Park Bo Gum, who recently appeared in Good Boy and When Life Gives You Tangerines, has officially confirmed his next film project. The 32-year-old actor will star in the upcoming action historical blockbuster “The Sword: A Legend of the Red Wolf,” directed by Kim Han Min. The film marks his major return to the big screen with one of the most intense roles of his career.
Director Kim Han Min is well known for hit historical films such as War of the Arrows, The Admiral: Roaring Currents, Hansan: Rising Dragons, and Noryang: Deadly Sea. With this new project, he aims to create a fresh K-action hero story set after the fall of the Goguryeo kingdom.
Plot Overview
The Sword: A Legend of the Red Wolf is set in 668 AD, two years after Goguryeo’s Pyongyang Castle fell. The story takes place in Liaodong, a former Goguryeo territory. It follows a warrior named Chil Seong, played by Park Bo Gum. After losing his memory, Chil Seong becomes a slave and is forced to survive as a gladiator. He is thrown into a brutal sword-fighting tournament held inside a massive amphitheater built in the Goguryeo region of Urihol.
The tournament gathers warriors from 16 northern tribes, including the Khitan, Malgal, and Göktürks. Each group brings its own fighting style, tactics, and purpose. They compete for the legendary Sword of Godumakhan, a weapon believed to carry the spirit and hope of Goguryeo. As the battles grow fiercer, Chil Seong slowly awakens to his true identity and destiny. He later becomes known as the “Red Wolf,” a symbol of resistance and rebirth.
Cast Lineup
- Park Bo Gum as Chil Seong / Red Wolf: A warrior who loses his memory and transforms from a chained slave into a national hero. His past work includes Reply 1988, Wonderland, and Love in the Moonlight.
- Joo Won as Gye-pil Ha Ryeok: A cool-headed warrior of Göktürk origin who becomes Chil-seong’s rival. He will perform high-level action scenes using dual swords. Joo Won has proven his acting skills in Good Doctor, The Midnight Studio, and Firefighters.
- BIBI as In Jeong: Kim Hyung Seo appears as In Jeong, Heuksugang’s daughter. The singer-actress will take on her first period drama challenge. She has already played challenging roles in dramas like The Worst of Evil, Gangnam B-Side, and the film Hopeless.
- Jung Jae Young as Heuksugang: The leader of the Goguryeo Restoration Army, also known as the Damul Army. Heuksugang is the mentor who trains Chil Seong and secretly works to restore Goguryeo. Jung has previously worked with director Kim Han Min on Noryang: Deadly Sea.
- Lee Sun Bin plays Maya: A member of the restoration army with mysterious charm and strong combat skills. Lee’s acting credits include The Potato Lab, Boyhood, Work Later, Drink Now.
Originally, actor Cha Seung Won was cast in the project in May last year. However, he exited the film due to scheduling conflicts. He was replaced by Vietnamese actor Tran Thanh, whose role has not yet been fully revealed.
Production and Release Timeline
“The Sword: A Legend of the Red Wolf” is a long-term passion project for director Kim Han Min. It was selected as a K-Content AI Leading Project by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA). The production incorporates AI technology from the research and development stage to design large-scale sword battles and complex action choreography involving multiple tribes.
Director Kim Han Min explained that while War of the Arrows focused on the speed and spirit of the bow, this film focuses on the weight, pain, and power of the sword. He is hopeful that the film will introduce a new Korean action hero to audiences worldwide.
The film’s main investment and distribution are led by Red Ice Entertainment, a subsidiary of Korea’s largest webtoon studio known for works like Solo Leveling. Solaire Partners is also participating as a co-investor. Domestic distribution will be handled by Plus M Entertainment.
The project was first announced at the Busan International Film Festival in October 2024. Principal photography began this month, and the film has now entered full-scale production. “The Sword: A Legend of the Red Wolf” is scheduled for release in summer 2027.