Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010)

This is a 2010 drama and I kind of have this rule that I don't really like dramas older than five years. But I enjoyed the pacing of this one, and there weren't many filler moments. I liked how the drama took a different turn towards the end. The beginning half was all about surviving at school and making friends and relationships and not getting caught for being a girl. The second half is more conspiracy and the bones and heart of the relationships. I liked it. It was great. The emotion was beautiful and real and I enjoyed the more melodramatic tone.
I never thought I would think the traditional Korean dress was cool. It took me a long time to work up the courage to watch a historical. But I'm converted! Haha. This show is really easy to watch and easy to skip over the politics and still enjoy the growth and the progression of the premise.
In this drama more than ever, I can see how the characters humble themselves even when they are so freakin' angry because they know they have to self-regulate to achieve their long term goals.
I liked how they explored their corrupt society and how they were worried about distinguishing between right and wrong because they had so many bad role models and unfair structures in place.

Things start to get serious as the drama begins to wade into family relationships and betrayal and being a role model.

“Hey, big brothers, live life correctly, cause I'll be following your lead.”
Cheeky, but respect man.

They had to question what was culture, what was their values and why they were brought up in their traditions.
“Watch me with your own two eyes. Whether I'm going the right road until the end.”
Kdramas explore characters in a way that I can understand.
I also like how they take into account past and future. “So will you remember? One day, when you have to make a difficult decision like you did today, just once...that there was someone who trusted Lee Seon Joon more than himself.”

Yoon Hee
“I'll still have to dress in a man's hat and robe....And even if I can't do that, I'll have to marry anyone...To me, there is no tomorrow that I should want to protect with all my might.”
Girl's got skills. And she's incredibly smart with a photographic memory (but the drama forgets about that later).
The opening of this drama, with the ladies chasing after our heroine, thinking she's a man, I knew we were in for some ridiculous, but hopefully amusing moments.
I like the sort of manly friendship that Yoon Hee makes with Lee Soon Jun, even from her perspective as a girl, she treats him like a dude.
“I believe in you more than I believe in myself.”
I was quite pleased at the little ways in which Yoon Hee showed how tough she was. Getting into a fist fight, and stopping a punch was all pretty normal for her.

Seon Joon
Yoo Chun is a pretty stiff guy but it kind of makes his human character really really very funny.
I first saw Park Yoo Chun in Rooftop Prince. I didn't like his arrogance there. He continues to be a dick in this one. But maybe more within reason because he's just a scholar and not a prince. Still, his concerned, sad face is the best.
He's a lot more reasonable and forgiving. But he's still self-righteous as ever.
He really admires Yoon Hee's rebel nature of standing up against the unfair laws of society.

“Sungkyunkwan is a place of study because of the citizens, if you do not agree with this, then we new students, will not recognise you as seniors.”

It's nice to see the hero for a change rotting away when he is lovesick, barely being able to function.

Seon Jin does say a few nice things too. “Not just my classmate...but my good friend. Someone who is willing to be my good friend, Kim Yoon Shik, you are the first.”

“If I made a friend, I thought it would be nice if it was you. It's just...I didn't know how. Since it was my first time. I'm sorry.”

Lee Sun Joon isn't so bad after all. A lot different picture of the arrogance he often portrays.
I really like how he didn't know what to do with Geol Oh.

I loved how he learned to joke.

Romance
Lee Sun Joon on the romance front is actually not that bad. His feelings, his expression of them, his role in the romance, I was actually pretty impressed. I love how he wore his heart on his sleeve.
He's not petty or childish in his love for Yoon Hee. He thinks about her feelings and what she wants rather than always pushing his feelings.
It's quite unusual for the hero to be outed for his affection for his heroine so pitifully. And for it to happen to a proud hero like Lee Soon Jun was pretty darn hilarious and satisfying.
I like that even after Lee Soon Jun realises Yoon Hee is a woman, they're still on even ground because Yoon Hee doesn't allow it to be any different.
Lee Soon Jun is amazing in his love for Yoon Hee and really doesn't let pride get in the way.
And his uppity rationale for why she should kiss him some more was so hilarious. “One shouldn't start something one can't finish. Stopping in the middle is worse than not having started at all. This is a teaching from the Analects. To stop something you've already started isn't something a Confucius scholar should do.”
I really loved how the drama showed Lee Seon Joon exploring his desire for Yoon Hee in such a cute and funny way.
And how she was the one that had to be direct. She's also really confident in the relationshia pnd likes to tease him.
I really appreciated their clear communication with one another. How they talked things out and put their hearts on the table and didn't hold things back or didn't hesitate to make things clear.
“What you're pushing away is not greed It's me.”
“Then what am I supposed to do? I'm so scared.”

