Nam Joo-hyuk
Actor Nam Joo-hyuk in 'The Great Battle.'hancinema.net

Model and actor Nam Joo-hyuk is making his cinema debut with historical movie The Great Battle, based on the siege of the Ansi Fortress in 645 AD. The actor revealed he felt 'burdened' during the shoot but tried his best to perform well.

As noted by website Soompi, Nam Joo-hyuk made an appearance at a press conference for The Great Battle on August 21. While speaking about his contribution to the movie, the 24-year-old actor said, "Although it was my first time appearing in a movie, I was able have a starring role. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't burdened. However, I tried my best to win over those feelings.

"I put in effort to look my best in front of the seniors. After 'Scarlet Heart: Goryeo,' 'The Great Battle' is my second historical work, but I always try to fulfill my duty cooly," Nam Joo-hyuk said. He also expressed gratitude to be able to work with industry seniors like Jo In-sung and Park Sung-Woong. "I was happy to act with such great industry seniors. I was able to participate in this great project with great seniors. I thought that I should work hard," he said.

The Siege of Ansi was a battle fought between the Goguryeo (also Goryeo) kingdom and the Tang dynasty forces from June 20 645 AD to September 18, 645 AD. The siege began when Tang forces attacked invaded Goguryeo of the Koran peninsula and ended when Tang dynasty emperor Taizong ordered a withdrawal of his forces on October 13, 645.

Nam Joo-hyuk will play a skilled soldier for Goryeo, led by Jo In-sung's army general. Park Sung-woong will play the Tang dynasty emperor. Bae Sung-woo, Um Tae-goo, AOA's Seolhyun, Park Byung-eun also star among others. This is the second time Nam Joo-hyuk stars as a Goryeo kingdom character. In 'Scarlet heart Goryeo' he played the 13 th prince Baek-ah.

The trailer for The Great Battle, released on July 29, promises an epic war movie with scenes that dramatically visualise events as described in the history books, including the boulders being thrown at Goguryeo by catapults. 

The Great Battle releases in cinemas on September 29. Watch the trailer below.