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Korean Heroes Is Back

Korean Heroes Is Back

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It has been ages since I have posted anything, so long that I have almost lost track of what was happening!  However, we are now back in the thick of things as Yi Sun-sin bravely leads the Korean navy into battle against the Japanese in his second campaign of 1592.  This 30 odd minute episode is actually only the first half of the sixth installment and covers the Battle of Sacheon where Yi Sun-sin once again risks his life for his king and country.  The second half is forthcoming and will include the rest of the second campaign.  Enjoy!

 

Korean Heroes – Yi Sun-sin Episode 6

The Next Episode

The Next Episode

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The picture above was taken in Sejong City at the newly constructed government complex in 2016.  I was pleasantly surprised to see this glass-encased model outside the classroom.

The next podcast episode is finally in the works as Yi Sun-sin gets the go ahead from Seoul, I mean Pyongyang, I mean… Where is King Seonjo again?  It doesn’t really matter at this point because for better or for worse Yi Sun-sin is off the leash.  With the freedom to act as he sees fit he will embark on the second campaign of 1592.  It includes three battles, starting with the Battle of Sacheon.  In these encounters the future Admiral’s true genius will start to reveal itself as he uses clever deception and formations to take down his Japanese counterparts.  Stay tuned for Episode 6: Hook, Line and Sinker.

 

Yi Sun-sin: Episode 5 – Catch a Tiger by the Tail

Yi Sun-sin: Episode 5 – Catch a Tiger by the Tail

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It’s been awhile, but it is high time we got back into the story of the immortal Yi Sun-sin.  The main narrative, including his first naval encounter is set to begin.  He has been preparing for this moment since the moment his was promoted.  He has now been presented with what many historians and politicians refer to as “a crisis of opportunity.”  He is in complete control of the last organized military resistance in Korea.  No one is expecting any sort of offensive maneuver, not even the Joseon ministers themselves.  However, armed with the confidence born of extreme dedication and purpose, and burning with the desire to avenge and punish, Yi Sun-sin somehow maintains his composure as he advances through the island chains and jagged coastlines of southern Korea toward the Japanese menace.

Presenting episode 5, where Yi Sun-sin’s true genius is put on display.  Prepare yourself for the real debut of the Korean god of war, the greatest hero in Korean history: 충무공 (The Duke of Loyalty and Warfare) Admiral Yi Sun-sin.

Yi Sun-sin: Episode 5 – Catch a Tiger by the Tail

 

Yi Sun-sin Episode 4 : Turtle Ships to the Rescue!

Yi Sun-sin Episode 4 : Turtle Ships to the Rescue!

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First of all, Happy National Liberation Day!  In Korea, August 15th commemorates the Allied victory over Japan, which led to Korea’s independence from the Japanese Empire and the end of colonial rule.  The name of the day in Korean (한글) is: 광복절.  That literally means “Light Return Day.”  In other words, the day the light returned.  A cool name for a holiday!  Enjoy yourselves, whatever you do, and celebrate freedom!

The holiday is actually tomorrow, but the 4th episode is ready today, so here it is:

Korean Heroes – Yi Sun-sin Episode 4 – Turtle Ships to the Rescue

In this episode I discuss the Korean and Japanese navies and I generally describe the first days of the Imjin War.  Yi Sun-sin takes up his new position as Commander of the Jeolla Left Navy.  This episode is about 50 minutes in length and took a lot of effort on my part.  I hope to set up the RSS feed for the Korean Heroes Podcast tomorrow (August 15th), but no promises!  I’m pretty happy with the way the recording went, keeping it rough and raw for the most part suits my style, my ability and my equipment.  I’m going to set up an SNS link for this site too, if everything goes well.  Feedback is welcome, you can comment on this blog or contact me by email (just click on the contact information at the top of the page).  Here are some screenshots of turtle ships (not my own I lost them…).  I’ll have to start a new game when I have the time, but in the meantime have a look at the ones I pilfered!

 

AOE2Turtle_ship2

 

AOE2 Turtleship1

 

AOE2Turtleshipgroup

 

 

 

Turtle Ships Part I

Turtle Ships Part I

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Episode Four – Turtle Ships

  It’s been forever since I’ve managed to get anything uploaded so, I’m taking a new approach:  Record and publish and to hell with perfectionism!  Just kidding, I am still going to polish each episode before I subject it to the scrutiny of the internet, not only for my own sake, but for Yi Sun-sin’s!  You will notice that this upload needs some serious work still; for example, around the 10 minute mark I start rambling about diving in turtle ships, and this will have to be edited out or replaced, but I’ve decided to go ahead put it up anyway as I promised an episode about A MONTH AGO!  This episode will no doubt be the longest one to date and it will the first to be tested on my podcast feed.  However, I’m still going to upload it in chunks, as I have done so far, so that older listeners can preview it as I get it ready.  This blog needs some love!
  I’m not sure if it’ll be three or four chunks when it is finally done, but here is the first one. The idea is to get them all done and then add them all to the RSS feed as a whole.  I’ve decided to keep all of the old stuff as is, and use this blog as sort of a record of the somewhat frustrating, but ultimately satisfying learning process.  I will replace this upload with a better version as soon as I can.  Feedback is always welcome.

