Hong Gil Dong

Summary: Hong Gil Dong is a 2008 period drama written by the Hong sisters for the television network KBS. It explores the origins of the anti-hero Hong Gil Dong (Kang Ji Hwan), the righteous thief, as he attempts to rise above his birth status to change the world. The series also features Jang Geun Suk as Prince Chang Hee and Sung Yu Ri as Heo Yi Nok. This is an adaptation of the famous Korean novel The Tale of Hong Gil Dong.

-1/2 heart for JGS whispering ALL the time

Hong Gil Dong Disco Style

Recommendation: Watch it! This is a great production that showcases the breadth of Kang Ji Hawn's talents and the genius of the Hong sisters. It's a very stylized production that doesn't get boxed into the historical category but does manage to retain the essence of the period. Despite some serious moments, this k-drama is a lot of fun and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. The ending is, at first glance, tragic. But it was filmed so beautifully and so well executed that I was left in awe. This k-drama is not without flaws but they aren't large enough to impact the overall experience. Even if you don't like historical dramas, I think this one has something to offer everyone.

Other Thoughts (And Possible Spoilers): There's not a lot that I didn't love about this k-drama. So, I'm going to pick on a couple small flaws.

Where's a stylist when you need one?

It feels like I've been picking on Jang Geun Suk ever since Love Rain and the hot pink trench coat incident. So, I'll preface my criticism of his performance as coming from a place of admiration. Still, I have to point out that he sounds like he is whispering 90% of the time in this k-drama. This is one of his earlier works so maybe, as a young actor, he thought talking quietly would lend the impression of being contemplative and serious. But it didn't. I'm a fan of JGS and even I think this isn't his best work. It's not terrible - just not his best. Second, his hair was driving me crazy. If you have a good looking actor, why would you cover up half his face with his hair?! Why?!

Umm.... Spoiler Alert? Sorry. :(

Second, I wish the Hong Gil Dong, Heo Yi Nok, and Prince Chang Hee love triangle had resolved itself sooner. It was always clear to me that she'd gravitate back to Hong Gil Dong. The show is named after him, after all. But this love triangle was like a Duracell battery... it just kept on going.

Lastly, Heo Yi Nok is clearly a stupid girl. That phrase is uttered a hundred million times. But there is a difference between being stupid and being naive. She should have been more of the latter and less of the former. Unfortunately, it often seemed that the reverse was true. Still, she was a nice contrast to the male leads in the series.

I'll wrap up by commenting that I've seen Kang Ji Hwan in three other dramas and I think this is his best work. This was a role perfectly suited to his talents. Don't get me wrong! I love him in Lie to Me and he's doing well in the currently airing series Big Man. But this one is the best.