‘The Equator Man” is one of my favorite dramas of this year, so far – and of course since I pretty much like all the second lead actors, I decided to make a ‘Jang Il – Teen vs Adult’ post.
I personally just love the complexity of this character – it’s one of those ‘negative’ characters – yes he is a negative character since he pretty much tried to kill someone (his best friend more precisely) – but along the way I just started to feel sorry for him, and put the blame on Seon Woo – who was the actual victim – for what was happening with Jang Il.
Jang-il, the smartest of the school, and Seon-wu, the strongest kid in Yeosu, are best friends. Influenced by Jang-il, Seon-wu starts studying and working hard towards his dream. However, all of a sudden, Seon-wu’s guardian, Kyung-pil, dies a mysterious death and Seon-wu becomes blind while investigating on the case. Su-mi witnesses the scene that Jang-il attacks Seon-wu but remains silent on it and waits for the right moment. Ji-won, who is a volunteer reader for visually impaired people, meets Seon-wu by chance and they fall in love. Despite his strong feelings for Ji-won, however, Seon-wu breaks up with Ji-won so she can have a better life. 13 years have passed. Jang-il becomes a special prosecutor. Seon-wu becomes a young CEO of Royal Tree, an investment trust company. Ji-won works as a VIP party planner at a five-star hotel. And Sumi becomes a hyperrealism painter. They all have gone their separate ways. However, the fate draws them back together…
-Hancinema
Teen Jang Il (played by Im Siwan)
Although I do listen to kpop, I like idols, but at the same time I do not agree when it comes to idols playing in dramas. actually I was a little bit skeptical when I found out that Siwan was going to play one of the main characters – I normally am skeptical when I see idols playing main characters, but now I think I should give them a chance. Siwan was perfect. The way he transposed Jang Il’s feelings, caught my heart. The way he gave life to the inner battle it makes your heart cry….no actually it made my heart bleed.
Even before adult Jang Il appeared I was already more into Jang Il’s story. I don’t know if the writer and the director wanted to make Jang Il’s story ‘more important’ than Seon Woo’s but along the way Jang Il seemed to have more spotlight although he was somehow the ‘negative character’
– I mean at some point I gave more attention to Jang Il’s struggling rather than Seon Woo’s. – Yes, there he is, my second lead syndrome is back. He did had some awkward-acting scenes but all in all he did a great job!
Adult Lee Jang Il(played by Lee Joon Hyuk )
At first I was like ‘This guy is too stiff’ – and his stiffness kinda annoyed me, but as the story progressed I changed my mind – his stiffness gave even more flavor to ‘Jang Il’.
I was already starting to like Jang Il more after the way Siwan portraied him, but the way Lee Joon Hyuk contoured – as I already said it – made me blame Seon Woo for everything. I’m not sure if the producers wanted it this way, but honestly Jang Il was the ‘star character’ of this drama.
During the ‘adult Jang Il time’ there were moments when I wasn’t sure if Jang Il cared any more for Seon Woo (as a friend) – yes I know he tried to kill Seon Woo but he did it to save his father – remember in their childhood time they had a strong bond but I rally want to thank th writer for his madness at the end. Some people may think that the writer lost her mind for ending Jang Il’s story like that, but if you give it a second thought, that was the best way to end it – going to jail was a little bit too…..simple (?)
Lee Joon Hyuk managed to show so much of Jang Il but doing to little.
All in all ‘Jang Il’ was the best character and from my point of view the most outlined character from ‘The Equator Man”
Four Seasons Dramas! 
hi…. i rooted for Jang Il too and finally i fall in love with lee jun hyuk hahaha