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 per Consumer Research Report by the Korea Creative Content Agency.[17][18]
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.[19][20]
The cast and crew attended a workshop in Yangju, Gyeonggi-do, on August 21, 2018.[21] The first script reading was held on August 26, 2018.[22] Filming officially started on December 5, 2018 with the opening ceremony of the set in Osan,[23] whose construction took place for eight months.[24] The drama was also filmed overseas in Brunei, with Song Joong-ki departing first on February 24, 2019.[25]
On February 12, 2020, it was announced that the drama was renewed for a second season.[26] On June 11, 2020, it was announced that the production schedule was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and had been excluded from the 2021 lineup.[27]
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.[28][29] Writers Kim Young-hyun and Park Sang-yeon were in charge of the script again, with Kim Kwang-sik as director.[30] Titled Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun (Korean: 아라문의 검-아스달 연대기), the season is set about eight years later;[31] thus, Lee Joon-gi and Shin Se-kyung replaced Song Joong-ki and Kim Ji-won as the adult versions of Eun-seom and Tan-ya,[32][33] while Jang Dong-gun and Kim Ok-vin reprised their roles.[34] Filming began on August 23, 2022[34] and took place in Jeju Island.[35] Shin finished filming her part on April 4, 2023.[36] Filming was completed on May 2, 2023.[37][38]
"The Strongest Creature Under the Sky (하늘 아래 최강의 생물)"
October 8, 2023 (2023-10-08)
9
"Remember My Face (기억하라, 내 얼굴을)"
October 14, 2023 (2023-10-14)
10
"Whirlwind Fire (회오리불)"
October 15, 2023 (2023-10-15)
11
"Heroines"
October 21, 2023 (2023-10-21)
12
"Arthdal Chronicles (아스달 연대기)"
October 22, 2023 (2023-10-22)
Reception
Critical reception
The first season of the drama received mixed reviews. It was criticized by Game of Thrones fans for sharing similarities with that series, while critics felt that it employed poor use of CGI, had a formulaic plot, was similar to other foreign fantasy dramas and films centered on ancient times, and had a slow-paced storyline, which could make viewers lose interest.[39][40] Viewers were also bewildered by the anachronistic use of armors and weapons.[41]
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.[41] 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."[42]
Although John Serba of Decider.com gave the first season 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 differentiated itself from Game of Thrones by its absence of nudity and sex scenes.[43]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."[44]
Viewership
In South Korea, the first season received lower-than-expected viewership ratings, in comparison to its massive budget.[45][46] 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.[47] The season's personal record of 7.7% was on its fourth episode.[48] Its finale scored an average rating of 7.4% nationwide.[49]
Arthdal Chronicles : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
This series aired 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).
In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
This series aired 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).
Staff mistreatment
The production team was criticized for mistreatment of its production staff. In 2019 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.[53] 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.[39][54]
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.[55][39][56]
^ ab[공식] 송중기X장동건X김지원 '아스달 연대기' 확정..내년 상반기 방송 [[Official] Song Joong-ki X Jang Dong-gun X Kim Ji-won confirmed 'Arthdal Chronicles'...to be broadcast in the first half of next year]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on August 16, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2018 – via Naver.
^Hwang Hye-jin (February 13, 2020). "tvN 측 "'아스달연대기2' 하반기 크랭크인, 편성·감독·배우 모두 논의중"(공식)" [tvN side "'Arthdal Chronicles Season 2' tvN side crank-in in the second half, formation, director, and actors are all in discussion" (official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Kyung-hee (January 27, 2022). "'아스달 연대기' 시즌 2아닌 게임과 웹툰으로 돌아온다" ['Arthdal Chronicles' is back with games and webtoons, not season 2]. MBC Entertainment (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via Naver.
^Moon, Ji-yeon (February 21, 2022). "[단독] 수백억 대작 '아스달 연대기2' 돌아온다..'안시성' 감독과 올해 크랭크인" ["[Exclusive] 'Arthdal Chronicles 2', a masterpiece worth tens of billions, is back... This year's crank-in with the director of 'Ansi-seong'"]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via Naver.
^Oh Myung-joo (February 21, 2022). "'아스달 연대기2', 올해 제작 돌입…"김광식 감독 연출, 캐스팅은 미정"" ['Arthdal Chronicles Season 2' to start production this year... "Director Kim Kwang-sik, casting undecided"]. Dispatch (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via Naver.
"Ep. 1". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). September 9, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
"Ep. 2". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). September 10, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
"Ep. 3". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). September 16, 2023. Archived from the original on September 17, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
"Ep. 4". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). September 17, 2023. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
"Ep. 5–6". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). September 23, 2023. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
"Ep. 7–8". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). October 8, 2023. Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
"Ep. 9". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). October 14, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
"Ep. 10". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
"Ep. 11". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). October 21, 2023. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
"Ep. 12". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). October 22, 2023. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
^Hwang Hye-jin (September 24, 2023). '아라문의 검' 반토막 시청률 2.2% 어쩌나…개막식 중계 직격탄 [What happens to ‘Sword of Aramun’, which is cut in half with a viewership rating of 2.2%? Opening ceremony broadcast direct hit]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023 – via Naver.
