Sungkyunkwan Scandal: Episode 19

186 November 10, 2010January 24, 2016

by girlfriday

Hold onto your wide-brimmed hats, people. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, and this train ain’t slowin’ down for no one. In this penultimate episode, Yong-ha gets outed, Jae-shin gets locked up, Sun-joon gets roasted as the sacrificial lamb, and Yoon-hee gets found out…FINALLY. Looks like we’re headed into the finale with eyes wide open and hands in the air.

LESSON 19 RECAP

Yoon-hee searches the shrine, but comes up empty handed. Sun-joon races inside to find her, relieved that she’s unharmed. As he goes in for a hug, he notes that she’s wearing her couple ring around her neck.

Outside, Jae-shin is being filleted by the sword, trying to keep the soldiers at bay. He fights back, even while his chest is sliced open (Okay, I know you’re a badass, but WTF, Show?) and somehow manages to slip away.

Yong-ha appears just in time with some backup, and has Jae-shin carried safely into Sungkyunkwan. He lays his beloved down oh-so gently. Sorry. I can’t help it. It’s just such a tender moment.

Yoon-hee waits impatiently outside, worry and panic setting in.

Meanwhile, In-soo and his father receive word that the Red Messenger has escaped, and In-soo decides to take matters into his own hands. He leads the soldiers and marches into Sungkyunkwan, laws be damned, to arrest Jae-shin himself. The Sungkyunkwan sentries protest, but In-soo pulls his weight as the student body president, and declares that he’s given the soldiers license to enter.

He orders them to search for the injured Red Messenger, and the geum-deung-jisa while they’ve gained access inside. They turn the campus upside-down, putting all the students on edge, and feeling that their safe haven…isn’t so safe anymore.

They finally amass outside of Yong-ha’s room, and In-soo questions Yoon-hee about the Red Messenger. Yong-ha hears them coming and makes a move to head them off, but Sun-joon stops him. He tells Yong-ha that In-soo can’t be stopped by sly words this time, and declares that he’ll get arrested in Jae-shin’s place.

Yong-ha can’t believe that Sun-joon is willing to be framed as the Red Messenger, but he answers that it’s his way of upholding his faith in the Joseon that he believes in. Aw, you should’ve just confessed your love for Guh-ro. We know that’s the real reason.

Even Yong-ha is impressed with Sun-joon’s ~~love~~, ~~devotion~~, er…sacrifice for Guh-ro, and that’s saying a lot.

In-soo makes a move toward the door, but Yong-ha bursts out, telling him to stop. He grabs In-soo by the arm, and reminds him that all the students are looking on. In-soo doesn’t care, and plans to abuse his power publicly. He nods for the soldiers to go inside.

They delare that the Red Messenger is inside, and then come out with Sun-joon as their captive. Both Yoon-hee and In-soo stare gobsmacked, and Yong-ha puts his hand on Yoon-hee’s shoulder, to let her know that it’s going to be okay.

They watch silently, unable to do anything as Sun-joon gets carted away to jail for being the Red Messenger. Even In-soo, who knows that Jae-shin is the man they’re looking for, can’t stop his father from taking Sun-joon in this power play.

Back inside, Yong-ha assures Yoon-hee that Sun-joon will be okay. He never would’ve agreed to the plan if Sun-joon wouldn’t be protected by his father’s political position. Jae-shin stirs awake and asks angrily what’s going on. He’s about as happy as you’d expect, to hear that Sun-joon got carted off to jail to protect him, and tries to get his sliced ass out of bed to go knock Sun-joon around for trying to be a hero.

Yong-ha and Yoon-hee remind him that he is near death and would surely die if he were to spend the night in jail. Jae-shin pounds his fist, angry that his super-human body isn’t…more super-human. Sheesh. Heroes.

Yong-ha adds that In-soo crossed a line, bringing soldiers into Sungkyunkwan. He’ll see to it that this infringement doesn’t go unpunished. After all, he’s Gu Yong-ha.

In-soo discovers that his father plans to make Sun-joon into the Red Messenger, regardless of the truth. It’s interesting to see him balk at that, because despite being Eeeeevil, In-soo cares that the real Red Messenger, Jae-shin, is captured and brought to justice. He may not be above breaking the rules to serve what he thinks is ultimately just, but he is above sending the wrong guy away for political gain. Good to know there are a few scruples in your bag.

Sun-joon’s father visits him in jail. He notes the ring on his son’s finger, and declares rather matter-of-factly that his son is choosing quite a rough road of rebellion, if all this is about what happened ten years ago to Jae-shin’s brother and Yoon-hee’s father. He says that he isn’t the guilty party in that incident, which Sun-joon acknowledges, but adds that he did cover it up for ten years afterward. He says with no remorse that he is simply following the path that his father taught him. Ouch.

The next morning, Yoon-hee and Yong-ha pace back and forth over how to proceed, when Jae-shin appears, declaring that he’ll go make it right, since no one would believe that the bumbling idiot they have in custody is actually the Red Messenger. Heh.

But Yoon-hee’s not having any of that. She stands in his path, hands stretched as far as they reach. It’s comical how cute it is, because physically it’s ridiculous that she would actually be able to block his path, but it’s not so much her size, but her gesture that gives him pause. She declares, tears in her eyes, that there’s someone who took his place; she won’t forgive him if he doesn’t honor that sacrifice. Oooh. Nice. Good way to get it through his thick heroic skull.

She adds, “Because…for you…I would’ve done the same.”

Siiiiiiigh. Why aren’t you two making babies yet? You’re killing me, Show.

Jae-shin smiles at her, moved, but ever still the oppa. He tells her to let him go anyway; someone’s got to make things right, especially since he found out that In-soo’s father, not Sun-joon’s, was the one who murdered their family members. She looks up at him wide-eyed, as he lifts the giant weight on her heart. You’re free to love him is what he says, but doesn’t say.

As he walks off, he turns back to remind Yong-ha to set the overthrowing of President In-soo in motion. Yong-ha smiles, “Of course. I’m…” Jae-shin smiles back, “That’s right. You’re Gu Yong-ha.”

Jae-shin heads for his father’s house, to ask for his help in setting Sun-joon free. He begs his father not to resort to the same tactics as the enemy, and when Daddy is unmoved, he shows him the gash in his chest, declaring that he’s going to confess to being the Red Messenger. Well that’s not very smart of you, now is it? He gets stopped by Daddy’s henchmen, since clearly he’s not about to give up his only remaining son in place of his enemy’s. Duh.

Yong-ha approaches In-soo in the schoolyard, and throws down the gauntlet. The student body is charging him with abuse of power in letting soldiers into Sungkyunkwan, and will be holding a hearing to strip him of his title.

In-soo doesn’t get ruffled in the least. He leans into Yong-ha’s ear to tell him that he doesn’t think Yong-ha will be going to that hearing, since if he does, the world will know that he is nothing but a merchant’s son dressed in a nobleman’s clothes. Yong-ha trembles at the words, letting his cool façade down in front of In-soo for the first time. He’s clearly shaken to his core, stunned to be faced with his biggest weakness, while In-soo smiles at him smugly.

He hears word that Jae-shin is trapped in his father’s house (gah, why did you even go there, stupid?), and Yoon-hee wonders if the student upheaval is their last resort. Yong-ha sighs, saying that even that might be a long shot now. He can’t bring himself to disappoint her with the words, so he just says that they might not succeed.

It’s time for In-soo’s trial, and Yong-ha hesitates, knowing the tidal wave that’s about to hit. But he remembers Sun-joon’s brave words before going to jail, and Jae-shin’s faith in him to set things in motion. He steels himself and walks out into the light.

In front of the student body, he faces off with In-soo, who does as he promised: he passes out evidence of Yong-ha’s merchant-class background. Shaking, Yong-ha turns towards his classmates and confesses: “I…am not a nobleman.” He admits to having been given the outer shell of a nobleman (metaphorically and literally, a nobleman’s clothes) by his father.

The students reel from the news, and pretty much skewer him for lying, and not being of noble birth. They basically make a complete 180, treating him like he’s the dirt beneath their feet. I know they’re supposed to be bigoted and hateful, but still, I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut.

Stripped of the right to challenge In-soo directly, he passes the torch onto Yoon-hee. He says it’s not because of his class, but because he was ashamed of himself. He grits his teeth, declaring that he’s no longer going to live that way.

Yoon-hee looks up at him proudly, with tears in her eyes. With that weight off his chest, he turns to In-soo boldly, tears brimming, “Your threats mean nothing to me now, Ha In-soo. This is Sungkyunkwan. And I…am Gu Yong-ha.”

Gu Yong-ha! Gu Yong-ha!

I love this moment of personal triumph for Yong-ha, overcoming his own demons while stepping up to do the right thing to save his friends.

He’s turned himself into an outcast, though, as he returns to his room and finds all of his belongings thrown to the curb, so to speak. Yoon-hee helps him clean up, and tells him that it must feel like a weight’s been taken off his shoulders. He replies that to live a lie means that you’re always prepared for some sort of consequence. This would be a great time for Yoon-hee to confess her own secret (not that he doesn’t know), but sigh…she doesn’t.

Yong-ha adds, showing a non-cynical side for the first time, that he truthfully helped look for the geum-deung-jisa in part because he really wanted to see, if that world where class doesn’t matter…could actually be a reality. He worries that he’s put too much on Yoon-hee’s shoulders now, but encourages her that she can do it.

She heads out to try and rally people for the cause, but they all dismiss her soundly, knowing that Yong-ha is behind it. In-soo comes by to bully her out of it, stating proudly that the old adage isn’t: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” He decides it’s: “He who wields power, MAKES a way.”

Yoon-hee doesn’t bat an eyelash as she spits back: “Then that power…I’ll have to make it mine.” Niiice. Love the cajones on this girl.

