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After unveiling Jang Hyuk as the mighty Yeon Gaesomun ready to challenge the Tang dynasty, « King Munmu the Great »introduces another key character in his historical narrative.". Kim Kang-woo transforms into Kim Chun-chu, a political strategist who would gradually shift his focus from the struggle for Silla's survival to the throne.
New stills released by the drama show a man caught up in a time when a single bad decision can cost him both his career and his life. But rather than simply weathering the crisis, Kim Chun-chu plans to use it to gradually strengthen his influence.
His philosophy, in fact, can be summed up in one sentence: «Surviving today means winning tomorrow.»
Kim Kang-woo must first ensure Silla's survival
Kim Chun-chu is described as a particularly skilled strategist, endowed with a genuine talent for diplomacy and politics. As the grandson of King Jinji, who had been deposed, he had long had to contend with opposition from the «sacred bone» aristocracy. His situation changed when Silla faced a major crisis after Baekje captured the fortress of Daeya.
It is at this point that Kim Chun-chu truly enters the political arena. The new footage shows Kim Kang-woo both in the midst of the chaos of the battlefield and during diplomatic negotiations where his character’s life may be directly threatened.
Despite the danger, Chun-chu remains calm. His goal is not merely to gain more power: He must find a way to ensure Silla's survival, a kingdom facing more powerful adversaries such as Goguryeo, Baekje, and the Tang Dynasty.
To achieve this, he is willing to take risks and get personally involved in diplomatic efforts.
From Political Strategist to King Taejong Muyeol
This struggle for survival, however, would be only the beginning of his rise to power. As his influence grew, Kim Chun-chu eventually achieved what had once seemed out of reach: He became the first member of the «true bone» class to take the throne, thus becoming Taejong Muyeol, the 29th king of Silla.
His ambitions then took on a whole new dimension. The man who had initially sought to keep his kingdom alive began to pursue a much broader goal: the unification of the Three Kingdoms.
This development is expected to be one of the central themes of «The Great King Munmu.» Kim Kang-woo will thus portray several facets of the same man, ranging from a politician forced to navigate between factions and neighboring powers to a ruler capable of carrying out Silla’s ambitions.
Directed by Kim Yeong-jo («Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth»), «The Great King Munmu» will tell the story of how the small kingdom of Silla attempts to assert itself against Goguryeo, Baekje, and the Tang Dynasty.
The drama will premiere on November 14 at 9:20 p.m. (awaiting an international platform).
