Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin (불멸의 이순ì‹)

Son-juke Island, Spring of 1587

It's the enemy!

Heung-yang, Cholla Province

My lady! My lady!

What is it?

Madam Park is asking for you. You should go now.

All right.

Open it.

What is this, Mother?

I struggled with this for a long time.

Do I speak or do I bury the truth?

Mother?

That is the only symbol of your birthmother that she left behind.

Fifteen years ago, I was in Gon-yang at the home of my parents giving birth.

But the baby died shortly after delivery, I was very heartbroken.

That's when you came to me.

I could have kept this hidden, but I didn't want to.

Now that you are all grown up and getting married, I want to share

this joy with the woman who brought you into this world.

Was I... an abandoned child?

Did you take an abandoned child and raise me?

Don't say that. You are my daughter no matter what anyone says.

I may not have given birth to you, but I raised you with all of my love.

Mother...

You don't know what a blessing you are to me and how happy you have made me.

But I'm sure it was very painful for your birthmother to give you up.

You are a child of gentle and kind nature.

Don't be resentful or bitter. Be thankful.

That is the right thing.

Mother...

Bridal Obeisance!

The bride and groom will be in heaven tonight!

Exchange of wine!

February of 1587, on the 20th year of Son-jo's reign, eighteen Japanese war

vessels invaded the beaches of Son-juke Island in Cholla Province.

The southern coast of Chosun was not foreign to Japanese incursions,

but unlike before these invaders were official Japanese navy.

Accordingly, they showed greater interest in military combat as opposed

to previously indulged activities like pillage, arson and kidnapping.

The naval commander of Nok-do Yi Dae-won dies a heroic death in a brave

battle against them, and some one hundred Chosun troops are captured.

The first line of defense crumbles and and the Japanese forces push forward

seizing Heung-yang and Garipo. It is a sweeping victory for the Japanese.

You look happy, Sahwadong.

General!

But of course you're happy. Chosun is your home.

Home always has a warm place in our hearts. Don't you agree?

No... no, General. Of course not Chosun is no longer my home.

Japan, you and His Eminence Hideyoshi's land is my home.

This is why I like you. Dogs never betray the hands that feed them.

I wish all Chosunese were like you. Don't you?

Yes, of course.

- Sahwadong! - Yes, sir!

We will join the troops in Heung-yang. Lead us!

Yes, General!

Board the troops!

Yes, sir!

All men aboard!

There was an important variable in these Japanese victories and he was Sahwadong,

a native Chosunese who had sworn loyalty to Japan.

The invasion of 1587 was a carefully planned operation in which Sahwadong,

having exceptional knowledge of Cholla geography, was put to service as a

guide for the Japanese invaders.

There is not a moment to waste!

Yes, sir.

Your Majesty, Japanese invaders have invaded Son-juke Island raping our

women and killing our men.

The fires of battle have already spread to Heung-yang and Karipo,

and we are in a most pressing situation.

Why is our navy struggling against common pirates of Japan?

Your Majesty, I am appalled and infuriated by the evil and

destruction, but I do not believe this is a cause for great concern.

No?

No, Your Majesty. Lack of order and discipline on the part of Cholla Left

Guards is the cause for this struggle. Therefore, the situation will soon be

put under control if you place competent military leader to service.

And who would that be?

The second commander-in-chief Shin Lip.

Very well. Send Commander Shin without delay.

And instruct all magistrates of Cholla to recruit troops locally and give

their best effort against the aggressors!

Your grace is immeasurable!

The sentiment of the people is important as well, and I'd like

you to go to Cholla as the viceroy.

Your grace is infinite, Your Majesty.

You are the one I trust and depend on. Please give your best effort.

This is truly disturbing!

His Majesty is showing more and more partiality in favor of the Westerners.

We must bring Yu Sung-ryong back to the royal court.

That is the only way to win back His Majesty's heart.

A man named Sahwadong is guiding the Japanese through our land?

Geishas sell their chastity, scholars sell their spirit,

and now men sell their country!

Oh yes!

You're on a hot streak with your repartee!

Perfect rhythm, poignant...

Chung-hyang why don't we take a little trip to Cholla?

