Heung-Boo ~ The Revolutionist ~ Who is the “True Man”?

AdminMarch 2, 2025

“Heung-Boo: The Revolutionist” is a 2018 Korean movie categorized as Historical fiction, Costume and Period, and Adventure; inspired by the traditional Korean folk tale “Heungbu and Nolbu”.

SUMMARY: Can humble people stop a revolt? Why not? Aren’t the people the true owners of the country?

The Book is Incomplete. Can You Finish It?

“Heung-Boo: The Revolutionist” is set during the Joseon Dynasty. It is a tale of two sets of brothers, an incomplete book of prophecy, and a writer whose books were banned because they were a little bit too titillating. But! You can’t deny that he’s a talented writer!

The times were perilous in Joseon. When they were young, two brothers lost their parents. The older brother noticed that people were taking the children who were still alive so he told his younger brother to play dead. Then he called out, crying that his brother was dead. The plan worked. The people took the older brother away and left Yeon Heung-Boo behind. Fortunately, they both survived but their paths in life were very different.

There were numerous rebellions because the nobles were oppressing commoners and slaves. The people were rising up and many of them who led the fight were hailed as heroes. Yeon Heung-Boo’s older brother is one of those heroes. By contrast, Yeon Heung-Boo wrote dirty books and was accused of corrupting societal morals. He didn’t go to prison but his books were banned and destroyed. One day someone told him that Jo Hyuk could help him find his brother. Oh! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see him again?

Jo Hyuk was a man of noble birth and wealth but his family disowned him. Why? He helped poor people, especially the children who had become orphaned because of the rebellions. His acts of kindness could be considered treason. It turns out that the person who took his brother away that day was Jo Hyuk. He raised Yeon Heung-Boo’s older brother. When he grew up, the brother decided to join the rebellions and became a heroic leader for the people. Yeon Heung-Boo found Jo Hyuk and begged him to tell him where his brother was. Jo Hyuk asked if he was sure their reunion would be happy. What an odd question. They’re brothers. Why wouldn’t they be happy to see each other again?

Jo Hyuk also had a brother, Jo Hang-Ri, who was a high official in the king’s court. He was greedy, corrupt, and wanted to overthrow King Heonjong. The two brothers were nothing alike and Jo Hang-Ri was never happy when Jo Hyuk appeared. His existence was a nuisance and he wishes he could erase their bloodline. Yeon Heung-Boo learned about their relationship and then he understood the question.

There was a Book of Prophecy that was circulating among the people. Jo Hang-Ri, along with other nobles and officials in the king’s court didn’t like the book because … it gave people HOPE. The prophecy said a “True Man” would come one day, he would win the hearts of the people, and make life better for them. However, the book was incomplete. Either portions of it had been destroyed or the writing was never finished.

Jo Hang-Ri found out about Yeon Heung-Boo and realized his writing talent could be useful. Jo Hang-Ri paid him Yeon Heung-Boo to complete the Book of Prophecy and tell people how to identify the “True Man”. Of course, the completed book caused quite a stir and divided the nobles and court officials. They feared the “True Man” might replace them and didn’t know if he was “one of them”.

Jo Hyuk also appreciated Yeon Heung-Boo’s talent. He told Yeon Heung-Boo that words were more powerful than swords. If the rebellions were ever to be successful, they needed to win people’s hearts. Jo Hyuk persuaded him to write a story about two brothers, titled the story of “Heung-boo and Nol-boo”. Only it was the true story of Jo Hyuk and his brother, Jo Hang-Ri. He told him about the swallow and the gourd seed and said that should be incorporated into the story.

Jo Hyuk had no money but he made Yeon Heung-Boo an offer he couldn’t refuse. In exchange for writing the story of “Heung-boo and Nol-boo”, he promised to take him to see his brother. The book was so successful, that the people made it into a play. The actors were even invited to perform the king. The story was slightly modified for presentation to the royal family, but the ending was SPECTACULAR!!

Main Characters:

Yeon Heung-Boo (played by Jung Woo, “Miraculous Brothers”, “A Model Family”)
Jo Hyuk (played by Kim Ju-Hyeok, “Believer”)
Jo Hang-Ri (played by Jung Jin-Young, “Queen Of Tears”)
King Heonjong (played by Jung Hae-In, “Blood”)

Where to Watch

Viewership and Rating:

IMDb: 5.5 out of 10 stars
My Drama List: 7.4 out of 10 stars

My personal rating is 8 out of 10 stars.

I like folk tales and adaptations that add a different take. Couldn’t find many reviews of this K-drama. It clearly slipped under the radar.

“Heung-Boo: The Revolutionist” does an excellent job of proving that words have more power than swords. But it also answers a couple of other questions:

What makes brothers different?
Should some dreams be a crime?

Mainly, I liked the answer to the question: Who is the “True Man”?

(For Contrast) The Korean folk tale of Heungbu and Nolbu

Heungbu and Nolbu are two brothers, both of noble blood. When their father dies, Nolbu inherits the family wealth but refuses to share it. They may have come from the same womb but they are as different as night and day.

Heungbu, the younger, is kind, compassionate, empathetic, and sympathetic, and most importantly, believes everyone is equal.
Nolbu, the older brother, is the opposite: greedy and selfish, with an insatiable lust for power and money.

One day, Heungbu helps heal a swallow with a broken leg. The bird later returns with a gourd seed as a token of gratitude which grows into a giant gourd filled with treasures.

Nolbu tried to “copy” his brother’s actions, hoping to increase his wealth, but he was cruel. He intentionally harmed the bird and then pretended to care for it. The swallow also gave him a gourd seed, but instead of great fortune, it brought him great misfortune.

The lesson of the folk tale is clear. Good deeds are rewarded, while greed leads to downfall. Also, you can’t FAKE kindness, generosity, and a pure heart.