Hong Gil Dong's Descendant to start Korean superhero franchise?

8 December 1, 2009December 1, 2009

Hong Gil Dong’s Descendant to start Korean superhero franchise?

by javabeans

Thanks to the success of several screen projects, old folk hero Hong Gil Dong is popular again, and now the latest take on the Robin Hood-like character — action movie Hong Gil Dong’s Descendant — has performed well enough to merit a sequel.

You may be familiar by now with the story of the Joseon-era chivalrous robber, which was turned into a fusion sageuk drama last year written by the Hong Sisters and starring Kang Ji-hwan. Recently, the movie Hong Gil Dong’s Descendant starred Lee Beom-soo to combine the familiar folk story with a modern Superman twist to feature Lee as Hong Gil Dong’s descendant — he’s a mild-mannered teacher by day, and a crime-fighting secret hero by night.

The film opened last week on November 26, and in its first week drew 300,000 viewers. Production companies Another Day Company and Sio Film have decided to go ahead with a sequel, and are looking to produce a superhero franchise — perhaps the Korean counterpart to American superheroes like Superman and Batman. Director Jung Yong-ki said, “A sequel is only possible if the movie is loved by a lot of viewers, so if Hong Gil Dong’s Descendants 2 is produced, it’s a really happy event.” Actors Lee Beom-soo (On Air), Lee Shi-young (Boys Before Flowers), and Kim Su-ro (Our High School E.T.) would, of course, return.

It looks goofy and silly but the premise adds a refreshing angle on a familiar genre, and I like all the actors involved. Well, there’s another thing to add to my watch list…

Via My Daily

Required fields are marked *

1 belleza

December 1, 2009 at 5:25 PM

"perhaps the Korean counterpart to American superheroes like Superman and Batman"

I saw a program last week covering HGD Descendants. My impression is that it's somewhat like the Incredibles, in that the focus is greatly on a family in the superhero business.

Required fields are marked *

2 Sharon

December 1, 2009 at 7:33 PM

sounds interesting! don't know if I have the chance to watch it.

Required fields are marked *

3 jo

December 1, 2009 at 8:03 PM

that poster is so terribly PSed, look at the girl, her head is so tiny, wtf.

Required fields are marked *

4 sonia

December 1, 2009 at 9:19 PM

seems like the incredible + fantastic 4 combination by looking at the poster...

Required fields are marked *

5 hjkomo

December 1, 2009 at 9:47 PM

Lee Bum Soo and a terrific supporting cast...a superhero franchise sounds great. Let's just hope the hero gets a different girl in the sequel.

Required fields are marked *

6 Icarusfalls

December 1, 2009 at 9:58 PM

Looks interesting.. anyone know where I can watch it with subs??

Required fields are marked *

7 Queen Sophia

December 2, 2009 at 3:20 AM

The actress, is she now acting - loving you a thousand times ?

Required fields are marked *

8 Len

December 2, 2009 at 9:26 AM

like the Incredibles, in that the focus is greatly on a family in the superhero business.
if it's anything like The Incredibles, I'll go watch it. (I'm more or less worn down by Korean superhero franchise right now after all the Robin Hood-like sageuk or sageuk-fushion dramas, but if the focus a little different, I might check it out.)