Welcome to Kdrama and Ramen

Taking place in the fictional land of Arth during the bronze age, two young people carry a fate that will influence the lives of the whole land.  The Wahan tribe lives a peaceful and sheltered life on the plains of Lark.  Tan Ya is the young woman who is their future leader.  Her best friend, Eun Seom, is a young boy who became a part of their clan after losing his mother.  The two were born on the same day and share an important destiny.  When soldiers from Arth find a way down the cliffside to the plateau below, they invade the Wahan village and capture the people as slaves.  Now, in a land governed by greed and outlandish luxury, the people of Wahan fight to survive, without losing sight of who they are and where they come from.  But they will be swept up in a whirlwind of political turmoil that threatens their lives and the future of their tribe. 

Kim Ji Won as Tan Ya

Tan Ya has grown up as the future Great Mother of the Wahan tribe.  But she has never felt like she had what it takes to rule her people.  When they are taken to Arthdal as slaves and her mother dies, Tan Ya is the only hope for their future.  When Ta Gon devises a plan to make her the Chief Priestess, she can only hope that she has learned enough in her years of studying to convince the people that she is the rightful spiritual leader of Arth.  And with that power, she hopes to find Eon seom and take all of the Wahan back to Lark.  

 Tan Ya feels a great sense of responsibility to those she loves.  She doesn’t understand the greed and selfishness that is commonplace among the people in Arth.  She has no desire for earthly materials, but she agrees to help Ta Gon because she has been told that having power is the only way she will be able to find Eun seom and free her tribe from slavery.  I love Kim Ji Won and I enjoyed her portrayal of Tan Ya.  From the sweet-spirited fairy in Lark to the cold, elegant spiritual head in Arth, Kim Ji Won shows both sides of her character clearly and smoothly. 

Kim Ok Bin as Tae Al Ha

Tae Al Ha is the daughter of Mi Hol, who is the chief of the Hae Tribe.  Her father sent her to spy on Ta Gon and his father, but she fell in love with Ta Gon and betrayed Mi Hol.  She is greedy and power hungry, and she sees herself ruling alongside Ta Gon as his Queen.  Al Ha is also the adopted mother of Saya, although she doesn’t really have any affection for him.  He is simply another pawn in her plan to rise to power.  

 ♥ Dual Role

Song Joong Ki did such an amazing job in his dual role of Saya and Eon seom that I actually had to remind myself it was the same actor.  I was blown away by how distinct these two characters felt without making their differences feel forced or overdone.  It’s unusual to have a dual role where both are lead roles and one is not simply an alter-ego.  Eun seom and Saya both have strong character development throughout the series.

♥ Nun Byeol

Knowing that a Season 2 was already planned, the writers did a nice job of introducing Nun Byeol’s character.  I learned just enough about her to feel like I liked her character and look forward to seeing the rest of her story unfold.  Her role as the last known female Neanthal is fascinating and obviously will play a huge role going forward.  I have high hopes that her “duty” to her race will become a  beautiful and moving romance.

Wahan Adjustment

It made me so sad to see the Wahan people buying into the the social values so prevalent in Arth.  I loved their idyllic existence in Lark.  Moong Tae’s story was especially heartbreaking.  I think the guilt over what he did to his friends as well as his actions since joining hands with Ta Gon will eventually destroy his tender heart.  I wonder whether these gentle souls will ever be able to return to their peaceful lives.  

No Ending

I didn’t start this drama until all 18 episodes had aired, so I didn’t have to go through the long wait between each of the three parts.  And I understand that a second season was part of the writers plan all along.  But even series with multiple seasons usually have some kind of an ending to each season or “chapter”.  It kind of felt like this one just ended without much sense of closure at all.  And the long gap between the two seasons makes it understandable how some fans are impatient with the series.  And now with rumors that Kim Ji Won and Song Joong Ki will be replaced in the upcoming season, I can’t help but join in their confusion and frustration.  

As I’ve said, there isn’t much ending or closure to this drama yet, but here is where our story leaves off.  Tae Al Ha tells Ta Gon she is pregnant and is also the only living person with the secret to making bronze. He proposes to her at her father’s funeral as she dreams of ruling as Queen.  Saya finds out that Eon Seom is his twin, which explains what he has seen in dreams his whole life.  It also explains Tan Ya’s reactions to him.  Later Tan Ya stands before the people of Arth and crowns Ta Gon as the first King of the united country of Arth.  Saya stands by her side with his own dreams of becoming the future King.  Meanwhile, Eon Seom asserts himself as the rightful leader of the Eastern clans and promises to lead them to glory.  Ta Gon gives his first speech to his subjects, declaring a war on the Clans to the East who have not yet joined their united kingdom.  Tan Ya looks at him in shock over this bold declaration, knowing it could endanger Eun Seom.  This will obviously pit Ta Gon and the Daekan soldiers against the Tae and Agos clan that Eun Seom is now leading.  And in a final shot, we find out that Soohana is actually the spy planted by Ta Gon.  I’m sure she will also be important moving forward.  Stay tuned for Season 2, which is expected to be released in early 2023.