It's not a scandal, it's a romance!!!

Finally! its out in the open!

Goodness, these mothers and gossipers. Isn't it illegal to stalk someone and intrude their private life like this. I have had enough of them.. At least one person there felt the need to apologize. I am glad she called her out and even went and apologized.

I don't want Choi Chi Yell to return to the academy. He should take a break. Spend some time on romance. I hope he goes back to public school since he has already made a lot of money! I was happy his friend came back and reached out to him. They both are good teachers and many students deserve their teaching, even those who can't afford the money.

And Hae-E, get that top CSAT score and shove it on their faces!! You go girl!

I honestly can't work out if Crash Course is lightweight by being a romance instead of a satire or if it's somehow even more scathing of Korea's dystopia by pretending to not be that show.
When it is that show.

Not going to lie, I found the whole public confession scene to be somewhat headscratching, not the least because it seemed like it came from one of those terrible American romcoms where the final scene always involves one of the main couples giving a public speech for cultural reasons I've never understood.

And then as we moved into the second episode, I couldn't work out why the show was suddenly about the male lead's feelings when that isn't the point. I mean his tutoring Hae-a had nothing to do with her mother at all so why did he essentially confirm the idea that these two things are linked?

And then I realised by going this way the show was strategically critiquing this insane mess of double standards, misogyny, sasaeng culture and hierarchical power. Where the male lead bartering private tutoring for sex somehow reflects badly only on the woman (and all the men were lining up to tell him they thought it was totally understandable). But him having FEELINGS for a married woman he is not having an affair with somehow burns the world down.

It was blistering, honestly, completely blistering. The world they're painting in this show is not just an exaggeration for emphasis, it's a downright dystopia. And finally that serial killer plotline makes sense as the natural progression of this horrible world where normal human interactions are distorted out of shape until they're unrecognisable.

Meanwhile we have this delightful little group of friends at school who are just busy being human beings despite their parents' best efforts. But it only raises the stakes since with very little time, they could be where their parents are now. All that potential funnelled into exactly the wrong outcome.

I admit there were points this week where this show wobbled for me but boy did it bring it home.

The hint that Royal Consort Ji might be the killer...I mean, I know there's that possibility but I guess I'm in denial.

I'm a half step away from dropping. I don't think they are doing a good job with the story. It's too irritating. I FF through all of the mothers. Crash Course in Romance? Crash Course yes. Romance no. The continual delay in romance has become pretty dull. I've lost interest.

It seems pretty obvious that Dong-Hui is the killer; the "Mr. Popular" guy would not have been able to film a minor like Hae-E; and that puffy red sweater Haeng-Seon wore was a personal affront to my eyes.

When it's yet another rom-com with murders, and the murder mystery is the best part.

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When you hate the supporting characters more than you like the leads... And don't even like the leads as a couple.

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He must have confused gratitude toward her mother with feelings for her

If his feelings for her sprang from her food being like what her mother used to feed him, that kinda makes her a surrogate mother. It doesn't get much better if you say she's a long-lost older sister.

The murder plot is one which exactly no one asked for. It feels like I’m watching 2 completely different shows which is frustrating. I had such high hopes for this show. Also is there a competition to dress the FL in the most horrendous clothing possible. Sometimes her clothing is so bad it distracts from the scene at hand - which frankly is most of the time.

It was truly heart wrenching and maddening to watch the fallout from Su-hee's cruel post. First, the public embraces the narrative that an evil adulterous mom seduced her daughter's tutor to increase that daughter's test scores. The woman, of course, is then reviled, mocked, harassed, insulted, and robbed of her dignity and livelihood. The man gets to keep his job, walk relatively freely through society, and basically go about his business unhindered. Sure, he has to endure some snarky comments, but even those are more about insulting the alleged seductress (How could such a wealthy, successful man like you want a woman like *that?*).

But when the man confesses that this wasn't an affair at all, but him falling in unrequited love with a woman he likes and respects who happens to be married (or so he thinks) *then* the public goes after him?! This was such a painfully accurate portrayal of the underlying misogyny of many of these public "scandals"--be they true or not--that I almost couldn't bear to watch.

