The cast for the upcoming historical flower boy drama "Hwarang" has been confirmed.
Go Ara, Park Seo Joon and ZE:A's Park Hyung Sik have taken the lead roles in the KBS drama about the hwarang or flower boy knights of Silla, one of Korea's ancient kingdoms. The Silla kingdom lasted from 57 B.C. to 935 A.D.
The Hwarang or Flowering Knights were a group of wellborn young Silla males known for both their beauty and skill. Some more make-up and ornaments. Many played musical instruments. While the hwarang were the flower boys of their time, they were also talented fighters known for their swordsmanship. Some historians believe that they also occasionally took part in shamanistic rituals.
The knights known as Hwarang had to follow five commandments. They had to be loyal to the king, honor their parents., be loyal friends, be brave in battle but they also had to practice chivalry in warfare. That meant they could not kill someone just for the sake of it.
Park Seo Joon will play one of the flower boy knights known as Sun Woo Rang. Sun Woo Rang is an unusual knight because he was not a nobleman by birth. He joins the ranks because he possesses exceptional skills as a warrior.
Park Hyung Sik plays King Jin Heung, who ruled Silla from 540 to 576 and expanded the kingdom's territories. King Jin Heung took the throne when he was only 15 and is considered one of Korea's greatest rulers.
Go Ara plays Ah Ro, the woman loved by both these men.
Park Hyung Sik was last seen on the small screen in the comedy "High Society." Park Seo Joon recently completed the comedy "She Was Pretty." Go Ara's last k-drama role was in the police drama "You're All Surrounded" with Lee Seung Gi and Cha Seung Won. She also had a cameo in "Producers." Her most recent role was playing a princess who falls in love with a magician in the film "The Joseon Magician."
Oh Boy Company, the production company responsible for previous flower boy dramas such as tvN's "Flower Boy Ramen Shop" and "Flower Boys Next Door," will produce the drama.
"Hwarang" is set to air in July.