She asks Yong-ha how all the students could actually believe that Sun-joon is the Red Messenger, after having spent all this time with him at school. Yong-ha half-smiles at her, asking if she really thinks that time spent together means that people really know each other…when there are those who share a room, but don’t know how the other person feels. Aw, poor Jae-shin and his wounded puppy heart. Yoon-hee, of course, remains clueless on the matter, further proving Yong-ha’s point.

The headmaster sneaks over to offer his two cents: what they need is evidence, not to prove Sun-joon’s innocence per se, but to prove that the Red Messenger is still about, and therefore NOT Lee Sun-joon. Well, I knew you’d finally be good for something, silly old man.

Yong-ha and Yoon-hee initiate Mission: Rescue Boyfriends that night, their only hiccup being that Yong-ha is decidedly unhappy in plain black clothes. Ha. But one swift compliment from Yoon-hee is enough to alleviate his fashion worries.

Their first order of business: rescue Guh-ro. He’s being held captive in his father’s house, and Crazy Horse really is going crazy. He tears the room apart, screaming at the top of his lungs and still bleeding out of his gaping chest wound. Daddy finally comes in to throw his weight around, but Jae-shin just pleads with him to let Sun-joon go. He adds that retaliating like this, by framing Sun-joon…just makes him one of them.

Daddy Moon shows the same Crazy Horse anger brewing underneath the surface (like father like son), as he says that he’s been waiting patiently for ten years…for this day. It’s finally time to wield his power and protect his son (this time he means Jae-shin, not his brother).

But Jae-shin has finally seen the error of their ways, and cries out, “Will doing any of this bring hyung back?” Tears. Those aren’t mine, I swear. They’re someone else’s.

Tears streaming down his face, Jae-shin ekes out, “I…I was wrong. I was immature and thought that I was hurting more than you. I was wrong…Father.” Utter heartbreak. He pleads with his father to let Sun-joon go, because the two of them have yet to start in life. Daddy Moon is shaken, but doesn’t turn back or reply. Have you a heart of STONE, sir? Does everyone with Moon blood have to be a badass? Goddamn family of posturing males. Where’s Mom when you need her? He walks out without a word, leaving Jae-shin clutching his heart in tears.

Thankfully, it’s Gu Yong-ha to the rescue. He sends Soon-dol out as a decoy while he and Yoon-hee rush in to save the big hero from his daddy issues. Yong-ha rushes over, clutching Jae-shin’s face in his hands. Omo, kiss?

Damn, no kiss. A hug will have to suffice. Jae-shin tries to get out of the bromance explosion before he loses cool points in front of the lady, but there’s no stopping Yong-ha today. He clutches Jae-shin like it’s been years, not 24 hours since they’ve seen him last.

Yoon-hee explains with a laugh that even for Yong-ha, he was especially awesome today. So cut him some slack and let him hug you, dude.

When the guards report that Jae-shin’s friends have come to rescue him, Daddy Moon decides to let him go. Aw. You big ol’ softie. That must run in the family blood too.

Jae-shin writes a new note as the Red Messenger, proving that he isn’t Lee Sun-joon. They litter the town in red, stirring the soldiers.

The three of them head towards the jail to visit Sun-joon, and Yong-ha sends the other two ahead of him, to give them some alone time. Cute that he’s still so doggedly on Jae-shin’s side. Too bad that ship’s already sailed.

Yoon-hee cluelessly rattles on and on the entire way about Sun-joon: what he’s thinking, what if they’re too late, blah-de-blah, until Jae-shin can’t take it anymore. He finally stops her before he bleeds his heart out right in front of her, and tells her to go in without him.

It’s his final gesture to let her go. And it’s KILLING me. He adds as she turns to leave…

Jae-shin: Kim Yoon-shik. Have I ever told you? Thank you.
Yoon-hee: For what?
Jae-shin: You. Thank you, for you.

Sob. I mean, he’s too perfect, it’s almost ridiculous. Siiiiiiigh.

Yoon-hee finds Sun-joon sleeping in his cell, and looks at him longingly, dropping a silent tear as she gets up to leave. He stirs awake, rushing up to meet her. She cries as she touches his face, and he sees the ring, back on her finger. He asks for her forgiveness for his father, but she replies that forgiveness is not hers to give, because people can’t choose their parents. Right on. Please take note, kdramaland.

She tells him that what she can give is her heart…the heart of a girl…

…which is exactly what Hyo-eun overhears when she comes to visit her betrothed.

Oh crap.

Outside, Yong-ha catches up to Jae-shin, sighing at his hopeless lovelorn friend. He tells him to stop now, before it becomes a habit, and tells him to forget her. “Make this the last time…that you watch her from afar.”

The students gather to present their case to the king, and even Jae-shin comes dressed in his fancy Sunday best. Yoon-hee and Yong-ha take turns looking him up and down and it makes him so uncomfortable that he squirms. Yoon-hee’s eyes practically bug out of her head to see him looking so nice. You should’ve dressed this nicely from the start. Perhaps if you had bathed with more regularity, you woulda gotten the girl!

In-soo and his toadies show up to block the procession, to no effect. Yoon-hee charges ahead, leading the pack. Yong-ha reminds In-soo that they didn’t leave him; he threw Sungkyunkwan away first, even as Yong-ha warned him that the students were always watching. Even two of his most faithful lackeys leave him, the biggest sting coming from the bumbling idiot, who says that even he, the stupid one, knows that In-soo is wrong.

Yoon-hee leads the students to the palace, where they chant for Sun-joon to be set free, and plead their case to the king. Yoon-hee looks on at her classmates, proud and amazed at the power a group of vocal students can wield. It’s akin to the feeling you have at your first student protest, when the world is open and full of hope, and you feel for the first time that with enough people on your side, you could move mountains and change the world.

In voiceover, Yoon-hee speaks to her father:

Yoon-hee: You asked if it was right, to plant a desire in your daughter’s heart, knowing that she would never have the chance to see her dreams fulfilled. I want to ask: Here, today, as a woman, is it right to have the desires that I have? The new Joseon that you dreamt of, Father…what kind of world is it? In that place, are my dreams…no longer a sin?

She takes out her father’s puzzle, and it triggers a memory. She remembers it, as a child, and asking her father if it represented her. He had replied, “It’s you, and it’s hope.” With tears brimming in her eyes, she looks down at the solved puzzle to see an etching. It sends her running, to the door of Sungkyunkwan.

In-soo sits at home, brooding over his impending loss of status…that is until his sister arrives home, mouthing off about her shock that Kim Yoon-shik…is a girl.

Double crap.

Yoon-hee digs at the entrance to Sungkyunkwan, and she unearths…the geum-deung-jisa.

COMMENTS

Well, usually the penultimate episode isn’t as strong, because it’s a lot of setup for the finale, but this episode was actually really great as a standalone. I enjoyed the character beats for Yong-ha and Jae-shin, as well as Yoon-hee’s moment of reconciliation with her father, as she begins to understand what it means to be a Sungkyunkwan scholar, in the world and not just in books and classrooms.

The cliffhanger is also great in this episode as well, because In-soo’s discovery that Yoon-hee is a girl runs parallel to her questions to her father about what it means to have these dreams and ambitions in a world where they aren’t sanctioned for her.

The problem is, though, that it bodes badly for the finale, because that means the outing of her female status is going to be resolved too quickly for my taste. This is a crucial part of the drama for me, and I can’t foresee myself being happy with having only one episode to sweep this giant question under the rug. Here’s hoping…

186

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51 mattever

November 10, 2010 at 11:18 PM

Thanks for the beautiful recap. I just loved all the scene with the pretty boys in it. I loved the romance between YoonHee and SunJoon, the friendship of the boys esp. Yong-ha and JaeShin and the beautiful brotherly feeling between JaeShin and YoonHee. I loved everything about SKKS. Their acting was superb and I guess it would be different if it is a different actor. Thumbs up for Micky, MinYoung, Joongki and Yu Ah-in. Would love to see more of their acting in future.

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52 Angel

November 10, 2010 at 11:19 PM

Omo I don't dare to read this! Coz I haven't watched this ep yet (currently at ep 16)...

Calm down... Relax... Take a deep breath...

I shall marathon SKKS tonight! Sunjoon ah... Guhro ah... Yeorim ah... Wait for me!

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53 acuvue09

November 10, 2010 at 11:37 PM

I can't possibly be the first one to suggest this, but is Gu Yong-ha not Captain Jack Sparrow?? With the spins and the fashion and the ladies. He is right? I'm not going crazy?

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rockingchairs

November 11, 2010 at 12:57 AM

I thought so too!! Minus the eyeliner and the rum (well yongha's got soju anyway..)
And yongha's thousand times prettier hahaha
Everytime he does a twirl, I can't help but follow. Hands up if you do too!

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moony meia46

November 11, 2010 at 4:06 AM

*hands up* :)

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mari

November 11, 2010 at 12:06 PM

yeah, the twirls made me wonder that too!
the two men of my life XD

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Jomo

November 11, 2010 at 7:06 AM

Me, too. Somewhere back at episode 4 or 5...

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54 sumee

November 10, 2010 at 11:58 PM

Omo this drama tears me apart into pieces! Moon jae shin u have driven me nuts !

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55 ah_in_fan

November 11, 2010 at 12:15 AM

"She adds, “Because…for you…I would’ve done the same.”

Siiiiiiigh. Why aren’t you two making babies yet? You’re killing me, Show. "

my thoughts exactly. LOL.

girls always fall for the bad boys right? why didn't Yhee? hmmp!

GF thanks for the recap, awesome as always!

i miss jae shin already!

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56 budsdiana

November 11, 2010 at 12:34 AM

Dear Javabeans, Girlfriday, red_pill, and cassie:

For Ep 20 recap lets have a VIRTUAL DRINKING PARTEEEEEEE! Same as a wrap-up party when a drama ends.!!!

We will sigh and squee and reminisce on our favorite parts and we can also post our own version of the darma ending IF WE WERE THE SCREENWRITER of SKKS.

