Diddy‘s prison release date has reportedly been updated amid his fight to appeal his 4-year sentence.

RELATED: Social Media Users Are Sharing Thoughts After Diddy’s Lawyer Revealed His Post-Prison Release Plans (WATCH)

Diddy’s Prison Release Date Reportedly Updated

On Tuesday, March 2, Page Six published an exclusive report asserting that the Federal Bureau of Prisons updated Diddy’s prison release date. Per the outlet, the bureau updated Diddy’s release date from June 4, 2028, to April 25, 2028.

Furthermore, the outlet notes that the update arrived after Diddy was accepted into the drug rehabilitation program at Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution in November 2025. At the time, it was reportedly noted that his acceptance could lower his time behind bars.

“Mr. Combs is an active participant in the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) and has taken his rehabilitation process seriously from the start. He is fully engaged in his work, focused on growth, and committed to positive change,” a rep for Diddy reportedly told the press at the time of his acceptance.

Social Media Reacts To His Updated Prison Release Date

Social media users reacted to Diddy’s updated prison release date in TSR’s comment section.

More On Diddy’s Prison Release Updates & His Fight To Appeal His 4-Year Sentence

As The Shade Room previously reported, Diddy’s initial prison release date was announced in October 2025. At the time, it was reported that he would be behind bars until May 8, 2028. However, it was also noted that the date was subject to change and could be altered if he displayed good behavior.

Then, in November 2025, it was reported that Diddy’s prison release date was pushed back until June 4, 2028, per The Shade Room. At the time, Page Six reported that he was involved in an unauthorized three-way phone call and participated in illegal alcohol consumption. However, his rep denied the “rumor.”

“As with any high-profile individual in a new environment, there will be many rumors and exaggerated stories throughout his time there — most of them untrue. We ask that people give him the benefit of the doubt, the privacy to focus on his personal growth,” the rep stated at the time.

In December 2025, Diddy and his legal team filed an appeal against his four-year prison sentence, per The Shade Room. Furthermore, his team reportedly demanded his immediate release and argued that prosecutors failed to prove their case against him. Additionally, they reportedly argued that Judge Arub Subramanian issued a sentence that violated Diddy’s constitutional rights.

Per Page Six, in February, prosecutors opposed Diddy’s appeal. As The Shade Room previously reported, Diddy was convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution charges in July 2025. Furthermore, he was acquitted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges after an eight-week trial.

RELATED: Another One! Diddy Seeks Immediate Release From Prison In Latest Appeal

Alan Cumming
Sorry for the ‘Trauma-Triggering’ BAFTAs

Published
March 3, 2026
6:35 AM PST

Carrie Underwood is seemingly relishing in the boos she received on American Idol.

“Boo me. I don’t care. 😂😜🤪,” the Idol judge, 42, clapped back via X on Monday, March 2.

Underwood clashed with the live audience during each of American Idol’s “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover” episodes on season 24. The Hollywood Week episodes — which were filmed in Nashville this season — made for awkward viewing at times since Underwood’s constructive criticism proved to be unpopular with the crowd.

“They just like to boo me,” Underwood said in Tuesday’s final “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover” episode.

Related: What Carrie Underwood Thinks Her Judging Style Will Be on ‘American Idol’

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images Carrie Underwood plans to bring her unique musical insight — and country flare — to the table as the newest American Idol judge. “I think I can be honest and constructive, but still kind,” Underwood, 41, told radio personality Buzz Brainard on Friday, August 23, of her goal as a judge. “And […]

Fellow American Idol judge Luke Bryan piped up to defend the former Idol winner during one stretch of booing.

“She only won this. She knows,” Bryan, 49, admonished the crowd.

His reference to Underwood’s American Idol season 4 victory did little to quiet the backlash, leading her to warn the booing fans about interfering in the judging process.

“You’re not included in the discussions,” she told them.

The booing was particularly heavy after Idol hopeful Mor performed an original song during his “Music City Takeover” audition. When it came time for his evaluations, Underwood correctly predicted to Bryan that “they are going to boo me.”

“You guys are gonna boo me. You’re gonna boo me,” she told the crowd. “It’s coming. Bring it on. I love it! Your boos are feeding me.”

In her feedback, she argued that Mor made a mistake by trying out original material during “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover.”

