Actor Kim Myung-min (YSS) speaks on Dokdo Issue

[mikey]

Don't know if I missed this elsewhere, but here's an article that appeared on the KBS Global website:

*****
Kim Myung-min Expresses His Opinion on Dokdo Issue

Actor Kim Myung-min, who plays the title role of the KBS epic drama "Yi Sun-shin," has expressed his thoughts on the Dokdo issue. He said he decided to make brief remarks regarding the issue after fellow actors in the drama and the production team suggested that he speak up on Dokdo.

"Japan is still pursuing nationalism. Its looting ambitions are just shielded politically now," said Kim.

Asked what he personally thinks about Yi Sun-shin, Kim said, "I am still not sure but I think he was a perfectionist. He didn't allow even for minor mistakes and cared solely about his nation without pursuing any personal ambitions."

"Back then, he could have conquered Japan's Daema Island, but instead he focused on the safety of ordinary people," added Kim.

*****

Link: english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1346882_11858.html

[ShawScope]

I think it's really bad that they had to drag him into modern political BS, and making him to come out with propaganda like statements.

Though I understand that such show as YSS is itself can be used as political tool for whipping up anti-Japanese feelings

A lot of countries have territorial claims to each other
Japan has claim to Kuril Islands occupied by Russia in WW2.
And I think this incident doesn't make Japan any more imperialistic than North Korea making nukes or China passing a law for conquering Taiwan, or the whole India/Pakistan issue.

Am I the only one on this board who thinks this show sometimes goes overboard with "anti-japanesm"
For example , unnecessary double rape of Mijin ( a fictional character) and her daughter by the Japanese.
The kidnapping at the wedding scene I've found amusing
because I don't think any sane military commander will waste his time and gunpowder shooting up and chasing civilians at wedding.
But it works very well if you want people to feel angry at those Japanese devils.
And overall this show paints them as bloodthirsty savages.
Except maybe Hideyoshi , who's just adorable megalomaniac.
I loved the scene when he says "Should I renovate my room first, or should I conquer the world first"
so far it is my most favorite quote from the show

[JPh]

"And overall this show paints them as bloodthirsty savages."


Well.. back then, they were. It's historically true mid evil Japan was a constant thorn on the side of Chosun. For centuries, Japanese raiders pillaged and killed Chosun villages, especially in coastal areas. Hideyoshi's invasions wiped out almost one quarter of the population in Korea - unheard of in modern times.

But I agree with you overall, they shouldn't use this to politicize this drama. That's sad and unforgivable. Today's Japanese are not like the old days. Let's just enjoy the drama instead of being sucked into something nobody cares about.

[pakyownage4eva]

There may be some bias but how can you not understand it?

When the Japanese invaded anything-Korea, China, they slaughtered innocent civilians and soldiers alike in unbelievably gruesome ways.

I don't think it's exaggeration; it is fact that the Japanese were savage back then.

[ID]

There's a movie that I can recommend to you, if you can handle. "Men Behind the Sun" is a film about an incident involving the Japanese. Similar to the Nazi's, they would use Chinese prisoners as human guinea pigs for sick experiments. The only problem is that this director wanted to make an exploitation film, as much as a chilling history. And he used real cadavers, rather then special effects. So if you can handle, watch it. It will explain in two hours why so many people hate Japan. Also, check out some books on how they treated POWs, and how they treated civilians in China, and Korea.
Even though Japan has changed greatly, there are still many who seek revenge. Remember that this these events took place only fifty years ago.

This is not meant as a racist post, but rather it's just to show those who can't stand why you wouldn't see a single decent Japanese man in this show.

[TheBo]

Guest-ID said:

...it's just to show those who can't stand why you wouldn't see a single decent Japanese man in this show.

Well, I can see why people on both sides of the issue would be upset by these matters, but the fact is, there are "decent" Japanese men shown on this show. Konishi and the teamaster, whatever his name is, for two (I am, of course, way behind most of you because I'm in Chicago, but this is my impression so far). I think this was a time of huge upheaval in Japan, with people trying to consolidate their powers, and as is natural at times like this--be they in Europe at the end of feudalism or Russia at the beginning of Communism--leaders become brutal and cruel. Some leaders are more brutal than others, but don't paint the Japanese with the monster brush when you are ignoring our own uncomfortable histories. (PS to ID - this is not aimed toward you, I just happened to want to reply to part of your thread. This is aimed toward the whole conversation about the Japanese taking place in this forum.)

I'm not trying to shut you down. I'm trying to see if we can have a balanced view of this.

Bo

[ID]

My point was that the Korean directors wouldn't let there be a decent Japanese character, which is likely why they don't have any Japanese actors. Wait untill you see Konishi's true side, your probably a few episodes behind New York

[moreshige]

If you ask me, I think the real YSS would not have cared just like the actor said, "He was just concerned about protecting the nation..." But if YSS were alive today and if Japan sent a "force" to claim Tokdo, I bet he'd be the first to go there to repel them. Otherwise, I think YSS would stay out of this issue and leave it the way things are now (neither korea nor japan's)


Personally, after having seen so many websites and news stories about this issue, I think korea has a much better claim to the islands. However, the way some Koreans reacted to the Japanese stance went a little overboard.

On another note, I would rather see the islets shared rather than claimed by either side. Or else, why can't Japan being a nation almost 2/3 bigger than Korea just cede those rocks and just share the fishing water rights ?

