General Yi Sun-sin Portrayed by Park Hae-il: "Focused on a Wise and Ambitious Warrior"

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Yi Sun-sin Trilogy Series Second Voyage
"Turtle Ship Realism Brought to Life Through Numerous Verifications"
July 27 Summer Theater Release Announcement

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "I hope that through the film, people will feel courage, healing, and a sense of solidarity, and be united by 'pride.' We are connected to Admiral Yi Sun-sin."(Director Kim Han-min)

Actor Park Hae-il (45) takes over the baton from Choi Min-sik to return as Admiral Yi Sun-sin.

At the production presentation of the film Hansan: Rising Dragon held on the morning of the 28th at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Park Hae-il confessed, "When I was first offered the role of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a great figure known by all 50 million people of South Korea, I was initially taken aback." He continued, "Since the character has been portrayed in films and dramas for a long time, I felt the pressure, but after reading the script and listening to the director's explanation, I felt I could take on the role."

This is the Yi Sun-sin trilogy project presented by director Kim Han-min, who directed Roaring Currents (2014), which attracted the largest number of moviegoers in Korea with 17.61 million viewers. The trilogy depicts Yi Sun-sin as a wise general (智將) in the Battle of Hansan, a mediocre general (庸將) in the Battle of Myeongnyang, and a sagacious general (賢將) in the Battle of Noryang.

Hansan: Rising Dragon, which opens on the 27th of next month, portrays Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the Joseon navy united by desperate strategy and boldness to protect Joseon against the advancing Japanese forces five years before the Battle of Myeongnyang.

Why a trilogy about Yi Sun-sin? Director Kim Han-min explained, "I had in mind a historical trilogy with War of the Arrows, The Battle of Bongodong, and Admiral Yi Sun-sin's Roaring Currents. I thought Roaring Currents was such a grand film that I might only be able to make it when I turned sixty, but after War of the Arrows was well received in 2011, I ended up making Roaring Currents first." He added, "While planning Roaring Currents, I decided to make at least a trilogy about Admiral Yi Sun-sin's story."

How will this portrayal differ from Choi Min-sik's depiction of Admiral Yi Sun-sin in Roaring Currents (2014)? Park Hae-il said, "If senior actor Choi Min-sik was brave, in Hansan I wanted to express the image of a wise general (智將) who fights alongside the navy. I wanted to show him as a virtuous leader who cares for the navy and the people, and as a scholar-like figure. The director made the most of my temperament, and we completed the work perfectly."

He continued, "Senior actor Choi Min-sik, who played Yi Sun-sin in Roaring Currents, told me, 'You’ll have to endure some hardships.' I took that advice, coming from someone with deep experience, in multiple ways. It seemed like a message to feel the poignant and arduous 'heart' of playing a general. It resonated with me in many ways."

Hansan: Rising Dragon is the second film in director Kim Han-min’s Yi Sun-sin trilogy following Roaring Currents (2014). Park Hae-il noted, "After Hansan, senior actor Kim Yoon-seok has already filmed Noryang, which is also in preparation. When completed, Hansan will be seen first in sequence, and I tried to focus on the battle by strategically positioning the young and bold Yi Sun-sin between the portrayals by senior actors Choi Min-sik and Kim Yoon-seok."

He added, "I embarked on this role with the premise that I must portray Yi Sun-sin as an actor. The general cultivated humanities knowledge from a young age and later pursued the path of a warrior. I focused on his scholarly and upright nature as a gentleman, as well as his warrior side, while maintaining tension in the battle scenes."

The Battle of Hansan Island (閑山島大捷) took place in July 1592 during the Imjin War, where the Joseon navy led by Jeolla Left Naval Commander Yi Sun-sin (李舜臣), Jeolla Right Naval Commander Yi Eok-gi (李億祺), and Gyeongsang Right Naval Commander Won Gyun (元均) defeated the main Japanese naval forces in the waters off Hansan Island.

Director Kim highlighted the realism of the turtle ship as the highlight of Hansan, expressing confidence by saying, "Please watch it with admiration." He explained, "Although the turtle ship is commonly known, many people don’t really know what it looked like. Scholars and researchers often debate about it. It has a strong historical presence but has not been properly verified."

He continued, "I pondered deeply whether it was a two-story or three-story ship, whether the cannon-firing areas were separated, whether it was a multi-level structure, or an ironclad ship. Amid various theories, I tried to depict it convincingly. Please watch with interest how the turtle ship was used in battle."

Finally, Park Hae-il said, "Decision to Leave opens tomorrow, but today I am attending the production presentation of a new work, which feels like nonsense. This situation has unfolded due to COVID-19." He added, "I want to let go of the burden and enjoy it. I deeply felt the regret of not being able to meet the audience during the pandemic. Just meeting the audience is delightful and joyful."