To GF, thank you so much for your recap. My favorite parts are:

"He lays his beloved down oh-so gently."

"Jae-shin pounds his fist, angry that his super-human body isn’t…more super-human. Sheesh. Heroes."

"Siiiiiiigh. Why aren’t you two making babies yet? You’re killing me, Show."

"Yong-ha and Yoon-hee initiate Mission: Rescue Boyfriends that night,"

"Does everyone with Moon blood have to be a badass? Goddamn family of posturing males. Where’s Mom when you need her?"

"Yong-ha rushes over, clutching Jae-shin’s face in his hands. Omo, kiss? Damn, no kiss. A hug will have to suffice. Jae-shin tries to get out of the bromance explosion before he loses cool points in front of the lady, but there’s no stopping Yong-ha today. He clutches Jae-shin like it’s been years, not 24 hours since they’ve seen him last. "

I wet my pants with this scene, SQEEEEEEEE *palm in my face*

"So cut him some slack and let him hug you, dude."

"Sob. I mean, he’s too perfect, it’s almost ridiculous. Siiiiiiigh."

"You should’ve dressed this nicely from the start. Perhaps if you had bathed with more regularity, you woulda gotten the girl!"

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grateful1

November 11, 2010 at 5:53 AM

Yep, I crave SKKS recaps that are rife with clever, fangirly asides.... and this one hit the spot! Thanks, budsdiana, for collecting these gems for us, and a big, grateful shout-out to GF and all of the other SKKS recappers..... you rock!

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samgetang

November 11, 2010 at 7:42 AM

budsdiana, wow! thanks for lifting and highlighting all of those remarkable and awesome lines from girlfriday's recap... loving SKKS even more because of our wonderful and amazing recappers here! :-)

i second the motion -- javabeans, girlfriday and everyone, please do the recap to end all drama recaps for the final episode!!!! all of SKKS addicts and ravers here will be in drama heaven no less :-)

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57 Nana

November 11, 2010 at 1:15 AM

I have question. How come all the girls and guys (SJ loves him, now) fell for JS but our main girl remains oblivious ?

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Ladymoonstone143

November 11, 2010 at 4:54 AM

Yonhee was oblivious to Jae Shin's feeling because she was already has her eyes and heart for Sunjoon since the very beginning. Sunjoon basically open her eyes on everything and give her an opportunity...by helping her get to SKKS.

With Jaesin, he will always be her Senior and I think for a change, she cherish that feeling that she got someone who is looking after her...like a brother. Yonhee always is taking care of everybody and herself...so that is why she is always thanking Jae Shin for all the thing he did.

And the main reason is.......Yonhee didn't know that Jae Shin knew she was a woman before Sunjoon did....so she never considered Jae Shin's caring ways as "love" other than being friendship.

Good thing though....all of us fangirls, including Yongha will always have Jae Shin...he is still up for grabs...so first one to ensnare him will be so lucky...lI already have my imaginary lasso incase I get the chance to catch him unaware...lol

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58 koreandramalover/kay

November 11, 2010 at 1:50 AM

Oh, how wonderful, my wish came true!
Girlfriday recapped ep 19!!
Kamsahamnida Girlfriday!!!

I was ROTFL so much reading your recap with gems kindly listed in detail by budsdiana...thanks budsdiana!

I agree with everything you said, most especially those connected with Moon Jae Shin and Gu Yong Ha...

As for the ongoing discussion about why Yoon Hee remained oblivious and clueless to Jae Shin's non-platonic affections, here is my 2 cents' worth on it :

1. Unless we interview the writer of SKKS, Kim Tae Hee, and ask why she wrote the drama such that even under the overwhelming evidence that Moon Jae Shin deserves to be with Yoon Hee (evidence that she put into SKKS herself as the writer), we probably may never know the rationale behind her decision.
After all, ss the writer, she has the ultimate say on the characters’ actions and decisions. Perhaps, the question that we should be asking is not why Yoon Hee did not choose Jae Shin but should be why did Kim Tae Hee WRITE the drama in such a way that Jae Shin so undeservingly ends up HEARTBROKEN?

2. As a woman myself, when it comes to matters of the heart, there is, I’m afraid, NO RATIONALITY.
THE HEART WANTS WHAT THE HEARTS WANTS, regardless of logic or reasoning.

To that extent, I can fully understand why Yoon Hee chose Sun Joon. Her heart wants Sun Joon and there is no saying NO.

3. In addition, Sun Joon CONFESSED WITH WORDS to Yoon Hee of his feelings but Jae Shin never did. My question is WHY?

We women NEED men to be CRYSTAL CLEAR about their feelings instead of just being SILENTLY HEROIC and expecting us to KNOW what is in your heart. For goodness’ sake, we CAN’T READ YOUR MINDS, now can we?

What if we were to assume that the men’s actions are the actions of a man in love and sought clarification from the men but the men can come back to us by saying that they are just being kind and that we should not be reading too much into their actions?

How are we supposed to recover from that humiliation?

In reference to John’s comment about women being dopey, what I can say is,
what about the men who EXPECT the women to be able to READ YOUR MINDS and KNOW what you are feeling WITHOUT the need for the men to SAY THE WORDS TO OUR FACE?

Then, when we are clueless/oblivious of your affections, you POUT AND CURSE US in silence?

Who is the dopey one now?

Siiiigh...

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rose

November 11, 2010 at 5:02 AM

i do agree with your point

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koreandramalover/kay

November 11, 2010 at 6:49 AM

Thank you Rose! :)

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Ladymoonstone143

November 11, 2010 at 5:03 AM

I totally agree with everything you say. I don't think I can assume how the guy feels about me...unless he confessed.

With the writer, I think she is a member of the Moony faction too...lol...like many of us.....but she can't rewrite the ending because in the book, Sunjoon got Yonhee.

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koreandramalover/kay

November 11, 2010 at 6:03 AM

I do believe that you are right about the writer too because through the interview, she mentioned the Moon Jae Shin character more than the Lee Sun Joon character.

Not being able to do anything about the way the book ended, she did her utmost to make the Moon Jae Shin character SO SO APPEALING...AND UNFORGETTABLE...

hehe... :)

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Lisa Purba

November 11, 2010 at 11:51 PM

I've just read Yoo Ah-in's interview about the character -Moon Jaeshin- that he was playing.
Interestingly, he said, ‘I have never played a character I didn’t like. If I didn’t like it, I changed it.’
Then the reporter asked, 'Did you change parts of Jaeshin as well?' And he replied, 'Many parts. Jaeshin was really cliché." He said he tried to remove a lot of the grease because he tried to show a bit of a different kind of beastly man that MJS is.

Upon reading this, I believe it's YAI that makes MJS character so appealing. The writer of SKKS has also said earlier on her interview that YAI gives more layers to the character to the extent that MJS on screen is more interesting than MJS in her novel/book.

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koreandramalover/kay

November 12, 2010 at 12:00 AM

Yes!!! Thank you so much furansizuka for articulating what was on my mind - Yoo Ah In did MAKE the character that is Moon Jae Shin, not the other way around...

and HOW WONDERFULLY his effort turned out, no?

Yoo Ah In is wise beyond his years...

You should view an interview with him put up on YouTube interview that says quite a bit of how intelligent and mature he is...

59 koreandramalover/kay

November 11, 2010 at 1:55 AM

Ooops!!! Some typo in my previous post...
Kindly ignore the earlier post.

Oh, how wonderful, my wish came true!
Girlfriday recapped ep 19!!
Kamsahamnida Girlfriday!!!

I was ROTFL so much reading your recap with gems kindly listed in detail by budsdiana...thanks budsdiana!

I agree with everything you said, most especially those connected with Moon Jae Shin and Gu Yong Ha...

As for the ongoing discussion about why Yoon Hee remained oblivious and clueless to Jae Shin's non-platonic affections, here is my 2 cents' worth on it :

1. Unless we interview the writer of SKKS, Kim Tae Hee, and ask why she wrote the drama such that even with the overwhelming evidence that Moon Jae Shin deserves to be with Yoon Hee (evidence that she put into SKKS herself as the writer), we probably may never know the rationale behind her decision.

After all, as the writer, she has the ultimate say on the characters’ actions and decisions.

Perhaps, the question that we should be asking is NOT why Yoon Hee did not choose Jae Shin but SHOULD BE why did Kim Tae Hee WRITE the drama in such a way that Jae Shin so undeservingly ends up HEARTBROKEN?

2. As a woman myself, when it comes to matters of the heart, there is, I’m afraid, NO RATIONALITY.

THE HEART WANTS WHAT THE HEART WANTS, regardless of logic or reasoning.

To that extent, I can fully understand why Yoon Hee chose Sun Joon. Her heart wants Sun Joon and there is no saying NO.

3. In addition, Sun Joon CONFESSED WITH WORDS to Yoon Hee of his feelings but Jae Shin never did. My question is WHY?

How are we supposed to recover from that humiliation?

In reference to John’s comment about women being dopey, what I can say is :

what about the men who EXPECT the women to be able to READ YOUR MINDS and KNOW what you are feeling WITHOUT the need for you to SAY THE WORDS TO OUR FACE?

Then, when we are clueless/oblivious of your affections, you POUT AND CURSE US in silence?

Who is the dopey one now?

Siiiigh...

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60 samgetang

November 11, 2010 at 2:23 AM

lovely and fun recap once again, girlfriday! thanks so much!

kdl... indeed!!! i echo yr sentiments...

