Thief (2023)

An upbeat version of Mr Sunshine?

It's a basic story taken from a small but crucial page of history. It doesn't matter if it's historically accurate or not. I watch for entertainment, not for class. I got Mr Sunshine vibes with an upbeat western feel. I remember the main character from "Live up to your Name" a good Joseon Era to modern day time travel series. It was cool to see scenes blending old and new times. The weapons ranged from swords, shotguns, and bows and arrows. There is a possibility for a second season given the short number of episodes. Despite its small flaws, I enjoyed the story and the characters.

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Well, something of an East-meets- Spaghetti-Western, with really good sound track and great action. Perhaps most of the similarities end there, but they are all pretty great. The specific setting and period means that the similarities are limited to what the time and place demand.
Set during the early 20thC Japanese rule of Joseon much of the action takes place in Gando, a border area claimed by both China and Joseon, with a frontier desert landscape peopled by bandits and "questionable" characters. The landscapes and towns / villages represent almost further characters in this drama, with some stunning cinematography showing its beauty and harshness.
Great costumes and styling, with attention to both Joseon and Chinese traditions all in a state of transition into the modern world. These somewhat show the complexity of these communities on the edge, all rigidly overseen by Japanese army aiming to secure full control of the people. This conflict is particularly significant because Gando is remote, logistics for the Japanes are difficult and the area is in fact a centre for the small liberation movement made up of different factions who are not aware of each other but aim for similar goals.
Japanese occupiers see native Joseon as mere animals, even where they adopt Japanese customs with loyalty to the Emperor. They routinely massacre entire villages or towns and abuse Joseon people in all the usual ways
Lee Yoon is a phenomenal gunman and fighter, and of course KNG has incredible charisma in this role. But while the man with no name was a loner, Lee Yoon is a brilliant military leader as well as moral giant, has his own struggles but is still a truly 'ideal' man, rising from slavery to genuine greatness.
Lee Yoon's former master/owner, Kwang Il, was supposedly kind, and did free his slaves. However, now a member of the Japanese army, he has fully adopted their ideas, mostly as a self serving strategy. When Lee Yoon severs his friendship/ connection to him, he resolves to have him killed, using a female assassin who as a child escaped her village's massacre and now lives only to survive.
In the meantime, Li Kwang's fiancee lives a double life.
The tensions in the area are complex, with bandits in Japanese pay, others just thieves, others fighting to undermine the Japanese, a kind of mainstream independence movement (playing a very minor role here), Japanese regular army plus Japanese colonial forces (who jostle for power), and of course 'middle class' settlers who are probably loyal to the Japanese, and peasant settlers who could be in Japanese pay, or rebel spies, or simply looking for a quiet life. But it's not very obvious who could be who.
The story is lively, with lots of locations and lots of action, including different levels of battles between factions. Of course there's a love interest, but while it's one of those soulmate passion plays, it's very low key and is left open ended.
I really enjoyed this series. It feels gritty and authentic (though the recovery times for multiple injuries is rather ... optimistic). Characters, even where support rather than main, and even where quite minor roles, are well written and well portrayed – with many familiar faces in play. I loved the visuals, and how it is presented with so many echoes of classic westerns, yet never losing its sense of place. The music is great too, and well suited to the action and mood of each moment.
I'm trying to think of flaws. But I can't, unless I nitpick really hard – for example I wasn't much into the romance moments – but the actors and performances were very believable and chemistry was good even if subdued which was dramatically appropriate.
The ending is slightly rushed and inconclusive, but since we have reason to look for S2 I thought it was OK.
Kim Nam Gil has already leaked the question of an S2 stating that if there is another series it won't be made by Netflix. I am intrigued by what happened behind the scenes to prompt that – or whether it is issues on profit shares – wouldn't be the first time.

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Slick, brutal and emotional

Really liked the combination of genres and influences. Besides the Western, I also felt some vibes of John Wick and even Fury Road. I loved the cinematography, the editing, the music and the cast. Great ensemble of fun characters to root for in the group of Bandits. I didn't mind too much the FL; I think she was unfortunately not given a lot to work with, and a non-action character in an action show is harder to carry. I loved Eon and Yoon's relationship, especially in the later episodes.

