Sword & Silence

Sword & Silence
Promotional poster
Also known asGreat King Munmu
Hangul
문무
Hanja
文武
RRMunmu
MRMunmu
GenreHistorical drama
Written by
  • Kim Ri-heon
  • Hong Jin-yi
Directed by
Starring
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
Production
Producers
  • Kim Min-jun
  • Choi Yun-seok
Production companies
Budget₩30 billion
Original release
NetworkKBS2

Sword & Silence (Korean: 문무) is an upcoming South Korean historical drama television series written by Kim Ri-heon and Hong Jin-yi, directed by Kim Young-jo [ko] and Koo Sung-joon, and starring Lee Hyun-wook, Jang Hyuk, Park Sung-woong, Kim Kang-woo, Jung Woong-in, and Jo Sung-ha. The series follows the triumphant story of Silla, a small nation that emerged victorious against Goguryeo, Baekje, and the Tang dynasty, ultimately achieving the unification of the three kingdoms. It is scheduled to premiere on KBS2 on November 14, 2026, and will air every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 (KST).

Cast and characters

Main

Supporting

Production

Development

Kim Young-jo [ko], known for his work such as Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016–2017) and Jang Yeong-sil (2016), was attached to co-direct with Koo Sung-joon, and the screenplay is written by Kim Ri-heon and Hong Jin-yi. Produced by KeyEast and Monster Union, the series consists of 28 episodes and has a production cost of approximately ₩30 billion. The first script reading was held on September 24, 2025.

Casting

In September 2025, Lee Hyun-wook, Jang Hyuk, Park Sung-woong, and Kim Kang-woo were considering. By November 2025, Lee, Jang, Park, Kim, Jung Woong-in and Jo Sung-ha were officially confirmed to lead the series.

Filming

Principal photography was initially scheduled to begin in November 2025, but was moved to the next month, with location filming in Mongolia. According to the KBS newsletter on February 9, 2026, the production had already concluded filming in Mongolia and commenced filming in South Korea in late January. On April 18, it was announced that the crew had departed for Mongolia to film the Battle of Gobelsan, and the article stated that Yang Hyun-min would be appearing as Lee Shi-min.

Release

Sword & Silence was scheduled to premiere on KBS2 in the second half of 2026. In February 2026, the series was reportedly slated to air in November 2026. It was later confirmed to premiere on November 14, 2026, and will air every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 (KST).

References

  1. 1 2 Kang, Seo-jeong (September 22, 2026). 이현욱·장혁·김강우·박성웅이 그려낼 신라 대서사시 ‘문무’ ["Munmu," the Silla epic to be brought to life by Lee Hyun-wook, Jang Hyuk, Kim Kang-woo, and Park Sung-woong.]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved September 22, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Yoo, Ji-hee (November 17, 2025). KBS 새 대하드라마 '문무', 이현욱X장혁→조성하 출연 확정 [공식] [Official: KBS's new historical drama "Munmu" stars Lee Hyun-wook, Jang Hyuk, and Jo Sung-ha]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  3. ↑ 최예빈, 300억 대작 사극 '문무' 여주인공. sbs. September 7, 2026. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
  4. ↑ 오승훈, 대하사극 ‘문무’ 출연. sports khan. September 9, 2026. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
  5. ↑ Yoon, Seok-yeol (April 12, 2026). [단독]'원경' 김우담, 계백 장군 낙점…KBS 300억 대작 '문무' 합류 : 네이트 연예 [[Exclusive] 'Won-kyung' Kim Woo-dam Cast as General Gye-baek… Joins KBS's 30 Billion Won Blockbuster 'Munmu']. Nate News (in Korean). Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  6. ↑ Shin, Dong-lip (January 22, 2026). 백성현, KBS 역사드라마 ‘문무’ 캐스팅 [Baek Sung-hyun cast in KBS historical drama ‘Munmu’]. thereport. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  7. ↑ Kim, Yang-su (March 25, 2026). [단독] 배정화, '문무'로 5년만 드라마 복귀?김강우와 부부 호흡 : 네이트 연예 [[Exclusive] Bae Jung-hwa Returns to Drama After 5 Years with 'Munmu'? Playing a Married Couple with Kim Kang-woo : Nate Entertainment]. Nate News (in Korean). Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  8. ↑ Ahn, Jung-hwan (March 18, 2026). “30년 만에 다시 두근거린다”…이지훈, KBS 대하사극 ‘문무’로 안방극장 복귀 [“My heart races again after 30 years”… Lee Ji-hoon returns to the small screen with KBS historical drama ‘Munmu’]. Asiatoday (in Korean). Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  9. 1 2 Na, Bo-hyeon (October 8, 2025). '제작비 300억' 정통 사극 돌아온다...'대왕문무' 장혁→김강우 출연 [A 30 billion won production budget returns with the return of the authentic historical drama 'Great King Munmu"]. TV Report (in Korean). Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  10. 1 2 Son, Byeong-gi (November 14, 2025). 대하사극 '문무(文武)', 한중관계에서 시사하는 바는? [What does the historical drama "Munmu" imply for Korea-China relations?]. Herald Corporation (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  11. ↑ Jang, Woo-young (November 18, 2025). "역사 왜곡 없고, 제작비 늘었다"...수신료 통합 징수 후 첫 대하사극 '문무' [종합] ["No historical distortion, production costs increased"... First historical drama after integrated license fee collection, 'Munmu']. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Park, A-reum (September 24, 2025). 이현욱 장혁 박성웅 김강우 '대왕문무'로 의기투합하나 "캐스팅 조율 중"[공식] [Official: Lee Hyun-wook, Jang Hyuk, Park Sung-woong, and Kim Kang-woo to Join Forces for 'Great King Munmu']. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  13. 1 2 Kim, Ji-hye (February 9, 2026). KBS2 대하 드라마 ‘문무’, 11월 첫 방송... 국내 촬영 돌입 [KBS2's historical drama Munmu premieres in November... Filming begins in Korea]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  14. ↑ Yang, Sung-il (April 18, 2026). [단독]'연개소문' 장혁, 오늘 몽골行..300억 대작 '문무' 주필산 전투 촬영 [On April 18, it was announced that the crew had departed for Mongolia to film the Battle of Gobelsan, and the article stated that Yang Hyun Min would be appearing as Lee Shimin.]. m.entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved April 21, 2026 – via Naver.
  15. ↑ Lee, Kyung-ho (October 22, 2025). '수신료의 가치' KBS, '대왕문무' 시작...매년 대하 드라마 제작 [KBS Begins Munmu... To Produce Epic Historical Dramas Annually]. Asia Economy (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  16. ↑ Kim, Se-a (October 13, 2026). 13.8% 맛본 KBS, 또 칼 빼 들었다…이번엔 이현욱→장혁 내세워 승부수 ('문무') [KBS, having tasted 13.8%, draws its sword again… This time, making a bold move by casting Jang Hyuk instead of Lee Hyun-wook in Sword and Silence]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Retrieved October 16, 2026.