Pandemic Watch - Hwarang

"You can catch ten thieves hiding in the mountain, but you can't catch the one thief in your heart." -  Sam Maek-Jong 

Introduction

 

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First impression — 2016

When Hwarang first came out in 2016, I watched the first episode but did not finish the entire season. I think it was partly due to my ignorance of Hwarang’s historical background and the fact that I thought the producers of the K-drama came up with the idea as an excuse to bring together a group of handsome actors and singers in one show. On hindsight, even if that were the case, that should have been okay too. I mean I did watch Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo that year :P

Second impression — 2020

Fast forward four years later and in the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown, as usual, I was channel surfing to see if there was anything interesting to watch. It so happened the KBS channel was showing the first episode of Hwarang and perhaps out of boredom, I decided to check it out since I had watched it before. Strangely enough, I found the first episode intriguing enough when I watched it the second time. The disclaimer at the beginning of the episode must have contributed to the experience as well: “This drama is a work of fiction based on real facts of Hwarang in the era of King Jinheung of Silla.” I had heard of Silla as one of the kingdoms of ancient Korea, so the fact that the drama is based on history made me curious.

I need to figure things out myself

The COVID-19 era we are all going through at the moment has made us yearn for the good old days without social distancing, various SOPs and travel restrictions. I'm sure I'm not the only one who seeks nostalgia for a less stressful time. I have been watching old K-dramas and sitcoms (some as old as 10 years back back to the ones that are more recent, like five years ago). Once there was nothing to watch, I searched for a book that would transport me to a magical place and this naturally meant Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.