South Korea · Drama · 2016
Hwarang
Binge Brief
- Filming ran from 31 March to 1 September 2016, months ahead of the December premiere on KBS2.
- Twenty episodes aired on Mondays and Tuesdays at 22:00 KST, from 19 December 2016 to 21 February 2017.
- Park Hyung-sik and Choi Won-young had already played father and son in SBS's The Heirs, and Sung Dong-il had worked with Go Ara before on tvN's Reply 1994.
- V and Jin of BTS performed the OST track "It's Definitely You", which was nominated for Best OST at the 2017 Melon Music Awards.
- At the 31st KBS Drama Awards, Choi Won-young won Best Supporting Actor and Park Seo-joon won the Netizen Award.
Synopsis
Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth is set in the Silla kingdom, where Queen Jiso rules as regent and has kept her son, the boy king Sammaekjong, hidden from rivals since her father's death eleven years earlier. To break the grip of the noble bone-rank families who expect her to step aside, Jiso creates the Hwarang, an elite corps of young men meant to bind the sons of rival clans together and, in secret, protect the throne.
Sammaekjong (Park Hyung-sik) joins the group under a false name, Kim Ji-dwi, without his fellow recruits knowing he is the king they have never seen. Alongside him is Kim Sun-woo (Park Seo-joon), a commoner who took a dead friend's identity and has no idea that he is connected to the royal family himself. The two grow close as Hwarang trainees even as Jiso's court maneuvers around them.
Kim Ah-ro (Go Ara), a physician's daughter labeled a "half-breed" for her mixed parentage, ties the group together through her friendship with Sun-woo and her work patching up the young men after training and skirmishes. Around them, the other recruits, played by Choi Min-ho, V of BTS, Cho Yoon-woo and Kim Hyun-joon, split into rival cliques shaped by their fathers' politics, while Princess Sook-myung and the opposing minister Park Young-shil push their own plans for the succession.
The 20-episode series aired on KBS2 from 19 December 2016 to 21 February 2017, following the Hwarang as they train, fall in love and are drawn into the fight over who will rule Silla once Sammaekjong's identity can no longer stay hidden.
Hwarang cast
Best scenes
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Moo Myung’s transformation into Sun Woo is a powerful moment where he embraces his new identity and destiny among the Hwarang.
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Sam Maek Jong revealing his true identity as the hidden king is a breathtaking turning point that reshapes relationships and alliances.
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The heartfelt brotherhood oath among the Hwarang members captures the spirit of friendship, loyalty, and courage.
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The love confession scene between Moo Myung and Ah Ro, filled with raw emotion, becomes one of the drama’s most romantic highlights.
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Han Sung’s tragic death, portrayed by V (Kim Taehyung), is one of the most emotional and unforgettable moments, leaving a deep impact on viewers.
Filming locations
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Korean Folk Village in Yongin was used extensively to authentically recreate Silla-era architecture and bustling market scenes.
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Andong Hahoe Folk Village provided traditional Korean backdrops for historical depth and cultural richness.
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Yeongju Museom Village's picturesque settings were featured in outdoor scenes showcasing nature’s beauty and serenity.
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Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park served as the stunning mountainous area for many action and training scenes.
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Specially built historical sets in Suwon allowed for large-scale royal palace and noble family residence scenes.
Visual design and costumes
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Colorful hanboks with symbolic colors reflected each Hwarang’s personality and social status, with the palette also marking rank within the group.
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Intricately designed armor and warrior outfits showcased the strength and elegance of the elite Hwarang warriors.
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Soft lighting and natural scenery enhanced emotional and romantic scenes, highlighting youth and vulnerability.
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Royal court costumes for Queen Mother Ji So and the nobles emphasized the political power dynamics through luxurious design.
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Accessories like headbands, jewelry, and embroidered sashes subtly signified rank and character evolution throughout the series.
Themes and messages
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Coming of age and self-discovery are central themes as each Hwarang member finds his path, identity, and sense of duty.
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Brotherhood and loyalty are celebrated, emphasizing how bonds between friends can change the course of history.
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Struggle between personal desires and public duty plays out intensely, especially for Sam Maek Jong as the hidden king.
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Romantic love blooming amid political chaos showcases the timeless struggle between heart and responsibility.
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Breaking down class barriers is a recurring message, as characters from different backgrounds unite for a greater cause.
Interesting facts
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V (Kim Taehyung) from BTS made his acting debut in Hwarang, charming fans worldwide with his role as Han Sung.
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Real friendships blossomed among the cast, especially between Park Seo Joon, Park Hyung Sik, and V, who remain close friends today.
