Sungkyunkwan Scandal: Episode 20 (Final)

316 November 11, 2010January 24, 2016

by red pill

Dear Jal-geum Quartet,

Thank you for the memories, the tears, the laughs, the squeals, the giggles, the sighs, the cringes, the waff, the thump-thumps, the insomnia, the dreams, the fantasies, the discussions, the love, the shipping, the great times, the smiles, the late nights, the early mornings, the procrastination, the cheers, the oh-nos, the arguments, the factions, the alliances, the heartache, the heartbreak, the bliss, the grief, the tingles, the tangles, the conspiracies, the bromances, the flutters, the gasps, the nail-biting, the TGIM, the curses, the hallelujahs, the prayers and the fun times.

It was a helluva ride. You were worth every moment.

Love, red pill

SONG OF THE DAY
Richard Marx & Donna Lewis – At the Beginning (Anastasia Soundtrack) [download]

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LESSON 20 RECAP

As Yoon-hee marvels over the geumdeungjisa, King Jeong-jo receives the report from Minister Moon (Jae-shin’s father) that Sun-joon is not the Red Messenger. That leaves Minister Ha to issue a public apology for violating the SKK grounds and students with his guards – and he better hurry before the whole nation hears about what happened.

As the leader of the petition, Yoon-hee is granted an audience with the king to hear his response to the petition. Per the SKK students’ request, Sun-joon will be released and Minister Ha will issue an official apology.

Yoon-hee explains that the secret letter was solved and the geumdeungjisa found. With it the king can finally move forward with the dream that he and her father shared. He promises that her efforts will not go to waste and tells her that it’s now the Jal-geum Quartet’s turn to harbor new dreams in a new Joseon.

Sun-joon is released to a cheering crowd of SKK students, and one can’t help but note how far he’s come since episode one when he was all thorns and friendless. Now he approaches the Three Stooges first and affirms their friendship. Boy, you smile so easily now.

Jae-shin greets him in his usual passive-aggressive gruff way, “Act on your own again, and I’ll never see your face again.” (Jae-shin speak for “I was worried about you.”) Yong-ha translates this to mean that Jae-shin intends to see Sun-joon’s face for a long, long time. Tee-hee.

But the leader of the petition and the one person Sun-joon really wants to see is nowhere to be found.

Because Yoon-hee is meeting with Minister Lee. He thanks her for saving his son, though it probably wasn’t easy with a grudge against the father. But those personal feelings aside, she was just trying to save her friend.

Minister Lee: Your bold spirit is just like your father’s. I didn’t like your father from the start. He was too idealistic and too much of a Romanticist to be advisor to the king. I was willing to do anything to stop your father and to get him to surrender completely, to acknowledge that reality can never live up to one’s ideals. However, I never intended to kill your father. Even so, I understand that your resentment towards me must run deep.
Yoon-hee: I don’t resent you. I’ve decided to take caution from you.
Minister Lee: Caution?
Yoon-hee: If one takes a single step back, that person must then take two steps back to cover up that misstep. Then, in the messy zigzag of one’s footsteps, one forgets where one was originally headed.
Minister Lee: I understand now why my son values you.

Yoon-hee returns to the dorms where Sun-joon is waiting for her. Already a henpecker, he demands to know where she was and why she wasn’t first in line to greet him after his short stint in jail. The very cute bickering about the definition of their relationship is put to an end when Yoon-hee shows Sun-joon that she’s wearing his ring. We might’ve gotten another kiss if Yong-ha hadn’t swung open the room door with impeccable timing (as always).

What follows is a drinking session for our Jal-geum Quartet. This mostly consists of Yong-ha praising Yoon-hee (he comments that she’s the first girl who doesn’t bore him) and talks of dreams in the new Joseon. Particularly touching is Yong-ha’s comment that he doesn’t need a dream; he’s satisfied with the fact that he’s Gu Yong-ha, and he has friends who accept him for who he is, noble blood or not.

Jae-shin and Sun-joon actually agree on the sleeping arrangement for once and try to send Yoon-hee to Yong-ha’s room, but eventually the four end up sleeping in the same room. How cute is it that Sun-joon sleeps holding Jae-shin’s hand? I’m jumping on the Jae-joon bromance ship.

Of course the following morning, Sun-joon is disgruntled that Yoon-hee chose to sleep in a room full of boys, and this leads to more cute bickering. He finds out that she used to copy those explicit red books (they pay extra), which proves to him that he doesn’t know enough about her life before SKK. Therefore, he offers to go to her house on their next holiday and meet her family. This is serious; meeting her mother is the first step in getting married.

Meanwhile, Yoon-hee’s secret is slowly spreading and all the major players start finding out. First Minister Ha, then Minister Lee. It’s a major trump card that could blow over the geumdeungjisa threat. Which is exactly what Minister Lee tells King Jeong-jo: he should hide the geumdeungjisa forever if he doesn’t want to hurt the daughter of his dear friend, the friend he sacrificed for the sake of his dream.

The problem with Yoon-hee being a girl is that whether the king intended it or not, he has broken down longstanding traditions and principles (as learned in the Three Bonds and Five Relationships of Confucianism) by using a girl in his quest for the geumdeungjisa. Additionally, this damages the credibility of the geumdeungjisa as well.

Completely oblivious, Yoon-hee pretties herself in preparation for Sun-joon’s visit. For the first time, she can actually be a girl (on the outside) and face Sun-joon honestly. Only, while she’s waiting outside for him with a lantern, a dark shadow confronts her. She drops the lantern and her mirror in surprise.

Finally having found some inner peace, Jae-shin shares a drink with his brother in a lovely spot overlooking banchon. He acknowledges that he once pitied his brother because he thought his brother died for a world he hated, but he realized only now that his brother had actually loved the world too much. That’s why he was able to give up his life for the cause.

The moment is interrupted by Yong-ha, who just found out from Hyo-eun that In-soo knows that Yoon-hee is a girl. They go to Yoon-hee’s house, where they run into Sun-joon (who hilariously tries to walk away before they see him). They find the broken mirror and realize that someone nabbed Yoon-hee.

There’s no more doubt that Yoon-hee is a girl; she stands before the king in full female garb. The king is rightfully furious, and when alone with Professor Jung he demands to know why he wasn’t told this incredible secret. But all Professor Jung can do is kneel and take full responsibility for Yoon-hee.

The king suspects he’s so accepting of Yoon-hee because of his background in Western Learning (=liberal thinking). Professor Jung acknowledges that Western Learning teaches that all people, no matter what gender, are noble and valuable. However, he still believed that females had no place in politics and didn’t need an education. That is, until he met Yoon-hee. It was Yoon-hee who taught him that life and learning one’s studies are one and the same.

The king remains unrelenting, particularly since he’s so close to achieving his dream.

Minister Ha once again seeks out Cho-sun. She’s ready to refuse because she’s more than fulfilled her duties to him and it’s about time he kept his side of the bargain. But this last job should interest her; he wants her to kidnap Yoon-hee and bring her to him. And it’s through Minister Ha that Cho-sun finds out she’s been in love with a girl all along.

The three boys come to Professor Jung for confirmation that Yoon-hee is with the king. They want to believe that the king will protect her, but Professor Jung evades their questions and confirms the opposite.

