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There are some humiliations a son never forgets. On the eve of its launch, « Sword & Silence »reveals images that set the tone for the series: a kingdom brought to its knees, and a future king forced to put his pride aside. However, there’s a nasty surprise for French (and European) fans: contrary to what had been announced online, the series does not currently appear in the Netflix catalog.
A kingdom turned into hell
The first images follow Kim Pop-min (Lee Hyun-wook), the heir to Silla, in the midst of a war-torn country. Bodies lying abandoned, a population in tears: the land of his ancestors has become a veritable hell.
At first in shock, the young man gradually sees anger and grief harden his features. This marks a first turning point for this character, who, according to the screenwriter, holds back his emotions while still hinting at what is churning inside him.
If Silla is faltering, it is because Baekje is attacking Daeyaseong, a fortress that is crucial to the kingdom’s defense. This choice is by no means insignificant: in actual history, the fall of this stronghold in 642 was a traumatic event for Silla and a personal tragedy for Kim Chun-chu, who lost his daughter and son-in-law there. This event would drive the future king to seek allies at any cost.
A Father on His Knees
The following images depict this despair. Unaware that his son is watching him, Kim Chun-chu (Kim Kang-woo) kneels before his friend Bidam (Lee Ji-hoon) to ask him for a private army. In response, he receives nothing but a cold, contemptuous sneer.
For Kim Pop-min, the scene is a second stab in the heart. Seeing his father—a respected statesman—reduced to begging plunges him into a state of anguish and rage that he struggles to contain. It is a scene that may well shape the warrior and leader he will become.
An epic tale of a small kingdom's survival
As a reminder, the series directed by Kim Yeong-jo («Hwarang») tells the story of how Silla, the smallest of the Three Kingdoms, ultimately prevailed over Goguryeo, Baekje, and then the Tang Dynasty of China. It was an unlikely victory, which the screenwriter compared to David’s victory over Goliath.
«Sword & Silence» will air starting Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 9:20 p.m. (Korean time)—which is 1:20 p.m. in France—on KBS 2TV. The series will not be available on Netflix at launch—or at least it does not appear in the catalog 24 hours in advance.