[21] The heroes of the historical drama “Taejo Wang Geon,” actors Kim Hak-cheol and Kim Hyeong-il
Kkanbu. It is a slang and colloquialism that means ‘the same side’, and further, ‘a person who can share everything no matter what’. No matter how much you have in life, if you don’t have a lifelong friend with whom you can share healthy relationships, can you say you’ve lived well? It is said that good interpersonal relationships have a positive effect on health. We introduce the ‘value of togetherness’ that blooms among Kkanbu.
![“Park Sul-hee and General Shin Sung-gyeom are said to have become sworn brothers 1,000 years ago, but they still can’t talk to each other.” [유재영의 전국깐부자랑]](https://dimg.donga.com/wps/NEWS/IMAGE/2024/09/13/130043710.1.jpg "“Park Sul-hee and General Shin Sung-gyeom are said to have become sworn brothers 1,000 years ago, but they still can’t talk to each other.” [유재영의 전국깐부자랑]")
This kind of connection is rare. 24 years ago, they appeared together for about 160 episodes in a historical drama that is still considered a masterpiece. The two who served the same master were always on screen together. When one person spoke, the other person’s lines continued. They ate together, slept together, filmed together, and were always together. Since it was a drama that aired twice a week, they lived together for nearly three years, including the preparation period.
Thanks to the popularity of the drama, people who meet them still call them by their roles in the drama. When I mention one, they ask, “Where’s the other one?” It feels good. Furthermore, the roles of the two have become synonymous with loyalty and friendship, sacrificing their bodies for their lord. It’s the ‘role of a lifetime’, so I tried to live like that and have lived like that. They say that even real brothers fight and don’t see each other anymore, but I can’t let go of the bond of sworn brothers.
This is the relationship between actors Kim Hak-cheol (65) and Kim Hyeong-il (64). In the drama ‘Taejo Wang Geon’, which began in 2000 and aired 200 episodes, the two played the roles of Park Sul-hee and General Shin Sung-gyeom, the closest associates of Taejo Wang Geon of Goryeo and the greatest contributors to the founding of the country, respectively, contributing to the popularity of the drama.
‘He had a brave and bold personality.’
The history book ‘Goryeosa’ described Park Sul-hee like this. Kim Hak-cheol is also generous, generous, and bold. Shin Sung-gyeom is said to be strong and strong, but always calm and serious. Kim Hyeong-il is also big and has a great personality, and he has a deep and resonant low voice and the composure to embrace people. Even now, it is an incredible casting.
“Mr. Hyung-il. Here you are.”
“Mr. Hakcheol.”
On the 11th, the two met at Exit 1 of Mapo Station on Subway Line 5 in Seoul. Kim Hak-cheol arrived first and came out to greet Kim Hyeong-il. However, they use formal language with each other. Kim Hak-cheol is a year older and debuted in the entertainment industry a little earlier, so it would be okay to use informal language, but they use formal language with each other even though they have known each other for over 20 years.
“Hyung-il is a person who can be a role model for celebrities. He has no pretense. He is a model student. I want to protect Hyung-il like this. If you call him ‘hey hey’ because he is my younger brother, he can get hurt. I think we can last long if we respect each other.” (Kim Hak-cheol)
● Two unforgettable cans of beer
Kim Hak-chul, a graduate of the Department of Theater at Seoul Institute of the Arts, debuted as a theater actor in 1978. Kim Hyeong-il entered the entertainment industry as a 15th CBS voice actor in 1987 and became a 13th KBS talent in 1989. He began to be known to the public in 1990 for his role as Shin Ma-jeok in director Im Kwon-taek’s film ‘The General’s Son’.
The two, who knew of each other’s existence but had never met before, met for the first time in ‘Taejo Wang Geon’. There were several candidates for the role of Shin Sung-gyeom, but the director gave the okay immediately after seeing Kim Hyung-il.
“It was just a perfect fit. In a survey of actors who fit the roles in ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms,’ Kim Hyung-il was the undisputed Guan Yu. There were a few people competing with me for the role of Jang-bi. Come to think of it, Hyung-il passed the (broadcasting station) open recruitment twice. I’m jealous.” (Kim Hak-chul)
“I guess I took the test for nothing. At the time, I was trying to somehow get up from the bottom. I could have acted right away, so why did I take the test? Seriously.” (Kim Hyung-il)
A big laugh breaks out.
