KIM SUNG YEOL
The One-Man Army
(Episode 7)
LEE JOON GI
THE ACTION STAR
Kim Sung Yeol: 2015 Stunning vampire
Similar AMAZING Looks: Lee Joon Gi (l) (2005) in 'The King and The Clown' and
Lee Joon Gi (r) (2015) in 'The Scholar Who Walks The Night'
Lee Joon Gi: 2015 Drop dead gorgeous vampire with long hair
Lee Joon Gi: 2015 Sexy long-haired vampire
Lee Joon Gi: 2015 Hunky vampire
Lee Joon Gi: 2005 - attractive Joseon clown
Kim Sung Yeol: 2015 Handsome vampire
Lee Joon Gi: in a playful mood
https://instagram.com/p/5u7VYHAobJ/?taken-by=actor_jg
Lee Joon Gi: High-spirited and full of fun
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Lee Joon Gi: Happy look
Handsome vampire showing fangs
It is easy to understand why the saguek vampire drama, 'The Scholar Who Walks The Night’ catches fire so easily. It has become a hot topic and has garnered far reaching support and fame. There could be a combination of reasons for it: excellent actors and actresses, a marvellous director, imaginative scriptwriters, creative costume designers, a talented cinematographer, an experienced stunt coordinator and dedicated post production staff.
Far away look
But it cannot be denied that the leading actor or actress is the main reason. In this drama, Korean heartthrob, Lee Joon Gi, who crafts the iconic vampire hero, has grabbed well-deserved attention with his good looks and great acting talents. In a certain segment of Episode 7 of the drama, he spends some time in action. He has drawn attention with his impressive action stunts. Welcome to the world of Lee Joon Gi.
In that exciting segment, Kim Sung Yeol, played by Lee Joon Gi, is shown in an amazing and riveting showdown with a horde of Joseon soldiers. How does one gain leverage when one is alone in an unarmed or bare-handed fight against the heavily armed sword-wielding militia? Kim Sung Yeol is compelled to be a ‘one-man army’, and being a lone crusader, it is unsurprising if the militia perceives him as weak.
Masterfully crafted to be tension-inducing, Kim Sung Yeol’s ‘empty hand’ or unarmed fighting skills and techniques are contrasted with the sword-wielding power of the militia.
It is a well-known fact that Lee Joon Gi is quite an expert in martial arts having obtained black belts for three types of such arts, Taekwondo, Taekkyeon and Hapkido. The awesome fight choreography with select moves from the 3 martial arts styles shows high octane action-packed scenes that have made a huge impact on the viewers.
The action is graceful and fluid but Kim Sung Yeol’s martial arts segment is all over in slightly less than one minute. Viewers are mesmerised by the dance-like appearance of Kim Sung Yeol’s fluid and flexible body, leg and hand movements. The action scenes should have lasted longer as viewers love to watch Lee Joon Gi in action with all his heart-stopping martial arts moves.
Kim Sung Yeol causes mayhem by performing an amazing feat of throwing the sword-swinging fighters and assailants into a panic and he eventually defeats and kills the goons all single-handedly.
As viewers watch him fight on precarious sloping grounds, their excitement heightens. There is no question about him having a brush with death. By the looks of it, it is a foregone conclusion that he would emerge victorious. Kim Sung Yeol uses a combination or combo of martial arts styles which include punching, kicking, thrusting and throwing.
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KIM SUNG YEOL
THE CONFRONTATION
WITH THE MILITIA
a 'one-man' army against the militia
Kim Sung Yeol: Putting on his stunning hanbok
Kim Sung Yeol in a classy hanbok
Kim Sung Yeol looks regal in the diaphanous hanbok
When Kim Sung Yeol is informed by his aide, Ho Jin, that scholars and professors are being rounded up for having collaborated with the mysterious book writer named 'Lustful Student', he immediately rushes to the scene to rescue them.
Ho Jin, Kim Sung Yeol's aide
At the place of confrontation, the viewer is shown a long shot of the Joseon literati being marched off under the orders of the Prime Minister to board a ship to an unknown destination instead of being brought to the palace.
