I always waited for this day to come. Me, writing a review for one of the best saeguk (meaning: historical) dramas in 2010. Actually, it would be an understatement to say that it was one of the best historical dramas in 2010, because it actually was one of the best dramas (and I mean as a whole ^ ^) last year. I happened to adore Sungkyunkwan Scandal so much, and it will forever be in my list of favorites. I was supposed to write something about it late last year after it ended but because I was in a blogging hiatus (had to minimize going online since because of the NLE last December) to be able to spend more time studying, I thought I had no choice but to postpone it. But since I have a very big love for this drama, I will still recap the things that I liked best about it. (Actually, I like everything about it! LOL! ^    ^)

Drama facts first. Sungkyunkwan is a university of higher learning in Korea, and is one of the most prestigious and recognized schools in Korea even up to this day, which was established in 1398. This series was actually adapted from a popular Korean novel The Lives of Sungkyunkwan Confucian Scholars by Jung Eun Gweol. The author by far has published a two part book series for this one, and this series has so far covered the first book by the aforementioned author. A second season however, which is contained in the second book is still in talks as of now, after the success of the drama. Honestly speaking, I am not sure if this is likely to happen anytime soon knowing that most of the leads from the drama have been confirmed for various other projects and the like. As a fan, I can only hope. But who knows what the future holds, right? I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for a season two of this wonderful drama. :)

For starters, let me introduce you to the main cast of this amazing drama. Starting of with boyband member turned actor Micky Yoochun (Real name: Park Yoochun). As many of you know, he was a former member of the popular 5 member group TVXQ/DBSK. Now, he is with JYJ together with 2 other former DBSK/TVXQ members, while the remaining 2 have stayed where they are. He had a very successful 2010, I must say. After crossing over to acting, he received a lot of attention and praise for playing the lead role so well. 

Next is of course the female lead, who is none other than Park Minyoung. A talented and pretty actress who is one of the most popular and in demand actresses in Korea. She was actually in the 2008 drama I Am Sam with Lee Min Ho (who will star with her again on the upcoming 2011 drama City Hunter) and Bigbang's TOP. This drama allowed her to establish her name as a well-loved and popular actress due to the tremendous love that was given to her by the viewers.

Coming up is Yoo Ah In. Before this drama, I didn't really know that much about him, expect the fact that he was Kim So Eun's first onscreen kiss partner in the drama The Man Who Can't Get Married. This drama also solidified his status as a good actor, I must say. He landed on such a good role you will surely love, and you will know that if you have watched or when you watch the series. ^    ^

Lastly, we have Song Joong Ki. Yes, the adorable Song Joong Ki. Honestly, I've had a crush on him since I saw Triple, a 2007 drama where he starred with Min Hyo Rin. He was just so adorable back then. Yes, he was. And he still is now. Ah! I don't have anything left to say, he is just too cute for words.

__________________________________________________________________________________

This drama was way beyond amazing. Why? Because it broke a lot of stereotypes for me. Things I thought weren't so cool and yet turned out to be really interesting and appealing to see in the end.

#1.ALL SAEGUK (HISTORICAL) DRAMAS WERE BORING, which definitely wasn't the case for this one. For the first time ever, I have liked a historical drama. (A genree I have always shunned for as long as I could remember.^   ^) I didn't know a drama, despite having a Joseon Dynasty backdrop, would be so appealing, as I was drawn to watch it every Monday and Tuesday despite my poor Korean. I was so engrossed in it so I watched even without English subtitles for the most part. And if there were some things I did not understand, I would watch it again. Haha! I know it's crazy, but I couldn't help but do that to be honest. Mondays and Tuesdays were so empty without a dose of Sungkyunkwan Scandal, so I had to stream it during its actual Korean airing time. After a week, subbing teams released English hard subbed versions, so I re-watched the episodes all over again.

#2.That I would shun the overused plot of A GIRL DISGUISING AS A BOY around an all male environment. Drama fans might feel the same way. Hana Kimi, Coffee Prince and You're Beautiful did that. And all were surprisingly popular in varying degrees. This one, as well, despite the plot being overrated, managed to do well in ratings, and turned the four leads into instant stars in the entertainment industry. Don't you wonder why this formula always works? Throw in a pretty girl disguising as a boy with a group of cute or better yet, hot men. And the result, well, stellar ratings! People never seem to get tired of that kind of storyline. It has been one of the most overused plots aside from the rich boy meets the poor girl type of romance. I have tried to shun away from these kind of plots for quite some time now, (Thank God, deep within me, I wavered! Haha!) but then, I gave it a chance. And I'm happy I did, or else I would not have seen such a good drama like this.