In an upcoming meeting, the king will announce his plans to move the capital to Hwaseong. And in order to crush the Noron opposition, he’ll unveil the geumdeungjisa. But what will happen if the Norons use the fact that Yoon-hee, the person who found the geumdeungjisa, is a girl?

Will the king protect Yoon-hee, Jae-shin asks desperately. Isn’t that the so-called hope that he’s always talking about?

All three boys are in tears as they realize that Yoon-hee will be sacrificed by the king because she’s the one who found the geumdeungjisa. Professor Jung, too, weeps, but all four men are at a loss of what to do.

Sun-joon takes to wallowing in the dark, which is how his father finds him. It’s hard for Minister Lee to believe that this boy who is staking his life on something as inconsequential as a girl is his son. In desperation, Sun-joon gets on his knees and asks his father for help.

“It was through that girl that my eyes opened up to a new world. Not the world that a man must build through what he learned in books, but the world where I want to live. But that world is falling apart. I’m so pathetic and helpless that there is nothing I can do, nothing at all. Please help me, Father.”

But Minister Lee gives him no definite answer.

Their faith in the king dashed to pieces, Yong-ha and Jae-shin stew at a local tavern, worrying about how scared Yoon-hee must be. The tavern is soon crowded by Confucian scholars who’ve been called in by Minister Ha. They don’t know why exactly they were asked to come, but their guess is that the king is up to something and Minister Ha needs reinforcements.

Sun-joon’s tears must’ve moved his father’s heart because Minister Lee puts his political career on the line to suggest to the other Norons that they support the king’s plans to move the capital. If they do this, the king will bury the geumdeungjisa affair and not question their involvement in the late Crown Prince Sado’s death. His efforts are rebuffed by the others; they’ve already agreed to follow Minister Ha’s lead. Power, how short and bitter is thy run.

Yong-ha and Jae-shin are on campus, discussing plans to find out where the meeting with Minister Ha and the Confucian scholars will be held. As long as they find out by 5:30PM, they might be able to find a way to stop Minister Ha and save Yoon-hee. A letter from Cho-sun arrives, informing them about Minister Ha’s plans to bring Yoon-hee before the Confucian scholars.

Minister Ha reassures In-soo that the reliable “man” he has under his command has never once disobeyed him. Only he didn’t give Cho-sun’s memories of Yoon-hee enough credit; they were sweet and touching enough to inspire her defiance. She shows up in all black, ready to stop the meeting with the scholars from happening. As she tangles with the guards, it takes In-soo a moment to fully digest what’s going on and what his father has been doing to Cho-sun. Once that’s processed, he steps in to protect Cho-sun, creating a rift between evil father and (ex-)evil son. For the first time, Cho-sun looks at In-soo in a new light.

What a double whammy of redemption! That’s right, In-soo, use those laser-beam glares on your father!

Jae-shin jumps into the rumble (literally) with a slightly barbed yet begrudging compliment for In-soo: “This is the first time you’ve behaved like a decent human being.”

Yong-ha is doing his best blocking the door and keeping the Confucian scholars locked up in their room. It’s crude and not very effective because Yong-ha isn’t the, um, physical type, but he just has to hold on until Professor Jung arrives to help.

When the men manage to burst out of the room, Yong-ha impersonates a SKK professor and turns on the charm and his silver tongue. Using glib words and the fact that one of the scholars is actually a distant uncle, he manages to befuddle then win over the men by spouting Confucian teachings.

THE Gu Yong-ha has finally gone from spectator on the sidelines to active participant. He not only gets passing marks from Professor Jung, but from us as well.

In his boldest move yet, Sun-joon comes before the king.

King Jeong-jo: Have you come to beg for the girl’s life?
Sun-joon: I came to ask you to throw away Kim Yoon-shik, no, Kim Yoon-hee. And for you to throw me away as well. Because there is no hope for the new Joseon you dream of. You’re not trying to cut her loose because she went against the law and Confucian traditions by dressing up as a man and entering SKK where no women are allowed. Isn’t it because she stands in the way of your reforms? Yet, you’re the one who promotes views that go against tradition and customs. For your reforms –
King Jeong-jo: Seems I’ve shown you too much favor. (For you to step out of line.)
Sun-joon: Have you been fighting all this time to beat the Norons? Not to save your people? Is the great country you dream of filled with only your beliefs and not with your people?
King Jeong-jo: Stop. Enough.
(Sun-joon lays down the compass that the king gave him.)
Sun-joon: A compass needle that doesn’t stay vigilant against itself and doesn’t waver cannot point out the right direction. I return the warning you once gave me.

Boy is BALLSY. And I love him for it.

Our boys managed to stop Minister Ha’s meeting with the Confucian scholars, but they couldn’t stop him from going to the king. With the head Norons in attendance, King Jeong-jo acknowledges that when it comes to moving the capital, there can be no compromise. That’s why he found the very thing that could silence the Norons forever: the geumdeungjisa.

Minister Ha comes bursting in, wanting to use his Yoon-hee trump card, but the king silences him. The king has found the container holding the geumdeungjisa – only, he claims the geumdeungjisa was not found inside. He will not give up his dream to move the capital, however. Not when he began this fight for the people, not to triumph over the Norons.

And so, the king chooses Yoon-hee over his dream.

After the meeting, Minister Moon arrests Minister Ha for the events of that night ten years ago when one Kim Seung-hun and one Moon Young-shin were brutally murdered. Sort of out of the blue, but I get it, we’re wrapping up loose ends here since we have less than 15 minutes to go in the episode.

As further proof of his determination to protect Yoon-hee, the king burns the geumdeungjisa before her eyes. But this isn’t the end, not while hope still lives.

King Jeong-jo: Promise me one thing. That you’ll remember for a long time my dream, the future of this nation, and not my pathetic death nor my short life. That way I can stay alive in your memories.

Standing ovation for King Jeong-jo, please.

Minister Lee realizes what a great sacrifice the king made in order to save Yoon-hee’s life. He comments on her daring nature and brings up what she said to him earlier, about using him as caution to make sure she doesn’t walk in zigzags and lose her way. He says it won’t be easy since men easily miss even the very things before their eyes. It certainly won’t be easy to do alone – so he asks her to stay by Sun-joon and walk the straight path together.

Huzzah! Three cheers for Papa Lee! (Man, are things wrapping up in a neat little bow or what?)

And we have the final hand-off as Jae-shin officially resigns from his position as Yoon-hee’s guardian angel and passes on all duties to Sun-joon. He tells Sun-joon to protect her well so that he won’t have to get involved. In return Sun-joon thanks Jae-shin for everything he’s done for her.

Enter twirling Yong-ha who tries to tag along for the reunion with Yoon-hee – only to be stopped by a more tactful Jae-shin who sends Sun-joon alone.

Aw, I was kind of hoping for a Quartet reunion.

The library. Ah, the memories of first kisses, love notes exchanged, footsies, and futile attempts at studying. Seriously, I’ve never seen a couple meet so much in the library, but what do you expect from two brainy scholars?

“Have you seen the talented bear?”

“Wang?”

With beautiful smiles from our leading man and lady, we’re brought full circle back to their fateful meeting in episode one, when they had no idea what the future had in store for them.

