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Hwarang: Episode 20 (Final)

The future of Silla depends upon its king, and Ji-dwi and Sun-woo prepare to face off in a battle for the throne. They both dream of a Silla where the people can live freely while the king watches over them, but the decision isn’t up to them. In the end, it’s the Hwarang who will decide which man is the right king to lead their country into the future.

 
FINAL EPISODE RECAP

Ji-dwi and Sun-woo face off in the throne room, swords to each other’s throats. Sun-woo growls that he’s killed Ji-dwi many times in his mind for causing the death of his only friend, and that he can’t forgive Ji-dwi for that. Sun-woo continues that he never could kill him, because he hoped Ji-dwi wasn’t really the king.

Ji-dwi throws down his sword, and says that if Sun-woo needs to kill him for this to end, then he tells him to do it. But he asks if it really will solve anything, or if Sun-woo will just keep killing while more take the dead’s places. He says that he wants to change Silla with Sun-woo by his side and end the injustices caused by the bone rank system.

Sun-woo stands shaking, then quickly slashes his sword. But instead of cutting Ji-dwi down, the dragon-head bracelet falls to the ground, sliced in two. Ji-dwi asks if this is the end, and Sun-woo answers that they have different paths. Ji-dwi looks deeply sorrowful as he says that the next time they meet, they will be enemies.

Holding court with his royal council cronies, Minister Park says that he needs to change the king. He clarifies that instead of a king, he will put forward a sacred bone scarecrow in the form of Sun-woo. The councilors worry that the queen regent won’t allow it, so Minister Park decides they need to take away everything from her: money, power, and position. He’s unafraid of people branding it a rebellion, because he frankly doesn’t care what the people think.

Ji-dwi sits up late, contemplating his broken bracelet. He calls Pa Oh and orders him to bring Ah Ro to the palace first thing in the morning.

Minister Park is dismayed when he learns of Ji-dwi’s move to secure Ah Ro, having intended to use her as bait to force Sun-woo to go along with his plans. But it turns out that he didn’t need her, because Hwi-kyung shows up on his doorstep with Sun-woo in tow.

Minister Park looks like the cat that ate the canary as the three sit to talk, and Sun-woo says in a hard voice that they need to change the owner of Silla. He tells Minister Park that he will make it happen using the Hwarang, with Minister Park and the royal council to support him.

Ji-dwi approaches Queen Regent Jiso with a request to formally abdicate the throne to him. She agrees, but only if he marries Sookmyung first, and Ji-dwi asks if it’s that difficult for her to see him become king. The queen regent says that only an objective king can hold power — one willing to take even his friend’s life to protect his throne.

Ji-dwi rejects the idea that a king must kill to remain king. But his mother tells him that the Hwarang believe that Sun-woo deserves to be king, after watching him risk his life in Baekje. That taps right into Ji-dwi’s insecurities, but he says firmly that he will make the Hwarang his, whatever it takes.

Sun-woo goes back to Hwa-gong to remind him of his lesson that no path started as a path. He says that he plans to make his own path and refuses to be a piece on someone else’s chess board, quoting another of Hwa-gong’s lessons.

He asks Hwa-gong for his help, but Hwa-gong balks at the idea of aiding a rebellion. Sun-woo says that he needs his help keeping the Hwarang together, adding that he’s confident that Hwa-gong will help because they want the same things. He leaves a letter with Hwa-gong, saying that it outlines what he intends to do, and goes.

Still acting as Queen Regent Jiso’s bodyguard, Su-ho witnesses her attendant Mo-young adding something to the queen regent’s tea. He watches her closely as she pours a cup, but as the queen regent raises the cup to her lips, he takes it from her.

He tells her that he saw Mo-young putting something in the tea, and that he fears it’s poison. She tells her to hand it over and he pours it out, refusing to allow her to drink something unknown. She pours another cup, and this time he takes it and drinks it himself.

Queen Regent Jiso smiles at his loyalty, and tells Su-ho that it’s not a poison whose effects are seen immediately. He asks if she’s been drinking it knowing it was there, and she says she’s suspected it from the beginning.

She has a coughing fit, and there’s blood in her handkerchief, which alarms Su-ho. He offers to call a doctor, but the queen regent begs him not to, as she’s been having symptoms for a while.

Ji-dwi visits Ah Ro in her palace room, explaining that this is the only way he can keep her next to him. He asks about her arrow wound, but Ah Ro says that she’d heal faster at home.

Ji-dwi seems sorry but says she can’t leave, because she’s here as a hostage to stop Sun-woo from stealing his throne. When Ah Ro says this isn’t like him, Ji-dwi reminds her that he’s his mother’s son. He says coldly that this is her chance to find out who he really is.

Later, he stands outside the Hwarang grounds, preparing to address his former friends. He corrects Sookmyung’s assumption that he’s here to seize the Hwarang, reminding her that they were his to begin with, and says that he needs to take control now before it’s too late.

He seems so different that the Hwarang hardly recognize him, and Yeo-wool notes that he looks cruel now, like his mother. They’re ordered to kneel before their king, and Ji-dwi introduces himself as King Jinheung (and now that he’s officially come out to everyone now, we’ll switch to calling him by his royal name). He says that when he was here, he thought them lazy and weak, spoiled sons of rich families. But now, he states that they will be reborn as strong warriors under the watch of the royal family.

Sun-woo has been conspicuously absent, but he walks out now and calls out to Jinheung. He asks how he’s any different than the Hwarang, saying that he’s also weak and powerless. Jinheung tells him to be respectful, and Sun-woo just barely lowers his head.

