The Return of Iljimae backdrop
15MBC4.4(9)

The Return of Iljimae

돌아온 일지매

Drama
Watch Free

We checked 8 streaming services in India on 04 Jun 2026 at 11:41 IST

2009
1 Season
24 Episodes
KO
Ended
15

About

The Return of Iljimae is a 2009 South Korean historical action television series, starring Jung Il-woo in the title role of Iljimae, Yoon Jin-seo, Kim Min-jong and Jung Hye-young. It aired on MBC from January 21 to April 9, 2009 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes. The series is based on comic strip Iljimae, published between 1975 and 1977, by Ko Woo-yung which was based on a Chinese folklore from the Ming dynasty about a masked Robin Hood-esque character during the Joseon era. MBC bought the rights to the comic strip for their adaptation, which was to star Lee Seung-gi in the title role of Iljimae. However he pulled out and was replaced by Jung, which makes him the third Korean actor to play the hero following Jang Dong-gun and Lee Joon-gi for Iljimae.

#rebel#martial arts#vigilante#based on comic#romance#historical#killer#tragic past#hidden identity#life lessons#ming dynasty#skilled fighter#chinese history#hidden personality#skilled killer#searching for parents#searching for biological parents

Cast

Episodes

Season 1

See all 24episodes →
E1

Episode 1

Jan 21, 200910.0

Iljimae confronts the evil Bulgasari for his crimes against the citizens of Hanyang. Two people, Cha Dol and Bae Sun-dal, work to create a written account of Iljimae's unique stories.

E2

Episode 2

Jan 22, 2009

Iljimae learns the truth about his early life from Wang Hengbo. In the company of Wang Hengbo, Iljimae goes back to Joseon after discovering what his real mother said when he left her.

E3

Episode 3

Jan 28, 2009

Danger follows Iljimae’s journey but he arrives to find there is a funeral in progress. Both Wang Hengbo and Iljimae are taken into custody by the authorities for different offenses.

E4

Episode 4

Jan 29, 2009

Breaking out of prison, Iljimae and Wang Hengbo chose different paths. While Iljimae takes refuge in a cave, Wang Hengbo flees back to his previous home as Koo Ja Myung follows.

E5

Episode 5

Feb 4, 2009

While tracking down Iljimae for his crimes, Koo Ja Myung finds two other runaways from justice. Dal and her father are put to death as an overwhelmed Iljimae watches the entire event.

E6

Episode 6

Feb 5, 2009

Iljimae changes his life and lets go of negative feelings with Monk Yeolgong's help. The newly optimistic Iljimae makes the choice to live with Geol Chi in a small community.

E7

Episode 7

Feb 11, 2009

While being stranded in Japan with a ninja family, Iljimae saves a life. Issues between two warring organizations cause problems for the town of Hanyang as Iljimae is no longer there to keep the peace.

E8

Episode 8

Feb 12, 2009

Koo Ja-myung comes back to Hanyang with a goal of calming the trouble between two rival groups. Upon Iljimae's arrival, he locates Wol-hee and requests that she put something away for safe keeping.

Where does The Return of Iljimae rank today?

The Return of Iljimae is #4702 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.

  • Highest: #4702
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Watch The Return of Iljimae Online Free — All Episodes in HD

Stream The Return of Iljimae online free in HD on Bowood.TV. A talked-about drama series originally produced in Korean and released in 2009, it's earned a solid 4.4/10 from 9 viewers worldwide.

About The Return of Iljimae

The Return of Iljimae is a 2009 South Korean historical action television series, starring Jung Il-woo in the title role of Iljimae, Yoon Jin-seo, Kim Min-jong and Jung Hye-young. It aired on MBC from January 21 to April 9, 2009 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes. The series is based on comic strip Iljimae, published between 1975 and 1977, by Ko Woo-yung which was based on a Chinese folklore from the Ming dynasty about a masked Robin Hood-esque character during the Joseon era. MBC bought the rights to the comic strip for their adaptation, which was to star Lee Seung-gi in the title role of Iljimae. However he pulled out and was replaced by Jung, which makes him the third Korean actor to play the hero following Jang Dong-gun and Lee Joon-gi for Iljimae. Across 1 season and 24 episodes, originally airing on MBC.

The Return of Iljimae Cast and Characters

The cast features Jung Il-woo (as Iljimae), Yoon Jin-seo (as Dal-yi / Wol-hee), Kim Min-jong (as Koo Ja-myung), Jeong Hye-young (as Baek-mae), and Cheon Ho-jin (as Hong Taiji). Their performances are a major reason The Return of Iljimae has built such a passionate audience.

Where to Watch The Return of Iljimae Online

On Bowood.TV you can watch The Return of Iljimae free — no account, no credit card, no ads in the middle of the show. We stream the full series in 720p / 1080p HD, with subtitles when available, on any device: phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV browser.

▶ Watch The Return of Iljimae Now

Why People Are Watching The Return of Iljimae

The Return of Iljimae flies under the radar but it deserves your attention. What makes it work is emotional weight that hits where it counts. If you enjoy Korean storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Return of Iljimae

Where can I watch The Return of Iljimae online for free?

You can watch The Return of Iljimae online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.

How many episodes does The Return of Iljimae have?

The Return of Iljimae has 24 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.

Is The Return of Iljimae good? What's the rating?

The Return of Iljimae holds a 4.4/10 rating based on 9 reviews — a niche pick worth checking out.

Who is in the cast of The Return of Iljimae?

The main cast includes Jung Il-woo, Yoon Jin-seo, Kim Min-jong, and Jeong Hye-young, plus a strong supporting ensemble.

Is The Return of Iljimae available in Korean?

Yes — The Return of Iljimae was originally produced in Korean and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV. English subtitles are provided when available.

When was The Return of Iljimae released?

The Return of Iljimae first aired in 2009.

Do I need an account to watch The Return of Iljimae on Bowood.TV?

No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch The Return of Iljimae without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.

Similar Series You Might Like

If you enjoyed The Return of Iljimae, check out #Hashtag, Room of Romance, How to Survive Difficulty in the Brainless Manga, Border Fire Love, and An Empty Dream.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch The Return of Iljimae for free?

You can watch The Return of Iljimae online for free on Bowood.TV. All 24 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.

How many seasons and episodes does The Return of Iljimae have?

The Return of Iljimae currently has 1 season and a total of 24 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.

What is The Return of Iljimae about?

The Return of Iljimae is a 2009 South Korean historical action television series, starring Jung Il-woo in the title role of Iljimae, Yoon Jin-seo, Kim Min-jong and Jung Hye-young. It aired on MBC from January 21 to April 9, 2009 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes. The series is based on comic stri… It belongs to the Drama genre.

In which language is The Return of Iljimae originally available?

The Return of Iljimae was originally produced in KO. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original KO audio. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.

When was The Return of Iljimae first released?

The Return of Iljimae first premiered on January 21, 2009 (2009). The series has since concluded its run.

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