This is what I consider the real end of the series, but since the production team tacked on the last five minutes for the sake of fan service… We continue the story at an undetermined time in the future…

Yongha is still his cheeky self, toying with women like only he can. He’s putting his skills to good use by selling and making clothes, having taken over the family business. Yes, he’s a fashion designer, and a fantabulous one at that. Step aside, Tim Gunn.

Meanwhile, a Blue Messenger is running across the rooftops, dropping blue leaflets everywhere. Blue is caught by a police officer, who turns out to be none other than our Jae-shin – and he lets out a little hiccup (he wasn’t cured!) when he realizes that Blue is a girl.

He pulls out her leaflet, marked up with a red pen, and tells her that writing bad grammar will become a habit. We leave him grumbling on the rooftops, agitated that SKK isn’t living up to its usually high standards of education.

Speaking of SKK, a crowd of students chase after a noticeably short professor (tee-hee), and it’s none other than our beloved Yoon-hee. The boys are more in love with her than anything else, using their exam marks as an excuse to talk to her.

Of course this doesn’t sit well with Professor Stache, aka. Lee Sun-joon, who throws a jealous hissy fit guised well in didactic words. The two bicker back and forth until interrupted by the headmaster, who has clearly had to deal frequently with their bickering at every turn.

The two glare at each other before stalking off in opposite directions.

Back home in the bedroom, Yoon-hee nitpicks about the dusty room (it’s HIS turn to do the cleaning – lady, I like how you run your household), but he glosses that over with a peck on the lips. She blows out the candle, and they, uh, get down to business (while he hilariously grabs the red book for “help”).

And they live happily ever after. THE END.

COMMENTS

Sungkyunkwan Scandal had charm. From its beautiful cinematography to its unexpectedly intense narrative to its absolutely lovable characters (from the four leads right down to the extras), it was just plain charming. At the core, the very foundation of its success was that it had substance and it wasn’t just a love story (which I’m fine with, but it’s hard to win over an older crowd with just a love story between teens/twenty-somethings). There was political intrigue, historical intricacies and social commentary as well. That explains why my mother and I were both hooked (and now both showing serious withdrawal symptoms). It took first love and history and did an admirable mash-up to produce a true gem.

Not to say it didn’t have its flaws. The sometimes questionable editing, the inconsistencies (particularly in the strange cross between day and night scenes), the underdeveloped characters (Kang-moo, who are you? Cho-sun, why did you become a baddie in the first place? Etc.), the overuse of smoke, and the too-neatly-wrapped-up ending (more on that later). So is SKKS perfect? No. Is it one of the best dramas of 2010? Darn right.

As we neared the last twenty minutes of the final episode, I thought it unfortunate that the series wasn’t originally slated for 24 episodes. I feel the final wrap-up could’ve been smoother; instead, we had too many bows tied up hurriedly for the sake of closure, which sort of took away from the poignant moments, like King Jeong-jo’s sacrifice for Yoon-hee. I personally wouldn’t have minded a slightly open, more subdued ending, but the ending stayed true to the spirit of the series.

As for the saccharine-sweet final sequence… I particularly love that Jae-shin chases the Blue Messenger in order to hand her the marked up leaflet. And I love that Yoon-hee is a professor at SKK – only, it doesn’t make much sense, does it? Is Yoon-hee still pretending to be a man? But didn’t Jae-shin imply that girls are allowed at SKK now? Wait, isn’t that historically incorrect? Yes, and I understand fully if history buffs are miffed. But as a (fiction) writer, I think the final future sequence is more of a what-could-be rather than what-is. It’s the new Joseon that King Jeong-jo dreamed of, alive in this drama and in its characters. I believe the writer is taking liberties with our imagination, and I (personally) am okay with that. I do kind of wish the whole sequence had been set aside as a special segment rather than the closing sequence, but I think it did its job as fan service, and it closed the drama on a happy note, leaving smiles on our faces.

Finally, let me close with a screencap that I believe epitomizes SKKS and why we loved it so much.

316

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101 kenshihnkenjikaoru

November 12, 2010 at 6:49 AM

Awesome drama....seriously great and wonderful plot....entirely different from the usual historical drama before... Totally head over heels with the dram, the story , characters and last but not least the actors and actresses.....

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102 Judy

November 12, 2010 at 6:50 AM

J4 all graduated with good grades! I missed them and SKKS!

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103 conan

November 12, 2010 at 6:57 AM

Ugh I'm so sad SKKS ended. I too believe it is one of the best dramas of the year, if not ever! It worries me that great dramas (read: Coffee Prince and SKKS) has to deal with cross dressing. Oh well.

I thought the ending with Sunjoon and Yoonhee getting "down to business" has a very Sassy Girl Chunhyang-esque vibe to it. I loved that drama to pieces, even if all the evil is just plain wrong. So glad that Uhm Taewoong played the baddie. He's just too awesome to hate. I also hated how the drama just has to end like that. Why not 24 anybody? It would've been better. They should've played around with the king more. And kept Yoonhee a little longer. And kept the fabulous 3 waiting in distress longer. I just want to see grown men cry, okay?

I usually hate how some stories just had to do the whole "so-so years later" plan to get it over with. Almost all my favorite dramas (Sassy Girl Chunhyang, Coffee Prince, Sorry I Love You) took that road too. Good thing it goes well with the plot. But sometimes it just shows laziness. But thankfully SKKS took the comedy (and fan service!) route for their so-so years later approach which came out hilarious and superb-o. Through Yongha and Jaeshin I now realize the bigger the beads hanging on your gats, the more important you are. And boy was Jaeshin's beads huge! More like ping pong balls, maybe? But I thought the funniest was Sunjoon. He was adorable and funny with that beard and mustache! But even with that he doesn't look a day older. Weird. Maybe Yoochun will be like than 10 years from now.

I love the scene where the fabulous three went up to Professor Jung and asked about the safety of Yoonhee. Why fabulous three? With Yoonhee, they're the Jalgeum Quartet. Without her, they're the fabulous three. Self explanatory. And the camera work! One of the highlights of this drama is great use of cinematography. I agree with the whole "what time is it?" confusion but everything else, the cinematography is great. Back to the fabulous three scene. I love how they slowly focus on each character and show us the expressions of worry on their faces. And being great actors they are, each one showed a slightly different worry too. That's awesome acting to me!

This last episode actually made me squeal, scream, gasp, awe, and many, many more spazzes even more than usual. Maybe because it was the last and I want to savor the moment. I think I have to stop here. If I keep going, I might end up writing a recap of my own!

Oh, by the way, Jaeshin made me die when he suddenly leaped in to save Chosun and Insoo. Thought you ought to know. Goodness gracious, Jaeshin, even at the last moments you just HAD to kill me.

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@.@

November 12, 2010 at 9:33 AM

totally agree:
"Oh, by the way, Jaeshin made me die when he suddenly leaped in to save Chosun and Insoo. Thought you ought to know. Goodness gracious, Jaeshin, even at the last moments you just HAD to kill me."

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104 enjay87

November 12, 2010 at 7:00 AM

thanks redpill for the recap...i was really laughing out loud when you wrote "That’s right, In-soo, use those laser-beam glares on your father!"--a sudden thought of hearing laser beam from mazinger z came into me...

i do love skks it was an enjoyable series to watch..

