Rang is a historical novel from the point of view of two women that retraces the origin of “Hwarang”, which was known exclusively as male group and credited for the rise of Silla Kingdom. Kim Munju, the novelist, was inspired by a brief record of “Wonhwa” in both the Samguk Yusa and Samguk Sagi, and adds her imagination to delineate the life of the Silla women who were autonomous and dignified. She writes about the lives and the love of the two women who were the first leaders of the “Hwarang”.

During the reign of King Beopheung of Silla, the aristocracy was gaining more power while the throne became weakened; in order to fortify his position, the king adopts Buddhism as the national religion. The king was greatly interested in the education of the youth who were the future of Silla, and thus organizes a group who would undergo physical, mental, and artistic training. Jun-jeong and Nam-mo, who proved to excel in archery and leadership, become the leaders at the suggestion of the King and the recommendation of the members of the Hwarang. Their short-lived position quickly vanished but their record remained as follows from an ancient Korean book.