A military battle is the most exciting spectacle to watch.

Sure, when are we leaving? Shall I pack my bag now?

That's enough, you two.

Why? Would you like to come along?

Would you stop?

Don't be so angry with us. The King himself was ignoring all the warning signs,

and now he's scrambling to shut the stable after the horse has bolted.

Where is the crime in us talking about going out there and watching the battles?

I agree. Perhaps His Majesty should go out there first.

Stop. It's not that I don't agree with you.

I want to take His Majesty to the battlefield and let him see what is

happening to his people if I could.

Sahwadong was it?

I heard about extortion and abuse of local magistrates on the coast driving

the fishermen out the country. They deserve to die if they brought

the enemy back to their land, but how could we blame them in entirety?

We have to change this country. We have to change it completely.

We can't leave it in the hands of the incompetent King and his men!

What does the letter say?

It's from Nam Un-kung the viceroy of Chun-ju.

He was ordered by the royal court to recruit soldiers locally and combat

the Japanese aggressors, but he is having a hard time.

What do they expect? You can't turn farmers into soldiers overnight.

They should've thought ahead and prepared for this invasion long ago.

Assemble the league members immediately.

Yes, sir!

Hear me! The atrocious Japanese are destroying our southern coast, and

the cries of our people ring throughout the land!

But the benighted King and his men have closed their ears long ago,

and the fate of the country rests on your hands.

Chung Yuh-rip and his Great East League...

They were more than just a group of idealist.

They had real power and military strength to pursue their ideals.

In the 200 years since its founding, Chosun had never experienced a full-

scale war, therefore the royal court held a very nonchalant attitude about

the threat of foreign invasion and was negligent in defensive preparations.

And when the Japanese struck in 1587, they were utterly helpless.

But Chung Yuh-rip was different. He had always preached the need to perfect both

literary and military arts and had organized his league to accordingly,

and was able to rally an army in a matter of one day.

But...

by the time Shin Lip's Royal army and Chung Yuh-rip's Great East League

were deployed, the Japanese forces had already completed their mission and

were heading back to Japan.

Who is that woman?

She must be a woman of status judging by her attire.

She wears a dress worn by the ladies of the palace, but common women also

wear that dress once in their lives as a wedding dress.

My guess is she was taken at her wedding.

You!

You're...!

Who are you?

Step back!

Don't you dare lay your filthy Japanese hands on a lady of nobility!

No, it can't be. You're too young to be her.

The Invasion of 1587 was a reconnaissance mission for the

Japanese to test out the waters before a full-scale war.

Japan would acquire relatively detailed knowledge about Chosun military through

the prisoners taken at this time and Chosun's position was markedly weakened.

Nok-dune Island, fall 1587

Yes, yes. Keep up the good work.

Can't you walk any faster?

Gee whiz! What do you do with all that food you eat? Hurry up!

I see that everyone is hard at work.

Good morning, Captain.

How is the harvest?

We'll have some left over after we satisfy the military provisions.

How was your harvest, Gapchul? Will you have some crops left over for yourself?

Of course, Captain. This guy is incredible!

The training is exhausting as it is, but he worked day and night on the

field as well. I swear this man is going to be filthy rich!

Filthy rich? Now you're exaggerating.

Don't forget, you owe me a couple of sacks of grains.

Of course. Don't worry.

I'm even going to make a barrel of wine with my grains.

So you don't have to worry about wine this winter!

We're going to have a warm winter thanks to Gapchul!

Why are you drooling?

Why? Do you have a problem with that?

You'll be done with your service before the winter.

Why are you worried about getting through the winter?

Oh, that's right, I forgot.

Then I'll just take some of your wine home with me.

No way! There will be barely enough for us!

Now, now, let's finish up and get back to training.

Yes.

Youngbo what are you doing here?

I'm here to stand guard.

Stand guard? Why should you stand guard?

Dolsue has a cold, so I told him I'd fill in for him.

The barbarians have been quiet lately.

Yeah, too quiet.

I'm kind of scared, but I wish they'd attack so we could wipe them out and

be released from serfdom.

I can't wait to be free so I could wear a soldier's uniform.

Is that what you want to do when you're free?

What's so good about being a soldier?