At the beginning of the drama, Wang Geon first meets Park Sul-hee and Neungsan (later Shin Sung-gyeom) in Songak and they form a relationship. Wang Geon is amazed by their martial arts skills. The two are attracted to Wang Geon’s uprightness and say they will serve him as their lord. In the drama, Shin Sung-gyeom is older than Park Sul-hee. Wang Geon says, “I have acquired the world’s bravest general and hero. It is a gift from heaven,” and they become sworn brothers. This is the beginning of loyalty.
“I went to Namdaemun Market in Seoul when the episode with that scene was aired. It was a mess. The market vendors who were grilling pork belly grabbed me and dragged me to eat with them. In the scene where Park Sul-hee fights Byeon Sa-bu (Wang Geon’s martial arts master), people asked me who won and said they couldn’t sleep because they were curious. It was amazing.” (Kim Hak-cheol)
“The script came out, and I was curious about the next script. I also shot a lot of commercials. It was so fun that I didn’t feel tired even though I filmed for 2 nights and 3 days.” (Kim Hyung-il)
It was a very meaningful shoot for both of them.
“Do you remember Hyung-il? When I was riding in the car driven by Hyung-il’s manager at the Mungyeong set (in Gyeongbuk) after filming that scene, I didn’t have a manager. Hyung-il said, ‘Aren’t you thirsty?’ and brought two cans of beer from a convenience store. Man, I drank them after filming that scene, and they were so delicious. I drank them all without leaving a single drop. They’re the beers of your life.” (Kim Hak-cheol)
“It was really delicious. Really.” (Kim Hyung-il)
“A shot of canned beer. It feels like it was just yesterday. I was so grateful when Hyung-il said, ‘Hak-cheol, try this.’ I couldn’t take my mouth off the can. I sweated so much while filming. I think we became really close because of that beer. It was the moment when we became sworn brothers.” (Kim Hak-cheol)
● “The tears shed when Shin Sung-gyeom died were not acting.”
For Wang Geon, the first emperor of Goryeo, the Battle of Gongsan (present-day Daegu) against Gyeon Hwon of Later Baekje was an indelible humiliation. He personally commanded the battle, but was defeated. He barely managed to survive. He lost eight of his beloved generals.
Daegu Palgongsan is said to commemorate the eight people who saved Wang Geon and died heroically. Among them is Shin Sung-gyeom. Shin Sung-gyeom wore the emperor’s armor and rode the emperor’s white horse to lure the enemy to escape Wang Geon, who was surrounded on all sides, and eventually died. This is the 161st episode of ‘Taejo Wang Geon’. The Later Baekje army took Wang Geon’s head and sent it to Gyeon Hwon (played by Seo In-seok). Gyeon Hwon confirmed that it was not Wang Geon but Shin Sung-gyeom and was impressed by his loyalty.
– The scene where Shin Sung-gyeom appears in front of Wang Geon in emperor’s attire, and prays tearfully for the great cause of “His Majesty the Great” and then heads to the enemy territory was the best. The ratings were also great. Choi Soo-jong, who played Wang Geon, cried and cried, saying, “Brother, this can’t be done,” and even shed tears, snot, and drool.
“The last scene of Wang Geon and Shin Sung-gyeom was definitely okay in one take. I couldn’t re-film it because I was completely immersed in my emotions. How can someone die for someone else? Even I think Shin Sung-gyeom is amazing. (Choi) Su-jong cried when he left me, and I cried too. I think he was very affectionate and even resentful. Oh, after filming the last scene of the communist battle, I said, ‘It felt like I was discharged from the military.’ I was in Mungyeong for almost three years.” (Kim Hyung-il)
“That’s right. We knew the so-called ‘Mungyeong Jiri Bu-do’. Where the Sundae soup restaurant is, where the laundromat is… There are many restaurants in that area with the name of Taejo Wang Geon. Starting with ‘Wang Geon Restaurant’.” (Kim Hak-cheol)
“Shall I tell you a behind-the-scenes story that even Mr. Hakcheol doesn’t know?”
Kim Hyung-il’s eyes sparkle.
“After I died, Later Baekje took Shin Sung-gyeom’s head to Gyeon Hwon. When Gyeon Hwon looked at the head, the screen captured Shin Sung-gyeom’s face with his eyes open and dead. But that face wasn’t made up. I actually put my head under the frame and really opened my eyes. (Everyone bursts into laughter) Because I didn’t have time to make it.” (Kim Hyeong-il)
“Wow, that wasn’t fake, it was real. I had no idea. Hahaha” (Kim Hak-cheol)
-When Wang Geon barely returned alive after Shin Sung-gyeom died in battle, Park Sul-hee cried so much. (Park Sul-hee did not participate in the Gongsan battle.)