Kim Sung Yeol: Mysterious scholar
Suddenly, the mysterious vampire scholar, Kim Sung Yeol, drops in for a visit. At this point the camera lens moves from the long shot of the scene to focus on the close-up on Kim Sung Yeol’s face.
The lens focuses on Kim Sung Yeol from above. His handsome face is in sharp focus, and the viewers, with a point of view shot, see his face cast downwards. The drama director’s love for close-ups of Lee Joon Gi is undeniable. Is it too close for comfort? Certainly no, and absolutely not! Fans love those shots! The more, the merrier.
The mystery of Kim Sung Yeol is enhanced with his face partially hidden. His regal bearing, dignified presence and stern composure chill the atmosphere. In this segment, Kim Sung Yeol looks grim and forbidding all the time, and his cold, intense and unflinching stare magnifies the image.
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The head of the militia orders Kim Sung Yeol to move aside
Then there is a medium shot of the scene which is filled with tension. Trouble is in the air. Kim Sung Yeol confronts the militia. Then the lens zooms in on Kim Sung Yeol’s enigmatic eyes. The Head of the militia asks him who he is.
Viewers love to watch Kim Sung Yeol’s inscrutable, cold look and demeanour, and listen to his slow, modulated and sexy voice as he confesses that he is the 'Lustful Student'. That voice of his adds a hint of mystery to the vampire scholar. His few words are spoken in a calm, measured tone as opposed to the loud, rough, rapid-fire hoarse hollers of the head of the militia who, in response, immediately orders the militia to attack Kim Sung Yeol.
There is a medium shot of the scene as the soldiers quickly advance towards Kim Sung Yeol and lurch at him with their razor-sharp swords. He simultaneously lunges at them, and with his fists, he punches the first two wretched soldiers and then makes a half turn to dodge the sharp blade of a sword, and gives a kick to ward off the other swords.
Kim Sung Yeol: Fighting the militia
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Hanbok: beautiful Lotus floral motifs
Lotus flower
Then the camera is lifted into the air and it gives a crane shot, a long shot from above, and viewers watch awe-struck as Lee Joon Gi shows some dazzling and breathtakingly fancy footwork as he moves circularly. He swings his hands and legs and gives high Taekkyeon kicks as he spins around bringing his hanbok flying in a magical swirling, fluid, dance-like circular movement. He seems relaxed and flies in the air as he tries to gain momentum to incapacitate his attackers with thrusts, flooring them with his bare hands. It also looks like he has used Hapkido or Taekwondo ‘soft’ movement to deflect his attacker in this sequence.
Kim Sung Yeol's classy and beautifully designed creamy white Po (the outer hanbok robe) with its pale mauve, mustard and grey lotus motifs, black durumagi with wide sleeves and white baji (loose pants) float powerfully and make a pretty white and black flurry as they fly in the air until the hanbok finally settles gracefully. Lee Joon Gi indeed can be compared to a graceful Olympic gymnast for making the diaphanous hanbok swirl effortlessly in circular motion.
The Minimalist concept is being adopted for the hanboks (except for Gwi's robes) in this drama. The simplicity and streamlined cutting lines seem to project the elegance and classiness of the hanbok.
The colours of Kim Sung Yeol's hanbok are in harmony with nature. The lotus flower is the Buddhist symbol of detachment and purity of the body.
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Kim Sung Yeol deflects the sharp blade of a sword
As the camera lovingly caresses the swirling hanbok, it is lowered and shows Kim Sung Yeol landing on the ground. It only takes him an instant to get his breath back. That moment prepares the viewers for an almost impossible move that showcases how Kim Sung Yeol deflects the sharp blade of a sword. Kim Sung Yeol is unarmed and is about to be slashed by the sword. Viewers are mesmerised as he deftly reaches out with both hands to stop the razor-sharp blade. He grabs and turns the sword-wielding soldier around and gives him a fatal thrust in the chest which sends the victim flying back. Kim Sung Yeol looks invincible then, and yet, so vulnerable.