[pakyownage4eva]

give Dokdo to us. our country's small enough

The only decent Japanese man I see is the teamaster.

[JPh]

I think the portrayals of the Japanese were pretty good in my opinion,. actually. They weren't just portrayed as one dimensional killer enemies that you would see in typical Hollywood fashion. Japan is portrayed as a country of brave warriors and samurais. Hideyoshi looks like a lunatic but then that is probably a very accurate portrayal. There was a good Japanese Buddhist monk who tried to prevent Hideyoshi and who died for it. All the Japanese have deep character developments for an enemy class. Korea on the other hand, comes off looking like bunch of idiots, cowards, inept, corrupted, and arrogant. Only Yi Sun Shin and the Prime Minister is portrayed positively.

[moreshige]

hey florel,

Do you get k-drama in France? If so, you seem to be way ahead of the rest of us. Even I'm only up to 56 but that's because I rented them out. Man, I envy you.....

[florel]

moreshige said:

hey florel,

Do you get k-drama in France? If so, you seem to be way ahead of the rest of us. Even I'm only up to 56 but that's because I rented them out. Man, I envy you.....

No, the situation is worse here. K-drama is totally unknown genre. I'm watching it on KBS site with VOD. Not very pleasant.

[pakyownage4eva]

Here in America, I watch it on the korean channel (whatever that is) and tonight (sunday), episode 44 will be on, just when the Chosun navy guys are gonna fight the Japanese spies to see if they are competent enough to handle Japanese on land (they probably aren't).

And after reading that most koreans on the show aren't portrayed that well either in Jph's post, I realized that the bias towards Japanese isn't anything to cry over. Afterall, that Chosunese girl Hong had been conspiring with the Japanese. Whether or not the Japanese are portrayed too much as heartless savages doesn't concern me, because back then, they were brutal. Along with the Imjin War, look up the city of Nanking in China. Need I say more?

[donilpark]

Has anyone heard of the term 'maruta'?
It means log in Japanese, the word used to refer to human medical experiment subjects during WWII.
German atrocity is so well known, partly becasue of the dominance of Western world in the world, but Japanese counterpart is not all that well known.
Movie called The Devil 731 is another one about Japanese human experiment.
If you're interested in this, then try doing a reasearch on 'maruta' and 'unit 731'.
I don't know how much info will be available though. In English, that is. Japan is so good at image making, I am sure people don't pay too much attention or can imagine that such beautiful Japan could have done something as horrifying as that. In fact, Japan is presenting itself as the victim for getting hit by A-bomb.
Even now, what still infuriates Koreans and Chinese as well as many others is that Japan does not show any repentence whatsoever of what they have committed. Their politicians still honour the war criminals and still say things that try to justify and hide their atrocities.
Compare that to Germany's attittude.
After the war, Germany suffered so much destruction, was split into east and west, was made to pay for what they have done. Does this sound familiar? This sounds so much like Korea's situation!!
Japan is the perpetrator and Korea the victim, and yet, Korea is paying for Japan's crimes, even now. Because of political atmosphere at the time, US gave Japan an easy indulgence. Us had to kepp the spread of communism in check in Northeast Asia, and Japan was forgiven so that it could be used as the base for this. Japan did get hit by A-bombs, but all they lost were two cities. If Americans landed on Japan, than more would have been lost. Compare that to Germany or Korea. They only had to make a minimal payment after the war, and in general, they didn't have to suffer anything.
And what's more, their economy grew absorbing the blood shed in Korean war. You know Japan's economic problems prior to the outbreak of Korean war, and there's a famous episode where the prime minister at the time shouted 'Now we're saved!' upon hearing the outbreak of Korean war.
So in short, Japan committed all sorts of crimes, but it's Korea that's paying for this, if you think about it.
From Koreas' point of view, Japan is a parasite that fattened up by sucking blood out of Korea.

Don't wanna get into the atrocities of Imjin war.
But what's depicted in the drama is so much watered down version.
You already know that Japan developed culturally and economically due to this war and that the ceramic technology they stole by kidnapping Korean potters became their major export to the West.

No. Nothing went overboard with anti-japanese thing.

[ID]

donilpark said:

Has anyone heard of the term 'maruta'?
, and partly because of the strength that Jews now have.

Yes you're right. I am a Jew. I know about the seven Jewish bankers, who control all fo the world's money, in a bunker, seven miles under the Earth. I know that Leo Frank was never dragged out of a Georgia prison, by a mob of white trash, and hanged on a tree, because Tom Watson, and all the good baptist leaders claimed that he murdered a thriteen year old girl in his factory. And I know that it wasn't proven that he was innocent, until after his unjust murder. And I know that Tom Watson never became a senator, due to his popularity gained by yelling "hang the jew!" And I know that even though there are only sixteen million Jews, compared to a billion people who believe that a virgin gave birth to the son of god, who for thirty years walked among the dying, and cured them with his magical powers, only to be crucified, and to awaken days after his death, remove the rock that blocked his cave/grave, and ascend to heaven, so that he can wait untill the Vatican bank's cashroll exceeds $999,999,999,999,999, so that he can come back to Earth, and smite the heathens. Jews have so much power, they create an illusion that the world hates them, in order to amass a fortune, used to creat movies about how evil the nazis were.

Not for nothing, but I think you owe me an apology.