King Jinheung announces that in four days, his mother will abdicate, and that he expects the Hwarang to fulfill their obligations as the royal guard. But Sun-woo immediately says that the Hwarang must be free, because only when they can think and act freely will they be able to become a part of Silla’s future.

Jinheung asks if Sun-woo is rebelling against him, and Sun-woo loudly announces that the Hwarang will decide for themselves whether to accept him as their king. He asks if Jinheung has no confidence that they will choose him.

Sun-woo finds Princess Sookmyung waiting for him later, and she tells him that Ah Ro is okay. He says he knows, and apologizes for not being a good man to Sookmyung. She agrees that he hasn’t, and he says that she’s a good woman who should find a man who feels the same about her as she does about him.

Su-ho tells King Jinheung about the queen regent’s poisoned tea, and Jinheung goes straight to his mother’s chambers. He finds Mo-young serving her a cup at that exact moment, and he snatches it and smashes it to the floor. He draws his sword and levels it at Mo-young’s throat, asking, “Is it Park Young-shil?”

He can tell by her frightened gasp that he’s correct, and he calls Pa Oh in and orders him to have Mo-young killed immediately. Her pleas for mercy go unheard, and Pa Oh takes her to her death.

Once they’re alone, King Jinheung drops his sword and falls to his knees in front of his mother. No longer a king, but just a lost little boy, he asks why she drank the tea when she knew it was poisoned. Queen Regent Jiso says that when she found out it was too late, and if she’d refused the tea, they would have just found another method.

Crying now, Jinheung asks why she didn’t just renounce the throne, and she says she tried, but she had something to protect. She tells her son that he needs to be strong in order to fight, and adds that he should not believe in people’s weak hearts. Jinheung breaks down sobbing with his head in his mother’s lap.

King Jinheung gives Hwa-gong his job back in leading and teaching the Hwarang. He addresses them in the lecture hall, saying that he’s heard about their latest difficult task, and adds that he think their decision will create the new shape of Silla. He also says that he believes they are qualified to make that choice.

Hwa-gong says that this could either be considered treason, or their duty. He tells them to make their own choice whether to be a Hwarang who challenges the nation, or continue being a Hwarang unable to decide anything. “Never forget that you are Hwarang. Never forget.”

Jinheung visits Ah Ro again and reminds her of the time she said that she could tell by his eyes that he never gave up on being king. He says that he hopes she was right, and notes that it’s her heart that’s never changed, though his heart is racing.

Ah Ro mentions the queen regent’s abdication later today, and Jinheung asks if she’s worried about him. Ah Ro replies that the throne seems lonely, and that she thinks she’ll sleep less there. Jinheung thanks her, saying that he became stronger because of her.

It’s time for the abdication, and Hwi-kyung stands beside the throne while the royal council wonders why he’s there. The queen regent enters the throne room next, wearing her crown, and seats herself in the smaller chair beside the throne.

Last is King Jinheung, dressed in his formal robes, and he sits on his throne. Meanwhile the Hwarang gather together and, led by Sun-woo, they approach the palace to make their choice.

Minister Kim begins to announce the abdication, but Minister Park’s voice interrupts him with a loud, “Halt!” He steps forward and points at King Jinheung, asking if he thinks that throne belongs to him. He says that the royal council chose to crown another sacred bone as king — Prince Hwi-kyung’s son, Sun-woo.

Right on cue, Sun-woo enters the throne room, followed by the entire Hwarang. They walk up to the throne, and Sun-woo stands glaring at Jinheung. Su-ho joins them, and in a strong voice, Su-ho says, “Today, we Hwarang selected the king for the future. We Hwarang pledge allegiance before His Majesty, who will be honored by his people and make Silla strong.” He drops to a knee, and behind him, the Hwarang all kneel to their king.

Still standing, Sun-woo never takes his eyes off Jinheung as he bellows, “Hwarang, pledge your allegiance for Silla, and the master of Silla with the spirit of Silla!” He draws his sword and raises it high and says, loud and strong, “Your Majesty Jinheung, manse [ten thousand years]!”

The Hwarang all chant after him, “Your Majesty Jinheung, manse!” Hwi-kyung and the queen regent both look surprised, while Minister Park looks confused and befuddled. To his credit, King Jinheung accepts his Hwarang’s tribute with dignity and grace, never betraying how worried he was.

Sun-woo isn’t finished — he suddenly whips his sword to the side, and holds it to Minister Park’s neck. He roars that Minister Park has been plotting treason to kill the king, and says it’s time to accept his punishment. He invites anyone who stands with Minister Park to step forward, but every last councilor bows to their new king.

Knowing he’s been beaten, Minister Park reluctantly lowers his head in respect, and Sun-woo removes his sword. Jinheung steps forward, remembering his plea to Sun-woo to join him in making Silla a better place, and we see the rest of their conversation from that night.

Sun-woo had asked if Jinheung could really make his lofty dreams come true, and Jinheung had said that he has to at least try. Now, Sun-woo tells Jinheung with his eyes that he can change Silla as he always dreamed. The king silently answers that to avoid disappointing Sun-woo, he will take that path to the end. Sun-woo nods, the message heard loud and clear.

Now officially crowned king, Jinheung steps outside and climbs the courtyard steps as his mother looks on proudly. He draws his sword, raises it to the sky, and vows that he, along with his Hwarang, will put the people first to create a powerful and prosperous Silla. The Hwarang roar their approval, and Pa Oh nearly cries with pride.

As Hwa-gong fishes in the Hwarang pond, he thinks back on his conversation with Sun-woo, when he’d asked what type of king he’s thinking of. Sun-woo had said he dreams of a country where the people are happy while the king suffers, where the people don’t worry about the country, but one where the king worries about the people. His words were nearly identical to Jinheung’s, and Hwa-gong chuckles to himself.

