Some may say it's a mix of Coffee Prince, Hana Kimi and Boys Before Flowers. But to me, this falls short to the final product. Even if it uses familiar themes present in these other dramas, Sungkyunkwan Scandal's characters are different and the plot refreshing. It is too simple to describe it as a combination of the aforementioned stories, for its historical setting and character development make it stand on a whole different level. The interaction between students, the plots set about by powerful officials, the displays of affection and the scandals...it wouldn't have been the same in a contemporary setting.
And, as a plus, for all us fangirls out there, the guys in this drama are so cute...it was a joy to watch so much eye candy on screen.
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The characters play well off each other as their chemistry is greate and the actors are all well suited for their parts. And honestly, the guys are very cute :P
One notable thing about this drama is it gives you room to imagine in details yourself. For example, they don't necessarily give the full backstory of the characters. Instead they hint at many parts and let you create your own story for them in your mind.
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My review could very well end here, and you'd get the gist. Nevertheless, a simple comparison would be unfair towards this drama and decisively too flattering towards the other two.
There are at least 3 reasons to prefer Sungkyunkwan Scandal (after 4 years I've finally learnt to write this title) to other gender/bender, flowery boys scenarios:
1. The female heroine is intelligent! How refreshing. Not only she has a well working brain, but she doesn't let anyone trample all over her. Her goal in life is more edifying than simply get the guy. In this sense, SKK is way more modern than many K-dramas set in today Asia.
2. Directly related to the above, the flower boys are actually nice people! They overcome prejudice, value friendship and don't go around grabbing the girl's wrist at every turn.
3. Everyone is MUCH better dressed. I'd say colours and costumes are a huge part of this drama's charm.
This said, the drama is not flawless. I believe its main weakness lies in the way conflicts are resolved. While highly interesting and thought-provoking issues are raised - gender equality, homosexuality, eastern vs. western philosophy (Confucius vs. Socrates), the power of knowledge and others, they aren't in any way resolved and at times are very superficially concluded. Mind you, not that a tv-show could ever give us the answers to such essential questions, but even in the enclosed world of the narration some plot threads should have had a conclusion but didn't. We are left to wonder when and how the packet has been so prettily wrapped.
Also, the pace is uneven. The drama is somehow divided in groups of episodes, each developing and in a way closing: the entrance, the tournament, the scandal, the treasure hunt etc. The love story is charming in the beginning, drags in the middle and gets very charming again by the end. I wish they had shortened the angst - which works very well for the male lead who's facing a true conflict, but makes the female suddenly annoying - and given more space to their delightful romantic banter. Even the ending could have been better elaborated and conclusive, had they cut short on the middle anguish.
All in all, however, this is a lovely, funny, feel-good watch. The acting is fine enough, since it has no pretence of greatness. Don't expect stellar performances, they are all a little stony at times, but they look young and pretty, so one is ready to forgive them.
Not surprisingly, my very favourite character here - Yeorim - is also the best acted one. I've sit through the whole drama waiting to see what he would say next and what new outfit he would wear.
Music is, for me, the true sore spot. I appreciated the insertion of modern rhythm on a period setting because the drama is meant to be "timeless". The instrumental pieces are nice, albeit forgettable. The "lover song", on the other hand, got so much on my nerves, my watching partner and I retorted to muting the sound whenever it played (and it played every single time our lovey-dovey pair was together). Have you ever tried watching a kiss in complete silence? Well, don't try: it's terribly awkward, proof that the right music makes up for 50% of the emotion. Since we couldn't have romance+music at the same time, we hummed a tune ourselves.
This review comes after a second watch. I had seen this drama back in 2011, but was distracted by other things at the time and basically couldn't remember a thing. Watching it in good company was a funny and entertaining experience I am ready to recommend.
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2-Storyline/Plot : Unlike other historicals, this drama had a lot of interesting turns that kept me wanting more. Beside the normal elements you find in historicals, this drama had a theme that's not very common in that era containing a lot of events with romance, laughter, action and even mysteries and most of all it wasn't slow in a any way.
