[Dispatch=Reporter Lee A-jin] "There were many things to challenge, so I was rather excited." (Lee Hyun-wook)

Actor Lee Hyun-wook has returned to historical dramas. Last year in the tvN drama 'Won Gyeong,' he depicted the love and marital relationship of Taejong Yi Bang-won, but this time he transforms into Munmu, the King of Silla. He showcases the appearance of a leader standing in the midst of war.

It was not an easy challenge. Munmu was a figure that had not been well handled in existing films or dramas. There were no reference cases from acting, but the emotions to be expressed were complex.

Lee Hyun-wook searched for historical materials himself. By studying the words and actions of Munmu, he grasped the framework of the character. On set, he exchanged opinions with senior actors and refined the flow of emotions. Thus, he completed his own version of Munmu.

The production presentation for KBS-2TV historical drama 'Munmu' was held on the 12th at The Drink Seoul in Guro-gu, Seoul. Director Lee Ho, Lee Hyun-wook, Jang Hyuk, Kim Kang-woo, Jung Woong-in, Kim Do-hyun, Baek Sung-hyun, and Choi Ye-bin attended.

'Munmu' is a work depicting Silla's process of unifying the Three Kingdoms. The story unfolds centered on Kim Beop-min, the son of Kim Chun-chu. It contains the process of him learning leadership from Kim Yu-sin and growing into a hero who leads an era.

Lee Hyun-wook plays Kim Beop-min. He is a character who felt disillusionment with war and politics and lived contemplating the world. After losing his family in the tragedy of Baekje's Daeya Fortress, he heads to the battlefield of his own accord.

He made efforts to reveal the weight of a leader. Lee Hyun-wook said, "Kim Beop-min is a character who does not easily show emotions," and "I thought a lot about how to show him embracing the people and the nation without expressing emotions," he revealed.

He also focused on internal change. Lee Hyun-wook emphasized, "I wanted to convincingly show the process of a character who hated war deciding to protect the nation."

He continued, "Please pay attention to the change in his relationship with his father Kim Chun-chu," and "At first, Kim Beop-min harbors resentment toward his father's political tendencies, but gradually comes to understand him. Senior Kim Kang-woo guided the flow of emotions well, so I was able to express emotions naturally," he added.

Jang Hyuk took on the role of Yeon Gaesomun. He is a capable general of Goguryeo and a dictator. He eliminates forces that check him and grasps all power in Goguryeo.

He put weight on differentiation from the existing Yeon Gaesomun. Jang Hyuk said, "Distinguished seniors have played this character, so I felt burdened," and "I wanted to convey the historical situation convincingly while showing my own color," he shared.

He also filled moments not recorded in history with imagination. Jang Hyuk said, "I thought about how Yeon Gaesomun treated people and what emotions he felt," and "I tried to connect the character's narrative naturally by filling the gaps between historical events with emotion," he explained.

Kim Kang-woo plays Kim Chun-chu. Behind his eloquent speech, he hides ambition and inner conflict. With keen judgment, he moves between Goguryeo, Tang China, and the land of Wa, carrying out his will.

He paid attention to the sense of responsibility Kim Chun-chu carried. He said, "In a situation where Silla's survival depended on a single word, I repeatedly deliberated to understand how he fought alone," and "I tried to immerse myself by visiting Muyeol's Tomb," he conveyed.

The viewing point is large-scale war scenes. For the first time in a KBS historical drama, AI technology was introduced. Battlefields such as the Battle of Juphilsan, Maesosung, and Gibeolpo were vividly recreated.

Director Lee said, "We used AI technology for aspects that were dangerous or needed to appear more realistic," and "By combining actual filming and technology, we increased the scale and realism of battle scenes," he said.

He particularly urged anticipation for the Battle of Gibeolpo. Director Lee said, "The atmosphere itself of the gods matched so well with the visual beauty that AI could implement," and "You will feel the overwhelming impact that befits the final battle," he hinted.

The actors also changed their acting methods in consideration of AI technology. Jang Hyuk recalled, "There was a scene where I gave a speech in front of 450 horses," and "Using AI technology, it was completed as a scene where I spoke to 150,000 troops. I paid more attention to the tone of voice and emotional delivery," he reminisced.

He also supplemented technical limitations with acting. Jang Hyuk said, "I felt that AI technology cannot yet express delicate emotions," and "I tried to deliver emotions more richly through analog-style acting," he said.

Finally, Director Lee said, "From the cold winter in Mongolia to extreme heat that made us collapse, we filmed in extreme environments," and "We made it with all our strength. As such, you will be able to feel not only fun and emotion, but also pride in our history," he expressed his confidence.

Lee Hyun-wook said, "I am well aware of the weight that KBS historical dramas carry," and "For the past 12 months, I have run nonstop, and I am still filming now. I will do my best until the end so that the sweat shed on set can be conveyed in full to viewers," he declared.

Meanwhile, 'Munmu' will air for the first time on the 14th at 9:20 p.m.

<Photo=Photographer Lee Ho-jun>