MesmeroWatch list, 0 saved

TV series
Poster for The Return of Iljimae

The Return of Iljimae

2009 · 1 season

A sweeping, sorrowful historical adventure about a masked hero whose lonely quest for belonging is softened by romance and righteous swordplay.

Created by
Hwang In-roe
Genres
Drama
Starring
Jung Il-woo, Yoon Jin-seo, Kim Min-jong
Overview
The Return of Iljimae is a 2009 South Korean historical action television series, starring Jung Il-woo in the title role of Iljimae, Yoon Jin-seo, Kim Min-jong and Jung Hye-young. It aired on MBC from January 21 to April 9, 2009 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes. The series is based on comic strip Iljimae, published between 1975 and 1977, by Ko Woo-yung which was based on a Chinese folklore from the Ming dynasty about a masked Robin Hood-esque character during the Joseon era. MBC bought the rights to the comic strip for their adaptation, which was to star Lee Seung-gi in the title role of Iljimae. However he pulled out and was replaced by Jung, which makes him the third Korean actor to play the hero following Jang Dong-gun and Lee Joon-gi for Iljimae.

Your rating is saved. See your suggestions, or find titles like this one below.

Rate it, and Mesmero finds titles that feel like it. You do not need an account.

Search YouTube for a trailer

Add to a list: The Return of Iljimae

You have no lists yet. Name one, and this title goes into it.

All your lists

In the UKNo streaming, rental or purchase options known.
Created by
Hwang In-roe
Genres
Drama
Starring
Jung Il-woo, Yoon Jin-seo, Kim Min-jong
In your watch list

How it feels

Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Tone
  • melancholicstrength 2 of 3
  • earneststrength 2 of 3
  • romanticstrength 2 of 3
  • tensestrength 1 of 3
Pacing
measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention
engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes
  • identity
  • justice
  • family
  • isolation
  • revenge
Places
  • countryside
  • big city
Era
period
Audience
teen
Form
  • serialised
Content intensity
  • Gore none
  • Language none
  • Violence mild
  • Sex none
All scales, 0 to 10
Scales, 0 to 10
ScaleValue0 to 10
Action6
Horror1
Humour2
Realism4
Romance5
Tension5
Darkness5
Complexity5
Emotional weight7

More like this

Titles like The Return of Iljimae

TV series

Iljimae

2008

A sweeping historical adventure that balances swashbuckling action with emotional family drama and a touch of romance.

Melancholic, earnest · about identity and justice

Via
  • melancholic
  • earnest
  • identity
  • justice
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Seasons
1
Details
IljimaeHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

The King's Affection

2021

A lush, emotionally charged historical romance where forbidden love and palace intrigue keep you deeply invested in every stolen glance and dangerous secret.

Melancholic, earnest · about identity and family

Via
  • melancholic
  • earnest
  • identity
  • family
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Seasons
1
Details
The King's AffectionHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

Dae Jang Geum

2003–2004

A sweeping, earnest historical drama that immerses you in court intrigue and culinary tradition, rewarding patience with emotional depth.

Melancholic, earnest · about identity and justice

Via
  • melancholic
  • earnest
  • identity
  • justice
Pacing
slow-burn
Attention
engaged
Seasons
1
Details
Dae Jang GeumHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

Legend of the Female General

2025

A sweeping historical romance with gender disguise, battlefield stakes, and a slow-burning partnership that balances intrigue and warmth.

Earnest, romantic · about identity and justice

Via
  • earnest
  • romantic
  • identity
  • justice
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Seasons
1
Details
Legend of the Female GeneralHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

Itaewon Class

2020

An emotionally charged underdog story that grips you with its blend of heartfelt determination and simmering revenge.

Melancholic, earnest · about justice and revenge

Via
  • melancholic
  • earnest
  • justice
  • revenge
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Seasons
1
Details
Itaewon ClassHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

Mr. Sunshine

2018

A sweeping, melancholic historical romance with tense political intrigue and lush visuals, demanding emotional investment.

Melancholic, earnest · about identity

Via
  • melancholic
  • earnest
  • identity
Pacing
slow-burn
Attention
engaged
Seasons
1
Details
Mr. SunshineHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

Kung Fu

2021–2023

A brisk, earnest mix of martial-arts action and family drama, easy to watch with a warm core and mild tension.

Earnest · about identity and justice

Via
  • earnest
  • identity
  • justice
Pacing
brisk
Attention
easy-watch
Seasons
3
Details
Kung FuHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

The Wolf

2020

A sweeping historical romance with earnest heroes, political intrigue, and emotional twists that keep you invested in the star-crossed lovers.

Melancholic, earnest · about identity and justice

Via
  • melancholic
  • earnest
  • identity
  • justice
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Seasons
1
Details
The WolfHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

Bridal Mask

2012

A sweeping, emotionally charged period drama that balances tense action with tragic romance and moral struggle.

Melancholic, romantic · about identity and justice

Via
  • melancholic
  • romantic
  • identity
  • justice
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Seasons
1
Details
Bridal MaskHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

La Reina Soy Yo

2019

A lush, music-driven melodrama of betrayal and reinvention, unfolding with earnest emotion and steady tension across many episodes.

Melancholic, earnest · about identity and justice

Via
  • melancholic
  • earnest
  • identity
  • justice
Pacing
measured
Attention
easy-watch
Seasons
1
Details
La Reina Soy YoHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

Yona of the Dawn

2014–2015

A sweeping, heartfelt fantasy adventure that grows from sheltered innocence into a determined journey of loss and self-discovery.

Melancholic, earnest · about identity and revenge

Via
  • melancholic
  • earnest
  • identity
  • revenge
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Seasons
2
Details
Yona of the DawnHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

Blue Eye Samurai

2023

A stylish, brutal revenge tale with striking animation and a brooding, determined protagonist, blending intense action with quiet moments of melancholy.

Melancholic · about identity and justice

Via
  • melancholic
  • identity
  • justice
Pacing
brisk
Attention
engaged
Seasons
2
Details
Blue Eye SamuraiHidden from your suggestions.

Where to watch in the UK

No UK streaming, rental or purchase options are known.

Streaming data from JustWatch.TMDB

Details

Genres
drama
Created by
Hwang In-roe
Starring
Jung Il-woo, Yoon Jin-seo, Kim Min-jong, Jeong Hye-young, Cheon Ho-jin, Lee Hyun-woo, Oh Young-soo, Kim Dong-seok
Length
1 seasons, 24 episodes, 70 min each
Network
MBC
Country
South Korea
Languages
Korean

TMDBIMDbLetterboxdWikipediaWikidata

Something wrong on this page? Tell us.