Actor Ahn Bo-hyun is set to reveal a completely new side of himself through the upcoming series ‘God’s Bead’.
Premiering on December 5 at 10:40 PM KST, the new JTBC Saturday-Sunday drama ‘God’s Bead’ (written by Jung Hyun-min, directed by Jung Dae-yoon) is set in Goryeo in 1258, a time when the threat of war with Mongolia spanned over 30 years. The story follows an escort unit’s heroic struggle to find the sacred Buddhist relic, the wish-granting jewel Gwan-eum Bo-ju, to turn the tide of war, alongside a princess who sets out to rescue them.
Ahn Bo-hyun plays Baek-gyeol, a young military officer and special duty commander of the escort unit tasked with finding the sacred relic imbued with the prayers of the people. Formerly an elite royal guard, Baek-gyeol is a character in love with the emperor’s daughter who embarks on a life-or-threatening journey with the Yabyeolcho warriors. The narrative highlights his transformation from an elite warrior into a true martial artist as he clashes with comrades amidst the harsh battlefield.
Reflecting on why he chose this project, Ahn Bo-hyun noted the unprecedented scale of the script and the chance to work alongside his role model, senior actor Lee Sung-min.
‘God’s Bead’ marks Ahn’s very first historical drama in his acting career. He expressed both excitement and challenge, emphasizing Baek-gyeol’s growth from a sheltered elite guard into a hardened wild warrior alongside the Yabyeolcho members.
Describing Baek-gyeol as a character with high self-esteem and a deep sense of responsibility, Ahn highlighted his evolving leadership forged through shared hardships. He promised viewers a completely unfamiliar transformation into a rugged warrior.
To prepare for heavy action sequences, Ahn underwent rigorous physical training and sword and bow practice, navigating rough mountains across the country. He also focused heavily on conveying the character’s complex inner emotional changes.
Ahn summarized Baek-gyeol’s core traits with three keywords: ambition, love, and a sense of pity. He described the character’s unwavering duty, his pure and devoted love for Princess Gyeonghwanggung Wang-hee, and his deeply human struggles.
Concluding with high praise for his co-starsβlikening their ensemble to a ‘Korean Avengers’βAhn expressed immense pride and affection for the project, promising that the cast and crew poured their blood, sweat, tears, and bones into the drama.