This is a compliment to the writers, btw.

I was very moved by Hae-yi's realization that her mom (because for all intents and purposes, this woman is her mom) and Chi-yeol are in love. That scene where Chi-yeol stares longingly at Haeng-sun from the safety of his car, then suddenly realizes Hae-yi has been there all along was so lovely.

Even without the likely reveal-to-come that Dong-hee is the murderer (or even if that reveal doesn't come and it's actually someone else after all), I find his relationship with Chi-yeol to reflect poorly on both of them. It has a bit of a vibe of a noble/servant in a sageuk. Dong-hee appears to define himself--or the show only lets him define himself--in terms of his job/boss, while Chi-yeol is nice to Dong-hee but doesn't seem to see him as an individual with his own desires and ambitions, either. Does this young, handsome, hardworking man not have family, friends, or a girlfriend? I know the answer is "No, cuz he's a psycho," but putting that aside for a moment, the dynamic we're meant to believe is in place before that reveal is still troubling.

The budding/reconnecting male friendships turned out to be my favorite thing this week. I was not expecting to have such great moments between Seon-jae and Geon-hu but I loved every single one of them! And Chi-yeol drinking with his former friend Jong-ryeol was another highlight for sure. I’m so glad they finally cleared the last of the misunderstandings and I hope they’ll be a source of support for each other going forward.

But I also feel like setting Chi-yeol up with a different male friend is the drama’s way of prepping us for when it takes Dong-hui away. They’re even starting to hint that it’s him going around pelting folks with metal balls, with his talk of having someone you want to protect at all costs. I’m still hoping these are all red herrings, but at this point it would be a little weird to introduce a new character to be the killer. Denial is still the best policy.

I’ve been hoping Hae-i would be the one to clear up the husband lie for Chi-yeol, but I admit I didn’t expect her to do it in such dramatic fashion! I guess this is why I’m not a drama writer. Very excited to see the fallout from her (awesome, and totally brave) revelation. Also just excited to have a revelation because if we had left things up to Haeng-seon, our whole story would have been over this week. I was not super impressed with her in these episodes and I hope she steps up a little bit in the next phase of this romance.

I cringe at public confessions, but the Chi-yeol and Hae-yi confessions totally rocked! I replayed the last couple of minutes multiple times - from her confession...through those ending still shots that are usually of the episode but this time they're all of Hae-yi and Haeng-seon's past scenes (ending on the still of young Hae-yi in young Haeng-seon's arms after calling her "eomma")...and then finally ending on the squeeworthy kiss scene.

Haeng-seon breaking down on her friend's shoulder realizing she must have loved Chi-yeol was also a great scene. She's usually so loud and certain of her path and busy rushing to and fro, but her standing there in her heartbreak at her realization - really helped cement the otp. And that kiss! whew!!

I agree with you mistyisles about how the death of a student and a teacher from the same prestigious academy isn't making more headlines. No one is concerned or superstitious about bad vibes?

It was fun seeing Lee Sang-yi play the ridiculous and infuriating Mr.Popular.

I feel constantly humbled by how little I know about the contemporary SK despite actively trying to learn as much as I can including the language ( I know how hard it is to do justice to that from outside SK but that’s another story).

Sometimes I catch myself being critical at even those KDs which are trying to raise these important social, economic and political issues in a highly competitive and no doubt stressful environment. It reminds me how important any form of art with goodwill, compassion and righteous rage is because the commercial imperatives do not concern themselves with these goals. It must be really difficult to make transformative shows anywhere. I want to be more understanding of the imperfect but well-intended and honest attempts because SK is now governed by a rightwing elite hostile to the salience of tackling misogyny and implementing systemic changes. In this drama, as a number of beanies including @laurensophie and @leetennant have eloquently noted, the perniciousness of misogyny is at least being depicted/tackled even if it isn’t clearly addressed rhetorically as a systemic issue. I love this drama because of that, and how wonderful most of the actors in it are. It will nicely do for now.

