First glimpse of MBC's Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People

59 January 3, 2017January 3, 2017

First glimpse of MBC’s Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People

by chickachunga

The first stills of MBC’s new Monday-Tuesday drama Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People have been released, and actors Yoon Kyun-sang (Doctors), Kim Ji-suk (Oh Hae-young Again), Honey Lee (Come Back, Ajusshi), and Kim Sang-joong (Jingbirok) appear to be settling into their characters and sageuk garb with ease.

Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People is set during the tumultuous era of tyrant King Yeonsangun’s reign and centers around Hong Gil-dong, arguably Korea’s most famous folk hero. But unlike the classic tale in which he stole material goods from the rich and gave to the poor, the Hong Gil-dong of this drama is a “thief” of people’s hearts, winning their trust and support despite his low birth and poor upbringing.

Yoon Kyun-sang plays this thief of hearts, and Kim Ji-suk takes on the role of ruthless King Yeonsangun of Joseon, born with a golden spoon in his mouth, but unable to win the favor of his people despite his royal pedigree and power. Written by Hwang Jin-young (King’s Daughter Soo Baek-hyang) and directed by Kim Jin-man (Kill Me, Heal Me), Rebel aims to depict the virtues one must embody in order to succeed as a leader of the people.

The stills of Hong Gil-dong and King Yeonsangun in their first encounter were taken last month at Hwangmae mountain where production commenced. A producer for the show stated that Hwangmae mountain also served as the first location of the wildly beloved 2006 sageuk Jumong that garnered 50% in viewership ratings, which made it a very meaningful first shoot for Rebel, where the spirit of Jumong was felt throughout.

Kim Sang-joong plays Hong Gil-dong’s father, Ah Mo Gae, a poor servant and father who defies his low standing in society to provide for his two sons: studious, eldest son Gil-hyun and strong, mighty second son Gil-dong. He’s a man who stands against the unjust establishment, and actor Kim Sang-joong stated that Ah Mo Gae represents the people of today; the parallels from past and present history do not escape him, and he’s channeling that knowledge to give a deep and affecting performance.

Honey Lee plays famous Joseon femme fatale Jang Nok-su, King Yeonsangun’s confidante and consort, and in this story, her first and forever love is Hong Gil-dong. Chae Soo-bin (Moonlight Drawn By Clouds) rounds out the main cast as Song Ga-ryung, a young widow and Hong Gil-dong’s leading lady who desires to kill Yeonsangun to avenge the death of her husband.

It’s definitely going to be a twist on the Hong Gil-dong legend we know, but PD Kim Jin-man has stated that he purposely wanted to have a young, trustworthy hero in Yoon Kyun-sang’s Hong Gil-dong. Perhaps the spirit of Jumong will bring high ratings for Rebel, a drama that already looks quite promising with its solid cast.

Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People will premiere on MBC after Night Light ends early this year.

Via TV Daily

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1 Callie

January 3, 2017 at 3:41 PM

They keep doing these actors so dirty with these dollar store wigs. Please ask the SFD crew where they got theirs.

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KDaddict

January 3, 2017 at 5:46 PM

I'm beginning to believe that the wigs make or break a sageuk. The wigs in Hawrang make it impossible for me to get into that show, despite the many flower boys. Just looking at the stills scare me. And here, they are not doing Yoon Kyun Sang justice putting that "dollar store wig" on him.

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spazmo

January 3, 2017 at 6:07 PM

Hwarang has all the manes of glory wigs tied up at the moment...

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Callie

January 3, 2017 at 6:31 PM

Hwarang's wigs are terrible too.

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Anonymous

January 3, 2017 at 10:13 PM

Not really. Only park seo jun's wig is ugly. The rest is okay. Some of them can rock the long wig looking hawt *hyungsik*

*scarlet heart is the worst tho*

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Sancheezy

January 3, 2017 at 10:49 PM

it looks bad on picture but when I watch it,
and when everyone has the same hairstyle,
it' actually quite okay,

I mean hyung shik , do jihan and yeo wol are just great

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stringofpurls

January 3, 2017 at 6:11 PM

After making Honey Lee's wig, they only had leftovers of varying lengths and threw it all together for Yoon Kyun-sang's mane of shame.

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seoqueen

January 3, 2017 at 10:11 PM

I was gonna comment on this..."But.. but... YKS's hair...."

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JoyCB

January 4, 2017 at 4:32 PM

Cant they borrow the wig that Yoon Kyun Sang used in Six Flying Dragons? He looked good with that hair.

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2 milktea

January 3, 2017 at 3:46 PM

kim ji-suk <3

i've always liked yoon kyun-sang since his Pinocchio days but more recently started to love him even more in 3 Meals a Day - looking forward to his first leading role!

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3 stringofpurls

January 3, 2017 at 3:48 PM

Is it just me or has Kwak Dong-yeon ruined the Main of Glory for all other men? Try as one might, it's going to take some really fabulous hair to out-do his Moonlight mane.

It's okay, Yoon Kyun-sang, maybe yours will improve later on in the show.

