, and the focus is not only on the main actor, but also on the support actors who shined on their own. That's what I like about kim nam gil's projcts, he always chooses projects that do not only focus on the main lead but also the support actors which makes a very well seasones drama. The discovery for me was the actress who played Eun Yeon (lee ho jung) she really carried the show well and her scenes with kim nam gil are amazing!!!!!!
This drama can be a 20 episodes drama, but it is only 9 episodes drama, which is more than perfect, nothing is carried and draging and every single second is worth the watch!!!! Every episode is packed and you do not want to miss a second of it.
I am looking forwards to a second season because a lot of things need to be resolved, and I am defenitely seing a second and even a third season which will be more interesting and fun to watch.
This is for me the best drama of the year. A very well seasoned drama that is worth the watch and rewatch!!!

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A Masterpiece of 2023

I was really looking forward to this production, it was absolutely worth it!!!!
For me, this show was the best of this year, despite the fact that 2023 is not over yet. The script, the photography, the action-packed scenes all stand out in the production. They weren't afraid to show the potentially disturbing, bloody scenes, they brought everything to the screen as it suits its genre. I really liked the historical background on which the story is based.

In reality, this period certainly didn't have many refreshing moments, but this series still managed to offset the many tragic, sad, and unfair events with a little humor and the right amount of romance. The show contained minimal clichés. The action scenes were very well executed and the actors and actresses formed their characters very well. I couldn't name an actress/actor who played her/his role badly or didn't fit her/his role. Caracter of Eon Nyeon Yi and the actress who plays her Lee Ho Jung, who would definitely be highlighted and is a real gem of the show, but Kim Nam Gil,
Yoo Jae Myung, Lee Hyun Wook and Lee Hyun Wook also provided an excellent work with many memorable moments. Overall everyone did a good job without exception.
In my opinion the story could have lasted more than the nine episodes, I'm sorry that it was shortened so much compared to the original plan, apart from a few clichés, this is the only negative thing about the production for me.

I know, few people like the western genre, but I strongly recommend them to watch it, because despite the show's genre, it offers a very special experience. What I would definitely mention and highlight is the music, which is a hit, perfectly helping to make the whole show even more effective and memorable.
Perfect OST, great acting and direction. I am so grateful to the whole staff and and all of the castmembers for this show!!!!!

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Saddle bags of action

January 2024
Loved it, from start to finish. Set in the 20s, with both Japanese and Chinese having a stake in ruling Korea. The main feud and emphasis of the action was with the former.

It bears no relation to fact and is an OTT action packed ride, but so good.

So much cannon fodder (actually showing that soldiers have to follow orders and not doing so in the midst of a battle, regardless of size, results in a shot to the head... that was reality and is for some present day soldiers), it can sometimes be a brutal watch and there are scenes of torture as well.

Korean turning against Korean, collaborators, traitors, opportunists, cowards, freedom fighters and bandits, they're all here. When there seems to be no tunnel, let alone a light at the end of it, this often shows humans at their worst. A tough end to the Joseon era.

With the mix of drama, action and humour, aspects really were reminiscent of classic Westerns and I couldn't help but think of the 1960 classic, The Magnificent 7, on occasion :~)

Kim Nam-gil is excellent as the slave turned soldier turned bandit, and the guilt he carries weighs heavy.

The supporting cast are great and Lee Hyun-wook, as the triple-sided character Lee Kwang-il, is really good.

I loved the main female characters in this, too. All very different, but all strong, intelligent and with balls! A great role for a favourite actress, Cha Chung-hwa.

Some laugh out loud moments, some very sad, some quieter and slower paced, but overall it's really about the action, as a fair few worms turn.

The OST was excellent, I thought, and fit really well.

Lots of articles about KNG 'looking favourably' on a return for S2... fingers very firmly crossed; although still waiting for Fiery Priest S2 as well! He's in demand and seems to, unfortunately, like making dramas that leave us hanging (Island is another).

A very enjoyable, if violent, watch.

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excellent ! la saison 2 va venir !

Très bonne série, avec des reconstitutions très soignées.
Les acteurs sont particulièrement bons :
Lee Hyun Wook comme vilain est absolument parfait, il a des expressions superbes.
Kim Nam Gil est excellent lui aussi, mais nous y sommes habitués.
Lee Ho Jung est très convaincante dans son rôle d'assassin, c'est la belle découverte !
Certaines scènes feraient presque croire que l'on se trouve au far-west américains avec ses saloons, ses locomotives à vapeur, ses chevaux et ses costumes d'époque !
A regarder sans modération !
SPOILER :
Edit : je suis sure qu'on verra une suite, tous les acteurs principaux sont vivants à la fin, et l'intrigue peut largement continuer !

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Song of Bandits; Ending felt unsatisfying

I was not happy with the ending of the drama. I know there will be a season 2, but I still wanted Nam Hee-shin to end up with Lee Yoon. They had such a great chemistry and they went through so much together. I did not like that Nam Hee-shin had to marry Lee Gwang-il, the Japanese soldier who was Lee Yoon’s enemy. I felt sorry for him, but I did not think he deserved Nam Hee-shin’s love. I hope that in season 2, Nam Hee-shin and Lee Yoon will reunite and be happy.

Overall, I enjoyed Song of the Bandits and I would recommend it to anyone who likes historical dramas with action and romance. It is a well-made and well-acted drama that shows the struggle and courage of the Korean people during a dark time in history. I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

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