#3.MICKY YOOCHUN. The stereotype that someone you thought you wouldn't like would actually turn out to be someone you would really like. ^    ^ Don't get me wrong, I like TVXQ. I like their music, and I love Yunho. ^   ^ But honestly speaking, Yoochun was my least favorite member among the five of them. But when Sungkyunkwan Scandal came, I suddenly fell off my chair and ate all the words I said. Suddenly, all that I blabbered about was him, and I didn't realize that little by little, I was slowly getting into the spell that is Micky Yoochun. He was just so...Grrrrrrr! I don't even have the words to describe him at all. I loved his character in the drama, and it eventually made me like him as a person. And now that he is confirmed for another drama, I'll be sure to watch it of course. ^    ^

A historical drama and an overused storyline sure is a bummer. But Sungkyunkwan Scandal proved me wrong. It made me realize that a series can have all the cliches in the world, but just as long as it has all the right elements, it will turn out to be amazing. And it indeed was. Yoochun and Min Young's chemistry was amazing. Yoo Ah In and Song Joong Ki were great. Aside from the characters, there was a certain charm to the series itself which made it refreshing. Why? Because it was a historical 'teen' drama. Take note, a teen drama. When you thought you wouldn't get a glimpse of how the 14th century Korean teenagers were, this drama gives you more than what you could ever imagine. It also touches on a lot of subjects like history, politics, humanities, and it's related disciplines. The drama also shows a lot of idealism and love for one's country. I like the fact that the characters have very clear principles in life, and that for the first time, the female lead was not dumb nor easy to bully or very submissive. Get ready to experience it first hand, and find out while legions of Asian drama fans went gaga over it! I assure you, it's definitely worth your time. :)

Check out some of the drama's OST below!

(Most of my favorites are from JYJ. And as expected, everything is perfect. I promise you, they're all amazing! ^____^)

Credits: The Scandalous Team on Viki for the pictures.

I always waited for this day to come. Me, writing a review for one of the best saeguk (meaning: historical) dramas in 2010. Actually, it would be an understatement to say that it was one of the best historical dramas in 2010, because it actually was one of the best dramas (and I mean as a whole ^ ^) last year. I happened to adore Sungkyunkwan Scandal so much, and it will forever be in my list of favorites. I was supposed to write something about it late last year after it ended but because I was in a blogging hiatus (had to minimize going online since because of the NLE last December) to be able to spend more time studying, I thought I had no choice but to postpone it. But since I have a very big love for this drama, I will still recap the things that I liked best about it. (Actually, I like everything about it! LOL! ^    ^)

Drama facts first. Sungkyunkwan is a university of higher learning in Korea, and is one of the most prestigious and recognized schools in Korea even up to this day, which was established in 1398. This series was actually adapted from a popular Korean novel The Lives of Sungkyunkwan Confucian Scholars by Jung Eun Gweol. The author by far has published a two part book series for this one, and this series has so far covered the first book by the aforementioned author. A second season however, which is contained in the second book is still in talks as of now, after the success of the drama. Honestly speaking, I am not sure if this is likely to happen anytime soon knowing that most of the leads from the drama have been confirmed for various other projects and the like. As a fan, I can only hope. But who knows what the future holds, right? I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for a season two of this wonderful drama. :)

For starters, let me introduce you to the main cast of this amazing drama. Starting of with boyband member turned actor Micky Yoochun (Real name: Park Yoochun). As many of you know, he was a former member of the popular 5 member group TVXQ/DBSK. Now, he is with JYJ together with 2 other former DBSK/TVXQ members, while the remaining 2 have stayed where they are. He had a very successful 2010, I must say. After crossing over to acting, he received a lot of attention and praise for playing the lead role so well. 

Next is of course the female lead, who is none other than Park Minyoung. A talented and pretty actress who is one of the most popular and in demand actresses in Korea. She was actually in the 2008 drama I Am Sam with Lee Min Ho (who will star with her again on the upcoming 2011 drama City Hunter) and Bigbang's TOP. This drama allowed her to establish her name as a well-loved and popular actress due to the tremendous love that was given to her by the viewers.