"the heart has its reasons which reason doesn't know" remembered that quote from somewhere. so apt in KYHee's case here.

but as I've mentioned in other posts, no matter how sexy and extremely hot MJaeShin is, in a badass-rebel-but teddy bear-inside sort of way (did i hear all the oooh's and aahhh's out there? hahaha!!!), i would still go for SJLee hands down if I were in her shoes. because with SJLee, KYHee has someone with whom she can sharpen her mind and lock wills with. it is the sexiest thing i think! hahaha! :-) the brain is the sexiest part of a person, i would say. doesn't hurt if he also looks like micky yoochun, hehe. and to KYHee, SJLee is in fact more of the badass as he never fails to push her to her limits and beyond, compared that to MJShin who after finding out she's a girl early on, he turned protective on her (much like what an older brother would do) and tried to shield her most of the time from difficulty. with KYHee's strong personality, which is way ahead of the Joseon era where they found themselves in, she blooms under SJLee's sharp mind and iron will. i feel that she finds a kindred spirit in him more than with MJShin.

but if all explanations fail, then we can all go back again to the quote " the heart has its reasons which reason doesn't know." --- who can question the heart that is beyond logic and rationale? :-)

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koreandramalover/kay

November 11, 2010 at 5:59 AM

Once again, samgetang, you did not disappoint with your witty, highly entertaining and spot-on comment!! :)
Well done!!! :)

Thank you for sharing the profound quote :

"the heart has its reasons which reason doesn't know".

I’ve heard it before and how apt that you have included it in your comment. :)

I agree whole-heartedly with your comment, especially with the "brain being the sexiest part of the body"...hehe...HOW TRUE!!! :)

I think the writer might have the same idea in mind when writing about the characters in the drama.

This is how I view the writer’s intention in portraying the characters :

I think the writer intentionally portrayed the Lee Sun Joon character’s effect on Yoon Hee to be different from the Moon Jae Shin character’s effect on Yoon Hee TO BE IN LINE WITH THE PREMISE OF SKKS.

I believe the premise of SKKS is the issue of inequality in society and views on gender roles/responsibilities in Joseon in that era and how the citizens of Joseon strived to achieve a better future for all, where EQUALITY is a reality.

Thus, I believe the writer intentionally portrayed the Lee Sun Joon’s character (a man) to be on a more EQUAL footing/standing with the Kim Yoon Hee’s character (a woman) – something unheard of in that time.

This is how I would sum up “the Lee Sun Joon effect” :

Lee Sun Joon's mind/thoughts :

“I believe that you are a far better person than who you are now.

I have full confidence in your ability and thus all you need to do is believe and have confidence in yourself and strive your utmost to make your dreams a reality.

I will not accept you thinking or believing that you cannot achieve whatever you have set your heart and mind to do, no matter how hard it is to achieve it.

Allow me to stand by you, support, encourage, challenge and motivate you, in your struggles and in your effort to reach for your dreams.

Allow me the opportunity to walk with you on the path of your choice, no matter how difficult that path may be.

Allow me to be there for you to always remind you of your strength and potential.”

This is highlighted in Lee Sun Joon’s words to Kim Yoon Hee in episode 17 when he was kneeling in front of a seated Yoon Hee after Yoon Hee expressed her anxieties and concerns about the challenges that are confronting her after the King gave them the task of finding the Geumdeungjisa.

An extract from the recap of that episode on that scene :

Sun-joon kneels in front of her as he takes her hands, and gently tells her that he’ll always be by her side, when things get difficult, when she doubts herself, even if they come up empty-handed.

This is how I would sum up “the Moon Jae Shin’s effect :

Moon Jae Shin's mind/thoughts :

“I will always be there for you, to help and protect you and shield you from life’s harsh realities.

I will always be there to cushion your fall and comfort you when you are down.

So please always be where I can keep my eye on you, where I know I can be of help to you and where I can feel at peace knowing that you are loved, safe and protected.

Allow me the opportunity to be your protector, shield and lover so that you will never feel alone, unsafe or unprotected.”

This is highlighted in Moon Jae Shin’s words in episode 12 when he spoke to Kim Yoon Hee after Yoon Hee was stranded on the island with Sun Joon.

Some of what he said : “From now on, you stay in my sights at all times. Wherever you go, whatever you do, stay in my sights. Because I thought I was losing my mind.”

Thus, the Lee Sun Joon’s effect is more of a CEREBRAL effect – CHALLENGING Yoon Hee’s mind constantly, to steer and guide her to the right path through her mind,

while the Moon Jae Shin’s effect is more of a SACRIFICIAL/PROTECTIVE effect – seeking to PROVIDE Yoon Hee with all the help that she might need to feel loved, safe and protected.

From that deduction, I can see how Lee Sun Joon is on a MORE of an EQUAL footing/standing to Kim Yoon Hee compared to Moon Jae Shin,
PRECISELY BECAUSE IT IS MORE IN KEEPING WITH THE DRAMA’S PREMISE.

I believe the writer intentionally wrote the characters to be such because the main characters are supposed to PORTRAY the HOPE of ACHIEVING EQUALITY IN GENDER ISSUES that has been the dream of so many citizens of Joseon in SKKS such as the late King, the present King, Kim Yoon Hee’s late father and Kim Yoon Hee herself.

And that the ONLY way to achieve that dream is through a REVOLUTION OF THE MIND, not just through RESOLUTE MIGHT.

For the pen is mightier than the sword.

Just my 2 cents' worth... :)

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Ladymoonstone143

November 11, 2010 at 7:02 AM

If I have to re write the book...Jae Shin will get Yonhee because He got the looks, brains and brawn.

Jae Shin is definitely smart but he just pretended he has no desire to do so. I remember those scenes when he told Yonhee that he reads all the book in the library and Yonhee didn't believe him until she perused the books.

Which leads me to the cutest scene ever...when Jae Shin told Yonhee they will eat. I guess this was the closest thing ever for their "date". When Yonhee asked if there was no girl that Jae Shin was interested in...and he replied "that is why I am eating with you..." ARGGHH...swoon..*watching that scene again* Alas, that statement never sink into Yonhee...

I think I better stop reading the comments for now or else I be here sharing my thoughts. I just miss SKKS so much that any discussions are precious to read and commented on...:)

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samgetang

November 11, 2010 at 7:15 AM

You could not have said it any better or clearer, kdl!!!! Perfectly beautiful elaboration!!! Thank you so much for that...

I love how you say it - the LeeSunjoon/Cerebral effect and the MoonJaeShin/Sacrificial-Protective effect! What a poetic way to present the varying effects of these 2 lead roles on KYHee's life. And oh what a charmed life indeed! :-) Who would not want to trade places with her??? Gush!

Precisely! These 2 characters in fact represent the 2 opposing ways on how to achieve the change that the King was dreaming of for Jeoson at that time. And yes, you said it right: the pen is indeed mightier than the sword.

It is not to say that MJS was lacking in that department; in fact, he was one helluva writer/poet as the red messenger. But he opted to use his brawn rather than his brains alone; perhaps because he was already way too emotionally involved what with his brother being killed in the process of achieving this desired change.

On the other end is LeeSunJoon who is the master in rhetoric. I think it was in episode 15 (or was it 16?both?) when he displayed his sharp mind and powerful logic in defending KYH/MJS in the student council regarding the homosexual rumors. We see the two contrasting approaches here.

Overall, the MJS effect was necessary to prepare Joseon (KYHee) for the needed change but it was the LSJ effect that finally brought Joseon (KYHee) to that most sought-after change. We see that this element plays out beautifully and seamlessly on both the national/historical and personal/romantic context/level of this amazing drama.

Indeed, SKKS is one rich tapestry of a story! Thanks kdl for helping unfold its various layers and connections for everyone to appreciate....

Truly a kdrama like no other :-)

Now we want a movie version pleasssseeeeee :-)

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koreandramalover/kay

November 11, 2010 at 9:47 PM

Oh, samgetang, I can't express how much I appreciate your kind words of appreciation for my humble analysis of SKKS...thank you ever so much! :)

And I don't think I can manage to articulate how brilliantly and accurately you expressed your thoughts in this post with such gems as :

1. "And oh what a charmed life indeed! Who would not want to trade places with her??? Gush!"

Yes!! Yes!!! Yes!!! How I wish I could trade places with her!! :)

2. "It is not to say that MJS was lacking in that department; in fact, he was one helluva writer/poet as the red messenger..."

Yes!!! MJS is not in any way less cerebral/intelligent than LSJ but the writer OPTED to portray him as RESTRAINING himself in that respect, PRECISELY, as you have put it perfectly, samgetang, because of the deeply emotional attachment to what happened to his brother - emotions can have a way of overpowering our minds - especially in the case of MJS because of the utter HELPLESSNESS that he was feeling as a result of his brother's untimely death...

3. "I think it was in episode 15 (or was it 16?both?) when he displayed his sharp mind and powerful logic in defending KYH/MJS in the student council regarding the homosexual rumors..."

Yes again!!! Once again, the writer gave LSJ the opportunity to display his intellect in that scene - rather than dealing with the situation only in an emotionally-charged way.

4. "the MJS effect was necessary to prepare Joseon (KYHee) for the needed change but it was the LSJ effect that finally brought Joseon (KYHee) to that most sought-after change..."

Yes!!! How excellently and perfectly phrased, samgetang!! I could not have said it any better... :)

AND...

Yes!!! Yes!!! A gazillion times YES to an SKKS MOVIE!!!
Pleaseeeeee!!! :)

Thanks so much samgetang for enriching my experience in watching SKKS with your brilliant insights!! :)

Just as SKKS is, as you've perfectly put it, "one rich tapestry of a story", I believe that along with our gifted recappers' unfailingly outstanding recappings, your wonderfully profound comments/inputs, as well as, the other commentors in this blog, have contributed to making the viewing, recapping and commenting of SKKS into a richer, more fulfilling journey of the heart and mind in what we all call LIFE, through Kdramaland...

And I echo your sentiment before - I am sooo pining for SKKS now...:)

Siiiiigh....

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samgetang

November 12, 2010 at 2:12 AM

koreandramalover, i love how you love kdramas :-) you are a trueblue kdramalover!

i am sighing together with you...pining for the Jalgeum Quartet :-)

Attention KBS -- SKKS movie pleassssseeeee :-)

once again, million thanks to dramabeans for hosting our SKKS addiction here. where do we go to detox? helpppp! :-)

Anonymous

November 11, 2010 at 5:57 PM

I really enjoy your analysis of the difference between Lee Sun Joon and Moon Jaeshin perfect i couldn't have put it any better than myself i have always felt that way while viewing the difference between the two main men in Yoonhee's life and why she was best fitted to be with Lee Sun Joon.

