''Iljimae'' (; literally "One blossom branch") is a 2008 South Korean

period Period may refer to: Common uses * Era, a length or span of time * Full stop (or period), a punctuation mark Arts, entertainment, and media * Period (music), a concept in musical composition * Periodic sentence (or rhetorical period), a concept ...

-action television series, starring Lee Joon-gi in the title role of Iljimae. It is loosely based on the

comic strip A comic strip is a Comics, sequence of drawings, often cartoons, arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often Serial (literature), serialized, with text in Speech balloon, balloons and Glossary of comics ter ...

''Iljimae'', published between 1975 and 1977, written by Ko Woo-young based on

Chinese folklore Chinese folklore encompasses the folklore of China, and includes songs, poetry, dances, puppetry, and tales. It often tells stories of human nature, historical or legendary events, love, and the supernatural. The stories often explain natural phe ...

from the

Ming dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...

about a masked

Robin Hood Robin Hood is a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature and film. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions of the legend, he is dep ...

-esque character during the Joseon era. It was directed by Lee Yong-suk, and produced by

Chorokbaem Media Chorokbaem Media () is a Korean drama and animation production company A production company, production house, production studio, or a production team is a studio that creates works in the fields of performing arts, new media art, film, televi ...

. It aired on SBS from 21 May to 24 July 2008 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 20 episodes.

Synopsis

Joseon Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...

, around 1633. Lee Gyeom ( Lee Joon-gi) is the son of the virtuous nobleman Lee Won-ho, who is the king's trustworthy supporter and brother, and a central member of the secret organization Cheonwoohoe, composed of other five important nobles with the king as their leader. When a blind fortune teller, looking at Lee Won-ho's home, refers to the king that he sees a person as bright as the sun who would be adored by the people, the king killed Lee Won-ho as he believed that 'two suns cannot exist on the same sky'. Gyeom, from the inside of a safe, manages to survive and witnesses the murder; later, when he is forced to throw a rock at his mother's head to prove that he isn't her son, he loses his memory for the shock and is adopted by a retired thief, Soe-dol, who renames him "Yong-i". Thirteen years later, Yong-i regains his memories and begins to search for his older sister Yeon, only to see her being sentenced and hanged. The murder of his older sister leaves Gyeom seeking revenge and, with the emblem on the killer's sword he remembers from thirteen years ago as his only clue, he swears to avenge his family. To find the sword and its owner, he disguises himself as the mysterious, black-swathed thief Iljimae, who breaks into the nobles' estates the members of the secret organization, Cheonwoohoe. Meanwhile, he also helps the people with injustices, becoming a hero. At the scene of each robbery, he leaves a handkerchief portraying a branch of red

plum A plum is a fruit of some species in ''Prunus'' subg. ''Prunus'.'' Dried plums are called prunes. History Plums may have been one of the first fruits domesticated by humans. Three of the most abundantly cultivated species are not found ...

blossoms, symbol of the house where he lived and of his childhood memories: the very name of Iljimae reflects this, as "il" means "one", "ji" means "branch" and "mae" means "plum tree". The king and the nobility try to catch Iljimae and find his identity, especially the guard Byeon Si-hoo, who sees this as an opportunity to redeem himself from his life of misery and become a noble. In the meantime, Yong-i falls in love with Eun-chae, daughter of nobleman Byeon Shik and Si-hoo's stepsister, who can't forget her first love Lee Gyeom.

Cast

Main

* Lee Joon-gi as Lee Gyeom/Yong-i/Iljimae ** Yeo Jin-goo as child Lee Gyeom :A no-good, lazy gangster by day, and a mysterious thief who protects the citizens in the dark. * Park Si-hoo as Cha-dol/Byeon Si-hoo **

Lee David Lee David (born March 3, 1994) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his supporting roles in ''Poetry'', '' The Front Line'', and Itaewon Class. He has also had starring roles in ''Romance Joe'' and ''Pluto Pluto (minor-plane ...

as child Cha-dol :Once a poor boy, he was told at the age of nine that his real father was magistrate Byeon Shik and was sent to live with him, becoming a royal guard. However, his real father is actually Lee Won-ho. His dream is to catch Iljimae so that he can finally become a nobleman. *