“That moment was like I escaped from the reality of acting. I was possessed as if I had lost my sworn brother. I didn’t think about how to act, but just focused on making a voice that I didn’t intend. It wasn’t calculated acting, it was energy. I think Shin Sung-gyeom’s death is the highlight of the entire play. People feel inferiority and fear when it comes to death. It’s because they haven’t died before. But dying for the lord and not for yourself? That must have been a big message to people.” (Kim Hak-cheol)
– Since the role of Shin Sung-kyum disappeared, you ended up filming alone. Didn’t you feel lonely?
“It was strange that it felt like real brothers met throughout the drama. Even though they acted together, the level of affection they had for each other was different. The viewers also saw it that way. Of course, it felt empty when Hyung-il was gone. But the people from Shin Sung-gyeom’s Pyeongsan Shin clan cheered them on, whether it was on the set or somewhere else. They even approached them to be friends.” (Kim Hak-cheol)
● Park Sul-hee of the Myeoncheon Park clan is treated as the founder of the Pyeongsan Shin clan
Shin Sung-gyeom’s original name was Neungsan. When Wang Geon became the emperor, he went hunting in the Hwanghae-do region and was impressed by the Hwalssom clan of Neungsan, so he named him Shin Sung-gyeom on the spot. So Shin Sung-gyeom became the progenitor of the Pyeongsan Shin clan in Hwanghae-do. Shin Sung-gyeom is buried in Bangdong-ri, Seomyeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do. There is a famous ‘Doctor’s Village’ nearby, where many descendants of the Pyeongsan Shin clan live. Thanks to the drama, Kim Hyeong-il of the Uiseong Kim clan became a VIP of the Pyeongsan Shin clan. In the drama, after Shin Sung-gyeom died, the history of the Shin clan was explained at length through narration, which is unusual.
“Once, they invited me to a Shin family memorial service. At their request, I attended wearing Shin Sung-gyeom’s armor. The elders of the family sat at the top and I sat in the second seat. I was proud, but I was also out of my mind. Hahaha. When I looked down, there were a lot of elders. I have a special connection to this family. In the drama ‘Jingbirok,’ you played General Shin Rip during the Imjin War. General Shin is also from the Pyeongsan Shin clan. It’s not an ordinary connection.” (Kim Hyeong-il)
“Park Sul-hee, a founding father of Goryeo, was later granted the title of Myeoncheon Buwongun and became the founder of the Myeoncheon Park clan. But in reality, Park Sul-hee became the ‘quasi-founder’ of the Pyeongsan Shin clan. Haha. He was just being unreasonably happy because he became sworn brothers with his ancestors.” (Kim Hak-cheol)
-If Park Sul-hee, who did not participate in the communist battle, had been with the emperor in a time of crisis together with Shin Sung-gyeom, what choice would he have made?
“History could have changed. At that time, history chose Shin Sung-gyeom. If I were in the drama, the attention would have been divided. The focus of the communist battle was Shin Sung-gyeom. Instead, I received attention and love at the Ajagae Castle in Sangju, saying things like, “Sool-hee! Are you here?” and “I’ll offer you a glass of maeruju. Sir.” It should be shared between sworn brothers. Haha.” (Kim Hak-cheol)
● ‘Brothers in the Oath’ who respect each other because they envy each other in many ways
The two try to meet even if it means splitting up their time. Meeting and talking about things that only the two of them know is fun. They can talk about the same thing over and over again, and when they find out something they didn’t know before, they’ve ‘hit the jackpot’. It’s the fun of life. It’s a snack to have with drinks, a side dish to a meal. They don’t feel bad even when they say, “You’re good, I’m bad.” They like that you have what they don’t have, and they try to be jealous and pickle each other once in a while. While talking about life, they turn to memories of ‘Taejo Wang Geon’ again.
