Sharp Blade Hong Gil Dong

Hong Gil Dong may get on your nerves at the beginning – such a dork! – but you'll forgive him because his charisma wins you over. The main character and his femme fatale – great, they have some really cute moments together. Both the robbers (bandits) and everyone who serves the king or his brother are really great characters. They have their own stories and goals, it all comes together, intertwines, complements, hurts, kills. Jang Keun-Suk, in a serious role, shows that he's in it all the way, not just a "cute" nose from the rom-coms. It's a near perfect historical series, which unfortunately drags a bit towards the end and stutters at times while you’re watching. But otherwise? I recommend it with both thumbs up! The beginning feels more like comedy, then it slowly but surely gets more dramatic and darker until it ends the way it ends. Are we fighting a mad king? (played perfectly...). A weaker 4 stars. (12/05/2011)

Ji-hwan Kang and Yoo-ri Seong as a couple, that's a dream come true for me. I was expecting something completely different from the series, but I'm definitely not disappointed. In the first few episodes it seemed like it was going to be more of a comedy, but in the end the dramatic side prevailed and there were just the kind of twists and turns I like. In fact, I ended up with probably the most drama I've experienced with a historical series so far. As much as I don't like the occasional wacky interludes and characters in the series, here the comic side of it was absolutely perfect for me as well. More than once I happened to remember something when I was doing something else and started laughing so hard. I think Yoo-ri Seong in the role of Yi-nok entertained me the most. Her fall into the well, her arrow speed, and the way she and Gil-dong hunted tigers was awesome. And I enjoyed it mostly because this show makes fun of itself, doesn't take itself seriously, doesn't cover up its flaws, instead points them out and uses them to its advantage. There was only one character I didn't like, and that was Miss Eun-hye. She bothered me from the very beginning. The last six episodes were an incredible ride, and Yoo-ri has moved up the list of my favorites. I also have to point out to the well acted king and prince and the excellent soundtrack. 4.5 stars. (05/17/2015)