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The drama was filmed before BTS skyrocketed internationally, making V’s participation even more nostalgic for fans.
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The original soundtrack (OST), including V’s and Jin’s song "It’s Definitely You," gained massive popularity.
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Park Seo Joon trained extensively in sword fighting and horseback riding to prepare for his role as the fierce but kind-hearted Moo Myung.
Episodes
| Ep | Title | Air date | Status | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | To the Capital Queen Jiso receives an unwelcome visitor in ancient Silla while two friends travel to the capital hoping to find their families. | 19 Dec 2016 | Aired | |
| 2 | Mak Moon's Death Grim news reaches Dog-Bird as Wehwa agrees to form the hwarang order to secure Silla's future. | 20 Dec 2016 | Aired | |
| 3 | Your Brother Wehwa begins reviewing hwarang candidates while Ahnji convinces Dog-Bird to pose as his son and take on Seon-u's identity. | 26 Dec 2016 | Aired | |
| 4 | Become a Hwarang Ahnji is confronted by a figure from his past as A-ro coaches Seon-u in noble manners so he can join the hwarang, though trouble keeps finding him. | 27 Dec 2016 | Aired | |
| 5 | Beginning of Hwarang A new era begins for Silla, still the weakest of the three kingdoms, and the queen regent is caught off guard at the hwarang induction ceremony. | 2 Jan 2017 | Aired | |
| 6 | Annoying Half-Breed Training starts inside the Hwarang House and tensions rise as the highborn recruits chafe under strict rules while Seon-u's mixed lineage draws hostility. | 3 Jan 2017 | Aired | |
| 7 | King as Water Seon-u wrestles with what it means to be a good brother as the hwarang face a testing round that not everyone survives, while Ji-dwi pays a visit to the palace. | 9 Jan 2017 | Aired | |
| 8 | Dance and Music Seon-u and A-ro dwell on shared memories, Ji-dwi learns that not every gift is welcome, and a familiar face turns up at the Hwarang House. | 10 Jan 2017 | Aired | |
| 9 | Ruin the Performance Princess Sookmyung returns to the capital to join the Hwarang House as A-ro digs for the truth and the recruits show off their musical talents. | 16 Jan 2017 | Aired | |
| 10 | New Disciples On the day of the big performance, Ji-dwi challenges the queen over her dismissal of his opinion while A-ro ends up somewhere she should not be. | 17 Jan 2017 | Aired | |
| 11 | Eliminate Her A-ro cares for Seon-u after an accident, Ji-dwi is shaken by a nightmare, the hwarang go hunting, and the queen hands Princess Sookmyung a new assignment. | 23 Jan 2017 | Aired | |
| 12 | Sparring Competition The hwarang trade rumors about the king during a break from training, Ji-dwi turns philosophical, and Su-ho lends the queen his help. | 24 Jan 2017 | Aired | |
| 13 | Amity Delegates To avert war, Silla decides to send a peace delegation to Baekje, and Wehwa calls for hwarang volunteers to escort Princess Sookmyung's mission. | 30 Jan 2017 | Aired | |
| 14 | Reveal Yourself The hwarang run into danger on the road, Ahnji brings Jiso news she does not want to hear, and Princess Sookmyung receives a surprising proposal in Baekje. | 31 Jan 2017 | Aired | |
| 15 | A Sword Fight Relations between Silla and Baekje grow tense as Seon-u faces off with the Baekje crown prince and A-ro's fate hangs in the balance. | 6 Feb 2017 | Aired | |
| 16 | Come to Me Rumors about Seon-u threaten to cost him dearly, Princess Sookmyung searches for the truth behind them, and Jiso drops a surprising announcement of her own. | 7 Feb 2017 | Aired | |
| 17 | Get the Medicine Ji-dwi sets his sights on the throne as King Jinheung while Ahnji is stretched thin fighting a plague outside the capital and Jiso's authority starts to slip. | 13 Feb 2017 | Aired | |
| 18 | Wonhwa A-ro is named a Wonhwa and the hwarang gain a new leader as Seon-u absorbs unexpected news, Han-seong tries to do right, and Jiso's reign nears its end. | 14 Feb 2017 | Aired | |
| 19 | Become King Jinheung makes an announcement that risks Jiso's fury, Seon-u questions whether he could lead better, and Ahnji tackles the hardest case of his career. | 20 Feb 2017 | Aired | |
| 20 | Hail King Jinheung! Jinheung and Seon-u finally stand face to face as Su-ho suspects foul play, Jiso hunts for a traitor in her ranks, and the hwarang commit to their choice. | 21 Feb 2017 | Aired |
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