Arthdal Chronicles: The Epic Saga of the First King and His Rivals
Arthdal Chronicles: A Mythical Saga of Ancient Heroes
If you are a fan of historical fantasy dramas, you might have heard of Arthdal Chronicles, a 2019 Korean series that depicts the birth of civilization and nations in ancient times. It is a story of mythical heroes, their struggle, unity, and love of people living in a virtual land called Arth. In this article, we will introduce you to this epic drama, its plot, characters, production, and reception. We will also tell you why you should watch it, how to watch it, and what to expect from the upcoming sequel.
What is Arthdal Chronicles?
The plot of the series
The story takes place in a mythical land called Arth, where the inhabitants of the ancient city of Arthdal contend with power struggles, while some encounter love along the way. Eun-seom, a cursed child born with a fate to bring disaster to Arthdal, goes through hardships to bring his tribe back to life and learns of his true origins in the process. Ta-gon, a war hero of Arthdal, has paved the way for Arthdal to become a prosperous city nation and he dreams of becoming the first king of Arthdal. Tan-ya, a successor of the Wahan Tribe, also has the same fate as Eun-seom. She lives under the highest honor and her ambition is to become a politician. Tae Al-ha, a beautiful and intelligent woman who is the daughter of the head of the Hae Tribe, has a secret relationship with Ta-gon and supports his ambition to become king.
arthdal chronicles
The main characters
The series features an ensemble cast of talented actors who portray complex and diverse characters. Some of the main characters are:
Eun-seom/Saya: Played by Song Joong-ki (season 1) and Lee Joon-gi (season 2), they are twin brothers who were separated at birth. Eun-seom is a brave and kind-hearted warrior who belongs to the Neanthal race, while Saya is a cunning and mysterious strategist who lives in Arthdal.
Tan-ya: Played by Kim Ji-won (season 1) and Shin Se-kyung (season 2), she is the next great mother of the Wahan Tribe, who have lived in Iark for generations. She has a special ability to read dreams and is destined to be with Eun-seom.
Ta-gon: Played by Jang Dong-gun, he is the son of San-ung, the leader of the Saenyeok Tribe. He is a brilliant and charismatic warrior who has conquered many lands and tribes. He has a hidden ambition to rule over Arthdal as its first king.
Tae Al-ha: Played by Kim Ok-vin, she is the daughter of Mi-hol, the head of the Hae Tribe. She is a smart and beautiful woman who has mastered various fields of knowledge and skills. She is in love with Ta-gon and helps him achieve his goal.
The production and reception of the series
The series was written by Kim Young-hyun and Park Sang-yeon, who are known for their works on historical dramas such as Six Flying Dragons and Tree With Deep Roots. It was directed by Kim Won-seok, who has helmed acclaimed dramas such as Misaeng and Signal. The series was produced by Studio Dragon and KPJ Corporation, with a budget of 54 billion won (about 46 million USD).
The series was filmed in various locations in South Korea and Brunei, with elaborate sets and costumes to create a realistic and immersive world. The series also used computer-generated imagery (CGI) and visual effects (VFX) to enhance the quality and realism of the scenes.
The series was broadcast on tvN in South Korea and Netflix internationally, from June 1 to September 22, 2019. It was divided into three parts, each consisting of six episodes. The series received mixed reviews from critics and viewers, who praised the production value, cast, and originality, but criticized the slow pace, confusing plot, and lack of emotional connection. The series also faced controversies over plagiarism allegations, animal abuse accusations, and labor issues.
Despite the mixed reception, the series gained a loyal fan base and popularity, especially in Southeast Asia and Latin America. The series also won several awards and nominations, such as the Best Art Award at the 12th Korea Drama Awards, the Technical Award at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards, and the Best Foreign Drama at the 24th Asian Television Awards.