I think most of my feelings have been expressed by other beanies already, so I just want to ask, why everyone in this show acts like Jae Woo can't understand Korean?

Why do they never explain things to him and just expect him to do what they tell him to do?

You can tell me that he has a "bad timing", that doesn't give people the right to treat him like that.

If someone tells me to not call my bestie and they don't give me a good reason I would call her right there and ask her myself what's going on.

It's hilarious how crazy moms spread horrible rumors and no one tells them anything. But Jae Woo asks something and people yell at him? 🙃 Nope, I'm not flying with that. Respect my guy.

I'm having constant "Gateway-error 504 screens, very frustrating, so I'm going to probably to make 3 long entries rather than 2 very very long entries. So anyone reading this can be grateful to DB site problems for (at least temporarily) halting my flow of words. ! But if there is a huge gap between 1, 2, and 3, that is what is happening. Also, I tend to lose count after 2.
I'm not going to argue that this show is one of the greatest romances I've ever seen. I don't even think it measures up to one of the writers other productions, Weightlifting Fairy. I also realize that one of the reasons I like it so much is because it features two things I strongly identify with: teaching and banchan. But let me mount at least a half-hearted defense of some aspects.
1. The romance. The one thing I don't like about it is the chronology making them both younger than they clearly are. Because, otherwise, everything about it I can identify with as an older man in love with an older woman--being attracted to a woman for other reasons than her physical beauty, not worrying about age, not caring about her fashion sense, hastily deciding to confess publicly on seeing her being humilated, and yet moving very slowly otherwise, and finally, being able to make a physical move only when you think its a dream. And this would be even if I was sure she was single. So I find the romance realistic and at times pretty emotionally moving.

It is so fascinating watching the obsession of the mothers with their kids. Dong Hui tellingly pointed out they too would do anything for their kids, but bulk if it is an outsider. Su ah's family is crumbling and neither of them notice because they are so focused on school. The father doesn't realize realize his daughter is insanely stressed and that he needs to reign in his wife, he is just merrily cheating. They are living separate lives, all leading to terrible things. Sun Jae's family is also a mess, but they are aware and refusing to be better. Now he comes Hae E, confessing to protect her mom. The traditional nuclear families are toxic, out of wack, and bitter. Meanwhile Hae E is fighting for friends and family at the expense of herself in her non traditional family. Take a theme down flip it and reverse it. I see you show.

Finally! The secret is out!
It is a Romance people!!! Not their twisted distortion of the story to get ahead and trample people along the way.
I have been waiting a few episodes for that truth to come out. I guess it has to come from Hae Yi since its her secret to tell.
Chi Yeol better not come back to Pride Academy and just pave his own path. Those All Care moms and that two-faced director do not deserve Chi Yeol.
Haeng Seon has been long suffering and I hope she gains confidence to show the love she feel for him.
I honestly think that Hui Jae is not the culprit. I am afraid that it could be the person I didnt want it to be. Say it isnt so Show?!

I hate Su-ah's mother and the whole mothers squad. I liked when Chi-yeol stood up to them but that went to vain with Haeng-soon barging in and the whole scandal thing that Su-ah's mother clearly knew was not true.

Even when Haeng-soon went to confront Su-ah's mother. The latter brushed her off. Haeng-soon didn't put up a fight either.

Seeing our leads suffer because of the scandal was really painful and my heart goes for Chi-yeol. One moment he is the star teacher everyone is lining up to attend his lessons and the other he is an outcast. And that is all because he spoke up about his feelings for the woman he holds dear in his heart.

I loved the scene of boys bonding over writing apology letter perhaps that secondary love triangle will give us a sweet bromance.

Other more eloquent people have already said what I was thinking about the drama's seeming critique of power, misogyny, celebrity, etc. And that if the assistant isn't the murderer, I must have missed something somewhere.

