Arthdal Chronicles

Arthdal Chronicles[2] (Korean: 아스달 연대기; RR: Aseudal yeondaegi) 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
Season 1 promotional poster
Hangul	아스달 연대기
Genre	Historical Fantasy
Created by	Studio Dragon
Written by	Kim Young-hyun Park Sang-yeon
Directed by	Kim Won-seok
Starring	Jang Dong-gun Song Joong-ki Kim Ji-won Kim Ok-vin
Theme music composer	Stone Music Entertainment
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	18
Production
Production locations	South Korea Brunei
Camera setup	Single camera
Running time	70 minutes
Production companies	Studio Dragon KPJ
Distributor	tvN Netflix
Budget	₩54 billion[1]
Release
Original network	tvN
Picture format	1080i (HDTV)
Audio format	Dolby Digital
Original release	June 1 – September 22, 2019
External links
Website
Production website

The series was the sixth most preferred Korean Drama among viewers in the U.S. Market in 2019 as per Consumer Research Report by the Korea Creative Content Agency and entered the list of highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television.[12][13]

Synopsis

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]

Cast and characters

• Jang Dong-gun as Ta-gon
• Song Joong-ki as Eun-seom and Saya
• Kim Ji-won as Tan-ya
• Kim Ok-vin as Tae Al-ha

Production

The cast and crew attended a workshop in Yangju, Gyeonggi-do, on August 21, 2018.[16] The first script read was held on August 26, 2018.[17] Filming officially started on December 5, 2018 with the opening ceremony of the set, whose construction took place for eight months.[18] The drama was filmed overseas in Brunei. Song Joong-ki went first on February 24, 2019.[19]

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.[20] 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.[21]

Reception

Critical reception

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.[22][23] 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.[24]

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.[24] 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."[25]

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.[26] 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."[27]

The series received lower-than-expected viewership ratings, in comparison to its massive budget,[28][29] 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.[30] 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. The episode peaked at 8.9 percent nationwide.[31]

Staff mistreatment

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.[32] 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.[22][33]

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.[34][22][35]

Original soundtrack

Arthdal Chronicles OST
Soundtrack album by Various artists
Released	2019
Genre	Soundtrack
Language	Korean English
Label	Stone Music Entertainment Genie Music

Part 1

Released on July 6, 2019

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"The Poem of Destiny (운명의 시)"	Seo Dong-sung	Park Sung-il	Ailee	3:39
2.	"The Poem of Destiny (운명의 시)" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		3:39
Total length:					7:18

Part 2

Released on September 22, 2019

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Bloody Dreams (붉은 꿈)"	Seo Dong-sung	Park Sung-il	Hareem	3:35
2.	"Bloody Dreams (붉은 꿈)" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		3:35
Total length:					7:10

Special OST

Released on October 22, 2019

No.	Title	Artist	Length
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

Viewership

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.[36] The drama's personal record of 7.7% was on its fourth episode. Its finale scored an average rating of 7.4% nationwide.[37] The series entered the list of highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television.

Arthdal Chronicles : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)

Season		Episode number																		Average
		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

Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Media Research.[38]

Average TV viewership ratings

Ep.	Original broadcast date	Average audience share (AGB Nielsen)[39]
		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%
In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings. This drama airs on 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).

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result	Ref.
2018	Korea First Brand Awards	Most Anticipated Drama of 2019	Arthdal Chronicles	Won	[40]
2019	12th Korea Drama Awards	Excellence Award, Actress	Kim Ji-won	Nominated	[41]
	Asia Artist Awards	Actor of the Year (Daesang)	Jang Dong-gun	Won	[42]
	9th Korean Wave Awards	Cultural Tourism Grand Prize	Osan	Won	[43][44]

