Jang Hyuk has opened up about the role that pulled him into the upcoming historical drama “Sword & Silence” — and why playing one of Korea’s most debated historical figures was a challenge he could not turn down.
Directed by Kim Yeong Jo (“Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth”), the drama tells the epic story of how the small kingdom of Silla overcame the more powerful kingdoms of Goguryeo and Baekje — as well as China’s mighty Tang dynasty — to unify the Three Kingdoms.
A Character Who Cannot Be Defined in One Word
Jang Hyuk plays Yeon Gaesomun, the brave general who defended Goguryeo against the Tang dynasty and rose to become the country’s most powerful figure through his military leadership. In the drama, he is a man of unbridled ambition who eliminates Go Geonmu (played by Cho Seong Ha) when the latter stands in his way.
It was exactly that complexity that drew Jang Hyuk to the project. “Perspectives on him vary from country to country, making him a figure open to multiple interpretations,” the actor said. “I wanted to portray Yeon Gaesomun as a leader, a human being, and a dreamer who envisions an ideal.”
He added, “You can’t define Yeon Gaesomun’s charm with just one word. He is a character who knows how to navigate different situations, has the decisiveness to see things through, and experiences pain and sorrow as a human being. He made mistakes because he was human, and he is a character who makes you reflect on why he had to walk this path.”
Acting Every Scene From the Inside Out
The actor put serious thought into making the portrayal convincing. “Every moment of acting was difficult,” Jang Hyuk admitted. “I didn’t fixate on any single emotion, but instead, I pondered how Yeon Gaesomun would have reacted in each situation in every scene.”
For viewers, he highlighted one thing above all: the strategies and diplomatic relationships between the kingdoms. Watching how each side wages war and negotiates from its own position — and the different choices each kingdom makes — will, he says, make the drama even more gripping.
“Sword & Silence” premieres on November 14 at 9:20 p.m. KST, and with Jang Hyuk leading the charge, this historical epic is shaping up to be one of the season’s biggest draws.
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Source: Soompi — read the full story there.
