How does hwarang end

Overview

Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth is a 2016-2017 South Korean historical drama that aired on KBS2 from December 19, 2016 to February 21, 2017. The series stars Park Seo-joon, Go Ara, and Park Hyung-sik, with a supporting cast including Choi Min-ho, Do Ji-han, and Jo Yoon-woo. Set during the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-935 AD), the drama fictionalizes the origins of the Hwarang, an elite youth organization that played a crucial role in Silla's military and cultural development. The story follows a group of young men from different social classes who become members of the Hwarang, focusing particularly on Kim Sun-woo (Park Seo-joon), a commoner who hides his identity, and King Jinheung (Park Hyung-sik), who disguises himself as a Hwarang member named Kim Ji-dwi to understand his people. The drama blends historical elements with fictional romance and political intrigue, exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, and social hierarchy in ancient Korea.

How It Works

The series builds toward its conclusion through several interconnected plotlines that resolve in the final episodes. Kim Sun-woo's journey of self-discovery culminates when he learns he is actually the son of King Jijeung and half-brother to King Jinheung, making him a potential heir to the throne. This revelation creates tension between the brothers, but ultimately Sun-woo chooses to support Jinheung's rule rather than challenge it. Meanwhile, King Jinheung successfully establishes the Hwarang as an official royal guard organization, fulfilling his goal of creating a force loyal to the throne that transcends social class divisions. The romantic subplot between Sun-woo and Aro (Go Ara) reaches resolution as they acknowledge their feelings while accepting their respective duties. The political conflicts with rival factions and external threats are resolved through the Hwarang's actions, setting the stage for Silla's future unification of the Three Kingdoms under Jinheung's leadership.

Why It Matters

The ending of Hwarang matters because it completes the character arcs that explore important themes about identity, duty, and social reform in historical Korea. By having Sun-woo renounce his royal claim to support his brother's rule, the drama emphasizes values of loyalty and sacrifice over personal ambition. The establishment of the Hwarang as a merit-based organization represents a critique of Silla's bone-rank system and suggests progressive ideals about social mobility. The series' popularity, achieving viewership ratings around 10-15% in South Korea, helped introduce international audiences to this period of Korean history. While taking creative liberties, the drama sparked interest in the historical Hwarang, who were real elite warriors and scholars that significantly influenced Silla's culture and military successes during the Three Kingdoms period.