dragynfaerie
USA
Pass that pretty boy a sword
Hwarang was great! It was exactly what it said it was, perhaps a tad bit more, but no less. In the beginning I called Hwarang "Pretty Boys Fighting." I didn't want anything too heavy or melo and I was sure Hwarang was it. I was right. It did what it intended which was entertain. It was never boring or slow. It's also more than just PBF, too. It has a fairly solid and interesting story about a faceless king trying to come into his own and a nameless peasant basically doing the same without realizing it. Each episode was well written and often times gave me a smile or laugh.
The major cast did a damn fine job, especially considering 3 or 4 are idols. The supports, many of whom were veteran actors, were excellent as per usual, but somehow allowed their younger counterparts to shine. I admit I adored the scenes between Sung Dong-Il and Kim Kwang-Kyu. They were my secret faves. Well, I guess non-secret now. I've loved Park Seo Joon since Kill Me, Heal Me. He did a fantastic job in Hwarang. His scenes with Lee Gwang Soo and Park Hyng Sik were great. I'd love to see him with one or both of them again. Overall, the male cast had great chemistry, even those you love to hate. There were a bunch of bromances going on. The only sore thumb was perhaps, Seo Ye-Ji, who joined the cast in later episodes. She was stiff and very hard to like or even dislike. She was like a weed in your yard. You know you want to pluck it, but you don't feel like bending over.
The music was good, especially the incidental aka background music. It really set the tone and helped move things along. I liked the lead song well enough. The love song was a bit annoying and is played a little too often.
Overall, Hwarang is thoroughly enjoyable. It made me laugh. It frustrated me. It gave me characters to hate. It gave me characters to love. It made me jealous. And at one point it almost made me cry (also rare). Will Hwarang go down in the annals of time as one of the best dramas ever? No. Will it win a bunch of awards? Doubtful. However, I'd watch it again in a heartbeat. Actually, I just may while at work. Nothing like Pretty Boys Fighting to get you through the day. :D
The major cast did a damn fine job, especially considering 3 or 4 are idols. The supports, many of whom were veteran actors, were excellent as per usual, but somehow allowed their younger counterparts to shine. I admit I adored the scenes between Sung Dong-Il and Kim Kwang-Kyu. They were my secret faves. Well, I guess non-secret now. I've loved Park Seo Joon since Kill Me, Heal Me. He did a fantastic job in Hwarang. His scenes with Lee Gwang Soo and Park Hyng Sik were great. I'd love to see him with one or both of them again. Overall, the male cast had great chemistry, even those you love to hate. There were a bunch of bromances going on. The only sore thumb was perhaps, Seo Ye-Ji, who joined the cast in later episodes. She was stiff and very hard to like or even dislike. She was like a weed in your yard. You know you want to pluck it, but you don't feel like bending over.
The music was good, especially the incidental aka background music. It really set the tone and helped move things along. I liked the lead song well enough. The love song was a bit annoying and is played a little too often.
Overall, Hwarang is thoroughly enjoyable. It made me laugh. It frustrated me. It gave me characters to hate. It gave me characters to love. It made me jealous. And at one point it almost made me cry (also rare). Will Hwarang go down in the annals of time as one of the best dramas ever? No. Will it win a bunch of awards? Doubtful. However, I'd watch it again in a heartbeat. Actually, I just may while at work. Nothing like Pretty Boys Fighting to get you through the day. :D
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