Of course, the cast was perfect and all of them did make their characters their own. I'd suggest watching this drama at least once to watch the way they completely turn into their stories. Most of the characters are also very solid and hint at so much more. However, be warned that this is a drama you'd be better off watching for the bromance because as far as chemistry between the main leads go, there is none
On the whole, watch it once if you're in between dramas and don't really mind a plot that isn't all that great.
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This wasn't a drama made for plot, it was basically "K-fandom wet dreams: The historical version". I mean, the story was lackluster and the script was lazy. The entire budget went into getting a cast that would make every fangirl go through at least a week's worth of underwear.
But not to say it had it's moments. If the annoying Go Ara character didn't exist, this might've actually turned out pretty well or at least half decent.
The two male leads had great synergy throughout the movie, and a lot of moral tension although it entirely revolved around an infuriating, "NEVER SAY WHAT'S IMPORTANT!!" trope.
Anyhow, good cinematography, fight scenes could've used better choreography though.
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Amazing historical drama with amazing plot/story
So let's start by the best thing in this drama: the story, the cast and the Bromance.i can confirm that i got quite bored at some times esp in the first half of the drama and ended up putting the drama on hold looking for motivation to finish it.. however, when i gave it another chance, i really loved the progression of events and i was kinda waiting for the identity of the King to be close to getting revealed bc i knew it was gonna get down lol which really happened. i still feel like the drama could have had less episodes
For the Bromance, i really admired the overall chemistry between the male characters and was not a big fan of the romance however. Just gotta love the dev of their relationship even in hardships. I kinda rewinded the majority of the Bromance moments if not all and have no regrets!
My fav characters are: Taehyung, Seo Ye Ji, Do Ji Han, Jo Yoon Woo, and Sung Dong Il. i mean i understand but WHY DID THEY HAVE TO MAKE ME CRY LIKE THAT WITH THE WAY TAEHYUNG DIES WAE WAE WAEEEE
Also the music was just PERFECT, like other historical dramas (even tho i havent watched that many) it leaves u with a bittersweet feeling after each ep i guess
this drama really is an emotional rollecoaster that i surprisingly enjoyed after going through so much to fully complete it
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Honestly, I'm writing this review after having rewatched the drama, since the first time I saw it was about three years ago. At the time I would have probably rated this drama as a 10, but now I have definitely changed my opinion. For me, Hwarang holds some sentimental value, being that it was the second drama I ever watched, but honestly, it's not that great. Let's start by mentioning the positives. The main cast is amazing, full of great actors that have great chemistry on-screen and off-screen, making all of the bromance and coming-of-age story super cute and interesting, with a special mention to the performances of Do Ji Han as the cold and aloof Ban Ryu, as well Park Hyunsik as Ji Dwi the disguised King of Silla in the Hwarang. Both these characters had a clear character development throughout the story, but that's about it as far as character development goes. Shinee's Minho, BTS' V, and Jo Yoon Woo were also quite good at portraying their characters: the womanizing Kim Su ho, the cute Suk Han Song, and the beautiful Kim Yeo Wool. On another note, I understood that the drama was only inspired by the Hwarangs and the kingdom os Silla to the point where they weren't particularly worried about being 100% historically accurate. Had they claimed to be based on real facts, that would have been another story. I also thought the fight scenes were very nice to watch, they felt more organic and less practiced than a few others I'd seen. (I only wished we had more of them T-T).
Now, the negatives... The main plot was just very bland. I often found myself wanting to skip scenes and not caring for the main characters. Considering it was a historical drama with a focus on a group of warriors the plot should have been more intricate, more action-packed, and less focused on the uninteresting love triangle. Did I mention that the supporting characters were my favorites? I really wanted to have seen more scenes with Ban Ryu, Soo Yeon, Suho, Han Song, and Yeo Wool. I had a HUGE issue with the female lead who was boring and as she was, quite unnecessary to the stories' development. Her existence was simply to create friction between the male leads and add a romance aspect to the story. As the physician of the Hwarangs and the only female amongst the guys, Ah Ro had the potential to be a strong, and interesting lead that we all rooted for but she wasn't. More often than not she was quite powerless and annoying. I think the casting of Go Ah Ra also wasn't right for the role. Park Seo Joon is another great actor but his character Seo Woo also wasn't well written and developed, other characters like the Queen, the Princess, and even the villain felt quite weak.
Well, overall, I 'd say give it a go if you like good looking characters (like me), simple plots where you won't have to think too much and a few interesting characters. But not worth rewatching the whole thing. Ban Ryu and Soo Yeon are at the top of my OTP list (I swear they look so good together and are sooooo cute, I CAN`T! They were -truly- some of the only actors who genuinely made me think they were in love and the kissing doesn't disappoint ;D) I went back and rewatched each and every one of their scenes like 10 times. Thanks y'all and enjoy!