“In a room like this, for you to bring an original song with that incredible band sitting behind you, twiddling their thumbs, I feel like it was a missed opportunity,” she said.

Mor ultimately still advanced to the next stage of American Idol by the judges despite Underwood’s lukewarm appraisal.

“Singing original music is SUCH a gamble at this stage in the competition. Don’t. Waste. The. Band,” Underwood insisted via X on Monday. “Mor’s voice and previous audition kept him in. I wanna hear his original music after he’s a big star!”

Underwood previously hinted that she was going to have a hostile rapport with the “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover” crowd before the episodes even aired.

“Spoiler alert…I get booed A LOT from our Hollywood Week audience @AmericanIdol,” Underwood tweeted on February 16.

Underwood joined the American Idol judging panel for season 23 alongside Bryan and Lionel Richie. She replaced Katy Perry, who left after seven seasons in 2024.

“I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of million of people watching the show,” the country singer said at the time. “I’m proud of everything that I was able to accomplish on the show and I’m so proud of everything I’ve accomplished since.”

Related: Carrie Underwood Rewatches Her ‘American Idol’ Audition 20 Years Later

Before her American Idol audition, an executive producer told Carrie Underwood that Simon Cowell hated country music — but she already knew. Then 21, Underwood went ahead with her rendition of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” while trying out for the singing competition in 2005, and her heart sank as soon as […]

Underwood received the backing of fellow American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, who told E! News in September 2024 that the country star was the perfect addition to the judging panel. (Clarkson, 43, has been a coach on rival competition show The Voice for 10 seasons.)

“What better person to have — somebody that’s won that show to come back,” Clarkson said at the time. “To have gone through it all and then had such a huge career like her, that’s invaluable.”

Clarkson called Underwood an “awesome pick” for Idol, adding, “To have somebody to look at and go, ‘OK, they’ve done it and they’re sitting right there. So, that means I am capable of doing it. I can dream that big.’ … I think she’s gonna do great.”

Underwood has sold more than 22.5 million albums and 72.5 million singles, making her the biggest selling female country music star of all time, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.

American Idol season 24 airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.

Kim K & Lewis Hamilton
Lovebirds Share New Photos Of Romantic Vacay

Published
March 3, 2026
5:29 AM PST

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For a long time, women in anime were simply background characters, eye candy for the male characters, mother figures, or quiet wives waiting on their men. Luckily, most anime have moved on, and now, women are getting the exciting and complex stories they deserve. And while they might still be wives, girlfriends, or mothers, they are no longer defined by those roles.

Now, women in anime have enough agency to defy the stereotypes. A few female characters even stand out because of their daring and outright badass behavior. They don’t take no for an answer or let anyone in their lives make decisions for them; they face challenges head-on and take down the bad guys without hesitation. From Frieren to Nami, the most badass women in anime are independent, fierce, and ready to take on the world with their intelligence and fighting skills.

20

Asuna Yuuki

‘Sword Art Online’ (2012), ‘Sword Art Online II’ (2014), ‘Sword Art Online: Alicization’ (2018)

Image via Toonami

The main heroine of Sword Art Online, Asuna is one of many players who partook in the Day 1 release of SAO and found herself trapped just like everyone else. Though she felt dismal about it at first, she leveled up rather quickly and secured her own life in the process.

Though not many viewers think much of her thanks to the second half of season one, where she essentially becomes a damsel in distress, in the beginning, Asuna is a powerful foe and a strong asset who works well alongside Kirito. She proved herself to be a strong wielder of the rapier, and she was one of the strongest players in SAO. Nothing after could ever tarnish Asuna’s name, as she has proven that she can take care of herself.

19

Mitsuri Kanroji

‘Demon Slayer’ (2021–2024)

Image via Aniplex USA

Mitsuri Kanroji is one of the nine Hashira in Demon Slayer, all of whom have developed their own breathing types. Mitsuri is the Love Hashira who established her own breathing style that represents her perfectly. With a great personality, a kind heart, and a colorful demeanor, Mitsuri is one of the gentler demon slayers to exist.

While kindhearted, Mitsuri is also not a Hashira to be messed with, as her strength and prowess know no bounds. She can cut through any demon with ease, and her swiftness allows her to slaughter any demon with efficiency. Looks can be deceiving, and in this timid slayer’s case, Mitsuri is not one to mess around.