I feel like it's been a while since I've seen a nice and caring romance like this. And also to see the hero go all out for his woman, is bliss.

Geol Oh
“Why should I be afraid? Living isn't fun anymore.”
I like that Geol Oh could pull rank when it suited him.
I love Yoo Ah's new look. Really surprised to see the ruffian is a gentleman.
His personality is so much fun in this drama. He's really good at treating Yoon Hee like a man even when she messes up. He so subtly reminds her that she's supposed to be a boy.
“Don't bow your head to anyone. Don't kneel for anyone. It will become a habit.”

Yoo Ah is the best in this drama. I like how his character managed to keep treating Yoon Hee as a man.
Oh those sleeping arrangements made me laugh so much.

“Sunbae, this isn't your usual sleeping place.”
“My usual sleeping place is this whole room.”

He has this beautiful moment in Episode 15. He's such a wonderful character.

Gu Yong Ha
“Tell me whatever it may be. I can keep a secret better than I look.”

Song Joong Ki's gleeful smile is so cute. He plays so many mind games and plays both sides of the school factions. But I loved that despite that, Yoon Hee still got to mess around with his head.
He's a rich and insouciant kind of guy who is bored with people so he likes to play games.
One thing I liked about him is that when anyone is down, whether they are right or wrong, he's there for them so they don't have to be alone.
I like how there are different relationships in the school that even though one might technically be on one side, he will still help the other and look out for people on the other side even though “politically” he is opposed.
I liked his friend with Moon Jae Shin.
“The one I trust is not the king, but you, Geol Oh.”

Bad Guy
The amazing thing about the bad guy is that he is so nice to his daughter. Haha. I really liked how evil he was and then how much he loved his baby girl. Even though he is full of pride and ambition, “I am not the kind of father to get in the way of my children.”

The music can be quite pretty.

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The trailer to this show didn't seem all that interesting, so I didn't have much expectation when I first watched this show. But after I was done with the first episode, I had to watch the next one. From then on, I had to wait patiently every week for new episodes. I loved the storyline, the script, and the chemistry between the main leads. I liked this series so much that I purchased the CD, even though I only liked 1 song on the soundtrack. I even went to the filming location of this drama when I visited South Korea the very first time. Even though I was a big fan of this series, I couldn't give this drama a perfect rating because the ending was rushed. It needed a few more episodes to wrap up the story.
Acting/Cast: Good

Music: The music suited the drama.

Rewatch: Maybe in the future.

Overall, I find this series to be really addicting the first time i watched it. So i definitely would recommend to people who like school/historical drama.

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This was such a cute story. It was rough in the historical days of South Korea for women. I am understanding the rights of women in this present day. Back then your body was a breeder for the King to keep his bloodline for his Kingdom. Not only in Korea but all over the world back in that period. I am happy that this drama showed that a woman can do the work as a man.

Park Yoo Chun (Lee Sun Joon) OMGosh, I was wondering why an excellent actor didn’t make any more movies after 2015. What a loss to the world of Korean actors and future dramas. In the United States, if someone was charged with drugs, a court order would be done to help the person who had an addiction. Why the South Korean courts didn’t help this actor, I am at a loss for words. This actor needed help and even the company he worked for gave up on him. What a waste. I am saddened.

Park Min Young did great in this story, and she keeps on being great! I love her.
I have no more words.

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I saw this drama because I was watching all Yoo Ah In dramas like a year ago. I am so happy that I found it. The story is good and the characters are great. I enjoyed it so much to the point I can actually repeat the drama any day just because I miss the characters on the drama. You will enjoy it. It is funny with a little bit of drama and some romance here and there. Overall an excellent drama mostly if you are not into period dramas this could be a great starter. Besides you might learn about the Korean culture and how things where for woman back then. One of my all time favorite now. Song Joong Ki and Yoo Ah In stole my heart.

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Impressions

This drama was really a pop culture drama with little historical accuracy and glamor.

It's not horrible though. The scandal keeps you in your seat wanting to watch more. Whether this is due to the director's skill or the cast appeal and popularity, that is hard to say. The fact the main male character, Micky Yoochun, is a popular kpop artist and it is his first time really acting is clearly obvious. That's not mentioning his stoic face and lack of expression in many scenes, even if he is supposed to be portrayed as a strict, inflexible nobleman.

On the other hand, the female lead Park Min Young as Kim Yoon Hee has had some prior experience acting, though I haven't seen her act before this drama. She's relatively good. Min Young expresses her emotions using her face only and that's is like most female actress. After all, she has such a pretty face. I didn't like how she started as a confident, brave girl to an eyes-watering, non-confrontational wimp in the middle and suddenly regains her wits near the end.

