'Hansan' Grand Fun Embroidered on the Refreshing Sea... Following the Path of 'Myeongnyang'

'Hansan: The Emergence of the Dragon' Press Screening Event
Director of the Most Watched Film 'Myeongryang' New Work
Park Hae-il as Yi Sun-sin "Performed Without Regrets"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] The blue sea fills the screen, cannons fly, and arrows rain down. A movie full of sights perfect for enjoying in the theater sets sail in the summer box office. Will 'Hansan: Rising Dragon,' which follows the glory of the biggest audience hit 'The Admiral: Roaring Currents' (2014) that attracted 17.61 million viewers, be able to recreate that success?

Director Kim Han-min said at the press screening of the movie 'Hansan: Rising Dragon' held on the afternoon of the 19th at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Sincheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, "We have completed a sincere commercial film," adding, "I hope pride, comfort and consolation, courage, strength, and solidarity are well conveyed."

The film depicts the Battle of Hansan, where Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the Joseon navy, united by desperate strategy and courage, defend Joseon against the advancing Japanese forces five years before the Battle of Myeongnyang.

This is the second work in the Yi Sun-sin trilogy directed by Kim Han-min, who also directed 'The Admiral: Roaring Currents' (2014). It portrays Yi Sun-sin as a wise general (智將) in the Battle of Hansan, a brave general (勇將) in the Battle of Myeongnyang, and a wise general (賢將) in the Battle of Noryang.

Director Kim recalled, "'The Admiral: Roaring Currents' was an unexpected hit." He continued, "It was released two months after the Sewol ferry disaster, which occurred in a similar sea area. The scenes of common people and citizens pulling and protecting the ship in the film probably provided great comfort and consolation to the public. I learned how important the implications of the film were."

He added, "During the filming of 'The Admiral,' we floated the ships on water, but for 'Hansan,' we did not float them at all. A controlled environment was necessary at the time. It was difficult to realistically recreate the crane wing formation and the part where ships built a fortress on the sea. Thanks to the foundation laid by 'The Admiral,' 'Hansan' was possible."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The director also said, "'Hansan' depicts Admiral Yi Sun-sin fighting alone at the beginning of the war when Joseon was on the brink of collapse. The most innovative weapon, the turtle ship, appears, and it is amazing that a perfect battle formation was executed." He emphasized, "I believe the film can convey pride, comfort, and courage to those of us living in South Korea today."

The naval battle scenes were filmed without water. They were completed using pre-visualization and virtual production technology. Director Kim said, "We set up an indoor VFX set on about 3,000 pyeong (approximately 9,917 square meters) of space at the Pyeongchang skating rink in Gangwon Province. We erected chroma key screens and filmed almost all the sea scenes there." He added, "We also built an open outdoor historical drama set in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, and worked there," expressing confidence that "familiar locations rarely appear in this historical film."

Park Hae-il anchors the film as Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the wisest general of Joseon and the Jeolla Left Navy Commander who protects the sea. He said, "I hoped that no matter what mixed in like water, the actors around Yi Sun-sin would be well highlighted. That was a point I discussed with the director. Instead, even when Yi Sun-sin does not appear, detailed strategies are revealed through other characters."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Park Hae-il also said, "It's different from Choi Min-sik, who acted like a flamethrower in 'The Admiral: Roaring Currents,'" emphasizing, "I focused on portraying a spirit of preparedness and participation in battle." He added, "I strongly realized what restrained acting is in this work. I felt that energy should not be lost within restraint."

Actor Park Hae-il, who plays Admiral Yi Sun-sin, had a special determination. He expressed confidence, saying, "I acted without regret while enduring the heavy weight of armor in the midsummer heat." He also said, "It is an unusual situation with big movies releasing in the summer market, and I hope it will be loved by all audiences."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.