Coming up is Yoo Ah In. Before this drama, I didn't really know that much about him, expect the fact that he was Kim So Eun's first onscreen kiss partner in the drama The Man Who Can't Get Married. This drama also solidified his status as a good actor, I must say. He landed on such a good role you will surely love, and you will know that if you have watched or when you watch the series. ^    ^

Lastly, we have Song Joong Ki. Yes, the adorable Song Joong Ki. Honestly, I've had a crush on him since I saw Triple, a 2007 drama where he starred with Min Hyo Rin. He was just so adorable back then. Yes, he was. And he still is now. Ah! I don't have anything left to say, he is just too cute for words.

__________________________________________________________________________________

This drama was way beyond amazing. Why? Because it broke a lot of stereotypes for me. Things I thought weren't so cool and yet turned out to be really interesting and appealing to see in the end.

#1.ALL SAEGUK (HISTORICAL) DRAMAS WERE BORING, which definitely wasn't the case for this one. For the first time ever, I have liked a historical drama. (A genree I have always shunned for as long as I could remember.^   ^) I didn't know a drama, despite having a Joseon Dynasty backdrop, would be so appealing, as I was drawn to watch it every Monday and Tuesday despite my poor Korean. I was so engrossed in it so I watched even without English subtitles for the most part. And if there were some things I did not understand, I would watch it again. Haha! I know it's crazy, but I couldn't help but do that to be honest. Mondays and Tuesdays were so empty without a dose of Sungkyunkwan Scandal, so I had to stream it during its actual Korean airing time. After a week, subbing teams released English hard subbed versions, so I re-watched the episodes all over again.

#2.That I would shun the overused plot of A GIRL DISGUISING AS A BOY around an all male environment. Drama fans might feel the same way. Hana Kimi, Coffee Prince and You're Beautiful did that. And all were surprisingly popular in varying degrees. This one, as well, despite the plot being overrated, managed to do well in ratings, and turned the four leads into instant stars in the entertainment industry. Don't you wonder why this formula always works? Throw in a pretty girl disguising as a boy with a group of cute or better yet, hot men. And the result, well, stellar ratings! People never seem to get tired of that kind of storyline. It has been one of the most overused plots aside from the rich boy meets the poor girl type of romance. I have tried to shun away from these kind of plots for quite some time now, (Thank God, deep within me, I wavered! Haha!) but then, I gave it a chance. And I'm happy I did, or else I would not have seen such a good drama like this.

#3.MICKY YOOCHUN. The stereotype that someone you thought you wouldn't like would actually turn out to be someone you would really like. ^    ^ Don't get me wrong, I like TVXQ. I like their music, and I love Yunho. ^   ^ But honestly speaking, Yoochun was my least favorite member among the five of them. But when Sungkyunkwan Scandal came, I suddenly fell off my chair and ate all the words I said. Suddenly, all that I blabbered about was him, and I didn't realize that little by little, I was slowly getting into the spell that is Micky Yoochun. He was just so...Grrrrrrr! I don't even have the words to describe him at all. I loved his character in the drama, and it eventually made me like him as a person. And now that he is confirmed for another drama, I'll be sure to watch it of course. ^    ^

A historical drama and an overused storyline sure is a bummer. But Sungkyunkwan Scandal proved me wrong. It made me realize that a series can have all the cliches in the world, but just as long as it has all the right elements, it will turn out to be amazing. And it indeed was. Yoochun and Min Young's chemistry was amazing. Yoo Ah In and Song Joong Ki were great. Aside from the characters, there was a certain charm to the series itself which made it refreshing. Why? Because it was a historical 'teen' drama. Take note, a teen drama. When you thought you wouldn't get a glimpse of how the 14th century Korean teenagers were, this drama gives you more than what you could ever imagine. It also touches on a lot of subjects like history, politics, humanities, and it's related disciplines. The drama also shows a lot of idealism and love for one's country. I like the fact that the characters have very clear principles in life, and that for the first time, the female lead was not dumb nor easy to bully or very submissive. Get ready to experience it first hand, and find out while legions of Asian drama fans went gaga over it! I assure you, it's definitely worth your time. :)

Check out some of the drama's OST below!

(Most of my favorites are from JYJ. And as expected, everything is perfect. I promise you, they're all amazing! ^____^)

Credits: The Scandalous Team on Viki for the pictures.