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I really enjoy Korean Historical dramas, especially these types. This drama had me glued. I was actually rooting for the FL and the 2nd male lead as I wasn’t fond of the main ML character. My favorite character was Gu Yong-ha, played by Song Joong-ki. He honestly made the drama interesting. I also liked the way the drama end with the main villain, Ha In-soo, though it was very sad to read that actor passed away in real life. Overall this drama is on the top of my favorite dramas, 100% worth the watch. My low rate on rewatch isn’t due to the drama but generally I do not rewatch any dramas nor movies.

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Addictive- yes, that was watching Sungkyunkwan for me at FIRST sitting. Imagine, I've finished 8 episodes (that was about 8 hours and so) straight! I had my sleep at early 3 in the morning, and again, another night-wrecking the next day (it has 20 episodes in lenght).

The quartet really got the charm to hook you up!

Lee seon joon? (played by Park Mickey Yoochun: JYJ member) smart and disciplined student who was the center of envy of the school president, who found himself fall for another man...Will he stick to his principles? Or will he disclaim principles for love?

Gu Yung Ha? (played by Song Joong Ki) gay or just too GAY(sweet and touchy)... He cherish his best friend Jae Shin so much! He was smart and tacky, and so cool that he was the charm of the this TV series.

Moon Jae Shin? (played by Yu Ah-In) tough rebellous guy with the bare chest flung on screen, :p he was so damn rugged cutie who has pure luck beside him (everytime he terrorizes at night).

Kim Hyun Shik? (played by Park Min Young) the main lead who used his brother's name and pretended to be a boy, due to untended events, she pursued pretending inside sungkyunkwan university that led to that so called 'SUNGKYUNKWAN SCANDAL' with Jae Shin.

I really like Song Joong Ki here, he was oozing with charm and cuteness while Yu Ah-In's smile melts my bone! ayieeeh!

It really had a good start but the end is a disappointment! I am not satisfied with the smooth take of the events on the last episodes. Though it gave cues to what happen to the quartet, it didn't gave anything about how the student president end up with along with the other characters (hmmm.. I guess the episode which he save the gaeseng suggests that he ends up with her..oh well!). I believe many will agree with me about this.

Another thing, the story run so smoothly to the protagonists, nothing heart breaking at all (well, if it really should be lively, we can do nothing about it), the rush in every episodes and the uncomprehensible (i can't understand it!) ending.

Wew!

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Personagens incríveis e únicos

Para quem assiste drama atrás de drama, como eu, às vezes se cansa daqueles mesmos personagens de sempre, engessados e sem muito desenvolvimento. Por isso foi um prazer assistir um drama em que cada personagem tem uma função e um ciclo fechadinho. Isso tornou a história uma delícia de acompanhar!
Nesse drama, temos quatro amigos protagonistas, cada um com seu desafio de vida e sonho. Eles são muito diferentes entre si, o que torna a amizade que nasce entre eles muito especial. É maravilhoso acompanhar como cada um vai crescendo dentro da trama. Eles são imprevisíveis! Até o triângulo amoroso da série é diferenciado hahaha.

A partir do episódio dez, quando essa amizade de fato começa a acontecer, o drama fica MUITO BOM! Para mim, o ponto mais forte da série são as atuações incríveis de Joong-ki e Yoo Ah-in.
Joong-Ki consegue nos deixar intrigados durante todo o drama. No início ele é misterioso, observa tudo e anda com os vilões. Quase peguei ranço desse homem lindo! Ele é um personagem zero óbvio e sempre faz a gente se perguntar quais são suas verdadeiras intenções. Tem sempre algo "a mais" se passando na cabecinha dele. Sem esse personagem, o drama não seria metade do que é. Ele também é dono das cenas mais divertidas e o elo que une os amigos.


Já o Yoo Ah-in , pra mim é o verdadeiro protagonista masculino do drama. Desde a primeira , até a última cena, ele é de longe a pessoa mais interessante. A história pessoal dele é o que move o enredo para frente. No início, parece que o personagem vai ser um clichê, mas ele tem camadas e camadas e não cansa de surpreender. Eu simplesmente me apaixonei pelo personagem. Ele é um cara com seus próprios ideais, um gênio terrível e um coração enorme. Com todas essas características, super justo ele causar muito problema. O melhor de tudo, é que apesar de parecer super casca grossa, ele é muito humilde e sempre admite os seus erros. Todas as ações dele no drama são sempre por amor à alguém ou por justiça. Fiquei hipnotizada por ele. Yoo Ah-In, como sempre, é um show à parte.

Super recomendo esse drama. Só não dou dez porque acho que dava para resumir tudo em excelentes dezesseis episódios.