Espisode 4 – Yi Sun-sin – Turtle Ships to the Rescue Part I

*Editing and additional effects to follow. Thanks for listening!
  P.S. If I can’t find that screenshot from AOE2, I’ll have to start a new game and take another.  I formatted my computer and it has gone missing.  In the mean-time, here is another illustration of Korean turtle ship, schematics included.
Turtle Ships to the Rescue!

Turtle Ships to the Rescue!

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It has been a long time since I produced an episode, and I apologize for that, the delay was due to injury and personal business. For those of you who kept checking and waiting… Thank you! For those of you who harassed me over the first few months saying, “Where are the turtle ships?!” They are coming, and you have inspired the title of the fourth episode! Episode 4: Turtle Ships to the Rescue is in the works. Check back next weekend for the upload (the podcast feed is finally getting set up as well)!  Below is a picture of a Turtle ship from the Korean War Museum in Seoul:

Korean Heroes- Turtle Ship Seoul War Memorial Museum

Yi Sun-sin Episode 3 : Rebel With a Cause – Part II

Yi Sun-sin Episode 3 : Rebel With a Cause – Part II

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Let’s wrap up Yi Sun-sin’s northern campaign with the shocking destruction of a tribe of invading Jurchen and a dramatic rescue of captive soldiers!

Korean Heroes- Yi Sun Shin Attack

The picture above is a scene from Onrie Kompan’s Yi Soon Shin Warrior and Defender

Unfortunately, in the midst of these moments of triumph; Yi Sun-sin’s father will pass away and his military career will be put on hold while he spends the customary three years in his hometown mourning his loss.  While he is absent, his political enemies will look for ways to taint his reputation and set traps for him as soon  as he returns, but the incorruptible Yi Sun-sin will persevere through it all.  Tune in to:

Yi Sun-sin – Episode 3 Part II

 

An Update on the tale of Yi Sun-sin Episode 3

An Update on the tale of Yi Sun-sin Episode 3

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I have completed recording and editing episode 3 and it has turned out to be long enough to split into two parts, as I am trying to keep each episode under 25 minutes and under 25 Megabytes so that you can choose to stream it rather than download it. I have been searching desperately for more sources that will give me more insight into Yi Sun-sin’s early military career in the army, but I came up empty-handed. Of course as soon as I finished my recording I discovered this possible treasure of information: An English translation of “Imjin Changch’o, Admiral Yi Sun Shin’s Memorials to the Court” which includes “The Biography of Yi Sun Shin by Yi Pun,” Admiral Yi’s nephew. My heart lept and broke at the same time. I was very pleased with the recording as I thought it was an improvement in almost every way from the first two episodes, so I think I am going to release them anyways. Hopefully in 5-10 business weeks my primary sources will arrive and I will be able to edit, fill-in, verify or disprove my speculations with the words of the Admiral or his nephew. Until then, enjoy the story-telling and take the battlefield scenario for what it is, a reconstruction based on general details. I’ll be uploading episode 3 Part I tomorrow night, Tuesday, April 12th 2016 after going over it one more time. Thank you for dropping by, supporting the show and for continuing to listen to the podcast as it evolves and improves.

Korean Heroes - Imjin Changch'o.jpg

Imjin Changch’o, Admiral Yi Sun Shin’s Memorials to the Court: Korean National Treasure No. 74

The 과거 National Examinations: The Joseon 무과 Military Examination

The 과거 National Examinations: The Joseon 무과 Military Examination

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In the first installment of the Yi Sun-sin series, I mentioned the 과거 -more specifically known as the 신녕무과 military examination, that Yi Sun-sin had to take twice because of a mishap during the third portion of the test, in which he had to demonstrate his horsemanship. I imagine the actual examination was a little less colourful and theatrical than what you will see in the video below, but you get the idea. For those of you unfamiliar with the challenges Yi Sun-sin faced both before and after he broke his leg, here is a short sample of a re-enactment from a present day traditional village:

Korean Horsemanship – Third Stage

 

Yi Sun-sin: Episode 1 – Born to Be Brave

Yi Sun-sin: Episode 1 – Born to Be Brave

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Yi Sun-sin was born the fourth son of a little known nobleman in Hanyang (Seoul), Joseon (Korea) in 1545. When he was a child in the mid 16th century it was relatively calm on the peninsula, but it did not begin or end that way. Soon the future of Korea would be hanging by a thread and it would be desperate for heroes. Little did he know that his determination to pursue a life in the military would put him in position to alter the course of history for his people and for Asia. This first episode in the Yi Sun-sin series of the Korean Heroes podcast is the story of this great man’s humble beginnings as we set the stage for the Japanese invasion of 1592: The Imjin War.

korean heroes mounted archer

 

The file is available to stream or download through the link below and the podcast feed will be available soon! Thank you for your patience and support.

Yi Sun-sin: Episode 1 – Born to Be Brave