YazQuan

I loved this drama. Every time I think of it, I get good feelings. One of the best historical dramas I've watched. I was just ready for it at the right time. Great actors, not overly dramatic--just the right amount of drama, comedy , romance--everything seemed perfect. It's been a couple of years and I think I really do need to watch it again. You should at least try it--It's totally worth it! Enjoy!

Watching this gives me the worst second lead syndrome ever.

Just now I realized Ha In Soo is Ha Ji Won's younger brother. So sad... ):

this is pretty much the only drama I had second lead syndrome to...i just really did not vibe with the male lead. but moon jae shin....i love him and felt he had better chemistry with the FL (that might just be me loving yoo ah in though) LOL

one of the few KDRAMA series that I love every single one of its characters. I was literally crying in every episode....love love love love it...xoxoxoxo

Alright in complete honesty I only watched this because I heard the bromance was great. And it was! (It really was!!) But the rest of it was lovely too. I love the 4 mains and the bonds they forged, and how loyal they were to each other. The side characters were great too, I particularly liked that one trio of scholars and the 3 Soron musketeers. It was fun to watch, and while it did not have the most consistent of storylines, it still managed to keep my attention all the way through by way of the bonds between the Jalgeum 4 alone. Loved the OSTs too, especially that one instrumental one with the flute. Overall, I enjoyed the drama, especially the parts with Gu Yong Ha, who is an absolute treasure.

I gotta say though, the ending was rushed as hell! What happened to Cho Sun in the end? And to Ha In Soo? And to the king's dream? Does Yoon Hee being a professor mean she's still pretending to be a man? Or did they allow her to be a female professor? And what about Hyo Eun and the whole engagement thing? (I'm assuming it was cancelled?) Why did Sun Joon have a mustache? And did he and Yoon Hee marry? And Hong Byeok Seo! Did they just give up on finding him? A lot of things were very unclear, not a very strong ending. Still a pretty good drama tho.

What prejudice should we leave?

Song Joong Ki has a bromance with Yoo Ah In. He has some friendly moments with Park Min Young though. The only historical drama of his that has a romance with a female is Arthdal Chronicles (this is not Joseon drama but pre-historical/fantasy, he's the main lead here too). You might have seen a fanmade/edit video.

This drama has produced some of the most successful and prolific stars in Korea, Park MinYoung, Song JoongKi and Yoo Ah In.
If only Yoochun did not fall into scandals he could have reached that same level of status in the industry.
He was actually one of the pioneer idol turned actor who's proven himself and overcame the hate and prejudice against idol-turned-actor back then.
Regardless of that, this series will remain a classic. I remember repeatedly watching a collection of JoongKi's winks as YongHa in Youtube back then.

I'm on Episode 7 and still don't know why everyone are annoyed with FL. She showed a lot of Character in just 7 Episodes... She's also strong and smart I can't wait to see what she can do more in the next following episodes

Thanks for that. I know it's common in Kdramas for the MLs to start off like unlikeable for a bigger character arc - but there is a a real risk of turning people off completely. Will check in again!

Park Yoo Chun's character. Song Joong Ki is not even Yoo Chun's rival here, but Yoo Ah In. Song Joong Ki's character is kinda flirt here though, he has moments with Park Min Young. He also has a bromance with Yoo Ah In that is worth to watch. Yoo Ah In may not be so popular among kdrama fans, but that's because he focuses more on movies. Yoo Ah In's 2018 movie Burning was shortlisted for the Oscars (not nominated, but considered an Oscar nomination).

Old dramas like this tend to have a habit of overusing tropes. Like most of the plot of this one is one trope after another stretched out through an episode or two. There’s nothing wrong with doing this but it does make the actual end result feel like a teenage drama. I mean this drama takes place in what is basically a University yet the students act like 15 year olds. Only high schools have student body presidents and I’m pretty sure that Sungkyunkwon never did, but I’m gunna check that and get back to this comment.

But when you throw all this stuff into a drama meant for adults it becomes a little condescending… I mean it would be fine it this was a high school drama or even a modern University k drama but it’s not >< I’m wondering wether this drama had ppl complaining about the way it portrayed the school, because it makes it look like a frat house and not a prestigious learning institution XD I get it’s a drama but we’ve seen other dramas getting hate for portraying history wrongly plenty of times.

Anyway, let me know if you know wether this drama had problems because of portrayal?

I’m enjoying the drama, I just like to complain ^^

2 days rewatching this remind me when I was young watched on TV and how I love relationship yeorim and geol oh, and how funny remember they were the first male-male won award in best couple category, really like their friendship, really wish Yo Ah In and Song Joong Ki play together again in one project~~~~~~

*Wink wink*.. “na Goo Yong Ha daa.. .” hahahaha