Movie: Roaring Currents (명량)

{Movie poster: Roaring Currents}

The movie Roaring Currents is a 2014 South Korean film written and directed by Kim Han-min. The film is based on the story of a 1597 historical event, Battle of Myeongnyang between Korea and Japan. In the film, Yi Sun-sin, one of the most esteemed admirals in Korea’s history, leads Chosun to a victory with only 12 ships against Japan’s 330 vessels. Before the battle actually begins, all the other admirals and generals vigorously persuade Yi Sun-sin and his navy to disband, as they believe there is no chance of victory with only 12 ships left. To add more distress to Chosun, Japan sends the head of a Chosun captive along with the message saying all the other Chosun soldiers are soon to be dead. Japan’s threat, however, does not falter Yi Sun-sin’s plan to fight against Japan. The day Myeongnyang battle begins, only the leading ship in which Yi Sun-sin is riding on, goes out to the sea, as the other 11 ships hesitated in fear. With spectacular strategies, Yi Sun-sin’s ship destroys the other vessels one by one. Using the strong water force typically developed in Uldulmok, where the battle occurred, about 100 Japanese ships are destroyed. Unable to withstand the fear of being killed as a whole, all the other Japanese ships flee, leading Chosun to victory. 

{Usuyoung Kookmin Kwankwangji}

This site was made to celebrate the victory of Myeongnyang battle in 1986. There are memorials and museums that holds histories and items from the battle.  

{Yi Sun-sin}

Since Yi Sun-sin was the head admiral of the battle, the museum contains many portraits of him. 

{Uldulmok}

This is the place where Yi Sun-sin used the strong water force to destroy the Japanese vessels, which led to the remaining vessels to flee in fear. Admiral Yi Sun-sin stands as the statue next to the infamous battle site.

{Myeongnyang battle festival}

From the year of 2005, the Myeongnyang battle festival has been held every September in Usuyoung Kookmin Kwankwangji to celebrate the victory of Myeonnyang battle. The festival is organized with diverse programs--such as reproducing the Myeongnyang battle, or showing clips of the movie-- to rekindle the spirit of victory against Japan. This festival usually lasts for three days; this year (2014), it is from October 9 to October 12. So if you have a chance to visit Korea, and you have watched Myeongnyang, I definitely suggest you to visit this place during the festival, and have a great memory in Korea!

Well this was a brief summary of the movie ”Myeongnyang” seen by over 10 million people in the shortest period in Korea, and places related to this movie! I’m looking forward to the next series of the other two battles between Korea and Japan, which Yi Sun-sin participated, Hansando battle, and Noryang battle.