A wild action spectacle in Song of the Bandits
by missvictrix
Netflix has just dropped the official trailer and character posters for upcoming period action drama Song of the Bandits, and it promises to be — their words — a wild action spectacle.
With Kim Nam-gil (Island), Seohyun (Jinxed at First), Yoo Jae-myung (Juvenile Justice), Lee Hyun-wook (Remarriage & Desires), and Lee Ho-jung (Moving) leading the way, a wild spectacle is exactly what we see in the full-length promo: a high-budget production with non-stop action and intrigue, and pretty impressive art direction.
Set in 1920, we see firsthand the clash between Imperial Japan and Joseon freedom fighters who will do anything to keep their country and countrymen breathing. Fighting spirit is at an all-time high for our Joseon rebels and bandits, and the onscreen text announces that they “live to surive,” and “steal to protect.”
Our hero Lee Yoon (Kim Nam-gil) is a Korean man who served in the Japanese army. When he finds himself in Jiandao, China, he meets the head of the Korean settlement there — Choi Chung-soo (Yoo Jae-myung), former commander of the Korean independence movement.
While our two bandits are openly Team Joseon, our female characters have more complicated stories. Nam Hee-shin (Seohyun) works for the Japanese government but is secretly helping the independence movement — much to her peril (but while wearing fabulous hats). Meanwhile, contract killer Eon-nyeon (Lee Ho-jung) is hunting down Yoon at the command of our baddie Lee Kwang-il (Lee Hyun-wook). In the trailer, Kwang-il declares that Joseon’s fate is over. But methinks our heroes have other plans in mind. After all, our hero Yoon promises no mercy.
Directed by Hwang Joon-hyuk (Black Dog) and Han Jin-seon, with scripts penned by Han Jung-hoon (Bad Guys), Netflix’s Song of the Bandits will drop its nine episodes on September 22.
Via News1
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Tags: Kim Nam-gil, Lee Ho-jung, Lee Hyun-wook, Seohyun, Song of the Bandits, Yoo Jae-myung
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1 Unaspirated
September 6, 2023 at 10:41 AM
The number of projectiles aimed at the fourth wall in these posters is just inspiring.
I love action movies, and if this lives up to it's promises, I think we're looking at what is essentially a 9 hour action movie starring Kim Nam-gil. Take my money already.
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Cecee
September 7, 2023 at 4:38 AM
Yes, please! I'd say take my money too, but I don't have any!
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Lostpanda is celebrating My Ajusshi 💔
September 7, 2023 at 3:29 PM
@darkcc thanks for making me laugh today. That reply was hilarious and just a tiny bit sad.
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2 mmmmm
September 6, 2023 at 10:59 AM
While our two bandits are openly Team Joseon, our female characters have more complicated stories. Nam Hee-shin (Seohyun) works for the Japanese government but is secretly helping the independence movement — much to her peril (but while wearing fabulous hats).
I can see that @missvictrix is unstoppable! She made me laugh out loud a couple of times already today.
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mmmmm
September 6, 2023 at 11:04 AM
Lee Ho-jung is a girl crush. She was so good as Sol in #SolJiwan in Nevertheless. Looks so cool. I'm glad she is cast in this show.
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Seon-ha
September 6, 2023 at 11:30 AM
Oooh....this casting just sold me on this drama for sure. I'm in.
Waaaaiiit, though....@mmmmm...does this mean we're competing again? You promised to stay in your Kim Seon-ho lane before after veering into the Gong Yoo space, but what do we do now?????
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mmmmm
September 6, 2023 at 12:34 PM
Waittttt.. Is Lee Ho-jung your bias? Oh no how come! I already gave up Gong Yoo for you, Chingu. Now you want another one?
Ottokeeee??? 🤣🤣🤣
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Seon-ha
September 6, 2023 at 12:45 PM
WAIT (again!!), you left that conversation thinking you GAVE UP Gong Yoo to me as an act of friendship?? *I* left that conversation thinking you realized that you'd better stay loyal to your BB, having regretted every moment you strayed from him and I SAVED YOU from having to tell him what...you...DID.
I say she's mine. And you can't complain.
