Hong Gil-dong
Hong Gil-dong quotes
Memorable lines from Hong Gil-dong, word for word as they are lettered in the graphic novel. Page numbers refer to the graphic novel.
Key lines, in story order
“A great man must make his own way under heaven. Mother, Father, please take care until I return.”
Page 14 · Gildong's departure from his ancestral home. “From this day forth, we are the Hwalbindang. We will never take a single grain from poor villagers, but we will punish greedy officials!”
Page 20 · Founding of the Hwalbindang. “The heavens have sent a guardian! Hong Gildong has delivered us from starvation!”
Page 26 · Peasants celebrate their miraculous relief. “Take heed! If you squeeze another drop of sweat from the people, the Hwalbindang will return for your head!”
Page 30 · Gildong delivers righteous judgment and vanishes. “How can one lone man appear in eight different provinces at the very same hour?”
Page 32 · The King confronts the impossibility of Gildong's ubiquity. “Gildong, our father is grave with illness. Do not destroy our ancestral house—come speak with your brother!”
Page 41 · The public appeal to Gildong's filial heart. “Bestow upon me the post of Minister of War to wipe away the stain of my low birth, and I shall trouble this kingdom no more!”
Page 52 · Gildong's audacious demand to the King. “Father! Today, your son stands before you without shame or shadow!”
Page 55 · Emotional culmination between father and son. “My lifelong sorrow is lifted. I leave this realm now to build a land where no person is bound by birth!”
Page 57 · Gildong's farewell to Joseon. “Wherever oppression reigns, the Hwalbindang shall bring dawn! Set sail for Yuldo!”
Page 63 · The expedition to liberate Yuldo. “In this realm of Yuldo, no child shall ever be scorned for their birth. All people shall live as equals under heaven!”
Page 69 · Coronation of King Hong Gildong. “Wherever the innocent suffer and cry out for justice, the spirit of Hong Gildong lives on forever.”
Page 82 · Final iconic tribute to the immortal hero of justice.
Quotes by character
“Born of humble blood, I cannot call my father 'Father' nor my brother 'Brother'. How can I not lament such a fate?”
Hong Gildong, page 9 
“Gildong... my magnificent son! Forgive your father's foolish silence!”
Minister Hong, page 55 
“My foolish brother! Why did you choose this dangerous path?”
Hong In-hyeong, page 44 
“My son... my precious Gildong... you have turned your sorrow into a blessing for thousands.”
Chunseom, page 74 
“That concubine's boy grows too powerful. He must never live to threaten my place in the household.”
Choran, page 10 
“Your own flesh and blood robs our granaries across eight provinces! Control your son, Minister Hong, or your house shall answer for treason!”
The King of Joseon, page 38 
“He is only a maid's child. He will have no future in this house.”
Lady Yu, page 6 
“Spare me! It was Choran! She paid me gold to take your life!”
Teukjae, page 13
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