The upcoming historical drama Munmu brings to the small screen the intense story of the Three Kingdoms locked in a fierce vortex of inevitable war, each fighting to claim ultimate victory.
Premiering on November 14 at 9:20 PM KST, the new KBS 2TV epic historical drama ‘Munmu’ (executive producer Lee Ho, writers Kim Ri-hong and Hong Jin-i, directors Kim Young-jo and Gong Sung-jun) portrays the desperate and solitary struggles of leaders who risked everything for a single victory amid 600 years of continuous warfare and internal upheaval. Ahead of its premiere, anticipation is building as we highlight three distinct charms and key points to watch in ‘Munmu’.
# Trustworthy Cast: Lee Hyun-wook, Jang Hyuk, Kim Kang-woo, and Park Sung-woong Deliver Method Acting as Real Historical Figures
A-list actors known for their stellar acting skills and wide character spectrum—including Lee Hyun-wook (as Kim Beop-min), Jang Hyuk (as Yeon Gaesomun), Kim Kang-woo (as Kim Chun-chu), and Park Sung-woong (as Kim Yushin)—transform into historical figures in ‘Munmu’.
Having already displayed intense chemistry from the script-reading stage, these actors are set to densely portray the agony and choices of heroes who stood firm on the battlefield where the nation’s fate hung in the balance, crossing the fine line between life and death.
Interest is high to see how the four actors, each with unique charms and deep acting experience, will create synergy by breathing life into their historical counterparts. Their immersive performances, fully synced with their characters, are expected to anchor the center of the drama.
# A Masterpiece Depicting the Stories of Silla, Goguryeo, Baekje, and Tang Dynasty
Stories about the unification of the Three Kingdoms are typically remembered through the lens of Silla, the ultimate victor. However, ‘Munmu’ goes beyond familiar victorious narratives, broadly illuminating the respective situations and choices of Silla, Goguryeo, Baekje, and the Tang Dynasty to add profound narrative depth.
The complex geopolitical dynamics of the era are dynamically unfolded as each nation’s interests intertwine, leading to repeated alliances and confrontations. The drama will three-dimensionally capture the choices made by characters viewing a single historical event from different perspectives and the consequences that followed.
In particular, the series holds added significance by reflecting not only the perspective of victorious Silla but also the historical lessons left behind amidst the pain of defeat. Without leaning toward any single perspective, it portrays the shared destiny faced by the Three Kingdoms and the Tang Dynasty, promising viewers profound questions and deep immersion.
# KBS Traditional Historical Drama Returns After Approximately 3 Years: ‘Munmu’ Opens a New Horizon for Epic Dramas
Another notable aspect is that ‘Munmu’ marks the return of KBS, the master of historical dramas, to the epic genre for the first time in about three years since ‘Korea-Khitan War’. Spanning 28 episodes, the new series traces the broad, heavy flow of history with a steady pace in an era dominated by fast, short-form content.
The drama richly depicts numerous battles and massive political movements as the kingdoms march toward unification, alongside the bold decisions made by characters placed in extreme situations. Moving beyond a simple record of wartime victory and defeat, it broadly sheds light on characters standing at the crossroads of choice driven by their respective beliefs and interests.