Kim Sung Yeol blocking a blade bare-handed
Viewers do express admiration for that particular scene but one begins to think whether grabbing a sword by the blade is believable or not. Can a skilled martial artist be able to block a blade with his bare hands? Sharp blades can cut one’s hands. The vampire might be in danger of having some flesh being sliced off. In reality, how do martial artists do it? Those in the know might confide that trained martial artists use hand protection metal grips to pull this technique off, and no one is any wiser. But then, Kim Sung Yeol is a vampire, and ‘The Scholar Who Walks The Night’ is a fantasy tale, so nothing is impossible!
Kim Sung Yeol: grabbing the sword by the blade
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Lee is able to perform the spring-like leap of a tiger
Then, the oohing and aahing continues as the camera moves on to show a stunning sight, one of Lee Joon Gi’s fantastic gymnastic manoeuvres. The camera captures his jaw-dropping spring-like leap of a tiger which seamlessly blend into a spectacular and heart-stopping powerful somersault which can be compared to that performed by a graceful Olympic gymnast! The camera gives side, rear and frontal views of the athletic vampire scholar, presenting the viewer with very clear visuals of Lee Joon Gi’s incredible somersault. And before he lands on his feet, he lets fly the bidirectional kicks of Hapkido to dislodge his attackers.
Viewers, at this point, are kept on the edge of their seats and their eyes are glued to the screen. Kim Sung Yeol bends backwards and arches his chest, a very impressive dramatic action, in order to avoid the blows of his attackers. This shows Lee Joon Gi’s amazing physical flexibility, and all that is probably due to his rigorous martial arts training routines.
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Kim Sung Yeol can perform the 'Two arm shoulder throw'
Then there is this fantastic two arm shoulder throw. It is certain that none of the viewers’ minds have wandered at all at this point because they must be wondering how Kim Sung Yeol is able to grip the two men, one on each side of his body. It may be easy to throw one person. Two opponents? Wow! The double arm shoulder throw is really powerful. In that scene, he suddenly grabbed them and threw them onto the ground. This quick grab of their arms upsets his opponents' balance. He pulls them and throws them over his shoulders and disconnects from them. It is amazing that Kim Sung Yeol himself is able to stand balanced and firmly on the ground while his two opponents are thrown off-balanced and unconscious.
Finale: The fight is over
In the finale, Kim Sung Yeol makes his fight with the commander of the militia seem like child's play. It is swift and sweet. He gives a powerful thrust to the man’s chest who immediately falls down dead!
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Kim Sung Yeol: smiling to himself
All the thrilling and well-choreographed action sequences fuel the viewers’ appetite for more of Lee Joon Gi in action.
Most viewers are martial arts illiterate and cannot differentiate between the various techniques. Who bothers whether they are Taekwondo, Taekkyeon or Hapkido techniques anyway? Today, the martial art schools cannot really lay definite claim on certain common techniques as they themselves have absorbed different skills from the various martial arts schools and they have become quite eclectic. As far as viewers are concerned, as long as they get to see Lee Joon Gi displaying a combo of all his amazing martial arts skills, they are already fully satisfied.
Kim Sung Yeol: superb martial arts skills
Seeing such superb skills of Lee Joon Gi is enough to send parents scurrying to send their kids to such martial arts classes. This drama, 'The Scholar Who Walks The Night' would most likely boost the promotion of Korean martial arts overseas. Koreans should be proud to have so many expert masters to guide them but in other places, people have to make do with very few experts to teach them. Perhaps females should also learn some of these techniques for self-defence purposes.
Viewers are amazed that Lee Joon Gi has amassed such amazing martial arts skills. But then, it is not just a matter of the accumulation of a wide repertoire of skills and techniques but also the possession of good coordination and physical flexibility that make an excellent martial artist.
Li Joon Gi’s physical flexibility and talents are simply amazing. His martial arts skills will make the actor a household name, if he is not already, in the foreign countries where the drama, ‘The Scholar Who Walks The Night’ is shown. 
Kim Sung Yeol: An amazing countenance
For this magical segment of Episode 7, we have to congratulate not only the actor, Lee Joon Gi but also the director, Lee Sung Joon, the scriptwriters, the cameraman, the wardrobe design department, the editing team and the fight coordinator for such an exciting, fluid and seamless storytelling.
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