If you go back to episode three when they have their daily bath ritual, Lee Sun Joon is just sitting there right beside Yoonhee as they both listen to the other students complain about his presence staying at the east end dormitory instead or the west end dormitory. Yoonhee responds by being embarrassed to hear other students talk like that about him with him so near to overhear their conversation. Sun Joon responds like this is nothing new that i haven't heard for most of my life but i know i am right about my convictions so i won't change, but i will show others through my steadfast actions that they must change with their thoughts and actions.

Go back to episode five while training to learn archery from his left side, Sun Joon tells Yoonhee you think being born a son of a Noron leader is easy? As if to say my life as the rich and privilege like you think has been a bed of roses either. I can't choose my parents but i can choose how i live my life each and every day i wake. Powerful speech and i love how Yoonhee uses the same wording towards him in episode 16 when he learns that he's a she and doesn't want her to continue to go to SKK anymore. Yoonhee tells him i didn't choose to be born a woman.

One of the great things about Lee Sun Joon even if he's awkward in how he goes about making his points with Yoonhee especially when he discovered how physically attracted he was towards him/her in episode 10. He is still not shy about opening his mouth and letting her know his point of view or feelings. Guys take some notes on how to do this ok.

Moon Jaeshin most definitely he is far different than he is in the book, the writer even admits she made him more sensitive.

One of the reason i think Moon never let Yoonhee know how he really felt about her was because he didn't think he deserved her. Go back to the speech Yongha makes to him when Yoonhee is with Sun Joon and Moon is worried about her well being and pouting and sulking. Stop trying to be coll and act like you don't care or deserve her. If i was you i try my hardest to make her mine.

Well Moon never got up the courage to do that as a matter fact this one little small incident made me wonder if he took Yongha's words to heart. When they're on their way back to school from the camping outing. Moon looks over at Yoonhee who is lost in thought over the words Sun Joon spoke to her about her life being in danger. Moon reaches down as if to either take what she is holding in her hand or take her hand as a smirking Yongha watches this. Suddenly Chosun shows up and we never get to see if Moon had drum up the courage to make his move.

But the best reference to see the difference how both men love Yoonhee and how they go about protecting her. Episode 18 Sun Joon comes back from seeing his father and goes to tell her the truth. Moon tells Sun Joon to lie in order to protect her. In other words Moon loves her that much he would rather Sun Joon who is the person Yoonhee really is in love with lie to her so she is heartbroken knowing she fell in love with the man who's father is responsible for having her father killed and her family coming to financial ruin. Sun Joon response is regardless i cannot shield her from reality i show her how much i love her by letting her no life isn't all pretty and sweet and happy. If i have to give her the cold hard bare truth i will but i will still be there to help her get through it never leaving her side even when she wants to push me away. Also to you senior i will bear remorse to you also and your loss so it's not just Yoonhee i am thinking about here. Now that was a great scene and he gently untangles Moons hands from his jacket as Moon looks down and sees the same ring that Yoonhee was wearing the night before when he walked her back to their room carrying her books.

Finally Moons goodbye to Yoonhee it was so beautiful and simple but so many unsaid words were attached to them. Thank you, why senior ask Yoonhee? Thank you for you "sigh". Moon why couldn't you just say thank you for giving me a reason for wanting to live again, and thank you for showing me that life is worth living and to not throw it away so recklessly like i've been wanting to do.Thank you for making me realize that others beside myself have lost a love one too but they go on living life to the fullest and enjoying it too. So Thank you Yoonhee for being you.

For the line that Moon should have dressed more nicely and bathed more regularly and maybe he would have gotten the girl. It's a funny line but if you noticed after Moon found out Yoonshik was a she he started to dress in better clean clothing. Not those regular rags he usually wore like when he first met Yoonhee being attacked by the minister of wars thugs. No one wears brand new clean clothes if they stink.

One other thing i just thought of was Yoonhee was kind of reckless with her life also but her reasoning was for a matter of survival and not to avenge her father's death but to make a living for herself and family.

Park Min Young is and was perfect as Yoonhee/shik i couldn't think of another actress who could portrayed this role as perfectly as she has done.

I agree that Yoo Ah-in is not only a scene stealer but hopefully he should be getting a lot of roles from this performance. Another star who has brought great presence to her role and i look forward to seeing in the future is the actress Kim Min Seo who played Chosun i would love to see her in another drama she has charisma.

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samgetang

November 11, 2010 at 7:53 PM

hi anonymous! echoing all yr lovely points...thank you!

yes, i also loved that scene between LSJ and MJS when the latter wanted the other to lie to KYH in order to protect her but the former thought otherwise. that was a classic scene! shows in a big way how differently they cherish KYH. if it was a weaker version of KYH, she would turn to puff and honey and lean more towards MJS but if it was the stronger version of KYH, which is what she is in the show, she would definitely choose to blossom under LSJ.

koreandramalover said it so beautifully - the difference between the LSJ effect and the MJS effect :-)

LSJ in the library asks KYH to stay by her side (as an equal) and MJS after she came back from the island asks KYH not to leave his sight (he as her protector).

For all MJS's badass attitude, when it comes to KYH he is really not so reckless and in fact stays always on the safe side (which is probably what makes this character so fascinating to watch - there is something lopsided here, haha! this fine line of imbalance is what perhaps struck an unexplainable pull for everyone! how could he be so careful with KYH? after almost throwing away his life by doubling as the red messenger and even openly rebelling against his dad..)

But with LSJ we find a nit-picky, socially-inept, methodical almost to a fault guy, the guy who always studies his moves but with KYH he has this badass attitude of saying what he wants when he wants it. to KYH he is really the reckless one and she loves daring him to up his ante each time. he poses as a lovely challenge to our main man...errr woman. :-) what can be more irresistible than that? :-)

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Anonymous

November 11, 2010 at 10:20 PM

I love your thoughts Samgetang and Koreandramalover's as well.

One other point i like to make is Sun Joon reaction when he found out Yoonhee was in actuality a girl, to me that was a normal reaction. By the time Yoonhee recovered from her near drowning he had probably processed the info in his brain. Doing mental somersaults and backflips that Yoonshik wasn't a boy he's and she and i can freely have a open relationship with her where we both won't be ostracized and thrown into prison for our forbidden love.

Now as for this comparison to the other Kdrama called the Coffee Prince which i myself haven't seen, but i think on Midnight Express blog she makes a great point about comparing the two dramas. I can live with it because even if i did see the Coffee prince to me i still wouldn't be making the same comparison.

samgetang

November 12, 2010 at 2:06 AM

Anonymous, thank u once again...

I am also of the same thought with regards to the reaction of LSJ when he found out about KYH being a girl. It was what u would expect from his character; it was in keeping with his temperament I would say. Micky Yoochun did a fine job there. Just the right amount of surprise and bewilderment. Anything stronger would be out of his character already.

It is not comparable, yes, to Coffee Prince because Gong Yoo's character there is entirely different from Micky Yoochun's in SKKS. And also the situation of KYH and Eun Chan is not exactly similar, too.

If you haven't watched it, I would suggest you make time to view it. I thoroughly enjoyed that kdrama, too, although there were parts that were dragging for me unlike here with SKKS where the pacing is fast, there is no dull moment and there are more layers that you can peel off.

But they are both my favorites ;-) albeit with more points for the Jalgeum Quartet :-)

koreandramalover/kay

November 11, 2010 at 11:22 PM

Yes, echoing samgetang's thoughts, I am in total agreement with everything you said, Anonymous! :)

Thanks so much for YOUR analysis which is so detailed, spot-on and entertaining... :)

I especially love what you said about Yoo Ah In being the scene-stealer but I would also like to say that he is to me a DRAMA-STEALER as well because his exceptional talent was recognised by the writer of SKKS herself...

The writer of SKKS, Kim Tae Hee, mentioned that Yoo Ah In "is a sentimental actor" and was able to portray the Moon Jae Shin beyond all her expectations...

And among the Quartet, he is the youngest and yet has so much talent and potential...

How true are Javabeans' thoughts that Yoo Ah In would be the one to shine in SKKS...So prophetic! :)

And I also agree with you with wanting to see more of the actress who played Chosun - she is not just beautiful but more than that, she possesses so much charisma and presence, that even though her role was relatively a minor one compared to the Quartet, she was able to garner so much attention and adulation that she is one of the characters that made SKKS so unforgettable and memorable...

Kudos to all the young actors and actresses, the writer, the PD and all who made SKKS, as samgetang eloquently put it, a drama like no other... :)

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sam

November 11, 2010 at 6:12 PM

agree .I will always support SoonJoon and YooHee , they are meant to be together,and they are compatible in many ways ;and SunJoon has the "complete me" factor .Even though I love JS as a character , I never feel YH should be with him , not even for a second.

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samgetang

November 12, 2010 at 3:03 AM

sam, high five! :-)

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koreandramalover/kay

November 11, 2010 at 9:11 PM

Samgetang, i forgot to say how I just loooove how you describe Moon Jae Shin -
"a badass-rebel-but-teddy bear-inside"... how perfect!!! :)

And I can't agree with you more on :

"with SJLee, KYHee has someone with whom she can sharpen her mind and lock wills with. it is the sexiest thing i think!" I think so toooo!!!! :)

"SJLee is in fact more of the badass as he never fails to push her to her limits and beyond, compared that to MJShin who after finding out she’s a girl early on, he turned protective on her (much like what an older brother would do) and tried to shield her most of the time from difficulty" - my sentiments exactly!!!