3-Acting/Cast : It couldn't be any better even though Yoo Chun was never a good actor, I still enjoyed the acting here.
Moreover, I liked "The ravishing quartet"; they were amazing especially Song Joong Ki, I loved how he portrayed Goo Yong Ha's role with all his sneaky ways. When he winks: *insert shallow feelings* ! Other roles were really interesting in many ways.
4-Music : The music was great; it was smooth to listen to it.
5-Rewatch value : Yes it's rewatchable, I can guarantee that people who like rewatching will do it over and over.
6-The ending : It was cool especially the last scene (perverted thoughts)
Anyway, I loved how they showed the characters progress at the end: it was satisfying.
7-My impression : I was having a great time while watching this drama, I had no problems with events since I was hooked ever since the third episode0.
This drama was the main reason that removed my dislike for historical dramas.
8-Overall : Don't be fooled by the historical background because this drama is way too different from any historical that you've seen before.
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The storyline of this drama was truly brilliant; when one problem was solved, another arose, all believable and suited to the drama as a whole. There is not a single thing that I would want changed. The ending, might I say without giving anything away, in my opinion, was perfect!
The acting/cast, I cannot fault them. I came to enjoy all of the characters, which is very rare for me in a drama - there's always someone you loathe and although there were those detestable characters in this drama - I understood why they were acted the way they did and that was refreshing. I loved the cast of this drama and believe they were all perfectly suited to their roles - I can't fault them. They all worked well together and made the story all that more believable and lovable. Also, I think it must be noted, if you're after eye-candy, this drama has SO much to offer - Song Joong Ki (if you haven't seen him in Werewolf Boy, I recommend that too), Yoo Ah In (I completely fell for his character, Moon Jae Shin), Park Yoo Chun and even Jun Tae Soo.
Music - loved it. The music... and I mean every piece of music, was well-suited to the drama and I strongly believe it not only complimented the drama but enhanced it.
Overall this drama quite obviously (from my hopefully glowing review) would receive a solid 10, in my opinion. I absolutely loved Sunkyunkwan Scandal, it surely is one of my favourites. I seriously recommend this drama! I'm not the biggest fan of historical dramas but this one was truly memorable - all for good reasons. If you begin watching it, do yourself a favour and stick around to see the very last episode - completely worth it, you won't be able to fight a smile.
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Story: This was the first historical drama that I had watched and I had no regrets for it to be the first,I loved it so much! The story gave me the school days vibe, very youthful but at the same time mature with a very unique touch of Joseon era. Every episode is so entertaining, most of the time funny, sweet and cute! Though the theme of a girl dressing as a guy is not new, still the story was made to be different than the usual as the girl has a very strong character and the main guy was so innocent that most of the time it's hilarious! The romance is sooooo cute, with one of the best ending, I definitely love this show!
Acting/Cast: I love the Quartet! They are so nice to look at as they act! Their roles fit them; one innocently geek, the other playful and the other so reserved yet so gentle, I want to have all of them. The casting and portrayals were done well,I love how the four formed and developed their characters in the story.
Music:It was good, really matches the story and has a smooth feeling..
Rewatch Value: Recommended to rewatch if you want something fun, sweet and cute.
Overall: This is really a good romantic comedy drama with the sweetest moments and loveable characters..:))
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The storyline is one that I am sure many drama addicts have come across, at least the part where a girl discovers herself in a position where she must pretend to be a man. What makes this story rise above the other undercover girl shows is the cast of characters. If you look up the word 'bromance' in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Yeorim, Geol Oh, Ga Rang and Big Shot to describe it. Not really though, since bromance isn't really a word, but the point remains that the relationship between these four characters was just compelling and made you want to be one of them. The love the four had for each other, the willingness to put their lives on the line for the safety and well being of their friends is just incredible to watch. Not to mention how ridiculously hilarious (and good looking!) the four of them were together.
The romance angle was definitely not lacking either. But it also remains my contention of why this show doesn't warrant a 10, at least not from me. Sungkyunkwan Scandal excells when it is light and frothy, the fun and joking being the best part of the show. Whenever the show gets bogged down in court intrigue and other women and jealousy it really suffers, though not irreparably so. Even in the midst of all of the angst, there is still someone doing something that will make you smile!
