K-Saga ‘The Arthdal Chronicles’ Off 2021 Roster Due To COVID-19 Travel Ban

The k-drama saga, Arthdal Chronicles, starring Jang Dong-gun and Song Joong-ki, had its first three-part season in 2019, ending on an unresolved note. Produced by Studio Dragon for the Korean cable channel tvN, the program was aired internationally by Netflix. A few days after the puzzling and seemingly sudden end, tvN released a statement hinting at more episodes, saying they hoped to move forward with a second season. However, the statement also hinted that it might not be possible. A decision was pending. 

Given how the drama ended, with the forces of good and evil poised to fight for the future, it did seem as if more were envisioned, even if Korean dramas rarely have second seasons. In Feb. 2020, it was announced that a second season was definitely in the works. Filming would start in Sept. 2020 and the program was on the 2021 viewing schedule. 

Since the saga was filmed in Brunei, filming involved international travel for actors, cast and crew. Then COVID-19 reshaped the world of travel. Unable to travel overseas, production schedules were delayed, recently prompting the saga’s second season to be removed from the 2021 viewing schedule.

According to Studio Dragon, the production schedule for Arthdal Chronicles is currently “uncertain” and remains a topic of constant discussion. 

It took six months following the end of season one for a statement that the drama would indeed have a second season. It might take even longer for that second season to be filmed and seen.

Some of the previous uncertainty may have been due to mixed reviews and lower than expected viewership ratings in Korea, even though the saga’s all-star cast and massive production budget earned many enthusiastic international fans.

Arthdal Chronicles stars Jang Dong Gun as the warrior who wants to be king, Song Joong Ki playing both an inspiring hero and a diabolical prince, Kim Ji Won as an idealistic priestess, and Kim Ok Bin as a woman eager to take the throne. 

Arthdal Chronicles is set in the Bronze Age mythical kingdom known as Arthdal, which in its greed attempts to dominate neighboring lands and peoples. Arthdal’s people have discovered technology that enables easy victories of neighboring lands, but its rulers have little compassion for human life and liberty. At the end of season one, viewers were left wondering whether the forces of good, led by Song Joong Ki’s hero, would vanquish the armies, led by Jang Dong Gun.

The decision is still pending.