In short, this drama is absolutely a 10/10. I didn't even got bored on any episodes and all the characters are lovely. All the awards that this drama have won are worth it. You will love this drama and all it's characters. I would recommend you to watch this.
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The best historical drama ever!
The story for this drama blew me away. It's not your typical romcom saguk nor is it serious and depressing like Six Flying Dragons but it falls nicely in between the two. It takes you through every emotion imaginable. I've seen some people complain about the number of episodes, but in my opinion I think it would not have been as good had it been shorter, but that's coming from a lover of c drama.The acting is amazing, I would say that there wasn't one person I thought was mediocre.
The music is what brings the drama together and makes the scenes so spectacular! I love the whole album, especially Spring in Ikhwari.
I'm already desperate to watch it again even though I've just finished it!
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On surface level, it is a rather simple story of the lowest of the lowest overcoming their masters and ultimately the king with a typical "everyone is equal" sort of message.
But it's really about how each plot point is solved and overcome that's both intriguing and clever. The way that it captures the back stories of every single character really shows that everyone is really just a slave of the system.
The acting is superb on all accounts with my opinionated stand out performances being that of Kim Sang Jung and Yoon Gyun Sang. Without spoiling anything, their acting within the acting in the drama were the highlights for me, although this is partly due to their roles as well.
The music also really captures both the silly and quirky aspects of the drama, as well as the serious elements very well. Ahn Ye Eun's voice and music is absolutely made for historical dramas.
Not sure if I would watch it again (mainly because it is quite long, and does start to drag a little nearer to the end), but all in all this was a fantastic drama on all accounts.
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This was really brilliant. I was so happy watching this, like you could feel everything the characters were going through. I really like the fact that it was based on the legend, I suppose the magically powers of Gil Dong were exaggerated (usually legends are exaggerated stories), but at the same time it was very realistic portrayed the entire show. How people were suffering, the price you pay to be a king, and how absolut power can be destructive for both sides, were so beautiful tightened with the portrayal of the characters(the acting was really good). Every scene was connected and this is something I really like, becouse in many dramas there are loose moments, but here everything had semnificance.
I don't usually watch historical kdrama, because it becomes stupid and unrealistic (from the point of history), but here you can say it was historically accurate in the case of how were treated the lower classes and how the absolute power of the king worked.
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Story: I liked how the story wasn't always serious. They put in some comedy as well to lighten up the mood. The Hong gang were just hilarious the majority of the time. The way that the story progressed was good. I didn't think that it went too slow. They made sure to cover all the characters they needed to cover in 30 episodes. The very beginning of the series makes you want to continue watching it so that you can find out what happens next. I liked that since I do need something like that to get me hooked. The story, in my opinion, gets 10/10.
Acting/Cast: I loved the casting choices in this drama. I recognized several of the actors from other dramas and they played their parts so well. Kim Ji Suk played the king so well. He was great at playing someone with the type of personality that the king has. Kim Sang Joong did a great job as Gil Dong's father and I just thought that he was perfect for that role. Chae Soo Bin did an excellent job as well. She is one of my favorites too so I was happily surprised when she appeared on my tablet all of a sudden. She was cast perfectly for that role. Acting/Cast gets 10/10.
Overall, this show was phenomenal. It will make you laugh and cry. It's also totally rewatchable. This series gets 10/10 in my book.
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Rebel is a show centered on relationships and families (real and makeshift) that happens to also have a lot of action and humor, which makes it unusual in sageukland. Besides, the romantic OTP communicates and has a trusting relationship with none of the usual secrets and lies and noble idiocy.
It also features a lot of interesting cultural manifestations, such as dances, traditional music and a funeral (also a wedding, but it is low-key). The OST is so good that it stands on its own.
Finally, female characters are interesting and have agency, which is always refreshing.
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Just not my cup of tea
Despite all the good reviews about this drama, I couldn't continue the drama from Ep 11 onwards, it felt really draggy and boring, I started to use my phone often watching the show as I was bored so I also missed out alot of scenes. I watched this at first for Jung Dabin, but she didn't even come out yet HAHAHA but then Kyunsang and Soobin was in it so it was okay. The start was little draggy but was quite interesting, then it slowed down and I didn't know what was happening. I think it would really be a great drama if I appreciated the show but I couldn't continue anymore.Was this review helpful to you?
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The sound track is beautiful. That's about it.
I havent rage quit like this in a while.This is one of those shows where the writing genuinely breaks my heart because it just ruins the whole damn show.
This had serious potential to be a great epic saga vigilante justice on a tyrannical king, and instead it dragged out a personal revenge quest, and when we finally get to the heart of the story at the half way mark, it turns out our hero, isn't really that special, because the plot calls for him to get beaten up and humiliated badly and they didnt know how to do that.
