Sungkyunkwan Scandal

This series is a historical period piece as its background. The storyline has the feel of an 'after school special' and stars young kids just getting in to Sungkyunkwan University to study to become government officials. Its full of student hazing, bullying, student and national politics all revolving around a small group of the students. Like Twelfth Night, this story involves a girl dressing as a guy and entering an all male environment (in this case a male only university). The protagonists are all extremely likable, and most of the antagonists actually grow on you as the story progresses. This is one of my top 5 favorite k-drama TV series. The story is slightly PG-13 in my opinion in that it does have major characters from the local gisaeng house (female 'entertainers' of the period in potentially every sense of the word, rather like a geisha house). Also, for those that are particularly squeamish, our hero is distressed because he thinks he is falling in love with another guy (our heroine in her brother's clothes). All part of the comedy. The story is ridiculous because no one who looked at her would believe she was a guy for one moment, but just suspend your disbelieve and enjoy the stupidity and fun. I very highly recommend this series.

It was funny when the two main characters shared the same room with the girl dressed as a boy. They were so confused if she was a boy or a girl. They fight over who sleeps next to him or her. It was really funny.

I watched this for Song Joong-ki and was pleasantly surprised at how good it is. It is about intelligent Kim Yoon-hee (Park Min-young) who, having lost her father early on, disguises as her sick brother to support her family. In a desperate financial situation, she was cajoled into illegally taking the national exams for another boy but was caught by Lee Seon Joon (Park Yoo Chun). Seon Joon persuades her into taking the exam for herself. They both pass the test and become roommates in Sungkyunkwan University. Sparks inevitably fly between them though her disguise make for some awkward moments, not to mention confusion on the part of Seon Joon.

Soon Joong-ki delights as flamboyant playboy Goo Yong Ha, one of Yoon-hee's close friends in the university.

This is one of the first Korean dramas that I watched and got me hooked. The story is not complicated but is deep enough to get excited on what happens next. The cast and crew did an excellent job. I truly had fun watching it and I've been going back to it (occasionally) to this day.

Very enjoyable. Background Plot was a little confusing with the King and who was with/against him, but the other storylines were so great.

Like many have said Song Joong-ki absolutely stole this drama. (Also he is a vampire cause aging? Where?) Every scene with him was just so much more than you normally get from a third or 4th lead. I'm actually picturing him in my mind as the lead on here and see it!

The other actors were mighty fine as well (minus the perpetual death stare from Ha In-Soo, rip to the actor)

Park Yoo-Chun (Seon-Joon) was so gorgeous in this drama. I miss the early 2010s and late 2000s when Korean men were still their natural light brown.

Park Min Young's role has been one of the only times I've actually believed a gender bender worked. She's pretty but not too pretty (just on the show. In real life, yes, she's pretty pretty!) Her voice was just soft enough to sound like a scrawny boy who was stunted in puberty.

Overall, great period piece, still a slow burn romance but it seems like there was enough action to keep me from salivating waiting on that first kiss.