Lee Sun Joon is a good-badass-in-disguise, only to be revealed to his one and only - Kim Yoon Hee. :)

"with KYHee’s strong personality, which is way ahead of the Joseon era where they found themselves in, she blooms under SJLee’s sharp mind and iron will. i feel that she finds a kindred spirit in him more than with MJShin." - Yes!!! Yes!!! A million times YES!!! :)

"blooming" is THE exact word to describe the change KYH underwent through the both the Lee Sun Joon's and Moon Jae Shin's effect - just in different ways...

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samgetang

November 12, 2010 at 1:00 AM

koreandramalover, with SKKS we just found the right mix of giddiness and at the same time depth in one kdrama. that's what makes SKKS special for me. maybe because im also cerebral and yet bit crazy in that aspect that's why this struck a loud chord in me. :-)

if you've watched other asian films like perhaps MULAN starring vicky zhou, you will find the same recurring theme of strong woman disguising as a man and standing up to a strong man as they both sharpen each other towards a higher goal/purpose than themselves or the relationship itself. it is the kind of relationship that we hope to have for ourselves, that is, if we havent found it yet (or it found us?). we value ethics, morality, integrity and the truth and yet we also choose grace alongside strength and courage. these are potent mixtures that we think we do not so often find in the real world and also in dramaland. but it is not too rare, i know friends who have that kind of relationship so it is achievable and yet oftentimes women would shortchange themselves and just settle...

they are just not packaged in a micky yoochun or yoo ah in or song jongki look-alike most of the time. :-) so we just need to be sharp, alert and wise :-) and be most prayerful if i may say so...

so SKKS is a wonderful reminder of those beautiful and endless possibilities. :-)

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koreandramalover/kay

November 12, 2010 at 8:19 AM

Oooh...samgetang, MORE gems from you :

1. "with SKKS we just found the right mix of giddiness and at the same time depth in one kdrama"

PRECISELY, samgetang!! PRECISELY what SKKS is!!! How perfectly you put it!!! Wow!!! :)

2. "the same recurring theme of strong woman disguising as a man and standing up to a strong man as they both sharpen each other towards a higher goal/purpose than themselves or the relationship itself.
it is the kind of relationship that we hope to have for ourselves, that is, if we havent found it yet (or it found us?)."

Yes, yes, yes!!!! It is EXACTLY the kind of relationship that cerebral minds look for!!! :)

3. "We value ethics, morality, integrity and the truth and yet we also choose grace alongside strength and courage."

Hear ye! Hear ye! I salute your eloquence!!! :)

4. "These are potent mixtures that we think we do not so often find in the real world and also in dramaland. but it is not too rare...oftentimes women would shortchange themselves and just settle…"

PERFECT!!! It is as if you have read my mind because SETTLING is a problem I see many of my friends succumbing to with regard to relationships...only to realise some time later how tortured their souls are for following that path...

Tell me something samgetang, HOW DO you come up with such wonderfully EXACT mix of words in sentences to PERFECTLY sum up your thoughts that PERFECTLY reflect the truth about SKKS as a drama, as well as, PERFECTLY reflect the thoughts of so many people, like a mind-reader? :)

I am truly in awe - and to think that I am already in awe of Javabeans' and Girlfriday's cerebral awesomeness...

YOU, samgetang, should join forces with JB and GF and I bet the result would EXPLOSIVELY AWESOME because of the INSANELY-CEREBRAL-AWESOMENESS-OVERLOAD!!! Hehe :)

May I also ask :

Are you a woman? How old are you? Are you Korean or American or Korean-American?

Your English is impeccable and your insights are flawless. Are you a teacher by any chance? Hehe :)

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samgetang

November 12, 2010 at 6:08 PM

koreandramalover, thank you once again. i am floored by yr praises. all very humbling since i just love SKKS so much for dramatizing the ideals that i carry in my heart. and it is a great kdrama for showing women (and men) how sacrifice, courage, love, faith and hope can bring you closer to the very best that God planned for us (yes, i'm a she :-) and still young at heart since im surrounded by kids most of the time and like-minded individuals :-) i lead a charmed life i would like to think much as KYHee might find herself if she lives in this century, haha! if you find yourself travelling to our part of the world, here in asia, let me know...would love to be your friend and show you our sights ;-) no, im not a teacher, officially that is, but im a student in the school of life and love to learn everything and anything...especially from other people, young and old). it's really a privilege getting to know you here in dramabeans. thanks to SKKS :-) i did not know about dramabeans before SKKS :-)

61 Kristy

November 11, 2010 at 2:35 AM

Thank you girlfriday for the recap !!! :)

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62 Roma

November 11, 2010 at 2:49 AM

Oh i missed the SKKS, the Jalgeum Quartet,and everyone else already!!! if only they've made it into 30 episodes drama it would have been really awesome....

I wish i could get hold a DVD soon. Can't wait to watch it again ....

Thanks for the recap Girlfriday! Just love it!

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63 ck1Oz

November 11, 2010 at 2:59 AM

GF.....you have outdone yourself even by recapping standards today.LOVED IT.

I just have to get the imagery of Moonie beting filleted out of my mind now :-(
Aigoo....your words.My poor heart.

Followed by.."Siiiiiiigh. Why aren’t you two making babies yet? You’re killing me, Show. "

I already watched the episode but your recap made me all emotionally involved again.SS.....ergh...this show is definately my no 1 for 2010 if not of all time.

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64 giddygirl108

November 11, 2010 at 3:08 AM

"You should’ve dressed this nicely from the start. Perhaps if you had bathed with more regularity, you woulda gotten the girl!"

Harharharharharhar! Orrr...maybe, he should've gotten his beautiful hair out of his face so that she could've seen his bbeeeaaauuutttiiifffuuulll face?

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samgetang

November 11, 2010 at 7:34 AM

LOL! :-)

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65 eka wachyu

November 11, 2010 at 3:31 AM

gender issues are an important part of this drama degrees of equality between men and women is very strong in the dialogue ... (especially that delivered yoon hee). but still exist on eps. 17 we see no matter how hard the business of women to be equal with men was the result remains the same men were superior.... but who care. I love it... really love it... thank u so much... Moon Jae Shin and Goo Yong Ha is great together even if they be gay couple... in SSK (oh no..:)) they have lovely and beautiful friendship... I can't wait eps. 20 recap ....saranghe

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66 Rong

November 11, 2010 at 3:42 AM

Dear GirlFriday...

Thanks for your cute recaps for SKKS. I have watched several korean dramas this year... Pasta, You're Beautiful, Personal Taste, Playful Kiss etc...But nothing steals my heart like SKKS. I think I am really "addicted" to this drama.

Thanks for feeding my obsession. I hope that I will get over this "addiction" real soon. Haha...

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67 anon

November 11, 2010 at 4:07 AM

Song Joong Ki and Yoo Ah In stole the show yet again.

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68 pohonphee

November 11, 2010 at 4:11 AM

Thank you so much for the recap GF... :)

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69 misa

November 11, 2010 at 4:18 AM

ahh..my heart still bleeds for jae-shin.. hope we'll be able to see him soon in a lead role..

and to be honest i still cannot watch any other series aside from SKKS..still cant get over this drama..

thanks GF! i super enjoyed your recap! :)

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70 rose

November 11, 2010 at 4:56 AM

i love this drama , i hope i can have its dvd soon so i can watch it over and over again hahaha........
yoon he i like the way the character evolved , not so wimpy not so weak not so stupid just right a woman that will do things the best she knows how..... micky portray lee sun joon as if he is lsj, i like it and he is very good he has a talent in acting compare to some idol who just have the same look on their face yoo ah in , he look best with rugged long hair for me , not the clean type and make the character hot n sexy , alot of kdrama they say that actor is hot but i cant agree but with guro he is def hot , and yong ha is yong ha period

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koreandramalover/kay

November 11, 2010 at 6:38 AM

Yes!!! Yoo Ah In carried the "tall, dark, moody and handsome" persona with so much panache that I just swoon when I see him in his rugged, uncombed hair than when he was clean-shaven...

and I am someone who is anal about how men should look like so they don't turn me off -
neatly-combed hair and clean-shaven...

but Yoo Ah In is an exception - a delicious exception...

hehe...

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samgetang

November 12, 2010 at 6:28 PM

Yoo ah-in is an exceptionally talented actor. I have not read/watched much of his interviews but i think he is a humble and instinctive actor just by the way he did Moon Jaeshin. He goes by his instincts in handling a role that's given to him. He is one of the few actors who are able to take in a role and not be mesmerised with it but rather gives it a new flavor, new twist. He owns his role. that's the beauty of Yoo Ah In. For so young an actor he will definitely go places, if he is given more challenging and varied roles in great projects. He promises to always give a surprising performance because of this humility that is intrinsic in him. So glad that we saw him unfold here in SKKS so beautifully.

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koreandramalover/kay

November 13, 2010 at 6:48 AM

Dear samgetang,

I wanted to reply to post that I attach below but the system does not allow me to post a reply so I give my reply below :

Your post :

"koreandramalover, thank you once again. i am floored by yr praises. all very humbling since i just love SKKS so much for dramatizing the ideals that i carry in my heart. and it is a great kdrama for showing women (and men) how sacrifice, courage, love, faith and hope can bring you closer to the very best that God planned for us (yes, i’m a she and still young at heart since im surrounded by kids most of the time and like-minded individuals i lead a charmed life i would like to think much as KYHee might find herself if she lives in this century, haha! if you find yourself travelling to our part of the world, here in asia, let me know…would love to be your friend and show you our sights no, im not a teacher, officially that is, but im a student in the school of life and love to learn everything and anything…especially from other people, young and old). it’s really a privilege getting to know you here in dramabeans. thanks to SKKS i did not know about dramabeans before SKKS :)"

My reply :

I would love to meet up with you and make a new friend and get to know your country's sights and sounds...but maybe you could tell which country you are from so I can Google it and find out more about your country before we can find the time to meet up...