After the ceremony, Sun-woo speaks to Hwi-kyung privately to apologize for not telling him his plans sooner. Hwi-kyung says that he respects Sun-woo’s choice, and that he’s proud of him. He adds that his mother would have been proud as well, bringing tears to Sun-woo’s eyes.

King Jinheung thinks back on his time with the Hwarang, the shenanigans and the fights, and how he was always treated like one of the guys. He smiles as he remembers fighting for his people in Baekje, and Sun-woo declaring his loyalty to him as king.

His mother approaches, and says that he really did all this on his own. She says she’s glad it wasn’t too late, and he promises to bear the burden of Silla from now on. His mother asks if he thinks she hated him, and when he doesn’t answer, she smiles ruefully and turns to leave.

Jinheung asks her the same question, if she thinks he hated her. He says that he knows she was protecting both him and Silla, and he vows to protect Silla and his people too, but in his own way. She nods tearfully, finally ready to let her son make his own future.

As Su-ho walks Jiso to her quarters, she collapses, coughing up blood. He calls Ji-gong, who examines her and says she’s on the brink of death. He stands to leave, but she grabs his hand and says she has something to tell him.

Ji-gong wants to leave anyway, but Su-ho stops him. He begs Ji-gong to stay by Jiso’s side, and leaves the room to give them privacy. He sheds a tear, knowing that he’ll never see his queen alive again.

Once they’re alone, Jiso whispers to Ji-gong that she would have rather died at his hands. She asks why he didn’t tell her not to drink the tea, and when he doesn’t answer, she assumes he was worried about her. She gasps that she tried to let him go, but she couldn’t.

Ji-gong says that he tried to hate her, and he even tried to kill her, but he couldn’t. Jiso says that she’s sorry, then her eyes roll back and her hand goes limp. She’s gone.

Ah Ro paces her room through all of this, and finally, Pa Oh comes to see her. He reports that everything went well, and gives her a letter from Jinheung. It reads: “Did you resent me for locking you up here? It was the only choice I could make to protect you from Minister Park. I think I won’t be able to let you go if I see your face, because I think I’ll become greedy again. Go, don’t make him wait too long. Go to him.”

Ah Ro runs to find Sun-woo, and when they see each other, he grabs her in a tight hug. He asks if he was too late, and she shakes her head. He promises never to leave her alone again, and gives her a long, lingering kiss.

Some time later, Ah Ro is back to peddling her stories, this time to Hwa-gong’s assistant, Bu-jae. She attempts to sell him her compilation of the capital’s noblemen, and the money she gets from the sale pays off her debt to Joo-ki. He teases that she’s back in her same place after winning the love of two sacred bones, ha.

The little boy that Joo-ki adopted after his mother was killed in Baekje comes to give Ah Ro a hug, and Joo-ki jealously grabs him and tells Ah Ro to go date if she needs companionship that badly. She whines that she hasn’t seen Sun-woo in a while, even after he promised not to leave her alone, and bellows at Joo-ki in frustration.

Ban-ryu and Soo-yeon have a little clandestine meeting in her home, and Ban-ryu stammers that they shouldn’t keep sneaking around. Soo-yeon worries because Ban-ryu lost his connections when Minister Park was humiliated, so her father opposes Ban-ryu.

But she assures him that he has her love, and pulls him close for a hug — which is, of course, the moment that her father walks into the room. The two lovebirds jump apart, looking guilty as sin, and Ban-ryu actually tests the window for a possible escape route, hee.

Sun-woo reports to King Jinheung that Crown Prince Chang of Baekje is thinking of attacking one of their fortresses. Jinheung complains that they only see each other when there’s a problem these days, and Sun-woo sighs that it will cause issues if another sacred bone spends too much time at the palace.

The king taunts that if he was going to act so cool, he should just go be king then, and Sun-woo jokingly sizes up the throne as if he’s considering the idea. They both laugh, then Jinheung asks if Sun-woo has seen Ah Ro after being gone for six months. Sun-woo’s guilty face says it all.

Ah Ro is sitting outside her house, pouting that she hasn’t even gotten a note from Sun-woo. She barks that he should just end things, but he suddenly pops out of nowhere to grab her in a back hug. Still annoyed, Ah Ro pretends she doesn’t know who he is, but he completely disarms her when he caresses her face and says she’s beautiful.

Without preamble, Sun-woo asks Ah Ro, “Let’s get married.” He says this isn’t working for him because he misses her so much, and her big smile is all the answer he needs. He gives her a teeny kiss, then a long hug, saying again that he’s missed her.

King Jinheung and his loyal Hwarang ride off into their future, a better future for all of Silla.

 
COMMENTS

Surprisingly, I actually really liked the way the show wrapped up its story, particularly the way Sun-woo managed to outwit Minister Park and his nefarious schemes to take over the throne. It was genius to use Minister Park’s plan to flip things on their ear, letting him think he was in charge, because it kept Minister Park out of Sun-woo’s way while he did what he needed to do. It was entirely in keeping with Sun-woo’s established intelligence and character, to keep his cards close to the vest and use his opponents’ overconfidence against them, and I cheered out loud when Sun-woo declared himself and the entire Hwarang to be King Jinheung’s men. Well done, Show, you ended on a high note.

That said, I can’t let everything the show did terribly wrong slip by unnoticed, and the list is a long one. Part of the reason I’m so disappointed is because of episodes like the finale (and Episode 15, which I felt was the best overall), which proved that Hwarang had the ability to tell a compelling, gripping story and use its actors and settings to maximum effect. But it’s this knowledge that makes the bulk of the rest of the drama so lackluster, because when you know you can do better, why let so much time and story slip by and become forgettable?