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izzie

November 12, 2010 at 8:21 AM

and then enter Mask Rider Black, err, Moon Jae-Shin. :D

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105 Lisa Purba

November 12, 2010 at 7:10 AM

Sun-joon sleeps holding Jae-shin’s hand...BRO-MANCE! xD
So actually it's Jae-shin that these boys like, not Yoon-hee :p

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106 girlkorean

November 12, 2010 at 7:11 AM

Yes, Thank you for the wonderful recaps! they're why i started watching the drama in the first place and it's nice to relive the show through them!

I love love the recurring theme of double lives - Jae Shin/Hong Byuk Seo, Yong Ha/Nobility, Yoon Hee/Yoon Shik and interestingly Sun Joon living one way-based on books and principles, not realizing another way/life existed beyond books and principles until he meets the other three. he doesn't so much lead a double life but discovers another one.

there are a lot of unfinished storylines, but the one i really wish they had tackled was the Cho Sun/Yoon Hee one. maybe they could've met once last time?! i would've like for them to acknowledge the other somehow. they're interesting mirrors of each other. one uses her ultra femininity to make her way in the world, the other uses ultra intellectualism (which was considered a male domain way back then). and even their flip sides - the fake hong buyk seo and even Yoon Hee -just another helpless girl sold to repay debts- are fascinating parallels.

that being said, i miss the show! so entertaining on so many levels!

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conan

November 12, 2010 at 7:20 AM

Yes! How fun would it be if Chosun saw Yoonshik, the "man" she falls head over heels in love for, as Yoonhee? Ah! But judging from how she decided not to kill her, I think Chosun sees Yoonhee as a respectable person. I actually thought Chosun will go out to kill Yoonhee based on her eyes when she looked at the mirror. It says, "Ooh you betrayed me. Now face my wrath!" Well, turns out she's as much of a deceiver than anyone else. Ugh, I could never understand this girl. But I can't help imagining the looks on both their faces if they were to meet as girl on girl. Oh the horror! But I kind of feel bad for Chosun. If I knew the guy I've been crushing on is actually a girl, I'd break down in tears.

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107 Annie

November 12, 2010 at 7:24 AM

I still havent watch the last 4 eps because I have no time and I also dont want it to end!!! IM missing it already

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108 soiia

November 12, 2010 at 7:43 AM

THANK YOU red pills, girlfriday, javabeans and cassie.opeia for the oh-so awesome recaps!! I think I enjoyed this drama twice much thanks to your recaps (I sometimes end up reading the recap before watching the drama, because I have to wait for subtitles) :)

I love this SS so badly. Perhaps, my only complain is how I am still not cured from second male lead disorder, but there's nothing that can be done. Oh, dear Jae-shin (I so hope to see Yoo Ah-In in a drama soom, he was fantastic!)

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109 Rong

November 12, 2010 at 7:58 AM

I love your introduction. It describes everything I feel about this show. Thanks you so much. I love this show so so much. Miss it so so so much.

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110 Rong

November 12, 2010 at 8:01 AM

And oh... this is one of the best korean dramas this year... without doubt. Think I will not be indulging in another drama for a while. Cannot bear to watch other drama yet...haha...

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wits

November 12, 2010 at 6:58 PM

oh so true, rong. idk, I just feel so attached to this drama that everytime I try to watch a new one, I feel as if I am betraying SKKS... and myself. divided loyalties... weird, super weird... and so i ended up re-watching SKKS from episode 1! yey, love the J4 to pieces!

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samgetang

November 12, 2010 at 9:18 PM

you are at your wit's end, wits...hahaha! you are a dyed-in-the-wool SKKS addict truly! ;-)

so loving this kdrama that i keep hovering over this dramabeans final recap and the rants/raves here by like-minded addicts. huhuhu!

can't seem to let go :-)

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Rong

November 13, 2010 at 7:35 AM

Good to share here... At least we have common understanding:) heartache still exists... Hope it will go off soon.

Thank you, dramabean for this platform for open sharing and raving:)

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111 Ariel

November 12, 2010 at 8:13 AM

Love the song, it is so appropriate, the end is just the beginning. If you imagine our BFF quartet having kids, JS falling in love with the blue messenger, Yongha changing Joseon fashion etc. All of them existing in alternate Joseon universe, me wishing I was there with them *sight*. Withdrawal symptoms are sooooo painful but still we go through it time and again because what can we do we are addicts afterall.

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112 izzie

November 12, 2010 at 8:17 AM

Mary Stayed Out has already aired 2 episodes and I'M STILL AT MY SKKS WITHDRAWAL EPISODE! @.@

Is there a cure for this? (I'm watching MGIAGumiho, but I don't have much gusto. sigh)

I hope there will be a season 2 (and cast, I hope you can forgive me for wishing for it. Please understand, I'm getting the shakes here.).

I miss the quartet - Moony the most. (sigh again)

A spin-off story about Cho-sun and In-soo would be interesting. What happened to them after everybody else got their happy ending? And with the old Mr. Ha in the "Joseon Yard", did In-soo take over the household? Oh, what would he do with all the wealth and connections sans his father's strings?

I miss Moony. (sigh)

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113 SuziQ

November 12, 2010 at 8:29 AM

Love this series. Ending was a little rush,but I was pleasantly surprised.Wasn't familiar with the actors of the JAL-Geum Quartet. Like them much better then the Boys Before Flowers Quartet. Looking forward in seeing them in future KDRAMAS. Each character was special and made this drama so much fun to watch. Will miss the FAB 4.

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Lilian

November 12, 2010 at 10:00 AM

I so agree...they are definitely more interesting than the BOF quartet! The story and characterisation here is much better!

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114 oh! tht! chick!

November 12, 2010 at 8:30 AM

thanks guys for the recaps! <3 everything about it esp Micky! he was just perfect for the role! im not a cassie neither did i care much for JYJ/TVXQ! but now im a fan :D

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115 curiouscat

November 12, 2010 at 9:24 AM

thanks red_pill, aberdeen and girlfriday for skk's recaps. thoroughly enjoyed reading (while watching) every word you girls have written. thank you much! =)

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116 @.@

November 12, 2010 at 9:27 AM

I have serious wirthdrawal symptoms! Loved Sungkyunkwan Scandal!!!!! I would have liked some more info about Insoo and Chosun, like what happens later, and why did Chosun become a good fighter and criminal. I had rooted for JaeShin and YoonHee, but I accepted the fact that YoonHee loves Sunjoon. They didn't make a bad couple, they had chemistry, and I liked their humorous final scene. Also, it's sad that YoonHee never finds out about what JaeShin's done for her, but it's touching when he, filling out the role of oppa protector that he is, hands her over to SunJoon (even though Sunjoon doesn't realize everything it means). JaeShin does get peace of mindregarding father and hyung , though, so I'm happy for him. Although it obviously isn't historically accurate that YoonHee could be a professor, this ending stays true to the show's essence about dreaming of a better world, and I liked it. It's all fiction, so it's all good. Also, I can't imagine YoonHee, who is so smart and driven simmply giving up on all of that. Sunjoon evolved throughout the series into someone who learned that it's okay to have friends and be emarrassed (he was always a "good guy"). Although his problem with YoonHee sleeping in the same room as men seems kind of silly, since she's been doing that the entire time they've known each other. Gu Yong Ha is one of the most amazing characters, and I fell in love with JaeShin. I loved Yongha throughout, and this final episode shows him being Gu Yong Ha in all his cocky glory. Jaeshin stays noble to the very end, but I disliked his final encounter with the girl Blue Messenger. It's a cheap ending, that a girl who can't even write properly has sort of become the new rebellious figure. (The Red Messenger wasn't just rebellious, he was skilled at martial arts and very cultured) They should have shown him actually doing something as a police, not something that lame. As far as the ending goes, I liked it except for that. Anyways, thank you Sungkyunkwan Scandal for all the wonderful memories and for helping me find my ideal type (lol). All the sighing and squealing and laughing and crying were worth it. thank you recappers for fun recaps!!!!! Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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117 izzie

November 12, 2010 at 9:46 AM

The part of this episode that I love the most is the one where Moony smiled so brightly, happy lines showed on his cheeks (near his eyes), and his eyes beamed - for a fleeting 2 seconds that felt like a year of floating in glee. :) I had to pause the video even though I wanted to watch the entire episode, just to stare at Moony like that and sigh over and over.

