After the final episode of SBS “Iljimae” was broadcast on Thursday night, many forums were immediately thrown into heated discussions on whether Iljimae is dead or alive in the end.
In the final episode, Iljimae (Lee Joon Ki) was attacked by the king’s guards and collapsed after receiving a slash on his back. The scene then immediately switched to four years later, where Iljimae did not appear even till the end. Hence, many viewers had thought that Iljimae died after the sneak attack by the King’s royal guards. There is however a group of netizens who found clues to prove otherwise. In the midst of arguments, Director Lee Yong Suk revealed the truth yesterday.
On the Iljimae official website he wrote,
“Some viewers may have noticed that the sword used by the king’s guard is actually Iljimae’s edgeless sword. Iljimae did not collapse because of that slash but rather because of the blow. Apart from this, the last scene where Kong He (Iljimae’s master) had purchased two pairs of shoes is another clue. One pair is actually for Iljimae.”
Well so Iljimae did not die in the end… I have not watched the final episode of Iljimae, so I can’t judge how easy or difficult it is to spot all these. But I guess this is the effect that the production team wants, a controversial ending.
Source: Krdrama
Other Related Posts
Browse Timeline
Comments ( 33 )
mirafrom my point of view Iljimae did not die. If we track back to episode 1 we will see that the story was the flash back from Iljimae, when he manage to get out after stealing something, he kinda stood still in front of the mae tree and start to remember how and why he become Iljimae, the ending at episode 20 take us back to that part again…
added these words on
Jul 26 08 at
11:24 am
hanfeverHehe yup mira. But I have also learnt not to take the very first scene of a drama too seriously. I remember the first scene of Hong Gil Dong started with a flashback too but everyone still dies in the end. It somehow doesn’t really link back. But I’m glad Iljimae didn’t die though.
added these words on
Jul 26 08 at
9:49 pm
miraoh yes u r rt bout hong gil dong, the ending kinda tragic,and it doesn’t link to the 1st episode, btw are you from korea? well i didn’t understand korean’ i watch iljimae online without English sub,kinda confusing but i’m happy
as for the 2 pair of shoes is it the monk who order it or is it ILjimae send it as the gift for him and Boong Soon… :p
added these words on
Jul 27 08 at
1:37 am
hanfeverErm no I’m not from Korea. I’m from Singapore =). From the article, it says Kong He(the monk) is the one who ordered it and one pair of shoe is actually meant for Iljimae. I’m still hanging at the last episode though, not sure why I don’t feel the urge to watch it. Haha.
added these words on
Jul 27 08 at
8:41 am
SiscaI’m from Indonesia.The last episode there is a boy, I wonder what is the relationship between him and Iljimae. So, what about Iljimae, Eun Cai and Bong Soon ? Well, actually I feel disappointed with the end of Iljimae because it leaved a lot of questions untold.
added these words on
Aug 07 08 at
11:41 am
hanfeverHi Sisca. I’m not sure about the boy too. He seems like a “mini” Yong with his appearance and behaviour. The ending is pretty open-ended, so its all up to the viewer’s imagination.
added these words on
Aug 07 08 at
8:07 pm
PetKyaa~
It’s so nice to know that Iljimae is NOT dead! It was bothering me till the end… Yeah. Iljimae was a great drama and I loved it!
Lee Jun Ki has done a great job.
added these words on
Aug 09 08 at
8:58 am
EstherI believe the boy who appears at the end is Yong’s brother. Il-pyun-dan-yi and Yong’s father finally got married and slept together. I think the boy is their son. Also, 4 years passed and the boy said he’s already 5. That means he’s probably a honeymoon baby. He also has the missing tooth in the front as a sort of tribute to his dead father.
added these words on
Aug 14 08 at
4:39 am
khen-gieWell, I believe that Iljimae is definitely alive. Why? here’s my reason…
*back on the circus scene, when someone opened up about a robbery that has the same method as 4 years ago..friends of Iljimae started defending that he is dead already. Instead of showing pain or sorrow since he’s been one of them…they deliberately and intently convincing other that he is dead (hmmm..suspicious..very suspicious indeed)
* and why is the son of Yong’s adoptive mother has more accurate detail of the robbery? (..unless he heard it from the perpetrator himself-iljimae)
* then, at the scene of the robbery…it totally recapitulate the first scene of episode 1 (go and compare it if you want to). And in ep1, iljimae uses gadgets like the invincible blanket which was never introduced on the whole series..thus, he must have got it just recently.
Then why would they lie about it? I think of several reasons why.
