Song of the Bandits

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 Western flavour for an Eastern Tale

It's been a very long time since I last watched a proper Western show—Western, as in the usual Cowboy flick. The last one I watched, made with a Asian flavour and enjoyed, was unironically the Once Upon a Time in China & America. And to be honest, since then and until now, I never imagined there would be a day that I would ever watch a Western 'Cowboy' genre being shown with an Eastern setting.

Song of the Bandit was set during one of the turbulent periods of the Japanese occupation and was based on the Gando massacre. To be honest, I have to say that depicting the series in the style of a western gunslinging genre was really an interesting choice to make, as well as original. It gave the drama a certain noir style that's has never ween seen before in a Korean production. It's certainly a refreshing take on the old western gunslinging cowboy flick, that is NOT set in old American setting.

Lee Yoon's bandits are unlike the usual gun-totting bandits one used to see. In fact, Lee Yoon's character leaned closer to being Sheriff-like, rather than a mere bandit. But I guess in a world where the righteous were trampled and the corrupt and evil reigned free, our good Sheriff had no choice but to take on the role of a 'bandit' in order to protect his people. The drama had a pretty solid start, to be honest, and I do wish we'll get to see a continuation of this tale. Like if a second season was to be made, I would've loved to see (aside from the series version of how the Gando massacre would happen and the aftermath) of how Yoon actually managed to find the rest of his bandit crew and how he was able to gain their respect. Because it was pretty obvious that, as much as Yoon's group was pretty ragtag, they did hold Yoon with some level of respect.

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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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I really regret not watching this earlier

Finally, I found a drama that I watched in one go. I fully immersed myself in the atmosphere and deeply felt certain moments that, unfortunately, are happening in my country right now. What hit me the hardest was how the Japanese characters in this drama sometimes spoke almost word for word like the rashists, which made me cry at certain moments…

All the characters were diverse and interesting personalities.
Lee Yun is a character with a past he regrets, but he realized his mistake and stood up to protect his people. To be honest, I started watching this drama because of Namgil. He portrayed his character incredibly well, and this role is different from his others, so I couldn't help but admire him. Even though I don’t fully understand his character’s choices, I won’t blame it on poor writing. We are all different, and each person has their own beliefs and values that matter to them.
Hui Sin was a fascinating character and a strong woman. Even though she was under Yun’s protection, her inner strength was far greater than any physical power, and that made her admirable.
Gwang Il was an ambitious and confident character, and I had a lot of negative feelings toward him. However, I still felt like his story was incomplete.
Eon Nyeon impressed me with her resilience and courage. I liked that women in this drama weren’t portrayed as just weak and helpless, and men weren’t always strong. It showed that men can also be vulnerable, and women can be strong and independent.
All the other supporting characters were interesting and memorable, especially that duo who kept fighting all the time:)

The plot was a bit predictable at times, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it. In fact, I’m glad there weren’t any overly sudden plot twists because I had more than enough emotions already. Does the ending hint at a second season? Or was it just an open ending? I’m not sure, but there’s still more to explore in this drama, so I really hope for a season two!

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Absolutely phenomenal

I have never watched a k-drama western before but man this was a complete hit for me. I really liked everything about this show. It was absolutely amazing from the action, the story. I really hope there is a season 2 to the show but it came out in 2023 so who knows we can only hope I guess.

I will say this. I know there's a lot of people out there that think that there are just way too many historical dramas. I have to say that these historical dramas and I know that their not historically accurate but they're mainly telling a story in that time frame. but there's some of the best ones out there and I'd put the song of bandits right up there.

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so fun but has many scene that don’t make any sense.

เป็นเรื่องที่เนื้อเรื่อง/ดำเนินเรื่องสนุกตื่นเต้นดีมาก แต่ฉากที่เว่อออออ มีอยู่เยอะมาก โดยเฉพาะฉากต่อสู้
ฝั่งทหารญี่ปุ่นมีปืนกันขนาดนั้นแต่ฝั่งพระเอกไม่มีใครโดนยิงซักคน กลายเป็นใช้ปืนเป็นของตีแทนซะงั้น
ผู้หญิงนักฆ่า ก็ดูพยายามทำให้สูสีกับพระเอกทั้งๆที่สตอรี่ก็เล่าให้พระเอกเป็นคนเก่งมาก แถมขนาดตัวที่ต่างกันมากเลยแอบดูฝืนๆนิดหน่อย แต่ action แสดงกันออกมาได้ดีทุกคน
บางฉากก็มีความห๊ะ อย่างตอนที่พระเอกยืนอ่านจดหมายที่นางเอกฝากมาให้ คืออ่านตอนนี้เลยหรอ ไม่รีบไปช่วยทีมก่อน

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Atuação, figurino e ost impecáveis

Não canso de falar como os coreanos gostam de contar a história do país e são mestres nisso; sempre encontrando uma nova forma ou um ponto de vista para isso, e fica genial!

