Min-ho, Do Ji-han join the Silla flower boy ranks in Hwarang
by javabeans
When your drama centers around an elite group of warriors famous for being as beautiful as they were skilled, we can pretty much expect an explosion of flower boys in the cast. Metaphorically, that is. I like my flower boys in one piece.
Hwarang: The Beginning got off to a solid start by casting Park Seo-joon (She Was Pretty) and Park Hyung-shik (High Society) in lead roles as two of the Hwarang soldiers (plus Go Ara as the leading lady), and now has confirmed adding both SHINee’s Min-ho (Because It’s the First Time) and Do Ji-han (Basketball) in supporting roles.
Set in the Three Kingdoms era, the drama takes place in the 6th century and depicts the lives, loves, and growth stories of these young men. Basically, Flower Boy Goes Sageuk. And that’s not just being glib; its youthful pretty-boys-coming-of-age angle is a hallmark of its producers, the Oh Boy Project, which did the Flower Boy franchise on tvN: Flower Boy Ramyun Shop, Shut Up: Flower Boy Band, and Flower Boy Next Door. Given how I loved all those shows — the names can sound rather shallow but the dramas have had their share of substance and emotion — I’m hoping the pattern continues with this one.
Park Seo-joon plays a man who rises from his low birth and becomes a legendary warrior, while Park Hyung-shik will play King Jinheung, who keeps his identity hidden and joins the Hwarang, transforming from weak young man to strong ruler. Min-ho has been cast to play an aristocratic young man described as an optimist who brims with confidence and overcomes obstacles cleverly. He’s chivalrous, skilled with the sword, a natural leader and all-around perfect. Do Ji-han will play a young man “with good looks” (which, duh) and outstanding intellect. Probably the quiet one then, which suits his image.
Both actors have been alternately promising and outright bad, depending on the role, but I have hope (because one must always have hope) that their trajectories will follow an upward curve. I might’ve written off Min-ho after his first several dramas, but I did find him cute and charming in the coming-of-age cable drama Because It’s the First Time, and while Do Ji-han seemed like he might break out when he landed the lead in Basketball, the drama then aired and killed those hopes. He was pretty green then, but I think he’ll do better as a small part of an ensemble than headlining a sinking production.
Hwarang: The Beginning is still awaiting a timeslot, but it does plan to be entirely pre-produced. It’s looking at a premiere in the latter half of the year, to air on KBS.
Via Osen
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1 John
February 23, 2016 at 3:21 AM
it does plan to be entirely pre-producedThat can only help the overall quality. It seems that this is becoming more popular, are the days of the live shoot numbered?
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Alessar
February 23, 2016 at 10:42 AM
I think live shoot works somewhat when it's a romcom soap with a thin plot and they need to adjust the love lines. If there's an actual plot or any action, I think it's better to commit and go all in and pre-produce. Healer was great but pre-produced it would have been epic. Yong Pal might have been as good as the first 6 episodes. And if there's a good story, like in Twenty Again, even a rom-com can benefit from being all taken care of.
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2 nami
February 23, 2016 at 3:27 AM
What to say? Promising project at first with the casting of Hyung Sik (one of the few promising and good idol turned actor) and Park Seo Joon. Now this?!? Speechless, utterly disappointed. Min Ho can't act out of a paper bag imo and now they are in talks with V from BTS....inexperienced when it comes to acting, all I can say is that I'm scared. I can't turn away from this drama since Hyung Sik is in and it's been months since his latest project...I want to cry!!
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joying
February 23, 2016 at 10:12 PM
I guess you haven't watched Because It's the First Time yet. Minho was adorable in that one and his acting showed promise (I will go out on a limb and say it was pretty good). I have high hopes Minho will improve even further as actor :)
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3 Nathan
February 23, 2016 at 3:28 AM
Min Ho, me no...
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Hyun
February 23, 2016 at 4:33 AM
Haha!! I love it.
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4 xingii
February 23, 2016 at 3:28 AM
I'm so here for this ngl I had fun with most of the Oh boy project dramas, and this being a sageuk as well, I'm pretty much sold to check it out.
I don't really have much of an opinion on these two in terms of acting, but I am into SHINee and Minho's a lovely person in general (even though I'm not above poking fun at his rapping ability LOL "dibidibidis my name is Minho!") so I want to root for him regardless.
