This drama was hyped by KBS. This my second Park Seo Joon drama and I finished She Was Pretty (i recommend) last October and decided to check PSJ's upcoming dramas and that time, it was Hwarang on list. I anticipated it. I usually don't watch on going dramas (and this is Sageuk) because cliff hangers suck. But well, this is the first drama I watched weekly since December.

The story is somewhat lacking. There are points that are not discussed and so so many plot holes. Some episodes seem like a drag to me and there are episodes that made the back of my neck shiver (yes, i'm not exaggerating). I can't discuss it here in the review, but once you finish episode 20, there are still unanswered questions that of course, will remain unanswered. There are unnecessary scenes. Like why did that happen?

The acting is more than okay. Park Seo Joon acted well but I think the his character lacked as a person. Too much anger. This is my second Hyunsik drama, and he really really did well! I would like to commend Minho and Ji han. They were my favorites in this drama. The bromance and the bickering. Ji han - I love how he pools the tears in his eyes. It was real. Ban Ryu was real for me. And of course, Taehyung, as for a debut drama and a Saguek, he did well and he was the sunshine in the dark clouds the story has. I loved every bit of Taehyung here. His emotional scenes got through me too. I love the Hwarang ensemble!!!! They had chemistry and they were fun to watch. It's just sad that the the ensemble was not able to save this kdrama. The downside of my "more than okay" is Go Ara. All she did was wail and cry. Weak.

Music is good!! My only 9 points.

Rewatch value is my lowest because I am not gonna rewatch this. Despite Kim Taehyung.

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I don't usually watch Sageuk dramas and this is my 4th Sageuk and I am impressed.

The story line was not uncommon. Princes or the officials fight for the throne. (All sageuk I watched has that as part of the plot line) I commend here are the twists and the things you did not expect to happen. Well I am not familiar with Korean History and maybe most of us aren't, but this follows what happens in Goryeo dynasty thus if you do not want spoilers, DO NOT read the Goryeo dynasty wiki article lol. Heart shattering, but overall, the drama will touch depths of your kdrama heart.

As for the acting, this is my first Lee Jun Ki drama and I may say he is a favorite when it comes to Sageuk. He has a dark story and personality at first but as the story goes on, he'll probably entice you just as he did with the female lead hehe. He was great here. I can literally feel when he was hurt or the joy when something fortunate for him happens. Typical.

Kang Ha Neul is most probably one of my favorites here. He was the second lead, and I am one of those female viewers who has soft spots for second leads. I usually root for them. I fall inlove with second leads. And I loved him as the second lead up to the end. Yes, up to the end. I'll probably choose him anytime if I was Hae Soo. Some viewers were disappointed of the 8th prince. But I can understand his decisions though.

According to some articles I've read, knetizens are not really impressed with IU's acting and I cannot say that I am impressed too. But I believe this is her first 'not cutesy' role and I commend her for the transition. I love her guts. She's strong and lovable at the same time. Ask half of the princes in the drama who fell in love with her.

With the supporting characters, I'll go first with Nam Joo Hyuk. I'm sorry but I am pretty biased because this 13th prince is my favorite. Because he is Jung Joon Hyung!!!!!!! Okay setting aside WFKBJ, Baek ah's my favorite because he had a soft heart, free spirit and he is an artist. He's a ladies man because it is said that he is the most handsome all over Goryeo. I agree. Who doesn't? Pls fight with me. He loved beyond the barriers of the fight for the throne (he did not eye the throne for God's sake that's why he is the best) and being a prince. He is a companion, a friend and a brother to the main lead, Wang So, and a shoulder to lean on to the female lead, Hae Soo. Baek Hyun is the 10th prince. I'll probably be biased too because he's one of my favorites from exo and the main reason why I loved exo back in 2014. But I opted not too be bias. This is his first drama (excluding END) and he was given a light role suited for the baekhyun I have known for years. He had this friendly chemistry with the female lead and throughout the heavy plot of the drama, his cute antics and playful personality along with the 14th prince has been the ones who made me laugh and stopped me from bursting into tears. But watch out okay? Ji Soo - Wang Jung, the youngest prince who loves marial arts. He irritated me a bit because he does not have a good relationship with Wang So but at the end, I loved him with all my heart. He's my second favorite prince. And why will I forget the villain, Hong Jong hyun - the 3rd prince Wang Yeo. Oh you know I don't have this soft spot for villains - they wreck the main leads life etc etc etc - but Wang Yeo's the ONLY EXCEPTION. With those earrings, heavy eyeliners, ability on archery, the slanting eyes, the frown, and that face, yes that face, I loved him as the villain.

