'Munmu' director Kim Young-jo spoke about the issue of historical distortion.
On the 18th, at The Saint in Sindorim-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, a production briefing was held for KBS2's new epic drama 'Munmu (文武)' (written by Kim Ri-heon and Hong Jin-yi, directed by Kim Young-jo and Koo Sung-joon, produced by KeyEast Monster Union).
'Munmu' depicts the great narrative of unification in which the small state Silla, having overcome the powerful states Goguryeo and Baekje and even Tang China, finally united the Three Hans into one. It is an epic drama meeting viewers after 'King Taejong Lee Bang-won' and 'The Goryeo–Khitan War,' and director Kim Young-jo, who directed '99 Billion Woman' as well as 'Hwarang,' 'Jang Young-sil,' and 'Jingbirok,' together with writer Kim Ri-heon, who won the KBS script contest in the mini-series category in 2021, join hands to present a drama that is expected to depict the desperate and lonely epic of leaders who wagered everything for the single victory of the Three Kingdoms period.
Because it is set during the period of the unification of the Three Kingdoms, multiple interpretations exist, and there is concern that it could lead to historical distortion.
Director Kim Young-jo said, "I have been continually going to the National Assembly Library, reading books and researching. The directors all know, and I am working hard because I am worried that I might convey something distorted because I don't know. Not only the writer but also an advisory panel of professors has been established, so I think there will be no historical distortion. To convey the joy of victory, I will not portray China negatively. I will try to present it as objectively as possible."
'Munmu' is planning a Mongolia location. However, KBS's recent works have not escaped box office disappointments, and production cost issues have surfaced. Director Kim Young-jo said, "There are things we cannot do in Korea that we can do in Mongolia, so I think we can show more magnificent scenes. During the scouting, the Mongolian culture minister promised support. There were advantageous points to filming in Mongolia."
Meanwhile, KBS2's new epic drama 'Munmu (文武)' is scheduled to air in 2026.
[OSEN]