References

1. "[SC현장] "어렵지 않다"..장동건X송중기 '아스달 연대기', 540억 대작 韓'왕좌의 게임'(종합)".
2. Arthdal Chronicles tvN 아스달 연대기 첫 티저 최초 공개! 190601 EP.0. YouTube (in Korean). tvN Drama. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
3. Sung Ji-eun (July 20, 2018). "Star-studded cast of tvN drama revealed". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
4. "[공식] 송중기X장동건X김지원 '아스달 연대기' 확정..내년 상반기 방송" (in Korean). July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
5. Kim Soo-jin (July 26, 2018). "Song Joong-ki and Jang Dong-gun confirmed to star in 2019 Korean drama 'Asdal Chronicles'". South China Morning Post. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
6. "'Arthdal Chronicles' is a big-budget fantasy epic: Set in ancient Korean history, humans and other races strive for power". Korea JoongAng Daily. May 30, 2019.
7. "Arthdal Chronicles' to explore fabled, first monarchy on Korean Peninsula [VIDEO]". The Korea Times. April 14, 2019.
8. Woo Jae-yeon (May 28, 2019). "Big-budget ancient fantasy drama 'Arthdal Chronicles' to hit small screen this week". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
9. "Cast, producer nervous, excited ahead of 'Arthdal Chronicles' premiere". The Korea Times. May 30, 2019.
10. "Netflix Boards Korean Fantasy 'Arthdal Chronicles'". Variety. April 29, 2019.
11. "'Arthdal Chronicles' begins final run, hopes for rebound". The Korea Herald. September 8, 2019.
12. "한국 콘텐츠 미국시장 소비자조사 (드라마)".
13. "Korean Drama Lovers In The U.S. Are Very Fond Of Romantic Comedies". Forbes. 2020-01-23. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
14. "아스달연대기 | 기획의도". tvN (in Korean). Retrieved 2019-06-03.
15. "아스달연대기 | 기획 의도". tvN (in Korean). Retrieved 2019-06-14.
16. "[SBS Star] Song Joong Ki·Kim Ji Won·Jang Dong Gun Go Workshop to Kick Off Their New Drama!". SBS News. August 22, 2018.
17. "[단독] "송중기·김지원·장동건 만난다"…'아스달 연대기', 26일 전체 대본리딩". TV Report (in Korean). August 10, 2018.
18. Choi, Joo-ri (2018-12-21). "'아스달 연대기' 송중기-장동건, 대한민국 최초 '태고(太古) 판타지'의 서막 올려". Seoul Economy (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-12-21.
19. "[단독]'아스달 연대기' 해외 촬영 돌입, 송중기 24일 브루나이 출국".
20. "Update: "Arthdal Chronicles" Confirmed To Start Production On 2nd Season This Year". Soompi. 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
21. "Update: "Arthdal Chronicles" Reportedly Delays Production Of 2nd Season + Production Company Responds". Soompi. 2020-06-11. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
22. "'Arthdal Chronicles' criticism gets louder: The tvN series is being accused of plagiarizing 'Game of Thrones' and being too boring". Korea JoongAng Daily. June 12, 2019.
23. "Blockbuster 'Arthdal Chronicles' under fire for similarity with famous dramas, films". The Korea Herald. June 11, 2019.
24. Eun-byel, Im (July 9, 2019). "[Herald Review] What's ahead for 'Arthdal Chronicles'?". The Korea Herald.
25. Dizon, Nikko (June 2, 2019). "Netflix's 'Arthdal Chronicles' isn't your Korean 'Game of Thrones'". Rappler. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
26. Serba, John (June 4, 2019). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Arthdal Chronicles' on Netflix, a Sprawling Korean Fantasy Series That Recalls Another Certain Sprawling Fantasy Series". Decider.com. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
27. MacDonald, Joan (June 3, 2019). "Battles At The Dawn Of Time Do Not Make 'The Arthdal Chronicles' 'Game Of Thrones'". Forbes. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
28. "After weak start, 'Arthdal Chronicles' has mixed viewership prospects". Yonhap News Agency. June 8, 2019.
29. "'Arthdal Chronicles' puzzles Studio Dragon stock investors". The Investor. June 7, 2019.
30. Cho, S. (June 2, 2019). "'Arthdal Chronicles' Off To A Strong Start With Outstanding Premiere Ratings". Soompi. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
31. Cha, E. (June 3, 2019). "'Arthdal Chronicles' Achieves Its Highest Ratings Yet". Soompi. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
32. "'Arthdal Chronicles' highlights longtime issue of overworking crew". Yonhap News Agency. June 13, 2019.
33. "tvN currently under fire for overworking the staff of 'Arthdal Chronicles'". Koogle. April 9, 2019.
34. "'Arthdal' producers to answer press". Korea JoongAng Daily. June 7, 2019.
35. "'Arthdal' director finally responds". Korea JoongAng Daily. July 10, 2019.
36. "송중기·장동건 '아스달 연대기' 주목, 시청률 6.7% 출발". Naver (in Korean). 2019-06-02. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
37. ""Arthdal Chronicles" Finale Achieves Highest Ratings Of Part 3; "Mother Of Mine" Ends On All-Time High". Soompi. 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
38. "Nielsen Korea". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Retrieved August 30, 2020.
39. "Nielsen Korea". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Retrieved August 25, 2020.
40. Kang, Mi-hwa (December 19, 2018). [영상M] 스트레이 키즈 방찬 "음악으로 저희의 메시지 전할게요" 대한민국 퍼스트브랜드 대상 포토월 (in Korean). Retrieved December 20, 2018.
41. "'2019코리아드라마어워즈(KDA)' 연기대상 후보..김해숙·최수종·염정아·조정석 등". Sedaily (in Korean). September 27, 2019.
42. "Winners Of 2019 Asia Artist Awards". Soompi. November 27, 2019.
43. "오산시, 대한민국 한류대상 '문화관광대상' 수상". Naver (in Korean). December 16, 2019.
44. "Visit The Filming Location Of Popular Drama "Arthdal Chronicles" In Osan, Korea". Kdrama Daily. July 25, 2019.

External links

• Official website (in Korean)
• Arthdal Chronicles at IMDb
• Arthdal Chronicles at HanCinema