The Admiral: Roaring Currents is a Korean historical film based on the Battle of Myeongnyang
, one of the most famous naval battles in Korean history.
The film is set in the second Japanese invasion of Korea in 1597. Thanks to the plots of a Japanese double agent, Admiral Yi Sun-Sin of Korea was falsely accused of treason and relieved of command. His successor, Won Gyun, was incompetent and led the Korean Navy to the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Chilcheollyang, where only 13 Korean ships out of 166 managed to survive.
With the Japanese army advancing towards Hanyang (modern day Seoul) and the Japanese Navy having near-total control of the sea, Yi Sun-Sin was hastily pardoned and reinstated as the commander of the Korean Navy. With only 13 ships left, Yi had to make a Last Stand against a Japanese fleet of more than 300 ships (133 warships and 200 supply ships) at the Myeongnyang Strait.
On its release, the film was an incredible success, became the most-watched and highest-grossing film of all time in South Korea; to this day it is still the country's most-attended film and was only slightly surpassed in box office gross by Extreme Job in 2019note . Its success prompted it to be extended into a trilogy, with the second installment prequel Hansan: Rising Dragon (about the Battle of Hansan Island) releasing in 2022 and the third and final film, Noryang: Sea of Death (about the Battle of Noryang) currently slated for release in 2023.
The Admiral: Roaring Currents provides examples of:
- Artistic License – History:
- The film shows a remaining turtle ship that is destroyed by a saboteur. At the time of the battle, the Korean navy had no turtle ships at all, as all of them had been sink in the previous Battle of Chilcheollyang.
- In real life, Kurushima died by an arrow in his command ship. In the film, he boards Yi's ship and is beheaded by him there (after being shot by many archers, that is).
- The historical Lim Jun-young survived to the battle, while he dies in the film.
- In real life, General Bae Seol deserted much before the events of the film, before even the Battle of Chilcheollyang. He was later caught and executed after the Imjin War.
- Burning the Ships: Well, not exactly the ships since Yi still needs them to fight, but the principle still stands. Yi orders his men to burn the village where the Korean Navy is seeking refuge so his men cannot run away from the battle and have to fight to the death.
- Cool Boat: As befitting a movie about a naval battle, both navies consist of very impressive vessels.
- The Japanese capital ships, the atakebune, are beautifully crafted warships resembling fancy Japanese castles.
- The Koreans warships, the panokseon are plainer in design, but they are tougher and more maneuverable than Japanese ships, and heavily armed with cannons. Each has an elevated tower where the captain, surrounded by shield-wielding guards, can observe the battle.
- And of course, the famous geobukseon, also known as the turtle ships, are modified panokseon that sacrifice the observer tower for a solid roof covered with sharp spikes. They are just as strong and fast as other panokseon, but with the extra benefit of being impervious to Japanese boarding tactics. Because the real life battle did not involve the turtle ships, they have limited screentime.
- The Japanese capital ships, the atakebune
- Darkest Hour: The film starts out with one for the Koreans. Their navy has been reduced to 13 ships; all the men are demoralized by the loss, and the Japanese are on the verge of conquering Korea.
- David Versus Goliath: The Koreans only have 13 ships to fight hundreds of Japanese ships. Their slim chance of survival is not lost on anyone.
- Dead Guy on Display: The Japanese sends a boat with Captain Bae Hong-Suk's and many Korean sailors' heads to Yi's headquarters to demoralize the Koreans. Later in the movie, the Koreans return the favor by displaying Kurushima Michifuda's head on Yi's flagship, sending the Japanese fleet to a panic
- Double Agent: Junsa is a samurai spying for the Koreans. He is based on a Japanese defector who served as Yi's interpreter and who helped identify Kurushima's corpse.
- Geo Effects: Yi uses the Myeongnyang Strait's narrow width to make it difficult for the large Japanese fleet to maneuver. The powerful and dangerous current also catches the Japanese off guard and sends their ships crashing against each other.
- Oh, Crap!:
- Korean sailors and civilians have a Mass "Oh, Crap!" moment when they see a swarm of Japanese ships sailing towards Yi's fleet. Yi's fleet is so intimidated that they refuse to join the fight for the first half of the battle, forcing Yi's flagship to fight alone.
- The Japanese have one when they see Kurushima's head on Yi's flagship and the current turns to the Korean's side and Yi's remaining ships join the fight.
- At the end of the movie, the Japanese fleet have one when they see a turtle ship sailing towards them, beginning the Battle of Noryang.
- Survivor Guilt: Yi has nightmares about his lost captains begging him to avenge their deaths at Chilcheollyang.
- Warrior Monk: A team of Uiseung Sugun, Korean buddhists monks who volunteer for war, join the Joseun army.
