K-Drama Overload: Hong Gil Dong

“The reason that I, being a real fool, cannot say 'I love you' is because I may be afraid of the pain and the sad days to come right after falling for you...”

For a couple of days now, I’ve been constantly listening to this sad Korean song entitled Manyageh (If) by TaeYeon (So Nyuh Shi Dae). It’s part of the OST for the K-drama Hong Gil Dong which is yet to be aired on Philippine TV. For whatever reason, I’m not really sure; probably because there was something about the story which struck a cord in me. Now, just so you all know, I’m not such a big fan of K-dramas with historical settings and all (You know, the likes of Jumong and Jewel in the Palace). Sure, I’d watch them but with much less enthusiasm. But this one's quite different.

The story is set during the Joseon era in old Korea, and the main protagonist is Hong Gil Dong (Kang Ji Hwan). He was the illegitimate child of a high-ranking officer and later on becomes the leader of a group of bandits who steal from the aristocrats the gives it to the poor townspeople. Heo Yi Nok (Sung Yu Ri) is Gil Dong’s love interest. Of course the plot wouldn’t be complete without the other semi-antagonists, Lee Chang Hwi (Jang Geun Suk – that cute guy who played Hwang Jin Yi’s first love) and Seo Eun Hye (Kim Ri Na).

When I started out watching the series, I thought it was cool meshing huge amount of humor into the plot, together with the combat scenes plus a little bit of romance on the side. But as I progress in my viewing, somehow my heart went out to the character of Heo Yi Nok, the female protagonist. She’s this carefree woman who loved a man but can only love and protect him from afar. (And heck, she cries like a little kid in the series… cute!!! ^_^)

I now have the mp3 of the song and I listen to it everyday. Call it an uber-sentimental rush, but I can't help but get sad (quite teary-eyed, actually) whenever I'd listen to the song and recall in my mind the happy and sad moments of the two. Based on the forums posted on the internet, seems like a lot of people have declare positive reviews of the drama and the overall impact was well-appreciated. Hopefully, Hong Gil Dong will be aired on Philippine TV and dubbed in Tagalog for the others to appreciate as well. I'm crossing my fingers! =)