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Arthdal Chronicles trailer and teaser
Arthdal Chronicles historical fantasy drama
Arthdal Chronicles Kim Ji Won and Song Joong Ki
Arthdal Chronicles OST and music
Arthdal Chronicles behind the scenes and bloopers
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Arthdal Chronicles filming locations and sets
Arthdal Chronicles myths and legends
Arthdal Chronicles costumes and makeup
Arthdal Chronicles symbolism and metaphors
Arthdal Chronicles quotes and dialogues
Arthdal Chronicles Eun Som and Tan Ya
Arthdal Chronicles Ta Gon and Tae Al Ha
Arthdal Chronicles Saya and Tanya
Arthdal Chronicles Wahan tribe and culture
Arthdal Chronicles Asa clan and religion
Arthdal Chronicles Hae tribe and politics
Arthdal Chronicles Neanthal race and origin
Arthdal Chronicles Igutu identity and fate
Arthdal Chronicles Rottip tribe and language
Arthdal Chronicles Momo tribe and customs
Arthdal Chronicles Agoo tribe and warriors
Arthdal Chronicles Mihol conspiracy and downfall
Arthdal Chronicles Nunbyeol sacrifice and resurrection
Arthdal Chronicles Chae Eun loyalty and betrayal
Arthdal Chronicles Yang Cha redemption and death
Arthdal Chronicles Moo Baek friendship and rivalry
Arthdal Chronicles Yeol Son wisdom and leadership
Arthdal Chronicles Asa Ron ambition and corruption
Arthdal Chronicles Kitoha bravery and honor
Arthdal Chronicles Dal Sae innocence and growth
Arthdal Chronicles Moo Gwang humor and tragedy
Arthdal Chronicles Ah Sa Mot love and jealousy
Arthdal Chronicles Do Ti kindness and courage
Arthdal Chronicles Ha Rim greed and regret
Arthdal Chronicles Rian power and madness
Arthdal Chronicles Mi Hol legacy and curse
Arthdal Chronicles Asa Yon prophecy and destiny
Arthdal Chronicles Noya mystery and magic
Arthdal Chronicles Kanmoreu dragon horse
Arthdal Chronicles Sword of A Ramun artifact
Why should you watch Arthdal Chronicles?
The unique setting and worldbuilding
One of the reasons why you should watch Arthdal Chronicles is its unique setting and worldbuilding. The series is set in a fictional land that is inspired by various ancient civilizations and cultures, such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Rome, China, Mongolia, and Korea. The series also incorporates elements of mythology, fantasy, and science fiction, such as different races of humans, mythical creatures, ancient weapons, and mysterious artifacts. The series creates a rich and diverse world that is full of history, culture, politics, religion, and magic.
The stellar cast and performances
Another reason why you should watch Arthdal Chronicles is its stellar cast and performances. The series features some of the most popular and talented actors in Korea, who deliver impressive and nuanced performances. Song Joong-ki and Lee Joon-gi play dual roles as twin brothers who have contrasting personalities and fates. Kim Ji-won and Shin Se-kyung play strong and independent female leads who have their own ambitions and dreams. Jang Dong-gun and Kim Ok-vin play complex and charismatic villains who have their own motivations and flaws. The series also has a strong supporting cast that includes veteran actors such as Choi Moo-sung, Park Hae-joon, Park Byung-eun, Jo Sung-ha, Kim Eui-sung, Lee Do-kyung, Yoo Teo, Choo Ja-hyun, Park Hyoung-soo, Jung Suk-won, Kim Ho-jung, Song Yoo-taek, and many more. The cast also underwent intensive training and preparation to portray their roles, such as learning a new language, martial arts, horse riding, and archery.
The intriguing themes and messages
The last reason why you should watch Arthdal Chronicles is its intriguing themes and messages. The series explores various themes and issues that are relevant to our modern society, such as power, corruption, war, peace, love, hate, identity, destiny, freedom, oppression, diversity, coexistence, and survival. The series also delivers messages of hope, courage, loyalty, sacrifice, and justice. The series challenges the viewers to think critically and empathetically about the characters and their choices, and to reflect on their own values and beliefs.
