FULL YI SUN-SIN Seoul 2025 Kim Ji-ho, Han Kyung-seok, Lee In-hak

Information on the Performance

• Work Title: Yi Sun-sin The Great Encounter between Yi Sun-sin and Ryu Seong-ryong  
• Composer: Yang Jae-moo  
• Libretto:  Libretto Text, Libretto Index
• Venue & Opera Company: National Theater, Haeoreum Grand Theater, Seoul, South Korea  
• Recorded: April 26, 2025
• Type: Staged Opera Live
• Singers: Kim Ji-ho, Han Kyung-seok, Lee In-hak, Oh Sang-taek, Yoo Jin-ho, Choi Byung-hyeok
• Conductor: Yang Jae-moo  
• Orchestra: Prime Philharmonic Orchestra  
• Chorus: I Maestri, Young Maestri  
• Stage Director: Kim Ji-woo  
• Costume Designer:   

Information about the Recording

• Published by: Hankyung ArteTV  
• Date Published: 2025  
• Format: Streaming
• Quality Video: 4 Audio:4
• Subtitles: yessubs, othersubs  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE

From the Battle of Hansan to the Battle of Myeongnyang and the Battle of Noryang, Yi Sun-sin’s legendary life is reborn on the opera stage. This creative opera is a meaningful work that artistically reexamines his spirit and achievements in celebration of the 480th anniversary of his birth, so it is not a simple war epic, but deeply illuminates the human side of Yi Sun-sin and the political and military challenges he faced. It is not a heroic glorification, but it will artistically interpret the frustrations and sacrifices Yi Sun-sin experienced, as well as the philosophy and leadership he left behind in history, and present them to the audience.
In particular, the cooperation between Yi Sun-sin and Ryu Seong-ryong, which has not been highlighted in existing operas or performances, and the strategic partnership to overcome national crises are featured as major narratives. Ryu Seong-ryong was an important reformer and strategist of Joseon, and he played a decisive role in overcoming the Imjin War together with Yi Sun-sin. The relationship between them will be the center of the Joseon navy, the political climate at the time, and the sacrifices and loyalty to protect the country. There are various works of art (movies, musicals, dramas, etc.) that honor Yi Sun-sin as an important figure in Korean history, but there have been (almost) no classical original operas that deal with Yi Sun-sin. Therefore, this work, which strongly reflects Korean sentiments based on the traditional opera format, is expected to be a work that promotes national identity and historical pride and opens up new possibilities for Korean original opera.
This maestri director Yang Jae-moo created an original opera by incorporating traditional Korean sentiments into the Western opera format. The melody line containing Korean sentiments, magnificent orchestration, and powerful chorus harmonize to express Yi Sun-sin’s firm belief and indomitable spirit.
Tenors Lee Kyu-chul, Kim Chung-hee, and Kim Ji-ho have been cast as the righteous hero General Yi Sun-sin, and they will show Yi Sun-sin’s strong spirit and inner loneliness. In addition, the stories of the soldiers and assistants who fought alongside him on the battlefield will enrich the play. Baritones Han Kyung-seok, Park Jung-min, and Ahn Dae-hyun will be cast as Prime Minister Ryu Seong-ryong, who helped Yi Sun-sin’s recommendation; tenors Lee In-hak, Jeon Byeong-ho, and Kang Sin-mo will be cast as King Seonjo, the 14th king of Joseon; tenors Ha Se-hoon, Kim Seong-jin, and Oh Sang-taek will be cast as Won Gyun, the commander of the three naval provinces; Yoo Jin-ho and Bang Gwang-sik will be cast as Ming navy general Chen Lin; and Seok Sang-geun, Choi Byeong-hyeok, and Na Ui-seok will be cast as Japanese general Wakizaka. Including these, 90 male vocalists of this maestro will sing a magnificent harmony of victory in a chorus.
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