A Slow Watch Until The Last 3 Episodes
Oh dear, I have just completed this drama and truly had mixed feelings about it. Can't say I loved it, but I didn't dislike it. The story had many flaws in it (for the serious viewers) and it is a slow watch. However, the young at heart who enjoy sailing through fluffy romantic 17 episodes, may find this drama delightful. It was personally a difficult watch for me, until the burst of the final 3 episodes which played out really well. All emotions which were to be felt, was felt.The message I got out of this drama is that love does happen in it's own time, regardless of age. And who are we to judge? In these modern times in Korea, where culture, traditions and stereotypical relationships are still primarily looked upon highly, this drama kinda "broke that glass ceiling". We just love who we love, and instead of judging, there will be more grace and happiness if we choose to embrace it. The message of friendship is also very good sharing between school mates, office mates and family relationships etc...
Then comes Seo In Guk who did a really good job playing Lee Ming Suk, an 18 year old high school student who has a confident and positive outlook in life. He takes responsibilities for pursuing and loving Jung Soo Young (played by Lee Ha Na) who is 10 years his senior working going through a series of events started by Ming Suk's brother. It was enjoyable to see this side of Seo In Guk, in a happy romantic story for a change. Though, it is his seemingly cool macho attitude that we enjoy most in his other dramas. But, In Guk did not let us down on his performance for High School King of Savvy.
I will most probably not watch this drama again, and will think twice if I should recommend my friends, unless he/she is a die-hard Seo In Guk fan, then you will enjoy his cuteness from beginning to end. He is just that good.
Cheers! K-Drama Forever!
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Firstly, I'd like to address several of the aspects of the show that (from what I've seen) are fairly controversial; starting with the female lead. I've noticed that many people dislike the female lead because, to put it bluntly, she's spineless and a pushover. I'm not going to spend a lot of time talking about her, but I will say that I've seen worse. She was definitely (for the most part) a weak character, but she had her merits and I wasn't bothered too much by her. I don't think that Lee Ha Na's acting was bad either. I think it was just the way the character was written. She wasn't my favorite character, but she had her good points and she definitely didn't ruin the drama for me.
Secondly, High School King of Savvy is known for its noona romance theme. This is actually the first noona romance that I've been able to complete and I was pleased to find that it didn't make me too uncomfortable. If I really think about it, it's a little odd, but this is dramaland and anything can happen. There are definitely situations in this show that are unrealistic and maybe not socially acceptable, but aside from that, it's pretty ok. I think it helped that both members of the main couple were fairly childish and naive in their own ways.
Anyway, aside from that I really enjoyed the show. If I could give you one reason to watch High School King of Savvy it would be Seo in Guk. He was the star of the show (literally and figuratively). This is my first time seeing him play the male lead, and he did a fantastic job. He was so expressive and put on a wonderful performance! I adored him in this role.
Lee Soo Hyuk was a great second male lead as well. He was probably one of the most complex characters in the show and I actually really liked him. Sure, he was a terrible person sometimes, but I didn't want to strangle him (most of the time). I loved that he was interesting and had the classic second-male-lead-sob-backstory/family problems, but these things didn't take over the main plot. His character had a lot of depth and I have mixed feelings about him in the best way. I really like Lee Soo Hyuk as an actor and he did a great job in this role.
The music wasn't especially memorable for me. But I did enjoy it. The songs were catchy and fit the show, they just won't leave a lasting impression in my mind.
Overall I really enjoyed High School King of Savvy. If anything, it was very entertaining and fun to watch. It's not a show to analyze, but it's a perfect easy watch. It's dramatic without being overwhelming and it's lots of fun. Despite it's flaws, I really enjoyed it and thought that it was worth watching!
My Video Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0N6a7iabPA
Was this review helpful to you?
As usual, the writer will make the r/s growing in the drama that their characters also develop. I dislike the little sister coz she is a little nuts i think, female lead is too weak but i guess it is just her personality, but she is kind hearted. So for people who dislike weak female character, stay away from this drama.
