Arthdal Chronicles[2] (Korean: 아스달 연대기) is a 2019 South Korean television series written by Kim Young-hyun and Park Sang-yeon and directed by Kim Won-seok, under the production banner of Studio Dragon and KPJ, starring Jang Dong-gun, Song Joong-ki, Kim Ji-won, and Kim Ok-vin.[3][4][5] Regarded as the first Korean ancient fantasy drama,[6] the story takes place during the Bronze Age and is loosely based on the story of Dangun, the founder of the first Korean Kingdom of Gojoseon.[7] The series aired on tvN from June 1 to September 22, 2019, on Saturdays and Sundays at 21:00 (KST) for 18 episodes.[8][9] It premiered internationally on Netflix.[10][11]
Arthdal Chronicles | |
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![]() Promotional poster | |
Hangul | 아스달 연대기 |
Hanja | 아스달 年代記 |
Revised Romanization | Aseudal Yeondaegi |
McCune–Reischauer | Asŭdal Yŏndaegi |
Genre |
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Created by | Lee Myung-han (tvN) Jinhee Choi (S.D) |
Developed by | Studio Dragon |
Written by |
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Directed by | Kim Won-seok |
Starring | |
Music by |
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Country of origin | South Korea |
Original language | Korean |
No. of episodes | 18 |
Production | |
Executive producer | Kim Young-gyu |
Producers | Jang Jin-wook Jo Nam-hyung Shin Ye-ji Ham Seung-hoon |
Production locations |
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Camera setup | Single camera |
Running time | 70 minutes |
Production companies |
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Distributor |
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Budget | ₩54 billion[1] |
Release | |
Original network | tvN |
Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) |
Audio format | Dolby Digital |
Original release | June 1, 2019 (2019-06-01) – present |
In spite of the generally mixed to negative reception from critics, the series was the sixth most preferred Korean drama among viewers in the United States market in 2019 as per Consumer Research Report by the Korea Creative Content Agency.[12][13]
In a mythical land called Arth, the inhabitants of the ancient city of Arthdal contend with power struggles, while some encounter love along the way. Eun-seom goes through hardships to bring his tribe back to life and learns of his true origins in the process.[14][15]
The cast and crew attended a workshop in Yangju, Gyeonggi-do, on August 21, 2018.[16] The first script reading was held on August 26, 2018.[17] Filming officially started on December 5, 2018 with the opening ceremony of the set in Osan,[18] whose construction took place for eight months.[19] The drama was also filmed overseas in Brunei, with Song Joong-ki departing first on February 24, 2019.[20]
The drama serves as a reunion project for Song Joong-ki and Kim Ji-won who both starred in the 2016 hit drama Descendants of the Sun.[4]
On February 12, 2020, it was announced that the drama was renewed for a second season.[21] On June 11, 2020, it was announced that the production schedule was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has been excluded from the 2021 lineup.[22]
In February 2022, it was announced that the second season was expected to be released in early 2023 along with a webtoon and an MMORPG.[23][24] Writers Kim Young-hyun and Park Sang-yeon will be in charge of the script again, while it will be directed by Kim Kwang-sik.[25] Set more than a decade later, Lee Joon-gi and Shin Se-kyung will replace Song Joong-ki and Kim Ji-won as the adult versions of Eun-seom and Tan-ya,[26][27] while Jang Dong-gun and Kim Ok-vin will reprise their roles.[28] Filming began on August 23, 2022.[28]