I really hope this drama turns out to be a lot of fun, the acting doesn't /have/ to be outstanding but hopefully it is good enough so that it adds to the overall enjoyment, rather than detracts. I'm hoping for something similar to Sungkyunkwan Scandal, but hopefully it is even better. lol
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5 drawde2000
February 23, 2016 at 3:36 AM
Regarding timeslot, maybe Hwarang and Bu Bu Xing Jing: Ryeo should go head to head. That is, put them on the same time. Hooo!! Too much pretty for three months. ... For those who will not get the girl, maybe they can form a sub-unit. I'll support them.
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6 Bili Bala Pabo Bara
February 23, 2016 at 3:43 AM
Posing tip for guy: Grab your shirt. Or your collar.
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7 Ivga
February 23, 2016 at 3:45 AM
V (BTS) will be in this drama too, they cast so many good looking boys, I hope it hit big.
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kim taehyung
February 23, 2016 at 4:35 AM
is that confirm? omoh, I'm excited
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Ivga
February 23, 2016 at 9:26 AM
Yesssss! I'm so happy.
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lolcoolcat123
February 23, 2016 at 5:23 AM
I saw that on a ganpage on insta, but i wasnt sure it was true! Omg it really is true if everyone says it is! I cant! Im a huga ARMY (bts fandom name)!!!!
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Mykonos
February 23, 2016 at 7:38 AM
Its confirmed!!!! Fighting v!!!
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Hol87
February 23, 2016 at 5:12 PM
I'm so nervous for our little alien! I hope he isn't a terrible actor. He is just so lovable, it would be hard to see him flop in dramaland.
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oosiee
February 24, 2016 at 2:14 PM
Oh C'mon! Our TaeTae is gonna be fine..its his 1st acting gig and hopefully one of the many in the future..plus..he's not gonna have to carry the whole show upon himself.So Relax..you know what I'm excited about?
That its a Saeguk with V with THAT face and with THAT voice! :-D if u know what I'm talking about!
♡♡BTS
♡♡V
Hwarang..fighting!♡♡
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8 Jibbiegirl
February 23, 2016 at 3:48 AM
Minho is such a hard worker. He tries so hard all the time. Even when he's cringe worthy you can see that he's giving it his all. Fingers crossed that he does well this time. I'm rooting for him!! Yes you can Minho!
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Xingii
February 23, 2016 at 3:57 PM
THIS is one of the main reasons why I like Minho. At first I didn't really see his appeal other than being good looking, but his personality is really nice and he really does try his best, whatever he does. That's why I like him. He's sincere & takes his job seriously, even if he's not the best at it. He's so endearing, absolutely my favourite thing from Fluttering India (other than Sungkyu)
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9 Boba
February 23, 2016 at 4:01 AM
As a shawol, I am super excited about Minho joining this drama- loved him in Because it's The First Time, his bubbly personality fit the character to a T. As a drama addict, I fear that his acting will fall flat and he'll just be a walking flower boy amongst the rest. But I'll be rooting for my boy, he's what got me in dramas anyway.
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10 Chris
February 23, 2016 at 4:33 AM
Unfortunately this will be KBS' show.. and KBS track record has been abysmal so far..
If this is tvN or jtbc's drama, l might still tuning in.. but with a lot of pretty boys with questionable acting talent and KBS.. I think I'll pass..
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11 blubluskye
February 23, 2016 at 4:38 AM
Not familiar with Do Ji-han.
Witnessed Minho's cringe worthy acting.
... But if javabeans can be optimistic and have hope, I think I can too.
For Park Seo-joon and Park Hyung-sik's sake, I hope this fares well.
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12 Carmen
February 23, 2016 at 5:10 AM
I am a shawol too both Onew and Minho in KBS Dramas iwill kill me!! Minho improved a lot as far as I know so I am anticipating this!!
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13 Lux
February 23, 2016 at 5:18 AM
I love love love SHINee. It was the first group I fell in love with and it still is the group I (really, really) love (no, really.)
But as a person who was introduced to dramas first before kpop (thank you BOF for including SHINee in your cringey and overused soundtrack), I would have to say no. Minho is one of the most adorkable idols out there (and one of my favorite FAUX rappers. "Dibidibidis" is legendary, I can't even hate it lol) but his acting is just so...green.