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bbstl 🧹

January 3, 2017 at 5:07 PM

Is that the problem? And was that his own hair, is that why it looked so great? I watched SFD recently and after Kwak Dong Yeon, those wigs don't look so hot, either ?

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stringofpurls

January 3, 2017 at 6:03 PM

It was a wig but it was a damn good one! Other productions need to up their wig game big time.

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Sarai

January 4, 2017 at 4:20 PM

"Is it just me or has Kwak Dong-yeon ruined the Mane of Glory for all other men?"

YES. YES. YES.
I SECOND THIS MOTION.
THIS IS WHAT IT IS.
Seriously, this is the answer.
Kwak Dong-yeon's hair in "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds" gave me LIFE. lol

That hair makes me believe I could write pages of love letters and poetry in it's honor.

THIS. View it in all it's glory:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8500/28861443745_ac631cefaf_k.jpg

P.S. I must say it also helped that the character of Byung Yeon was so strong, fierce, loyal, and mysterious... and Kwak Dong-yeon played him incredibly. But that hair, I'm telling you.

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stringofpurls

January 3, 2017 at 6:12 PM

And I misspelled "mane". Oops.

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Callie

January 3, 2017 at 6:35 PM

Moonlight never appealed to me enough for me to ever check it out, but goddamn if those stills of Kwak Dong Yeon didn't tempt me...

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moon.

January 3, 2017 at 7:07 PM

The costume team for Moonlight is just really GOOD. From the hair to the costumes to the accessories. Just a really visually pleasing drama.

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Elle

January 3, 2017 at 10:53 PM

Kim Hyung had the most natural-looking mane of glory I'd ever seen. Every sageuk mane that came before and after Moonlight pales in comparison.

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4 gureum

January 3, 2017 at 3:53 PM

bad wigs aside, this looks promising! yoon kyun sang is the most adorable puppy, and chae soo bin gives off puppy vibes as well.

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5 Viki

January 3, 2017 at 4:06 PM

Saeguks just seem to fail at the actors' hair lately

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6 Grapes

January 3, 2017 at 4:17 PM

Although i am grateful that he doesn't wear those Jeoson hats, but they could've done better with the hair. What's wrong with those stylists, even I could do much better than this!

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7 snowmobile

January 3, 2017 at 4:17 PM

If Yoon Kyunsang is the thief of hearts in this drama, he and his cats stole mine a while ago on Three Meals a Day and Doctors.

And I am NOT digging that wig.

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8 bananachocolate

January 3, 2017 at 4:28 PM

They should ditch the bangs on Yoon Kyun Sang's wig.For Honey's wig I kinda want it to be a bit smaller. Seems a bit too heavy for her.
Wishing Chae Soo-Bin to be style better than this.
Doesn't Yoon Kyun Sang looked a bit washed out in the stills?

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blnmom

January 3, 2017 at 5:42 PM

Yes! What's with those bangs? Did they have bangs back then? If you're going to do bangs, you need long sweeping bangs like Kim hyung.

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stringofpurls

January 4, 2017 at 7:54 AM

I feel like this how my hair would look if I half-assed a ponytail.

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bananachocolate

January 4, 2017 at 11:43 AM

It's like you decided to take one small chunk of your hair and tie it up into a ponytail without brushing and then the wind made it worse = YKS's hair in a nutshell

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9 Auntie Em

January 3, 2017 at 4:31 PM

A woman whose husband has died is a widow.
A man whose wife has died is a widower.
The terms are not interchangeable.

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10 UmbrellaMan

January 3, 2017 at 4:34 PM

Honey Lee is stunningly beautiful. That is all.

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11 ⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

January 3, 2017 at 4:44 PM

I cannot wait to see Honey Lee back in action. I too wish that the wig on her head is smaller.

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12 sparks121

January 3, 2017 at 5:43 PM

Honey Lee as a gisaeng- it's a dream come true! She looks amazing, and especially fitting given her background.

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13 Eternal

January 3, 2017 at 5:52 PM

Yoon Kyun Sang. I always wanna smile whenever I see him become serious mode on after watching his cute babo-ness in Three Meals A Day. How can you not love him? The friday becomes empty without him and his cutie cats plus the super sweet bromance of him and Eric. How I wish this two will have chance to work together someday.

I believe in Honey Lee and Kim Ji Suk. This two always get second lead roles but steal the show.

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14 Bùi Quốc Khánh

January 3, 2017 at 6:08 PM

That's why I just want watch SBS historical drama. KBS and MBC wigs style so terrible although how much money they paid.

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15 Erika

January 3, 2017 at 6:11 PM

its me or they're a lot of sageuks right now.

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Bùi Quốc Khánh

January 3, 2017 at 6:34 PM

I can see no less than 6 sageuks in this year.
MBC taken 3 sagueks. They want to save their saguek reputation (or brand?, not sure).

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16 earthna

January 3, 2017 at 6:34 PM

I don't know what to feel about my baby Kyunsang's hair but Honey Lee is a goddess.

