Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the K-drama Hwarang, which stands as one of the most visually stunning and emotionally compelling historical dramas about friendship, love, and the elite warrior youth of ancient Korea.
Hwarang premiered on December 19, 2016, and ran for one season with 20 episodes until February 21, 2017. Created by Park Eun-young and aired on KBS2, this historical drama stars Park Seo-joon, Go Ara, and Park Hyung-sik in a coming-of-age story set during the Silla Kingdom period. Each episode runs approximately 60 minutes, with the series marking BTS member V’s acting debut and featuring an ensemble cast of Korea’s most promising young actors.
Set in Seorabeol, the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom during the 6th century, the series follows a group of elite young warriors called Hwarang who are trained in martial arts, poetry, and leadership. Hwarang doesn’t just present historical warfare; it explores themes of brotherhood, identity, social class, and the painful transition from youth to adulthood against the backdrop of political intrigue and royal succession. With its breathtaking cinematography, stellar ensemble cast, and perfect balance of action and emotion, the show created television that felt both epic and intimately personal.
The World of Hwarang: Where Warriors Become Poets
Hwarang presents the ancient Silla Kingdom as a society where young men from noble families are trained not just as warriors but as well-rounded leaders who must master both sword and verse. The series explores how the Hwarang institution serves as both military academy and finishing school, where aristocratic youth learn to transcend class boundaries while preparing for leadership roles. Each episode builds world-building through elaborate training sequences, palace ceremonies, and intimate moments of friendship that reveal the characters’ true personalities beneath their noble facades.
The show’s genius lies in treating the Hwarang not as perfect heroes but as young men struggling with identity, loyalty, and the pressure of living up to impossible expectations. Whether following intense combat training, poetry competitions, or secret romantic encounters, Hwarang demonstrates how these elite youth must navigate between personal desires and political responsibilities while forming bonds that will define their lives.
Moo-myung/Dog-bird: The Hidden Identity Hero
Park Seo-joon delivers a charismatic performance as Moo-myung, a common-born young man who assumes the identity of his deceased best friend to infiltrate the Hwarang and seek revenge for his father’s death. Moo-myung represents the outsider perspective, someone whose humble origins give him different values than his aristocratic peers. His character arc explores themes of identity, belonging, and whether someone’s birth determines their worth and potential.
Throughout Hwarang, Moo-myung’s struggle to maintain his false identity while developing genuine friendships with his fellow Hwarang creates the series’ central tension. Park Seo-joon’s portrayal captures both Moo-myung’s street-smart toughness and his vulnerability when experiencing unconditional friendship for the first time. His journey becomes a study of how authentic relationships can transform someone’s understanding of themselves and their place in the world.
Sam Maek-jong/Ji-dwi: The Hidden King
Park Hyung-sik delivers a nuanced performance as Sam Maek-jong, later revealed as the future King Jinheung, who joins the Hwarang while hiding his royal identity. Ji-dwi represents the burden of inherited power, someone who must learn to lead while understanding the people he will govern. His character explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the loneliness of ultimate responsibility even among close friends.
Ji-dwi’s relationship with Moo-myung becomes the series’ emotional backbone, a friendship between two young men hiding their true identities who find authentic connection despite their deceptions. Park Hyung-sik’s portrayal shows Ji-dwi’s evolution from sheltered prince to capable leader, revealing how friendship and competition can both inspire and challenge someone to become their best self.
When Brotherhood Faces Ultimate Tests
The series reaches its most powerful moments during the final episodes where the truth about both Moo-myung’s and Ji-dwi’s identities creates an inevitable confrontation between friendship and political necessity. The revelation that one friend is a commoner seeking revenge while the other is the king whose policies he opposes transforms their brotherhood into a larger conflict about justice, loyalty, and the nature of leadership.
The climactic episodes demonstrate how personal relationships become political statements when individual actions affect entire kingdoms. These moments reveal the show’s essential message: that true leadership requires understanding people from all social levels, while genuine friendship can transcend even the most impossible circumstances.
Success on KBS2 and Streaming Platforms
Hwarang became a popular historical drama for KBS2, earning praise for its stunning visuals, strong ensemble cast, and successful blend of romance, friendship, and political intrigue. The series proved that audiences would embrace coming-of-age stories set in historical periods when combined with excellent production values and compelling character development. Hwarang remains available on Netflix, Viki, and various international streaming platforms, with BTS V’s acting debut adding international appeal for K-pop fans. The show’s format of ensemble historical drama focusing on youth and friendship became influential for subsequent historical K-dramas. Hwarang continues to attract new viewers who appreciate its combination of historical authenticity, beautiful cinematography, and emotionally engaging character relationships.
A Visual and Emotional Masterpiece
If you love historical dramas, coming-of-age stories, or K-dramas that explore friendship and identity, Hwarang is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. The show’s combination of stunning visuals, compelling characters, and themes of brotherhood creates viewing that’s both entertaining and emotionally resonant.
Why This Series Defines Excellence in Historical K-Drama
Hwarang transcends typical historical drama by serving as both epic period piece and intimate character study about the bonds that form between young people facing impossible expectations. The series combines breathtaking production design with authentic emotional storytelling, showing how friendship and love can flourish even within rigid social hierarchies and political constraints. The show’s commitment to character development within a meticulously researched historical setting makes it essential viewing for anyone seeking K-dramas that combine visual spectacle with genuine heart. Whether you’re drawn to its historical elements, romantic storylines, or themes of friendship and identity, Hwarang delivers a viewing experience that remains both visually stunning and emotionally satisfying.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 20 episodes (completed series)
Platform: Netflix (worldwide), Viki, Prime Video (various regions)
Release/End Year: 2016-2017
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Genre: Historical Drama, Coming-of-Age, Romance
Production Type: K-drama (South Korean Television Series)
Status: Completed series
Protagonists: Park Seo-joon (Moo-myung/Dog-bird), Park Hyung-sik (Sam Maek-jong/Ji-dwi), Go Ara (Ah-ro)
Main Supporting Cast: Kim Taehyung/V (Han-sung), Choi Minho (Soo-ho), Do Ji-han (Ban-ryu), Yoo Jae-myung (Wi Hwa)