Hwarang 화랑
February 24, 2017
“Hwarang- the Poet
Warrior” is yet another historical drama, this time featuring the smallest
of the three ancient kingdoms that make up Korea- Silla. The drama is set during the reign of King
Jinheung (Sammaekjong) who has been kept hidden by his mother (Queen Jiso)
till he comes of age. Feeling threatened by the nobles, officials and her even
her own son, the Queen creates an elite body that would devote themselves to the
faceless king and the people. Cutting across power factions and challenging the
power of the nobles is ‘Hwarang’; a group of young men who would bring about a
much needed change within the kingdom.
I personally have been waiting for another drama like ‘Moon
Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo’ to comes along.
Although it doesn’t match up to the level set by the former, Hwarang
does have its own amazing moments right from its good looking cast, to its
songs, to the messages that it relays to the romances and much more. I’ll try my best to do the review without much spoilers ^_^
Park
Seo Joon plays one of the main leads as
Dog Bird- strong headed like a dog and free-spirited like a bird
Kim Sun-Woo- A peasant who dared to go beyond and enter the capital suddenly finds himself taking over the identity of his best friend Mak Moon (Kim Sun Woo). He vows to seek revenge for his friend and also promises him on his death bed that he would look after his little sister, Ah Ro
Moo-Myung- A nameless child? Well, as the series progresses, you'll find out the secret to his birth.
He lives like there is no tomorrow and goes by his life principles, all of which is jotted down in the dice he always caries around. He might seem like an aloof person, but once you become someone important in his life he would be willing to go through great lengths to keep you safe. As the series progresses he also finds himself falling for Ah-Ro and at the same time develops a deep brotherly bond with his rival in love, Ji Dwi.
Go Ara
as
Kim Ah Ro
The half-breed who does multiple odd jobs in order to
support her family. With her very cheerful and bubbly personality, she tends to be a very approachable person which is what probably led to both the main leads falling for her. She takes after her
father and later serves as a physician at the Hwarang House. She is used by the Queen as bait in order to keep Sun Woo in check and is later promoted to a Wonhwa which is yet another plot.
Caught up in a love triangle between her brother and Ji Dwi, who are you rooting for?
Park
Hyung Sik as Ji Dwi/Sammaekjong
He openly confesses his feelings for her and would go through great lengths to protect her. Never having any friends, he finds one in Sun Woo and the drama sees a very strong of bromance amongst the two
Shinee’s Minho plays the role of
Kim Soo Ho who belongs to one of the aristocratic families in the capital. He
is best known as a womanizer/ playboy but in the end he is loyal to just one
woman –The Queen. His lifelong enemy is Ban Ryu, although initially they cause
multiple problems at the Hwarang House somewhere down the line they start to
develop a deep friendship.
I feel that this genre in particular suited Minho a lot and to be honest, I thought he was the best looking Hwarang of them all.
Do Ji Jan plays Park Ban Ryu who has been
bought up to be power hungry. He is cold blooded and competitive and loathes
Soo Ho. He has two fathers, one his birth father and his adopted one, Park
Young Shil, who has been eyeing the thrown and is looking for the perfect opportunity.
Despite his behavior you notice him and So Hoo develop a deep friendship and he
also finds himself falling for So Hoo’s sister, Kim So Yeon
Cho Yoon Woo plays the role of Kim Yeo-Wool who
is a beautiful yet mysterious man. His mother infact was the sister to the
previous king while his father’s identity remains a mystery. He is an extremely
caring person and is especially close to Seok Han Sung
BTS’ (V) Kim Tae Hyung plays the
youngest of the Hwarang- Seok Han Sung. He is this bright and innocent kid and
one of the last true bloods of his family. He is constantly pushed by his
grandfather to do better in order to raise the family status. He has a half-breed
brother whom he treasures very much. Considering that this is his first drama and although he didn’t
have that big of a role, I think he did pretty well
P.S tune into the OST that's sung by V and Jin from BTS
Sung Song Il is back again this time playing the role of Lord Kim Wi Hwa,
Ji Dwi’s fake uncle. He is founder of Hwarang and was also made the First Chief
by the Queen. He deeply cares for his boys and also is looking forward for a
changed a new Silla
The Royal Family
Kim Ji Soo plays
the role of Queen Regent Ji So. After the death of the husband, she took on the
responsibility of ruling Silla herself until her son came of age and was
seen fit and ready to rule. She is a heartless person which is quiet evident in
the way she puts an end to those who even catch a glimpse of the faceless King.
She is hated by many officials, instigated by Park Young Shil, who are
pushing her towards seceding the thrown.
She in love with Ah Ro's father, Kim Ahn Ji and despite
many years passing cannot forget about him.
Seo Ye Ji plays the
role of Princess Suk Myeong. Trained in martial arts and archery, she is the
half sister to the king and also his future consort. She is sloof and rude,
which is especially meted out to Ah Ro cause she is the only one that Sun
Woo sees. So basically, she has a crush on him, a big enough crush that sh is
willing to throw away her marriage to the king. Under the Queen's order, she
begins to live in the Hwarang House and later becomes a Wonhwa.
Others
Choi Won Young as Master Kim Ahn Ji
Father to Ah Ro and a physician who aids people for free.
He was separated from his son Sun Woo only to reunite 12 years later under
horrible circumstances. He takes in Dog-Bird and requests him to pose as his
Son. Although once upon a time he loved the queen, this feeling soon turns to
hatred due to the things she did for him marrying a commoner. However, despite
this, towards the very end you see that he infact still cares for her.
Yoo Jae Myung as Pa Oh
Ji Dwi’s personal bodyguard who cares for him deeply. He is
a funny character and even comes in as a trainee into the Hwarang House and is
assigned to Ji Dwi to keep a closer eye on him
Lee Kwang Soo as Mak Moon/ the original Sun Woo
Dog Bird's best friend and has been with him since childhood. Separated from his family at a very young age didn't stop him from pursuing them. It finally led to them going beyond the wall and entering the capital in order to pursue his family. He adores his sister whom he has always wanted to meet. Yet sadly, before he reunites with his family he is killed for seeing the faceless king.
Here comes the Love triangle
Another love that blooms is the one between Ban Ryu and Soo Ho's sister, Kim So Yeon
Bromance: The Hwarangs started out the wrong foot with rivalries and disputes but as they are put to the test and when confronted with dangerous situations, they've always got each other's back. Thus begins their unusual friendships
Hwarang is a culmination of romance, drama, action, mystery and quest for power. With secrets being unveiled, the end of each episode only leaves you craving for more. So don't forget to catch on the must-watch historical cause if you've loved Moon Lovers then you're bound to love this one as well. Rating- 7/10
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