The Admiral: Roaring Currents

- Press Kit -
GENERAL INFORMATION

Title: The Admiral: Roaring Currents

Genre: Historical War Action

Language: Korean with English subtitles

Running Time: 127 min

Rating: NR by MPAA

Director: KIM Han-min

Cast: CHOI Min-sik (as admiral Yi)

RYU Seung-ryong (as Gurujima)
CHO Jin-woong (as Wakijaka)
KIM Myung-gon (as Dodo)
Jin-gu (as Lim Joon-young)
LEE Jung-hyun (as Lady Jung)

Presented by: CJ Entertainment

Produced by: Big Stone Pictures

Distributed by: CJ Entertainment

Original Release: 07/30/2014

US Release: 08/15/2014
Homepage: www.cj-entertainment.com
PROLOGUE: THE BATTLE OF MYEONG-NYANG
What is Myeong-Nyang?

Myeong-Nyang is the legendary naval battle that occurred during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1597. On the
16th of September in 1597, Admiral Yi Sun-shin won the battle at Myeong-Nyang Sea with only 12 battleships
against 330 Japanese battleships. This battle is considered one of Yi’s most significant victory because he
defeated the Japanese without his famous Turtle Ships, which brought him victories in previous battles.

SYNOPSIS
Year 1597, Joseon Dynasty has been under Japanese attack for six years. As the nation faces possibility of loss with the Japanese
military charging fearlessly to the capital of the nation, Admiral YI is reappointed as the Chief of Naval Operations and assembles
a group of soldiers to defend the nation against Japanese attack. Japanese Chief Commander Kurushima (RYU Seung-ryong),
notorious for his cruel personality and clever strategies, respond by destroying Joseon's one last hope, the Turtle Ship. With just
12 battleships and an army of doubtful soldiers, Admiral YI and his soldiers face 330 Japanese battleships in The Battle of
Myeong-Nyang.
PRODUCTION NOTE
South Korea's Greatest Actor, CHOI Min-Sik, Returns as Historical Hero

As much as Admiral YI is recognized to have changed Korean history, CHOI Min-sik is known to have transformed Korean film.
From his success in Old Boy (2003) to upcoming release with Scarlett Johansson in Lucy (2014), his wide variety of performance
has risen him to worldwide recognition. This time, he is returning as a historical figure who leads the outnumbered Joseon navy
into victory. The Battle of Myeong-nyang is widely recognized in Korean history so in order to perfectly convey Admiral YI's
character, CHOI Min-Sik went through six months of intensive training and study on YI's historical background to bring out even
the smallest details for the movie.

Admiral Yi Sun-Shin is the most respected admiral known for his bravery and courage that freed Joseon Dynasty from Japanese
rule. As a navy commander, he stood up against many Japanese admirals, never giving up on a fight. Through many of his
battles, his most astonishing victory is The Battle of Myeong-nyang. By making the impossible into possible, he displayed true
meaning of leadership and demonstrated what it means to turn fear into courage.

“He is the one that I am afraid of the most; hate the most; like the most; adore the most; want to kill the most;
and want to have the tea with the most.”
- Japanese commander Wakijaka Yasuharu

“Admiral Yi can control the world with his skills, and he is the savior of Joseon Dynasty.”
- Myung Dynasty commander Jin-Ryun

"If you strive to live, you will surely die. If you intend to die, you shall live."
- Admiral Yi Sun-Shin

Battle of Myeong-Nyang: One of the Greatest Naval Battles in History

Battle of Myeong-nyang is widely known for being one of the top naval battles in all of history. To declare victory against an
outnumbered army is a significant accomplishment and The Admiral: Roaring Currents director, KIM Han-min, wanted to
recreate just that. In order to reconstruct the most victorious battle, director KIM Han-min focused on historical events as well as
lifestyles of Joseon Dynasty. Director KIM is already acknowledged for his in-depth researches and studies on historical events
from his previous title War of the Arrows. For The Admiral: Roaring Currents, he read and studied every single entry of the War
Diary of Admiral Yi in order to understand Admiral Yi and also to portray realistic war environments just as they were in 1597.
PRODUCTION NOTE
Large Scale Production Creates Authentic Battle Scenes

With a 15 million production budget, KIM created a large scale production set that would further support his strategically
planned designs. KIM's intention for creating a large scale set was to make the environment almost identical to the actual event.
Eight life-size ships were produced for the fight scenes between Korea and Japan to give realistic effects that video graphics are
incapable of constructing. The Korean battleships were built with authentic material that was used during the actual battle. For
Japanese battleships, crew members had to visit various history museums in Japan, including one in Nagoya, to
accurately build the ships. After the blueprint was finished, production designers sent it over to the Japanese
museum for verification. The historians there were in awe of the historical accuracy contained in the blueprints.

