Welcome to Kdrama and Ramen

This continuation of the Arthdal Chronicles takes place 8 years after the last installment.  The King’s position in Arthdal has started to weaken, throwing the kingdom into political and cultural upheaval.  And as prophecies come to fruition, the legend of the 3 coming heroes gains momentum.  While Tanya leads her followers from within the city walls, Eun Seom brings the tribes from the plains together to fight for power. And this fight will bring him face to face with his brother, Sa Ya, who is currently leading the King’s army.  Now the trio will need to determine where their loyalties lie and if they can bring peace and unity to their war torn land.  

Shin Sae Kyeong as Tan Ya

Tan Ya grew up with Eun Seom and has always loved him, although it took him awhile to understand and return her feelings. She was raised as the future Great Mother of her Tribe. When they are taken to Arthdal as slaves and her mother dies, Tan Ya is the only hope for their future.  Ta Gon appoints Tan Ya as the Priestess so he can use her to win over those who oppose his leadership.  Tan Ya represents the bell in the prophecy.  She is the spiritual leader of the people. Hidden safely away in her cavern behind the city walls, she waits patiently for Eun Seom’s return as she lays the groundwork for the coming battle to win the hearts and minds of the people of Arthdal.  

 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 as a way to gain power while she waits for Eun Seom to come back to her.  Unlike the strong, bold Tan Ya of the first season, Shin Seo Kyeong gives us a more elegant and soft-spoken priestess.  Her ethereal beauty fits the character well, but I missed the gutsy and determined heroine of the first season.  

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,  Since marrying Ta Gon at the end of season one, she has ruled by his side as Queen.  She wants to make sure that her and Ta Gon’s son Arok is named to be Ta Gon’s heir in case anything should happen to Ta Gon that would jeopardize her own power.  But Ta Gon has continued to groom Sa Ya as a possible heir, which infuriates Tae Al Ha.  And she will stop at nothing to make sure she rules Arth for as long as she lives.

 ♥ Ta Gon and Tae Al Ha

The vivid and complex characters of Ta Gon and Tae Al Ha were always a highlight of this drama.  But with so many casting changes to this season, they were truly the glue that held this installment together.  Their constant distrust and games are tempered by the fact that when it comes down to it, they still love each other.  Their emotions are honest, and actually a bit heartbreaking when all is said and done.  Do I like their characters?  No.  Not a chance.  But I applaud their strong portrayal of these roles and the humanity they bring to obvious villains.

♥ Momo Tribe

I said it last season, and I’ll say it again.  I just love the Momo clan.  While I would have liked to see more of them, and especially Karika, who only got a few seconds worth of screen time this season, I love that whenever Eun Seom has been in trouble, the Momos have shown up to rescue him.  And I love that the writers have wrapped their power over water into each of the stories.

Change in Characters

This drama is already confusing enough with the complexity of building a whole new world with its own history, mythology, and languages. But with the long intervals between the various installments and the large number of characters who had to be recast, fans have an even harder time keeping some of the finer details straight.  And this is especially true when, with the new casting came a character that seems very different from the original.  While it is true that 10 years have passed, the leads all have very different personalities from their previous season.  And this is also true for characters like Ipsaeng, who was once silly and carefree, but is now an overly serious military adviser.  

Nun Byeol

I really felt like they teased Nun Byeol to be a major part of this season and her story as the last remaining female Neanthal.  But the story of her and her people really only appeared on the peripheral of all the developments for the people of Arth.  And her fated love story was relegated to a couple sudden confessions of interest from her counterpart.  After hating her own people for years, her sudden decision to go with them lacks any context.  It just seems like a missed opportunity to tell the story of the Neanthal people and their future.  

“Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun” manages to tie up most of the lose ends well, while still leaving a few juicy strands in the event of another season.  Sa Ya helps Eun Seom and Tan Ya finally defeat Ta Gon, before he disappears from the capital.  Tae Al Ha arrives in time to have a tearful goodbye with Ta Gon before she kills him.  Tan Ya learns that Ta Gon has poisoned the whole water supply of the capital through a small well.  Sacrificing her own safety, she dives in and stops the water from spreading.  Now in critical condition from the poison, she goes back to the central square of the city to declare Eun Seom the true and rightful king of Arth.  After which she collapses on the stairs.  Tae Al Ha gives Eun Seom the antidote for the poison but says only the gods can decide if she actually survives.  After a jump in time, we see Eun Seom ruling the city and waiting for Tan Ya to wake up, which she finally does as they share a happy reunion.  But in other locations, we see Sa Ya living among his mother’s people, the Neanthals, as he dreams of returning to Arth.  And he isn’t the only one.  As we see a grown Arok living with Tae Al Ha, as she also plans her revenge on Eun Seom and the people of Arth.