Choi Ye-bin Transforms into Empress Wu as KBS Reveals Tang Dynasty Lineup for 'Munmu' Premiering November 14

KBS 2TV has unveiled the Tang Dynasty characters of its upcoming historical epic “Munmu,” with actress Choi Ye-bin confirmed to transform into Empress Wu, the future ruler of Tang China. The new sageuk is set to premiere on November 14, airing every Saturday at 9:20 PM.

According to a Sports Donga report published via Naver, five key Tang figures were announced on October 21: Yang Hyun-min as Emperor Taizong (Li Shimin), Park Myung-hoon as his close aide Heo Gyeong-jong, Choi Ye-bin as Empress Wu (Wu Zetian), Park Kang-seop as Crown Prince Lee Chi (the future Emperor Gaozong), and Lee Ji-hoon as the general Seol In-gwi.

In the drama, Emperor Taizong is portrayed as a cold ruler who seized power and made the conquest of Goguryeo his life’s ambition, only to face crisis in the face of Goguryeo’s fierce resistance. Choi Ye-bin’s Empress Wu begins as Taizong’s concubine, and after his death she rises to empress on the strength of Emperor Gaozong’s devotion, eliminating veteran ministers who oppose her as her influence expands.

Production team behind “Munmu” stated that “Tang was a three-dimensional nation that joined hands with Silla while nurturing cold ambitions behind its back,” adding that the international dynamic of alliances and conflicts will be drawn through the Tang characters.

The role is a major new challenge for Choi Ye-bin, who is best known for her emotional acting in SBS’s “The Penthouse: War in Life.” As previously reported by SBS, her agency H.1 Entertainment said in September: “Actor Choi Ye-bin is taking on a new challenge as the female lead Empress Wu Zetian in ‘Munmu.’ We expect her to showcase new charms and potential while working alongside wonderful actors. As she is currently doing her absolute best in filming, we ask for a lot of interest and support.”

“Munmu” dramatizes the struggles of leaders during the wars and political upheaval of the Three Kingdoms era, on a reported production budget of 30 billion won. Written by Kim Ri-heon and Hong Jin-i and directed by Kim Young-jo and Gu Sung-joon, the 28-episode series also stars Lee Hyun-wook as Kim Beop-min (the future King Munmu), Jang Hyuk as Yeon Gaesomun, Kim Kang-woo as Kim Chun-chu, and Park Sung-woong as Kim Yu-sin.

With the premiere now under four weeks away, the Tang lineup reveal sets the stage for the drama’s central arc: Taizong’s ambitions, the transfer of Tang power to Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu, and the collision with Silla.