Episode 82: IYSS vs Zu Jung

[BungalowDweller]

Is there any historical basis to this episode? First we see the Crown Prince threatened by Zu Jung, later we see Yi telling Zu Jung off and finally we see the Crown Prince visiting YSS at the base?

Even if it is all dramatic device, it made for great entertainment!

Final score. . . YSS 10 Zu Jung, nil! ;D

[Alexa]

I love how YSS doesn't back down from what he believes and stands for. Did you see the end of the episode where the Ming Commander pulls out his sword and YSS doesn't even blink? Man that is hardcore! I think the guy playing YSS is doing a great job. I think it's the eyes, he can have the loving and compassionate look, especially when he looks at his soldiers or at the refugees, but when it comes to the enemy, he has this look. It's like when he was staring at the Ming Commander, his eyes were filled with such anger, authority and courage, I just love it ;D
YSS is the man!

[chris from chicago]

I agree with Alexa. And to add, when Yi Soon Shin and the Crown Prince have dinner together. The strength of character when he "eats what his soldiers under him eats." from the very beginning of the war. And when Yi Soon Shin reflects back to Zu Jung, "What would you do if the Japanese tramples your people." Yi Soon Shin fights back with truth ... and the Crown Prince is wise enough to see this and is humbled. Programming such as this is rare. I hope KBC could do more in traditional, historical programming. Chris from Chicago

[Raven]

I too love yss I think we need more men and women of his caliber in the world. He loves his people so much, more than chosun king. It irritates me when they threaten his life because he is trying to help his people. If he doesn't do it who will. They are going to kill him anyways if he doesn't fight so that's why i think he fights anyway. Could you Imagen if he would have been king ;D. I definitely loved it when he didn't even flinch when Zu jung threatened him with the sword. Nerves of steel baby. YSS RULESSSSSSSSSSSSS! ;D

[Choko]

bungalowdweller said:

Is there any historical basis to this episode?

The cease-fire talks between Ming China and Japan were ongoing at that time, so the Chosunese troops had been tied to their military operations by Ming China. Under the name of "negotiation" Japanese troops committed piracy and killed Chosunese people with no hesitation. Ironically, the Chosunese forces could not fight with the Japanese due to the cease-fire talks.


"You are aiming the sword at a wrong direction"

I guess episode 81~82 are based on the YSS's letter to Ming Chinese General Dam Jong-in (March 7, 1594 of the lunar calendar) Here is my translation of some parts of his letter.

You (Dam Jong-in) said in your letter "All Japanese generals are trying to defect. They just want to put up their swords and return to their homeland peacefully. So you Chosunese must not fight with the Japanese any longer. Withdraw your Chosunese warships from around the Japanese bases and go back to your base. Don't give rise to confusion"
However, you know the Japanese forces have made their camps in Uncheon, Kimhae, Dongrae area where are inside Chosun. How could you tell us "Keep away from those Japanese bases" and "Go back to your base"? Where is our base? And where are their bases? All the land they are occupying is within our Chosunese land. You also told us "Don't give rise to confusion" but it is not us but the Japanese that are giving rise to confusion right now. They still commit piracy and do not retreat from the southern coast of our country. They are killing a lot more Chosunese people and plundering a lot more Chosunese towns than before. How can you believe they have a mind to put up their swords and return to their homeland peacefully?

[In Korean]
패문에서 말씀하시기를 "일본의 여러 장수들이 마음을 돌려 귀화하지 않는 자가 없고, 모두 무기를 거두어 군사를 휴식시키며 다들 본국으로 돌아가려고 하니, 너희들도 여러 병선들을 끌고 속히 제 고장으로 돌아가고, 일본 군사들의 진영에 가까이 하여 혼란을 일으키지 말라"고 하셨는데, 왜인들이 거제, 웅천, 김해, 동래 등지에 진을 치고 있는 바, 거기가 모두 다 우리 땅입니다. 그런데 우리에게 "일본 진영에 가까이 가지 말라"는 것은 무슨 말씀이며, 우리에게 속히 "제 고장으로 돌아가라"고 하니 '제 고장'이란 또한 어디 있는 곳인지 알 수 없으며, '혼란'을 일으킨 자도 우리가 아니요 왜인입니다. (중략) 그 흉악한 무리들이 아직도 악행을 거두지 않으며 연해안에 진을 친 채 해가 지나도 돌아가지 않고 여러 곳으로 쳐들어와 살인하고 약탈하기를 전일보다 배나 더한데, 무기를 거두어 바다를 건너 돌아가려는 뜻이 과연 어디 있다 하오리까.

