[Interview] Park Hae-il "Playing Admiral Yi Sun-sin, I Was Even Embarrassed to Stand"

'Hansan: The Appearance of the Dragon' Park Hae-il as Yi Sun-sin
Warrior holding a brush and shooting a bow
Director Kim Han-min's casting inspired by Jingbirok

Park Hae-il / Photo by Lotte Entertainment

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Iseul] His bright eyes resembled those of a scholar. The historical record Jingbirok (by Ryu Seong-ryong) described General Yi Sun-sin this way. Director Kim Han-min recalled actor Park Hae-il (45) when he read this. The film Hansan: Rising Dragon was born from this idea. The wise General Yi Sun-sin fit Park Hae-il like a perfectly fitting shoe. While Choi Min-sik portrayed Yi Sun-sin with fiery intensity like a "flamethrower" in Myeongryang (2014), Park Hae-il reveals a calm and upright face like a tranquil sea.

Yi Sun-sin as portrayed by Park Hae-il is refreshingly different from the image commonly seen in existing media. He emphasized the image of Joseon's greatest general with steadfast beliefs and wise character, as well as the Jeolla Left Naval Commander who protected the seas. A warrior and commander who wields both brush and bow. His composure in any situation stands out.

On the morning of the 21st, at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Park Hae-il said, "The tone of expressing General Yi Sun-sin varies subtly with each era. Although he was a warrior, I wanted to show both the gentleman who suits the brush and the warrior at the same time."

Hansan: Rising Dragon depicts the Battle of Hansan Strait, where General Yi Sun-sin and the Joseon navy unite with desperate strategy and courage to defend Joseon against the advancing Japanese forces five years before the Battle of Myeongryang. This is the second installment of Director Kim Han-min’s Yi Sun-sin trilogy, following Myeongryang (2014), which attracted 17.61 million viewers. Park Hae-il and Director Kim have collaborated three times, including Paradise Murdered (2007) and War of the Arrows (2011).

What aspect of Yi Sun-sin will unfold on the screen? It differs from the brave general image portrayed in Myeongryang. Park Hae-il said, "The director wanted to show the strategist side and create a story about wisely winning battles alongside the navy. He said I would fit that part well, which put my mind at ease. I wanted to create a general who suits both the brush and the bow."

Park Hae-il said he did not want to merely "decorate" Yi Sun-sin as a cool and valiant general. "The more I tried to show that kind of aura, the more inadequate I felt. If that were the case, I thought another actor would be more suitable. I searched for his true sincerity in the given circumstances. I tried to feel it as much as possible and express it accordingly."

"The story of General Yi Sun-sin has been told repeatedly over time. Each era views him differently. He is a great figure with many stories and lessons to reflect on today. Perhaps he reflects the times. In Hansan, I thought it would be good to show both the gentleman who suits the brush and the warrior. From the start of the drama, detailed strategy was necessary. I believed that being clear during solitary moments would allow other facets to be expressed later. So I approached the character calmly. The real general was a man of few words who did not easily reveal his emotions. I consistently portrayed his calmness and patience in waiting for the right moment until the end."

The burden of portraying the great Yi Sun-sin must have been immense. Reinterpreting and creating the character without straying from historical facts was not easy. Park Hae-il laughed, "Senior actor Choi Min-sik said he felt 'choked,' but I felt like my breath stopped." He added, "We filmed at the Yeosu open set, and when I stood on the command space on the ship, I could see everything. Staff and actors all around were watching only me. Even the locals. The pressure was indescribable. Acting as a great figure known by all Koreans was embarrassing and difficult even just to stand."

"Maintaining balance was hard. I had to act as if I wasn’t acting, emotionally as well. We filmed for a long time in the provinces, and when I was alone at the lodging, I would sit cross-legged like a nobleman, reading the script and drinking coffee. I tried to find that aura in daily life. It took time to shake off the general’s energy after filming. I wonder how seniors Choi Min-sik and Kim Yoon-seok (from Noryang) let go of it. I firmly believe they exhausted all their energy on set. (laughs)"

Recalling the first time he saw the turtle ship recreated on set, Park Hae-il said, "It was touching." He explained, "Seeing the turtle ship about 80-90% completed, I felt the deep resentment surrounding my grandmother’s grave. That energy symbolically appears in the film. It was always with Yi Sun-sin and played an important role in actual battles. It felt like a guardian deity protecting Joseon."

This year marks the 430th anniversary of the Battle of Hansan Strait. Park Hae-il said the great leader Yi Sun-sin from 430 years ago has significant implications for today’s era.

"There is a statue of General Yi Sun-sin in Gwanghwamun; don’t you feel his energy? The themes felt in each era differ slightly, but what remains consistent is harmony. It’s impressive that he is a great figure no one dislikes. People facing great challenges rely on the spirit of determination they receive at Jeseungdang in Tongyeong. I hope people enjoy the refreshing action scenes to relieve stress while also feeling the solemnity and seriousness of the historical aspects."

Park Hae-il said, "Everyone born on this land, including myself, must carry the temperament and DNA of our ancestors." He emphasized, "That’s why history is so great and continues to be explored."

"How much victorious history did Joseon have? The film deals with a battle considered one of the most overwhelming victories in world naval history. The director repeatedly emphasized the word 'pride,' which is truly necessary for us. It reflects the attitude needed to move into another era. What if we show our growing children not only the painful history but also the history of victory?"

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