Sungkyunkwan Scandal

Would have given 8 stars, but the last 5 episodes was super dragging that made me almost bored with watching it, hence reducing the star rating.

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

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.

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.

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.