Second lead syndrome ruined my overall enjoyment of this show just a bit. As a Joonhee-stan, I felt the ending was both fulfilling and empty. I'm glad that they didn't go the route I thought they would for the last episode, but there's a part of me that strongly wishes the drama turned out completely differently simply because shipping ruins everything and why do I always grow most attached to the doomed pairings? Urgh.
Aside from the last episode (which was a good episode, when I take off my biased glasses), the series was a fun watch. One of my favorites of 2012, definitely. It pulled on all the right heartstrings (sometimes it pulls too much and you end up with SECOND LEAD SYNDROME GOD DAMN IT), it had puppies, good humor, the sheep (bless that sheep and it's baaah-ing), cool varied and relatable characters, the best parents - this needs to be pointed out because it's so rare in dramas, and bits of nostalgia I think everyone can relate too. Maybe in the form of HOT, or technology at that time, or just one's experiences in high school, maybe all of it combined.
It does, however, feel a bit frustrating near the end with all the 'twists' and 'mysterious hand shots' and so on. Everyone by that point kind of knows what's going to happen, and it's just like "No. Stop giving me hope that somehow things changed and I'm wrong because I remember the first few episodes and the awkward touching and I know what you're letting me hope for isn't happening and god damn it, second lead syndrome, god damn it."
Side note: second lead syndrome. Don't let it take you. Never let it take you. Ever.