What was the actual point?
We spend the first 8 episodes, trudging through the father's story, which is a series all by it's self and I find it understandable as it does impact the characters later and sets a foundation of morals and beliefs. Gil-Dong suffers at the mercy of his masters and is traumatized into hiding his strength. That's very valid. Then when the big moment comes for the family to be separated, and walks their own arcs, Gil-Dong loses his memories so that he can waste time having an off screen romance. Hmmm. Meanwhile his father is tortured until he's crippled and believed dead. His sister is seen locked in a shack briefly, and his brother stumbles upon a dead scholar, so he takes his identity. Believing his family to be dead, he enters the palace.
Ok. Think I would have liked to have seen more of what was actually happening to the siblings and other characters rather than wasting time forcing a romance and giving us crumbs. We spend 8 episodes building up a relationship with these characters and when tragedy finally hits, we're left watching Gil-Dong randomly falling in love with 2nd FL. Where they lovers? Because they kissed once and that was all we saw. That's when the writers remembered the other characters. So back we go to find everyone. When everyone is reunited, the brother passing the scholar's exam, and the sister lost to the wind, we get back on track for a revenge arc. Now, this one I didn't mind so much, because the comeuppance for the Prince in charge is very satisfying and I did find the court hilarious to watch as Gil-Dong uses the old 'complete idiot' trick. I did rewatch that scene a few times. It was hilarious and the actor did a good job there.
But once that's said and done, we immediately go back to wading through transitions and trying to force another romance on the ML because he can't just be dedicated to his cause, which ironically, is getting the king on his side. He hates the injustice of the poor and vulnerable and the abuse of the nobles and he wants the King, of all people, to help him out? The King who is already beginning his mental downward spiral and was told that he's squandering money. That King?
Anyway, we have to watch some childish waif following him around and basically forcing herself into a relationship with him. She was nice to his father so I guess that's enough for him to fall in love. She adds very little to the plot other than to be another silly damsel to cause problems later.
By this point, I googled the spoilers because I couldn't take anymore, and discovered that a side character, called Mori also has the super human strength that Gil-Dong has. The special divine powers that was repeatedly chanted into us as the audience that he must hide to protect his family. The special powers I had been waiting to be unleashed like Hulk Smash because there was no reason to hide them anymore. The one born every thousand years. Nah. We're going to force some drama by giving those special abilities to a character we know little about, so that he can throw the hero around a bit. He's also a martial artist too so boom, the writers have got them someone to bring Gil-Dong to his knees and have as all feeling tense over a ML who has only gotten revenge on a prince so far. That's it. He has done nothing to make the people love him other than be his father's son. I was expecting him to be doing a lot more to 'steal the people'. Hell. His father has done more than him. And we are half way.
At this point, I can't finish it. I don't have the heart too. Pun intended.
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The over all experience!
I have to admit! I am in Love of K-Dramas. I never thought that I would be attracted to dramas that would last more than 5-6 episodes! Before I was not aware of K-dramas If I even got the sniff of the fact that the drama would last more than 6 episodes, would not even bother to start. I don't know what happened and I am still bewildered, but this K-drama The Rebel has 30 episodes, and I JUST had to see it until the end(except for violent and scheming parts, those two things just makes my skin crawl😖). And why? In this drama there are elements that keeps you in your toes. First the plot, right from the first episode you become immersed and want to know the outcome. Secondly characters. I was really impressed by the actors Kim San Joong and Yoon Kyun Sang. Would love to see more of Yoon Kyun Sang dramas! I have seen him in Pinocchio were he excelled as a troubled brother of actor Lee Jong Suk and Clean with passion. This drama has suspension, humour, fine characters, tension, and story that was elevated through language.Was this review helpful to you?
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Otra joya infravalorada...
Luego de haber terminado esta maravillosa historia por 2da vez al fin me siento capaz de dar una reseña que le haga justicia (o al menos eso voy a intentar)La primera vez que empecé The Rebel, me sentí un poco aburrida sobre los primeros cuatro capítulos porque claro yo entré con la idea de que nos presentarían al protagonista (Yoon Kyung Sang) desde el inicio pero no fue así. Así que luego del 1er cap pensé: voy a darle otra oportunidad, le tengo fe a este drama. Y que buena decisión tomé porque esos primeros cuatro capítulos son esenciales para ubicarnos en el tipo de vida que llevó la familia del famoso rebelde Hong Gil Dong.