What really got me hooked was the fight scene at the end of the first episode. There's a but that is looks like it was all done in 1 continuous shot, although it was edited that way. But the edits/cuts are so smooth and seamless that it's hard to tell. Absolutely great directing, staging and editing.

Really unfortunate about the ending and the editing. Finding out they cut the episodes from 20 down to 9 is so disappointing. Hoping for a continuation.

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The best drama of the year

This is for me the best drama of the year. Everything was perfect. The cinematography, the acting, the action, the funny parts, the music, the story of the carachters and the individual stories, the romance, the bromance, the friendship and the caraters developments. Everything is well described, well excecuted and extremely well acted.
The OSTs are a amazing.
the actors carried the show very well, and the focus is not only on the main actor, but also on the support actors who shined on their own. That's what I like about kim nam gil's projcts, he always chooses projects that do not only focus on the main lead but also the support actors which makes a very well seasones drama. The discovery for me was the actress who played Eun Yeon (lee ho jung) she really carried the show well and her scenes with kim nam gil are amazing!!!!!!
This drama can be a 20 episodes drama, but it is only 9 episodes drama, which is more than perfect, nothing is carried and draging and every single second is worth the watch!!!! Every episode is packed and you do not want to miss a second of it.
I am looking forwards to a second season because a lot of things need to be resolved, and I am defenitely seing a second and even a third season which will be more interesting and fun to watch.
This is for me the best drama of the year. A very well seasoned drama that is worth the watch and rewatch!!!

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You must stay alive for as long as I live.

Song of the Bandits was binge-worthy drama that brought its raw and aesthetic touch to familiar themes, and I enjoyed watching all episodes. There wasn't any unnecessary or dragging part, each scene delivered something specific and special.

Characters and their dynamics were beautifully written and, of course, with such cast, never doubted the acting quality. Each of them had this embodied presence in the story with their own roles that completed the whole puzzle effortlessly. Their goals, desperation and ambitions were beautifully portrayed from the way they carry themselves to their way of talking, dressing, walking - the details were picturesque.

And while I also think it deserves season 2, I liked the charm of its uncompleted ending as well, which is suitable for the times the story highlights. After all, those were times, many couldn't see the end of their own stories. It felt like they gave us a glimpse of someone's memories who also had many questions that they could only guess the answer.

The cinematography and shoots had artistic movie vibes, and action scenes were one of the best - with Kim Namgil in the cast, it was expected.

I would say, it worth the wait, from story to characters and the message each of them delivered, it was a beautiful watch experience. Came for Kim Namgil and Yoo Jaemyung and stayed for all the cast, story and their acting.

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If you put John Wick and Red Dead Redemption together...

...you get Song of the Bandits. Congrats! This is a good thing by the way. Will keep this review short & sweet since I'm a year late to watching it----but for people who haven't seen it yet, it's definitely worth your time.

If you enjoy wartime dramas (specifically, Joseon era between late 1890s-1945), great action sequences, a lovable main cast/squad, casual plot twists and a badass male lead (Kim Namgil is the one who incited me to yell "John Wick?!" to my screen), this is an easy and satisfying binge. BTW, he is unbelievably attractive here (although he always has been).

Unfortunately, it was supposed to be 20 episodes but being forced to cut this down to 9 episodes is absolutely foul. Lee Yoon's squad has some of the most interesting written characters, yet we only get to understand their intentions on the surface. We really needed those 11 additional episodes to flesh out their backstories and help us understand why(?) and what(?) brought them to join hands with Lee Yoon. Let me feel their characters. Let me get attached to them, dangit.

I say this as someone whose favorite kdrama is Mr. Sunshine, so if you also really enjoyed that masterpiece, you will likely enjoy Song of the Bandits too. There's not much to critique personally, except for the obvious lack of backstory. For an already fast-paced kdrama I wouldn't have minded a slower pace for a much more fulfilling story. Netflix, when I get you....

