Kim Yun-seok's eyes, immersed in a late-night naval battle... ‘Noryang’, the finale of Yi Sun-sin’s 10-year trilogy

≪Choi Ji-ye’s Some Stars≫
Reporter Choi Ji-ye of Ten Asia gives star ratings to movies she has seen before their release. Be sure to check before purchasing movie tickets. Because your time is precious!

---

How many stars are there for ‘Noryang: Sea of Death’? = ★★★☆

The characters' eyes changed every moment. The sound of the drums touched my heart. The naval battle that unfolded here was exciting and lively.

‘Noryang: Deadly Sea’ (director Kim Han-min, hereinafter referred to as ‘Noryang’), the finale of Yi Sun-shin’s trilogy, has been unveiled. The movie depicts Admiral Yi Sun-sin's final battle to completely annihilate the Japanese army that was retreating from Joseon, seven years after the outbreak of the Japanese Invasion of Korea. This is director Kim Han-min's last film following 'Roaring Currents' (2014) and 'Hansan: Emergence of the Dragon' (2022).

'Noryang' runs towards one message plainly and clearly from beginning to end. What is focused on in the process is Yi Sun-sin's loss and persistence.

The father's screams, unable to shake off the death of his third son as if he were alive, are in contact with the withered face of a general who lost his men who died in the grueling seven-year war. The fact that Yi Sun-sin, who is revered as a saint, was also a human being and suffered from loss is a great source of comfort to us today.

Yi Sun-sin's persistence shines even more because it is rooted in this deep loss. The movie makes the audience realize for themselves why Yi Sun-sin repeatedly shouted, ‘We must fight to the end and receive the complete surrender of the Japanese army.’ Yi Sun-sin, who understood the true intentions of the Japanese army, uprightly and boldly insists on the belief that 'proper compromise' leads to the result of putting the country and people in danger again. The sight of the Japanese army, who had been looking for a way out through all kinds of coaxing and cowardly tactics, ultimately committing suicide by pointing guns and swords at each other proves that Yi Sun-sin's judgment was not wrong.

The Battle of Noryang, which devotes more than half of the movie, depicts a naval battle on a pitch-black night. The screen remains dark throughout, but the contrast between light and dark when the fire arrow draws a parabola and the burning Panokseon collapses creates a strange sense of excitement and tension.

What was particularly impressive was the directing method that followed the tip of a soldier's sword on board a ship. In this sequence, the audience gets the impression of entering the battle of Noryang and becoming one of the people on the ship. Director Kim does not leave the audience watching this war but invites them to have a vivid cinematic experience.

The sound of drums that fills the end of the film harshly conveys Yi Sun-sin's message to 'fight until the end' into the audience's ears. The drumbeat that embroiders the death of Yi Sun-sin represents his final will and touches the heart.

The acting of actors such as Kim Yun-seok (playing the role of Yi Sun-sin), Baek Yun-sik (playing the role of Yoshihiro Shimazu), Jeong Jae-young (playing Jin Lin), and Heo Jun-ho (playing the role of Teng Zi-ryong) is solid. Sometimes it is more difficult to swallow acting, but even in desperate moments, the actor showed acting that was not excessive or excessive. Above all, I couldn't take my eyes off the actors' eyes. Perhaps because the background was generally dark and fire and light were used, the actors' eyes were more vivid. Although the characters wore clunky armor, their eyes were delicate and sharp, so the emotions they expressed felt diverse.

In 'Roaring Currents' Choi Min-sik portrayed Yi Sun-sin as a courageous general who without hesitation advanced towards the enemy of a large army even though he had only twelve ships, and in 'Hansan: Appearance of the Dragon' Park Hae-il portrayed a wise general who devours his enemies with cool-headed and cold wit. While Kim Yun-seok of 'Noryang' showed the aspect of 'Noryang', he expressed the appearance of Hyeon-jang (賢將), who had a deep intention to put an end to the war and could not just send a single enemy soldier away. Director Kim Han-min planned the Yi Sun-sin trilogy and casted three actors to portray Yi Sun-sin, which appeared on the screen.

However, although it is a work with many cinematic virtues, there are points that somewhat reduce the sense of urgency, even if the interpretation that follows the conversation between the Light Union and the Japanese Army was unavoidable. In addition, since about two-thirds of the movie depicts a naval battle, some viewers may find it boring.

Nevertheless, 'Noryang', the finale of Yi Sun-shin's trilogy, is a work that is clearly worth seeing in theaters. You will be able to more clearly feel the excitement of a naval battle full of spectacle, as well as the looks bursting from the actors' eyes.

Released on the 20th. Suitable for ages 12 and up. Running time 153 minutes.

Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr