Hwarang: The Beginning to begin in December

52 September 2, 2016September 2, 2016

by javabeans

Finally, an update on Hwarang: The Beginning! The fusion historical drama about the beautiful warriors of the Silla kingdom had initially been planned as a summer drama on KBS, but summer came and went and all we knew was that the drama was still shooting. Now we have word that Hwarang has completed shoots, and KBS has given it a slot on its winter lineup, to premiere in December.

Hwarang: The Beginning takes us back 1,500 years in time to the Silla kingdom, where the Hwarang were warriors known for being beautiful. They’ve been depicted in Silla-era dramas such as Queen Seon-deok, but this will be the first time a drama takes them as the central topic. The show stars Park Seo-joon (She Was Pretty) as a warrior, opposite Go Ara (Answer Me 1994) as his love interest, with Park Hyung-shik (High Society) as his royal-in-disguise rival. The Hwarang unit is rounded out by fellow flower warriors Min-ho (Because It’s the First Time), Do Ji-han (Basketball), and Jo Yoon-woo (Mask).

This drama drew a lot of initial interest as another one of the big-budget, 100 percent preproduced series that was courting a simultaneous broadcast with China, and after Descended From the Sun broke out to be such a massive hit, everybody got excited for all the other preproduced shows in the pipeline. But then recent political tensions between China and South Korea resulted in the restricting of use of Korean actors and content in China, and fears arose that this would impede, or even ban entirely, the airing of K-dramas there. But KBS’s plans to air Hwarang in China will reportedly continue as initially planned; notably, the drama sold to China for an even higher price than Descended From the Sun.

Hwarang will kick off in December, and will be a Monday-Tuesday drama on KBS, which puts our lineup at youthful romance sageuk Moonlight Drawn By Clouds, then the quirky rom-com The Man Living in Our House, and then Hwarang: The Beginning.

Via TV Daily

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Tags: Hwarang

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1 Itenoria

September 2, 2016 at 3:04 AM

And that completes my Saguek Christmas came early presents. With Moonlight, Scarlet Heart and now Hwarang, I'm all rolled up in Saguek pretty *sigh*.

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beansoverflowers

September 2, 2016 at 3:29 AM

Eeeexactly.

I feel like this is such a better way to appeal to younger foreign audiences - introducing Korea's pretty (in both face, costuming, architecture, food) and history - rather than the really embarrassing attempts by the actual tourism board.

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civilsecret

September 2, 2016 at 5:36 AM

lol, true so many sagueks with gorgeous actors/actresses

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Sissi

September 2, 2016 at 12:52 PM

True, the whole year has been nothing but gifts after gifts for fusion sageuk lovers. After all the dramas I've been watching this year so far, I often dream about wearing a hanbok now! Not that I complain, I get to wear one at least.

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justwaytooboss

September 2, 2016 at 12:59 PM

Saguek Christmas! Love it! Seriously though... it will be the cherry on top of the saguek sundae. :D

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2 Sancheezy

September 2, 2016 at 3:19 AM

anticipating this so much since it's the flower boys series
I hope they stay fun and even though I get some doubt about the supporting cast,
I like the lead ,
they all seems able to put the flirty category really well,
hope they all can play their part right.

It's not a harm to be soo bong or mad dog- role, or even the eunuch galore from moonlight,
may not the lead but it hold a special place in the viewer heart,
I hope the reception is good , and I hope they better show the charm of pre-produced outside the simoultanous air time and beutiful scene transcition,
like a better flow from the drama,
except if SARFT got a hand there...

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3 celine

September 2, 2016 at 3:32 AM

"the drama sold to China for an even higher price than Descended From the Sun" WOW!

Excited for this because Park Seojoon is back on my screen! So much pretty in Sageuk dramas this year!

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fanwho

September 2, 2016 at 4:27 AM

Somehow I thought it was Moon Lovers (sold for higher price) and thought why China would buy it's remake with such price. Maybe too many pretty faces made me confused?

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bips99

September 2, 2016 at 4:36 AM

i think all of them - uf, ml, this were sold for higher than dots simply bec dots was the first and its almost become like a benchmark.

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The other Kiara

September 2, 2016 at 7:10 AM

Moon Lovers is the highest to date with 400k per episode. Hwarang was sold for 300k.