A special gimbal was set up to capture 360 degrees of footage in every axis for the scenes. Special equipment such as water
canons were used to create effects during Joseon's battle scenes against the Japanese. KIM also spent great detail on costume
designs. For maximum accuracy, Korean armor was created in Korea while Japanese armor was made in Japan; Kurushima's
costume alone cost $28,000. Top group of professionals came together to build the best lighting, cinematography, music,
costumes, and makeup for one great masterpiece.
The Admiral: Roaring Currents sets itself apart from all other historical action movies by emerging as one of the most meticulous
production to re-enact the Battle of Myeong-nyang.
CAST AND CHARACTERS
YI SUN-SHIN, THE GREATEST ADMIRAL OF JOSEON WHO STOOD AGAINST ALL ODDS

“As the duty of Admiral, I must follow fidelity

and fidelity must follow the people.”

With outstanding strategy and firm belief, Admiral Yi had the leadership to command and order Joseon Navy. Admiral Yi had
become discharged due to false accusations but returns to his rightful position to lead the Joseon Navy and save the nation
from danger. After the last turtle ship turned into ashes, Admiral Yi falls into great despair. However, he carries the last 12 ships
remaining into battle for the sake of Joseon dynasty.

CAST | CHOI Min-sik

CHOI Min-sik showed his charisma through numerous blockbusters such as, Lucy, Old Boy, Lady Vengeance, New World and
more. He caught the audience’s attention as he played different characters such as a serial killer in I Saw the Devil or a veteran
detective in New World. CHOI, who created new image of Admiral Yi, said “It was my fate to act out Admiral Yi's character. I did
everything I could so I wouldn't disgrace his name...” CHOI’s emotional connection with the character supplemented to the
building of Admiral Yi's brave charater in the film.

Filmography

Film Lucy (2014) New World (2013) Nameless Gangster: Rule of Time (2012)
I Saw the Devil (2010) Lady Vengeance (2005) Old Boy (2003)

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Awards 2012 6 Asia Pacific Film Awards Best Actor Nameless Gangster: Rule of Time (2012)
2003 Cannes Film Festival Director’s Award Old Boy (2003)
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2001 4 Deauville Asian Film Festival Best Actor Failan (2001)
CAST AND CHARACTERS

THE CLEVER COLD-BLOODED JAPANESE MERCENARY ‘KURUSHIMA'

“Joseon will burn to the ground tonight”

A former pirate, Japanese Mercenary Kurushima had naval battle experience. Doyotomi Hideyoshi hired Kurushima to fight
Battle of Myeong-Nyang and defeat Admiral Yi's army. Kurushima joined to take over Joseon and seek revenge on Admiral Yi,
who killed his brother during the previous naval battle. Kurushima went forward with the attack against Joseon when the rest of
the Japanese Navy feared Admiral Yi.

RYU Seong-ryong

Ryu Seung-Ryong striked the box office with many different characters such as the commander in War of the Arrow, King's right
hand man in Masquerade and even a disabled father in Miracle in the Cell No. 7. Ryu Seung-Ryong once again presents a fierce
performance to the audience and intensifies the story through the role Kurushima.

Filmography

Film Guest (2015) Target (2014) Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013)

Masquerade (2012) All about My Wife (2012) War of the Arrow (2011)

Awards 2013 Mnet 20’s Choice Movie Star Award Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013)
2013 4th KOFRA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor All about My Wife (2012)
2012 33rd Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Supporting Actor All about My Wife (2012)
2012 49th Grand Bell Awards Best Supporting Actor Masquerade (2012)
2011 19th Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards Best Actor War of the Arrow (2011)
CAST AND CHARACTERS

DEFEATED JAPANESE GENERAL, WAKIZAKA

“Do not underestimate the ability of YI Sun-shin”

Japanese General Wakizaka, a feudal lord who fought under many warlords, is known to have participated in numerous battles
around the Korean peninsula. He fought against Admiral Yi several times and while Wakizaka planned to seek revenge, he still
acknowledged Admiral Yi’s great skills in battle.

CAST | CHO Jin-woong

CHO Jin-woong made a strong impression through the film Nameless Gangster: Rule of Time and Suspect X. He further
deepened the plot with his character, Wakizaka, who eagerly seeks vengeance on Admiral Yi.

