Park Sung Woong has shared why he signed on to play the legendary general Kim Yu Shin in the upcoming historical epic “Sword & Silence,” which premieres on November 14 at 9:20 p.m. KST. The actor says the role appealed to him because the famous figure still has sides audiences have rarely seen explored in depth.
Park Sung Woong (Credits: Soompi)
Directed by Kim Yeong Jo, best known for “Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth,” the drama tells how the small kingdom of Silla overcame the more powerful states of Goguryeo and Baekje, along with the Tang dynasty of China, to unify the Three Kingdoms. It marks KBS’s return to large-scale epic historical drama after a long gap, and Park says that scale was a major part of the draw.
Why Park Sung Woong Chose Kim Yu Shin in Sword & Silence
Park plays Kim Yu Shin, Silla’s foremost general, nicknamed the “guardian of the battlefield.” Off the battlefield, the character is easygoing and comfortable with people of every rank. Once he puts on his armor, however, he becomes a formidable soldier driven by a single goal: victory.
That contrast is exactly what pulled Park in. He explained that Kim Yu Shin is a figure well known in Korean history, but he believed there were many aspects of the man worth exploring beyond the familiar image. Playing him offered a chance to portray not just a general, but a person living through a turbulent era — with all the weight, doubt and responsibility that came with it.
Park also admitted he felt confident about the project from the start. Between KBS’s return to the epic historical genre and the sheer size of the production, he said simply: “There was no reason not to do it.”
Preparing for Battle Scenes and the Character’s Hidden Side
Preparation for the role was both physical and emotional. Park said he trained physically to handle the battle and action sequences, but just as much effort went into conveying the character’s inner depth. His aim is to let Kim Yu Shin’s gravitas come through naturally — sometimes through a single glance or one line of dialogue — rather than through grand gestures alone.
He also wants viewers to see the human side hidden beneath the general’s armor. Strength matters, but Park is equally interested in the man who carries the burden of command and the choices that burden forces on him.
When asked how similar he is to Kim Yu Shin, Park put the figure at 70 percent. The shared ground, he said, is loyalty between people and a principled nature that does not waver easily. The difference lies in scale: Kim Yu Shin combines clear judgment with a human touch, and his ability to shoulder every responsibility is far greater than Park’s own, the actor admitted.
Choices Are the Key Point to Watch in Sword & Silence
Park highlighted “choices” as the key point to watch in “Sword & Silence.” Viewers will get more out of the drama, he suggested, if they pay attention to what each character is fighting to protect and the decisions they make along the way. The series promises a mix of highlights, including large-scale battle scenes, but its emotional core sits in those decisions.
He also spoke with pride about playing Kim Yu Shin in an epic about Korean history, expressing hope that “Sword & Silence” will be remembered as a proud signature work of KBS for a long time to come.
With its November 14 premiere approaching, anticipation is building for a drama that blends history, warfare and personal sacrifice — and for Park Sung Woong’s take on one of Korea’s most celebrated generals.
Also Read: Sword & Silence Posters: Lee Hyun Wook, Jang Hyuk, Kim Kang Woo and Park Sung Woong Raise Their Swords for November 14 Premiere | Lee Hyun Wook on Taking His First Epic Historical Drama Role as a Future King in “Sword & Silence”
Source: Soompi — read the full story there.