Best Korean Historic Action Drama: The Return of Iljimae

Iljimae’s birthfather is a government official. He takes advantage of a slave Baek-Mae, and later on, the slave gives birth to a baby boy. Relying on the promise that her son will be taken care of, the slave leaves the master’s residence without seeing her child, and becomes a geisha girl. Twenty years pass. She lives a quiet life far from the city, growing ginseng for living, and waits patiently for the day that she and her son will be reunited.

Officer Gu is a policeman. Thief catching is his specialty. By chance he meets Baek-Mae at the Geisha House, and is captivated by her beauty, grace and sad temperament. However, he’s too shy to approach her. Little does he know it would take 20 years for them to meet again. Chances come as he learns that Iljimae is Baek-Mae’s son, who travels all the way from China to Korea in seeking of his birthmother. Gu vows to reunite the mother and son. Moreover, he wants to be the boy’s father, Baek-Mae’s husband.

The love relationship between Baek-Mae and Officer Gu is an ill-fated one, yet beautiful, and touching. Tormented by the thought that Baby Iljimae was abandon shortly after birth by his father, and nearly died in a cold creek, Baek-Mae’s only desire is to find her son, and make up for the lost time. Officer Gu’s offer to help brings her hope that someday, she may reunite with her son, and three of them will live happily-ever-after under one roof. Although their romance is not the focus of the Korean Drama “the Return of Iljimae”, but the image of a faithful lover shines through each episode loud and clear.

Knowing that Iljimae is about to be executed, Officer Gu surrenders his own life to save him. He puts his own happiness and future aside to fulfill a promise he made to the woman he loves. Baek-Mae, on the other hand, is wrongfully informed of Iljimae’s death. Tragically, she decides to follow her son’s footsteps. As a mother, she does not want to live in a world without her child and selfishly enjoy happiness herself. The reason she agrees to marry Officer Gu is her son, and when that reason disappears, she wants only death.

The greatest love in this world is the love of a parent. A dutiful parent would give up his/her life for the young, helping them through difficulties and hardships, guiding them, teaching them right from wrong. “The Return of Iljimae” is not just a TV drama about a righteous thief fighting against the selfish and corrupt government to save the ordinary peasants. It is a story about promise, commitment, responsibility, and love, love between parents and children, lovers and friends. It is a great story, an excellent drama series too good to be missed.

Below is a Link to "The Return of Iljimae" MV, featuring a song and some beautiful clips from the drama. Hope you enjoy it!

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