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17 PakalanaPikake

January 3, 2017 at 6:36 PM

I'm looking forward to Kim Ji-suk's return to sageuk. Aside from his kickass slave hunter role in CHUNO, he's only appeared in one episode of HOMETOWN LEGENDS / KOREAN GHOST STORIES, and a cameo in STRONGEST CHIL-WOO.

Written by Hwang Jin-young (King’s Daughter Soo Baek-hyang) and directed by Kim Jin-man (Kill Me, Heal Me), Rebel aims to depict the virtues one must embody in order to succeed as a leader of the people.

Sold! If this script delivers even half the amount of heart and soul that Hwang Jin-young conveyed in SOO BAEK-HYANG, I'll be a very happy camper. Kingly (or in SBH's case, queenly) virtue was a major theme in the story.

The opening scenery reminds me of the beautiful and varied terrain that figured so prominently in SOO BAEK-HYANG. The cinematography in that drama was exquisite.

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18 azzo

January 3, 2017 at 6:59 PM

Doesn't he look like a giant hobbit? No? Just me? okay then!

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keiru

January 4, 2017 at 4:09 AM

Ooo.. please let me unsee it ! Now I want to laugh every time I see his picture XD

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Rose

January 4, 2017 at 7:27 AM

Yaaas! He is an HUGE BABY !

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19 Islander north

January 3, 2017 at 7:22 PM

Not to be picky, but widower is male, widow is female.

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20 blue

January 3, 2017 at 8:00 PM

Since these actors typically play supporting roles in dramas (if my memory serves me right), I'm excited to see how the dynamics play out onscreen!

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21 wackycashew

January 3, 2017 at 8:46 PM

Honey Lee looks stunning!!

YKS got the broom hair. 's OK. I'll still watch. XD

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22 salt N pepper

January 3, 2017 at 10:13 PM

Honey Lee looks great! Then again, when has she ever not?

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23 Kiara

January 3, 2017 at 10:31 PM

Honey Lee and Kim Sang-joong <3.

This show has a strong supporting actors with sageuk experience.

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24 klurker 🐙 Dora-Momo makes me wish I was young again

January 3, 2017 at 11:54 PM

Maybe the terrible wigs are a statement for shampoo PPLs to overpower Subway?

That aside, Honey Lee looks great here. <3

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25 kerri

January 4, 2017 at 12:59 AM

Why is there so many sageuks this year? Hwarang,Saimdang,Rebel,Ruler,King Loves ,My Sassy Girl.....and that's only in first part of the year. I hope at least half of those deliver.

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michyeosseo

January 4, 2017 at 5:52 AM

Kdramaland's trying to make it up to the audience for the dismal sageuk output in 2016. I mean, objectively, barring SFD, the rest disappointed at one aspect or another.

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26 erwinia

January 4, 2017 at 1:35 AM

As much I think YKS is cute in 3 meals and I love his cats, he is far far off from being a lead and so is Kim Ji Suk.

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Rose

January 4, 2017 at 7:32 AM

I think he has room to grow, his portraying in Six Flying Dragons after the growth of his character at the end of the drama is the perfect exemple.

I think that he will be a wonderful Hong Gil Dong^^

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erwinia

January 4, 2017 at 8:38 AM

I think leading stars do require a certain onscreen presence/enigma/charisma not just acting skills or looks. Think Seo Kang Jun. As much as he is a scene-stealer in Cheese in the Trap, he wasnt able to make a presence in Entourage. in fact everything about Entourage was bad. But I do adore YKS's cat daddy persona!

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Rose

January 4, 2017 at 9:01 AM

I completely agree with what you are saying, at the end of the day, it is an actor capability to bring a character to life to make him real, to make us feel, that makes the difference :)

Hope he is gonna have "ce je ne sais quoi' that will make him rock as HGD in Rebel.

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27 nightcat

January 4, 2017 at 3:10 AM

Honey Lee! <3 Hope that this drama will do her justice. And that they let her play the gayageum on this.

Oh yes, the hair on YKS though. (-_-)

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28 gina

January 4, 2017 at 7:17 AM

omg his hair LOLOLOL

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29 bashful

January 4, 2017 at 8:06 AM

I assume the Joseon version of Subway will heal all bad hairdos .

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Rose

January 4, 2017 at 9:02 AM

ROFL xD If only there were PPL in Sageuk, we would have better wigs in exchange of sandwiches, not a bad deal!

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30 Rovi

January 4, 2017 at 9:15 AM

Correction for this article: Kim Sang-joong's character DOES NOT HAVE A PROPER NAME. Amugae (아무개) is not even a proper name. Literally meaning "some dog", it's used for people without a "formal" name (birth names of course taboo), especially towards the lower social class. It's similiar to the name "Mumyeong" (no-name) & "Hong Gil-dong" (Korean John Doe). Also when the person is unconcerned with whomever s/he is meeting (rarely).
Modern equivalent would be "so-and-so".

Honey Lee's outfit is so late-18th century honestly. To see accurate 16th century outfits, I'd rather recommend "Women of the World".

I think "Rebel" was written towards the current government TBH. It's part of the continuing trend of the entertainment industry to pour out spite towards the "traitors" of the nation, and I think Kim Sang-joong is such an obvious choice for the cast.