K-Drama Review Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth

Chhavi. P. Sharma, Surat, Gujarat

Aired on December 19th, 2016, ‘Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth’ is a drama based on the Kingdom of Silla (57 BC- 935 AD) where a group of young men formed ‘Hwarang.’ Starring Park Seo-joon, Go Ara, and Park Hyung-Sik, this series was aired every Monday and Tuesday at 22:00 (KST) till February 21, 2017.

Main Cast

Hwarang is a Romantic/Historical drama, casting Park Seo-joon as ‘Moo-Myung/ Kim Sun-woo/ Kim Isabu/ Dog-Bird’ who is considered to be an outcast along with a few people, living outside the Capital, later becomes a Hwarang warrior under the name of his friend, still having a secret that he is unaware of. Go Ara as ‘Kim Ah-Ro’, who is a carefree girl, also called a “Half-Breed” who does multiple jobs. Park Hyung-Sik as ‘Sam Maek-Jong/ Kim Ji-Dwi/ Jin-Heung of Silla’, who is the new destiny of Silla.

Supporting Cast

Sung Dong-il as ‘Lord Kim Wi-Hwa‘, the first Pungwoliju (chief officer/풍월주) of Hwarang, a fatherly figure to the boys and a secret adviser to Ji-Dwi. Do Ji-han as ‘Park Ban-ryu, a cold Seonggol ( Sacred Bone/ 성골) who is very competitive. Choi Min-ho of SHINee as ‘Kim Soo-ho’, is hot-blooded and chivalrous and is also seen as a playboy and heartthrob. Kim Tae-Hyung/V of BTS as Seok Han-sung, an innocent boy with a warm personality, burdened by the title of being the last Seonggol of his clan. Kim Ji-soo as ‘Queen Jiso’, the queen regent, who hid her son and the founder of Hwarang.

Plot

Hwarang is the K-drama which I can say I enjoyed the most! It is a perfect combination of romance, comedy, suspense and historical background.The drama tells us about the Kingdom of Silla, which was ruled by Queen Ji So after the death of Former King Beopheung and keeping her only son Sam Maek Jong (Park Hyung-sik) hidden, for his safety. As her regent kept on growing, all connected to Silla, including the Ministers, Nobles, citizens, and her son, Sam Maek-jong, became impatient. Nevertheless, a few powerful nobles eyeing the throne didn’t stop in their tracks. To break their power who had taken the Bone Rank system for their use, the queen planned a new elite group, Hwarang, that will cut across the existing power factions and will protect the King (her son) and the throne. The group formed unaware of the fact that within them is their king.

Dog-Bird (Park Seo-joon), along with his friend Kim Sun-woo, entered the capital of Silla, by sneaking in at night. As Dog-Bird had already found Sun-Woo’s father, he was told to act to be Sun-woo, so he could enter Hwarang. He meets Kim Ah-ro (Go Ara) as Sun-woo. As things continue, we see two groups of boys, fighting each other, each led by Park Ban-ryu (Do Ji-han) and Kim Soo-ho (Choi Min-ho) respectively. Soon, they were captured by the men of the Queen. Knowing that they all were Sacred Bone and sons of the ministers, the Queen made them sign to become part of Hwarang, to keep them for her advantage.

The final moment came when Hwarang was officially made. During the ceremony, Queen Ji-Soo saw a familiar face and was shocked, yet managed herself. As days went on the boys fought and got along occasionally. Ah-Ro kept visiting, to keep a watch on her ‘brother’. Soon, rumors were spread that the ‘King’ was within the Hwarang, and this caught everyone’s curiosity.

As days passed by, the boys fought against Crown Prince Chang and won. As everything seem to be going perfectly again, Sun-Woo was challenged to a duel by Dan-Se, the half-brother of Han-sung (Kim Tae-hyung), unaware of the fact that the sword Dan-Se was holding could do life-long damage. As they all mourn for their youngest member, we see Ah-Ro along with Princess Suk-Myung (Seo Yea-ji) were sent to become Wonhwa. As hinge settle down, everyone came to know about Ji-Dwi being the king. But a more shocking secret was revealed about Sun-woo. 

Knowing the competition between the two true bones, Ji-Dwi and Sun-woo, decides to talk it out. Soon there was peace as the Hwarang, under Sun-woo strived to protect the King and Silla. In the end, Sun-woo and Ah-Ro get together and Hwarang stays together like a family. Have you seen this K-drama? What are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments!