Hwarang is that pretty ex-boyfriend you love for the good times, but eventually tired you out because he doesn’t have a plan.
Powered by a strong flowerboy cast, Hwarang lures viewers easily. However, the perfect casting was not able to salvage the promising story.
Hwarang is definitely at par in terms of performance compared to fusion sageuk favorites due to its struggling plot momentum. I’m not supposed to say this, but the pretty boys were really the reason why I stayed calm on my seat. If not really for their impeccable chemistry and gang fights a la Malfoy’s Gang and Dumbledore’s army, I would have not stayed afloat.
- Main Cast: Park Seo Joon | Park Hyung Sik | Choi Min Ho | Go Ara | Seo Ye Ji | Do Ji Han | Kim Tae Hyung | Jo Yoon Woo
- Network & Episode Count: KBS2 | 20 Episodes
- Official Website: Hwarang KBS
- Streaming Site: Viu
Quick Review
- Plot Trajectory: Strong Start – Traumatic Ending
- Plot Pace: The middle of the story is the best part of it
- Character Portrayal: Main Cast overwhelmed the supporting cast
- Writing: Writer in a mood-swing alert
- Watch on a binge or intervals?: Intervals
- Crowning Moments: Bromance | Comical kicks every now and then |
- Addictive Meter:
- Overall Rating:
- K-Dramas of Similar Vibe: Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Quick Plot Summary
Set in Silla period, the reigning Queen, pioneers an elite group of men to protect the Kingdom and the Royal family. She taps her late husband’s loyal friend, Hwarang Hwi (Sung Dong Il), to be in charge of the elite army. Moo Myung (Park Seo Joon) who illegally enters the capital takes the identity of his best friend who happened to be the long lost son of a noble family and brother to Ah Ro (Go Ara).
Representing the rich and powerful clans of the Kingdom, training ensues as the power struggle among government officials hikes up.
Peak Points
Hwarang Boys
2017 is the year when a lot of cute oppas will serve their military calling so I’m glad that Park Hyung Sik came to my life to save me from that biting agony of missing those boys in kdramaland. It took me four episodes to fall for him in Hwarang, and I started rummaging on his previous dramas to watch what I missed.
Boy, that smoldering gaze just peered straight to my heart and has made me fall in love again and dwell on my self-proclaimed imaginary noona romance. He has this countenance that can outshine the main lead actor like what happened in High Society and even in Hwarang.
Not that Park Seo Joon was bad as a main lead, but his character lack depth and journey that warrants lingering impression from the audience. Individually, the main Hwarang cast has their own charms, but sometimes it falls weak in aligning their roles to the storyline.
But we can say that the inconsistent narrative made it impossible for the cast to grow in their roles. One thing notable though, is how as a whole and when they went bickering and struggling with their belated forced youth camp, their interaction was cute and engrossing to watch.
Overall, Hwarang boys seal the deal on the valid reason why the series is still worth giving a chance. Especially those moments when they were in the boot camp as well as creating romance.
Drawbacks
Aimless plot
Had they not dwell on that the-king-must-be-hidden plot, the story would have scored some promise. But until the culmination, that conflict was not explained reasonably.
I would be okay with a straight answer from Queen Ji So that she is having a chronic PMS causing her senseless greed for the crown. Sadly though I got a charge it to kdrama experience shoulder tap.
The Hwarang training was actually a wasted story arc that would have salvaged the series if again they did not stop halfway to do another thing. That was the case for Hwarang, the production team suffered extreme hyperactivity. It made them want to incorporate a lot of things all at the same time without establishing a viable impetus.
So many things were introduced and were left somewhere without any intention of getting back to it because the PD was also surprised to wake up one day realizing that the finale week is nearing.
Inconsistent Energy
It was kinda weird how the strengths and weaknesses of “Hwarang” were the same. It has an engaging protagonists, but lethargic villain showing. The plot is lively at one point, and when you leave it to do a quick errand, a misplaced conflict was again thrown without any warning. I did not even get a chance to grieve properly on Han Sung’s death.
The romance and the lack of it are something I want to be credited to Ah Ro’s shift of character from being adorably feisty to a vulnerable trouble sponge always waiting to be rescued by her lead men.
I have enjoyed Ban Ryu and Soo Jin’s love story more to be honest because they were both dorky and unsure of their romeo-and-juliet situation, but then they just went with the flow and kiss each other like how they wanted to be love. I was so happy that Ji Dwi did not get the lead girl because he deserves someone better like me. *giggles
While the boys are endearing to watch on screen, the girl cast will leave you a stoic feeling as you try to figure why they matter in the chronicle.
Hwarang Series Musings
So, should you dive on Hwarang camp or not? If you want a chill bromance story then this is for you. If you think Sung Dong Il deserves to be applauded for all his works, then offer your gratitude. If you want to see an epic battle of traditional soccer were cute boys are the main players, then grab a seat at the grandstand.
If you want to understand why I am being bias with my feelings for Park Hyung Sik, this drama will answer that for you. If you are an avid fan of Park Seo Joon you will get to appreciate his effort on the stunts he pulled in the story.
If you can take the good and the bad, Hwarang is an easy watch. It’s a kind of drama that is good only on first serving. Regardless, you get to feast on handsome boys. Sometimes, that’s what any fangirl needs.
Photos: KBS2
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