Filmography

Film Kundo: Age of the Rampant (2014) Suspect X (2012) Nameless Gangster: Rule of Time (2012)
Perfect Game (2011)
CAST AND CHARACTERS
LADY JUNG
“Please take good care of yourself and come home safe.”

The daughter of an artillery craftman master, Lady Jung lost her entire family to the Japanese military and became speech-
impaired. She tried to get herself killed a few times, but when she was saved from the watcher Im Joon-young, she stayed by his
side and became his wife. When he leaves for battle, she silently awaits the return of her loved one.

CAST | LEE Jung-hyun

LEE was formerly recognized for her outstanding performance in the movie A Petal. She is also a singer who ranks every top
chart in Asia with her phenomenal stage performance and music. In the recent movie, Juvenile Offender, she proved her skillful
acting skills and was highly praised from literary critics. In The Admiral: Roaring Currents, LEE shows a bit more experienced
acting as Lady Jung, which adds more dynamic foundation to the movie.

Filmography

Film Juvenile Offender (2010) Night Fishing (2011) Harpy (2000) Chimhyang (2000)
A Petal (1996)

Drama Confucius (2011) King Sejong the Great (2008) Rondo(2006) Beautiful Days (2001)
Seven Spoons (1996)

Awards 2012 7th Hua Ding Awards- Best International Artist Award
2005 12th Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards- Hallyu All Star Award
1996 16th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards- Best New Actress Award
1996 Blue Dragon Film Awards- Best New Actress Award
1996 Grand Bell Awards- Best Actress Award
CAST AND CHARACTERS
JOSEON'S SACRED WATCHER, IM JOON-YOUNG

Joseon's loyal soldier that stood beside Admiral Yi during The Battle of Myeong-nyang. He secretly spied on the Japanese army
to find out their attack plans and was the key watcher for the Joseon army. He worked beside Admiral Yi and displayed his
devotion through action more than words.

CAST | Jin-Gu
Known for his characters in Mother (2009) and The Target (2014), Jin-Gu is widely accepted as a talented actor that has the
ability to absorb many different types of characters. As IM Joon-young in The Admiral: Roaring Currents, he is a man of few
words, but his passion for his country is greater than anything else.

Filmography

Film The Target (2014) Moby Dick (2011) Le Grand Chef 2 The Kimchi Battle (2010)
Mother (2009) Truck (2008) The Epitaph (2007)

Drama Ad Genius Lee Tae Baek (2013) Spotlight (2008) All In (2003)

Awards 2008 31st Golden Cinematography Awards- Best New Actor The Epitaph (2007)
2009 46th Daejong Film Awards- Best Supporting Actor Mother (2009)
2009 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards- Best Supporting Actor Mother (2009)
CAST AND CHARACTERS
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

KIM Han-min

“The Admiral: Roaring Currents started from the curiosity of how 12 battleships could win against 330
battlehships. I believe this film is full of victorious and exciting elements that would show how Admiral Yi won
in the impossible battle. I hope this story of the Maritime miracle would deeply touch the audience and give
hope and courage to the people.”

Dirctor KIM Han-min was first recognized from his debut project Paradise Murdered in 2007 for his unique idea, thrilling
storyline, as well as his brilliant directing skills. He won numerous highly acclaimed awards for his directing and screenwriting in
Korea and gained favorable comments from the critics. In 2011, KIM proved his true skills through the film, War of the Arrow
(2011), which brought in 7.5 million admissions in Korea alone. He created his own action/history genre based on the topic of
arrows, which was never utilized in the Korean film before. Director KIM, who never failed to meet the expections of the
audience with his remarkable plans, recreated the greatest naval battle in the history of Korea and brought it to the big screen.
KIM said, “If War of the Arrow was about the second Manchu invasion of Korea with a deep focus on one war weapon, The
Admiral: Roaring Currents is like the better, upgraded version of War of the Arrow with a focus on individual characters and epic
fight scenes to illustrate the greatest naval battle known in Korean history.”

Filmography

Film War of the Arrow (2011) director, writer Handphone (2009) director, writer
Paradise Murdered (2007) director, writer

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Awards 2011 20 Buil Film Award Special Award – Buil Reader’s Choice Award War of the Arrow (2011)
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2011 12 Korea Congress Grand Award – Film Section War of the Arrow (2011)
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2007 28 Blue Dragon Award – Screenplay Award Paradise Murdered (2007)
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2007 28 Blue Dragon Award – New Director Award Paradise Murdered (2007)