In this reproduction of one of the greatest battles in Korean history, Choi Min-sik plays General Yi Sun-sin, who defeated 330 ships of the Japanese force with only a dozen ships. The first half of this film outlines the desperate situations facing the Korean naval forces, while the 61-minute battle scenes portray the naval warfare and the incredible victory. Even with most naval forces being destroyed, General Yi wants to fight on the sea with the remaining force, but the King orders him to join the army instead. The general’s subordinates also believe that they do not have a chance to win. When his secret weapon, the Turtle Ship, is burnt down by a traitor, General Yi decides to use the whirlwind of the southern sea. The famous general’s personal victory, coupled with the sacrifice of his subordinates and ordinary people who help him win the battle, contributed to the wildly positive response from the Korean audience. Breaking every box-office record of Korean cinema, this blockbuster has attracted more than 17 million viewers thus far. (NAM Dong-chul)