In the 1920’s, many displaced Koreans made their way north to Gando.  In a territory full of outlaws and desperate poverty, a rumor of a suitcase of money traveling through the area by train draws the attention of many, hoping to steal the money and finally strike it rich.  Among them is one brave activist, who lives posing as a Japanese government employee.  She intends to take all of the money and deliver it into the hands of the Korean army for independence.  And she will enlist the help of a hardened gun for hire and a jaded leader of bandits to get the money safely delivered to those who need it most.  

Seo Hyun as Nam Hee Shin

Nam Hee Shin works for the Japanese Government as the Head of the Railway Bureau.  She is also dating Lee Kwang Il, the one time-owner and sometimes friend of Yoon.  But in secret, Hee Shin is actually an activist for Korean Independence.  Her job and her romantic relationship with Kwang Il both give her opportunities to collect sensitive information and pass it on to the freedom fighters.  So when she is asked to deliver a suitcase full of money from the Japanese Government to the Chinese in Gando, to pay for a railway project, she makes plans to steal the funds and deliver them into the hands of the Korean rebels.  But when her life is threatened by countless outlaws all interested in stealing the money, she finds an unlikely ally in the taciturn Korean bandit, Yoon.  And he seems like her only chance to get the money safely into Korean hands.  

Nam Hee Shin is a wealthy woman of privilege who could easily have hidden behind her job working with the Japanese.  But her heart breaks when she thinks about all her people have endured under the weight of Japanese and Chinese oppression.  And when she arrives in Gando and sees it for herself firsthand, she is even more determined to help the freedom fighters’ cause.  Seo Hyun did a fine job with this role, although I found this character to be a bit dull, especially when compared with the vibrant personality of Eon Nyeon Yi.  I wish we had seen some other sides to her character that weren’t so stiff and proper all the time.  

Lee Ho Jung as Eon Nyeon Yi

Eon Nyeon Yi is a gun for hire who is initially hired by Kwang Il to kill Yoon.  But when Yoon tells her he is on his way to die at the hands of someone he owes a debt, she lets him go, assuming he will die anyway.  Later she is hired by Hee Shin to help her get the money safely off the train and into rebel hands.  But while working with Hee Shin, she is shocked to cross paths with a very much alive Yoon.  Now, with her reputation on the line, her goal is to complete her work with Hee Shin and then go back to finish Yoon off.  But her loyalties are tested as she works side by side with Yoon protecting Hee Shin and the people living under Choi Chung Soo.

 ♥ Western Concept

The way they turned 1920’s Manchuria into the wild west for this drama was fascinating.  From saloon gunfights to train heists, this drama captured the essence of it all, while still giving it an authentic kdrama feel.  I love this concept and I think they did a great job with it.  From the gritty scenery to the whistling soundtrack, it really felt like I was watching an old spaghetti western.  While the story may have fallen short in my opinion, the look and sound of this drama was sweeping and beautiful.  

♥ Historical Context

I always love a drama that gives us a look at periods or locations that don’t get talked about often in dramas.  In this case, the history lesson about a place like Gando, that, according to Yoon is made up of “Chinese land, Japanese money, and Joseon’s people” was interesting and new to me.  Although we don’t see much of the Chinese perspective, the mix of peoples and cultures created a unique blend.  

Violence

While I am not particularly squeamish, this drama definitely went overkill on the violence and gore.  Most kdrama fans are already aware of Netflix’ tendency to add American shock value into all of their dramas, whether that be sex or violence. But this one was much more bloody than I expected.  And sure, a little violence is to be expected in a “Western”, but this one seemed to go a bit overboard for my taste.   

Lack of Development

This story seemed to jump all over the place, leaving so many ideas and characters unfinished.  I suppose there is always a possibility that Netflix will wave the wand and give fans a second season, although I’m not sure this cast would be willing to sign on even if it was offered. But as it sits for now, I feel like the plot lacked both proper development and a satisfying ending.  

I don’t know why, but from what I had heard, I expected “Song of the Bandits” to have a happy ending.  Boy, was I wrong!  Yoon and Kwang Il finally face off, and although Yoon ends up with the advantage, he settles for shooting Kwang Il’s trigger finger off rather than actually killing him.  Yoon and his band withdraw to safety and the Japanese forces report their failure back to the higher ups.  Kwang Il is demoted and returns to Hee Shin a broken man.  But things only get worse when he finds out that Hee Shin has been working with the Independence Fighters the whole time.  Yoon plans to visit Hee Shin, but a boy delivers a note to him from Hee Shin warning him that he must stay away.  The drama ends with Hee Shin getting married to Kwang Il, despite her betrayal and love for Yoon.  And Yoon and the bandits have regrouped to fight yet more Japanese troops.