Sadly, Hwarang was a show that allowed most of its story — the part we actually wanted to see — to happen off-screen, most notably the Hwarang training, and the boys learning to be friends and be loyal to one another rather than towing their parents’ party lines. There were so many stories partially told and then dropped, such as what happened to Dan-se after Han-sung died and how he was suddenly a Hwarang instead of a Nando, and why Han-sung had to die in the first place. Or Yeo-wool’s fascinating backstory, which was just never touched on ever again. Where did Su-ho go after the queen regent died? And then there’s Sun-woo’s illness, since we never knew where it came from and why it only happened in certain circumstances. It’s like the writer had all these great ideas, but had no idea how to tell them, so they just… didn’t. We got great setup, and no follow-through.

And don’t even get me started on the many, many plot holes that were too numerous to be accidental oversights. There were so many of them that it just came across as lazy storytelling, which, in my opinion, is inexcusable in a pre-produced drama. Why did Minister Park have no reaction whatsoever to his vast stores of medicinal herbs being stolen? I don’t even mean a half-hearted reaction — we got nothing, when the man should have been furious that his plans for great wealth were thwarted. And how did Jinheung know that Minister Park had his dragon bracelet? Why did Minister Park and Hwi-kyung get away scot-free with plotting treason? Why did everyone just forget that Sun-woo and Ah Ro were supposed to be brother and sister? We can assume that the rumors of Sun-woo’s true birth made it clear they weren’t related, but as I said before, it’s better if the show tells us clearly rather than make us create conversations that never happened to explain events in the story.

Speaking of Ah Ro, I wish we’d gotten more of the spunky self-sufficient girl we were promised, but instead she served as little more than a very pretty prop to move the boys around, and seemed to be useful for no other reason than to make Sun-woo and Jinheung dislike each other. As if they needed yet another reason. She didn’t even do anything in the final episode other than sit in a room, yet again nothing more than a prop being used to control one or the other. Such a waste of a character, and I’m not even getting into how flat and uninteresting her love line with Sun-woo was. The only reason I wanted them to get together is because Sun-woo wanted it so much, but not because I felt any great need to see them together.

Of course, the untold story I’ll miss the most is the bromance-that-wasn’t, collectively among the entire Hwarang, but specifically between Sun-woo and Jinheung. The show proved that it can do epic bromances, as we saw with Sun-woo and Mak Mun, which really set my expectations high for what was to come between the immature king and the wayward low-born boy. We even got one episode of them kind of being friends, and then it just stagnated and never went anywhere, and before we knew it, they were sniping at each other again with no explanation as to why. It’s tragic, because I know I would have felt Sun-woo’s seeming betrayal of Jinheung in the final episode much more keenly if he and Jinheung were fighting a deep love for each other to argue over who was the best man to lead Silla into the future. But again, the plot felt flat because there just wasn’t much personal emotion behind the characters’ actions. It was all political.

Still, I feel that the actors did their best with what they were given, and the show was certainly beautiful to look at (though Sun-woo’s hair length always bothered me — did they think we wouldn’t notice that putting a headband on made it grow six inches, and taking it off shortened his hair by six inches?). It’s just that by the end, it felt like little more than something pretty to look at. Though, if you can watch it without thinking too hard, it’s actually a pretty entertaining drama. It’s just that it gave us too much filler and not enough meat, which leaves me still feeling hungry even after twenty episodes. But to end things on a high note, I do feel that we saw some pretty great performances in Hwarang, particularly from the male actors, and I wish them much luck and good, strong scripts in their future.

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Maybe we should write a fanfic. Think about it.

Hwarang : the things that happened off-screen.

We could have epic BROMANCE , ban-ryu and soo yeon romance and su ho trying to order ban ryu around and soon yeon going *thump* I'll protect my man.
We could have all the juicy conflicts, inner battles, jealous bro fights , water fights, the boys learning to trust each other, protecting your friend silently even if your supposed to hate him.
We could even have the story told from someone else's perspective maybe yeo wool. I found him very interesting .I think he will he a great narrator.
Oh God...I am getting excited all over again.

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Or maybe this drama could get amnesia after getting hit by the great God *cue dramatic music* TOD : the wrecker , whose minions play a major role in kdramas.
After which it would get a second shot at storytelling and our hearts would remain intact.

Wow!! It's official. I have gone crazy.

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Ok if you ever write such a fanfic of banryu x sooyeon don't forget to post the link here ;D

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I'm actually considering writing something like that - not necessarily a rewrite, but this show plus all the scenes that it should have given us. The problem is that it would be a long project...but let's see.

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What I'm wondering is, would anyone actually be interested in reading it?

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Me me....I will be reading it

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I WOULD READ THE HELL OUT OF IT!
Bless your soul if you really do write it :')

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I'd read that!

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*sigh* well at least the boys got a real life bromance out of this. It's so cute to see the hwarang hang out - at least they got something out of this experience

But why in the world was Suho not in the ending shot?! Did he just disappear after the queens death? Lost his purpose as hwarang? The ending would have been more meaningful with the whole gang there:(

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I just assume that his Shinee responsibilities got in the way and he couldn't film that day. That also explains how in the series, V/Taehyung/hansung wasn't in some of the scenes where it would have made sense for him to be in.

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Suho missing from that part bothered me so much. I kept wondering where he was instead of enjoying that scene.

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Haayy... That final shot though..
I was sad i didnt see Soo Ho in that final scene.
I wanted to see the SIX HWARANGS in that EXIT.

But most probably a confilct in SHINee's schedule, since they had lots of things going on during this drama's filming.

I at least hoped they could have used a double to fill for him like they did in other scenes when Minho wasn't there, to show SIX HWARANGS still in the end (though Danse filled in for Hansung)

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Thanks Lollypip! Your analysis was dead on, totally reflected how I felt too. I loved the first few episodes but it was like all the dynamism and emotion faded away when Kwang Soo died. I didn't even care about Han Sung's death.

What I am still really interested in is the historical hwarang. Someone needs to hire the writer and director from Rebel and do justice to the topic.

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I had expected so much, but this was such a lacklustre show...

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Wow. So many comments already. Thanks LollyPip for hanging in strong with this let down of a show. I agree that the this episode was solid, but it seemed too little too late. Why couldn't Sun Woo and Ji Dwi, and Sun Woo and Ah Ro have had those cute little interactions they had at the end at other times in the show? As LollyPip pointed out, the show is nominal as I have little love for and understanding of the Hwarang. Sure, they were devised as a way of checking the Royal Council and guarding the royal family but there were too few times that we saw them using their acumen and fighting skills outside of our two male leads.

The queen regent says that only an objective king can hold power — one willing to take even his friend’s life to protect his throne.

MLSHR in a nutshell. For all its faults, one thing MLSHR did well was show the value of human life and the consequences of one’s actions or lack there of. The ending of this show has none of that. It wold have been nice to know why Moo Young did what she did—unless I completely missed that. Sure the Queen Regent dies but this is a work that takes some liberties with history; make us feel that those who have done wrong and those who have been wronged can have these issues settled in a more fulfilling way. The closest this show comes to doing this is when the Queen Regent and The King interact coming down to the end.

Though, if you can watch it without thinking too hard, it’s actually a pretty entertaining drama. It’s just that it gave us too much filler and not enough meat, which leaves me still feeling hungry even after twenty episodes.

Agreed minus the if you don't think to hard it's pretty entertaining part. There are still to many glaring issues and the pacing is a mess at times that it becomes too glaring. Nevertheless, I look forward to Park Hyung Sik and Park Seo Joon in their next works. Please be good.

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A drama of contradictions. Fun, but frustrating. Ran me through the gamut of low expectations to high expectations to low again. A drama about Hwarang without much Hwarang. A drama about the future but focused solely on the past wrongs. A drama about youth but so many scenes focused on the greed and past angst of middle-aged characters. A drama with flowery posters and clothing and boys, but sucked at showcasing romance and excelled in showcasing violence and fight scenes. A drama where I despaired in the final weeks and then cheered and felt my heart soar in the final episode. A drama where both too much and not enough happened.

Pe-ha Jinheung, manse! the bromance between Sunwoo and JD was strong. Lollypip's screenshots of the smiling guys with Sunwoo's open arms, out of context, makes it look like JD is going to run into them. lol!

Loved the Sunwoo-betrayal fakeouts, even though I saw them from 5 miles away. Yes, Young Shil, Sunwoo will "change the owner of Silla" *smirk* Wish we had more of them in the series.

Loves all the callbacks:
-flashbacks that elicited emotion and didn't make me frustrated.
-Hwagong instated as instructor
-Jinheung mentioning that he thought the hwarang were lazy and spoiled when he was here. (seems like the show tried to sell them as heroes already these past few weeks)
-Sunwoo talking about the path that doesn't start as a path..
-Hwagong flashing back to when Ji Dwi petitioned Hwagong to get into Hwarang and Sunwoo saying the exact same words
-Aro referring to how Jinheung can't sleep
-the throne room scene - but this time victorious
-Proud papa Pa-Oh
-Hwagong fishing at the Hwarang pond
-Aro's part-time investigator job and her debt.

So many questions, like the all the ones lollypip pointed out, but I'm so glad and relieved we ended on a good note. It's almost as if the writer wrote and the production team filmed this before everything seriously went awry with the script.

I loved this final episode. One thing I would ask if that we could have used a Mak Moon ghost looking over his best friend and little sis, since I think Mak Moon and Sunwoo's relationship really kicked off the story and added a lot of emotion to the early episodes.

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I love that you're able to keep looking on the bright happy side in the end, and this last episode really helps to not leave a bitter taste in the mouth. A 20 hour investment with characters and actors you like would have really sucked if the last episode was bad. ?

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Also want to add: I hope that now that writer has gotten out of her system everything she had ever wanted to tell in a story, she can avoid her haphazard kitchen sin style in future long productions. There were truly quite a number of good scenes that felt adrift and nonsensical because the foundations behind the scenes were weak to nonexistent.

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Was trying to figure out what a "haphazard kitchen sin" was. Sounds like something I'd do in the kitchen, I'm a terrible cook. :-)

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Whoops, typing and editing text on a tablet is messy! meant kitchen Sink and meant "everything but the kitchen sink" since she was just putting everything in there.

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LOL. Was racking my brain and even googled it.

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Hwarang was like a mini dry erase board with a hand-sized smudge in one corner - its flaws were small enough not to ruin the drama, and yet big enough to be an annoyance. I fully enjoyed the show, even if there were many places worthy of facepalming.

Since this is the first drama to focus on the Hwarang, they should have chosen a more seasoned writer. I think most of the flaws lie in the script and directing. If they think about making a sequel or a season 2, I hope they'll boot the writer and get a better one.

But anyways, thank you for the ride, Hwarang! And thank you for your recaps, LollyPip!

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Now that it is over, these are my final thoughts:

1. Hwarang's story-line was ultimately half-baked and under-developed, though entertaining it did have certain things that frustrated me.

2. The styles for this drama were the best, and I wish all historical k-dramas would have similar styles. PSJ looked so good and manly (despite the changing hair length), and PSH looked beautiful.

3. The characters were all under-developed, some more than others, but all were interesting and I didn't dislike any character (even the ones I felt were useless and unnecessary like Dan Se and Han Sung).

4. The acting: PSJ was the best actor, followed by PHS (who's main flaw is that his voice is not rich or powerful enough, so when he declares something it comes out a bit lackluster). This drama seemed to highlight Go Ara's weaknesses, especially when she yells. She also struggles with emoting and and her facial expressions are lacking.

5. The romance was sweet but lackluster. The drama overall could've been a lot better, given some of the great moments in it. I think the main flaw of this drama is that it tried to be too many things at once.

Lastly this remains a k-historical drama I fairly enjoyed from beginning to end, even though it followed k-drama formula and didn't really standout.

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Oh, I forgot to add one more positive, despite the flaws this drama had the right emotional notes (too bad it didn't have strong plot to support that advantage)

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I guess we have different taste, then. Because I love Park Hung-sik's voice. It's unique. A bit nasal, but also deep at the same time. And I think it gives his young king character something different to make it stood out (since usually we got someone with deep, rich voice played as a king/prince).

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I'm with you. I also love PHS' voice. It's very distinct.. you know who's talking when he talks.

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Ah....thank you for pointing out PHS voice. My thought exactly.

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Another badly pre-produced drama. Korean sure have the jinx when comes to pre-produced dramas especially sageuk. Moon Lovers, Hwarang and Saimdang, all dissapointing.

And for whatever reason, I always feel that Park Hyung Shik is the leading man and that was why, to watch his character beaten to a pulp really bothered me. I came watching because of Park Seo Joon but by episode 2, he turned into a shadow. He came off rather lackluster (in my opinion) though the faults came from whatever lousy materials that he was given. Even when his character was intended to be greatly elevated in the later episodes, I still did not feel the strong pull and that was why I was never invested. When it came to a face to face showdown between him and PHS as in the last episode, it's clear to me that PHS is the better actor, at least in sageuk.

I have so many disgruntles on this show that I have no stomach to write such a long post. I have done it again, spending 20 hours of my time and ended up feeling devastated. It's unhealthy but I can't quit.

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My enthusiasm for the show kinda dampened after Hansung died. I was quite annoyed that his death seemed to contribute little. Then this episode happened and I was practically hissing at the screen, eyes glowering. Why do the leads spiral to dark directions? And I was quite annoyed that Wihwa's speech at Hansung's funeral was brought up by Sunwoo when he seemed to do the opposite.

I was relieved that Sunwoo did not try to get the throne, I thought the show will go ballistic at the last second.

There were many what ifs and what could have beens in this show. I tried not to expect too much with the storyline. But, hey at least most of the actors, especially Kim Taehyung, did good.

Sigh, I kinda wish there was fanfiction for the Banryu-Sooyeon loveline and also for Hansung and Danse. This episode maybe the Seok grandpa learned from Hansung's death so he allowed Danse to be the heir in Hansung's place? At least, that's, consolation enough?

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To all the BanSoo shippers, it is implied in the finale that Ban Ryu and Soo Yeon eventually got married.

Towards the end of ep 20, you will notice that Ban Ryu’s headpiece has changed. Instead of wearing a ponytail, he’s sporting a topknot, which, at the time, is worn only by men who are of nobility/authority or married. Since Ban Ryu was stripped from his privileges after his fathers’ wrongdoings, it couldn’t be that he’s wearing it because he’s got a high status. Sure, he could have been given a designation by King Jin Heung, but even Sun Woo, the King’s right hand, has his (hideous) hair down! I think it’s safe to assume that he has a top knot as he’s a married man!

How I wish we could get some form of confirmation on this, though. The BanSoo scenes just weren’t ever enough! Writernim probably had no idea that the audience will love them more than the dragging love triangle of Sun Woo, Sam Maek Jong, and Ahro. Pffff.

***Props to my friend, who noticed this teeny detail first. Jjang observation skills!

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Nice catch to you both.

That last scene with BanSoo was just too good.

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I think the they're probably engaged informally but not married since he seems to be sneaking in to see SooYun against her father's wishes. Ban Ryu may be wishy washy at times, but my alpha girl Sooyun knows how to get things done. They will be married very soon, don't we worry!

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I have to add a final thought on the good side of Hwarang for me, which I overall enjoyed except for Ah Ro. It was a distinct pleasure to get to know BTS's Taehyung/V as a fine young actor and to read back story interviews about how wonderful he was on the set. Now he has a whole new brotherhood supporting and loving him - and I love how the cast went to the BTS concert. I've loved BTS for over a year but always relish the chance to get to know individual members of my favorite groups, as I have for BigBang (through T.O.P in IRIS), now also SHINee's Minho and Key and so many more fine idol/actors like Uee. These youngsters are SO talented!

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give me one (or two) special episode (not a summary) so I can see
-more banryu love story (or new family story ahem)
-flashback the reason why dansae can be a hwarang and his story as hwarang
-the group 'visiting' hansung
-a shocking identity of yeowool, like, he's a sacred bone or brother of hansung, sooho or banryu, or he's actually pa oh's son, whatever.
-flashback how hwarang want GD errr jidwi as their king
-and about new wonhwa, are they disbanding while do nothing?
-people reaction when they knew that sunwoo-rang is not their king but jidwi
-a glimpse of future silla
nb: I don't care about jinheung or sunwoo love story. i don't care!

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ask the writernim. send her an email

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Bwahahahahaha @LollyPip you always give your heart, from standing on positive way to recap (and follow through) this drama till put out all the steam that has burn, maybe for quite some time, inside. You go girl, I salute you.

