Post by sageuk on Apr 8, 2011 18:35:56 GMT -5
I had rewatched around 52% of Immortal Yi Soon Shin. I remember when I loved this drama. Kim Myung min is still fantastic as the Admiral, but I shouldn't neglect the rest of the cast, should I? Whenvever the drama works, it works. At the time I first saw this years before, I was under the impression it was perfect. Rewatching it however, now that I have a more critical mind, I realized there are noticeable faults with this drama. And no, it isn't just the Japanese and historical inaccuracies which Koreans (I'm Korean American) whined and bitched about, which I will talk about later.
One thing I find questionable for the most part is the writing. I've noticed that there are several moments in which they are cheap. For example, when younger Yi is out hiding in his future wife's house, the Baron pursuing him goes to her room where we last saw Soon Shin, and we never do see him in the area. After the Baron leaves, the next scene shows them bandaging Soon Shin up. Don't you wonder where the heck he was hiding when the Baron barged in? I always thought he was hiding under her skirt, but its never even hinted at. Heck at least in the nuke the fridge scene in Indy 4, they show you how the hero escapes, as far fetched as it is, but I digress. And what about when he acts dumb once he's assigned the Left Jeolla Commander position? Why does he do that?
Also, characters seem to be easily swayed by pep talks. Yi Soon SHin convinces Yi Il to change his strategy (can't remember what it was) regarding the Jurchens and Yi Il realizes Soon SHin is right, which is funny because earlier he wouldn't listen to a damn word he said earlier. Don't forget Kim Wan with his friend, Uh Young-dam. Of course, Yi Soon Shin's motivational speeches is an understandable exception to this, since that is his job and part of his character.
And now the Chun-su subplot, oh boy, just thinking about it makes me cringe. Not only is that subplot a complete distraction, but its really painful to sit through. Some people have defended this saying that it reflects on a decaying society. While I can see their point, I can't help but feel that it overemphasizes this. Don't we see incompetent officials throughout the entire series? Especially during the early episodes and the negotiations with the Japanese. I think all that sums it up. I heard that originally Chun-su was going to repent and donate his money to fund for weapons prior to the battle of Myeongryang. There's this one cliche I really hate in dramas. Coincidences. They always have that artificial and frustrating feel to them. That's why I grew irritated with Youngpo's coincidental blunders in Jumong. Besides, I think it would have been redundant had they constantly kept using him to solve the problems for the characters, reducing him yo a plot device rather than an actual character. What makes me angrier is that he suddenly disappears. It isn't just the fact that it left a plothole, but the fact I never got to see his dead body on the ground.
Speaking of disappears, some characters have a habit of disappearing, mostly the minor ones. The magistrate and his son never appear nor are they mentioned again, which bugs me (though on the bright side they lost in the end)-I keep wondering if the actors being unavailable at the time had something to do with this. And Chohee, Mijin's daughter. The original idea was to have her as another love interest for the admiral, but it was scrapped due to it being considered creepy. And I'm glad they scrapped that. I know that historically, Yi Soon Shin had two concubines, but it wouldn't have added to the drama, not to mention the dramas can do well without romance.
I should also mention Nalbal. I liked Nalbal alot more when he was a little kid. I did NOT care for him as an adult. He just stands there and looks cool.
Perhaps one of the most controversial artistic licenses next to the depiction of Won Gyun was the sinking of the turtle ship. I know that dramas require drama, but there has to be a legitimate reason for it. There never seemed to be a legitimate reason to sink the turtleship other than for the sake of creating tension. Then again, earlier, one of them was concerned about stability with the ship due to the iron, so the criticisms may or may not be valid. Nobody complained when the Untouchables, historically, were never killed though in the film
After this rant, it seems like I'm hating on this drama, but I didn't . I'm simply pointing out some of the flaws regarding this one. I still think its good.
Regarding Won Gyun, I defended him before saying that "Historical dramas with artistic license tend to be more of a metaphorical truth rather than factual truth. The way he saw it, portraying Won Gyun as starting out as a noble man was supposed to show the potential of good human beings had. It's true. Human beings do have the potential to be good.". I also add that he seems to be a symbol of the negative aspects of human beings, but it could also be said because of this, he becomes more of a symbol rather than a actual character. Depending on your perspective, it could also be somewhat dumbing it down from the real history.
