Ahhhh, another great drama ends.

Even though it took me forever to finish writing about this drama, I have to say that it’s one of the best I’ve seen in recent memory. I’m sorry to see it end and wish we had more offerings like it — directed with confidence, filmed with breathtaking scenery, acted with depth, scored with lush background music, and infused every step of the way with a heart-twisting dose of emotion. For being set against a large historical backdrop (of war and politics) and led by a famous fictional comic-book hero, The Return of Iljimae tells a surprisingly personal story.

SONG OF THE DAY

Jo Won-sun (Roller Coaster) – “천천히” (Slowly) [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Return of Iljimae: Episode 24 (Final) (3,657 words)

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Post tags: episode recaps, Jung Il-woo, Return of Iljimae, Yoon Jin-seo

What a packed episode — so much happens!

Iljimae has gone through a lot in his relatively short life thus far, and it seems like his life will never be calm. When it feels like his work will never be over, will he be able to ever be happy and content, as he once promised Wol-hee? I’m very curious to know how this drama will wrap up with only one more episode to go…

SONG OF THE DAY

Biuret – “Diamond” [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Return of Iljimae: Episode 23 (3,772 words)

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Post tags: episode recaps, Jung Hye-young, Jung Il-woo, Return of Iljimae, Yoon Jin-seo

Ohhh, this is such a good episode. I freaking love it.

It’s intense, and plot-twisty, and suspenseful. What more could you ask for, really? Well, maybe ONE thing…

SONG OF THE DAY

Mot – “11 Over 8″ [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Return of Iljimae: Episode 22 (2,627 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2009. | Permalink | 10 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: episode recaps, Jung Hye-young, Jung Il-woo, Kim Min-jong, Return of Iljimae, Yoon Jin-seo

This episode really gets the action going, which is welcome because, as I mentioned in the previous recap, I prefer more personal storylines to politics. Not that politics is bad — it adds depth and historical context, certainly — but I like both in a nice balance.

SONG OF THE DAY

Return of Iljimae OST – “남자는 똑같다” (Men are all the same) by Park Jung-eun [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Return of Iljimae: Episode 21 (2,920 words)

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Post tags: episode recaps, Jung Hye-young, Jung Il-woo, Kim Min-jong, Return of Iljimae, Yoon Jin-seo

Return of Iljimae is back! I know, I know, it’s been ages since I started this drama. I’ve been determined to finish it for a long time, but time kept slipping away from me. I figured that having a goal to shoot for would help move things along, so in honor of Jung Il-woo’s upcoming new drama My Fair Lady, I will be wrapping up Return of Iljimae just in time to welcome him in his new series, which premieres next Wednesday.

SONG OF THE DAY

No Reply – “오래전 그 멜로디” (Melody from long ago) [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Return of Iljimae: Episode 20 (2,292 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2009. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: episode recaps, Jung Hye-young, Jung Il-woo, Kim Min-jong, Return of Iljimae, Yoon Jin-seo

Oh, I love Jung Il-woo. True, when I first saw him, I was more swayed by his bashful sweet charm than his acting talent, but 2009 was a year of transformation for the young actor, as he went from baby-faced young boy to a fierce, confident adult in the MBC drama Return of Iljimae (and yes, I know recaps are, um, exceedingly late at this point, but they are not dead. Promise).

Now he gives another interview as he prepares for his next role, which takes him one step further into adulthood as he steps into character as lawyer “Lee Tae-yoon” in KBS’s new Wednesday-Thursday drama My Fair Lady.

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Read the rest of Jung Il-woo: “Acting is a marathon” (1,520 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2009. | Permalink | 31 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: interviews, Jung Il-woo, My Fair Lady, Return of Iljimae

I love this shot.

The camera sharpens just a moment after this to focus on the couple in the background, but I like the imagery of leaving them blurred. It’s a rather effective way to create the illusion of intimacy in an understated way.

SONG OF THE DAY

My Aunt Mary – “Goodbye Day” [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Return of Iljimae: Episode 19 (2,848 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2009. | Permalink | 16 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: episode recaps, Jung Hye-young, Jung Il-woo, Kim Min-jong, Return of Iljimae, Yoon Jin-seo