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.
11 Reviews
A funny school drama in ancient setting.
madbird-6124327 December 2018
Watched this for Song Joong-ki and loved it
magnoliacream12 September 2022
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.
Soon Joong-ki delights as flamboyant playboy Goo Yong Ha, one of Yoon-hee's close friends in the university.
LOVEEE ITTT
Afi_vaqar15 October 2020
Excellent screwball romantic comedy
shawninsandiego200226 June 2014
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.
Interesting at the start
jaclyn_cyf10 October 2021
My favorite historical drama ever
bilalkamaran24 September 2019
My favorite historical drama ever. Song Joong Ki was a scene stealer even back then, so easy to see how he developed so quickly into a leading man. The second lead syndrome WAS STRONG with Yoo In Ahs character. Plot was familiar but very well done. Highly recommended if you aren't a huge fan of historic dramas, plot and OTP will keep you distracted from the hats :p
Loved It
elizabeta-754686 August 2018
Delightful!
elc200511 February 2024
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.
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.
not good enough
PennyReviews11 January 2018
Sometimes, these old dramas can prove to be gold. As the very first to start the trends of the popular themes in today's dramas, they have an innocence and a nostalgic note to them. However, Sungkyunkwan Scandal was just okay, and after a while, tiring. The story started really well, with an interesting plot and the theme was kind of original and cute. However, the story started to drag after a while. Plus, the leading lady was annoying (not her performance of course, she was really good, but her character was just...eh...) The dynamics of friendship were okay and nice, but the big Scandal didn't have the gravity that it should have unfortunately. So, 3 out of 10.
Sungkyunkwan Snoozefest
Park_Min1 January 2024
The drama felt like it was held together with duct tape. Unbelievably long and draggy for little to no story. Everything can be summed up with 6 episodes without compromising anything from the narrative. The drama was infested with pointless repetition that didn't serve any purpose other than stretching it thin. The romance, the identity reveal, and the secret all were too delayed to care about, instead of laying them out evenly. By then, you would be bored out of your mind with no interest left in anything. On another note, the directors weren't paying attention to Yoo Ah In at all, half of his dialogue was muffled and barely picked up my the mics. This isn't not how to make a character speak quietly.
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