1. to protect his family..so the imperial officers will not look for him anymore
2. since the thruth has been revealed, there’s no reason for iljimae to emerge and pretend to steal. But since he began operating again…he must have another reason why he chose to dress upo as iljimae again.
added these words on
Aug 18 08 at
3:41 pm
atrame too i don’t think he died ; and i m sure he was the on e burgled into the palace once more ! but he just needed to keep distance from eveyone
added these words on
Aug 19 08 at
4:38 am
shinHE’S ALIVE!
yay for that..i didnt even think he died anyway.
but im glad to have read this article. ^^
added these words on
Aug 19 08 at
7:03 am
ZknightKHell ya i knew the sword part but didnt know the shoes were for him thought it was for the master and his foster daughter but hells ya, cant wait for number 2.
added these words on
Sep 05 08 at
10:05 am
selinaYeah, first i’m a little dissapointed with the ending coz’ I think Iljimae was dead….
BUt after I read this blog, I became a little happy and can’t wait to watch the next version…^.^
but I think Jun Ki will plays better if he can play again in this version…
Why isn’t he??
added these words on
Nov 06 08 at
2:39 pm
AlexizWhen i first started watching iljimae i was completely in love with the characters and their stories… i was confused at start if he was dead or alive. then i started to realize there’s a clue on the 1st scene and the last one (which is the shoes). to find out that my hunch is correct i started searching for this kind of site… YEHEY! his ALIVE 2 thumbs UP!.i cant wait for the season 2.. i hope they will produce another one together with the same characters.. even thought is really quite disappointing b/w the 2 love birds, deciding to part ways is really heart breaking..
added these words on
Nov 08 08 at
9:36 am
BethOH! I am so relieved that Iljimae didn’t die!!! I’ve seen Hong Gil Dong, and I was just talking about how I would cry for hours if Iljimae had died like that, too! Finally, a non-tragical ending!
added these words on
Dec 08 08 at
2:59 pm
Newshmm… Loopholes
When Iljimae got slashes the sound effect is definitely that of someone who got cut.If he is alive, why didn’t he tell Bong Soon?
When the fake monk gave the edgeless sword to Iljimae he said that even a edgeless sword can kill if you want to. And Sa Chun definitely their his best to…
added these words on
Dec 30 08 at
5:12 pm
FlonnieBong Soon didn’t show that she is completely ignorent that iljimae is alive. D:
added these words on
Jan 01 09 at
6:04 pm
haderiousthe boy is iljimae’s brother from his adoptive parents
added these words on
Jan 12 09 at
4:39 am
kryptqjust finished watching the last episode of IJM today .. after reading this page , am relieved tht he didnt die .. lol .. definitely am a JunKi fan .. with his diverse ability to potray different types of characters - no wonder he’s received accolades for all his performances .. cant wait for more fm him!
however in IJM , wished there was more elaboration on his real mothers’ character in the end.. especially since they were not able to meet/talk f2f in the last episode - just being able to only see each other is heart-wrenching..
added these words on
Jan 13 09 at
4:01 pm
amktsyThe one who acted as iljimae little brother is the one who act in Come back soon ae.Wasn’t he?
added these words on
Jan 17 09 at
3:02 pm
SmadaIt is nice to hear that Iljimae didn’t die, I always hoped for that.
However, the actual clues doesnt guarantee that he is alive. He explained that the used sword was edgeless sword; however, even if it is a edgeless sword it can kill because the king’s guard always kills no matter who the enemy is. The two pairs of shoes, I initially assumed that it was for Bong Soo and for Yong; but there is a possibility that the second pair is for Kong He. Most of the people knew the hidden location of Iljimae; why didnt Eun Chae went there? Also, the tree that belongs to Yong doesnt have the red thing (I dont know what is it called). Yong was supposed to live with her real mother and bong soo after his mission. It didnt happen. When Eun Chae asks about Yong, they responded as he was alive; I felt that the response is just to avoid the topic.
The story of the first episode gave me hopes that he was alive. However, the last episode the kid was telling a story. So in the first episode, when he uses a cape to hide himself; it shows that it is just fantasy. If he had that cape, there is no need of hiding in the shadows. Does anyone believe that the cape exists at that period of time?
I have seen it many times, and everytime I see it; unfortunately, shows that he dies. I will believe that he is alive if they make a sequel. Until then, Iljimae is remembered for his achievements.
added these words on
Feb 25 09 at
10:08 am
IloveIljimaeBoth ep1.1 and 20.6 is the conclusion and the rest of the story is Geom Lee’s journey to the Iljimae persona… And Iljimae is definitely alive!! I love 박시후 and
이준기 Holywood movies are soooo rubbish compared to Iljimae… Kudos, writers, directors and the whole cast… and please produce more movies/tvseries like Iljimae… it definitely is worth watching…
added these words on
Apr 04 09 at
8:04 am
IloveIljimaeClues that Iljimae is alive are: [1.] the hair style of Dal siksshi, the shoe maker being same as the Episode 1:1, [2.] Iljimae was standing in the ice storage @11:17mins of Episode 20:finale where he was in Episode1:1 when he broke off the reddish iceblock to take off his armour which was in it… it was stained red so that when he passes by the sentry the ice color will camouflage the real content of the ice block…3.] @1:12 Episode 20:finale Shi Hoo nah and the remaining palace assassin conversing about the blood letter which shi hoo recovered from the palace— he said ‘Keeping the letter secret is the only way to protect them, the ones whom my brother wanted to protect’ that’s with a smile…. and remember where his rope led him in the ending?? just by the mae flowers ^^— oh yeah… I am a big fan….