(This is the part after Moony stopped Yeorim from joining Smarty in looking for Daemul, and Yeorim talked about where he belonged. Before they walked away, Moony looked back at Smarty's direction and did that smile that hugged my heart and turned me into a puddle of sweet, sweet happiness.)

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koreandramalover/kay

November 12, 2010 at 9:58 AM

Yes, izzie!!!

I agree with that scene being the rarest of the rare moments where we see Jae Shin smiling with such unadulterated joy - such a squeeeeling joy watching his gazillion-watt smile!!! Squeeee!!!! :)

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izzie

November 12, 2010 at 10:14 AM

Eeeek!!! :D

I'm really fighting the compulsion of playing Ep. 20 and hunting and freezing this scene. Somebody, stop me!

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koreandramalover/kay

November 14, 2010 at 6:59 AM

Hi izzie!!!

Just thought of sharing a link on MJS and hopefully it can help you cure your addiction...NOT...hehe!!! :)

Enjoy!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrsNAf6SELs&feature=related

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izzie

November 14, 2010 at 7:39 AM

Three minutes and fifty seconds.

That's the exact duration of me holding my hand over my mouth to keep myself from screaming and consequently waking up everybody in the house. And then having to explain why I did that over a YouTube video.

So the scream happened in my head. It was only then that I learned that doing such is equally deafening and twice as craziness-inducing. It shakes up one's core you know... I thought I was going to implode.

I'm having the shakes again. I'm crying-giggling-crying in my head. And it's not easy to hold up a facade of lucidity while inside, the addict is being rambunctious and rampaging.

All day, I was able to manage not to swoon over THE Moon. All day. Imagine that effort. And then you lead me to that video.

Of course, the recovering addict could only oblige to her urges. At this point, how can I pass up my brand of heroin? Thanks to you, the Moon Crack is happily swimming in my bloodstream again. And I'm smiling again for reasons that are not acceptable to the normal society.

koreandramalover... what did I ever do to you in the past life? Oh you torturous being!!! You just had to drag me back to join you again in the mosh pit, don't you? And now it's Moony's face stuck in my head again.

Argh.

by the way, thanks much for the link... LOVED IT!!! :D

koreandramalover/kay

November 14, 2010 at 8:17 AM

Hi izzie! I read your post (which I attach below because the system does not allow me to reply to it) and my reply comes after it :

"Three minutes and fifty seconds.

That’s the exact duration of me holding my hand over my mouth to keep myself from screaming and consequently waking up everybody in the house. And then having to explain why I did that over a YouTube video.

So the scream happened in my head. It was only then that I learned that doing such is equally deafening and twice as craziness-inducing. It shakes up one’s core you know… I thought I was going to implode.

I’m having the shakes again. I’m crying-giggling-crying in my head. And it’s not easy to hold up a facade of lucidity while inside, the addict is being rambunctious and rampaging.

All day, I was able to manage not to swoon over THE Moon. All day. Imagine that effort. And then you lead me to that video.

Of course, the recovering addict could only oblige to her urges. At this point, how can I pass up my brand of heroin? Thanks to you, the Moon Crack is happily swimming in my bloodstream again. And I’m smiling again for reasons that are not acceptable to the normal society.

koreandramalover… what did I ever do to you in the past life? Oh you torturous being!!! You just had to drag me back to join you again in the mosh pit, don’t you? And now it’s Moony’s face stuck in my head again.

Argh.

by the way, thanks much for the link… LOVED IT!!!"

My reply :

Hehe...I was laughing my head off reading your post!!! Hehe...Thousand, million, gazillion apologies if I cause you to lose your head over Moony...

You are too funny!!! :)

Maybe what you can do to cure your addiction is to remember what Yoo Ah In said in the long interview posted by Sara - where he said :

"I feel like dying when people tell me things like, "All the girls ever do when they get together is talk about you!" I just don't know how to respond to that and it doesn't seem right to say thank you. Or should I just be bold and say, "Yea, I was cool in it, wasn't I?" Anyway, it's hard for me to deal with more extreme forms of expressions. And it's not just me as an actor -- I think I don't feel quite comfortable with such things even when it comes to love or the person I'm dating."

He is wise beyond his years and he is sooo young...
It's practically CRIMINAL for us to go crazy over someone soooo young...hehe... :)

But...that's not going to stop us...from...dreeeeaming, now is it? Hehe... :)

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izzie

November 15, 2010 at 9:17 AM

Thank you. I'm glad I made your day. or night. :) I'm pretty sure you can relate to what I'm going through, though. Hehehe. It takes one Moony-Loony to know one.

In a good twist of things, thoughts of Moony helped me get through yet another day at work. And I have to thank you for reinforcing my addiction. No office pressure was able to put a dent on my mood today.

By the way, I was able to influence a friend to watch SKKS. She is now a Moony convert. Watching another Moony-Loony go ga-ga can make you feel better. Now, I understand why you led me to that link. (Peace!) :)

And no, Yoo Ah In being shy and uncomfy about praises ain't gonna dent my lurve for him either. It means he's not conceited. Any sign attesting to his having a better sense than, say, 90% of celebs makes him even more attractive to me. And I don't mind the age gap either. :) If Demi Moore bagged Ashton Kutcher, and Kim Hyun Joong is pining for Lee Hyori (who's born just days after I was popped out in this world, by the way), then I won't feel any guilt about casting Yoo Ah In in my mind dramas. :) Not that I remotely resemble Ms. Moore or Ms. Lee. (Please just allow me the age as a point of comparison. I ain't gonna push the envelope any further. You can put that ax down, thank you.)

And if ever I come face to face with THE Moon, me talking about how pretty he is ain't gonna be a problem. I have the uncanny ability of turning into a stone in the presence of my eye candy. It cannot be helped. It's involuntary. (bows head in shame)

As for my withdrawal symptoms, it's off my list of concerns. Oh well, I'm just gonna have to wait off until this obsession fades away (although I'm not sure if I want it to). In the meantime, I'm gonna enjoy it. :) And if I go criminal by it, Officer Moon Jae-Shin is welcome to arrest me anytime. Put me on the offenders list! I'm the new red messenger, littering the town with my declaration of... of... (wait, is that a shadow in a hat leaping on my neighbors' roofs? Eek!)

