KBS 2TV has revealed the actors who will bring the key figures of the Tang Dynasty to life in its upcoming epic historical drama Sword & Silence. The production, directed by Kim Yeong Jo (Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth), chronicles how the small kingdom of Silla managed to overcome the more powerful Goguryeo, Baekje, and the Chinese Tang Dynasty to unify the Three Kingdoms.
After previously introducing the characters from Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, the series has now unveiled the protagonists from the Tang side, whose relationships and ambitions will be decisive for the fate of the Three Kingdoms.
Who are the Tang Dynasty characters in Sword & Silence
Yang Hyun Min plays Li Shimin, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty. He is a ruthless ruler who came to power after eliminating his own brothers, though he is also willing to recruit subordinates from his enemies if they demonstrate exceptional talent. Determined to conquer Goguryeo, he launches a major military campaign that soon faces a crisis due to the fierce resistance of the rival kingdom.
Park Myung Hoon plays Xu Jingzong, a close ally of Li Shimin. Described as a politically astute figure who knows how to adapt to shifts in power, Xu Jingzong supports the emperor in his campaign against Goguryeo and becomes involved in the regency of the crown prince Li Zhi. However, after Li Shimin's death, he reveals ambitions he had long kept hidden and joins the power struggle within the Tang court.
Choi Ye Bin transforms into Wu Zetian, who would eventually seize control of the Tang Dynasty. A former concubine of Li Shimin, Wu Zetian is presented as a woman of great political insight and ambition. After the emperor's death, she gains the favor of Li Zhi and rises to become empress, expanding her influence by eliminating high-ranking court officials who oppose her.
Park Kang Sub plays Li Zhi, who succeeds Li Shimin as emperor. Deeply devoted to Wu Zetian, Li Zhi backs her political ambitions. As his health deteriorates, he relies increasingly on her to govern the country, which causes a gradual shift in the center of power within the Tang Dynasty.
Lee Ji Hoon takes on the role of Xue Rengui, a general of the Tang Dynasty. Xue Rengui earns Li Shimin's trust after rescuing him from danger during a battle against Goguryeo. He later distinguishes himself on various battlefields and earns the trust of both Li Zhi and Wu Zetian, eventually becoming one of the Tang Dynasty's leading generals.
A conflict that will shape the fate of the Three Kingdoms
These five characters represent clashing interests centered on the conquest of Goguryeo and the internal power struggles within the Tang Dynasty. The conflict that begins with Li Shimin's conquest ambitions will evolve throughout the reigns of Li Zhi and Wu Zetian, eventually generating tensions with Silla that will form a fundamental part of the series' plot.
Sword & Silence premiere date
Sword & Silence will premiere on November 14 at 9:20 p.m. Korean time on KBS 2TV.
Frequently asked questions about Sword & Silence
When does Sword & Silence premiere?
The series is scheduled to debut on November 14 at 9:20 p.m. Korean time on KBS 2TV.
Who plays Li Shimin in Sword & Silence?
Yang Hyun Min plays Li Shimin, the Tang Dynasty emperor who leads the military campaign against Goguryeo.
What role does Choi Ye Bin have in Sword & Silence?
Choi Ye Bin plays Wu Zetian, a former concubine of Li Shimin who later becomes the empress of the Tang Dynasty.
Which character does Lee Ji Hoon play in the series?
Lee Ji Hoon plays Xue Rengui, a Tang Dynasty general who earns the trust of Li Shimin, Li Zhi, and Wu Zetian throughout the story.
What is Sword & Silence about?
The series chronicles how the kingdom of Silla manages to overcome Goguryeo, Baekje, and the Chinese Tang Dynasty to achieve the unification of the Three Kingdoms, with a special focus on the power struggles within the Tang court.
