Bulmyeolui Lee Soon-shin

To tell the truth I knew absolutely nothing about Korea or it's history this time last year,but now I am following the life of one of the greatest men who ever lived.Yi Sun Shin,The man was so unbelievable!The wisdom and intelligence the man had for that day and age was totally remarkable. To fight against all kinds of odds to defend mostly single-handedly the land that he loved,with courage and compassion that has somehow been lost in the passing decades.The care he showed his men and the tenderness he displayed when it was needed,how he never saw himself as more than just a "humble man" speaks volumns about why he is called a hero and why he is called "immortal".If anyone gets a chance to watch this movie or read his War Diaries,please do.

To make things better and for all who have missed some episodes, the DVD set was released on August 17th. If one wants to get more in-depth information about the Admiral Yi Sun Shin, if it is possible locate a copy of a novel called THE SONG OF THE SWORD, which was a best seller in Korea back in 2003 and recalls the life of the admiral, after his arrest and his release. The author was inspired by the autobiography of Yi out of which some real text are used to add some realism to the text. The novel gives you a very deep and broad look at the Stoic character that Yi had. The book is called called El CANTO DE LA ESPADA and was released in other languages. I read my copy in Spanish.

This drama was one of the best if not the best action movie based on a real life hero that I have ever seen! The acting is superb. I don:t know a lot about the actors in this drama or if they are big actors in Korea but they all touched me. Kim-Myoung was outstanding as Yi Soon Shin as were all the other actors in big and small roles.The music is so haunting and the way it was used as the background to the sea and land battles was unreal. The movie also delved into the everyday lives of the people of Chosum as well as into the workings of the King and his court. It is also a story of friendship, determination and love for country that is really the story behind the story. Thank you, this is just the opinion of a Big Fan in Delaware.

This is an amazing show. I do not watch much television, and I am certainly not a fan of war dramas, but this show has my husband and me absolutely riveted. My husband served in the US military and was stationed in Korea, which is why he started watching this series. I couldn't help but get caught up in it myself. The acting, sets, costumes, and filming are all superb. The series focuses on Yi Soon-Shin's extraordinary abilities as a leader of leaders and a canny strategist; it's a refreshing change from the mindless muscle-headed "tough-guy" Hollywood war heroes we're used to seeing. So if you're looking for an Asian Rambo, don't bother with Yi Soon-Shin. But if you are a true history/military buff, you will not be disappointed.

It would be hard to over-praise this magnificent series, and the entire production rose to the high level of Yi Sun Shin himself, the savior of Korea from invasion and oppression who has been called by Western historians "the Lord Nelson of Korea". He was, however, a better man than Nelson in many personal ways.

It's my understanding that this series, like the equally outstanding AGE OF WARRIORS and others, are created for young people as adjuncts to school history classes, which may help explain why the writing, acting, direction, costuming, and production values of the series are outstanding. On occasion the writers drift somewhat from history, but generally only when the details aren't fully known and dramatic license can be taken. As a historian I am persnickety about historical accuracy, and deplore the endless historical errors that have turned films like BRAVEHEART and TITANIC into ridiculous travesties. The televised story of Yi Sun Shin, from childhood to final triumph, is true to the meaning and purpose of this incredible man's courageous life story, and that's what counts.

Many Americans will be astonished to see that this series idealizes social justice and deplores the defects of autocratic government to a far greater degree than any current U.S. TV series, which look frivolous by comparison. It should make us thoughtful when we must watch a program made in Korea to learn lessons about democracy and economic equality.