Other Comment:
I do not agree with the shoe being part of the “Ilijmae is alive clue” as the bottom pair is definitely Bong Soon’s girlish size
added these words on
Apr 04 09 at
8:42 am
IloveIljimaeoh… ok.. got it.. I’m focusing on the 2nd pair… the first pair would be Iljimae’s as the master is wearing his? hmm…ok.ok… peace..
added these words on
Apr 04 09 at
8:50 am
A JokeI accept that he’s alive, because the director said so, but it’s totally illogical. The tip of the edgeless sword CAN kill, and there’s no reason why the Imperial guard would just walk away after one slash, being s blood thirsty killer and all that.
Now that he’s alive, then why didn’t he carry out the promise made to Kong He to look after her, instead of leaving her wondering alone in the street as a disable person, with only a not very welcoming gretings from his mothers. Didn’t he tell them about taking her in after all’s done? There has to be a better ending than this!
The only people should be dead is the production team, as they managed to turn all my enjoyment of the previous 19 episodes into
frustrations. They ruin an almost top notched TV series by having an uncleared, confused, illogical and unsatisfactory ending.
added these words on
Apr 07 09 at
12:19 am
IloveIljimae@ A Joke..
Made me laugh. I did encourage myself to think Iljimae didn’t die.. How could he be dead after all the expectations we have of him, but then again… he didn’t die… the director just wants to pull the leg of the viewers ^^
added these words on
Apr 07 09 at
11:57 pm
pepperhi just finished watching iljimae. quite obvious that geom didn’t die. coz the last eps related to first eps. relating to the bladeless sword, he din fall coz of a fatal wound. yes someone mentioned that konghil mentioned that it can be used to kill. but that can only be achieved in the poking stance. Chun used slashing stance and without a blade it can’t kill. pretty sad that iljimae din end up with anyone. i wanted him to elope with eun chae, not kinghil ^^’
added these words on
Apr 20 09 at
3:15 pm
yer vangI just finally watched iljimae and i really really like it. i’m rewatching some of it and so that really does mean i really really like it. overvall, the characters and casts and directors and writers and script and costumes and dialogue and scenery and tricks/techniques/ideas and plot are great. i have never seen such a satisfying and beautiful and heroic and cunnying drama like this one before. my first korean drama was autumn love/autumn tale but when i tried to rewatch it, i was disappointed and got bored, it was just too repetitive. for the past week, i have been looking up info on iljimae, it is still very interesting. and thank God i found this page, it was very helpful, thanks google and imeem. i stayed up for two nights watching and finishing the drama but i am still disappointed for the ending. i can’t stop thinking about it. i really wanted to see joon ki reunite and live happily with his family (moms, brothers, lovers, etc) and friends and town. i feel like he did die but i hope there is a way that he survived and i hope that joon ki will be the one for the sequel. again, thank God for this drama. i dont think i will find a better one for a long long time. i’m so happy and glad and thankful to have watched this for free and so easily on mysoju.
added these words on
May 27 09 at
12:43 pm
SlksrkhrrWell I cried for no reason, but I’m happy that he is alive, as long as his friends and family know. But its sad about Boong Soon, she always waited for him I wonder if they met.
added these words on
Jun 17 09 at
12:46 am
hatique_plastiqueafter i’ve watch the Iljimae’s ending i’m feel so dissapointed and cry for no reason. finally i’m very happy after i’m reading this blog!!!! Now i’m feel better and can’t wait the next series….love ILJIMAE!!!!
added these words on
Jun 19 09 at
11:26 am
shashaI hope iljimae die in the final. The ending will be much memorable and dramatic if the hero died eventually (i like this kind of ending).
For me, viewers will remember the character who touches their heart from the beginning who die not in vain but in honour eventually despite the happy ending stereotype type.
Of course, its my opinion.
By the way, I love iljimae more than any other korean drama I’ve ever watched. Lee Jun Ki played iljimae very well.
added these words on
Jun 25 09 at
4:44 pm
anii’ve been watching iljimae for about 3 times becoz undoubtly it is a great show.im not a korean drama lover but this drama is exceptional.LJK plays d character very well.definitely fall into him.im watching the return of iljimae with a very hope that the show is great as iljimae but then im very disappointed.the plot easily left me confused n the characters very much not interesting.at in d end, i only watch for 5 episodes n im not going to watch it anymore.
added these words on
Jun 28 09 at
8:14 pm
teruagree with ani. i’ve watch the return of iljimae. completely boring. i watched 3 episodes only
added these words on
Jun 28 09 at
9:19 pm
on 
on 
on