Don’t be scared of the 30 episodes. All 30 episodes are worth your time. The show takes place shortly after Joseon was established under the reign of the worst king in Korean history, Lee Yoong (Kim Ji Suk). The people believe that he was the under influence of a Gisaeng (old school Joseon sex worker) named Nok Soo (Lee Ha Nee) and made him even more indulgent during a time when the citizens of Joseon were starving. These two characters in the show were based of the actual people.

Hong Gil Dong (Yoon Kyun Sang) is the son of a slave, Amogae (Kim Sang Joon). Amogae is extremely smart and quick witted and through a series of events he was freed and became the leader of a group of smugglers. They call the elder and was a leader of a gang. Gil Dong also has an older brother, Gil Hyun (Shim Hee Seob) and younger sister, Eorenie (Lee Soo Min).

Like all good period dramas, there is a massive list of characters and most of them are important and contribute to the story. They are very well listed on other sites and this is a good one: https://mydramalist.com/20782-rebel-thief-who-stole-the-people/cast .

Chae Soo Bin plays Song Ga Ryeong, a wandering commoner who falls in love with Gil Dong. Chae Soo Bin is one of my favourite romantic comedy actresses in her age group. She has this charm about her that makes you automatically wish she was your younger sister. You feel her pain and happiness equally.

The former Miss Korea (aka 4th place in Miss Universe) Lee Ha Ni brought Nok Soo’s character to life. You know she is an evil person and is portrayed this way in history but you still feel for her. She was 100% a victim of circumstance. She was sold to the Gibang at a young age and got by on her learned survival skills. She is an amazing actress and always plays her character perfectly.

Yoon Kyun Sang, our tall and handsome Gil Dong was perfectly casted as our Korean Robin Hood. He is one of the few actors who can give you the angriest stares but still feel the affection and fear behind his anger. I don’t know if this is something the actor worked on or if it’s unintentional, what ever the case is, he pulls it off perfectly. He even looks like what I imagine Hong Gil Dong from the novel would look like in real life.

This is definitely one of the better period dramas. It is hard to simply categorize it as a love story, fantasy, or action period drama. It is all of the above. Like all great historical KDramas, there is a ton of political unrest and class division. Definitely worth watching.

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