But others are making note of the FL's wardrobe and how unattractive and unflattering it is. Yeah, it's not great. However, can I suggest how refreshing it is that a decidedly not rich main character is not draped in the latest designer fashion, does not seem to have a closet full of $6000 coats and $1000 bags, and dresses kind of like a person who has not put themself first for years? Sure that red sweater was terrible, but who amongst us hasn't bought something we thought was pretty, wore it because we liked it, and only later cringe at the photos? I think the styling is spot on because it's off the rack and a little tacky. She's doing her best, and for most of us, our best is not fit for the cover of fashion magazine. Cut her some slack, and look how her clothing is completely different from the Sky Castle-esque mom clique. The drama's stylist knows what they are doing here even you think it's frumpy and unflattering. That's the point.

Episode 9

I watched the cliffhanger before I even started the episode, so I basically screamed my way through it afterward. *This* is exactly what I wanted and the show executed each emotional beat perfectly. Dramatic, bittersweet, swoon-worthy. And, let's be real, CY’s maturity and his respect for HS are so sexy. CCY for Perfect K-Drama Boyfriend 2023.

Two things I missed:
- More focus on HS’s husband and the way he might perceive the scandal abroad. I understand why the show might not find that notion too important but in my eyes it would have added an interesting layer to the conflict.

- With all the focus on the shenanigans of SA’s mom, I really wanted to see SA’s reaction to the fallout during the school scenes.

Two things I liked better than I thought I would:
- The teen trio. I already thought that there was way too much focus on the guys' relationship but if there's no or not much romance to be had here, then I appreciate how the show subverted the tired love rival cliché.

- JW in the hospital. I would have seriously disliked it if his panic attack had been the dramatic focal point of the episode but since the real issue was the live stream and the consequent loss of anonymity, it made sense. Plus, the car scenes between CY and HS were really well-done and sweet.

Episode 10

- Not going to lie, I was absolutely crying along with HS.

- I feel ambivalent about the entire scandal. If CY had weaseled his way into the home of a woman he was infatuated with by offering to tutor her daughter for free, that would make him a creep extraordinaire in my book. Then again, nothing he said in this interview actually gave the impression that something untoward happened. I do understand, though, why people would question his moral character after such an admission considering that it directly reflects on his professional ethics. Still, the fallout seems much too big and hypocritical, and the book burning was downright crazy.

- Definitely hoping we'll see a big CY/JW reunion once this angsty part is over. It broke my heart when HS told him not to call CY, even though I absolutely understand her reasoning after JW’s panic attack in the last episode.

I really liked how Chi-yeol shut the entitled moms up to the point of them hanging their heads in shame. They must think they can walk over him. "He has a choice women. You don't think you can boss him around when even the director can't".

The outcry over Chi-yeol dating someone never ceases to amaze. He's human. He's got blood running through his veins. He has emotions too just like you. To burn text materials because he began dating...I'm not surprised. I expected it. It still baffles me though. I hope that orientation changes soon - in real life.

I expected nothing less from the hagwon director.

Neurodivergence aside, I awwwn!ed the moment I saw Chi-yeol and Jae-woo in close to matching trousers.

I could see the gratitude talk coming up immediately the conversation at Gimpo started and Chi-yeol asked why she would worry about him? It's not anyone's fault though. She has enough on her plate already. And he himself was confused whether his feelings was a liking, or gratitude. But then, it could be a liking, or both. But I do know that it was lobe he felt first off. He already liked her before he knew their past connection so gratitude to her mom is most likely not the first thing he felt. And if indeed the first thing he felt was gratitude that gradually morphed into liking, this time it was directed towards Haeng-seon herself and not her mom. I just want him to remember that.
And I'm glad that they are both on the same page now, even though they are at different ends of it.

What am I Jang Seo-jin stan now? Lady still be crazy about her son’s education but I guess having her child be a potential serial killer is making her more likeable? Man I love her snarky remarks tho! She’s been spitting out them facts!

‘One would think she (Jo Su-hu) won a war’ 😂

‘I believe one’s ethics and competence should be judged differently’

YUP! (I mean unless they are a serial killer or a rapist)

Now I’m seeing the whole fight between Su-hu & Seo-jin in completely new light.
Team Seo-jin! Team Seo-jin! Team Seo-jin!
Nah she still has her issues to sort out regarding her sons but with everything else she’s pretty levelheaded I must say

One line in the epilogue subtitles was maybe ‘cleaned up’ a little, censored maybe?