All in all, yeah, just put aside some logic and u will enjoy the show coz the humors are charming.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Watch me slowly spiral over this drama :)
Up to ep 10: So far, very enjoyable plot. The character dynamics are definitely the highlight of the show. It has typical character tropes from kdramas of the 2010s but they never overuse them in a way that the characters become unbearable or annoying. However, if I had to nitpick, the female lead definitely be dumb and has you questioning how she can be so naive and gullible but I don’t think it ever gets to the extent where I find her to be unlikeable. OKAY BUT THIS IS WHERE I'M LIKE NO RN bc it harbours on character dynamics. THE ROMANCE BETWEEN THE ML AND FL! BIG NO FROM ME SIS! While I def felt that the show did not necessarily push the romance in our faces, I don’t like to see it. The way the drama openly shows romantic scenes when the ML is a LITERAL MINOR gives me the biggest ick. I would have never saw their initial dynamic to be that of romantic affection but rather the ML appreciating and acknowledging the FL’s kindness and pure heart. SO WHEN THEY GOT TOGETHER AND FRICKING KISSED I LITERALLY GAGGED. It’s even more gross bc they establish the ML’s personality to be immature and very much the spirit of a high schooler so well, that there is no way I am able to accept their romance. LIKE NO WAY. So this is where we are, them dating and her just finding out. Despite this, I’m enjoying the show. But ik I’m def gonna deduct at least a 0.5 rating for having to witness a minor-adult relationship.Up to ep 13: Ok so I’ve actually lost it. I can’t believe she’s actually dating a minor. LIKE GIRL EVEN IF U WAIT IT'S CALLED GROOMING! WHO TF CAME UP WITH THIS PLOT. I do love the sister dynamic tho. But omg they really are trying to push this very illegal relationship onto us now and trying to make us root for it BUT NO FUCKING WAY AM I GONNA ROOT FOR THEM LIKE BFFR??!!
Final: OMG THIS DRAMA FELL OFF SO BAD IN THE LAST FEW EPISODES. Ok for one, the couple got a happy ending which I will ONCE AGAIN SAY IS COMPLETELY ILLEGAL!!!!! WHY DID NO ONE AROUND THEM TALK ABOUT THIS! THE FEMALE LEAD NEEDS TO BE LOCKED UP ASAP LIKE WTF! In all the conversations about their relationship not being feasible or a bad idea, it always revolved around his age and his immaturity and that he’s a high schooler on a surface level discussion. The conversation always centred around him and not her, when she is the literal adult in the relationship. The drama made it even worse by having them get married, like girl what????? Ok my extreme problem with the relationship aside, because of their heavy focus on the relationship and trying to convince us that it’s totally okay, they scrappily handled the other plot points. More time could have been dedicated to these much more interesting plot points than the romance. The main appeal of the first half was definitely not the romance and it seems the writer didn’t understand that as they focused sooooo much on it in the latter half. For one, the older brother ‘s return was poorly done. Why did he just disappear and be uncontactable even though he’s back in Korea??? And the explanation for why he bailed was lame. They made the brother out to be such an ass for the way he would just simply not show up for his family. And then to have him leave without acknowledging the father or saying goodbye properly even tho in his email to his younger brother, he talks about regrets by missing out on time with them??? Make it make sense!! And the whole brother's revenge on the company felt so rushed. Clearly we have a bad man but it wasn’t set up like that, so clearly the writer had a dilemma of having to protect the company or destroying it to take the “villain (but not really villain bc they set it up so bad)” down. So when he decides to back out of the revenge, it just comes out as anti-climatic. But if the alternative were to happen, then it would harm all the characters we have come to root for.
Overall, the direction this drama went in in the second half damn pissed me the fuck off and it’s such a shame bc I feel like it had a pretty strong start.
Was this review helpful to you?
