Approximately 80 people gathered in the plaza in front of the Munmu Maritime History Museum, where they signed and sealed a large scroll. This was to wish for the success of the KBS grand drama “Munmu.” I believe that this scene is not just a simple press conference, but rather demonstrates the local government’s intention to turn a historical drama into a gateway for tourism along the Gyeongju coast.
Gyeongju City held this event on October 14, 2026. Mayor Ju Nak-young of Gyeongju City, Chairman Im Hwal of the Gyeongju City Council, President Kim Nam-il of the Gyeongbuk Cultural Tourism Agency, KBS production staff, and the actors appearing in this production were present. Actor Lee Hyun-wook plays Munmu the Great, Kim Law-min; Kim Kang-woo plays Kim Chun-chu; Park Seong-woong plays Kim Yu-sin; and Jeong Woong-in plays Kim Jin-ju. The names from history books are now beginning to move again within the 28-episode series.
“Munmu” is scheduled to premiere on KBS 2TV at 9:20 PM on November 14, 2026. The drama depicts the life of King Munmu of Silla, as well as the unification of the Three Kingdoms and the Namdaeng War. Considering that KBS has produced 34 large-scale historical dramas from 1981 to 2024, “Munmu” is introduced as the 35th work in that lineage.
The image that Gyeongju envisions is clear. After viewers watch the story of King Munmu, they are expected to visit King Munmu’s Tomb, and then embark on a trip along the Gyeongju eastern coast, which includes the King Munmu Maritime History Museum, Gamunsa Temple Site, and Ikyeon Pavilion. The plan is for the viewer’s footsteps to move from the battles depicted on the screen to the actual coastline.
The Munmu the Great Tomb is the underwater tomb of King Munmu, the 30th ruler of the Silla Kingdom. It is considered one of the core historical and cultural resources of the eastern coast of Gyeongju, along with Gamunsa Temple and the Igyeon Pavilion. The Munmu the Great Maritime History Museum was completed in March 2026 and was established as a facility to exhibit the maritime activities of the Silla Kingdom and the history of the Three Kingdoms unification. The total project cost is 15,300,000,000 won, the site area is 9,089 square meters, and the total floor area is approximately 1,700 square meters.
Gyeongju City has been working on the Munmu the Great Tomb restoration project since 2017. The plan is to improve the park, trails, facilities, and coastal scenery by 2027, with a budget of 35,000,000,000 won. In 2024, 133 parking spaces were also created in the area around the Munmu the Great Tomb. Therefore, if the number of visitors increases in the future, it will be difficult to clearly determine whether the change is due to the drama or the improvement of infrastructure. This is because tourism is generally more closely related to the ensemble than to a single lead actor.
Even so, if the broadcast effect becomes a reality, it could present opportunities for local residents and businesses. It is possible that the revenue of accommodations, restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops will increase, and that this will also affect residents’ income. For viewers, this is not just a story about someone else’s neighborhood. It is a matter that could change the destination of weekend trips, the time spent parking, the effort involved in finding a place to eat, and the travel expenses incurred in the region.
Gyeongju Mayor Ju Nak-young stated, “I hope this drama will serve as an opportunity to widely publicize the history of the ancient Silla kingdom and the patriotism of King Munmu both domestically and internationally.” He also announced, “We will make efforts to support the successful broadcast of the drama and to promote regional tourism.” The goal of Gyeongju City is to link historical promotion, tourism revitalization, and the sacred site preservation project into a single effort.
However, a success-praying ceremony does not guarantee commercial success. The tapestry signed by the actors and production staff is a symbol of determination, not a viewership rating or tourist statistics. It remains to be seen how many visitors the drama will attract, how much the accommodation and sales will increase, and how Gyeongju City will measure the effects. I believe that this aspect is something that needs to be examined more carefully and thoroughly than the applause for the event.
At the citizen roundtable meeting, it was already pointed out that there is a lack of experiential tourism elements, as well as insufficient surrounding environment, public transportation, and convenience facilities. While an increase in tourists is welcome for local businesses, it can pose unexpected challenges for roads and parking facilities. If waste, noise, and infringements on residents’ privacy are not managed, tourism promotion could become a source of fatigue for residents rather than a source of vitality for the region.
Therefore, for Gyeongju to claim success, it is not enough to simply cite the number of visitors. It is necessary to consider parking, public transportation, restrooms, waste disposal, and inconvenience to residents. It is important to record not only who earned how much, but also who bore what burdens. Tourists arrive as numbers, but residents experience it as a part of their daily lives.
