Actress Kim Ji-soo has been confirmed for a part in star-studded TV drama “Hwarang,” joining Park Seo-joon, Go A-ra, Park Hyung-sik and Minho of SHINee.Kim’s agency Namoo Actors on Monday said Kim will play empress dowager Jiso, mother of Sam Maek-jong, who later becomes King Jinheung of the Silla Kingdom, played by Park Hyung-sik. “Kim Ji-soo will play the strong and charismatic female character,” said an official from the agency. “Dubbed as the ‘ice witch,’ empress dowager Jiso is a cold and charismatic person with lofty ambition, contrary to her elegant looks.”

Periodic drama “Hwarang”, set in the ancient Silla Kingdom (B.C. 57-A.D. 935), centers around young elite warriors of the kingdom, known as the hwarang. The 100 percent preproduced series is helmed by director Yoon Sung-sik (“Bridal Mask,” “You’re the Best, Lee Soon-shin” and “The King’s Face”) and penned by rising screenwriter Park Eun-young. “Hwarang” will premiere in July on KBS2.By Ahn Sung-mi ()