KBS may have a reason to worry about domestic reception for this. Pretty boys with little to no experience can't carry sageuks.

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4 tae tae

September 2, 2016 at 3:59 AM

taehyung oppa first acting debut my flower handsome cute weirdo v oppa seranghye I just hope for your sake this drama get good success I know you are good actor.and also I like the other flower boys.taehyung oppa I'm waiting for you.

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purpleowl

September 2, 2016 at 9:13 AM

I'm excited for V too.

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5 fairy

September 2, 2016 at 4:23 AM

I feel sorry for Kim Taehyung, all the actors in the poster are mentionned but him

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peebles

September 2, 2016 at 5:25 AM

Lol yep

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cotton

September 2, 2016 at 5:45 AM

Same here :(
Way to go Kim Taehyung ^-^ I hope his debut drama does well.

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civilsecret

September 2, 2016 at 5:51 AM

same, i hope he does well or else people will rip him apart like what's happening with baekhyun in scarlet heart.

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purpleowl

September 2, 2016 at 9:15 AM

Wauts happening with Baek? From the 20 minutes I could get through, Baek was the least frustrating.

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purpleowl

September 2, 2016 at 9:35 AM

*What's

mk

September 2, 2016 at 11:56 AM

He's very clearly a weak spot among the cast. When he's in an ensemble it's not as noticeable but it's pretty obvious whenever he's the focal point of a scene. Personally I think he's better than Hyeri and L and it's not like he gets a lot of screentime, so it doesn't bother me much. His performance rides a lot on his natural charm.

purpleowl

September 2, 2016 at 9:15 AM

Same, I was waiting for the Taetae mention.

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6 Hather

September 2, 2016 at 4:28 AM

I don't trust that kinds of pre produced dramas with full of star-studded cast and unnecessary media play anymore. Let's see how this one will work out!

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7 mindy

September 2, 2016 at 4:46 AM

I'm actually SUPER excited for this. I love Park Seo-joon and I don't know, everything about it has me intrigued.

So many fusion sageuks this year. Please be good, show!

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8 fab

September 2, 2016 at 5:05 AM

No matter how the quality of a drama turns out, this shift in producing shows should never be seen as its primary cause, because with it comes nothing but huge gains for the cast, staff etc. It's crazy to expect pre-produced dramas to have perfect writing and editing.

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wapz

September 2, 2016 at 5:20 AM

Exactly! I guess after dots everyone expects pre produced shows to hit 30 percent in ratings and be amazing. I wonder even if the team of dots thought that they will be able to make plus 30. Like every other show , a pre produced show can be a hit or miss. Yes, they have more time to make it but that doesn't mean that the story will always be compelling. At this time I think even reaching 12-13 percent for a show should be considered great.

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celine

September 2, 2016 at 5:43 AM

I agree. pre-produced drama is either hit or miss just like the old formula of live-shooting. It all comes down to a combination of good writing/story, cast, directing etc. They do have an edge to make it smoother because they have more time plus the actors will probably have more break in between. However, like what we've seen so far with some pre-produced dramas that have aired/are airing, the quality is still not guaranteed.

It's hard to really pinpoint exactly whether a drama will be a hit or not. It helps when there's a known great writer and PD behind the work and actors who are known to be good. However, at the end of the day, anything can still happen.

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9 PBY

September 2, 2016 at 5:15 AM

This will be a perfect follow-up for after Scarlet Heart finishes and leaves me with a need for more historical pretty.
It's also nice to see more sageuks that are not set in Joseon, the changes in clothing and hair styles are interesting to observe.

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FierySkye

September 2, 2016 at 9:04 AM

I agree about the different time period. I'm fascinated by ancient clothing and dressing styles, hair and other parts of culture and seeing how it changes depending on which kingdom it is is fun to see. Watching Moon Lovers, I can see that they still hadn't come up with their unique dress; it looks like people's during Goryeo still emulated some Chinese dressing styles

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mk

September 2, 2016 at 11:57 AM

Riiight? I'm loving the costumes in Moon Lovers. The jewelry is amaaaaazing.

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10 Curious1

September 2, 2016 at 5:36 AM

So far the DotS formula has no guaranteed results.

The pressure is ON.

