Iljimae
(266 Comments)
Title: 일지매 / Iljimae
chinese title : 一枝梅
Genre: Historical
Episodes: 20
Broadcast network: SBS
Broadcast period: 2008-May-21 to 2008-July-24
Air time: Wednesdays & Thursdays 21:55 (9:55 Korean time)
Synopsis
Set during the Joseon Dynasty, Iljimae acts as a useless gangster in the marketplace by day but at night he is a chivalrous robber who robs corrupt government officials to give to the poor. After each robbery he leaves behind a wooden branch from a plum tree at the site of the robbery to take responsibility for the robbery. Bong Soon is a hilarious girl with good martial art skills and lives as a swindler. She only loves Iljimae and sacrifices her whole life for him. Eun Chan is a doctor’s daughter and is good in nature and usually helps miserable people. She meets Iljimae once by chance, and their sweet love story begins. However, her love puts Iljimae in a dangerous situation because an Imperial Guard also loves her.
Cast
Lee Joon Ki as Iljimae / Yong / Lee Geom
- Yeo Jin Goo as Geom (child)
Han Hyo Joo as Eun Chae
- Kim Yoo Jung as Eun Chae (child)
Lee Young Ah as Bong Soon
- Jung Da Bin as Bong Soon (child)
Park Shi Hoo as Shi Hoo / Ja Dol
- Lee David as Ja Dol (teen)
Extended Cast
Lee Moon Shik as Swe Dol (Yong’s adopted father)
Kim Sung Ryung as Dani (Shi Hoo’s mother)
Lee Won Jong as Byun Sik (Eun Chae’s father)
Ahn Kil Kang as Kong He / monk (Bong Soon’s adopted father)
Moon Ji Yoon as Dae Shi (Yong’s friend)
Kim Chang Wan as the king
Kim Roe Ha as Sa Cheon (chief assassin)
Kim Moo Yul as Shi Wan (Eun Chae’s brother)
Do Ki Suk as Hee Bong / Slick (Castor Oil gang boss)
Kim Hyun Sung as Heung Kyun
Jung Jae Eun as Sim Seok
Suh Dong Won as Eun Bok (Hunter Jang’s son)
Lee Won Jae as Hunter Jang
Kim Kwang Sik as Geok Doo
Yang Jae Sung as Shim Gi Won
Lee Seol Goo as Kang Woo
Jo Sang Ki as Moo Yi (Sa Cheon’s follower)
Lee Il Hwa as Lady Han (Geom’s mother)
Son Tae Young as Lee Yeon (Geom’s older sister)
Jo Min Ki as Lee Won Ho (Geom’s biological father)
Kim Sung Hoon as Goon Ui Kwan
Yun Joon Suk
Baek Seung Hyun
No Young Hak
Min Ji Oh
Kim Dong Yoon
Production Credits
Original Work: Comic by Ko Woo Yung (고우영)
Producer: Lee Yong Suk (이용석)
Scriptwriter: Choi Ran (최란)
Episode Ratings
| Date | Episode | Nationwide | Seoul |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-05-21 | 1 | 14.8 (4th) | 15.4 (2nd) |
| 2008-05-22 | 2 | 17.6 (2nd) | 17.8 (2nd) |
| 2008-05-28 | 3 | 19.0 (2nd) | 19.1 (2nd) |
| 2008-05-29 | 4 | 18.9 (2nd) | 18.9 (2nd) |
| 2008-06-04 | 5 | 19.3 (2nd) | 20.5 (2nd) |
| 2008-06-05 | 6 | 18.6 (2nd) | 18.4 (2nd) |
| 2008-06-11 | 7 | 20.5 (2nd) | 20.7 (2nd) |
| 2008-06-12 | 8 | 23.0 (1st) | 23.3 (1st) |
| 2008-06-18 | 9 | 24.6 (2nd) | 25.0 (1st) |
| 2008-06-19 | 10 | 23.1 (1st) | 22.4 (1st) |
| 2008-06-25 | 11 | 22.6 (2nd) | 22.6 (1st) |
| 2008-06-26 | 12 | 24.6 (1st) | 24.0 (1st) |
| 2008-07-02 | 13 | 25.3 (2nd) | 25.0 (1st) |
| 2008-07-03 | 14 | 25.4 (1st) | 24.6 (1st) |
| 2008-07-09 | 15 | 26.0 (1st) | 26.1 (1st) |
| 2008-07-10 | 16 | 27.6 (1st) | 28.2 (1st) |
| 2008-07-16 | 17 | 28.0 (1st) | 29.3 (1st) |
| 2008-07-17 | 18 | 27.8 (1st) | 28.1 (1st) |
| 2008-07-23 | 19 | 27.1 (1st) | 26.8 (1st) |
| 2008-07-24 | 20 | 31.0 (1st) | 31.4 (1st) |
Source: TNS Media Korea
July 11th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
I fully understand the intention of the script writer. The copyrights to the original comic book was given to the MBC’s “The Return of Iljimae”. Exactly the reason why they have to change the story line from the original one to avoid misconception. Though the ending don’t reached our expectations but indeed SBS did a good job in this drama. Enough to give them two thumbs up. The story was not that bad anyway… Let’s give the credit to the whole story and not just to the ending. Cheers to SBS, the script writer, director, producer, all the staffs & crews and to the actors & actresses who give life to the story. Kudos to “ILJIMAE”…
August 3rd, 2012 at 2:06 pm
LOL Some people dont understand the whole story!Iljimae NEVER die !I agree with Bera the beginning is actually the ending of the story..If you watch Hong Gil Dong its the same the beginning of the drama is actually the ending!You see the ratings is still high coz Iljimae never die on this drama:)you guys have to rewatch it!I have dvds of this and I keep watching it over and over just like The Princess Man!all dramas of Lee Jun Ki I really do purchase the dvds coz hes such an amazing actor!his versatility totally amazing!
