[DiaryPoint=Reporter Choi Seung-jin] KBS2’s historical drama ‘Munmu’ premieres tonight, November 14, at 9:20 p.m. in Korea. It airs on KBS2, and TVING lists November 14 as its release date on the show’s page. According to KBS’s premiere announcement, the series is scheduled for 9:20 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
‘Munmu’ follows leaders fighting for victory amid upheaval within the Three Kingdoms and years of war. KBS describes it as a story of people who risk everything in pursuit of a single victory, set against 600 years of conflict and turmoil among the Three Kingdoms. The drama centers on Kim Beop-min, King Munmu, the 30th ruler of Silla, and weaves together the stories of figures from Silla, Goguryeo and Tang China.
Lee Hyun-wook plays Kim Beop-min, while Jang Hyuk takes the role of Yeon Gaesomun of Goguryeo. Kim Kang-woo appears as Kim Chun-chu, King Taejong Muyeol, Silla’s 29th ruler, and Park Sung-woong plays Kim Yu-sin. Jung Woong-in and Jo Sung-ha are also part of the cast. KBS says Kim Chun-chu builds his political standing through diplomacy and presses toward unification of the Three Kingdoms alongside his son Kim Beop-min and brother-in-law Kim Yu-sin.
Figures from Tang China form another major thread. KBS says Yang Hyun-min plays Emperor Taizong (Li Shimin), Park Myung-hoon plays Xu Jingzong, Choi Ye-bin plays Empress Wu Zetian, and Park Kang-seop plays Li Zhi. Lee Ji-hoon appears as Xue Rengui. The production team describes Tang as “a complex power that joined forces with Silla while quietly nurturing its own chilling ambitions.”
In KBS’s official introduction, Kim Kang-woo described Kim Chun-chu’s story as “the story of people who have lived on this land with an indomitable spirit.” He also visited the tomb of King Muyeol in Gyeongju to explore the character, saying, “I wanted to feel even the smallest trace of Kim Chun-chu.” KBS said he paid close attention to pronunciation, tone and intonation to meet the demands of the role’s extensive dialogue.
Kim Beop-min’s story is driven by his resolve to protect Silla and its people. In a character teaser released by KBS, he vows, “I will protect them. I will make it so, no matter what.” The teaser also shows him recalling his father Kim Chun-chu’s words: “It is our destiny to end the cruel cycle of killing one another.”
TVING lists ‘Munmu’ as a Saturday-Sunday drama, with November 14 shown as its premiere date. Viewers with access to the streaming service can search for the title on TVING. The series begins its weekend run on KBS2 tonight.