- the stone

koreandramalover/kay

November 15, 2010 at 8:58 PM

Dear izzie, my fellow Moony-Loon... :)

As the system does not allow me to reply to your post (which I attach below) I had to resort to putting my reply in between your reply below :

Your reply :

izzie November 15th, 2010 at 9:17 am

"Thank you. I’m glad I made your day. or night. I’m pretty sure you can relate to what I’m going through, though. Hehehe. It takes one Moony-Loony to know one.

Yes, izzie!!! It takes one to know one, indeed!! :)

"In a good twist of things, thoughts of Moony helped me get through yet another day at work. And I have to thank you for reinforcing my addiction. No office pressure was able to put a dent on my mood today."

Wow!! That's fantastic!! I am only too happy to lend a helping hand to a fellow Moony-Loon to make it through your days...hehe :)

And do you know what? I am in the exact same position!! I look forward to mooning over our dear Moonyly-adorable face everytime I turn on my laptop...

so much so that I have a special folder containing all the stills containing his adorable face that I downloaded from the Internet...hehe... :)

"By the way, I was able to influence a friend to watch SKKS. She is now a Moony convert. Watching another Moony-Loony go ga-ga can make you feel better. Now, I understand why you led me to that link. (Peace!)"

Wow!!! That is such great news!!! More Moony-Loons to lose our heads with...HEAVEN!!!

"And no, Yoo Ah In being shy and uncomfy about praises ain’t gonna dent my lurve for him either. It means he’s not conceited. Any sign attesting to his having a better sense than, say, 90% of celebs makes him even more attractive to me. And I don’t mind the age gap either. If Demi Moore bagged Ashton Kutcher, and Kim Hyun Joong is pining for Lee Hyori (who’s born just days after I was popped out in this world, by the way), then I won’t feel any guilt about casting Yoo Ah In in my mind dramas. Not that I remotely resemble Ms. Moore or Ms. Lee. (Please just allow me the age as a point of comparison. I ain’t gonna push the envelope any further. You can put that ax down, thank you. :)"

Hehehaha...you had me ROTFL laughing my head off in the Teachers' Room without a care in the world...fortunately only a handful of teachers are around and they are not the nosy kind, so I indulged in my laughing fit over your INSANELY HILARIOUS words...

"put the ax down" - CLASSIC!!! Hehehaha :)

You are like unpolished gem of a comedian...hehehaha

"And if ever I come face to face with THE Moon, me talking about how pretty he is ain’t gonna be a problem. I have the uncanny ability of turning into a stone in the presence of my eye candy. It cannot be helped. It’s involuntary. (bows head in shame)"

Hehehaha!!!...by this time, I was literally crying and laughing at the same time...hehehahaha...just could'nt help myself... :)

"(bows head in shame)" - hehehaha!!!

You are TOO FUNNY!!! :)

"As for my withdrawal symptoms, it’s off my list of concerns. Oh well, I’m just gonna have to wait off until this obsession fades away (although I’m not sure if I want it to). In the meantime, I’m gonna enjoy it. And if I go criminal by it, Officer Moon Jae-Shin is welcome to arrest me anytime. Put me on the offenders list! I’m the new red messenger, littering the town with my declaration of… of… (wait, is that a shadow in a hat leaping on my neighbors’ roofs? Eek!)"

- the stone"

Hehehaha...I think if there is a category for the longest non-stop laughing in the Guinness Book of Records, I would certainly have knock the socks off everybody else for it!!!! Hehehaha...you really a gem, izzie!!!

THANK YOU, IZZIE!!! A MILLION TIMES THANK YOU!!!

Your post has really made my day!!!

I am SOOOO GLAD that I have a kindred spirit in you in my OBSESSION with the MOON...

and like you, I don't believe I will get over it any time soon, or if I want to get over it at all...hehe...

Siiiiiigh....

Btw, I found some more links that I hope you would find to be as addictive as the one I shared with you before...

Here goes nothing...hehe :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8cjZPV0nmw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6BmR1zZuXU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEA1hHJMG8w&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8qtzF6topA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDWEtn50S2w&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDOXrFZgs3k&feature=related

ENJOY!!! :)

Sincerely, the Moony-Loon... :)

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izzie

November 17, 2010 at 9:26 AM

And you're too sweet! :) I should be the grateful one. Your response is way more than what I deserve. I guess life's a comedy, more so when sprinkled with something crazy like a Moon-obsession. It may be good that we're oceans apart. Imagine how it would be if the Moony-Loons of the world converged. (And what about the Smarty-Loons and the Yeorim-Loons?) Moony (and the rest of the JQ) has reasons to be concerned. :)

Thanks for the links! I'll share it with my friends/Moony-Loon converts. :) I have to share the load so as to keep whatever sanity that's left in me. Hehe. This is one of the rare cases where Moonshine can blind me and render me incoherent for hours (which explains the delayed reply). But what do I do? It's not just the Moony's face and/or the body (okay, self, stop drooling!) that one can't help but admire, but the talent too. He's like a tow truck to the emotions that if he smiles, you can't help but smile, and if he winces, you feel his pain. (And shortly after, you start drooling again. Talk about that shirtless, bandaged body... Omo!) (Sigh) Please forgive the thoughts that pop in my head. Lately, they strangely swing from the eloquent to the distorted. How do you rein in the tart and the risque after a prolonged exposure to the Moon? C'est tres difficile! No matter how insanely hot the Moon is, we have to keep in mind that he's still in PG-13 territory! (Excuse me while I degauss my head momentarily. I can't come up with sweet nor wholesome ways to describe him while I'm at this train of thought...)

...

Okay. Where was I? Oh yeah, the Moon obsession...

Your confession about having your secret stash of Moon photos in your work PC made me laugh. I do the same thing too! It's like having a secret supply of chocolates in your drawer, no? Only, chocolates don't make you swoon. It's like an emergency pick-me-up stash. :)

My goodness. I hope Yoo Ah In doesn't find this thread and get to read it. How would we redeem ourselves?

koreandramalover, thanks again for the links. :) I too am so happy to have found new friends here who share what I feel towards the Moony and dig the crazy that I am. :)

P.S.
I can't wait for the next Yoo Ah In drama, and I hope he gets the lead role the next time. ;) His talent deserves more than a second lead role.

118 Lilian

November 12, 2010 at 9:57 AM

oh no.....no more sageuk quartet! argh!! no more cute hiccups! no more I am Gu Yong Ha! no more jealous n smarty pants scenes!!!

this is withdrawal to the max. If they had lengthened the series, we could have seen In Soo changing into a better person through Chosun. We could see more scenes of the four!and what about Hyo Eun???

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119 izzie

November 12, 2010 at 10:08 AM

Not even the Betty Ford center has the cure for the SKKS addiction.

If I don't have the shakes, I stare into empty space. I talk to people with the hundred-yard stare. I see visions of the JG Quartet here and there. If Jae-shin has hiccups, I utter "Omo!" at the mere sight of a photo of any of the quartet. I scream "argh!" in my head whenever I lay eyes on an SKKS photo/video stills/or even the series title! I pull my hair. I didn't even care about DBSK before, but now... but now... :'( I can't even force myself to watch "Mary," though I LOVED Jang Geun Seuk. Watching MGIAGumiho is entertaining, but is not really helping. Whenever I get startled, I don't shriek - I say "Jae-shin!"

