kdrama and kpop

Main Cast : Kang Ji Hwan, Sung Yuri, Jang Geun Suk
Broadcast Station : KBS-2TV
Genre : Comedy Action Fusion Sageuk
No. of Episodes : 24
First Broadcast : Wed Jan 2, 2008 (replacing In-soon Is Pretty)
Broadcast Times : Wednesdays & Thursdays @ 9:55 PM (Korea time)
PD : Lee Jung Sub
Script Writers : Hong Jeong Eun, Hong Mi Ran (My Girl, Fantasy Couple, Delightful Girl Chunhyang)
Production Company : Olive 9 (Hwang Jin Yi, Ju Mong, Green Rose)
Official Website http://www.kbs.co.kr/drama/honggildong2008/index.html
Trailer : 30 sec, 50 sec
DC gallery : http://gall.dcinside.com/list.php?id=honggildong


Synopsis
(translated by: dramaok)

The main character, Hong Gil Dong, is Minister Hong's son born of the maidservant Chun-Seom, during Sejong's reign in Joseon dynasty, in the capital of Seoul. Gil Dong practiced Taoist magic since a young age and would someday become a splendid individual, but due to his illegitimate birth he carried the grudge of not being able to address his father and siblings. His family feared Gil Dong's unique skills would be the root of calamity someday, thus they hired assassins to get rid of Gil Dong. Upon escaping danger, Gil Dong left to wander and became a bandit leader. Gil Dong schemed to seize treasures from Hae-In-Sa, and afterwards with the name Hwal-Bin-Dang (army saving the poor), with skills and Taoist magic, he seized fortunes from the corrupt officials all over the country and gave them to the poor people, but did not take a penny from the common citizens. Gil Dong captured treasures from the governor of Ham-Kyeong and the governor submitted a report to the royal court. Thus, Hong Gil Dong became a wanted grand offender by the criminal capturing branch of the government. Even the top police general, Lee Heup, tried to capture Hong Gil Dong, but Lee was only made a fool. Despite the King's order to capture him, no one could escape from suffering by Gil Dong's magic of ho-pung-hwan-woo (act of calling for wind and rain) and dun-gap-jang-sin (act of disappearance to hide onself). The royal court then appeased to Minister Hong, and with support by Gil Dong's brother In Hyung, they petitioned to make Gil Dong the Minister of Army and War. Gil Dong came to Seoul to become the head of army and war ministry. Later on, Gil-Dong left his homeland toward Nam-Kyeong, but discovered the nation of Yul-Do, which was scenic with mountain and streams. He conquered the goblins and saved the beautiful woman, who were captured as hostages, and became the king of the Yul-Do nation. Then, upon hearing news of his father's death, he returned to his native land and mourned for 3 years. He later returned to Yul-Do nation and managed his nation well.


Characters
Hong Gil Dong - (Kang Ji Hwan)

An illegitimate child born from a servant. His birth mother died as soon as she gave birth to him.
At the age of 3, he showed signs of being a genius by memorizing the Analects of Confucius & Book of Mencius without anyone teaching him. Because of that, he became the target of jealously and caution. He was treated as a black sheep in his home. His father neglects him, his stepmother treats him like a bug, and on top of that, he was also being tortured by others. His brother, In Hyung, recieved lots of love from his mother, Mrs. Kim, while Gil Dong grew up lonely without a shield.