It has been my pleasure and an honour and privilege to get to know you here in dramabeans - someone so cerebral and down-to-earth yet attractively crazy because I am just like that too - not as cerebral perhaps but just as crazy...hehe...

I am a female secondary school teacher in Singapore and so I am surrounded by pupils all day...and I am glad to know someone else who is surrounded by kids and have the ideal principle of being a student of life yearning to be a better human being through learning from life and others (such as through watching Kdramas)because I am exactly the same!!! :)

I thank God for introducing me to Dramabeans, Javabeans and Girlfriday and to like-minded individuals like your wonderful self, samgetang.

Thanks so much for your intelligent and heart-warming sharing and hope that we continue to communicate in this blog and I sincerely hope we can meet up one day and learn from each other a lot more. :)

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samgetang

November 11, 2010 at 7:32 AM

cant agree more, rose :-)

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71 neliq

November 11, 2010 at 5:24 AM

Girlfriday -- I don't know if anyone pointed this out for you already (I have not read the previous postings) but since I know you like to get things right I will tell you that on the following sentence "Love the cajones on this girl." is not *cajones* (as in boxes), is *cojones* (as in the hanging male body part). hahahaha

Love your recaps Girl!!!

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girlfriday

November 11, 2010 at 2:03 PM

*facepalm*

Hahaha. Goes to show you that Hooked on Phonics doesn't translate to foreign languages!

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72 SKKSfan

November 11, 2010 at 5:37 AM

"Perhaps if you had bathed with more regularity, you woulda gotten the girl!"

you got me there girlfriday. now i can imagine his smell more than the husky figure.

aw i also expected to have longer discussion with the revelation of her gender. its a turning point of the whole show for me ah.

tsk, tsk it is really disappointing not to extend this show. any how, I still miss it as of now

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samgetang

November 11, 2010 at 7:31 AM

hahaha! so funny, girlfriday! had me in stitches....

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73 @.@

November 11, 2010 at 6:13 AM

yoo ah in and song joongki fighting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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74 Soo Ae

November 11, 2010 at 6:14 AM

"It’s his final gesture to let her go. And it’s KILLING me. He adds as she turns to leave…

Jae-shin: Kim Yoon-shik. Have I ever told you? Thank you.
Yoon-hee: For what?
Jae-shin: You. Thank you, for you."

Why did that "Thank you" sound I love you to me? Darn!

I meant I get it that SJ and YHee are MFEO but it breaks my heart to see Jaeshin let her go....awww...

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Ladymoonstone143

November 11, 2010 at 7:10 AM

Yes, it does sound like I love you huh...:)) which made us all fangirl wept.

If I expound on Jae Shin's thank you.....I think he would say.."Thank you for giving me the reason to live and make life more exciting..thank you for opening my heart and my eyes to endless possibilities that this world can offer. ..."

And thank you for all the exciting hiccups you made me do....lol

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samgetang

November 11, 2010 at 7:27 AM

haha! so hilarious --- for all the exciting hiccups that u made me do --- LOL!!!!!

got me there, ladymoonstone...hahaha! thanks for that!

it was a most poignant scene. at least they gave MJS that much airtime to sort of open up his heart and let KYH take a peek...wonder if she got to thinking afterwards???? :-)

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Ladymoonstone143

November 11, 2010 at 8:12 AM

Unfortunately not...because after that scene, Yonhee went to see Sunjoon and offered her "woman's heart"...*sob*

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Soo Ae

November 11, 2010 at 10:50 PM

wow Ladymoonstone143, you got the expounded thank you down pat!

And I cant help but notice how creative your name is!

LOL has there been any other Kdrama hero with hiccups?

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75 Anime1234

November 11, 2010 at 6:30 AM

Thank you for another wonder recap. May you live long and prosper and recap many more series to come.

I loved Yoon Hee standing up to In Soo and taking the power for herself. You da man, uh woman?!

Could someone enlighten me as to the wooden puzzle? What character did the wood pieces form and what was the carved symbol? My guess from the context was that the pieces formed her name and the symbol was the word for "door"?

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swui

November 15, 2010 at 7:00 AM

The word on the puzzle is "Door" in chinese character!

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76 meve

November 11, 2010 at 6:50 AM

i have a teeny weeny lil request, which i must say/type in all caps:

CAN ALL YOU GREAT AND ENLIGHTENINGLY OPINIONATED RECAPPERS AND JAVABEANS SHARE YOU COMMENTS AT THE END OF THIS "LITTLE GEM OF A DRAMA'S" RECAP (AFTER THE FINAL EP'S RECAP)?????

PRETTTY PUH-LEEEEEEASE!

i think this is one of the best dramas done this year, though i wasn't too much into the "whole" of the finale episode though there were a lot of precious scenes there, but still i think it'll be great to hear all of your views. besides, selfishly i really really really would like to hear/read about Javabeans' take on this! THAT's how much i respect, and enjoy(!) her views =D

BIG THANKS even BIGGER THAN THE ALL CAPS REQUEST ^^!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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meve

November 11, 2010 at 7:03 AM

oh and can i just say that i LOVE that Javabeans predicted correctly that Yoo Ah In would be the scene-stealer here, therefore the break-out star. much-deserved.

though i really Love all of them & a lot of the aspects of their story & relationships especially the yoon hee-sun joon pair coz really, and clearly, they belong to each other. strong-willed-slash-kick ass girl yoon hee needs (and wants) a man that Helps and Teaches her, not one who protects her all the time. i don't think she needs much protecting anyway coz she's got the wits and will to find her own ways, w/c is really refreshing, really!

having said that, My Man My Moon Jae Shin...nah..Yoo Ah In..nahhh Uhm Hong Shik would be perfect for me! haha right!

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Precious

November 11, 2010 at 8:07 AM

I don't think you can survive the fight you'd have to go through to have him. I think what we need is a cloning machine so that we can all get our own Uhm Hong Shik, but until that is successful, I will fight to the end of the earth for him, rabid fans girls or not.

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Ladymoonstone143

November 11, 2010 at 8:18 AM

Although am greedy and very jealous but I know so many of us fangirls out here.....so a clone of Jae Shin will suffice me...lol

I already have a big tree at my backyard for him to perch in, I love apples so he got plenty to munch around..and I can order soju if he wanted to.

My biggest problem is, how to explain to my hubby dearest that I just purchase this Jae Shin clone online...they don't take refund and he is totally harmless..lol

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Anyalyn

October 4, 2012 at 8:28 PM

MOONY FRACTION ALL THE WAY.

p.s. you are hilarious with the big tree and the Jae Shin clone. Lol.

Sumee

November 11, 2010 at 7:51 AM

I totally agree with you !

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77 yogic

November 11, 2010 at 7:41 AM

Oh OH! I have a great idea!

Yongha and Jaeshin can finally be together and take one of those adorable little boys that work at SKK as their child. I'm sure one of them has to be an orphan. Then can have their own cute little family and live happily ever after :D. Yongha will teach the boy to dress and flirt properly and Jaeshin will teach him how to be a badass.

The End.

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yogic

November 11, 2010 at 7:48 AM

Actually, if they could find a cute little orphan girl and adopt her as well and make her as badass as Yoonhee is, then their imaginary lives would be complete.

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marisa

November 11, 2010 at 9:21 AM

I vote for your version to become the official ending. Sigh!!!

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Anyalyn

October 4, 2012 at 8:15 PM

BEST IDEA TO DATE.

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78 Precious

November 11, 2010 at 7:57 AM

Girlfriday I think I have a crush on you, as far as recaps go you complete me; can I be your Gu Yong Ha? (you know except for the part that we're both girls)

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girlfriday

November 11, 2010 at 2:09 PM

Well I AM kind of a badass, so I can be the Jae-shin in this bromance, but I draw the line at face-fondling.

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Crazymoonyfan

November 12, 2010 at 9:35 PM

okay, i'm dying here....you're too freaking funny.....

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79 Judy

November 11, 2010 at 8:07 AM

Loved this drama so much. I am re-watching the whole drama again.

This drama led me to know Micky Yoochun and then DBSK's and JYJ's music. I have bought JYJ's new CD and some of the DBSK's DVD and CD. I am really impressed with their live performance.

I would love to see Yoochun in the next drama.

Even though there are so many guys in SKKS, Park Min Young really shines in this drama. I would follow her next drama as well.

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wei

November 11, 2010 at 6:36 PM

I somehow feel all the response is mostly for the boys, but Park Min Young is really the shining shining star here . Talking about girls power, I hope girls will give their own gender more recognition. And first time come to know about Micky and will start to watch his work. Great chemistry with PMY.

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lilly

November 12, 2010 at 7:53 PM

If Park Min Young was the shining do you think people would talk about YAI/JS mostly ?

Girl was outplayed by a looonnng margin ! her storyline is cute and feminist and she is cute but her portraying was nothing special and she was not convincing as a boy at all- especially when you think she usually disguised herself as a boy. Her acting sometimes appeared not deep. She is at the same level as PSH in YAB.

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80 enjay

November 11, 2010 at 8:32 AM

thanks for the awesome recap...

this episode really breaks my heart for MJS....but the best part is when GYH's bravery declaring himself not noble yet he stood up for himself...he maybe the happy go lucky type but among the rest i find him having the strongest character...

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81 Robyn

November 11, 2010 at 8:44 AM

Oh god... I am typing this slowly with one hand.
Because when I got to the bromance scene, I fangirled... A little. Just a little.
And then my nose started bleeding. Lolwut. I srsly thought that only happened in mangas/anime.

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meve

November 12, 2010 at 2:25 AM

haha sunako much???

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82 SpaceManSpiff

November 11, 2010 at 9:33 AM

My favorite Yong-ha moment was when our merry band of rescuers were sizing up the guards holding Jae-shin, and Soon-dol prods a momentarily flummoxed Yong-ha that he is supposed to be THE Gu Yong-ha and all, so how about a brilliant plan already? Which gives Yong-ha the inspiration to solve the problem -- by pushing Soon-dol into view! After the guards run off after Soon-dol, Yong-ha's grin and his "I guess the mental gears are working just fine after all, thankyouverymuch!" expression while he makes a clockwork sound were hilarious!

