Key takeaways
- Ahn Bo Hyun trained extensively with sword and bow for his first leading historical drama role in Sacred Jewel, which premieres December 5 at 10:40 p.m. KST.
- He chose the project for its unprecedented scale, the opportunity to work with mentor Lee Sung Min, and the challenge of portraying a character who transforms from an elite royal officer into a hardened battlefield commander.
- Baek Gyeol's arc is defined by three elements: ambition to complete his mission, unwavering love for Princess Wang Hee, and compassion that evolves through conflict with fellow warriors in the Yabyeolcho unit.
- The cast, described by Ahn Bo Hyun as a 'Korean Avengers' ensemble that included Lee Sung Min and Claudia Kim, poured significant effort into a production that filmed across Korea's mountain terrain.
Ahn Bo Hyun has revealed his preparation process for the upcoming historical drama “Sacred Jewel,” discussing the martial arts training required for his role, his mentorship with actor Lee Sung Min, and the character transformation at the heart of the story.
The Goryeo Kingdom Under Siege
“Sacred Jewel” transports viewers to 1258, a pivotal moment in Korean history when the Goryeo Dynasty teeters on collapse. After three decades of war with Mongolia, the kingdom faces existential threat. Into this chaos steps an expedition unit tasked with an audacious mission: locate the Avalokitesvara Bead, a sacred relic said to hold the nation’s prayers and possess divine protective power. Alongside them moves a princess determined to rescue the warriors caught in this perilous quest.
Baek Gyeol: From Court Elite to Battlefield Commander
Ahn Bo Hyun inhabits Baek Gyeol, a young military commander entrusted with protecting the Avalokitesvara Bead as it travels toward salvation or destruction. Before the story begins, Baek Gyeol served in Gyeollyonggun, the royal guard, raised within palace walls in relative shelter—an elite officer untempered by real combat. From the outset, the character possesses high self-esteem and a strong sense of responsibility. Complicating his mission is a private love: the emperor’s daughter, whose safety and fate intertwine with his own survival. Claudia Kim plays Princess Wang Hee.
The Draw: Scale, Mentorship, and a Historical Milestone
A Script Like No Other
When Ahn Bo Hyun received the script, he encountered something rare in Korean historical drama. “It was a historical drama script with a scale unlike anything I had seen before, so I was curious about how such an expansive story would be brought to life,” he explained in an interview with Soompi. The sheer ambition of the production pulled him toward the role, marked by scope that distinguished it from conventional period pieces.
Mentorship and Role Models
Beyond the scale lay another draw: the opportunity to collaborate with Lee Sung Min, the veteran actor whom Ahn Bo Hyun regards as a role model. Having worked alongside such an artist shaped his decision significantly.
A Milestone Role
Equally important, “Sacred Jewel” marks his first leading role in a historical drama since entering the entertainment industry. Taking on such responsibility as a lead—rather than in a supporting capacity—excited him even as it unsettled him. “I felt both excited and nervous, but that made me want to take on the challenge even more,” he said.
The Physical Ordeal: Sword, Bow, and Mountain Terrain
Mastering Unfamiliar Weapons
Bringing Baek Gyeol to life meant mastering weapons Ahn Bo Hyun had never wielded before. The character fights with both sword and bow, two distinct martial disciplines requiring separate technical mastery. To convincingly portray these combat sequences, he committed to extensive martial arts training and repeated rehearsals. Neither weapon came naturally; each demanded considerable time and focus to move through their forms convincingly rather than mechanically.
Filming Across a Nation
The physical toll extended beyond choreography. “There were so many action scenes, and the physical demands were so intense that I felt like I had traveled across nearly every mountain in Korea,” Ahn Bo Hyun recalled of the production schedule. The crew shot across multiple locations throughout the country, with mountainous terrain dominating the shoot.
Internal Struggle
Beyond the martial training, Ahn Bo Hyun devoted thought to the emotional undercurrents beneath Baek Gyeol’s external actions. The character undergoes significant internal shifts as the story progresses, and portraying that inner struggle required as much preparation as the fight choreography.
Three Words, One Character Arc
The Transformation Framework
Ahn Bo Hyun identified three concepts central to understanding Baek Gyeol: ambition, love, and compassion. The ambition drives him to complete his assigned mission and earn recognition for doing so. His love for Princess Wang Hee remains constant and unwavering throughout his journey. Compassion, however, fluctuates—he moves between rigid duty and a more deeply human, wavering emotional state as circumstances and relationships reshape his perspective.
From Sheltered Elite to Seasoned Warrior
Ahn Bo Hyun encouraged audiences to track this transformation closely. Describing Baek Gyeol as someone who begins as a hothouse flower—sheltered and refined but fragile—he explained how proximity to the Yabyeolcho unit changes him. “As he spends time with the members of Yabyeolcho, he gradually grows into a true warrior,” he said. The actor views this arc as central to viewer engagement: “I think viewers will find themselves more immersed in the story if they focus on how Baek Gyeol develops.”
Learning Through Conflict
The character possesses high self-esteem and a strong sense of responsibility from the outset. Yet clashes with his fellow warriors introduce new perspectives he had never considered before. Through these relationships, he learns, changes, and eventually develops a more mature form of leadership. “I think viewers will get to see a side of me that is quite different from what they’ve seen before,” Ahn Bo Hyun remarked.
The Ensemble as a “Korean Avengers”
Despite carrying the story as its lead, Ahn Bo Hyun emphasized the collaborative nature of the production. He described his chemistry with fellow cast members using an unexpected metaphor: a “Korean Avengers.” The comparison speaks to the ensemble’s diversity of talent and the way individual characters combine into a unified force.
In reflecting on the production as a whole, Ahn Bo Hyun spoke to the investment every participant made. “I can confidently say that every actor and staff member poured their blood, sweat, tears, and even their bones into this project,” he stated. “We’ve created a wonderful drama that I believe will live up to the expectations of everyone who has been waiting for it.”
Premiere and Anticipation
“Sacred Jewel” arrives on December 5 at 10:40 p.m. KST. The actor expressed genuine excitement about sharing the finished work. “I’m excited myself and can’t wait for everyone to see it,” he concluded, underscoring his confidence in both the project’s scope and execution.
Source: Soompi
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Sacred Jewel premiere?
Sacred Jewel premieres on December 5 at 10:40 p.m. KST.
What is Ahn Bo Hyun's role in Sacred Jewel?
Ahn Bo Hyun plays Baek Gyeol, a young military commander entrusted with protecting the Avalokitesvara Bead, a sacred relic believed to hold divine power. He transforms from a sheltered member of the royal guard into a hardened warrior fighting alongside the Yabyeolcho unit, all while protecting his love interest, Princess Wang Hee.
Why did Ahn Bo Hyun choose Sacred Jewel?
According to the actor, the script had an unprecedented scale unlike other historical dramas, he was eager to work with veteran actor Lee Sung Min whom he considers a role model, and the role marks his first leading part in a historical drama since his entertainment industry debut.