This drama is my favourite kdrama of the year. I watched this drama when it actually started airing on tv, and I think this is the only drama that I watched from start to finish that I enjoyed every single episode of. At first I thought the storyline was a bit dumb, I mean how can a 26 year old play an 18 year old, and I had not heard of the other actors in the show, so I was expecting much. I think the writer, director and all actors did an awesome job, the drama had the perfect ending. Would definitely watch again, actually I've already watched it twice haha.
Would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, sweet drama with awesome acting and a great storyline and ending.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Great drama and happy ending for main leads.Ending also had a montage showing our couple’s progression passes by as Soo-young narrates her final thoughts:
Soo-young: It could be that fate doesn’t come to those who sit around and wait for it.
Real fate comes when you discover it, when you take the courage to choose it; then it comes to you as a gift.
So with the person I’ve chosen as my fate, I’m loving with all my heart and I’m living my life to the fullest as the cool and confident modern woman, Jung Soo-young.
Finale episode was great, especially the wedding one of the best scenes in kdramas
I also enjoyed the ending of episode 12 when Soo Joung embraces male lead, and tells him what she truly feels after she already found out who he really was.
She doesn’t care if he’s 28 or 18, or if he’s Lee Hyung-seok or Lee Min-seok.
“I love you like crazy.”
This was truly a great drama, and gonna miss many great things from this drama, that it cannot be found easily in other dramas to compare it.
I enjoyed male lead, Min seok's growing love and attention towards female lead, Soo Young.
Many people had the chance to grow and develop throughout the drama, especially female lead a lot, as male lead helped to bring the best out of her.
Female lead's mother even accepted him to marry her daughter despite 10year gap, as Soo young’s mother said, "Min-seok had created such a tight-knit group of friends and allies because of who he was, and that’s no small feat and proved himself to be a great man."
In the end, the drama wasnt about the matter of true love or overcoming age gaps or any other barriers.
It was about being fiercely loyal, unapologetically passionate, and embracing the vulnerabilities because someone’s always got your back.
++
There are many great things that I am gonna miss from this drama, many great characters, and the workplace dynamic was great, and all members of Retail Team were amazing, as one of the best characters, Team Leader Kim supporting male lead every episode even when male lead acted like a troublemaker.
Great performances by Seo In-guk and Lee Ha Na.
Wonderful chemistry, and they brought out each other’s charms and fed off of each other to create such an oddly perfect couple
They were loving, vulnerable, supportive, brave, loyal, and if anything, they were generous.
I consider them one of the best couples ever in kdramas.
Was this review helpful to you?
Trust me, It's Worth Watching
Honestly I don't write reviews but ppl in comments are so negative about FL and the drama itself... I see most of the rating has went down becoz of it...I feel the drama is HIDDEN GEM... It's such an underrated drama
Talking about story, it was good we got to see smth new where a kid playing dual roles... ofcourse which is not possible irl so pls remember It's drama... I was smiling and giggling the whole time becoz of the Humor... The ending of the drama felt rushed and I was intrested in lives of other characters too... Their was just a glimpse about other side characters life... but the Ending was not smth I was expecting.... I wanted th ML to get matured enough before making big decisions... The ending was unexpected...
FLs acting was Good... Idk why ppl are so against her... She was portraying a slow character who's a bit dull but she is helpful hardworking and understanding... I loved her character... The cast was perfect I loved the acting of all the cast members... MLs acting was so so good it was shown well that he is young that cheekiness shown by ML... gosh he's acting was JUST SO GOOD!
Cinematography was kind of Okay not that bad or good I was not expecting it to be best as it's a 2014 drama... But some scenes were soo raw like you can see ppl who are blurred out looking at camera in the crowds... Also scenes were there are passerby crossing the camera...
OSTs and BGMs were Good but like JUST GOOD... The sounds of the random background shit happening it was really irritating... like sound of shoes while waking or simply breathing... Honestly I didn't felt the sound quality was best....