18

Akame

‘Akame ga Kill!’ (2016–2017)

Akame from Akame ga Kill! is the silent hitman and mercenary, and the female protagonist of both the manga and anime. She is known as Akame of the Demon Sword Murasame, and she works for the infamous Night Raid.

A silent killer who hides her emotions away, Akame is merciless when it comes to killing and protecting her team. Though her personality doesn’t shine through like other characters in the show, Akame is a badass, plain and simple. With her fighting style and passion, it’s hard to find anyone as good as what they do like Akame.

17

Kobeni Higashiyama

‘Chainsaw Man’ (2022)

Imagia via MAPPA

Kobeni is a character from Chainsaw Man who has limited appearances. One of Makima’s new recruits for her devil-fighting squad, Kobeni appeared initially like any other ordinary devil hunter. Timid and often easily frightened, Kobeni often gives viewers the wrong impression due to her outward demeanor. However, it turns out, Kobeni is actually a bit of a badass.

At first, Kobeni didn’t seem like much; fans found her to be somewhat of a coward for freaking out all the time and wanting to go home instead of finishing the mission. But when the other devil hunters were taken out during a surprise attack, Kobeni showed her hidden skill set. With an expression of anxiety, Kobeni dodged bullets and attacks with ease, attacking her assailants as if they were nothing. Though she retires during the Public Safety Saga, seeing her skills in action puts her at the top of the list of badass women in anime.

16

Touka Kirishima

‘Tokyo Ghoul’ (2014), ‘Tokyo Ghoul √A’ (2015), ‘Tokyo Ghoul: re’ (2018)

The older sister of Ayato Kirishima and a former waitress at Anteiku, Touka Kirishima is a ghoul who met and helped Kaneki Ken become the ghoul he is today. Though she is often full of anger, rage, and judgment, she is also kind at times and understanding. Her harsh demeanor and attitude are due to a complicated and tough childhood.

She is a tough and determined ghoul who encourages Kaneki Ken to eat human flesh and live, though she does so forcibly. She helps to take care of Kaneki and has even taken on a loving role to care for her younger brother. Not to mention, she is a fierce ghoul who is not to be messed with. Though later on in the must-see anime series she grows a tad bit softer, underneath her quiet and sweet complexion is a ghoul full of carnage. Touka is nothing short of a badass woman who gets what she wants in Tokyo Ghoul.

15

Elizabeth Midford

‘Black Butler’ (2008–2009), ‘Black Butler Season Two’ (2010), ‘Black Butler: Book of Circus’ (2014), ‘Black Butler: Public School Arc’ (2024)

Image via Crunchyroll 

Elizabeth Midford is the heiress of the Midford family and fiancée of Ciel Phantomhive, the protagonist of the Black Butler series. After almost losing Ciel to the manor fire, she has shown herself to be clingy and overly attached to him, visiting him every chance she gets. Even though he appreciates and cares for her, Ciel often considers her presence to be a nuisance, as she can be overbearing and overwhelming, often attempting to dictate Ciel’s life.

Despite these frustrations Ciel may have with Elizabeth, often feeling as though he needs to protect her due to his duty as the queen’s guard dog, Elizabeth later on proves herself to be capable of protecting herself. During the Book of Atlantic film, when Elizabeth was surrounded by the undead and Ciel was injured, she proved her prowess and swordsmanship without hesitation. Hiding her capabilities under the guise of pure femininity, Elizabeth broke her own rules and protected Ciel while defending herself. Though she has often shown herself to be vulnerable and weak, this was all to protect Ciel’s manhood, proving that just because she decides to abide by society’s gender roles does not mean she can not take care of herself when necessary.

14

Sakura Haruno

‘Naruto’ (2002–2007), ‘Naruto Shippuden’ (2007–2017), ‘Boruto: Naruto Next Generations’ (2017–2023)

Image via Pierrot

Sakura Haruno is one of Naruto’s protagonists. She is a kunoichi of Konohagakure and a medical ninja. She is close friends with Naruto and Sasuke, having been part of the same team as them. Currently in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, she is the wife of Sasuke Uchiha and mother to Sarada Uchiha.

Though Sakura was once considered the weakling of Team 7, she has trained consistently and grown tremendously since her debut in Naruto. Having trained under Sannin Tsunade, Sakura grows to become extremely powerful; this is especially true since she has proven to be incredibly good at chakra control and growing stronger physically. There were even points in time when Sakura was predicted to become stronger and more powerful than Tsunade herself. As a proud and determined mother, Sakura will always be a badass.

