[Editor's Note]

Going into the 2000s, the standard for the success of Korean films is whether it will be included in the list of "most-watched" movies or more specifically, films with 10 or more million viewers. In Korea, people refer to these movies as "Cheonman Movies," since the number 10 million is read as '천만·[cheon-man]' in Korean. Unlike Hollywood, which attributes a film's success by the total amount of ticket sales, the Korean film industry bases the number of domestic viewers who have watched the movie. However, the box office hit standard has shifted from 1-2 million views to 10 million since the 2003 film "Silmido."

 

▲ South Korean moviegoers prepare to buy tickets for "Roaring Currents" at a theater in Samseong-dong, central Seoul, on Aug. 3, 2014. The homegrown action film about a 16th-century Korean naval hero's astonishing victory over Japan topped a record 15 million viewers on the day. (Yonhap)
In simple terms, movies with about ten million views roughly calculates to meaning that one out of five Koreans going to the theaters to watch the movie. Although, many people often watch a particular movie more than once, it is still no exaggeration to say that the majority of Koreans have watched a specific movie when we include audiences who have watched it on TV, IPTV, cable TV, or streaming sites.

The directors of these 'Cheonman Movies' continue to actively produce films afterwards due to their guaranteed box office success, and the actors who have appeared in such films can relatively and easily find dramas and movies to star in. These directors and actors ultimately appear to be an important asset of K-movies and dramas.

According to the statistics provided by the Korean Film Council, so far, there are a total of 27 'Cheonman Movies' including Korean and foreign films, where 19 of them are Korean films, which accounts for 70 percent of the total.

Since the novel COVID-19 hit worldwide last year, it is hard to expect a 'Cheonman Movie' to be released this year. Let us wait for the day where COVID-19 disappears and the theater is full of customers again, so that we can all rewatch the critically acclaimed films Korea has made.

[Episode 1] The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014 - Directed by Kim Han-min)

 

▲ This photo provided by cable TV VOD shows the movie poster for "The Admiral: Roaring Currents." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

◇ 'Roaring Currents' racks up 17.6 million views, creating biggest box office hit of all times

Released in 2014, "The Admiral: Roaring Currents," is truly hard to miss when introducing Korea's most-watched movies of all time. The film garnered a total of 17.61 million admissions and ranked first for having the highest number of views within Korean movie history.

It is also hard to deny that the public's interest in Korea's historic hero Yi Sun-sin, as well as the use of the so-called "nationalistic patriotism marketing," which targeted Koreans since the movie was based on the historical "Battle of Myeongnyang" where the Korean Joseon Kingdom navy earned one of its significant victories, played a major role in the movie's box office success.

 

▲ This photo shows moviegoers in a movie theater in Seoul, on Aug. 10, 2014, looking at movie posters for "The Admiral: Roaring Currents." (Yonhap)
In addition, films such as "Ode to My Father," "Battle of Inchon," and "The Battleship Island" that were released afterwards also centered around historical events in Korea, triggering controversy over the so-called "Gukppong" (a derogatory word used to describe a state of excessive pride about one's nation).

One week after "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" was originally released, former President Park Geun-hye and ex-chief of staff Kim Ki-chun visited the movie theaters to watch the film, followed by politicians including Kim Moo-sung from the Liberty Korea Party and late ex-Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of the Democratic Party. This situation was later revealed to the media and Park was also seen to avail oneself of the movie's success with a political color.

 

▲ Former President Park Geun-hye looks at a poster of "Roaring Currents" and related props at a theater in Seoul on Aug. 6, 2014, before watching the movie about Joseon Dynasty naval hero Yi Sun-sin's astonishing victory against Japan in the 16th century. At her left is South Korean actor Ahn Sung-ki. (Yonhap)

During the same year in November, former President Park Geun-hye met with chairman Sohn Kyung-shik of CJ Group, the parent group of CJ Entertainment which was the production company for the film. It was later found out during an investigation process that Park had pointed out CJ Group's broadcasting and film business to be heavily left-leaning and that chairman Sohn protested in response, saying, CJ was also making films for national interest like "The Admiral: Roaring Currents."

However, apart from such controversy, if the film itself had no power and intriguing storyline, it would not have been able to achieve such outstanding box office results.

While some doubt that the screen was virtually monopolized at the time of its release, the theater seats maintained nearly 90 percent occupancy, meaning the film was chosen by an overwhelming majority of the public.

◇ "Your Highness, I still have twelve battleships"
To this day, Admiral Yi Sun-sin still stands as an honored national hero for his significant efforts in repelling the Japanese invasions of Korea during the 1590s. "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" solely focuses on the Battle of Myeongnyang, where Yi Sun-sin faced 330 vessels of the Japanese naval forces, which had invaded Korea again, with only 12 battleships, and earns a national triumph.

 

▲ A statue of the revered Admiral Yi Sun-sin is unveiled at the Naval Academy in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, on Nov. 27, 2015, the country's first that shows him with an arrow and a bow instead of a sword. Yi is most famous for commandeering the Battle of Myeongnyang in 1597, when he fought and won against some 330 Japanese warships with only a dozen of his own. The scholars who participated in making the new statue said the admiral holding an arrow is more accurate, citing references in his war diaries that said he constantly practiced archery and emphasized to his subordinates that it was more important to slay the enemy with an arrow than a sword. (Yonhap)

 

The first half of the film spends a great deal of time and effort in portraying the difficulties ahead of the full-fledged naval battle. Admiral Yi Sun-sin receives torture after being identified as a disgraced commander and deals with conflicts and skepticism on the slim chances of defeating the enemy's large army. Meanwhile, Japan is shown to have strong and ruthless soldiers.

