Bulmyeolui Lee Soon-shin

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.

Why do people tell us about Nelson or Drake all the time when Yi Soon-sin exists and nobody talks about him? Did any of those admirals win a battle without losing a ship? Did they win 13 boats to 120 to 333 ships? Did they sink 500 ships without losing not even one? Well, Yi Soon-sin does. The first time you hear about him you say that is impossible, I should check this, but when you hear about Hansando, Myeongyang, Sacheon, Okpo, Noryang... But Yi Soon-sin has enemies from Japan:

• Toyotomi Hideyoshi
• Wakizaka Yasuharu
• Todo Takatora
• Konishi Yukinawa

But also enemies in Korea, who sent him to jail: -The Western Faction But some friends: -Sung-Riong And some like Won Kyun who is first a friend and then he sends him to jail. Sometimes the information is not exact.because they invent all Yi Soon-sin's life and not only the battles.

I tell my friends that the best show on TV right now is a 100+ episode costume historical series --in Korean with subtitles-- and they just roll their eyes. But this show is extraordinary. Besides being a gorgeous production, the plotting is tight and fast and the acting absolutely top-notch.

I've watched other Korean historical dramas,including Age of Warriors, which I also enjoyed. (A number of actors overlap between the two series.) Yi Sun Shin seems to me the best of a very good lot. It combines historical sweep and spectacle with human scale story-telling and considerable depth of genuine emotion. It addresses the strength and weaknesses of the monarchy, as well as the day to day lives of Yi Sun Shin's rag-tag navy crews.

Some historians suggest that Yi Sun Shin was a finer naval strategist that Nelson, and this show brings across the kind of genius and self-discipline that makes that claim believable.

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.

The Immortal Yi Soon Shin is no exception. Even if you don't understand a lick of Korean, the dialect, or the culture, the acting is amazing! Not only is the acting exemplary, but the cinematography, uniforms, and action trump any drama in the United States. Watch it, you will love it! In the United States, the show has subtitles, so following the dialogue is no problem. If there were no subtitles, the acting is so prolific that I could probably surmise what is going on in the plot or the individual episode. I am hooked on this gem, and I have been watching it for a long time. Luckily, I found episodes of it online, and I cannot tear myself away from it, except maybe when nature calls.