[FlowerLady]

chris said:

The strength of character when he "eats what his soldiers under him eats." from the very beginning of the war. And when Yi Soon Shin reflects back to Zu Jung, "What would you do if the Japanese tramples your people." Yi Soon Shin fights back with truth ... and the Crown Prince is wise enough to see this and is humbled. Programming such as this is rare. I hope KBC could do more in traditional, historical programming.

I agree 100% --------- this kind of intelligent, excellent television is sadly, so very seldom seen on "regular television". No wonder we are more and more addicted to the great Korean dramas (especially the amazing historical productions).

[no2guncntrl]

I have to say I only came on to this show by accident a few months back. Noe my remote is tuned to
Sat and Sun nights 8:00pm and I never miss a beat. In fact I hate to admit this, but I'm starting to figure
out what they are saying and not watching the sub titles so much anymore..I'm out here in SoCal and
like the show a lot. Oh if the left Chosun Navy would only learn about grapeshot for their cannons, how
things would most definitely change regarding the water campaigns..

[Choko]

"At a moonlit night in Hansan island... "

Today, I came up with a good way to distinguish Korean people from other East Asians.
Pick up anyone who looks like a korean, and ask him/her to recite the YSS's poem in ep. 81.
If he/she can't, he/she is not a Korean. hahaha ;D

[alexa unlogged]

what poem?

[chigirl68]

I think Choko is referring to the banner in the headquarters that the crown prince saw. It read something like.
Fight to live and you will die, fight to die and you will live.

[seven stars]

I guess you're not Korean Alexa

I'm only messing with you Lex.

[BungalowDweller]

Thanks for the translation, Choko! It adds another piece of the puzzle for us non-Korean readers!

[Raven]

Do any of you find yourself screaming "fire those cannons" when YSS gives the order. My son and I scream out loud my husband thinks were nuts, but is so much fun. all i can say is "PAMPORAAAAAAAAAAAAA"LOL ;D

[Choko]

sevenstars2 said:

alexa said:

what poem?

I guess you're not Korean Alexa
I'm only messing with you Lex.

I'm happy to see you guys have such a fine sense of humor. LOL ;D

chigirl68 said:

I think Choko is referring to the banner in the headquarters that the crown prince saw. It read something like. Fight to live and you will die, fight to die and you will live.

No, I'm referring to the poem which YSS was reciting at the end of ep. 81.
Do you remember this scene? (or, is this scene edited out in Chicago?)



한산섬 달 밝은 밤에 수루에 홀로 앉아
At a moonlit night in Hansan isalnd, sitting alone in a watchtower

큰 칼 옆에 차고 깊은 시름하던 차에
I'm wearing a big sword in a deep agony

어디서 일성 호가는 남의 애를 끓나니
The sound of a wooden flute makes me distressed.



Sorry for my poor English.
All the delicate nuances of poetic expression were lost in translation.

Anyway, this is the most well-known poem written by YSS. Almost every Koreans can recite it. That's why I said it could be a good way to distinguish Koreans from other Asians.

Imagine how I, as a Korean, felt at the scene.
It's like... Americans watch President Lincoln, in a TV drama, give a speech which ends with "government of the people... by the people... for the people... shall not perish from the earth"

[Alexa]

raven said:

Do any of you find yourself screaming "fire those cannons" when YSS gives the order. My son and I scream out loud my husband thinks were nuts, but is so much fun. all i can say is "PAMPORAAAAAAAAAAAAA"LOL ;D

;D OMG, that is to funny, I do the exact same thing.


Choko is there anywhere I can get the translation of the whole poem?