If you are like me and you are hesitating to start this drama because of the historical aspect, stop! It's exceedingly easy to overcome that within the very first episode, and all you will want is more :) Definitely give this a shot and if after the first few episodes, if you still aren't digging it, you won't have lost much. But I promise, once you start it, you just won't be able to stop :)
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It is a story about friendship , social justice , love and much more
I think this is the best girl pretending to be a boy drama. What I liked most is that the main lead actress Park Min Young was more affectionate to the main lead actor Park Yoochun than the average K Dramas I've seen before you raelly feel they are in love.
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Although the plot that consists mainly of a woman pretending to be a man, is rather used in Asian dramas, it does that freshly in SKKS. Main character, Kim Yoon Hee, is a smart, determined and an independent woman opposite to those clueless girls who just happen to find themselves in a situation where they can not reveal that they have the XX-chromosomes rather than those of XY. Although that our main heroine needs some help time to time it doesn't make herr too helpless or naive. Actually, who wouldn't need some helping hand, as you live as an only woman in a man inhabitant dormitory? The group around Yoon Hee, the upright Lee Sun Joon, the smart playboy Goo Yong Ha and the rebellious Moon Jae Shin, forms eventually a close group of loyal friends who help each other in a need and value and fight for their views of life. It is refreshing to watch the group power that only grows with each episode.
Sungkyunkwan Scandal blends very well many different genres in a one drama: it has romance, drama, mystery, investigation, historical, action, school life and for the most – humor. Still it doesn't feel like losing under the number of genres but continues to surprise after each episode. Unlike the most dramas, it doesn't lose touch even in the very end and you get easily hooked on the flow.
What I loved to follow the most in this drama, was the relationship between Moon Jae Shin and Goo Yong Ha. They are completely opposite but was it then the plot, the direction or the brilliant acting, the viewer gets the feeling of a strong friendship and appreciation between them.
As mentioned about the acting already, I would say that I’m not too convinced about Park Yoochun's and Park Min Young's acting - which was a bit stiff for my liking – but to compensate these actors you get Song Joon Ki and Yoo Ah In who are both gifted with amazing talents.
If I could have changed something in this drama, it would have been those overly acting sidekicks of Ha In Soo and the weird “time leaps” witch leave you with multiple question marks saying “how did THAT happen?”.
Despite these lacks, Sungkyunkwan Scandal is a fresh, warm drama that I don’t regret watching!
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Story 8.5 - The story was full of great little twists that wouldn't let the drama turn out to be boring, even towards the very end. There were couple of moments than just seemed to happen though, against any logical reasoning, and made me reduce some points in this section. The most of the characters, on the other hand, were fresh and really likable.
Acting/Cast 8 - I wasn't that convinced for Park Yoochun's and Park Min Young's acting but loved Yoo Ah In and Song Joong Ki!
Music 6 - Nothing special with the soundtrack. It was not bad but it didn't stick in my mind either. Overall pleasant but not amazing!
Rewatch value 8 - There happened a lot in this drama which is a part of the reason that it wouldn't get boring to rewatch it - on the other hand though there were many things that stirred the excitement to me while watching it and knowing the things that will happen in the drama may make it a bit boring while rewatching it.
Overall 9 - Overall I loved it, despite of it lacks. The characters, the humor, the power of friendship, the freshness of the drama and the brilliant acting (mostly by Yoo Ah In and Song Joong Ki) got me hooked till the very end. Highly recommend!!
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Unfortunately though, while the show is willing to raise provocative issues, it’s unwilling to really deal with the ramifications of those issues. A world where being an educated woman or a gay man is a capital crime is hardly likely to provide a happy ending for nonconformists. Instead of confronting this head-on, the drama drifts into fantasy in its final episodes, substituting feel-good platitudes and miraculous solutions for the difficult problems it has so compellingly presented. This allows it to maintain its romantic comedy credentials, but at the cost of what could have been a much darker, but also much more honest show.
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