On a side note, I heard Taehyung (V of BTS) is joining too and yeah............ I'll be optimistic. KBS may not have been able to pull some high ratings lately but some of their recent shows have became my favorites (Healer, I Remember You, Sassy Go Go)
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lolcoolcat123
February 23, 2016 at 5:27 AM
Kim taehyung has been wanting to act since forever and now he IS getting a chance. And i dont know if you are a fan of bts or not, but as ARMY myself i can guarantee that he has a talemt for acting, and on top of that he will commit to his role and work very hard, so im positive that atleast he will do a good job. And shinee was also the first kpop grp i fell in love with and i agree, but i hope he does a better job in this one (i love minho, not insulting him)!
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Lux
February 23, 2016 at 6:30 AM
I don't know much about BTS (only their titular tracks) but it's nice to hear that!!!! Taehyung is actually the one I'm most familiar with in BTS (singing/variety-wise) so I'll definitely watch out for him!! Hopefully both Minho and Taehyung will satisfy(i can't think of a right word????) my hunt for more good-idol-actor lol
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Gurlfriend
February 24, 2016 at 12:59 AM
You said everything I wanted to say about Tae! I'm so so happy he's finally getting to live his dream of being an actor and I just hope he does a good job for his first role so he can have more opportunities in the future and he won't be bashed too much by netizens (which he already is :(()
He's so hardworking and has been acting out scenes and skits with Jungkook since predebut, I feel like he's gonna put 150 percent into this
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14 Kaylie
February 23, 2016 at 5:27 AM
Lol this combination of pretty actors who can act and pretty idols who can't kind of reminds you of Moorim School, doesn't it? Especially when it's coming from KBS too.
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weallwantpizza
February 23, 2016 at 9:10 AM
LOL
I think KBS loves to bet. Many of their dramas cast at least four flower boys (that you would probably never heard before - the flower nugus)
To name a few: Boys Over Flowers, School 2013, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Dream High, Good Doctor, Naeil Cantabile, and recently I Remember You, Oh My Venus, and Moorim School.
Those became either very hit (like making the good start for few top leading actors), or just meh (like in doll museum).
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Kaylie
February 23, 2016 at 9:56 AM
Eh? I get it for most of your list, but Good Doctor? Isn't it simply Joo Won (who had already proven his acting from Baker King) and Joo Sang-wook (who exudes a manly charm instead of being a flower boy)?
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15 lordseungri
February 23, 2016 at 6:01 AM
Min Ho was ok in that BITFT drama. He's definitely gotten better.
I'm going to be watching for Go Ara mainly. Love that girl
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16 SilentSquee
February 23, 2016 at 6:09 AM
Oh no... why did the casting suddenly go this way?
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nami
February 23, 2016 at 6:37 AM
That's exactly what I wanna know...I must say the latest additions quite dampened my excitement. I'll still watch it for Hyung Sik and Park Seo Joon of course but I can't help but feel disappointed with this casting news.
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17 Beverly A
February 23, 2016 at 2:12 PM
I got started in K-Dramas with 'Queen Seondeok' so I've grown fond of anything in the Silla era. I learned so much from that and a few years later I'm still a fan of sageuks.
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18 SeolTang~
February 23, 2016 at 2:20 PM
Can someone please tell me what is BTS' Kim Taehyung's role in this drama? I've been searching for it. But can't seem to find anywhere.
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19 fab
February 23, 2016 at 3:06 PM
They're taking the premise quite literally, let's hope they can actually deliver some of those skills believably. This is giving me too much SKKS vibes which I loved to pieces.
But gosh, it took me a little to too long to realize this is not the remake of the Chinese time-travel saeguk with LJK.
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Gurlfriend
February 24, 2016 at 12:55 AM
Omg I loved Sungkyungkwan Scandal so so much and if this ends up somehow similar to that this is going to be so good
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20 CaroleMcDonnell
February 23, 2016 at 3:54 PM
so happy. I love the outfits of the silla period and I like a lot of the actors already mentioned.
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21 Gurlfriend
February 24, 2016 at 12:54 AM
Looking forward to this so much! Taehyung was also confirmed to be part of the cast yesterday and I can't wait to see my bby's debut as an actor, especially in this awesome Flower Boy series. I'm hoping his character description will be revealed soon!
I haven't actually seen any of Minho's dramas before, but judging from the article and the comments his acting seems to be less than stellar but since this is going to be the firsy drama I'm watching of him, I'm going to reserve judgment and cheer him on! He's such a hardworker in variety shows ans such and I adore him as a person.
Ofc PSJ and Hyunsik I know are already good actors and they seem to be perfect for their respective roles
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