What does it take to protect a kingdom on the verge of defeat? In “Sacred Jewel“, an extraordinary mission brings together warriors from different walks of life, each with their own convictions, fears and reasons to fight. Blending historical drama with action, adventure and romance, the new Korean series stars Ahn Bo-hyun, Claudia Kim and Lee Sung-min in a story that is as much about the people behind the battles as it is about the fate of a kingdom. With its 5 December premiere just around the corner, hear from the three stars as they share what drew them to the series, how they approached their characters and what they hope audiences will take away from this epic new adventure.
| Q. Sacred Jewel combines history, action, adventure, and romance. What was the element of the story that first drew you to this project? |
| Ahn Bo-hyun: The script felt unlike any period drama I’d seen before, so it felt incredibly fresh, and I was very eager to take on the challenge. I also heard that Lee Sung-min had already been cast, and I wanted to be part of the same project as him. The director had previously worked with Sung-min on Reborn Rich, and I’d heard that he was a highly regarded director known for his meticulous attention to detail. That made me curious about what it would be like to work with him on a period drama, and I think that curiosity ultimately led me to take on the project. |
| Claudia Kim: When I read the script, I also found myself wondering, “Have we ever had a period drama like this in Korea? Have we ever had one on this scale?” There was so much to see and enjoy in so many different ways, which really piqued my curiosity. And when I looked at Wang Hee, even though she is a woman living in a historical period, she is incredibly independent and strong. She felt like the kind of female character we haven’t often seen in period dramas before, and that made me even more interested in the project. |
| Lee Sung-min: I heard that Director Jung Dae-yoon, whom I’d worked with on a previous project, would be directing the series. I also loved the series’ unique approach, and since it had been a long time since I’d done a period drama, I decided to take it on. |
| Q. As the story unfolds, we gradually discover different sides of each character. What is one side of your character that you are especially excited for viewers to discover? |
| Lee Sung-min: My character has spent almost his entire life on the battlefield. That’s who Choi Gu is. But underneath the surface, he has his own hopes and dreams. I hope viewers will recognize that warmth within him, which I think will add to viewers’ enjoyment of the character. |
| Claudia Kim: I think she is someone who wholeheartedly does everything she can, on her own terms, to figure out how she can become a better version of herself. We get to see Wang Hee go through tremendous growth over the course of the series. I think that’s something many women will be able to relate to. |
| Ahn Bo-hyun: Baek Gyul is very strong-willed, and I think many viewers may see him as someone with a strong “T,” or Thinking, personality type. But as you watch the series, I hope you’ll see how Baek Gyul gradually changes and discover that beneath it all, he is a sincere young man full of passion and innocence. He starts out as someone who is very set in his ways and tries to do everything on his own, but if you focus on his journey toward becoming part of Yabyeolcho, I think you’ll find yourself smiling and enjoying the series along with him. |
| Q. Baek Gyul is a soldier and the emperor’s bodyguard, but beyond being a warrior, what did you most want audiences to understand about him as a person? |
| Ahn Bo-hyun: He is very strong-willed and may even come across as quite selfish, but there is a reason behind everything he does, and I think that reason ultimately comes down to love. His journey begins because of Wang Hee, and the sincerity and pure-heartedness with which Baek Gyul sees that journey through really resonated with me. I think that’s one of the most compelling aspects of the character. |
| Q. Do Baek Gyul and Choi Gu change each other during the journey? What does each of them learn from the other? |
| Lee Sung-min: I think Baek Gyul reminds Choi Gu of what love means, it’s something he had long forgotten about and he teaches him a great deal about it. |
| Ahn Bo-hyun: I think the biggest thing Baek Gyul learns from Choi Gu is leadership. There are many things Choi Gu does that Baek Gyul doesn’t agree with or finds difficult to accept. But over time, he comes to realize that Choi Gu’s choices are often the right ones, and that they come from his years of experience. Through Choi Gu, Baek Gyul learns about leadership and also what compassion truly means. |
| Q. Baek Gyul and Wang Hee come from very different positions, but both carry their own responsibilities and emotional wounds. What do you think allows them to truly understand each other? |
| Claudia Kim: After they spend some time apart, there are things about Baek Gyul that feel unfamiliar to Wang Hee, and I think those changes reflect how much he has grown. Seeing that growth in Baek Gyul inspires Wang Hee as well. She begins to reflect on herself and comes to understand his willingness to sacrifice a little better. Baek Gyul also inspires her to think about what she herself should do as a princess. |
| Q. Choi Gu has survived hundreds of battles, which makes him seem almost fearless. But what is Choi Gu actually afraid of? |
| Lee Sung-min: What Choi Gu is afraid of has to do with his family. The family’s stability. Their peace. The comfort he feels when he is with them. I think he is afraid that these things might be taken away from him. I believe that would be Choi Gu’s biggest fear. |
| Q. Could you share a short message for everyone who is looking forward to “Sacred Jewel“? |
| Lee Sung-min: We’ve created a very different kind of period drama. We worked incredibly hard and gave it our very best. We hope you’ll show the series lots of love and support. Thank you. |
| Claudia Kim: The long wait is almost over, and you’ll finally get to see our series very soon. We put so much care and effort into making it, and we’re just as excited as you are as we wait for it to finally be released. I really hope you enjoy it when it comes out. There are so many different things to enjoy in the series, so I hope you won’t miss any of them. Thank you. |
| Ahn Bo-hyun: We really put our blood, sweat, tears, and even snot into this series. I think we’ve created a period drama unlike anything you’ve seen before almost a genre of its own. You’ve waited a long time for it, and I believe it’s a series that will live up to your expectations. There’s so much to see, from Korea’s distinct four seasons to its beautiful mountains, all of which capture a uniquely Korean sensibility. We worked incredibly hard on this series, and having many people watch and enjoy it would make all that hard work worthwhile. Please look forward to it and show the series lots of love. Thank you. |
Don’t forget to stream “Sacred Jewel” when it premieres on Amazon Prime on December 5!