I only watched 1,2, 3 and last episode. Otherwise, I read your recap and all the comments. Much more entertaining, cause I don't have to suffer through the whole ... episodes x 1 hours..

This great theme, but so poorly written. Waste of money, efforts, hard works, talents and actually, I saw so many good actors were wasted here, either junior or senior ones. Such a shame....

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Finally, SMJ conquers the throne as King Jinheung. I am kinda dissapointed that writer concludes the story with SMJ becoming the king, because this just emphasizes that the whole story is more about SMJ's journey to take over the throne, not about hwarang itself. Don't get me wrong, the story of SMJ's journey is the reason why I keep watching this show. However, I feel like the title 'Hwarang: the poetic of warrior youth' is not really relevant with the show, because 'hwarang' is treated more just as the setting of the story instead of the story itself. I think it would be better if the writer made SMJ as the King in earlier episodes, and added story where people lost their faith in hwarang under queen regent. Thus the show can conclude the story with hwarang finally proved themself to people as the true warrior under the SMJ as new king and Sunwoo as their leader.

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Okay, Park Hyung-shik has pretty eyes, that's all I was thinking throughout the final episode, I paused it a couple of times to just stare at him, I wanted to appreciate his long lashes, and the shadow they leave on his cheekbones, so so pretty!

Thank you LollyPip for the recap.

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Finally after 10 weeks torture of aro and the hwarang it finally ends with giving Ji dwi 's character justice after 10 week of underplaying him as a faceless-weak king. Hyung shik finally shines in last episode

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You know a show has too many damsel in distress moments when they do a flashback of all the damsel in distress moments.

This show should have been so much better, especially because it was a pre-produced drama.

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Lol, I giggled (and was irritated at the same time) at that flashback set!

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Finally, it's the last episode. My heart was miserable because I actually don't want to continue watch but I want to watch to the end because PSJ is in it. Hands down to Lollypip's analysis because I feel the same. Why in the world that Youngshil is not getting revenge on the robbery that occurred to his shed? So many things to be explained. The last scene where they are riding together is a disappointment in me. Because Suho & Hansung is depicted as the main characters in the poster. Why Danse is there? They could have made Hansung wear a whole white robe with white horse *imagining in my mind*. It could've been a great scene. Acting-wise, everyone gave their all especially PSJ & PHS *i'm PSJ ship though...cough, cough* Anyway, Sunwoo is a whole, totally different character than what PSJ did before. In my opinion, PSJ is really cheerful when he's acting with Makmun. When Makmun died, Moomyung went stiff. Don't you think PSJ went all stiff & cold (especially his expressions) after Makmun died? He was acting like a string puppet, people around him orders him around. He was like "i want to die as well". But this acting went too long for me because you can see that he did not get too friendly with the others until the end. We didn't get to hear his thoughts whether he really cared his Hwarang friends or not. Only to PHS but it was at the end. At least it was depicted like that to me. Compare to PSJ other characters (I'm catching everything up), he's warm. I think this time he's not really expressive because I wanted him to show more. He's really expressive when he's with Makmun (LKS). But afterwards, he's slightly expressive, you know what I mean?. I don't get the same chemistry with Aro. When Moomyung ask Suho how to treat a sister, i like that interaction. But when his feelings started to turn to love to Aro, his expressions was kinda like restrained. To me, it's not enough. Just like Lollypip's analysis, all of that explaination happen offscreen. I think i will watch Strong Woman Do Bong Soon.

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I want a do-over, just with a logical script.

Or at least spinoffs for most of the young characters/actors. There's so much that was left on the table here, as everyone has noted: what a waste of talent. These guy should were great and at least we've got the BTS and interviews to show us the actual bromance ?

I'd like a shout-out to Minister Park who was so darn despicable, especially the way he derisively said "the people?" in the last episode. I can hardly believe he's the same actor we've seen be such a softie for years, particularly as the nose-picking ajusshi barista in Coffee Prince. He was a good nastie here. And he should have been killed for it.

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I feel like this drama should be named 'Aro and the boys' instead of Hwarang

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Thank you, Lollypip for the recaps.

At least the following did not happen in this show...

When the writing fabric started fraying, and it wasn't clear if Ahro might waver, I started to worry the show might go the way of "Moon Embracing the Sun" where the could-have-been-king sacrificed himself to reveal the traitors. (Yes, the writing was getting that bad in my mind that even despite the lack of fate tie-in that Moon had between the lead couple, I seriously started to see how that could unfold.)

Then, when Ahro was made Wonhwa, I started fretting that somehow the plot would veer straight down a cliff into melo and she and Sun would both die.

Overall, the show will always be in the "could have been a contender" column to me.

So very glad, though, that my worst fears proved unfounded.

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My worst fear, when writing started to go crazy, was that... brace yourself: that in a cruel twist of fate (switched at birth) Sun Woo would prove to be the real Jinheung, that Sammaekjong would die, that Ah Ro would die once and for all, and that Sun Woo would become king in a drama called 'The Lonely Shining Dog-Bird'.

Considering that alternative ending, what we got was pretty decent. Whew!

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Park Hyungsik was the only reason I kept watching. he did such a great job and looked absolutely gorgeous,, idk about the rest of this entire shit lol

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I liked the ending though.
Just sad though Soo Ho wasnt there for the FINAL EXIT.
I would have loved to see him riding that horse with the rest of the gang.
Pity Minho wasnt available to tape that final scene with the Hwarangs. Though it was inevitable, SHINee had crazy sched last year too.

With all the plot holes, and faults, I really enjoyed this drama...
Though I had to imagine the details for the "indirect conclusions" they put forth,
I had to skip every part where Ah Ro is shown,
And I had to imagine the "backstory" of every bromance and action that should have been..
I want the Hwarang boys in another production with a better writer and story... plus the actress playing So Yeon.