The drama received mixed reviews. It was criticized by Game of Thrones fans for sharing similarities with that series, while critics felt that it employs poor use of CGI, has a formulaic plot, is similar to other foreign fantasy dramas and films centered on ancient times, and has a slow-paced storyline, which can make viewers lose interest.[29][30] Viewers were also bewildered by the historical setting, as the drama is set in the Bronze Age but cast members are seen wearing armors and weapons that do not belong to that era.[31]
Conversely, the drama was praised for its intriguing storyline and unique setting, touching on subjects like the meaning of a tribe, an alliance and a nation, as well as religion.[31] Writer Park Sang-yeon said, "I wouldn't even think of comparing our series to [Game of Thrones] and I don't think our goal is to create something similar... I wouldn't try to claim to do anything similar to the show and I don't think it's an appropriate comparison." He added, "We tried to create a great series by building a fictitious world of our own with our imagination and I hope you see our series as it is."[32]
Although John Serba of Decider.com gave the series a "Skip It" rating, he said, "Arthdal occurs in a more primitive time than [Game of Thrones], and appears to be set up to explore different ideas about the human creature and its thirst for power and possessions." He said that the show further differentiates itself from Game of Thrones by its absence of nudity and sex scenes.[33] Forbes contributor Joan MacDonald said, "Stunning camera work makes The Arthdal Chronicles a visual pleasure to watch, capturing sweeping panoramas that place fledgeling humans in the context of a wide world waiting to be explored—and possibly conquered."[34]
The series received lower-than-expected viewership ratings, in comparison to its massive budget,[35][36] but the first episode received ratings of 6.7 percent and peaked at 8 percent, placing it first for all dramas in its time slot, including non-cable broadcasting stations.[37] It achieved a ratings high on June 9, with its fourth episode, scoring an average rating of 7.7 percent nationwide, which was an increase of 1.3 percent from the night before.[38] The episode peaked at 8.9 percent nationwide.[39]
The production team was criticized for mistreatment of its production staff. The production team was accused of violating labor laws from local civic groups, including the Seoul-based Hanbit Media Labor Rights Center and Hope Solidarity Labor Union, as the drama crew had been subject to a "murderous" working environment that made them work up to 150 hours a week.[40] The organizations reported Studio Dragon to the Seoul Employment and Labor Administration. The standards were agreed upon and announced by the studio last September to enhance the labor environment of its staff.[29][41]
Studio Dragon responded to the allegations, saying they abided by its own labor rules, but admitted that they had filmed for 113 hours during the week they went to Brunei in order to make the most out of their time shooting overseas. The studio denied reports that an injured staff member was ignored and told to continue working.[42][29][43]
Untitled | |
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Soundtrack album by Various artists | |
Released | 2019 |
Genre | Soundtrack |
Language | |
Label |
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No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
