Director Kim Han-min, who recorded the box office myth of Korean historical action through the trilogy of Admiral Yi Sun-sin with films like The Last Weapon, Roaring Currents, Hansan, and Noryang, returns with his next project, Sword: The Blade of Godumakhan. This work has confirmed a dazzling lineup of cast members including Park Bo-gum, Joo-won, Jung Jae-young, Lee Sun-bin, and Kim Hyung-seo, announcing the birth of a blockbuster.
Sword: The Blade of Godumakhan is set in 668 AD, shortly after the fall of Goguryeo. It tells the story of a man who loses his memory and becomes a slave, who enters a gladiatorial tournament to wield a legendary sword. This blockbuster action historical drama will depict the process of the northern legendary sword becoming a new symbol of hope on a grand scale.
In particular, this film prominently features Goguryeo gladiatorial action, which has not been seriously addressed in Korean cinema until now. In a massive circular arena, 16 northern tribes including Khitan, Malgal, and Turkic will gather for a gladiatorial tournament, where the unique martial arts and tactics of each tribe will clash, promising overwhelming impact and catharsis.
Actor Park Bo-gum takes on the role of the warrior Chilsung, who has lost his memory, embarking on a dramatic acting transformation. He will showcase a wide range of emotions from desperate survival action to awakening as a national hero. Opposing him is the cold-blooded warrior Gyeobilha-ryeok, played by actor Joo-won. Joo-won will present high-level action using dual swords as the representative warrior of the Turkic, forming a tense rivalry with Park Bo-gum.
Additionally, Jung Jae-young plays the leader of the Goguryeo Restoration Army, Heuksugang, adding weight to the narrative, while Lee Sun-bin, as Maya, a member of the restoration army, promises intense action. Kim Hyung-seo, who is active as both a singer and actor, also joins as Heuksugang's daughter, Injeong, bringing vitality to the film.
Director Kim Han-min has introduced an innovative production method incorporating AI technology for this project. Through this, he plans to realize the diverse tactics and spectacular visuals of the 16 tribes. Director Kim expressed his desire to capture the energy of the sword that emerges from the chaotic era following the fall of Goguryeo, confidently stating the birth of a K-action hero film that will captivate the world beyond Asia.
Sword: The Blade of Godumakhan, co-main invested by Red Ice Entertainment, the largest webtoon studio subsidiary in the country, and Solair Partners, has entered full-scale production with a goal of a summer 2027 release.