How to watch Arthdal Chronicles?
The streaming platforms and availability
If you are interested in watching Arthdal Chronicles, you can find it on various streaming platforms and services. The series is available on Netflix worldwide, with subtitles in different languages. You can also watch it on tvN Asia in selected countries in Asia, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka. You can also watch it on Viu in selected countries in Asia and Africa, such as Bahrain, Egypt, India, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and United Arab Emirates. You can also watch it on iQIYI in selected countries in Asia, such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka.
The seasons and episodes
As mentioned earlier, the series is divided into three parts, each consisting of six episodes. The first part is titled "The Children of Prophecy", the second part is titled "The Sky Turning Inside Out, Rising Land", and the third part is titled "The Prelude to all Legends". The total runtime of the series is 18 hours. The episodes are as follows:
Part
Episode
Title
Air Date
1
1
The White Wolf
June 1, 2019
2
The Black Horse
June 2, 2019
3
The Boy with a Star's Name
June 8, 2019
4
The Woven Dream
June 9, 2019
5
The Blue Star's Tears
June 15, 2019
6
The Red Star's Anger
June 16, 2019
2
7
The Dream of the Great Mother
June 22, 2019
8
The Land of the Gods
June 23, 2019
9
The One Who Shines in the Darkness
June 29, 2019
10
The Beginning of the Fall
June 30, 2019
11
The Secret of the Bow and Arrow
July 6, 2019
12
The Sun God's Descendant
July 7, 2019
3
13
The Rising Star of Arthdal
September 7, 2019
14
The Fall of Arthdal
September 8, 2019
15
The Choice of the Stars and the People's Choice
September 14, 2019
16
The Awakening of the White Wolf and the Birth of a New Legend
September 15, 2019 17 The War of Arthdal September 21, 2019 18 The Prelude to all Legends September 22, 2019
The upcoming sequel
If you have finished watching Arthdal Chronicles and are craving for more, you will be happy to know that there is a sequel in the works. The sequel was confirmed by the production team in December 2020, and it is expected to start filming in the second half of 2021. The sequel will continue the story of Arthdal and its characters, and will also introduce new characters and settings. The sequel will also feature the original cast members, who have expressed their excitement and anticipation for the project. The release date and platform of the sequel have not been announced yet, but it is likely to be aired on tvN and Netflix as well.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Arthdal Chronicles is a Korean historical fantasy drama series that tells the story of mythical heroes and their struggle, unity, and love in a fictional land called Arth. The series has a unique setting and worldbuilding, a stellar cast and performances, and intriguing themes and messages. The series is available on various streaming platforms and services, and it consists of three parts with a total of 18 episodes. The series also has a sequel that is currently in development and will be released in the near future. If you are looking for an epic and original drama that will transport you to another world and time, you should definitely check out Arthdal Chronicles.
FAQs
What is the genre of Arthdal Chronicles?
Arthdal Chronicles is a historical fantasy drama series that combines elements of mythology, fantasy, and science fiction.
Who are the main actors of Arthdal Chronicles?
The main actors of Arthdal Chronicles are Song Joong-ki, Kim Ji-won, Jang Dong-gun, Kim Ok-vin, Lee Joon-gi, and Shin Se-kyung.
How many seasons and episodes are there in Arthdal Chronicles?
Arthdal Chronicles has one season that is divided into three parts, each consisting of six episodes. The total number of episodes is 18.
Where can I watch Arthdal Chronicles?
You can watch Arthdal Chronicles on Netflix worldwide, tvN Asia in selected countries in Asia, Viu in selected countries in Asia and Africa, and iQIYI in selected countries in Asia.
Is there a sequel to Arthdal Chronicles?
Yes, there is a sequel to Arthdal Chronicles that is currently in development and will be released in the near future.