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1. | "The Poem of Destiny (운명의 시)" |
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| Ailee | 3:39 |
2. | "The Poem of Destiny (운명의 시)" (Inst.) |
| 3:39 | ||
Total length: | 7:18 |
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
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1. | "Bloody Dreams (붉은 꿈)" |
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| Hareem | 3:35 |
2. | "Bloody Dreams (붉은 꿈)" (Inst.) |
| 3:35 | ||
Total length: | 7:10 |
No. | Title | Artist | Length |
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1. | "The Poem of Destiny" (운명의 시) | Ailee | 3:39 |
2. | "Bloody Dreams" (붉은 꿈) | Hareem | 3:35 |
3. | "Arthdal Chronicles" (아스달 연대기) | Kim Jun Suk | 1:09 |
4. | "Arth, The Prelude To All Legends" (아스, 그 모든 전설의 서곡) | Park Sung Il & Kim Sun Kyung | 4:40 |
5. | "Arthdal, The Eternal Dream!" (아스달, 그 영원한 꿈!) | Jung Se Rin | 5:09 |
6. | "The Beginning Of A Legend" (전설의 시작) | Kim Joon Suk | 3:06 |
7. | "Tagon's Song" (타곤의 노래) | Park Sung Il | 2:43 |
8. | "But I Want You" (그래도 나는 너를 바란다) | Judah Earl | 3:04 |
9. | "An Unfinished Story" (끝나지 않은 이야기) | Kim Joon Suk | 3:46 |
10. | "A Strong Will" (굳센 의지) | Lee Yoon Ji | 3:44 |
11. | "An Unforgettable Name" (버릴 수 없는 이름) | Judah Earl | 3:47 |
12. | "War In The Silence" (고요 속의 전쟁) | Noh Yoo Rim | 3:53 |
13. | "Unexpected Intruder" (예상치 못한 침입자) | Joo In Ro | 2:21 |
14. | "I'll Go Save You" (널 구하러 갈게) | Shin Yoo Jin | 3:10 |
15. | "High Priest Niruha!" (대제관 니르하시여!) | Lee Roo Ri | 3:24 |
16. | "To Their Glorious Deaths" (빛나는 죽음을 위하여) | Park Sung Il | 3:23 |
17. | "Taealha" (태알하) | Goo Bon Choon | 1:35 |
18. | "Inverted Sky" (뒤집히는 하늘) | Kim Hyun Do | 3:41 |
19. | "The Chase Of Daekan" (대칸의 추격) | Judah Earl | 3:13 |
20. | "The Man Who Killed His Father" (아버지를 죽인 자) | Judah Earl | 3:03 |
21. | "You'll Kill Them All" (모두 죽이게 될 것이다) | Kim Hyun Do | 3:17 |
22. | "The Advance Of Tagon" (타곤의 진격) | Son Sung Rak | 2:43 |
23. | "The Edge Of The World" (세상의 끝) | Lee Roo Ri | 3:04 |
24. | "A Land Of Conflicting Desires" (욕망이 부딪치는 땅) | Greg Johnson | 3:57 |
25. | "Chaos Continues" (혼돈의 연속) | Kim Hyun Do | 5:19 |
26. | "A Chasing Sword" (조여오는 검) | Greg Johnson | 3:42 |
27. | "Alive God, Aramun Haesulla" (살아있는 신, 아라문해슬라) | Park Sung Il | 3:16 |
28. | "Eunseom And Saya" (은섬과 사야) | Lee Roo Ri | 3:11 |
29. | "People Fallen Into Grief" (눈물에 묶인 자들) | Jung Se Rin | 2:42 |
30. | "The Great Black Cliff" (대흑벽) | Lee Yoon Ji | 3:07 |
31. | "To The Sea Of Momo" (모모의 바다로) | Kim Sun Kyung | 2:19 |
32. | "A Town In Ruins" (폐허가 된 마을) | Lee Yoon Ji | 2:44 |
33. | "A Lonely King" (외로운 왕) | Kim Joon Suk | 2:56 |
34. | "Fate Divided By Choice" (운명을 가른 선택) | Jung Se Rin | 3:14 |
35. | "The Last Greeting Under Moonshine" (달빛 아래 마지막 인사) | Jung Se Rin | 4:30 |
36. | "Unfocused" (어긋난 힘) | Noh Yoo Rim | 3:09 |
37. | "The Blue Nova And The Foretold Child" (푸른 객성, 그 예언의 아이) | Lee Roo Ri | 3:33 |
38. | "A Misfortune" (비운) | Lee Yoon Ji | 2:41 |
39. | "Sad Confession" (슬픈 고백) | Jung Se Rin | 4:02 |
40. | "A Child In The Tower" (탑 속의 아이) | Park Sung Il | 3:26 |
41. | "Horrible Death" (참혹한 죽음) | Lee Yoon Ji | 2:41 |
42. | "The Story Goes On" (이야기는 이어진다) | Judah Earl | 3:01 |
43. | "The Three Of Us" (같은 날 태어난 우리 셋) | Lee Roo Ri | 4:39 |
44. | "Chaos" (혼돈의 연속) | Goo Bon Choon | 2:34 |
45. | "Hidden Story" (숨겨둔 이야기) | Lee Roo Ri | 2:26 |
46. | "The Confrontation Of Anger" (분노의 대립) | Noh Yoo Rim | 2:52 |
47. | "Capturing Race" (수 싸움) | Kim Jung Wan | 2:33 |
48. | "The Power To Protect" (지키려는 힘) | Goo Bon Choon | 2:49 |
49. | "Curse Of Death" (죽음의 저주) | Shin Yoo Jin | 2:42 |
