The Hwarang, or "Flower Boys", are an elite group of male youth in Silla, an ancient Korean kingdom that lasts until the 10th century.

There are educational institutions as well as social clubs where members gather for all aspects of study, originally for arts and culture steeped mainly in Buddhism.

Ancient sources refer only to the physical beauty of the "Flower Boys" After the Japanese concept of bushido is developed in the late 19th century, a theory becomes widespread in Korea that hwarang were a military force.