The music. Of all the Kdramas I ever watched since I've started buying dvds and kdramas were subbed in my own mother tongue tagalog, Scarlet Heart Ryeo's OST is the only one which I will rate as 10/10. Lovely. All of it. You may not watch the drama because it is heavy, but please, listen to the music.

Rewatch Value. I probably will rewatch some episode but not all.

Overall, the drama is great. I was born ready but not for these types of drama. I literally cried my eyes out every night. Tissues, get them ready!

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This is most probably the nth review about this drama but here I am, sharing my thoughts with you about this lovely masterpiece. WFKBJ is suddenly viral here in the Philippines the same time I was watching Goblin. I checked the wikipedia article and read that it is a sports drama and about, of course, weightlifting. I was not enticed plus the factor that the ratings are low in korea, I opted not to watch. But with the persistence of this cousin of mine (I shall thank her my whole life), here I am, after weeks, still in love with this drama.

The story was not a drag. It was real. The main leads started as friends and you can see all through out how they fell in love. It tackles LOVE, not just romantically, but love for family, friends, colleagues, sports and food (yes, you read that right). Psychological issues are also tackled here, making the story well-rounded. It was heartwarming. Not angsty not really a 'drama', but I cried tons because it is so lovely and I literally loved the characters.

Bok Joo of course is the star of the show. She was a strong independent woman, but some scenes showed she needed someone too. Lee Sung Kyung played it really well. I read an article stating that many turned down this role since they needed to add more weight and I am happy LSK accepted this. I can never see bok joo as not LSK. I loved bok joo's innocence over everything and as she experienced first love. First love can be painful sometimes. Same for bok joo - experiencing first love means experiencing first heartache. She cried 'real' tears that will literally make you cry too. She was hurting, I was hurting. She was ecstatic, I was ecstatic. I loved her here. Along with the messy bangs is a loving friend and a daughter. She loved weightlifting so much and I find her most beautiful when she lifts weight. Kim Bok Joo, swag. You're forever a favorite.

Jung Joon Hyung, played by the ever lovely Nam Joo Hyuk, is literally boyfriend/bestfriend goals. Bok Joo is the star of the show but HE WAS NOT overshadowed. He took care of bok joo and slowly fell in love with her. The transition of the feelings was slow paced but you will love every second of it. He has his funny antics, he gets jealous easily (my favorite parts lol), has playful personality, and he loves bok joo for who she is. He had dark memories in his heart that haunted him but it was not exaggerated. I love Jung Joon Hyung as much as I love Bok Joo.

The supporting characters are literally spices. Without them, the main dish would not be as tasty as it is. Bok Joo's bestfriend, Nan Hee and Seon Ok, are literally best friends. They were supportive, and sometimes, like in real life, conflicts arise, but they make up eventually. Tae Kwon was comical. He was Joon Hyung's bff who keeps dragging him in blind dates. I just hoped that he had more exposure in the end. Abeoji (dad) loves bok joo so much, i can't help but cry at some episodes. The whole weightlifting team's coaches are not just mentors to bok joo and the team, but more like parents that want the best for everyone. Joon Hyung's family is lovely. Despite some issues, they loved Joon Hyung all in all.

The music is A+!!! Listen to it if you want calm and peace.

Rewatch value is 10/10. I'll literally watch it again when I am feeling down.

All in all, the drama is heartwarming. Be ready to laugh and cry at the sam time. Be ready because I tell you, you will love the characters, so much. It's just so unfortunate Korea did not appreciate it. But i think it did well internationally. "BokJoonhyung forever" photo in instagram by skawngur earned 1 million likes already!!!

Swag!!~

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