“Park Sul-hee had a daughter named Daeju Dogeum (Ajagae). Shin Sung-gyeom had no family or women and was only loyal to his lord. Haha” (Kim Hyeong-il)
“I see. But Shin Sung-gyeom has such a big presence that he doesn’t need a side story. I have a crush on him. One time, (Kim) Gap-soo hyung said, ‘It would be nice if you had a romance.’ Haha. He played the role of the monk Jong-gan. I had my hair shaved, but Shin Sung-gyeom had long hair and was really cool. I remember that. When I was lost in love with Lady Daeju Do-geum, Shin Sung-gyeom came and saved me. Shin Sung-gyeom scolded me in a dignified and cool way, saying, ‘Why are you being so reckless today?’ But Park Sul-hee foolishly said, ‘Brother, that voice like a cuckoo, doesn’t it sound like a fairy descending?’ Then he lost half of his soldiers and was called by Wang Geon and got a huge scolding. I was also really upset by the scene that followed, but my mother was really upset with Choi Soo-jong. Wang Geon said to Park Sul-hee, ‘Do you think of women with that face?’ (Everyone falls to their knees) Wow, my mother was watching that scene and she was going crazy. She wouldn’t let Choi Soo-jong stay still. She said, ‘How is our son better than Jang Dong-gun?’… She couldn’t stop him. It was the first time I saw him get so angry.” (Kim Hak-chul)
“I was still jealous though. Haha.” (Kim Hyung-il)
-Only Kim Hak-chul received the KBS Drama Awards Supporting Actor Award at the end of the year.
“The mourning clothes are really dirty. (Everyone laughs)” (Kim Hyung-il)
“If Shin Sung-gyeom had gotten on the ‘love line’, he could have received it.” (Kim Hak-cheol)
Kim Hak-chul won the 27th Dong-A Ilbo Dong-A Theater Award for Best Acting (Male) for the play ‘Cheongbu’ in 1990. He won the Best Supporting Actor Award for the movie ‘Born to Kill’ at the 17th Blue Dragon Film Awards in 1996. He has quite a few awards, including the KBS Drama Awards. Kim Hyeong-il clears up the ambiguous atmosphere by saying in a deep voice that resonates through the floor, “If it were these days, it would have been possible for Shin Sung-gyeom and Park Sul-hee to share the award.” Kim Hak-chul praises his sworn brother again, saying, “There are more than one or two things I envy about Hyeong-il. I envied him the most for his ability to ride a horse. Hyeong-il holds the leash with one hand and gallops.”
-Park Sul-hee said that horse riding was special.
“When I ride with Wang Geon and the generals, my horse takes a detour and goes alone. Haha. At that time, Shin Sung-gyeom was the funniest. I told him, ‘Where are you going? Where are you going?’ more than once or twice while filming. I went crazy. Later, he asked me to give him a horse so I could practice alone.” (Kim Hak-cheol)
“Originally, I had to ride while keeping my body in step and rhythm. But Park Sool-hee’s hips and rhythm seem to move separately. Haha. If you look from behind, she rides bouncing. Fortunately, she’s bald so you can’t see her helmet, which is a good thing.” (Kim Hyeong-il)
“Haha. There’s that thing called ‘Mr. Tong’ where he bounces his waist. That’s it. Hyung-il said it gently, but I got a lot of flak from the staff. Choi Soo-jong is good at riding, but Hyung-il can ride with one hand. Wang Geon and I are in a triangle formation, so if I can’t ride, it won’t work. Hyung-il helped me a lot. That’s why I learned it with all my might. In the play, Shin Sung-gyeom came to save me. At that time, I confused history with reality. I really thought, ‘He came to save me.’ Hyung-il probably doesn’t know. That’s why we still meet.” (Kim Hak-chul)
“Horses are very clever at picking out people. If you go up and act foolish, the horse will turn its head and look at you. Haha. Mr. Hak-cheol really had a hard time. Su-jong only told us to charge on horseback, but we did all the swordsmanship on the horse’s back. Haha.” (Kim Hyeong-il)
● ‘We’ also have a secondary character in life
It is not easy for a singer to get a hit song, but the two have a supporting character that left a big impression in addition to the best character in their lives. Kim Hyung-il played the former head of the Central Intelligence Agency, Kim Jae-gyu, who assassinated President Park Chung-hee in the drama ‘Fifth Republic’. Although he only appeared in a few episodes, he was strong. The role of Kim Jae-gyu receives a lot of attention from the public. Even the actors who play this role are compared to each other. You have no choice but to prepare a lot. Even on the set, you have to completely know the movement and immerse yourself.
