The Rebel - Season 1 Episode 4 You Are the Mighty Child
Overview: After being threatened by Ah Mo Gae, Lord Jo’s wife tells the magistrate that it wasn’t Ah Mo Gae who killed Lord Jo. After being set free and no longer a slave, he moves to Ikhwa-ri with his children. There, he and his entourage start selling goods, and he gradually gains power.
Comment
The drama started off promisingly but took a nosedive after a pivotal moment around episode 7 when the plot took an unfortunate turn with the very conveniently timed amnesia break. This narrative choice not only broke the momentum built up until that point but also shattered the drama's coherence. After this abrupt twist, the series struggled to regain its footing, and the attempts to recover its initial momentum proved futile, leading to a disjointed narrative and a noticeable decline in quality. While attempting to portray the struggles of the oppressed, the series fell into repetitive cycles, as expected. The romantic elements felt forced and superficial. Rather than enhancing the storyline, the romantic subplot felt out of place and failed to integrate seamlessly into the overarching plot. It felt like they had to give the lead a girl, any girl. Would have been better if his siblings occupied that gap instead of being wasted on the love interest. At least the drama didn't end like Hong Gil Dong (2008).