13

Bulma

‘Dragon Ball’ (1986–1989), ‘Dragon Ball Z’ (1989–1996), ‘Dragon Ball GT’ (1996–1997), ‘Dragon Ball Super’ (2015–2018)

Image via Toei Animation

Bulma is one of the few female characters in the Dragon Ball franchise. She is the daughter of Dr. Briefs, the founder of The Capsule Corporation. When she is sixteen, she meets Goku, and they set out on a quest to gather Dragon Balls. Bulma eventually takes over her father’s company and builds herself a career as an inventor.

Simply put, there is no Dragon Ball without Bulma. Although she is a mother and wife, she doesn’t let this role define who she is. Bulma is, first and foremost, an inventor, but she still indulges her girly side because she doesn’t need to be defined by just one quality. She is able to come up with new inventions, like the Super Dragon Radar, an updated version of the original Dragon Radar, and the Universal Translator. Bulma is among the best Dragon Ball characters, and her contributions to the franchise are too great to ignore.

12

Sailor Jupiter

‘Sailor Moon’ (1992–1997), ‘Sailor Moon Crystal’ (2014–2021)

Image via Toei Animation

Sailor Jupiter, whose real name is Makoto Kino, is one of the Sailor Guardians. Makoto transferred from her previous school to Juuban Public Junior because she got in trouble for starting fights. Her parents died when she was young, and she learned how to become independent very quickly. Sailor Jupiter’s powers include the ability to throw thunder and lightning bolts. She is also a skilled martial artist and has incredible strength.

Even when she isn’t fighting alongside the Sailor Guardians, Makoto is extremely loyal to her friends and defends them, no matter what the cost. Sailor Jupiter is the strongest Sailor Guardian. She doesn’t back down from a fight, even when she is by herself. While her strength is impressive, it’s her fierce loyalty to Sailor Moon and the other Guardians that makes her truly badass. If a demon or a high school bully tries to mess with her friends, Sailor Jupiter is there to protect them from harm.

11

Minare Koda

‘Wave, Listen to Me!’ (2020)

Image via Funimation

Mirane Koda starts as a waitress at a curry soup restaurant. Her life changes when she gets into a deep conversation with Kanetsugu Mato, who is in charge of the local radio station, about her ex-boyfriend, Mitsuo Suga. Mato records this interaction with Mirane and ends up playing it on the radio. Mirane becomes furious with Mato, but he offers her a part-time job as a radio show host. After she is fired from her job at the restaurant, Mirane goes to live with Mizuho Nanba, who works as an assistant director at the radio station.

Mirane stays calm through the chaos in Wave, Listen to Me!. This is exemplified by her ability to continue her radio program on air in the middle of an earthquake. She has great investigative skills, as shown by her trying to determine whether her neighbor, Shinji Oki, murdered his girlfriend. Mirane is ambitious and wants to become the best radio personality in Sapporo. She is the perfect depiction of the modern career woman, driven yet remaining relatable to audiences who empathize with her personal and professional struggles.

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Animation is over a century old, with its origins dating back even further. However, the medium is at an all-time high in popularity right now, with shows such as One Piece and movies like KPop Demon Hunters taking over the globe with overwhelming fame. But modern animation didn’t just end up here; there was a clear path set up by many influential works, and some of the best animated movies of all time.

Some of the best animated movies today are inspired by legendary classics or modern masterpieces, which is why this list highlights eight animated movies that redefined modern animation. Based on style, groundbreaking aspects, influence, originality, popularity, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these eight animated movies redefined what it means to be an animated movie.

8

‘Klaus’ (2019)

Image via Netflix

This list has a couple of Christmas movies, but considering the holiday is a treasure trove of animated classics, it shouldn’t be too surprising. One of the most recent entries featured is Klaus, which follows the lowest-rated postman being sent to the North Pole, where he encounters a peculiar individual named Klaus (J.K. Simmons).

Klaus is one of the greatest modern Christmas movies for many reasons, including its wholesome story, timeless themes, stylized art, and dynamic lighting. The last element specifically redefined how modern animated movies are made, highlighting beautiful lighting that enhanced the film as a whole, leading other movies to follow suit.