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civilsecret

September 2, 2016 at 5:48 AM

i agree, i think it all comes down to making a first good impression on the first 2 eps specifically the 1st for good word of mouth. you gotta get the audiences attention and for the drama to be engaging and well directed and edited.

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wapz

September 2, 2016 at 6:05 AM

I agree. When would directors and producers understand that the first impression matters a lot.

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11 civilsecret

September 2, 2016 at 5:42 AM

man i've been waiting for this drama for forever, just 3 more months away. also excited to see park seo joon and hyungsik back on the screen. my two faves and i've really grown fond of go ara as well. also im interested to see if v from bts can act well, i hope so.

the more i here about this the more im getting excited for it. at first i was just thinking it might be fluffy eye candy drama. but from what i read, the drama is about our young characters passion, growth and love in the silla dynasty. its hard enough being a young adult in this day and age, imagine being one 1,500 years ago with all the crazy customs, norms and laws. im really interested to see how they do it and to also see what kind of story it will be. i hope it does well, lately all the pre produced dramas after dots havent been fairing so well.

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12 JoyCB

September 2, 2016 at 5:48 AM

Is this gonna air around the same time as Goblin? YESSSS to lots of nice kdrama to look forward to this December!

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13 grammar

September 2, 2016 at 6:09 AM

I'm definitely going to be watching this because of do jihan.

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14 whatis

September 2, 2016 at 7:07 AM

OMG... i've been WAITING AND WAITING FOR IT! My neck is like of a giraffe by now! I hope this will be awesomely fun!

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15 elvira

September 2, 2016 at 7:30 AM

2016 Kdramas in 6 words:
"Flower boys: Gotta Catch 'Em All"

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Flightey Gazelles

September 2, 2016 at 7:56 AM

From your lips to God's ears!

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lili_ij

September 3, 2016 at 2:58 AM

Ahahaha! Too right ^_^

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16 maryxiah

September 2, 2016 at 8:14 AM

Hwarang: The Beginning takes us back 1,500 years in time to the Silla kingdom, where the Hwarang were warriors known for being beautiful.

Well, save for Park Hyung-sik and Min-ho, I don't think the warriors were beautiful at all, I think they should re-do the whole posters, they looked... not beautiful at all.

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17 kaybee

September 2, 2016 at 8:20 AM

Given some of the actors I'll probably end up giving this a try, but my track record with sageuks is pretty terrible, so I'll probably also end up giving up on it early on lol.

What is up with all these many, many, many insanely attractive/handsome/pretty male actors in sageuks these days? I mean first the three in MDBC, then the millions in SH and then there will be a gazillion in this. *sigh* If only the real world surrounded you with that many at once.

I wonder why China would pay so much for a drama that hasn't aired a single episode yet. It's quite the gamble, could turn out to be a complete failure after all.

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kaybee

September 2, 2016 at 8:20 AM

Also hope they end the ban soon, it can't be good for SK economy...

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18 purpleowl

September 2, 2016 at 9:34 AM

This will be my second sageuk. I'm sure I'll be able to stick with this for Park Seo Joon, Park Hyung Sik, Jo Yoon Woo, Go Ara, Minho, and a bit V. Love them as actors, especially the first 4.

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19 Andechi

September 2, 2016 at 10:11 AM

I'll be watching because of Park Seo Joon. A year without his movie/drama is just too long. Let's hope for an entertaining saeguk!

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loveblossom

September 2, 2016 at 10:39 AM

I feel the exact same way!

Gotta watch this drama for PSJ. I hope it's a success!

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20 wackycashew

September 2, 2016 at 10:33 AM

Anticipating this!! It's been a year of sageuks for me in the latter half of this year. ^^ Will watch for the cast.

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21 LillyLee

September 2, 2016 at 11:16 AM

I think Go Ara is funny so I will be watching.

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22 Cyrena

September 2, 2016 at 11:34 AM

Looks like a flop but I hope I'm wrong

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23 bbstl

September 2, 2016 at 1:34 PM

? Park Seo Joon ?
'nuff said.

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24 Danielle

September 2, 2016 at 8:05 PM

I really hope that Hwarang is well received by Korean and International audiences. I feel that KBS shouldn't over promoted things drama like they did with Uncontrollably Fond and what SBS did with Scarlet Heart Ryeo, sometimes less is more so that they viewers do not have high expectations.