Han Hyo-joo Han Hyo-joo (Korean: 한효주; born February 22, 1987) is a South Korean film and television actress, model and singer. She is best known for her leading roles in television series such as ''Heaven & Earth'' (2007), ''Iljimae'' (2008), '' Brill ...

as Byeon Eun-chae **

Kim Yoo-jung Kim Yoo-jung (; born September 22, 1999) is a South Korean actress. She debuted as a model for a confectionery brand at the age of four. After her acting debut in 2003, she became one of the best known child actresses in Korea since then, aft ...

as child Byeon Eun-chae :A lovely and kind girl of noble birth who seems to be fated both for and against Gyeom. * Lee Young-ah as Bong-soon **

Jung Da-bin Jeong Da-bin (March 4, 1980 – February 10, 2007) was a South Korean actress. Best known for the popular television series ''Cats on the Roof'', she died through suicide in 2007 at the age of 26. Career Born Jeong Hye-seon in Seongnam, Gyeongg ...

as child Bong-soon :A funny, silly swindler who was orphaned as a girl and is connected to Gyeom's past.

Supporting

Lee Moon-sik Lee Moon-sik (born November 13, 1967) is a South Korean actor. Lee Moon-sik debuted in Jang Jin films of the late 1990s after an illustrious career in Daehak-ro (considered the "Korean Broadway"), where he learned great comic timing, ad-lib pr ...

as Soe-dol, Yong-i's and Cha-dol's foster father *

Kim Sung-ryung Kim Sung-ryung (born February 8, 1967) is a South Korean actress. After winning the Miss Korea beauty pageant in 1988 (she later represented her country at the Miss Universe 1989 pageant), Kim began her career as a reporter on KBS's showbiz new ...

as Dan-i, Cha-dol's mother, Yong-i's foster mother *

Lee Il-hwa Lee Il-hwa (born February 24, 1971) is a South Korean actress. She made her acting debut in 1991, and has since appeared in numerous television drama In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fict ...

as Mrs Han, Gyeom's mother *

Son Tae-young Son Tae-young (born August 19, 1980) is a South Korean actress and former Miss Korea. Career As Miss Daegu, Son Tae-young placed second runner-up (or third place) at the Miss Korea pageant in 2000. She was the country's representative at the 2000 ...

as Lee Yeon, Gyeom's sister *

Jo Min-ki Jo Min-ki (November 5, 1965 – March 9, 2018) was a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the television series ''Love and Ambition'', '' East of Eden'', '' Queen Seondeok'', and '' Flames of Desire''. He was also a noted photo ...

as Lee Won-ho, Gyeom's and Cha-dol's father *

Jung In-seo Jung In-seo (born May 9, 2000) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for her main roles in ''Store Struck by Lightning'', ''Drama Special Season 2: Duet'', and the film ''Silenced''. Filmography Television Film References Extern ...

as Sumsumyi *

Ahn Gil-kang Ahn Gil-kang (born August 24, 1966) is a South Korean actor. He frequently appears as a supporting actor in director Ryoo Seung-wan's films, such as '' Die Bad'' (2000), '' Crying Fist'' (2005), ''The City of Violence'' (2006), and '' Dachimawa L ...

as Gong-gal, Bong-soon's foster father, ex-assassin * Mun Ji-yun as Dae-shik, Yong-i's friend * Kim Hyun-sung as Heung-gyeon, Yong-i's friend, shoemaker *

Jeong Jae-eun Jeong Jae-eun (; born March 26, 1969) is a South Korean film director. Career Jeong Jae-eun attended and was one of the first graduates of the School of Film, TV and Multimedia of the Korea National University of Arts. Early in her career she ...

as Sim-deok, inn keeper * Lee Won-jae as Jang Po-gyo, hunter *

Lee Won-jong Lee Won-jong (born January 1, 1966) is a South Korean actor. Filmography Film Television series Variety shows Theater *''Blind'' (2010) *''The Masked Hut Murder Case'' (2022) - Nobuhiko Awards *2002 SBS Drama Awards: Best Supporting Act ...

as Byeon Shik, Eun-chae's and Si-wan's father, Si-hoo's foster (supposed real) father *