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I watched the first 3 or 4 episodes before I gave up on it.

If you want a well written Sageuk , watch Rebel.

Go Ara, is it too late to improve your acting "skills" ?

Now that this is over, perhaps something worthwhile will replace it.

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I hope this is the last we see Go Ara in a historical romantic drama. lol. I will never forgive the producers and director for letting her act like a child in all 20 episodes.

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Kdrama writer are suppose to have learn from w2world that you are to create a character and develop it well, lots of questions are unanswered like sunwoo illness.

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This is a drama with good albeit young actors (save for the one most people complained), good costume design, decent cinematography and directing yet failed in telling the core story.

Park Hyung Sik is the saving grace of this drama, or I will have given up at episode 10. His acting, the way he portrayed his inner struggles and the sageuk speech are excellent.

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The drama had so much potential and it's all wasted now. But at least through Hwarang I discovered the gem that is Park Seo Joon!

"though Sun-woo’s hair length always bothered me — did they think we wouldn’t notice that putting a headband on made it grow six inches, and taking it off shortened his hair by six inches?"

Glad to know i wasn't the only one getting crazy distracted by his awful hair!

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The actors did a generally good job, some parts were a bit off and honestly, main girl had to do what she was given which is a lot of crying. But my favorite actor had to be Do Ji Han. He made me like Banryu a lot more than if he were played by amother actor, partially because of that smile, but also because he did a really good job of portraying emotions on an ice-block character. Because half the time it's expressionless or mildly angry, and the other half is a shy dork. Which he does very well in both the butt grab scene, the wine bottle scene, and the hair scene. All in all, I simply believe that while everyone's (mostly) acting was very good, his made me smile the most.

(Also I refuse to give him and Sooyeon a bad ending and her dad can go away if he wants to seperate them. Also I strongly support the theory that right after they got caught Sooho busts into the room screaming "YOU'LL HAVE TO GET PAST ME FIRST.")

Unfortunately, I don't have much to say about anything else since I literally skipped everything except Banryu and the Hwarang bonding activities and some funny parts. Since I couldn't get through the main three since I was bored out of my mind with them. Sorry.

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I dont have much thing to say. Like someone said in previous comment, Lee Kwangsoo was the best thing in this drama. I put Park Hyungshik on second stair. The rests are just meh. I barely find Park Seojoon atractive and how Sunwoo's character is written in this drama is just adding sour taste.

Instead of Hwarang, this drama should be called King: Who Wants to Wear Crown Should Bear Its Weight.

Okay okay. I just tried to be funny.

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This version of Hwarang in depicting the King Jinheung does him no justice !!! The writers are horrible for making him portrayed as a coward and loser
I am really dissapointed . Historically Jinheung was said to be one of the greatest King of Korea he unified Silla

This dumb series made him look like he's only King because of Sunwoo without Sunwoo he wouldn't become King . Why don't they change the ending with Sunwoo the King then.
I really hate this and it's a disgrace
I don't kms why people are supporting this dumb historically inaccurate series and Sunwoo as well

Everyone will now think JiDwi is only King because of Sunwoo and that if Sunwoo didn't give the throne back Sunwoo would be King

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Well, I think that this drama was very good! When he and the Hwarangs were in Baeji, who stepped out? Who do you think saved the prisonners from Silla? IT WAS SUN WOO! King Jiheung was afraid the show his face, but in the end, he did. He is still a great king! and he will always be a good king to everyone in Silla. I really hope you understand that.

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I personally think that the princess's character could be developed further. She exhibit a liking for Soo-wun, even telling the king that she detest the proposed Royal marriage.

Instead, she had a few chances to show her love to Soo-wun besides the "kissing him" scene when Soo-wun was unconscious at his bed. E.g.
(a) Instead of the queen stopping the fight between Soo-wun and Park's man, she could join in the fight to help Soo-wun or order a stop.
(b) In Bakejae, she could join forces with Soo-wun against Prince Chang. Instead of Ah Ro taken as the prisoner, it will be interesting if she were the one then.
(c) Towards the end, make her the one to take the arrow for Soo-wun instead of Ah Ro.
(d) She asking to leave the palace and status to be with Soo-wun.

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I'M DISSAPOINTED
BECAUSE I WANT AH RO TO END UP WITH KING JINHEUNG AND NOT SUN WOO
PSHHHHHHH

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Don't be sad, because Ah - ro ended up with Sun - woo, in fact Sun - woo asked Ah - ro to marry him! What a cute couple!

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I really like Hwarang for its creative storyline. For every couple, there is a story behind it, like Ban - ryu and Soo - yeon. their love story was about how both of there father's were on different sides, but they stil manged to fall deeply in love..... somehow. Overall, I truely love this drama and hope that Park Seo Joon will be in a really AWSOME drama.

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I love if Ah ro married the king....

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V nice

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PHS and PSJ were great but the rest of the Hwarang were mostly walking around in all 20 episodes. They put an elite group of good looking men in a house but we didn't see much of what they were really about. Their trainings and fightings left for our own imagination.

I salute PHS for his efforts in creating a bit of chemistry with Aro. Go Ah Ra has a permanent frown and pout all throughout the drama which affected the supposedly romantic scenes with PHS and PSJ. It was quite lame that two interesting male characters were fighting over a lame girl who acts like a child. When Go Ah Ra was on screen, she was either pouting, grumpy, frowning or crying like a kid. It was annoying that the producers let her acting go on for 20 episodes. Ban Ryu's romantic scenes were far more interesting to watch.

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