7

‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ (2009)

Image via 20th Century Studios

There are a couple of stop-motion movies on this list, including Fantastic Mr. Fox, directed by the legendary Wes Anderson. After the titular character can’t control his animal instincts, he is kicked out of the community and forced to survive with his family in the wild, relying on his dormant animal instincts.

Fantastic Mr. Fox didn’t necessarily change stop-motion in general, but it redefined how it is used, viewed, and portrayed. In a medium focused on flawless, fluid motions, it adopted a rough, tactile, handmade aesthetic that added a sense of realism. Anderson transitioned his iconic cinematography to animation, resulting in a stunning movie with a sophisticated feeling. Fantastic Mr. Fox is a peculiar film, but that added spice made it a unique blend that captured the hearts of fans and other creators alike.

6

‘Akira’ (1988)

Image via Toho

Anime has done a lot of heavy lifting to get animation in the mainstream, and one of the most influential classics of this medium is Akira. Set in a post-apocalyptic future where Neo Tokyo is full of gangs and corrupt officials, the movie follows the leader of a bike gang searching for his kidnapped friend, who was experimented on, giving him psychic powers.

Akira isn’t exactly a modern movie, but even as the oldest film featured on this list, its influence continues into the modern day. It did wonders for how anime is viewed, providing a dark, complex story that changed the culture surrounding it. Not to mention, Akira features gorgeous art and hand-drawn animation that kept the technique alive, with its legacy still impacting modern anime films. This anime movie also defined the cyberpunk style, which many other animated and live-action films adopted.

5

‘Loving Vincent’ (2017)

Image via Altitude Film Distribution

Animation is art, but Loving Vincent took things to another level. Paying homage to Vincent van Gogh, this movie follows the man who delivered Van Gogh’s final letter before his death. However, questioning the mysterious circumstances around his passing, the deliveryman suspects foul play and investigates the murder to find the truth.

Loving Vincent is the most ambitious animated movie of all time, being entirely comprised of oil paintings — over 65,000 to be exact. Based on 94 of the legendary artist’s paintings, this movie accomplished an impossible task and, in the meantime, proved animation can still innovate. No other film has recreated this feat, but Loving Vincent looks like a painting and still redefined what the medium could be.

4

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ (1993)

Image via Buena Vista Pictures Distribution 
 

The second stop-motion film on this list is The Nightmare Before Christmas, one of the best Christmas and Halloween movies of all time. Bored with Halloween, Jack Skellington (Christ Sarandon) discovers a mysterious portal that takes him to a new world full of joy and cheer. He is now determined to capture Santa Claus and take over Christmas for himself, delivering his spooky gifts to all the children of the world.

The Nightmare Before Christmas saved stop-motion, preventing it from becoming a relic of the past and making it a celebrated medium. The film also revitalized interest in gothic storytelling and Halloween, revamping the genre, which remains popular today. A lot of today’s influence can be seen in The Nightmare Before Christmas, which redefined animation by bringing stop-motion back into the limelight and popularizing its distinct spooky style that defined an entire genre.

3

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Everyone knows and loves Spider-Man, but Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduced Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) to the world. After Miles becomes the new Spider-Man, he needs to learn how to be a hero while helping the other Spider-People return to their respective universes. However, Kingpin (Liev Schreiber) and other villains make this task much harder than it needs to be.

After 20 years of similar CGI styles, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduced a new aesthetic that proved CGI could be so much more. Its comic-book atmosphere and vibrant style redefined the modern animated-movie look, with its DNA evident in many new films. This movie established a new iconic visual language that almost every new film has followed, proving it is one of the most ambitious animated movies.

2

‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

Image via Studio Ghibli

This list wouldn’t feel right without at least one Studio Ghibli film, one of the greatest animation studios of all time. Their magnum opus is Spirited Away, which follows Chiyo, a young girl who moves to a new house. However, when her parents are cursed, she must travel to the supernatural resort to find a way to reverse it. Working together with whimsical creatures, Chiyo goes on a magical journey throughout the mysterious resort.

Studio Ghibli is known for its moments of stillness, where it relies solely on atmospheric storytelling, and Spirited Away highlighted its importance, leading many more films to adopt this technique. It also features stunning hand-drawn animation, some of the best of all time, which remains a spectacle even compared to modern films, proving the magic is still there and that it should be preserved. Spirited Away further established anime as high art, making the medium even more popular and groundbreaking.