Kim Mu-yeol Kim Mu-yeol (born May 22, 1982) is a South Korean actor. Following a successful career in musical theatre, Kim was first cast in minor parts on film and television. But after getting good reviews in his supporting roles in '' The Scam'' (2009) an ...

as Byeon Si-wan, Eun-chae's older brother * Yang Jae-sung as Shim Gi-won, Lee Won-ho's friend *

Kim Roi-ha Kim Roi-ha (born November 15, 1965) is a South Korean actor. Notable roles include a detective in ''Memories of Murder'' (2003), and a gangster in ''A Bittersweet Life'' (2005). Kim won Best Actor at the 2001 Dong-A Theatre Awards for his portr ...

as Sa-cheon, king's assassin * Jo Sang-ki as Mu-i, king's assassin * Seo Dong-won as Eun-bok, hunter's son * Do Ki-seok as Hee-bong, gang leader * Kim Kwan-sik as Geok-doo, Heung-gyeon's father * Jang Eun-pung as Mak-soe * Lee Seol-goo as Kang-woo *

Kim Chang-wan Kim Chang Wan (born February 22, 1954) is a South Korean singer, composer, musician, actor, host, radio DJ and writer. Career Sanulrim Kim Chang-wan, along with his younger brothers Kim Chang-hoon and Kim Chang-ik, began composing music d ...

King Injo Injo of Joseon (7 December 1595 – 17 June 1649), born Yi Jong, was the sixteenth ruler of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was the grandson of King Seonjo and son of Prince Jeongwon. He was the king during the Later Jin invasion of Joseon, in ...

* Noh Young-hak as Bong-soon's older brother

Production

There have been several versions of this story, which first appeared in two

novels, including a 1994 Hong Kong film, a 2005

TVB Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) is a television broadcasting company based in Hong Kong SAR. The Company operates five free-to-air terrestrial television channels in Hong Kong, with TVB Jade as its main Cantonese language service, and ...

series and a 2011 Chinese television series, called '' The Vigilantes in Masks''. MBC bought the rights to the comic strip for their adaptation, hence the SBS version features an original storyline. Lee is the second Korean actor to play the hero following

Jang Dong-gun Jang Dong-gun (born March 7, 1972) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his leading roles in the films '' Friend'' (2001) and '' Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War'' (2004). Jang is one of the highest-paid actors and celebrity endorsers i ...

in 1993 and followed by

Jung Il-woo Jung Il-woo (; born 9 September 1987) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the sitcom '' Unstoppable High Kick'' (2006), and the television dramas '' The Return of Iljimae'' (2009), ''49 Days'' (2011), '' Cool Guys, Hot R ...

for MBC's ''

The Return of Iljimae ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' in 2009.

Ratings

Awards and nominations

International broadcast

So-net TV began broadcasting the series in Japan on 24 November 2008.

Rerun A rerun or repeat is a rebroadcast of an episode of a radio or television program. There are two types of reruns – those that occur during a hiatus, and those that occur when a program is syndicated. Variations In the United Kingdom, the word ...

s aired on terrestrial channel

TV Tokyo JOTX-DTV (channel 7), branded as and known colloquially as , is a television station headquartered in the Sumitomo Fudosan Roppongi Grand Tower in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, owned and operated by the subsidiary of listed certifie ...

from 15 June to 24 August 2009, and Mnet Japan starting 25 August 2009. It aired in Thailand on Channel 3 from 4 December 2009 to 19 February 2010. It will also air in Nigeria on government owned

ITN channel Independent Television Network Ltd ( si, ස්වාධීන රූපවාහිනී මාධ්‍ය ජාලය; ta, சுயாதீன தொலைக்காட்சி ஊடக வளையமைப்பு) also known a ...

from 2016 year end.

References

External links

''Iljimae'' official SBS website

''Iljimae'' Japanese website
* * {{Works by Chorokbaem Media Seoul Broadcasting System television dramas 2008 South Korean television series debuts 2008 South Korean television series endings Korean-language television shows Television series set in the Joseon dynasty South Korean action television series South Korean historical television series Television series by Chorokbaem Media Martial arts television series