KBS stated that it will base the production of “Munmu” as much as possible on verified historical sources. The script is currently about 16 out of 28 episodes completed, and filming is taking place in Mongolia and Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang Province. Large-scale battles and scenes that are difficult or dangerous to film will be created using AI and VFX technology.
The application of technology is fascinating. Combining the vast landscapes of Mongolia with AI and VFX allows for the creation of battle scenes that would be difficult to achieve through actual filming alone. It also offers the possibility of capturing the scale of a historical drama while reducing the risk of dangerous scenes. However, while AI can make battles safer, it cannot automatically guarantee historical accuracy. Beautiful visuals and accurate history are subject to different standards.
The unification of the Three Kingdoms is a massive historical event involving the Silla, Goguryeo, Baekje, and Tang dynasties. King Munmu was a complex figure whose life was intertwined with politics, war, and diplomacy, and cannot be simply explained as a heroic tale of a single individual. While character relationships and the sequence of events may be altered for dramatic tension, explanations within and outside the work are necessary to ensure that viewers do not accept all scenes in the drama as factual.
At this point, public broadcasters’ historical dramas go beyond mere entertainment. Since KBS, funded by viewer fees, produces long-form historical dramas, its efforts are evaluated not only based on production costs and technological advancements, but also on how effectively they broaden viewers’ understanding of history. While historical dramas depict the past, they can influence viewers’ current perceptions. This is because the image of a king and the narrative of unification can become solidified through the screen.
Gyeongju City plans to use the broadcast of “Munmu” as an opportunity to promote the maritime history and cultural heritage of the East Coast, including the Munmu the Great Tomb and the Maritime History Museum. It is understandable that there is an expectation that the program could increase the number of tourists if it is successful. However, the moment that expectation is presented as a policy achievement, the boundary between promotion and administration becomes blurred. I believe that maintaining that clear boundary is, in fact, the best way to benefit both the drama and the region.
The best outcome occurs when visitors have a reason to return even after the drama has ended. For example, tourists who initially visit a location based on what they see on screen can then learn about the Silla Dynasty’s maritime activities at the Maritime History Museum and experience the Munmu the Great Tomb, Gamunsa Temple site, and Igyeon Pavilion as a unified historical itinerary. Conversely, if visits are limited to simply taking a single photograph, the economic benefits for the region may be short-lived, while the burden on the facilities may be prolonged.
The Gyeongju coast already possesses its own history and scenery. What is now needed is not only to leverage the popularity of the drama, but also to ensure that this popularity translates into a well-organized and beneficial tourism experience for the region. While the first broadcast on November 14, 2026, marks the beginning of the drama, it also represents the first episode of a longer-term effort for Gyeongju to measure the tourism impact and manage any potential negative consequences.
If “Munmu” brings King Munmu to life on screen, Gyeongju must create a reality where visitors and residents can continue to stay together even after the scene ends. The dialogue in a historical drama series may conclude after 28 episodes, but the results of tourism are measured from the time the broadcast ends.
When will “Munmu” be broadcast?
“Munmu” is scheduled to premiere on November 14, 2026, on KBS 2TV, with the planned broadcast time being 9:20 PM. The drama will consist of a total of 28 episodes.
What kind of person does the work “Munmu” depict?
The drama focuses on the life of King Munmu of Silla and the process of unifying the Three Kingdoms. Lee Hyun-wook plays King Munmu (Kim Beopmin), Kim Kang-woo plays Kim Chun-chu, Park Seong-woong plays Kim Yu-sin, and Jeong Woong-in plays Kim Jin-ju.
Besides the Munmu the Great Tomb, what other tourist attractions are there to visit?
A historical and cultural tour along the East Coast is being proposed, focusing on the Munmu the Great Tomb and the Munmu the Great Maritime History Museum, and connecting sites such as Gamunsa Temple and Igyeon Pavilion. The Maritime History Museum will showcase the maritime activities of the Silla Kingdom and the history of the Three Kingdoms unification.
How many tourists will the broadcast of the drama bring?
While the broadcast may increase the number of visitors and local sales, the specific extent of the increase and the methods for measuring it have not yet been confirmed. The actual effects should be assessed by examining the number of visitors and indicators such as accommodation and sales figures after the broadcast.
Are all the events depicted in the drama based on historical facts?
KBS stated that the program will be produced based on verified historical sources, but as it is a drama, it may include dramatic adaptations. Viewers need to distinguish between the depictions in the drama and the actual historical facts.
Why are AI and VFX technologies being used?
The technology is planned to be used to create large-scale battles and scenes that are difficult or dangerous to film in reality. The actual cost savings and viewership impact have not yet been confirmed.