Ambientado durante o período colonial japonês na década de 20, temos aqui um enredo com muita ação em que o povo privado do seu direito e meios de subsistência se revoltam e lutam por uma Coreia que exista fora da opressão.

Lee Yoon passou muitos anos dentro do regime ditatorial como um soldado, mas após participar de um extermínio, a culpa não o permite continuar. Após abandonar o lado do Japão, virando assim um traidor do país e do seu amigo, o comandante Kang Il, uma caçada começa.

Kang Il é um opressor e não existe uma célula desse homem que pense com clareza. É odioso, então a busca por vingança é incontrolável. Então ele contrata uma assassina de aluguel e encomenda a morte de Lee Yoon.

Aqui entra a melhor personagem desse k-drama: Eon Nyeon Yi, a assassina. As cenas de ação protagonizada por ela é de tirar o fôlego, além de seu ideal de vida solitário, mas ao encontrar outros oprimidos, ela vê que não está sozinha. De todos os personagens, Nyeon Yi foi a que mais notei um crescimento constante na trama, tanto a narrativa da história de uma jovem fragilizada até se torna a mulher sedenta por vingança e que faz qualquer coisa para atingir seus objetivos. Maravilhosa!

Apesar de ser um drama estritamente masculino, as mulheres roubam a cena. Temos Hee Shin, uma nobre que está buscando métodos ao seu alcance para reerguer seu país, e também Seon Bok, que através de um disfarce consegue colocar esses "bandidos" nos lugares em que precisam. Mulher portando arma é meu fraco! hehe

O final não me desagradou. É de se esperar que em sageuks não haja muita conclusão visto ser um período em que a solução não é dada de uma hora para outra, afinal, foram 35 anos de muita luta até a liberdade. Então, foi um bom final e que dá um super gancho para outra temporada.

Sou obcecada por dramas históricos bem feitos, elenco bem escolhido, figurinos impecáveis
e uma ost que não deixa a desejar.

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Far West coreano com cheiro de pólvora, honra e poeira na garganta

Ação ambientada na Manchúria dos anos 1920, onde bandidos se tornam heróis para proteger o povo
Mistura de estética western, artes marciais e dramas de resistência
Sequências de tiroteio que parecem coreografias
Cada personagem luta não só pela sobrevivência, mas por um propósito maior
Fotografia impecável: poeira, sol baixo e tensão em cada plano
Quando a lei serve apenas aos poderosos, o crime pode ser o último abrigo da justiça.

“Entre balas e traições, o maior alvo é manter a própria honra.”

Lee Yoon (Kim Nam-gil) – ex-soldado que abandona o exército japonês para se tornar um fora-da-lei protetor dos coreanos

Nam Hee-shin (Seohyun) – aristocrata que vive disfarçada, usando sua inteligência e influência para resistir à opressão

Choong-soo (Yoo Jae-myung) – líder carismático de um bando de rebeldes, meio pai, meio pistoleiro

Eon-nyeoni (Lee Ho-jung) – atiradora implacável, de passado trágico e mira certeira

Gwang-il (Lee Hyun-wook) – antagonista que carrega cicatrizes de sangue e ambição

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excellent ! la saison 2 va venir !

Très bonne série, avec des reconstitutions très soignées.
Les acteurs sont particulièrement bons :
Lee Hyun Wook comme vilain est absolument parfait, il a des expressions superbes.
Kim Nam Gil est excellent lui aussi, mais nous y sommes habitués.
Lee Ho Jung est très convaincante dans son rôle d'assassin, c'est la belle découverte !
Certaines scènes feraient presque croire que l'on se trouve au far-west américains avec ses saloons, ses locomotives à vapeur, ses chevaux et ses costumes d'époque !
A regarder sans modération !
SPOILER :
Edit : je suis sure qu'on verra une suite, tous les acteurs principaux sont vivants à la fin, et l'intrigue peut largement continuer !

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