The Return of Iljimae is a 2009 South Korean historical action television series, starring Jung Il-woo in the title role of Iljimae, Yoon Jin-seo, Kim Min-jong and Jung Hye-young. It aired on MBC from January 21 to April 9, 2009 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes. The series is based on comic strip Iljimae, published between 1975 and 1977, by Ko Woo-yung which was based on a Chinese folklore from the Ming dynasty about a masked Robin Hood-esque character during the Joseon era. MBC bought the rights to the comic strip for their adaptation, which was to star Lee Seung-gi in the title role of Iljimae. However he pulled out and was replaced by Jung, which makes him the third Korean actor to play the hero following Jang Dong-gun and Lee Joon-gi for Iljimae.
DirectorHwang In-roe
Episode 1
Jan 21, 2009
Iljimae confronts the evil Bulgasari for his crimes against the citizens of Hanyang. Two people, Cha Dol and Bae Sun-dal, work to create a written account of Iljimae's unique stories.
Episode 2
Jan 22, 2009
Iljimae learns the truth about his early life from Wang Hengbo. In the company of Wang Hengbo, Iljimae goes back to Joseon after discovering what his real mother said when he left her.
Episode 3
Jan 28, 2009
Danger follows Iljimae’s journey but he arrives to find there is a funeral in progress. Both Wang Hengbo and Iljimae are taken into custody by the authorities for different offenses.
Episode 4
Jan 29, 2009
Breaking out of prison, Iljimae and Wang Hengbo chose different paths. While Iljimae takes refuge in a cave, Wang Hengbo flees back to his previous home as Koo Ja Myung follows.
Episode 5
Feb 4, 2009
While tracking down Iljimae for his crimes, Koo Ja Myung finds two other runaways from justice. Dal and her father are put to death as an overwhelmed Iljimae watches the entire event.
Episode 6
Feb 5, 2009
Iljimae changes his life and lets go of negative feelings with Monk Yeolgong's help. The newly optimistic Iljimae makes the choice to live with Geol Chi in a small community.
Episode 7
Feb 11, 2009
While being stranded in Japan with a ninja family, Iljimae saves a life. Issues between two warring organizations cause problems for the town of Hanyang as Iljimae is no longer there to keep the peace.
Episode 8
Feb 12, 2009
Koo Ja-myung comes back to Hanyang with a goal of calming the trouble between two rival groups. Upon Iljimae's arrival, he locates Wol-hee and requests that she put something away for safe keeping.
Episode 9
Feb 18, 2009
Wang Hengbo engages in a brutal fight with Iljimae but he receives a surprise that causes him to flee. Unseen forces inside their organization stop the Haedongs.
Episode 10
Feb 19, 2009
Koo Ja-myung receives aid in his quest to bring the final criminals in the area to justice. Retribution finally reaches Nobleman Yoon for his evil deeds concerning the less fortunate.
Episode 11
Feb 25, 2009
Iljimae becomes a wanted man by taking money from the rich and giving it to the poor. The idea of a wedding to Wol-hee causes Iljimae to realize that he still has strong feelings for a former love.
Episode 12
Feb 26, 2009
After coming to the aid of a upper class woman, Iljimae brings her to stay with Wol Hee and it causes problems as she focuses her intentions on her rescuer. A man that came under the scrutiny for his business dealings forcefully takes Cha Dol.
Episode 13
Mar 4, 2009
Freeing a girl from her kidnapper, Iljimae goes over memories of his lost love who was put to death. Wol Hee is deeply hurt by the way Iljimae starts treating her after he looks into his own life and behavior.
Episode 14
Mar 5, 2009
Iljimae takes matters into his own hands to set Wol Hee free when she is taken into custody by the authorities. Baek Mae arrives to see Koo Ja Myung but leaves after getting assurances from him concerning Iljimae.
Episode 15
Mar 11, 2009
An impostor pretending to be Iljimae causes problems for the authorities and criminals escape from the jail. Iljimae goes on a journey to find the impostor and causes Wol Hee more sadness.
Episode 16
Mar 12, 2009
Iljimae is following Wang Hengbo as he faces men that want to take his life. Wang Hengbo must create another plan when Iljimae stops the current plan before it is complete.
Episode 17
Mar 18, 2009
After attempting suicide, Wol Hee is found alive but Iljimae remains under the impression that she is dead. Iljimae takes the life of two men and a group hunts him down for the crime.
Episode 18
Mar 19, 2009
Monk Yeolgong helps Wol Hee as Iljimae comes to the temple after being shot. Wol Hee takes care of Iljimae’s wounds as Monk Dokbo leaks information about Iljimae's current location to the authorities.
Episode 19
Mar 25, 2009
Iljimae frees Wol Hee from Kim Ja Jeom and convinces the group hunting him to end their pursuit. Yang Po presents a mutually beneficial idea to Wang Hengbo and reveals hidden information.
Episode 20
Mar 26, 2009
The Dohwiso Weapons Center employs Wol Hee as a cook while Iljimae keeps the center safe from those who want to attack. After an explosion caused by Kim Ja Jeom, Yang Po and Wang Hengbo come to the center with a goal of capturing Iljimae.
Episode 21
Apr 1, 2009
Sung Kae loses his life after a dramatic confrontation with Iljimae causes an accident. Kim Ja Jeom receives some disturbing news concerning the status of Iljimae from Park Bi Su.
Episode 22
Apr 2, 2009
Cha Doljimae tries to help Wol Hee after she fails to get away. A gift from Miyamoto saves the life of Iljimae during a fast paced fight with Park Bi Su.
Episode 23
Apr 8, 2009
An anxious Iljimae successfully reaches Baek Mae in time but he is too late to prevent her death. Lord Choi makes a special request of Iljimae concerning relocation to China.
Episode 24
Apr 9, 2009
Iljimae recovers enough from his injuries to hear about the ongoing battle. The intriguing visions of Iljimae's dream transition into the present day landscape of Korea and a man dressed in black that resembles him.
ParkMin
@ParkMin
Watching a drama with so much narration was kind of weird. It didn't help it case when the leads were whispering all the time with this monotone voice, almost like they were just reading lines off a script. Moreover, both of their performance was quite poor in general, I know they have the talent but not in this drama. The story itself felt like it was dragging its feet endlessly. The ending was a weak attempt at redemption. It rushed major sections with too many skips to rush progression and conclusion but ended up creating even more problems, leaving major gaps to what could have been a very simple wrap up. Releasing another version of Iljimae within 1 year turned out to be a poor decision when they have had learned nothing from the previous one.