50. | "Bloody Bracelet" (피 묻은 팔찌) | Lee Roo Ri | 3:13 |
51. | "Blood of Igutu" (이그트의 피) | Joo In Ro | 3:11 |
52. | "Crisis Of Arth" (아스의 위기) | Kim Hyun Do | 3:00 |
53. | "Sword Battle" (단칼의 승부) | Joo In Ro | 3:22 |
54. | "The Judgment Of The Waterfall" (폭포의 심판) | Kim Jung Wan | 2:18 |
55. | "Blood Oath" (피의 맹세) | Kim Hyun Do | 2:22 |
56. | "Pure Souls" (순백한 영혼들) | Seo Ye Rin | 1:34 |
57. | "The Xabara Of Momo" (모모의 샤바라) | Kim Hyun Do | 2:57 |
58. | "Second Coming Of Inaishingi" (이나이신기의 재림) | Shin Yoo Jin | 2:51 |
59. | "Conspiracy Of Asa Ron" (아사론의 음모) | Joo In Ro | 2:17 |
60. | "Rising Ground" (일어나는 땅) | Kim Hyun Do | 2:35 |
61. | "Blade Of Threat" (위협의 칼날) | Seo Ye Rin | 2:14 |
62. | "Beginning Of Tragedy" (비극의 시작) | Shin Yoo Jin | 2:30 |
63. | "Pursuit Of Blood" (피로 물든 추격) | Joo In Ro | 2:46 |
Total length: | 3:16:24 |
Arthdal Chronicles aired on tvN, a cable channel/pay TV, which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS). The first episode recorded average ratings of 6.7% and peaked at 8%, taking first place for all dramas in its time slot, including non-cable broadcasting stations.[37] The drama's personal record of 7.7% was on its fourth episode. Its finale scored an average rating of 7.4% nationwide.[44] The series entered the list of highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television.
Season | Episode number | Average | ||||||||||||||||||
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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | |||
1 | 1.840 | 2.001 | 1.674 | 2.120 | 1.507 | 1.930 | 1.490 | 1.597 | 1.610 | 1.865 | 1.632 | 1.813 | 1.728 | 1.970 | 1.461 | 1.812 | 1.720 | 1.999 | 1.765 |
Ep. | Original broadcast date | Average audience share (AGB Nielsen)[46] | |||
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Nationwide | Seoul | ||||
Part 1: The Children of Prophecy (예언의 아이들) | |||||
1 | June 1, 2019 | 6.729% | 7.736% | ||
2 | June 2, 2019 | 7.310% | 8.222% | ||
3 | June 8, 2019 | 6.435% | 6.454% | ||
4 | June 9, 2019 | 7.705% | 8.952% | ||
5 | June 15, 2019 | 5.787% | 5.955% | ||
6 | June 16, 2019 | 7.226% | 7.757% | ||
Part 2: The Sky Turning Inside Out, Rising Land (뒤집히는 하늘, 일어나는 땅) | |||||
7 | June 22, 2019 | 5.792% | 6.199% | ||
8 | June 23, 2019 | 6.496% | 7.110% | ||
9 | June 29, 2019 | 5.767% | 6.408% | ||
10 | June 30, 2019 | 6.775% | 7.461% | ||
11 | July 6, 2019 | 6.258% | 7.131% | ||
12 | July 7, 2019 | 6.771% | 7.325% | ||
Part 3: The Prelude To All Legends (아스, 그 모든 전설의 서곡) | |||||
13 | September 7, 2019 | 6.115% | 6.767% | ||
14 | September 8, 2019 | 7.200% | 8.068% | ||
15 | September 14, 2019 | 4.830% | 5.416% | ||
16 | September 15, 2019 | 6.924% | 7.440% | ||
17 | September 21, 2019 | 6.412% | 7.251% | ||
18 | September 22, 2019 | 7.373% | 7.581% | ||
Average | 6.550% | 7.180% | |||
Special | May 26, 2019 | 2.290% | 2.804% | ||
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Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
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2018 | Korea First Brand Awards | Most Anticipated Drama of 2019 | Arthdal Chronicles | Won | [47] |
2019 | 12th Korea Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actress | Kim Ji-won | Nominated | [48] |
Asia Artist Awards | Actor of the Year (Daesang) | Jang Dong-gun | Won | [49] | |
9th Korean Wave Awards | Cultural Tourism Grand Prize | Osan | Won | [50][51] |
Works by Kim Young-hyun | |
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As screenwriter |
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As producer |
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