Summary
The second episode of Song of the Bandits introduces a new POV character while also delivering big on stand-out action sequences. The narrative tracks are also due to intertwine sooner rather than later.
Episode 2 of Song of the Bandits takes what worked about Episode 1 and turns it all up a notch, introducing a new point-of-view character, delivering a couple of excellent action sequences, and raising the stakes by putting multiple narrative tracks on direct collision courses. Yes, the big action beats might feel a tiny bit indulgent as a storytelling device, but if that’s the biggest of the show’s problems thus far, there’s really very little to complain about.
This episode begins with an extended cold open, which essentially takes a shortcut in introducing the bandits Lee Yoon planned to recruit at the end of the premiere. However, even this amounts to an unexpected little flourish at the end, adding a touch of style and excitement to what might otherwise have been a very standard flashback.
Who are Lee Yoon’s bandits?
Anyway, the idea is that a Japanese soldier who has just had a fateful run-in with Lee Yoon’s new bandit gang has returned to his garrison to report what happened to his commanding officer. His story makes mention of “beasts and monsters,” which is basically a run-down of the gang. It includes Choong-soo, who we’ve already met, Kang San-gun, a tiger-hunting sharpshooter, Choraeng-yi, an agile martial artist former clown, and Geumsu, a giant, quick-tempered shotgunning strongman.
The testifying soldier eventually reveals he made a deal with Lee Yoon to lead the bandits back to the garrison. He’d rather live as a coward than not at all, only he doesn’t get much chance since his commanding officer kills him. Lee Yoon and the others turn up to avenge him, though, so their banditry operation seems to be going rather well.
Who is Hee-shin?
This episode introduces us to Hee-shin, whom we meet accepting the marriage proposal of a Japanese officer named Gwang-il. Hee-shin is a railroad executive who plans to leave for Myeongjeong to be present for its opening ceremony, but she’s really working for Korean independence, unknown to her husband-to-be.
This puts Hee-shin in a perilous position. Gwang-il almost catches her meeting with an informer. He’s also a little forceful with her, giving away something of his darker nature that is at odds with how we’ve seen him presented thus far as a romantic interest.
With her back against the wall, Hee-shin pitches a new, very dangerous plan to heist the armored truck delivering the railroad fund to Myeongjeong and reroute that money to the North Route Army. However, such a dangerous mission will require an incredibly dangerous and unscrupulous individual, who turns out to be Eon-nyeoni.
How does Song of the Bandits season 1, episode 2 end?
Towards the end of the episode, we get a proper introduction to how Eon-nyeoni really gets down when she lays waste to an entire building full of goons — the best action sequence of the season thus far.
But what’s really going on here is the show presenting Eon-nyeoni as a potential rival — or perhaps ally? — for Lee Yoon down the line, as Seon-bok pitches the very same heist plan of the railroad funds to him. With the bandits now scaring Japanese officials, the construction of the railroad is integral to their expansion. With 200,000 won at stake, both Lee Yoon and Eon-nyeoni are gunning for the exact same goal, and they’re bound to run into each other along the way.
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