The Great King Munmu () is an upcoming South Korean historical drama television series written by Kim Ri-heon and Hong Jin-yi, directed by and Koo Sung-joon, and starring Lee Hyun-wook in the title role, along with 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 in November 2026.
Cast and characters
Main Lee Hyun-wook as King Munmu / Kim Beop-min, the eldest son of Kim Chun-chu and Kim Yu-sin's maternal nephew Jang Hyuk as Yeon Gaesomun, the ruthless dictator, known as the God of War, born from Goguryeo Park Sung-woong as Kim Yu-sin, a brilliant general and Kim Chun-chu's brother-in-law Kim Kang-woo as King Taejong Muyeol / Kim Chun-chu, Beop-min's father
Supporting Choi Ye-bin as Empress Wu Zetian Park Myung-hoon as Heo Kyung-jong, traitor of the Qing Dynasty Oh Seung-hoon as Kim In-moon, second son of Kim Chun-chu Park Kang-sub as Emperor Gaozong of Tang Li Zhi Lee Ik-joon as Yeon Jeon-to, younger brother of Yeon Gaesomun Choi Su-rin as Queen Seondeok of Silla Jung Woong-in as Jo Sung-ha as Koo Geun-mu Kim Woo-dam as Gyebaek Baek Sung-hyun as as Kim Mun-hee Lee Ji-hoon as Pi-dam
Production Development , 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 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 The Great King Munmu is scheduled to premiere on KBS2 in the second half of 2026. In February 2026, the series was reportedly slated to air in November 2026.
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