1

‘Toy Story’ (1995)

If Studio Ghibli isn’t the greatest animation studio ever, then it is Pixar, whose first work is also their most influential, Toy Story. When Andy (Donald Reignoux) buys a new and improved toy, Buzz (Tim Allen), his old favorite, Woody (Tom Hanks), must reluctantly work with him to get back home after they are mistakenly thrown into the trash.

Before Toy Story, CGI was a gimmick used for backgrounds and occasional moments, but when it became the first fully CGI movie, it shifted the landscape in a big way. Most animated movies now use CGI, and it all started with Toy Story, proving that it redefined modern animation more than any other series. The entire animated trilogy is flawless, but this first movie in particular triggered the migration away from 2D to 3D. Not to mention, it also focused on digital cinematography, which enhanced how animated films were presented, yet another influence that changed animation forever.

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Toy Story

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Release Date

October 30, 1995

Runtime

81 minutes

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Director

John Lasseter

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Writers

John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Joss Whedon, Alec Sokolow, Joel Cohen, Joe Ranft, Pete Docter

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  Tim Allen

  Buzz Lightyear (voice)

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Netflix may not be the king of Westerns, but the streamer is certainly a fan of frontier storytelling. Aside from hosting popular entries in the genre like 2021’s The Power of the Dog and all six seasons of Longmire, the platform has demonstrated an interest in the Old West’s biggest names, most recently with The Abandons and Territory. But while these might push the limits of Western drama and representation, their turn in the spotlight can also easily overshadow some of Netflix’s most underrated Western narratives. And out of all these unsung series, there’s one exemplary journey to the West that you really don’t want to miss — the 2023 Korean action drama Song of the Bandits.

Co-created by Han Jung-hoon and Hwang Jun-hyuk and set in Japanese-occupied Korea at the beginning of the twentieth century, Song of the Bandits is a unique entry into the Western canon that trades a classic Western locale for the lawless Gando region, a disputed border territory in present-day Northeastern China where bandits, suppressed locals, known as Joseons after the Joseon Dynasty which Japan overthrew–and Japan’s brutal colonial authorities clash in a seemingly endless series of disputes.

With relentless action, compelling drama, and fast-paced storytelling packed into its nine episodes, the Netflix series delivers a narrative powerful enough to inspire Song of the Bandits‘ most critical viewers, though the show ultimately failed to garner a broad following upon release. Still, with a talented cast and important themes, the series is a hidden gem of historical warfare and epic Western storytelling, making it more than deserving of a second look from fans of both.

What Is Netflix’s ‘Song of the Bandits’ About?

The series centers on Kim Nam-gil’s Lee Yoon, a former Korean slave who joined the Japanese military with his former master, Lee Gwang-il (Lee Hyun-wook), as the country’s colonial occupation began. Haunted by the atrocities he committed against Korean Independence fighters during his service, Lee Yoon departs from his current station in Episode 1 to journey north to Gando, where he hopes to surrender his life to former Independence General Choi Choong-soo (Yoo Jae-myung) as recompense for his crimes. Instead, the pair’s bitter reunion is soon interrupted when bandits attack the general’s village, leading to Lee Yoon single-handedly attacking the bandits’ headquarters to rescue a girl taken during the raid. At this point, the series comes into its name, as Choi Choong-soo suggests Lee Yoon can make amends for his mistakes by protecting the Joseon people instead of dying for his sins.

This suggestion leads the two men to form their own company of bandits in Episode 2, resulting in an homage to Western team-ups like The Magnificent Seven as they gather a band of desperate outlaws to protect Choi Choong-soo’s village and utilize guerrilla tactics against the Japanese. After Lee Yoon’s group successfully wipes out an entire Japanese garrison, the scope of their conflict only broadens as the series’ primary bandits vie with the remnants of Korea’s Independence Army, fellow outlaws, and the Japanese for control of railroad funds that are crucial to survival in Song of the Bandits’ main narrative arc. Moreover, matters are complicated further when Gwang-il, who goes by the name Major Miura Shohei in the army, is dispatched to protect the money, leading to a thrilling clash between both men’s conflicting cultures and classes.