Lindsay Lohan has a better chance of getting over her addiction than I will ever get SKKS out of my system.

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samgetang

November 12, 2010 at 3:22 PM

izzie, i thoroughly enjoyed reading your SKKS addiction confession, hahaha!

same here, my friend :-)

we need help oh so badly, hahaha! :-)

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wits

November 12, 2010 at 7:06 PM

hi, I am wits, and I am an SKKS addict, too. *siiiigh*.....................oooops, was catatonic there for a while...sun joon.... i.miss.you....huhuhu... *runs away sobbing*

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izzie

November 13, 2010 at 6:06 AM

thanks! :) we should form SKKS Anonymous then. :D

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didi

November 13, 2010 at 8:00 AM

oh my goodness...i thot i n the only crazy one...dicovered skks and MIcky by accident and now i n insanely crazily helplessly in love w him and the drama....now i feel so normal among u crazy people!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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izzie

November 14, 2010 at 7:56 AM

you'd be surprised how potent the SKKS virus is. it's becoming an outbreak. it's just funny that it's happening after the series had ended.

does anyone have an idea when SKKS is coming out on DVD? :)

120 Laeah

November 12, 2010 at 10:09 AM

I know they added those women just to try and make Jae Shin and Yong Ha not look totally gay, but we all know the truth. <3

I will totally miss Mickey and Park Min Young and Song Joong Ki.. and I guess Yoo Ah In too, lol! But I loved this drama, it was definitely one of my favorites and I'm so happy for all of them. <3

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121 theZ

November 12, 2010 at 10:46 AM

This song just popped in my head:

I've been spending some time thinking I'll be alright
Don't know if I can really make it tonight
Lie awake in the dark
Calm down, then I'll start thinking about you
It's almost breaking my heart

I don't know where I went wrong or what's going on
Baby, I feel like our love lost tonight
Should I stay, should I go
Well I really don't know
Lately I've been missing you so

Baby you don't understand
Our love lies lost but you're still holding my hand
Oh, and then you walk away
Just tonight, I want you to stay

You're turning me on
You turn me around
You turn my whole world upside down
You're turning me on
You turn me around
You turn my whole world upside down

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122 Carinne

November 12, 2010 at 11:09 AM

It was fun while it lasted, all the way to the very end. N i c e ! Thank you recappers for the fun of even/odd perspectives.

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123 Sara

November 12, 2010 at 12:15 PM

wonderful long interviews from Yoo Ah In aka Moon Jae Shin... he's really frank and honest ...

part 1 http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2010111209441408393

part 2 http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2010111213284984709

part 3 http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2010111118103662830

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a-a-a

November 12, 2010 at 3:38 PM

Thanksssss!!

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Ladymoonstone143

November 12, 2010 at 6:06 PM

Oh my...thanks for the link. Awesome interview...

It is one of the things I love about Jae Shin.....he got brains not only in the reel but for real too...:)

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koreandramalover/kay

November 14, 2010 at 7:01 AM

Hi Ladymoonstone143!!!

Just thought of sharing a link on MJS and hopefully it can help you cure your addiction…NOT…hehe!!!

Enjoy!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrsNAf6SELs&feature=related

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wits

November 12, 2010 at 7:29 PM

awesome read. Yoo Ah-In has such depth. Love him as an individual even more now.

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samgetang

November 12, 2010 at 9:38 PM

sara, thanks a lot for the link. im reading it now. such a revelation and at the same time not a surprise. even before reading this interview it seemed to me that this Yoo Ah In is not your average, run-of-the-mill actor. the interview is awesome for digging deep into his psyche. so much talent for one so young! he is really very passionate with his craft. ive seen him in antique bakery before SKKS and he also did a fine job there although he has grown much from that portrayal to MJShin. what maybe sets him apart from others is his added curiosity with the character MJS. he was thinking through the mind and feeling through heart of the role he is portraying. i do hope to see more challenging roles offered to him where we can see more of his passion, instinctive talent and child-like curiosity.

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samgetang

November 12, 2010 at 10:12 PM

sara, i just finished reading the interviews and looks to me like the kid is so much like his character Moon Jae Shin. he also has issues with his father and like most youth are trying to find out whether the world that they live in can still be stretched out to accommodate what is in his mind and heart that sought expression. he is a seeker and will be forever questioning things. which is a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. good if he let himself be comfortable with it and accept those things that he cannot change. bad if he let that get in the way of things that had to be done for the sake of expression. overall, he is a youth who is a thinker and who happen to find himself in the acting arena. i would say that the kdramaworld is a much better place because of actors like him who shun celebrity status and love their work for the sake of it. hope he will keep staying grounded and not let all these crazy moony fans (me, included, hehe) deter him from finding his own peace and happiness. we should all leave him to enjoy his time alone in the gingko tree while writing for his twitter/cyworld readers...and thinking of his next role :-)

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anais

November 12, 2010 at 10:16 PM

The pics that accompany this article reminds me why I couldn't indulge in unadulterated oggling of MJS - he's sooooo young, especially without the long hair!

It's great that YAI is a very thoughtful and deliberate actor.

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Sara

November 12, 2010 at 11:51 PM

love all the commments here... it's wonderful he didn't give just some standard answer that I used to read from other artists interview...

samgetang ...he's really passionate of his craft...an admirable trait...

never been exposed of the awesomeness of Yoo Ah In before and to think I have watched him in The Man who Wants to get Married... never register to me he will become the hot Moony

anais... I vote for him to keep the facial hair....otherwise he looks way too young

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samgetang

November 13, 2010 at 4:52 AM

i'd take yoo ah-in as my younger bro anytime :-) with or without facial hair and messy hairdo, haha!

while song joongki can be my close male friend and stylish confidante par excellance ;-)

and park yoochun? a blood brother to share book reviews with and dreams of changing the world :-)

park min young can be my younger colleague in the fight for world hunger and poverty...and someone to share giddy times with without resorting to nail spa and shopaholic habits :-)

yea, i will take them all :-)

SKKS, you rock! :-)

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124 xtool

November 12, 2010 at 1:21 PM

Thank you for the wonderful recaps! And thanks to everyone who weighs in with these comments - they always make me smile - and LOL!! One small shout-out for Micky's dad, who turns out to be a totally super dad, tough-minded, truth-telling politician and supporter of the good of the kingdom. I was hoping that the show would be able to pin the bad behavior on In-soo's dad, and, sure enough, for the good of the series, they did. How tidy! The "stay by my child" scene was a killer.

Now to cope with the withdrawal... Maybe Mary Stayed Out All Night will help assuage the pain...

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125 Mandelbrotr

November 12, 2010 at 2:23 PM

Thank you each for the recaps!

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126 Rosie1021

November 12, 2010 at 3:31 PM

For the first time in my Kdrama life, I am re-watching a drama that I had just finished watching, and i'm still excited over the coming episodes! I am saving all the recaps in my hard drive - THANK YOU Dramabeans for all of them - and printing them later, in colour. I will buy the dvd pack when it comes out, and for sure, will watch it again (and again), since by that time, I will already be missing my beautiful scholars. I am looking forward to Micky Yoochun's and Park Min-young's next projects - both are absolutely a wonderful actors!