Due to the portrayal of Yi Sun-sin's hardships beforehand, the disappointment felt by Admiral Yi, when the secret weapon he prepared fell through, seemed to be easily conveyed to the audience.

During the second half, the hour-long battle scene, gives the audience a sense of immersion as if they are in the middle of the battlefield.

Recently, South Korea's national team had put up banners with writing that hung on the balconies of their Olympic athletes' village. The message read, "I still have the support of 50 million Korean people," a historical reference to "I still have 12 battleships left," which were words left to King Seonjo by Admiral Yi Sun-sin before he went into battle with Japan in 1597. The banners were later removed at the request of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who said the message could be a political propaganda.

◇ Park Bo-gum and Jin-gu leave impressive performances along with top actor Choi Min-sik
As seen in "Oldboy" and "New World," actor Choi Min-sik, who is second to none in serious acting, plays the exhausted and agonized Admiral Yi Sun-sin.

 

▲ Actor Choi Min-sik poses at a Seoul studio on July 23, 2014, for an interview with Yonhap News Agency. Choi starred in "Roaring Currents," the story of Josean Dynasty Adm. Yi Sun-sin defeating more than 300 Japanese warships, using only 13 ships in one of the world's most dramatic naval battles during Japan's invasion of what is now known as the Korean Peninsula in 1597. (Yonhap)

Although Choi does not smile once in the movie and carries out painful and heavy events throughout, the film also displays an affectionate scene where Yi eats with his son Yi Hoe (acted by Kwon Yul).

Actor Park Bo-gum, who also appeared seven years ago, was eye-catching even though he did not hold a significant role. This was before the actor rose to stardom with tvN's "Reply 1988," however, with his charming smile during the battle scenes, it's hard not to notice Park. Since the 28-year-old actor is currently serving in the Republic of Korea Navy, it seems as if his relationship with the Navy has continued so far through his appearance in the film.
 

▲ South Korean actor Park Bo-gum, who started his mandatory military duty late last month, poses with other Navy recruits at a basic training camp, in this photo captured from the homepage of the Naval Education and Training Command, on Sept. 10, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

▲ South Korean actor Park Bo-gum, who starred in the drama "Encounter," poses for a photo prior to an interview with Yonhap News Agency in Seoul on Jan. 28, 2019. The first episode of the drama was aired by the local cable TV network tvN on Nov. 28. (Yonhap)

Actor Jin-gu, who left a strong military soldier image on the audience as Seo Dae-young in the drama "Descendants of The Sun," also appeared as an exemplary soldier who fulfills his responsibility in "The Admiral: Roaring Currents."

 

▲ South Korean actor Jin-gu, who starred in the drama "Descendants of The Sun, poses for a photo prior to an interview with Yonhap News Agency in Seoul on Mar. 22, 2016. (Yonhap) 

It is also worth paying attention to the actors who play the Japanese military general also known as Admiral Yi's rival. Kim Myung-gon, who plays Todo, was the former Minister of Culture and Tourism while Ryu Seung-ryong and Cho Jin-woong also play other leading roles in several movies that are listed as most-watched in Korea. However, Ryu's Japanese was said to have been very awkward.

◇ Jindo increases in popularity while descendants of Naval commanders accuse film for false narratives
Jindo and Uldolmok, the locations of where the box office hit was filmed, have also been widely known to the public. The Great Battle of Myeongnyang Festival, which is held every September in Jindo county has grown bigger in size as well. In addition at Uldolmok, where the roaring currents contributed to Korea's victory, marine cable cars will be completed and operated in the second half of this year.

 

▲ Local seamen perform a reenactment of the 1597 Battle of Myeongnyang at the battle site near Jindo Island in the ninth Myeongnyang Festival on Sept. 3, 2016. (Yonhap)

 

However, the descendants of Naval commander Bae Seol and Kim Eok-choo, who were portrayed as villains in the film, strongly protested against the production company, saying that what was depicted in the film was not true.

The descendants of Bae Seol later sued director Kim Han-min and distributor CJ E&M for defamation, which the police eventually cleared the charges, while the descendants of Kim Eok-chu protested at The Great Battle of Myeongnyang Festival.

◇ Battle of Hansan and Noryang, the complete trilogy of Yi Sun-sin awaits
Director Kim Han-min was able to direct all three originally planned works related to Admiral Yi Sun-sin, thanks to the success of "The Admiral: Roaring Currents."

 

▲ This photo provided by Lotte Entertainment shows the movie poster for "Hansan," which tells the story of the prequel to the Battle of Myeongnyang. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

▲ South Korean director Kim Han-min of the movie "Roaring Currents," poses for a photo in Seoul on Aug. 18, 2014. The movie was released in South Korea on July 30. (Yonhap)

 

"Hansan," which is the prequel to the Battle of Myeongnyang, follows Yi and the Japanese military's first full-scaled war after the Japanese invasions of Korea or Imjin War. Although the filming was complete last year, the release of "Hansan" was postponed due to COVID-19 and scheduled to be premiered during this summer.

"Hansan" also drew attention as Admiral Yi was acted by actor Park Hae-il and not Choi Min-sik. Also, all eyes are on how the 'Geobukseon' or turtle ship, which was a large Korean warship designed by Yi Sun-sin, will appear after it failed to show its true nature in the previous film.

 

Director Kim finished filming "Noryang" last month, which deals with Admiral Yi Sun-shin's final battle in the winter of 1598, the last year of the Japanese Invasions of Korea since 1592. Actor Kim Yoon-seok will play the role of Yi Sun-shin, which would be fun for the audience to compare the three actors. A number of veteran actors including Baek Yun-shik, Jung Jae-young, and as General Jinlin, and Heo Joon-ho, who are familiar faces to Korean movie fans will appear.

 

 

(END)

 

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