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Disappointing - finding it hard to stick with
I never thought I'd consider abandoning anything with Park Seo Joon in it but this is dragging badly. I really should start dropping things I don't enjoy rather than hanging on to the bitter end - it's not a happy-making habit.So my problems with it are mainly to do with the casting:
The female lead (Go Ah Ra) is doing my head in and I just can't warm to her in any way.
I also CANNOT STAND the actor Choi Won Young who plays her dad (oh my god oh my god oh my god I can't stand him). Maybe he hates the role and is trying to ham it up - who knows - but he's just cheesy and bad. I think the Queen is a great actress and he ruins her scenes.
Continuing the negativity (:-P) I have a strong dislike for Seo Yea Ji (princess). I have only seen her in this and "Save Me" but feel I have spent enough hours watching that same expression to last a lifetime.
Good bits:
Park Seo Joon - goes without saying - and Mak Moon (Lee Kwang Soo)'s bro-vibes were my favorite part of the whole thing.
First few episodes are ace
Love the soundtrack
Park Hyung Sik who I hadn't come across before and I thought his acting was great
Choi Min Ho who I hadn't come across before either. I thought he was a decent actor, has gorgeous eyes and his styling was awesome - very mortal combat
Queen (Kim Jee Soo) is great
V = cutie
V's older brother (Kim Hyun Joon) - also a cutie. I liked his scenes with the King's bodyguard pretending to be in his 20's
I think I will finish it eventually - I'll just try and skip over the scenes with the people who agitate me :-)
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First what I loved...Hwarang's stand-out point for me was the second lead couple. Ban Ryu and Soo Yeon were insanely adorable. The way they built off of the natural sibling antics between Soo Yeon and Soo Ho plus the rivalry between Soo Ho and Ban Ryu was hilarious. This couple had so much chemistry and awkwardly sweet flirting that I found myself blushing every scene they shared. Soo Yeon made Ban Ryu a better man simply because he loved her enough to be better. They totally eclipsed the main couple for me to the point that I was disappointed that I had to watch scenes with the main couple instead of these two.
Next what I found okay...The main couple while not my favorite weren't bad. They were of typical kdrama fare and were cute enough. Ah Ra is not a fav of mine and Seo Joon has definitely had more chemistry with other actresses. The love triangle was a little much, as it always inevitably is, but wasn't overbearing or drawn out. The plot too was a little lackluster. Very formulaic and predictable. Still a fun show though with a satisfying ending and a believable pairing for our female lead.
Finally what I did not like...The only thing in Hwarang that I really disliked was the dancing scene. I'm sure everyone reading this knows the one. All the boys get up and do a sword dance for the king. To say that I found the scene cringe-worthy would be an understatement. I was so embarrassed watching it. It was so out of character. So historically anachronistic. The song was overly bubbly. Their facial expressions were all so painfully happy. Everything about the scene gave me second-hand embarrassment of the worst kind. I could barely get through it without having to turn the tv off to give myself a break.
Overall Hwarang was fun, silly, light on the plot, straightforward, predictable, and an easy viewing experience. I loved it for what it was. Was it the best drama of 2016? No. Was it still good clean fun? Absolutely.
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Idol historical costume drama
I had great difficulty keeping up with the plot, and sympathizing with the superficial characters and the storyline. It is more of a contemporary historical drama, with the K-POP fans as the target audience. This was touted as a pre-produced drama, but the planning and execution of a poor script, emotionless acting with excessive crying and average directing, shows in the end-result.The scene stealers were Park Ban-ryu and Kim Soo-yeon (Do Ji-Han and Lee Da-in). The weakest link was Kim Ah-Ro(Go Ara). If they had strengthened her back-bone, and deleted 90% of the crying, she would have shined among the young cast. The two characters that I rank last, are the Queen of Shilla and Park Yeong-Shil. Queen Jiso sat on the throne to protect her son, but at some point, it seemed like she was on a power trip. Park was a sleazy villain, who wanted to rule Shilla.
This is a drama where I was impressed with the incidental music, more than with the cast, characters and story.
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The story is very mediocre. No cliffhangers or thrills that want you to keep watching, just plain and simple entertainment, and all that eye candy, you don't mind watching.
The acting is also mediocre. The second lead was better than the lead and please don't make me talk about the leading lady...ufffff...pure torture. Im sorry to say that she was the most boring and unwatchable part of the show. No expression no acting and absolutely unlikable character. I am not sure it was the writing or her, I think it was both. The side love story was more entertaining with better acting. I wish they had shown more of that, rather than the main love story which was very annoying. When they try to make everyone fall in love with a character who is super boring, it is really annoying to watch.
the music was catchy and fun, although it was badly edited at times.
Overall it was not bad, but could only watch as there was no other drama to watch yet and I love a sageuk. Don't expect it to be like a sageuk (because they are really beautiful) then you will be ok.
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