Need that Season 2 badly. Please give it to us.

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A Masterpiece of 2023

I was really looking forward to this production, it was absolutely worth it!!!!
For me, this show was the best of this year, despite the fact that 2023 is not over yet. The script, the photography, the action-packed scenes all stand out in the production. They weren't afraid to show the potentially disturbing, bloody scenes, they brought everything to the screen as it suits its genre. I really liked the historical background on which the story is based.

In reality, this period certainly didn't have many refreshing moments, but this series still managed to offset the many tragic, sad, and unfair events with a little humor and the right amount of romance. The show contained minimal clichés. The action scenes were very well executed and the actors and actresses formed their characters very well. I couldn't name an actress/actor who played her/his role badly or didn't fit her/his role. Caracter of Eon Nyeon Yi and the actress who plays her Lee Ho Jung, who would definitely be highlighted and is a real gem of the show, but Kim Nam Gil,
Yoo Jae Myung, Lee Hyun Wook and Lee Hyun Wook also provided an excellent work with many memorable moments. Overall everyone did a good job without exception.
In my opinion the story could have lasted more than the nine episodes, I'm sorry that it was shortened so much compared to the original plan, apart from a few clichés, this is the only negative thing about the production for me.

I know, few people like the western genre, but I strongly recommend them to watch it, because despite the show's genre, it offers a very special experience. What I would definitely mention and highlight is the music, which is a hit, perfectly helping to make the whole show even more effective and memorable.
Perfect OST, great acting and direction. I am so grateful to the whole staff and and all of the castmembers for this show!!!!!

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Saddle bags of action

January 2024
Loved it, from start to finish. Set in the 20s, with both Japanese and Chinese having a stake in ruling Korea. The main feud and emphasis of the action was with the former.

It bears no relation to fact and is an OTT action packed ride, but so good.

So much cannon fodder (actually showing that soldiers have to follow orders and not doing so in the midst of a battle, regardless of size, results in a shot to the head... that was reality and is for some present day soldiers), it can sometimes be a brutal watch and there are scenes of torture as well.

Korean turning against Korean, collaborators, traitors, opportunists, cowards, freedom fighters and bandits, they're all here. When there seems to be no tunnel, let alone a light at the end of it, this often shows humans at their worst. A tough end to the Joseon era.

With the mix of drama, action and humour, aspects really were reminiscent of classic Westerns and I couldn't help but think of the 1960 classic, The Magnificent 7, on occasion :~)

Kim Nam-gil is excellent as the slave turned soldier turned bandit, and the guilt he carries weighs heavy.

The supporting cast are great and Lee Hyun-wook, as the triple-sided character Lee Kwang-il, is really good.

I loved the main female characters in this, too. All very different, but all strong, intelligent and with balls! A great role for a favourite actress, Cha Chung-hwa.

Some laugh out loud moments, some very sad, some quieter and slower paced, but overall it's really about the action, as a fair few worms turn.

The OST was excellent, I thought, and fit really well.

Lots of articles about KNG 'looking favourably' on a return for S2... fingers very firmly crossed; although still waiting for Fiery Priest S2 as well! He's in demand and seems to, unfortunately, like making dramas that leave us hanging (Island is another).

A very enjoyable, if violent, watch.

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Action with a western-vibe

This had a solid story, good cast and acting, cool music, and in general a quality production. The only thing I can put my finger on was that it was too dark at times, especially when watching on a small screen (mobile).

The story was well balanced; there was build-ups (suspense), intense fight scenes and action, and personal stories for some of the characters, seasoned with some light romance on top.
The story was a bit predictable, but not sure it would have been better if it hadn't been.

The whole vibe is a bit like a good old fashioned western, but it fits quite well.

It can't quite measure up to my two favourite historical Kdramas Mr Sunshine and My Dearest, but then again I feel it necessarily shouldn't be compared to those either. But both of those are amongst my highly recommended series that I also probably will rewatch one day.
Not sure I will watch this again, though.

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