The subtitles had Chiyeol saying “Let me be with you just this once. At least in my dreams.” Perfectly swoony line.

But what he actually said was, for me, way swoonierrr: “I’m going to be a bad guy just this once. Because this is a dream” or “Let me be the bad guy just this once. Because this is a dream.” “At least in my dreams” works just as well. But the subbers definitely left out ‘bad guy,’ – nappeun-nom. And those lines were in banmal. Whispered banmal…

When episode 10 came out, I fast-forwarded to the end for the first time and watched the epilogue and preview so I could enjoy watching this episode it a bit more relaxed. It would have driven me crazy if I had to wait another week for the big secret to be revealed.

What I particularly liked in these two episodes:
How CCY didn't back down in the karaoke bar, but continued to stand by his feelings. He refrained from taking the easier way out.
That CCY and his former friend are talking again and have reconciled.
At least one of the evil moms had the decency to apologise.

As snazzy as I find CCY in his suits (especially the black one), I found his fishing outfit very appealing in episode 10.

When CCY leaves the academy, I hope he takes the big potted plant with him. It would just be too bad if I couldn't see his regular battle with the palm tree anymore.

In Hospital Playlist, I really only took note of Jung Kyung-ho, but since CCIR, I've been a fan, especially of his facial expressions.

It's sad that Hae-Yi had to feel guilty about her familly situation. But honestly, I think it's better that the secret is out now. She has always been scared but there are no reason, nobody can tell her how she adressed to her mum/aunt. I wonder if the real mother will make her comeback now that her daughter appeared on a famous show.

Haeng-sun is not always the smartest... She should let Chi-Yeol to handle the mothers. But I didn't like they were so accepting with all they did. They crossed the line.

It's funny how I hate Jang Seo-Jin when she's with her family, but I love her when she' with the other mothers.

Now our couple can be happy! Because I was really missing funny Chi-Yeol.

For the mystery, why nobody is talking about the dead teacher? The poor guy was so jealous of Chi-Yeol, if he knew that nobody will care about his death... I don't understand why the killer killed him when Chi-Yeol handled the situation.

I’ve always wondered why working mothers are considered lesser than stay at home mothers? Especially with the upper middle class and the wealthy? I mean Su-hu is doing everything and anything for her daughter to get the best grades, ethics or fairness be damned. But then what does she want from her daughter if not to work in a “prestigious” field?

And if her daughter becomes a mother, is she then expected to be a stay at home mum or a working mum?

Or is this all just for specs? To marry someone more wealthy?

BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST LIFE addressed this issue as they want their daughter in law to have a “prestigious” education but not to pursue work.

Similarly in THE INTEREST OF LOVE the FL Su-yeong went on a blind date with a man more wealthy than her. She fit the “pretty” criteria as she is quite beautiful but he became immediately disinterested when he found out she “only” had a high school diploma.

While Su-yeong has the privilege of beauty she lacks the “prestigious” education required of her if she wanted to pursue class mobility through marriage.

SKY CASTLE is only one where the mother Han Seo-jin wanted her eldest daughter Kang Ye-seo to get into medicine and to actually work in the field.

If the “prestigious” education is a requirement for girls and women for the wealthy, but the expectation is to be stay at home mums and not pursue work, I’m wondering why go through all that effort?? Is it so the wealthy can scope out the poor people? Is it to horde the wealth among the elite, so only the upper middle class can gain access?

I’m genuinely curious because this practice baffles me, as I’ve seen this happen to some of my own relatives

I kept wondering what Su-a must think and feel after all of this. The whole drama with the tutoring started with her. We haven't really seen her these past episodes. And I wonder whether she will be allowed to have some kind of redemption. What motivates someone like Su-a to hate on Hae-yi? There could plenty of reasons, but I wonder why specifically Hae-yi. Is she jealous? But of what? Is it greed? Why though? I wonder if there would be a redemption arc for her and her mom. Also I kept rolling my eyes at the double standard of the stories (married woman cheating vs. single man having feelings for married woman) but this is really what happens in real life. A woman caught cheating would be treated so differently from a man caught cheating. I felt really sad when her livelihood was put at stake because of those rumors and rumors started by a woman.