He de admitir que recién en el capítulo 14 sentí que definitivamente no había forma de que abandonara esta historia, para ese instante ya me habían cautivado (hecho llorar varias veces) y a partir del capítulo 20 todo va tomando más y más cuerpo hasta el final (y lloré un poco más)
Ahora, me tomaré un momento para dedicarle la atención justa a cada personaje, así que ahí voy:
Hong Gil Dong: lo amé, se volvió de mis personajes favoritos de entre todos los saeguk's que llevo vistos hasta el momento. Sin dudas el desarrollo del personaje fue exquisito y fue recién en la 2da vez que noté más detalles y me hizo apreciar mejor a Gil Dong. No cambiaría nada de él porque para mi fue perfecto y todo eso se lo debo a Kyung Sang (se ganó mi atención tambien) , quien hizo un excelente trabajo.
Hong Gil Hyeon: me encantó tanto este personaje, el papel que tomó dentro del Palacio me pareció una genialidad, su astucia y la constante lucha entre lo correcto e incorrecto y como al final terminó dejando todas sus cartas en la mesa antes de regresar junto a su hermano, simplemente wow. (me volví fan su expresión ganadora, la confianza en él uff)
Quiero destacar el reencuentro de los hermanos POR FAVOR QUE MANERA DE LLORAR.
El grupo Hong: es increíble como llegué a tomarles tanto cariño al punto de que a medida que la trama avanzaba me iba preparando para lo peor porque tenía miedo de que alguno de ellos muriera.
Ga Ryung: la amé tanto, admito que me animó el hecho de que actuaba Chae Soobin ya que era la unica cara conocida. Su personaje me gustó mucho, pese a las desgracias y lo quizás poco favorables acciones que tenía al inicio, al final se llevó mi corazón por completo.
Gil Dong y Ga Ryung se metieron en mi top de parejas favoritas. Simplemente los amo y me costó mucho dejarlos ir. ¿La escena del poste? Me desgarró el corazón por completo y se volvió de las escenas más trágicas que he visto. Al final lloré tanto con la resolución que les dieron💕 era lo que ellos se merecian.
Nok Su: que personaje complicado y aún así es de las mejores versiones que he visto. Honey Lee hizo un trabajo excepcional y ayudó mucho el nivel de protagonismo que tuvo dentro de la trama ya que pese a ser una arpía, lo cierto es que también se sentía más humana que otras versiones. No estaba ahí sólo para ocupar el lugar de "la que le llenaba la cabeza al Rey". Su final, la 2da vez me dolió más.
El Rey: maravillosa interpretación, de verdad que el actor hizo un papel increíble. Retorcido y frágil al mismo tiempo, un villano bien construido y personificado. (junto con el rey de la película the king and the clown, este es de mis favs)
Y antes de dejar mi opinión honesta sobre aquellas cositas que no me terminaron de convencer.
El OST, maravilloso. Al inicio costó ya que no es un sonido típico que estamos acostumbrados a oír de este lado del charco. El OST de The Rebel es tradicional y se adapta muy bien al contexto. He estado obsesionada desde entonces.
Ahora sí, mis críticas:
1- No entendí cuál fue la necesidad de crear toda esa aura misteriosa al rededor de Eo Ri Ni, siento que lo inflaron mucho y al final quedó un resultado flojo, además Ok Ran era más simpática e incluso llegué a pensar que ella de alguna forma era la hermana de Mo Ri o algo ya que ¿acaso los guionistas olvidaron que ella menciona que fue separada de su hermano? Mala ejecución de un recurso que pudo ser mejor tratado.
2- El final: yo lo sentí flojo en comparación a la carga emocional que había formado la familia Hong, entiendo que es cierto que ocurrió un golpe de estado pero me hubiese gustado que ellos tomaran mayor protagonismo, después de todo según la historia Gil Dong fue gran participe. ¿Por que de golpe agregar a un personaje random para que resuelva todo?
3- El maestro: creo que apuntaban a algo mejor pero de nuevo... se vino abajo.
En general me gustó mucho y agradezco que nos dieran un happy ending, aunque me hubiese dejado más conforme ver que los demás Hong también tenían su propia vida, quiero decir al final parece que nada más eran piezas que sólo podían funcionar si Gil Dong estaba cerca ¿Ni siquiera su hermano tuvo su propia vida? En fin, que me llené de expectativas ya que realmente la historia fue creciendo mucho a medida que avanzaba.
dato extra: durante algunas escenas me sentí igual a como me pasó mientras veía Mr Sunshine.
otro dato extra: ahora no sé que otro saeguk empezar ya que me di cuenta de que disfruto mucho más las historias que ocurren fuera del Palacio y que no sólo es una guerra de poder entre nobles por ver quien llega primero al trono.
MARAVILLOSO, VOLVERIA A VERLO UNA VEZ MÁS SIN DUDAS.
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