September 3rd, 2012 at 1:04 am
just heard this drama from a friend…i was really hesitant at first coz i’m not really into this genre…and i also happen to like song il gook so for me he’s really amazing when it comes to period drama…but LJK here is a big revelation…just like in arang and the magistate…he’s really great…acting wise and skill (martial arts)!
this is a must see!
September 4th, 2012 at 2:27 am
A salute to the whole production team of Iljimae! *Salute*
Gudaeman Saranghae Lee Jun Ki [252] was right. Iljimae did not die, the first episode was actually the last episode. I was actually expecting that Iljimae would die because when he was under the titis tree he recalled he’s past happy experience with his two fathers. What I just don’t get was why didn’t he choose between the two ladies; we know that he loves that Agasshi and Bong Soon was also special to him, why didn’t he choose? And from what I understand, it seems like the two ladies didn’t know that Iljimae is still alive; and those people who are close to him somewhat hides that he is alive. That is what’s bothering me or should I say that is a question/s that is hanging in my mind after the ending.
All in all, this drama has it everything! It is indeed a must see! Why have I only watched this drama now? (tsk..tsk..tsk..)
A big applause to Lee Joong Ki! You have gained another fan and I will be anticipating your next drama/movie! Cheers to all!
September 30th, 2012 at 7:26 pm
Iljimae is the BEST drama in the WORLD!!!! >.<
It can make me can't stop watching watching and watching again.
October 10th, 2012 at 8:54 pm
abuchiki
October 12th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Thanks to those who highlighted that Iljimae didn’t die and that the opening scene in the first episode is the real ending. It makes the WORLD of difference. I went back to re-watch the beginning and the end again, and you guys are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!
The first time I watched Iljimae, I’d assumed that he died, and I thot the ending was supremely bad, like, the worst ending of a kdrama EVER. Now that I understanding the real intention of the director & writer, it makes a lot more sense, and I suddenly feel like watching this drama again!!
November 17th, 2012 at 5:29 pm
i love lee joon ki and i love all his projects…
December 6th, 2012 at 12:15 am
iljmae i love this film most
January 21st, 2013 at 7:46 pm
I cant stop watching this awesome drama <3 DAEBAK!!!
January 25th, 2013 at 1:00 am
RAting is high because of han hyo j0o
March 29th, 2013 at 5:24 pm
[...] swooned over due to his song ‘화신’ that is the theme song for the insanely popular Iljimae, starring the insanely androgynous popular Lee Joon [...]
April 1st, 2013 at 8:04 pm
Am still my first time to watch ILJIMAE … Lee Joon Ki is just a creative actor he is returning everytime much more stronger and stronger also in arang and the magistrate i doubt that all r dreamimg about it! …. He is making me watch all of his work he deserve to this popular and more he is the best acting looking and everything …. He looks really like a real hero in iljimae i like this drama alot i will share it for sure … Fighting! lee Joon Gi ssi …. He is in my list of the best actors hot list of best actors! Waitingfor more and more Lee Minho , Lee Joon Gi, Hyun Bin &Park Yoochun the professionals!
April 25th, 2013 at 11:23 pm
Lee joon ki.. ^^ so comical
May 11th, 2013 at 5:01 pm
i hope to see this soon ….
May 22nd, 2013 at 4:04 pm
[...] swooned over due to his song ‘화신’ that is the theme song for the insanely popular Iljimae, starring the insanely androgynous popular Lee Joon [...]