Korean soldiers uniforms are in rags

[donilpark]

Funny thing I noticed, as the show progresses, Korean soldiers' uniforms and other costumes gradually fall apart that now, with two more episode to go, they are virtually all in dirty rags.
On the other hand, Japanese soldiers' uniforms are the way they were since the beginning.
It's funny to see the contrast between super strong fabrics and those clothes sewn up over and over.
They rented the Japanese costumes and armours from Japan, so that's probably why they can't damage them.

[ginnycat5]

Two episodes to go? Where are you watching? I thought there were about 20 more (in Chicago).

Maybe the difference in condition of uniforms was deliberate. Might the raggedy appearance mean that the Koreans were poor and had to make do with what they had? And the Japanese seemed to have unlimited financial support, so they could be spiffy? Your interpretation in interesting, though, it breaks the fourth wall of television and brings in the real world.

[donilpark]

I'm in Canada, but I'm downloading latest episodes and watching them.

But then, even in difficult situations Japanese soldiers' uniforms are generally in better shape.
Still what you're saying could be it as well. That crossed my mind too.

[Daemado]

I'd guess ragged uniforms actually cost than shiny new costumes, in the same way that a ragged T-shirt from Abercrombie (racist jerks) costs four times as much as a new one from Wal-Mart.

It's unfortunate though that the Japanese in IYSS are shown always in pristine wrinkle-proof polyester. My impression is that the invaders suffered greatly from disease, hunger and cold during the winter of 1592-93, finally retreating to Busan as a ragged, starving mob. With the sea supply routes cut by Chungmu-gong the Japanese had to leave fortified towns to forage for food in the countryside, leaving them open to attack by the volunteer armies. I had hoped to see something similar to Napoleon's retreat from Moscow in "War and Peace" but I was disappointed.