Don't mind me, just rewatching the epilogue of ep 10 over and over again. It has been a long time since the couple (well, the main couple) in a romance drama made me feel fluttery like this! I'm so glad to see a romance drama with actual romance.

I'm also really glad he quit that job. Pretty hypocritical of these moms to act like they CARE SO MUCH about education, but then they're willing to throw aside a very good teacher just because he's making personal life choices they disagree with. I do think it's weird though that no one ever questioned if Haeng-sun was married when we've never, ever seen her husband.

Thank you for the recap! I have been having a lot of thoughts lately about "chemistry." It seems like a way of saying that actors acting like they are in love must always be based in feelings of warmth toward one another. Yet I think "chemistry" is actually another form of acting skill, and the warm feelings between actors are the result of working together on an intense project. In short, you have to be good at acting to do a persuasive kissing scene, good at acting to show your feelings in your face, and good at acting to persuade the audience that you're a life long athlete or an amazing teacher. These actors don't look like people in their early 30s who haven't had time for romance. But in their scenes together, they frequently succeed in persuading me that they are not only having feelings for each other, but that they are new to such feelings.

Something fun for me that I wanted to share: One of the delights (sometimes becoming an agony) of studying Korean are the honourifics in all their glory. Many of you would know this but the subtitles - at least in English - don’t reflect this complex system. I loved hearing Chiyeol calling Jaewoo 삼촌 (samchon) an (unmarried) uncle as I think their age difference in the show might be negligible but even a minute in birth order counts.
And, yes, my teacher told me what is the word for a married uncle but I can’t recall it now!

Chiyeol's public confession was swoonworthy, calm and beautiful, despite how ugly the situation had become between them due to the All care mom group. Him looking at her with so much love, it was quite hard to watch when they parted after the Han River mini date.

I now understood why Hae Yi never disclosed to anyone about Hae Song being her Aunt , because of that incident. I always wondered why, but finally got the answer. But so brave of her to publicly announce to the world of the reality. I really like her character.

Is it me, or does anyone not like how the way Hae Song' is dressed up. It makes her even more older with those sweater vests and permed hair. I sometimes want to go through the TV Screen to fix all of this.

Good, awesome everything is superb I have no complaints about this show everybody played their role so well. Sometimes I feel so engrossed that I want to slap that mother-daughter combo, I mean what is wrong with that girl ignoring her father not even greeting his father? And the only thing that bothers me in this show is the styling of the FL, I mean ok you want to show her like ajumma but there are better options her jeans never matched or contrast with her tops and on the other hand they showed ML a complete fashionista. It's okay if she gives up dating or liking someone but still, you can look better for yourself also.

One thing these episodes reinforced to me is how head strong the women in Hang-seon’s family are. From grandma, to daughter to niece when they get a head of steam up watch out. The same might probably be said about the missing sister/mother. We don’t know yet.
Chi-yeol’s crack about Hang-seon’s probable accumulation of red cards back in her playing days seems to have been on target.

The writer sure knows how to suck the joy out of romance ! I have never seen such a joyless romance anywhere on tv.

The only reason i find this drama interesting is because of the actors. They liven up the drama

Plotwise it is dull !! Frustrating to watch at times !! Painfully predictable !!

I can literally see all the boxes being ticked.

By episode 10 ML & FL must kiss

Episode 11 & 12 Ml & FL will date serial killer plot will simmer in the baground. Once they finished playing matchmakers mom's drama will fade in baground

Episode 13 & 14 Romance will take backstage we get to know more of the serial killer.

Episodes 15 & 16 will focus on catching the serial killer. The last few minutes of finale will go back to the leads happy ending plus karma for moms

DRAMA OVER !