Kim Hak-cheol became a hot topic once again when he played Dr. Jo Byeong-ok in the hit drama ‘Wild Times’. People who knew Dr. Jo were very surprised because their appearance and speech were exactly the same. Both of them made us forget for a moment that they were sworn brothers of ‘Taejo Wang Geon’ just with their acting skills.
“At that time, (Lee) Deok-hwa, who was playing the role of Chun Doo-hwan, said, ‘There is an important role. Let’s do it briefly and boldly.’ That role was Kim Jae-gyu. The first thought that came to mind was, ‘Wouldn’t it be possible to get cursed at while doing it?’” (Kim Hyeong-il)
-Former National Assembly Speaker Lee Man-seop was so impressed by Dr. Cho Byung-ok’s acting that he contacted him personally.
“According to the former chairman, I am just like Dr. Cho. When we were doing ‘Wild Times,’ he asked me to have dinner at the Chinese restaurant in the 63 Building. The chairman saw me at the restaurant and suddenly asked, ‘Dr. Cho, how long has it been since you’ve been here?’ I couldn’t just sit still, so I pretended to be Dr. Cho. I said, ‘Hey, Man-seop. You’ve become a member of the National Assembly and even the Speaker of the National Assembly.’ The chairman’s secretaries were flustered and didn’t know what to do, but the chairman laughed and seemed happy. The chairman said that when Dr. Cho was discharged from the hospital after undergoing surgery in the US in his later years, he called me. ‘Man-seop, the surgery went well. When you get back, let’s have a drink at ‘Yonggeumok.’ He passed away shortly after. He wept bitterly.” (Kim Hak-cheol)
Looking back on the past we shared, I think it was good that we kept meeting. If we hadn’t met, those days would have been forgotten and I would have lost my memories. I might not even have had any memories left.
“I was really lucky. It was great to meet you in such a drama. Meeting Hyung-il in ‘Taejo Wang Geon’ was the best thing I’ve ever done, more than watching 100~200 dramas. We’ll be together forever. It’s a sad life if you have a little money but no friends to spend it with, but thanks to Hyung-il, I don’t think I’ll be lonely.” (Kim Hak-chul)
Kim Hyung-il responds, “I’m happy because I have Park Sul-hee, who always treats me as number one, even in real life.”
Since the 6th Republic has not ended yet, I don’t know if there will be a drama called ‘The 6th Republic’. If it does, I’m also looking forward to what roles they will play. It’s fun to imagine what roles they would suit. These are their words. In the future, the two will cherish each other like treasures.
-What is Kim Hak-cheol to Kim Hyung-il?
“He’s my competitor and my friend. Since we act in completely different roles, there’s a lot to learn and a lot to bring. He says he does his own thing, but I envy Hak-cheol’s. I emphasize that the word competition means that I have a lot to learn.”
-What is Kim Hyeong-il to Kim Hak-cheol?
“I’m different. I don’t feel like a competitor. I feel like you’re on my side forever. I feel secure when I meet you.”
That’s right. For sure. The characters are different. But they fit well and create synergy.
“I remember the air conditioner commercial I shot while filming ‘Taejo Wang Geon.’ I was stroking Park Sul-hee’s bald head and thought, ‘This must be cool.’” (Kim Hyeong-il)
“That’s right. We made a scene that the (air conditioner) company would like. That scene was a preliminary cut and then became the main. That’s how it is. Our relationship.”
When Kim Hak-cheol connected to his YouTube channel ‘Kim Hak-cheol TV’, which boasts 100,000 subscribers, wanting to leave a memory of the present, more than 20,000 users came in. When Kim Hyeong-il appeared, even more people flocked in.
As they are about to wrap up the interview, the two instinctively find a reason to meet again every day as ‘Taejo Wang Geon’.
“I wish I could do ‘Taejo Wang Geon’ like ‘Jeonwon Diary’ for 10 or 20 years. I would travel around the country… ” (Kim Hyeong-il)
“No, let’s just make it seasonal.” (Kim Hak-cheol)
Traveling around the country, not only can it help revive the countryside and rural areas, but it can also show the fun of Shin Sung-gyeom and Park Sul-hee taking off their general uniforms, going to restaurants, and their lives after work. There could even be a soldier imitating Shin Sung-gyeom’s deep voice, and an episode where Park Sul-hee has trouble adjusting to life in the palace after changing from a military officer to a civil servant… Kim Hak-cheol fell to the floor laughing at Kim Hyung-il’s outrageous idea. No wonder their friendship is unwavering.
2024-09-15 23:29:43