[Review] Laughing at 'Noryang' Night Naval Battle and Kim Yoon-seok, Crying from Boredom

Movie 'Noryang: Sea of Death' Review

Yi Sun-sin's Noble Cause... Kim Yoon-seok's Brilliant Performance
Magnificent Scale... 100-Minute Naval Battle Highlight
Boring Beginning, Joseon-Style 'Taken' Unnecessary Addition Regrettable

Actor Kim Yoon-seok portrayed Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545?1598). Following the brave general Choi Min-sik and the wise strategist Park Hae-il, he reveals the face of the sagacious commander. His performance is truly admirable. Becoming a well-known historical figure carries an immense burden, and he confessed that after relentless efforts to ease the pressure, he finally reached Yi Sun-sin’s essence.

Director Kim Han-min, who helmed the film, also expressed some regret, wondering if he might have relaxed his approach a bit more. For ten years, Director Kim focused solely on Admiral Yi Sun-sin. He built the story of the great hero through three films, completing the 'Yi Sun-sin Trilogy.' It has been remarkably successful. The previous films 'The Admiral: Roaring Currents' (2014) and 'Hansan: Rising Dragon' (2022) collectively attracted 24.87 million viewers. The finale, 'Noryang: Sea of Death,' had clear strengths and weaknesses. The nighttime naval battle was intricately designed and visually engaging, but the path leading to the Battle of Noryang felt somewhat lengthy, which was disappointing.

Still from 'Noryang: Sea of Death'
[Photo by Lotte Entertainment]

On the 12th, at the press screening held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, the film 'Noryang: Sea of Death' (directed by Kim Han-min) was unveiled.

The film depicts Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s Battle of Noryang. This battle marked the end of the seven-year Imjin War and the Jeongyu War and is recorded as the greatest and final naval battle of Yi Sun-sin’s life. Since the battle began at night and continued into the morning, the subtitle 'Sea of Death' was given.

The story moves to December 1598, seven years after the outbreak of the Imjin War. It begins with the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Following his will, the Japanese forces hastily attempt to retreat from Joseon. Admiral Yi Sun-sin (played by Kim Yoon-seok) decides to block and annihilate the Japanese retreat route.

Ming Dynasty commander Jin Lin (played by Jung Jae-young), swayed by bribes from the Japanese generals, suggests opening the path for the Japanese forces. However, Yi Sun-sin insists, "We can never let our mortal enemies go," and shouts, "If we let the enemy live, we cannot properly end the war." He firmly declares, "We must not end the war like this."

Yi Sun-sin and Jin Lin form a Joseon-Ming allied fleet to confront the enemy. In response, the Japanese commander Shimazu (played by Baek Yoon-sik) leads the Satsuma army to assist the Japanese retreat.

General Yi Sun-sin contemplates how to end the war at the conclusion of the Imjin War. The faces of his family who died due to the Japanese invasion and his fallen comrades flash before him. The faces of the people who have died but not truly perished vividly live on in his heart.

Still from 'Noryang: Sea of Death'
[Photo by Lotte Entertainment]

The Battle of Noryang is the highlight of the film. The naval battle unfolds spectacularly for over 100 minutes. Even during the nighttime battle scenes, the tension is maintained, and the imagery is clearly realized. The early appearance of the turtle ship is cleverly utilized. The scenes are grand and enjoyable on a large screen, and the sound design is excellent. The naval battle scenes are so meticulously crafted that they could be considered the culmination of the trilogy.

The scale is expanded by featuring Joseon, Ming, and Japanese forces. The long take scenes reminiscent of the film 'Dunkirk' (2017) are also impressive. These not only provide genre entertainment but also reflect the director’s contemplation on 'war' and 'Yi Sun-sin,' making them stand out.

The scene where Yi Sun-sin meets his death showcases sophisticated direction. Although there are iconic scenes traditionally imprinted on the public, the director transcended them. His numerous considerations as a filmmaker are evident. The grandly resonating drumbeats symbolize 'Yi Sun-sin’s heart' and also feel like the heart sustaining 'Noryang.' Among the many portrayals of Yi Sun-sin’s death in media, this is arguably the best.

Yi Sun-sin’s noble cause and his image as a hero struggling with history are impressive, but the emotional impact is not quite enough to bring tears. Perhaps the burden of the finale was heavy. It is regrettable that the understated charm praised in 'Hansan' has disappeared.

The film’s epilogue, reminiscent of a Joseon-era 'Taken,' raises some questions. The father’s denial toward his son is poignant. While this can be interpreted as Yi Sun-sin’s feelings toward his people, the repetitive structure and somewhat emphasized direction feel a bit outdated.

Still from 'Noryang: Sea of Death'
[Photo by Lotte Entertainment]

The director seems to have put considerable pressure on himself. Some scenes have lengthy explanations, and the emotional aspects are somewhat disappointing. Early in the film, the relationship with Ming and the story of the Japanese forces are explained, while also incorporating Yi Sun-sin’s internal struggles, making the journey to the Battle of Noryang feel long. The somewhat dull first hour may act as a hurdle to fully entering the story.

The sense of burden is also felt in the ending. The young Gwanghae, played by actor Lee Je-hoon, leaves a lasting impression. However, placing this as a post-credits scene feels conventional.

The actors’ performances shine. It is an ensemble cast you can trust. Among them, Kim Yoon-seok’s face, which sparkled the most, is likely to be remembered for a long time. He is the most intense and impressive among the three actors who portrayed Yi Sun-sin. Some scenes evoke admiration, showcasing a unique charm only Kim Yoon-seok can deliver.

Ming commander Jung Jae-young’s face is intriguing, and Kim Sung-kyu as Jun-sa also shines. Although already a well-known actor, Kim Sung-kyu can be considered the best face the series has brought forth. However, some characters, including Moon Jung-hee as Lady Bang, Yi Sun-sin’s wife, might have been unnecessary. The runtime is 152 minutes. Rated for audiences aged 12 and above. The film opens on December 20.