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83 Apple a day

November 11, 2010 at 9:57 AM

For the first time, I'm watching a drama not for the male and female lead , but for the supporting actors! I just LOVE Yong ha and Jae shin! I wish there'd be a drama for just their bromance. LOL!

Moony, I love you and I'll always look at you from afar.

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GrandmaFran

November 11, 2010 at 10:40 AM

AMEN to that! i bet a drama about their bromance would be even more popular than this.

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84 GrandmaFran

November 11, 2010 at 10:37 AM

haha i loved that comment about if jae shin had bathe more he might have landed the girl LOL the scenes with him and his father/him and yoon hee are so touching. gah i hope to see him in another drama as a lead soon!!!

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85 Laeah

November 11, 2010 at 3:44 PM

YH/JS was better than Yoon Hee and Sun Joon. lfkja;jf

I'm totally supporting them. And that hug was just guh. <3

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86 Moonblossom

November 11, 2010 at 6:05 PM

Does anyone knows why Yong Ha need to dress in drab clothing when rescueing Jaeshin, when Yoon Hee wears bright yellow?

There are lots happening in ep 19 but the first 15mins really belongs to Yong Ha. First, his undiscuised love for Jaeshin, and then later his response to blackmail. How many stories have we heard, in dramaland and real life, where people succumb to blackmail? Having said that, I also love the apology from Jaeshin to Daddy Moon, Yoon Hee's face off with In-soo.

This is really a great drama. Thanks GF, Cassey, RP (and our host JB) for recapping this wonderful series.

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87 celticheart47

November 11, 2010 at 7:31 PM

Thank you for the recaps. Even though I only read them after watching the episodes first, I so like hearing other opinions about the storyline.
I must say I am one that doen't like movies or dramas based on books because the books are always better, but I love they way that this drama has changed aspects of the story and physical charateristics of the principle people to make it seem that I am watching a similar but different story. It's the first time I have liked a drama as much as the book.

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88 Nikki

November 11, 2010 at 7:44 PM

Eeeek!!! I just watched the finale screaming and making other odd noises the whole time! It seemed a llittle rushed, but nothing was ruined!!! YAY! Oh, and just wait till you see SunJoon's new look. I'm still gulping about it. In a good way.

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89 KimD

November 11, 2010 at 7:44 PM

Sigh, Song Joong Ki. Sigh, Yoo Ah In. I can't tell how many times I died watching you two over the past three months.

I miss SKK so much already. I'm not much for sageuks, even fusion ones but this completely bowled me over. I loved pretty much everything about it. Thank you for yet another great recap!!!!

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90 Ladymoonstone143

November 11, 2010 at 8:03 PM

To all the Moony faction fangirls...I saw this fan made video of Jae Shin and Yonhee and it breaks my heart all over again...

But it really is good...esp it shows almost all my fave Jae Shin expressions.

Just want to share this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgKNGK0v36w

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91 Minsun

November 11, 2010 at 9:10 PM

My fave moments in the recap:

1. “Yong-ha and Yoon-hee initiate Mission: Rescue Boyfriends”

LOL I totally relished that line!!

2. Gu Yong-ha! Gu Yong-ha!

I was totally cheering the exact same thing at that point!!

3. "why are u two not making babies already'??

Yeah! My heart bled for JS everytime he had that look on
his face when e looks at YH. Love him!!!

I also really enjoyed the discussions on the two leads... Totally agree with the analysis on the
MJS-LSJ effect. I love the way Mjs so sweetly protects, but am totally turned on by SJ's challenges and the fact that he is YH's soulmate even before they fell in love. They make each other a better person and keep each other on the straight and narrow path of righteousness.

Haven't watches a show where I love all 4 of the main leads --I'm saying 'saranghae!!!' to my screen to Js one moment, Sj and yh the next, cheering for our girl Yh when she stands up to in-soo... Jalgeum quartet beats f4 anytime!!!

Thanks for the great recaps!! They're my fix in reliving the show:))

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92 ar_arguably romantic

November 11, 2010 at 9:31 PM

Thank you for the recap! This episode is one of my favorite SKKS episodes! I was so touched by the brotherly love-Sunjoon sacrificing himself for Jaeshin and Jaeshin begging, with tears down his face, his father to let Sunjoon go. A great piece of acting by Yoo Ah-In. It was a possibility that SJ would be killed if no one disproves his Red Messenger status. Moon Jae Shin was really worried for SJ's life! I'm glad the two guys are making the sacrifices for each other...i don't think it would have had as much impact if either of them were to risk their lives to protect YoonHee like that.

Another wonderful part was the Yong Ha storyline, his observations that even if you're together all the time, it is possible that you may not even know that person at all...the parts where Yoon-hee tells Ha In Soo off. the part where everyone comes together for the protest by the palace and the part where Ha In Soo's lackies left him. The dialogue from the bumbling idiot lackey was brilliant. The intersplicing of current and young Yoon-hee with the voiceover...

This episode was simply epic!

As for having the "Yoon-shik is actually a girl" part being shoved to the last episode. I'm actually glad that they're doing that. I know plot-wise, it's sort of a let-down to have such a big issue be an after-thought...but I would much rather have more of the drama's time focused on the students.

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93 Minsun

November 11, 2010 at 11:56 PM

Oh can I also say that I LOVED ladymoonstone's line:

" I already have a big tree at my backyard for him (JS) to perch in, I love apples so he got plenty to munch around..and I can order soju if he wanted to.

...had me in stitches!!!

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94 ana

November 12, 2010 at 12:49 AM

i still remember gu hyong ha admit to lee sun joon that he used to have feelings to moon jae shin...haha...at that time i thought he just make a story to comfort lsj but as the ep goes,i think it's true...hahaha...n maybe he become a playboy after his heart broken with mjs....lol...who knows...e/thing in my imaginary mind....love their relationship..^_^

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95 YoSoyHaru!!!!!!!!!!

November 12, 2010 at 1:07 AM

I just want to hug Yoo Ah In and not let go. So a damb good actor. thanks for the recaps

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96 Lilian

November 12, 2010 at 9:36 AM

This penultimate episode was great! In fact I would say this is more enjoyable than the last episode....I like that they didn't drag the "my parents hurt your parent so I can't be with you" part. It's such a cliche to add drama and the fact is you CAN'T choose your parents....

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97 dls

November 12, 2010 at 8:38 PM

Thanks for your recap!!
this episode is awesome...
and I like how the main characters develop and redeeming themselves from their past
especially Yong-ha, the guy who usually sits and watches the fun from the back line, he bravely faces everyone and steps out of his past this episode
Jae-Shin also steps out from living in revenge in the past and begs his father for Sun Joon to let them start their lives
and Yoon-Hee...from someone who is pessimist with the world, she starts to see the world in different way and when there is obstacle, like what she said to In-Soo," I'll make the power mine to make the way" yay
and Sun-Joon... he has changed a lot through many episodes from someone who holds laws and never do nonsensical things, he finds a world with friends and love, to the point of sacrificing himself.

Yay love SKKS

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98 bh

November 13, 2010 at 10:41 AM

Hey did anyone notice that Jae-shin aka Red Messenger wrote the notes in Hangul instead of Hanja (chinese characters)? I would like to think that he started doing so after Yoon-hee mentioned about how foolish it was for the Red Messenger to be writing in Hanja which the uneducated could not read. (can't remember which episode it was, but the scene was in the dining room when all the scholars were discussing about the Red Messenger)

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99 x0mi07

November 17, 2010 at 5:34 PM

I LOVE YOUR RECAPS!!!!!!^^

really my heart broke for yongha... they were treating him soooo coldly!

OMG gf! i was also hoping that yoonhee would confess to yongha during that time that they were cleaning up yongha's room together!!!!

and you even point out some of the inferences that i missed (like when Yongha tells yoonhee that there are those who share a room but don't know how the other feels)! thank you!^^

loving the headmaster for coming through solidly in the last episode... i was beginning to think he was totally useless!^^ props to SHOW for proving me wrong!^^

loving that crazy horse attitude runs in the moon family!^^ score! and ah in's performances are sooooo raw and stellar! shook me to the core and had me bawling... esp when he was begging his father saying he and seonjoon haven't even started properly yet!^^ also happy that jaeshin noticed something was really off with yongha that day... bromance for life!

jaeshin did not have a proper fighting send off for yoonhee. *sigh* no confession no burst of anger... made me kinda really sad but it's so typically him at the same time. *sigh* =,( so i'm thankful that he has yongha because it's totally undeserving of the second lead to always walk away by himself. like i said BROMANCE FOR LIFE!^^

before that lackey told insoo about leaving his side cuz of the violation of skk sacredness, i already felt sad for him as i watched him clutch the fallen books from the library during the raid. that was powerful for me (being a bookreader and all) so i expected him to turn away already. beautifully done though. awesome acting.

so thanks sooooo much for the recap.^^ i couldn't read it til i finished watching the ep... your posts are as compelling as the eps themselves!^^

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100 kwfong

November 17, 2010 at 6:50 PM

Many thanks for your wonderfully succinct recaps which have been just as exhilarating as watching the drama. After watching each epi I make certain that I return here to revive and pickup certain cultural aspects of the drama that I might not have understood.

PS: Just a very minor clarification regarding "cajones" (Love the "cajones" on this girl), I dont suppose you meant "drawers" but instead ballsy. Perhaps a typo error;)

Another aspect of this drama that I appreciate very much is an introduction of teachings of "Confucius made easy"! One of the love notes left by LSJ in the library books for KYS was:
一笑一少，一怒以老.
Yīxiào yī shǎo, yī nù yǐ lǎo (mandarin phoentics). The same if read in the Cantonese dialect the above sounds like a tongue-twister! I wonder whether in the Korean language, would it be a tongue twister as well?

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