🤔😜😂😜😂😜😂🤔
mmmmm
September 6, 2023 at 1:03 PM
OTTOKEEEEEREEEEE
*pulls @attiton’s leg*
Cecee
September 7, 2023 at 4:39 AM
Proof that one can live a perilous life while remaining stylish.
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3 bbstl 🧹
September 6, 2023 at 11:53 AM
Ohhhhhh, slotted neatly into the waiting-for-My-Dearest-2 space *rubs hands together*
Or will they coincide at the end of this one? (Can’t remember date for MD2)?
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4 🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
September 6, 2023 at 12:00 PM
Bring on the hats … actually I want to see fabulous hats on Kim Nam-gil.
+1
Take my money already.
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5 Gikata
September 6, 2023 at 12:20 PM
KNG deserves a better show than ISLAND this year, so I sincerely hope this one will be a fun example of a fusion genre that is k-western.
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mmmmm
September 6, 2023 at 12:34 PM
Seems like this is they action drama year for him?
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Gikata
September 6, 2023 at 6:40 PM
Yeah, I assume he's not in romance melo mood lately lol)))
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Cecee
September 7, 2023 at 4:47 AM
Honestly, while being massive disappointed by ISLAND (my personal ranking is MINUS 12,000 on a scale of 1 to 10), I went on and read the manhwa. It is along, it is very convoluted, and more importantly, it would have needed a good 16 to 20 episodes to do the while plot justice.
We got less than that, and they even chose to somehow rewrite the plot to completely change the story. So, I can see why KNG would have been interested in Island based on the original material. But the dramatised Van has a complete different storyline from the manhwa, which is infuriating. Kudos to Namgil ssi for keeping the iconic grumpiness of Van alive throughout every single scene. My understanding is that the drama suffered because they needed to change the main actress and perhaps, in the same move, the scriptwriter got mad and rewrote the entire story to adjust to the approaching deadline. If you haven't already, it's worth reading the manhwa (it's available online in English) to actually picture what ISLAND could and should have been. Bear in mind, it's a 90s story, so brace yourself for lots (lots) of gravity-defying boobs a la Lara Croft.
I've got good hopes for BANDITS. There's been no word of disruption to the schedule, so I put my faith in the hands of Writer-nim, Director-nim and all the actors.
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Gikata
September 7, 2023 at 5:56 AM
I've read half of manhwa during drama run, and while it was kinda fun, I was not interested enough to finish. Also it's VERY hard to scary me with 90s style, I even like stuff from 80s lol))) Idk what went wrong with the show though... probably everything since the start - should've hired better writer. Seems like a common issue these days - all money go to particular place (cast or something), and everything else is left with literal scraps.
I'm not familiar with PD/writer here but heard good things. Casually optimistic.
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Cecee
September 7, 2023 at 6:29 AM
You've hit the nail on the head here! Poor writing is starting to be a recurring issue... and I'm wondering what actors actually get to see at the point they agree on a project.
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6 redfox
September 6, 2023 at 12:50 PM
although m definitely all in favour of wild westy action but freedom fighting and 1920ies has been done many times so next time... is it too bold to make a drama of the Korean war ...
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bbstl 🧹
September 6, 2023 at 1:53 PM
I often wonder that, I don’t think there have been too many shows although probably more films. Fashion 70s started during the Korean War and that part was fascinating and terrible and I think didn’t include actual warfare, just people’s suffering.
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redfox
September 6, 2023 at 11:53 PM
yeah, like that´s what I mean - people coping with the aftershock, their thoughts and struggles and maybe denial and efforts to overturn, disbelief, I do not think it is too soon - soon it will be too late to process it objectively cause no one will have experienced it firsthand and could comment or analyze or share their feelings.
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Cecee
September 7, 2023 at 4:49 AM
Isn't a drama an excellent way to process, though? Or at least to open the conversation about it?
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redfox
September 7, 2023 at 4:55 AM
yeah, exactly, it is a start at least, and it might open a positive discussion
bbstl 🧹
September 7, 2023 at 7:33 AM
I’m not sure how much the country is proud of what they accomplished since the War when so much of that is tied to corrupt leaders, military rule, US semi-occupation. I mean, I really don’t know and would like to. Or maybe it’s still not ok to talk openly about all that because the chaebols really are still in charge? I just don’t know, that’s why it’s so interesting. It’s probably been handled a lot in metaphorical stories but we non-Koreans don’t catch it.
