I don’t know why it took me so many years before eventually deciding to watch the whole drama since I knew about its existence since about 2009. I got to know about this drama when I often read mentions if Lee Joon Gi name in kdrama sites all those years ago. I somehow always go back to the profile of this drama as I watch other dramas where they feature actors in this show. Around 2017-2018, I was able to read some summary of this dramas plot, watch some video clips, and listen to the OSTs. Yet somehow it took me watching another Lee Joon Gi drama (Flower of Evil) that I decided I needed to watch this show.
Iljimae. I don’t think this drama is perfect. In fact I find the beginning episodes a bit slow. Plus the ending could be better. But once Yong/Iljimae learns more skills and gets to wear his black suit and mask, drama’s plot then moves very fast. Even though some episodes are slow though, most episodes often end with Yong/Iljimae’s tactic on how he was able to complete his missions without being discovered by guards which makes viewers very much satisfied. Drama also becomes more exciting as we see Yong/Iljimae being successful in his missions and even becoming a sort of hero to the people (despite starting out as a thief with his goal of revenge). Plus Yong/Iljimae also shows very good martial arts and action skills, very enjoyable and exciting to watch especially for Lee Joon Gi fans.
The drama also has heart. Drama doesn’t focus much on romance, but Yong/Iljimae still is given two love interests, the noble Eunchae and the street girl Bong Soon. Don’t expect much if you’re here for a romance between famous actors Lee Joon Gi’s (Yong/Iljimae) and Han Hyo Joo’s (Eunchae) romance though, as although they are the official couple here and have chemistry, I don’t think it’s enough to sustain the whole drama. I also feel that Yong/Iljimae has more chemistry with the other girl Bong Soon (who has one sided feelings for him) since she was the one who spends more time with him. There is also the part where Yong/Iljimae rival Shi Hoo also has one sided feelings for Eunchae but although I feel she fits him more than Yong/Iljimae, some viewers might find their potential romantic relationship a bit icky (you’ll understand if you watch the drama).
The reason why I mentioned the drama has heart though is not because of the romantic relationships but because of the father/son relationship. Both Yong/Iljimae and Shi Hoo have an adoptive father whose not the smartest or strongest person around, but he very much loves his two sons (despite not being blood related to either). He is shown as someone very much willing to sacrifice for both of them. His fatherly relationship especially to Yong/Iljimae is very much touching. Thus, for the drama’s heart and pluses in the plot, I’m giving the story an 8.5
The acting is very good. Highlight is of course Lee Joon Gi as Yong/Iljimae. Of course I expected great from him since this role gave him a too excellence award plus a baeksang nomination, but he was simply fantastic. It’s really hard to act with your face half covered, but even with a mask, he can be seen as showing his emotions very well even with just his eyes. Also, I find him really good in changing emotions very fast, especially in one scene where he was crying for his sister’s death but have to show a happy go lucky personality to the person beside him so people won’t know he’s related to the sister that died. He’s very good in showing two distinct personalities, from the happy go lucky Yong to the serious and badass Iljimae. Also excelling in acting is Lee Young Ah (Bong Soon) and the ensemble cast. They are all very excellent in portraying their characters. Stand out among the ensemble cast is Lee Moon Shik as the adoptive father, his performance is part of the reason why the father son relationships in this drama is so touching. The child actors like Yeo Jon Goo and Kim Yoo Jung also did well. On the other hand, I find both Han Hyo Joo (Eunchae) and Park Shi Hoo’s (Shi Hoo) acting to be a bit stiff, but then again I don’t think they are given enough moments to shine (especially Hyo Joo) and I feel like they did their best with their characters. I’m not blaming them and I’ve seen them act better in dramas they did after this one so I still think they are great actors in general. With the stuff I mentioned, I’m giving the acting in this drama a 9.0.
The music in this drama is very good, I’m hooked in some of them. Flower Letters is such a beautiful song, I love it very much. Maehwa is also good. Lonely Footsteps is excellent, it really fits well as the music while showing Yong/Iljimae doing his heroic stuff plus action skills. Thus a 10.0 for the music.
Rewatch value is 7.5, some parts may be too slow for me to watch, but I might still watch some of the show’s enjoyable moments (especially the action/heroic stuff, father son scenes, and maybe some romantic moments).
Overall, an 8.5 for this show.