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127 lili

November 12, 2010 at 3:46 PM

Many of my favourite dramas are 2010's. SKK is really on my top 10!!!! love it thanks so much for your recaps i enjoy it so much.
Dramabeans is really a cool site and i'm happy to read your job.

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128 jen

November 12, 2010 at 4:02 PM

shame that there won't be a season 2
T.T

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129 EON

November 12, 2010 at 5:55 PM

I would not have even been curious to watch it had I not heard you raving about it here. :))

Am now on Ep 05 and am loving it. Its helping me get over my YB addiction hehehehe

Thanks for the recaps! Great job!!!

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130 naneki

November 12, 2010 at 6:46 PM

Yep, it wasn't without its flaws, but by far the best drama I've seen this year, at least in my opinion.

BTW, so agree with you on THE one picture that shows why we all LOVE this drama.

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131 Karipap Malaya

November 12, 2010 at 7:37 PM

I just want to echo what has been written by red pills above:-

"Dear Jal-geum Quartet,

It was a helluva ride. You were worth every moment."

that's all I wanna say... Lots of Love from Malaysia... :)

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132 dls

November 12, 2010 at 8:24 PM

Red_pill...thank you for the recap!!!!
SKKS is really the best drama...hooked me from the first episode....
I like how the Jalgeum quartet has changed from their past and grown up until the last episode
and I like the happy ending..this story deserve a happy ending
I also like how SKKS shares about the dream of a better world and the glimpse that the dream may come true.
Happy weekend everyone

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133 Mel_Mel Version S.

November 12, 2010 at 8:42 PM

Love Yong ha and he may be one of my favorite drama characters not of this year, but ever.

Ending did leave me somewhat confused and I do wish that I had gotten 24 episodes just for the sake of smoothing things out. I really would have liked a final scene between Cho sun and Yoon Hee as women just to to give closure to their connection.

But I do love the fanservice ending and probably rewatched it 10 times.

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134 myweithisway

November 12, 2010 at 8:47 PM

This episode is where I am owned completely by Gu Yong Ha--body, heart, and soul. After Hwang Tae Kyun, Yeorim is the next best.

Also, the fangirl in me gave a large squeal to see In-Soo redeemed. I always like the bad boys =P

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135 Crazymoonyfan

November 12, 2010 at 9:21 PM

Thanks Red Pill!!!! Awesome Recaps! I was really excited when I saw your recap, but at the same time, I was so sad that it's over....finally....even the last recap is out......

Thanks everyone, red pill, girlfriday, cassie.....and my fellow skk addicts.....love you all. Anyone has any kdrama suggestions that can cure my skk withdrawal......it's really bad......

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136 doozy

November 12, 2010 at 9:27 PM

mucho thanks to red_pill, cassie, girlfriday, and javabeans for all the recaps!
special mention to javabeans because if it weren't for her episode 1 and 2 recaps, I would not have any interest to check out this gem, and boy, would I be missing out!

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137 HallyuSurfer

November 13, 2010 at 2:15 AM

When I saw the word "final" on the title..it made feel like crying... I really want to read this but I'm watching through KBS World. I don't want to say goodbye yet!

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138 samgetang

November 13, 2010 at 4:32 AM

wow! already 219 comments after only about 24 hours that this recap went up...that's an average of what, one comment per 7 minutes, if my math is right. :-) incredible! is this a record-breaker or what?

hope those who have not posted a comment yet will take this chance so we can hear what they have to say about our Jalgeum Quartet and the so-addictive SKKS phenomenon :-)

any parting words for our graduating scholars? :-)

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koreandramalover/kay

November 13, 2010 at 7:26 PM

Dear samgetang,

I wanted to reply to the post that you put up in episode 19 (that I attached 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.

As for the parting words for our graduating scholars?

May you continue to be rock awesomely!!! :)

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koreandramalover/kay

November 13, 2010 at 7:28 PM

Ooopss!!! Sorry, the parting words should be :

May you continue to rock awesomely!!! :)

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139 samgetang

November 13, 2010 at 4:34 AM

ooppps...correction - it was more than 24 hours already since the recap went up...

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140 Lisa Purba

November 13, 2010 at 5:44 AM

[Quote] samgetang: "any parting words for our graduating scholars?"[/Quote]

I don't want to spill any parting words *sobs* coz it hurts so much! Still in major withdrawal even though now I'm watching MSOAN. But if I have to do that, I put this video link to express my feeling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQI5e_mmKGA

The last part's killing me. Guroh, it became a habit watching you every week. Thank you for being you...

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141 zemega

November 13, 2010 at 8:15 AM

i love the recaps. Thank you so much, red_pill.

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142 FRILLYOBJECT

November 13, 2010 at 9:05 AM

I MISSED SKKS SOOOOOO MUCH!!!! *withdrawal*

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143 rozes08

November 13, 2010 at 9:34 AM

the best drama of 2010 and the most addictive drama of the year

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144 Northern Star

November 13, 2010 at 9:50 AM

Thanks for the recap red pill.

I'm already mssing SKK terribly.

Any chance of a Part II?

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145 bh

November 13, 2010 at 9:51 AM

"Cho-sun, why did you become a baddie in the first place?"

I'm not sure if anyone has answered that already, but, I think the deal between Minister Ha and Cho-sun was that he would pay the required sum for her to be taken off the gisaeng register in return if she took on the persona of the fake Red Messenger.

Quoted from Wikipedia: "Kisaeng could only be released from their position if a hefty price was paid to the government; this could usually only be done by a wealthy patron, typically a high government official." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gisaeng)

In this episode, in the scene when she is alone in her room, we see that the big hair/wig she had when she was a gisaeng is gone, so I suppose Minister Ha had fulfilled his side of the bargain.

I think Cho-sun probably felt all the more betrayed to find out Kim Yoon-shik was actually a girl, since a large part of the reason for her wanting to be off the gisaeng register was because of Kim Yoon-shik (Yoon-hee). But I guess it all ended well for her as there was still someone (In-soo) who was willing to protect her for who she is, and not just Yoon-shik, who treated her differently from all the other men because she had been siding with her as a woman all along. (Just my inference on Cho-sun's story)

Oh yes, and I'm sorry if there's anyone already going by the name of "bh". I've been following Dramabeans for about a year now, but never posted any comment thus far - this is my first! :)

Thanks Javabeans for setting up this site/blog, and to all the other recappers for your hard work! 파이팅! :D

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146 :P

November 13, 2010 at 1:24 PM

noo its over, i was trying to not read this because then it wud b OVER. but i cudnt resist, yep this was one charming show great mash-up tho i cant say anything abt the history being very undereducated abt tht, my marathon pick for thnksgiving break!

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147 serendipity

November 13, 2010 at 5:16 PM

For those of us still in withdrawal, here's more fodder to feed our addiction: One crack drama, six reviewers, one epic review to rule them all!

http://thundie.wordpress.com/2010/11/13/epic-review-sungkyunkwan-scandal/

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148 Jill

November 13, 2010 at 7:43 PM

What happen to Hyo-eun?

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149 kirara

November 13, 2010 at 8:15 PM

Thank you so much for recapping from start to finish.. I'm really going to miss this drama.. I'm already trying to fill the void by watching Marry me Marry (Mary stayed out all night) but its not the same!

definitely a great drama of all time!! Love the JQuartet! :)