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bbstl 🧹
September 7, 2023 at 7:37 AM
I bet there are hundreds if not thousands of books and probably many documentaries, we just don’t have access to them?
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Charlotte
September 7, 2023 at 11:20 AM
That's why I loved the Korean classics like 'Giant' and 'Gaksital' (Bridal Mask). Both gave me an excellent overview of the times and the lives of Koreans reacting to huge waves of change, with unforgettable characters and heroes.
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Gikata
September 6, 2023 at 6:43 PM
Likely still too close to home for many people.
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redfox
September 7, 2023 at 12:32 AM
I think it might soon be too late! it´s been 70 years... generation will pass, it needs processing just like any other era. It will not just "go away" by ignoring it. We have also some very iffy moments in history, right now the question is local elite being involved in deportations. all the past dirt needs to be cleared out so that the next generation will live without guilt. Like I understand that technically Korean war never ended, there is truce - even more so. Is it sensitive - definitely, but it might help release of some tensions, regrets, doubts - it is not easy I know. they would rather restrain themselves. But just like they have started to talk about japanese occupation and comfort women, it is time to look into the 1950ies and 1960ies maybe.. with empathy
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Gikata
September 7, 2023 at 6:14 AM
Must be a cultural thing to process heavy history pages slowly. Not the worst approach imo - we're here are currently paying a huge price for forgetting and forgiving way too much too easily...
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bbstl 🧹
September 7, 2023 at 7:35 AM
And people can prefer to put away the past like any bad memories- better forgotten! Concentrate on the good stuff!
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Gikata
September 7, 2023 at 9:43 AM
Always wondered why people say that with time only good memories remain - from my own experience bad ones stay for much longer.
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bbstl 🧹
September 7, 2023 at 11:00 AM
I agree with you. Maybe I just haven't waited long enough 😉
7 Ghost of Tim (eccentric observations from a male perspective)
September 6, 2023 at 2:26 PM
I am praying that my ghostly heart doesn't get shred again, like it did 6 years ago by Mr. Sunshine, but I'm locked and loaded and ready for this adventure.
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8 Lostpanda is celebrating My Ajusshi 💔
September 7, 2023 at 3:41 PM
I love the underhanded sarcastic tone of this drama intro. I'm dying here.
"Live to survive"
"steal to protect"
"but while wearing fabulous hats"
"After all, our hero Yoon promises no mercy"
I think our author is trying to secretly tell us something
Hat's off to the wonderful @missvictrix
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🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
September 8, 2023 at 5:15 AM
🤠
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9 bong-soo
September 7, 2023 at 4:53 PM
A lot of comments recently have been relating MY DEAREST to the American classic film GONE WITH THE WIND (1939).
The comparison is probably way off but Netflix’s THE SONG OF THE BANDITS trailer above gave me vibes of the American western THE WILD BUNCH (1969).
Whatever, TSOB has been kicking around so long I just want to say, “Roll it, already!”.
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bong-soo
September 7, 2023 at 5:16 PM
Apologies, (Freudian slip maybe?). I intended to type: TSOTB.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 7, 2023 at 7:57 PM
🤣 you would have got away with that if you hadn’t pointed it out. I always gloss over the shortened drama titles because it just feels too much like hard work trying to work out which drama is being referred to so I just read around the random letters.
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bong-soo
September 8, 2023 at 6:55 AM
@reply1988, I am generally in your camp trying to decipher titles.
Awhile back I was convinced in commenting I would transpose TTC with TCC or vice versa. (Lol you know what I’m saying, right?)
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10 nna22
September 7, 2023 at 7:24 PM
this is what i'm waiting for...
this year I barely watch k drama but I hope this drama can bring me back to dramaland happly ^^ after moving did, I just want another drama... yeaaayyy KNG I'm all in for you ^^
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 7, 2023 at 7:51 PM
I hope it does live up to expectations. Good to see you back in the comments 😊
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11 Diana Hansen
September 8, 2023 at 3:48 PM
All I need to hear is Kim Nam-gil and I am all in! this sounds wild and wonderful and gritty and heartrending and good hats, no gats around! Oh I am gonna LOVE this one!
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