KBS to premiere massive historical epic Sword & Silence using AI

KBS will begin broadcasting the 28-episode historical drama Sword & Silence on the 14th at 9:20 PM. The production features a 29.4 billion won budget and will utilize AI technology to depict large-scale battle scenes such as the Battle of Mount Jupil.

KBS is finally unveiling the epic historical drama 'Sword & Silence,' a project involving an astronomical production budget of approximately 30 billion won. It stands as the largest-scale production in the history of KBS epic historical dramas, featuring overwhelming war scenes powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Attention is focused on whether this return of the KBS epic historical drama after about three years can breathe new life into the stagnant historical drama market.

The new KBS 2TV epic historical drama 'Sword & Silence' (written by Kim Ri-heon and Hong Jin-i, directed by Kim Yeong-jo and Gu Seong-jun) is scheduled for its first broadcast on the 14th at 9:20 PM. Planned as a 28-episode series, the production is currently undergoing final filming and post-production to enhance the quality of the latter half. The project has garnered both anticipation and concern even before its broadcast, as it aims to depict the great historical achievement of the unification of the Three Kingdoms and Silla's desperate struggle against the Tang dynasty on a massive scale.

'Sword & Silence' is a historical epic that portrays the lonely and desperate choices of leaders who staked everything on a single victory amidst 600 years of continuous warfare and upheavals within the Three Kingdoms. Centered on Silla's King Taejong Muyeol, Kim Chun-chu (played by Kim Kang-woo) and the 30th King, King Munmu, Kim Beop-min (played by Lee Hyun-wook), the drama captures the political decisions and the whirlwind of war leading toward the unification of the Three Kingdoms. The narratives of historical figures of the era, such as Silla's renowned general Kim Yu-sin (played by Park Seong-ung) and the Goguryeo powerhouse Yeon Gaesomun (played by Jang Hyuk), will also unfold diversely.

The work holds significant meaning as it is the first KBS epic historical drama presented in about three years since 'Korea–Khitan War' concluded in March 2024. In particular, as 'Korea–Khitan War' expanded the spectacle of historical dramas through large-scale battle scenes and war narratives, interest is focused on what kind of differentiated war drama 'Sword & Silence' will present as it depicts Silla's process of integrating Baekje and Goguryeo and confronting the Tang dynasty. Whether it can set a new milestone in the history of KBS epic historical dramas, which marks its 35th year this year, is also a key point of observation.

The scale of production is unprecedented. The total production cost for 'Sword & Silence' is approximately 29.4 billion won, the highest level in the history of KBS epic historical dramas. At a production briefing held last November, PD Kim Yeong-jo stated, "We are using the largest production budget among KBS dramas. It has increased as the license fees are now collected in an integrated manner." He added, "I feel a sense of mission to serve the people. I want to show better scenes. I will do my best to use this money." This reflects both the responsibility of a large-scale project for a public broadcaster and the confidence of the production team.

However, some point out that it is difficult to be optimistic about the production conditions based on the total amount alone. If 29.4 billion won is divided into 28 episodes, the production cost per episode is approximately 1.05 billion won. Given that the average production cost per episode for recent Korean dramas has exceeded 1 billion won, there are concerns that this may not be sufficient for an epic historical drama that must realize large-scale battle scenes and historical spaces. In particular, the success or failure of the work is expected to depend on how realistically and sophisticatedly the war scenes involving numerous troops can be implemented.

AI is the card KBS has chosen to break through these production cost burdens and the limits of spectacle. During the production briefing, PD Kim Yeong-jo mentioned plans for technical efficiency to reduce production costs, stating, "CG costs are at an all-time high, and we are considering parts where we can utilize AI." Beyond simply reducing costs, the strategy is to more effectively complete large-scale battle scenes that were difficult to realize with existing filming methods.

CP Lee Ho explained the specific ways AI will be utilized by introducing three major battlefields featured in the work: the Battle of Mount Jupil, the Battle of Maeso Fortress, and the Battle of Gibeolpo. For the Battle of Mount Jupil, filming was conducted using traditional VFX-centered methods, after which the CG was synthesized with AI. In the Battle of Maeso Fortress, AI technology was used more actively. It was explained that the proportion of AI usage was increased particularly when filming dangerous scenes to secure both safety and production efficiency.

For the Battle of Gibeolpo, the proportion of AI video usage is being significantly increased considering the unique filming environment of the tidal flats. "Since we are filming in tidal flats, I am increasing the ratio significantly during production as it seems to match the AI visual beauty," CP Lee Ho stated. "As AI continues to develop and improve even during the current filming process, you will be able to feel the level of completion as you watch the broadcast." This shows the intention to raise the visual perfection of the war scenes by reflecting the speed of technological advancement in the production process.

Historical authenticity is also a core element emphasized by the production team. "We made great efforts to ensure that historical authenticity issues do not arise in 'Sword & Silence'," CP Lee Ho explained. "It was made faithfully based on historical records, and we held meetings with advisory professors." He emphasized that there are far more advisory professors than in past epic historical dramas, conveying the efforts to secure a balance between historical facts and dramatic perfection.

Ultimately, 'Sword & Silence' is a major gamble for KBS, carrying the three challenges of production costs, technology, and historical authenticity simultaneously. As approximately 29.4 billion won is invested and new production technologies like AI are actively introduced, viewer expectations are bound to rise. The key variable that will determine the competitiveness of the work is how convincingly the traditional narrative of epic historical dramas and modern visual technology are combined.

Ahead of the broadcast, KBS is raising anticipation for 'Sword & Silence' through various documentary productions and active promotion. Whether the flashy descriptions of the highest production cost ever and AI war scenes can lead to overwhelming immersion in the actual viewing experience remains to be seen, as viewers focus on what results the challenge of the 35th KBS epic historical drama will produce.

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