Overall the Drama is Really Good and worth the time....it's Humorous with an emotional roller-coaster ride.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Male leads do not disappoint, But Age gap too wide.last 5 episodes are tedious & serious
I watched this in 2024. I really wanted to see this because both Seo In Guk & Lee Soo Hyuk were in it . (I Have to say: they do not seem to have aged !) Both male leads do not disappoint, [nor do they stray far from how they are generally typecast]. my problem with this drama is that I had to keep lowering the bar for my ethics & comfort zone. The10 year age gap between the leads is really unacceptable . Jo Han Chul is incredibly irritating with too much screen time. Thankfully, Kim Won Hae is reigned in a good bit so at least he is not as irritating as Jo Han Chul. One episode is all hockey. There's too much family melodrama. What really sunk my happiness boat was the last 5 episodes. Things got tedious & serious. A death, rehashing things [that had been resolved previously.] Female lead keeping secrets after a big scene where she declares total honesty. Tired Tropes of supposed noble sacrifice that were totally just insecurity & fear of rejection. There is a happy ending but it was rushed-which was meant to be comedic, but failed so they added on a 3 year time skip into the future that should have come 4 episodes sooner. I wanted to love this & I'd like to think that with a good editing down to 11 episodes that this could be great, but over all, in the end, the female lead being so much older and the male lead being 18 during the bulk of the plot- yeah, just doesn't workWas this review helpful to you?
Light-hearted and fun
Seo In Guk, as always, truly special. I especially enjoyed his progression into maturity when he was dropped into the work place. Lee Ha Na's character was older than him, but she was very immature, so they worked together. the physical comedy was wonderful. I loved all the various friendships at work, at school, and at home. My favorite scene of the whole show was when he left school and found her waiting for him outside the gate. Sigh...so romantic. I downgraded the show only for the ending. Once they decided to get married the whole thing became a big old mess.Was this review helpful to you?
A funny cliche to make you laugh!
Finally I finished this cutie and I'm pretty happy to see a cliche that isn't cheesy or boring. "High School King Of Savvy" is a refreshing comedy to the silly ones like me.
Starting from the characters, I will say that Min Suk is the second best character of Seo In Guk for me until now. The way how he put all the stereotypes of an eighteen years old boy in such believable form makes me think that he really had eighteen and was just being himself. Min Suk was intense, adorable, funny... I'm almost thirty as Jung Soo Yeong, and I think I would easily fall in love with a young guy like him (mostly if he had the face of Seo In Guk). The personality of Jung Soo Young matched totally with Min Suk, and I'm so happy that they didn't make a transformation in her appearance! Min Suk falls for her because of her weirdness and she stayed like this until the end. Soo Young was one of my favorite female leads. She was tough, even when she seems so fragile and silly. I loved her personality and the way how she perseverates in what she wanted. The last episode was the most incredible to see these things. Seo In Guk and Lee Ha Na were amazing and their chemistry captivated me little by little, even this kind of plot involving underage disturbing me a little bit.
The support roles were also pretty fun. Lee Soo Hyuk and Lee Yeol Eum didn't have much time on the screen, but they had their charms. I liked Lee Yeol Eum's role, she was definitely the cute stalker, and I would like to see more of her interfering in the couple. I had the sensation of a too-easy resolution. An honorable mention to my harabeoji, the greatest grandpa ever! Another honorable mention to my favorite bromance ever, Seo In Guk and Lee Soo Hyuk <3
As I said, this drama is a big cliche of switching places but is a pretty fun and cute one. The perfect type of drama to clean your palate and laugh a lot. Inside its proposal, I'll put this in the position of a good one, almost an amazing one! (★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★/2) The cliches and some holes in the script (like the fact of Min Suk sees Soo Young and Yoo Ah in the neighborhood and after that forget that she was her sister) made me decrease some points, but it's still a good drama to enjoy.
See you soon!
XOXO, Mari.
Was this review helpful to you?
