Renowned Korean filmmaker Kim Han Min, celebrated for monumental historical action hits such as War of the Arrows, The Admiral: Roaring Currents, Hansan: Rising Dragon, and Noryang: Deadly Sea, is set to make his long-awaited return with a new cinematic spectacle — Sword: The Blade of Godumakhan.
The production has officially confirmed an ensemble cast featuring Park Bo Gum, Joo Won, Jung Jae Young, Lee Sun Bin, and Kim Hyung Seo (BIBI). The announcement has ignited anticipation among fans and industry watchers alike, with many predicting the film to be a major box office success upon its release.
Set in the turbulent aftermath of Goguryeo’s fall in 668 AD, Sword: The Blade of Godumakhan follows Chilseong, a man who wakes without memories and finds himself enslaved. Forced into a brutal gladiator-style competition within Yodong Fortress — once Goguryeo territory — he battles warriors from 16 powerful northern tribes, each showcasing unique combat styles. At the heart of the conflict lies a legendary northern blade, a symbol of hope amid chaos.
The film promises to introduce audiences to the rarely explored tradition of Goguryeo-style sword fighting. Action sequences will unfold in a colossal circular arena, where tribes such as the Khitan, Malgal, and Göktürk clash in visceral, high-intensity duels.
Park Bo Gum steps into the role of Chilseong, charting the character’s transformation from enslaved fighter to the legendary “Red Wolf.” This marks one of Park’s most physically demanding roles to date, blending raw survival drama with heroic triumph.
Opposite him, Joo Won portrays Gyepilharyeok, a fearsome Göktürk warrior armed with twin blades. His fierce rivalry with Chilseong is set to deliver some of the film’s most adrenaline-charged scenes.
Veteran actor Jung Jae Young takes on Heuksugang, the leader of the Goguryeo restoration army, serving as both mentor and revolutionary guiding Chilseong’s growth. Lee Sun Bin plays Maya, a mysterious fighter allied with the restoration forces, while BIBI brings emotional depth as Injeong, Heuksugang’s daughter.
A passion project years in the making, Sword: The Blade of Godumakhan was selected for Korea’s K-Content AI Pioneer Project, utilizing advanced AI technology in pre-production to choreograph large-scale battle sequences and visualize the diverse fighting styles of its many tribes.
Kim Han Min describes the film as capturing “the sharp yet weighty energy of the sword cutting through a chaotic era,” positioning it as the foundation of a new K-action hero franchise aimed at global audiences.
Produced by Bigstone Pictures and Bluefire Studio, with Redice Entertainment and Solare Partners as investors, the film is slated for a summer 2027 release. With its powerhouse cast, cutting-edge technology, and visionary direction, Sword: The Blade of Godumakhan is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Korean films of the decade.
