Epic Film Depicts the Final Naval Battle of Admiral Yi against Japanese Forces

Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

Director Kim Han-min's latest film, "Noryang: Deadly Sea," serves as the concluding installment in his trilogy centered around Korea's legendary naval admiral, Yi Sun-sin. The movie opens and closes with pivotal moments in history, featuring the deaths of two influential figures that shaped East Asia's geopolitical landscape.

The film commences with the demise of Japanese warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the architect behind the Japanese invasions of Korea, who passes away after ordering the withdrawal of Japanese forces from the Korean Peninsula. "Noryang: Deadly Sea" spans 2.5 hours, recounting the final naval battle between retreating Japanese forces and the combined armies of Joseon and Ming dynasties in pursuit. 

▲ Courtesy of Lotte EntertainmentSet against the backdrop of the Battle of Noryang on December 16, 1598, the conflict unfolds as the deadliest confrontation of the seven-year war. Despite the diminished military strength of the Japanese soldiers, their primary goal was survival and a safe return home. In contrast, Admiral Yi Sun-sin was resolute in his mission to annihilate the enemy, seeking both victory and personal revenge for the lives lost, including that of his own son.

Actor Kim Yoon-seok, portraying Admiral Yi, faced the challenge of conveying the admiral's unwavering conviction with minimal dialogue. Kim delivered a stellar performance, capturing Yi's dual nature of strong passion and a realistic, level-headed attitude.

As the battle reaches its peak, Yi is struck by a bullet on his left shoulder, falling to his knees. His son continues to beat the war drums to maintain morale. In a tragic moment, Kim matter-of-factly delivers Yi's famous last words, "Do not announce my death," emphasizing the admiral's calm demeanor in the face of tragedy.

The film, a culmination of the director's decade-long dedication to Admiral Yi's life and strategies, includes necessary historical explanations about East Asia's power dynamics. Clocking in at 1 hour and 40 minutes, the night battle scenes vividly depict Asia's deadliest naval warfare, concluding the Imjin War, also known as the Japanese invasion of Korea (1592-1598).

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