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Despite not liking historical shows, I decided to give Sungkyunkwan Scandal a try since I've seen many people add this show to their favorites list, I was curious about Micky Yoo Chun's acting and I didn't want to be biased like I was with Master's Sun (which turned out to be a great kdrama btw). Like many shows, the story was not original nor profound. What made this entertaining was the character interactions. I especially found the Sun Joon-Jae Shin, Yoon Shik-Cho Sun and Yoon Shik- Jae Shin interactions worth while to see. Misunderstandings which can often be annoying in other dramas were well used for comedic and other purposes in this story. The ninja fighting wasn't extreme but some moves (like sideways mid-air spin) were cool even if they were unnecessary.

For all the characters, the actors were pretty well suited for their roles. I must say, however, Yoo Ah In stole the show. I don't think you'll find one review that doesn't mention him. I see now why this is his breakthrough performance. I've never seen someone play the carefree, bad boy (I can't think of another term for it, but it's not in the perverted sense) type of role so well. His hiccups were so cute and he just had a huggability factor throughout the whole show. I want to see him in a romcom. In addition, I liked how the president acted like a jealous spoiled child who was deprived of something he wanted and used petty but thought out means to get it. It made me want to root for him at times. The professor and Sun Joon's father seemed respectable. Yoo chun and Min Young weren't bad but unfortunately weren't memorable either. Joong Ki's winks were memorable but kind of weird. He did have the best crying skills of the bunch however, which is good for him but at the same time indicates where others fall short. Although the actors fit their roles well and were believable for the most part they seemed to lack the ability to create a moving performance during the more climactic scenes so the intensity didn't seem to escalate during the times they should have. Though I didn't expect much from the rest towards the end, I was somewhat sad to see Yoo Ah In's performance during the climax since the rest of his performance was so outstanding.

The music was well chosen. The ending song stood out the most to me.

I don't typically rewatch shows and this is no exception. As for recommending this show, I would recommend it if you want something entertaining and comedic at times. I wouldn't expect something too moving or very romantic though.

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STORY 6/10
Since it took me so long to actually finish this series, I wouldn't recommend it if you're new to K-dramas or if you're choosing your first historical. The show is relatively slow-paced, mostly episodic and the important storylines tend to be...well, illogical at times, and some are left unresolved. Due to its episodic nature and some over-the-top comedic moments, Sungkyunkwan Scandal is actually much closer to Hana Kimi than to more mature Coffee Prince in the realm of cross-dressing dramas. I strongly feel that it was a shame that so much time was spent on long gazes (especially between the main couple), way too long dialogues between villains (their scheming was mostly pointless anyway), antics of the villain's sister and the villain's stupid sidekicks, or flashbacks (so many of them!). Instead, I would appreciate better developed relationships between other people than the two leads: Goo Yong Ha and Moon Jae Shin, Cho Sun and Ha In Soo or Kim Yoon Hee and (the real) Kim Yoon Shik...the list goes on.

There is another matter that strongly impacted my evaluation and that is the ending. (I will try to be as vague and spoiler-free as possible.) Honestly the last 2-3 episodes were a mess. First, it doesn't really make sense that the characters who served as wise mentors to our young heroes were incapable of doing some basic investigation and needed a help of students to solve a 10-year-old mystery.
Second, it never felt like the stakes were high enough – especially regarding Kim Yoon Hee's situation. A much needed emotional climax just never came and the matter was resolved too quickly and too smoothly to my liking. Yoon Hee is also uncharacteristically passive (and mostly silent) in her (potentially great) dialogue scenes with some big players in the last episode.
Third, way too many loose ends. Starting with the heroine's fate (regarding which we are left with way too many questions), through unresolved side-stories of several key players (e.g. Cho Sun and Ha In Soo) to the lack of epilogue regarding the political situation in the country (not all of us have knowledge of Joseon's history)...the list goes on.
Simply said, from all the K-dramas I've finished so far, Sungkyunkwan Scandal had the least satisfying - albeit cute - ending.

ACTING/CAST 9/10
While the two leads (Park Yoo Chun as Lee Sun Joon and Park Min Young as Kim Yoon Hee) were nice, they were ultimately rather boring and predictable, especially in comparison with the duo we were all rooting for: Song Joong Ki as Goo Yong Ha and Yoo Ah In as Moon Jae Shin, who were amazing, both character-wise and acting-wise. This was actually the first drama during which I experienced the infamous "second lead syndrome": they actually made Moon Jae Shin so perfect, that I can't understand why they didn't pair him up with the heroine (or with Goo Yong Ha for that matter).

MUSIC 7.5/10
Nice score, not something I'd need to buy a CD for, but several definitely memorable tracks and songs. Extra points for the main song ("Found You" by JYJ) that I can't get out of my head ;).

REWATCH VALUE 7.5/10
I'd say that the rewatch value is quite high because once you know what to expect, it's actually a really well-acted and cheerful – if somewhat cheesy – drama to revisit.

OVERALL 7.5/10

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