Extra Credits

A funny bit of insight into how an episode of Extra Credits is made.

What's that?

"Why let _ and _ come in way of good crusade?" (alternative being just one blank)

Perfect. Put it in.

I want to play more of Cards Against Humanity, but that's a game that demands you play it with really good friends.

edited 2nd Sep '15 10:07:31 PM by Enlong

Naw, I've played it with a group I hadn't known for very long. Granted, it takes a little bit of warming up, but it still works.

Fair enough.

...Walpole might make a good white card, too.

New Extra History episode. This time it's about Korea's famous military leader, Admiral Yi.

Whoa. Those nobles were dicks. I always thought those evil and corrupt nobles shown in Medieval Korean dramas were extravagations made by the producers (I remember this one Korean drama about a petty official who failed the protagonist's medical exam because his father humiliated the official by proving it was possible to put a bunch of acupuncture needles in a chicken without the bird dying or suffering.) but it turns out, it was actually true.

I wonder how actually common it was or if Yi was just particularly disliked for some reason. Still, kinda sad to see him being kicked around all his life, despite doing the best job he possibly could. I like how, by the end of the episode, the art have him really grumpy at all the bullshit he was going through.

this made me realize i literally have no knowledge of korean history.

I pretty much only know this stuff, assuming that I'm right in thinking that what's being covered is the same stuff that showed up in Age of Empies 2 as a historical battle with Turtle ships.

I know absolutely nothing either, except there was this one king/emperor/something who was really into science. I know that from Civ V.

They probably tend to get a little overshadowed by the incredibly influential Chinese empire, and the rather romantic Japanese. At least, that's my theory.

I know very little also. I know some of the more modern stuff, of course (conquest by Imperial Japan, Korean War, etc), but the more old stuff I pretty much only know there was a Japanese invasion that Korea repealed, which is what the series is about. Still, I know no details, so it is nice to be learning of them. I know the naval stuff was important, but I haven't even heard of Admiral Yi until yesterday.

I think you are right. We tend to hear a lot about China and Japan, but Korea is glossed over. I think many people are not even aware they were an unified country, with almost the same borders, since centuries ago. I know I was a bit surprised when I first played Europa Universalis and saw Korea with basically the same borders as today (if the two Koreas unified, I mean).

edited 27th Sep '15 1:13:14 PM by Heatth

Wait, people don't know they used to be one country? REALLY? I thought it was kinda in the name <_<; And first thing you learn about them..

First thing people tend to learn about Korea is how it was ruled by the Japanese Empire, I don't think most history covers the period before Japan took over Korea.

Heatth: James mentioned him in a prior "Lies" vídeo.

Short version: he was an utter badass.

No, I mean, before modern age. Of course people know North Korea and South Korea used to be a single country. But I don't think that many people know how old said country is. 500 years ago, most modern countries didn't exist and those who did had very different borders. Korea was more or less the same, though. I think Korea, Japan and China were the only Asian countries that were unified and independent for such a long time. And Japan's "unified" status is a bit relative.

He did? I don't remember. I will re watch. But, yeah, I know he was probably a very awesome person. One of the things I know about the Korean war was that their navy was key for their success. If Admiral Yi was important at the time, that must mean he was a great admiral.

edited 27th Sep '15 2:41:01 PM by Heatth

It was in the Sengoku one. He recommended viewers looked him up if they wanted to learn about Hideyoshi's invasion on Korea.

Turtle Ships. I remember those units in Age of Empires 2.

Back to the episode, except for Yi and the Prime Minister, most of the Korean commanders and nobles didn't have the guts to fight or lost badly to the Japanese.

So if it hadn't been for Yi, Toyotomi Hideyoshi would have had his dream?

Quite probably. Like EC lays out, the Japanese had a far superior army in numbers, experience, tactics and equipment. The Koreans, on the other hand, seemed to rank between "not up to par" and "straight up incompetent".

I personally don't like the Great Men theory of history, but this was definitely one of those cases where one man really did decide the course of history. Kind of inspiring really, since the way he did so was mostly by being brave, diligent and inventive in the face of terrible odds, as opposed to any real talent. (so far, at least)

Well, considering the dream was China, probably not. I mean, even if they walked over Korea, taking on the Ming Dynasty directly would be much harder.

I would argue inventiveness is a talent, but indeed, so far Yi's story seems to be mostly a case of bravery leading to victory.

edited 4th Oct '15 6:59:04 AM by JonnasN

Yi and his forces were OP.

Plz Nerf.

Apparently so OP that they had to nerf his turtle ships in Age of Empires.