Iljimae could've been standard, it could've followed the same formula, it could've had a cliche outcome with general and easy-to-read characters.. but it didn't.

Starting the show I knew a few things; Lee Joon Gi is the leading man, it's somewhat of a Robin Hood tale, and it has a slow start. I started the show for Lee Joon Ji, expecting to watch in my free time and only to keep full attention whenever he'd be on screen. After about 6 episodes the story really kicked off. The longer you watch this show the more interested you get and the more I realized just how captivated I was by the show in its entirety.


STORY

To summarize the story; it's about Yong/Iljimae (Lee Joon Gi) who's lost his memory as of the beginning of the story, with his father being murdered in front of his eyes he remembers years later just what happened and the promise for revenge he's made. First, he starts the Iljimae ordeal to find his father's sword and get some answers as to why his father was murdered, a few nights into this Iljimae is being recognized as a 'hero' for the donations, kind acts, etc. that he does for the common people. The King/Guards try to catch Iljimae, Iljimae keeps looking through higher ups houses, repeat repeat etc.

The first six or seven episodes go fast, but you have to pay attention to not get confused. I can't say I was too optomstic after watching some vulgar scenes (if you watched you know..). Scenes were funny, childish humor, stuff like that. But that's all surface value. The show really thrives when Yong puts on his Iljimae character, and it's exciting to watch.

The fight scenes were well done. Closer to the end I was left in awe by a few seeing the practical stunts and absense of what would typically happen in this day in age (CGI). The fights are clean and smooth and not afraid to show blood (even if at times it's really fake looking).

ACTING/CHARACTERS

Lee Joon Ji is by far my favorite actor. He is versatile and unafraid to put everything he has into his character. I didn't doubt for one second the validity of the character he portryayed because he did it so well. Lee Joon Ji cried A LOT during this drama, and I also cried a lot considering his skills to provoke emotion. He is talented, so so so good looking, charming, the best.

Yong/Iljimae was the best character. That's a good thing considering he is the title character of the show, but you'd be surprised the number of shows that are out there where you dislike the main character or feel they are lacking. So what does it take for a character to be good? Consistancy is a big one, the character is consistent with their actions, how they feel matches up to what they do.. vice versa. At the beginning I wondered a bit if Yong was just that out there and care free, and he might've been if not for his past. The thing is, the character to his core has always been the same. As a kid he was carefree and loving, and even growing up he was the same. There are drastic differences he has when Yong is Iljimae because he is so driven, his motives match up percectly to what happened and it makes sense. I like how the audience sees Yong's past and makes the connections themselves as to why Yong acts the way he does. At times he gets silent, reflecting on his actions and all the time he's felt he has wasted as he didn't remember the promise for vengance he's made. There are also times where Yong is over the top, putting a facade on to others to distract from his true personality and blend into how he's seemed to all the others before. It's golden, it's delectible, it's my favorite type of character. The character with flaws, an anti-hero, someone good to the core but lacking in a lot of ways and not afraid to push others out of their way to get what they want. A character who knows there motives and doesn't change them for anyone, because he's been wronged so much that it wouldn't make sense.

This drama just makes sense, That's the highest praise I can give it. I hate stories that don't add up or leave me feeling confused/disatisfied. Iljimae doesn't. The romance makes sense, with Yong/Iljimae falling in love with the girl he used to know, compared to the other girl he used to know the one he did choose made sense. He loved Eun Chae because of the moments they shared together, and she saw who he was before his fathers death and still loved him and admired him then. She knew who he was and notices Iljimae's good deeds now. A personal favorite of the two was their kiss scene, it's forever iconic to me and surprised I haven't seen more of it floating around the internet.

As for the other characters. I enjoyed all of them, I really liked Yong's father So Dol. He was honest, looked out for both of his sons even though he knew they weren't his. The whole dynamic with So Dol and any character he interacted with was so good. He's a fun loving guy and brings the best out of people RIP :(

Characters that I felt could've been better were Yong's real mother. She didn't show up too much until the very end so I forgot she was there and a whole thing. I don't even remember if she reconciled with her son.. if they met eachother again? I forgot. Ja Dol/Shi Hoo just needed more screen time. Personally I would've liked to see him shirtless more because the man deserves it. Shi Hoo was a stoic character and had his own motivations. Comparing him to Yong was always fun to do, there were so many instances to compare with him and Yong- it was just so smart and praise worthy to the writers.

DISLIKES/CONCERNS

The sets are outdated, with fake flowers and blood. The costuming isn't bad, but it's not spectacular. Again those first few episodes might leave a bad first impression. But it is worth it, this show is beyond worth it.

LIKES/LOVES/PRAISES

Lee Joon Ji is one of the best. He delievered in every scene, especially when his character was fully powered by revenge and/or the silent Iljimae. The OSTS in this drama are better than a lot of OSTS done today. They add so much to the scene and set the mood to distract from the lackluster sets.

The ending is very open, but I am glad they didn't just kill of Iljimae (and they could've, they proabably should've). I don't really like open endings either, because they leave me wanting more. 20 hours of this show still didn't feel like enough and I didn't want the ending to be rushed, in the end it was a little bit but it's better than being bored. Yong was still Iljimae-ing, and I would've hated to see him stop that.

Needless to say I loved this drama, I really loved it, I love Lee Joon Gi and he is amazing at crying.