Korean cinema is about to go back in time — and it’s bringing some of its finest talent along for the ride. A brand-new action historical film has just been officially confirmed, and the casting announcement alone is enough to send fans into a frenzy. Meet Sal Saeng Bu (working English title: The Kill List) — the webtoon-adapted period revenge thriller that is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Korean films on the horizon.
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The Cast — Who’s Playing Who?
The production team has officially confirmed the casting of Jung Woo Sung, Jung Sung Il, and Wi Ha Joon for the film. soompi
| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Jung Woo Sung | Han Myeong Hoe | Ruthless strategist who orchestrates the purge and drafts the kill list |
| Jung Sung Il | Ban Seok | Member of the secret assassin group Hwajeopmong, formed to eliminate Han Myeong Hoe |
| Wi Ha Joon | Prince Suyang | Special appearance as a fiercely ambitious royal who believes he is destined for the throne |
Casting is currently still underway for the film’s lead character, Lee Hwa — the young woman who loses everything during the Gyeyu Purge and sets out on a path of revenge — as well as the five female members of the assassin group Hwajeopmong.
What Is Sal Saeng Bu About?
The story is rooted in one of Korean history’s darkest chapters. The title Sal Saeng Bu refers to a real “kill list” document written by Han Myeong Hoe during the Gyeyu Purge — a coup led by Grand Prince Suyang — in which officials were categorised based on their past actions and the possibility of recruiting them to determine who would live and who would die.
Based on the webtoon of the same name, the film is described as a hard-boiled action historical thriller that follows Lee Hwa, a young girl who loses everything during the purge and chooses the path of a night demon to pursue vengeance against Han Myeong Hoe, the architect of the kill list.
The Gyeyu Purge of 1453 is a well-documented coup in Korean history, making this story one that blends gripping fictional revenge with authentic historical drama — a combination Korean cinema has perfected time and again.
The Director Behind the Camera
Sal Saeng Bu will be helmed by Kim Hong Sun, the director known for the viscerally intense Project Wolf Hunting and Season 3 of Gangs of London — two works that firmly established him as a master of brutal, high-stakes action storytelling. soompi
With Kim Hong Sun at the helm, fans of kinetic, no-holds-barred action cinema have every reason to be excited.
When Does Filming Begin?
The film is currently in pre-production, with the goal of beginning filming within 2026 after finalising the remaining cast lineup in the first half of the year.
For more Korean film and drama news as it breaks, keep reading Technosports.
FAQs
Q: What is Sal Saeng Bu (The Kill List) about?
It is a Korean action historical film based on a webtoon, following a young woman named Lee Hwa who seeks revenge against the powerful strategist Han Myeong Hoe after losing everything during the real historical Gyeyu Purge of 1453.
Q: Who is directing Sal Saeng Bu and when will filming begin?
The film is directed by Kim Hong Sun, known for Project Wolf Hunting and Gangs of London Season 3, with filming planned to begin within 2026 after the full cast is finalised.
