Lee Byung-hun, a performer whose career has spanned from the heights of Hollywood action to the recent global phenomenon Squid Game, has committed to a new feature. The film, currently titled Nambeol, is a period action piece set during the early Joseon Dynasty. It follows a group of nine warriors who travel to Tsushima Island on a rescue mission. Their goal is to retrieve Korean captives taken by Japanese pirates during a period of frequent coastal raids.
The project marks the directorial debut of Lee Mo-gae. While this is his first time in the director’s chair, he is a seasoned figure in Korean cinema. He previously served as the director of photography on several major works, including A Tale of Two Sisters, I Saw the Devil, and the recent horror success Exhuma. His history with Lee Byung-hun is extensive, having shot the actor in The Good, the Bad, the Weird and other notable titles.
Read more: Lee Byung-hun And Han Ji-min To Star In Disney+ Remake Of ‘The Americans’
Expectations for the film suggest a departure from the highly stylised, rhythmic choreography often seen in the martial arts genre. Given Lee Mo-gae’s background in creating dense, atmospheric visuals, the production is expected to lean into a raw and gritty texture. The intention is to create a realistic portrayal of 14th-century combat rather than a theatrical one.
Lee Byung-hun will portray Im Eok, the stoic commander of the warrior unit. The character is described as a battle-hardened leader with a focus on survival and the protection of his people. This role adds to a busy slate for the actor, who is also involved in the Disney+ series The Koreans and continues to be a central figure in the Squid Game universe.
Historical Context and Commercial Appeal
While the story itself is a work of fiction, it draws on the documented instability of the early Joseon era. During this time, the Korean government struggled to manage the damage caused by pirate looting along the southern coast. This blend of history and action has proven to be a reliable formula at the domestic box office. Recent history-inspired films have seen significant commercial success, with some breaking all-time ticket sale records in Korea.
Read more: Lee Byung-hun: From Hollywood Action Hero to Squid Game’s Global Star
The film also reunites Lee with Hive Media Corp. This partnership previously resulted in the critical and commercial hits Inside Men and The Man Standing Next. Hive has a reputation for producing polished, high-stakes dramas, and this third collaboration is already generating substantial interest among industry observers.
Pre-production is currently underway. The team plans to begin principal photography in the second half of 2026. While the supporting cast of the other eight warriors has yet to be announced, the pairing of a top-tier lead and a visually driven director suggests a project with significant international potential.