‘Song of the Bandits’ Mixes Thrilling Action Sequences With K-Drama Politics

However, what really stands out in the Netflix series is how Jung-hoon and Jun-hyuk take advantage of traditional Western aesthetics to elevate their narrative. While Song of the Bandits’ politics and geography may feel unfamiliar to fans of traditional American Westerns, the series’ most exhilarating sequences unfold when the show blends recognizable Western tropes with the backstabbing intrigue of the arid Gando landscape. Lee Yoon’s gunfight at the end of Episode 1 is an especially brutal fight scene with all the one-sided, unflinching bitterness of Unforgiven, while Episode 4’s attack on an armored van mixes Song of the Bandits’ practical effects with the urgency of its political narrative. Likewise, Lee Yoon’s duel with Gwang-il in Episode 9 highlights the protagonist’s prowess in a classic desert standoff, showcasing the bandit’s quick draw like Val Kilmer in Tombstone to solidify Song of the Bandits’ place among the most thrilling entries in the genre.

Aside from violence, the series also faithfully portrays the independence and courage of Westerns’ archetypal heroines, with Seohyun’s Nam Hee-shin and Lee Ho-jung’s Eon-Nyeon proving especially compelling as the fight for the Japanese funds unfolds. As an assassin originally hired by Gwang-il to kill Lee Yoon, Eon-Nyeon’s subsequent acceptance of Lee Yoon and Choi Choong-soo as her chosen family provides a hard-won redemption arc to Gando’s cutthroat landscape, while Nam Hee-shin shines as a former Joseon noble attempting to support Korea’s Independence Army from within the Japanese government.

When Lee Yoon recognizes Hee-shin as the woman he loved while still a Japanese officer himself, the two grow closer and eventually deliver the funds to the Independence movement together, yet the pair’s relationship is complicated by the fact that Hee-shin is also engaged to Gwang-il. This entanglement creates a classic love triangle that balances the romantic politics of a riveting K-drama with Song of the Bandits’ much more deadly historical backdrop.

Netflix’s Underrated Western Is a Poignant Glimpse Into the Struggles of a Divided People

The political and cultural struggles depicted throughout Song of the Bandits are, without a doubt, the most moving aspects of the series, and Yoo Jae-myung, in particular, offers a heartbreaking performance as the worn veteran desperate to see his Joseon people freed. Choi Choong-soo’s apology to Eon-Nyeon at the start of Episode 6 encapsulates the solemn grief felt by Joseon survivors, as the once-invincible General confesses his generation should never have left their children with such a ruined state, but Song of the Bandits also goes to great lengths to demonstrate the cruelty of Japan’s occupying army. Although the main events of the series are only loosely based on Korea’s March First Movement of 1919, the series still doesn’t shy away from depicting the cost of imperialism on the perpetually victimized Joseon people.

The series’ recollection of the Gurye Incident, the moment from Lee Yoon’s past that resulted in the destruction of Choi Choong-soo’s village and the slaughter of his family, is particularly horrific, as are the summary executions of alleged freedom fighters carried out by the Japanese consulate in Gando regularly. Yet, as horrific as these war crimes and Gwang-il’s slaughter of civilians in Episode 5 are, Song of the Bandits also promotes a deeper message about social unity. Between Joseon bandits handing over Independence fighters to the Japanese for rewards and both Lee Yoon and Eon-Nyeon recounting how their parents were unjustly killed by their fellow Joseon, Song of the Bandits devotes equal time to describing how oppressed populations just as often turn on one another, ultimately advocating for forgiveness when Eon-Nyeon refuses to punish Choi Choong-soo for the murder of her parents.

Just as all series suffer from their own unique shortcomings, Song of the Bandits isn’t perfect. In particular, the show’s tone deviates from its dark beginnings in favor of a slower, more comedic atmosphere in later episodes, and the love triangle between Lee Yoon, Hee-shin, and Gwang-il isn’t suitably resolved by the finale (possibly in anticipation of a potential Season 2). Yet, with nonstop action sequences whose ringing steel and clashing bayonets provide the music of the series title, riveting gunfights, and chase scenes, and deep social commentary on what it means for a people to survive colonial oppression, Song of the Bandits is still a phenomenal television outing that proves audiences don’t need to flock to the most popular Westerns on streaming to enjoy some of the genre’s most unique stories.

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Release Date

2023 – 2023-00-00

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Network

Netflix

Directors

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Hwang Jun-hyeok

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  Yoo Jae-myung

  Choi Choong-su

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  Lee Hyun-wook

  Lee Kwang-il

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