Also, DYC, what was the child Yi SOon SHin like? Does Yu SOng RYong ever describe it in Jinbirok?
EDIT: Alos, don't people feel that after the backstory episodes, it feels like an entirely different drama has started?
One thing I find questionable for the most part is the writing. I've noticed that there are several moments in which they are cheap. For example, when younger Yi is out hiding in his future wife's house, the Baron pursuing him goes to her room where we last saw Soon Shin, and we never do see him in the area. After the Baron leaves, the next scene shows them bandaging Soon Shin up. Don't you wonder where the heck he was hiding when the Baron barged in? I always thought he was hiding under her skirt, but its never even hinted at. Heck at least in the nuke the fridge scene in Indy 4, they show you how the hero escapes, as far fetched as it is, but I digress. And what about when he acts dumb once he's assigned the Left Jeolla Commander position? Why does he do that?
Also, characters seem to be easily swayed by pep talks. Yi Soon SHin convinces Yi Il to change his strategy (can't remember what it was) regarding the Jurchens and Yi Il realizes Soon SHin is right, which is funny because earlier he wouldn't listen to a damn word he said earlier. Don't forget Kim Wan with his friend, Uh Young-dam. Of course, Yi Soon Shin's motivational speeches is an understandable exception to this, since that is his job and part of his character.
And now the Chun-su subplot, oh boy, just thinking about it makes me cringe. Not only is that subplot a complete distraction, but its really painful to sit through. Some people have defended this saying that it reflects on a decaying society. While I can see their point, I can't help but feel that it overemphasizes this. Don't we see incompetent officials throughout the entire series? Especially during the early episodes and the negotiations with the Japanese. I think all that sums it up. I heard that originally Chun-su was going to repent and donate his money to fund for weapons prior to the battle of Myeongryang. There's this one cliche I really hate in dramas. Coincidences. They always have that artificial and frustrating feel to them. That's why I grew irritated with Youngpo's coincidental blunders in Jumong. Besides, I think it would have been redundant had they constantly kept using him to solve the problems for the characters, reducing him yo a plot device rather than an actual character. What makes me angrier is that he suddenly disappears. It isn't just the fact that it left a plothole, but the fact I never got to see his dead body on the ground.
Speaking of disappears, some characters have a habit of disappearing, mostly the minor ones. The magistrate and his son never appear nor are they mentioned again, which bugs me (though on the bright side they lost in the end)-I keep wondering if the actors being unavailable at the time had something to do with this. And Chohee, Mijin's daughter. The original idea was to have her as another love interest for the admiral, but it was scrapped due to it being considered creepy. And I'm glad they scrapped that. I know that historically, Yi Soon Shin had two concubines, but it wouldn't have added to the drama, not to mention the dramas can do well without romance.
I should also mention Nalbal. I liked Nalbal alot more when he was a little kid. I did NOT care for him as an adult. He just stands there and looks cool.
Perhaps one of the most controversial artistic licenses next to the depiction of Won Gyun was the sinking of the turtle ship. I know that dramas require drama, but there has to be a legitimate reason for it. There never seemed to be a legitimate reason to sink the turtleship other than for the sake of creating tension. Then again, earlier, one of them was concerned about stability with the ship due to the iron, so the criticisms may or may not be valid. Nobody complained when the Untouchables, historically, were never killed though in the film
After this rant, it seems like I'm hating on this drama, but I didn't . I'm simply pointing out some of the flaws regarding this one. I still think its good.
Regarding Won Gyun, I defended him before saying that "Historical dramas with artistic license tend to be more of a metaphorical truth rather than factual truth. The way he saw it, portraying Won Gyun as starting out as a noble man was supposed to show the potential of good human beings had. It's true. Human beings do have the potential to be good.". I also add that he seems to be a symbol of the negative aspects of human beings, but it could also be said because of this, he becomes more of a symbol rather than a actual character. Depending on your perspective, it could also be somewhat dumbing it down from the real history.
Also, DYC, what was the child Yi SOon SHin like? Does Yu SOng RYong ever describe it in Jinbirok?
EDIT: Alos, don't people feel that after the backstory episodes, it feels like an entirely different drama has started?