Sungkyunkwan Scandal: Episode 3
by cassie.opeia
Greetings, readers!! Cassie here, reporting for duty! I’ll be one of the guest recappers for this series along with Red Pill, who will be alternating episodes with me. I know what you’re thinking…Cassie.Opeia…really? Really. However, I just wanted to let you guys know that I’m not in this just because I’m a DBSK fan but because I’ve been intrigued by this drama since day one. Besides, Micky Yoochun is my least favorite member and I’m sure many of you will agree with me when I say that Song Joong Ki has stolen the spotlight for “Most Beautiful Man” in the show. Anyhow, enough with the introductions and onto the recap!
EPISODE 3 RECAP
Picking up where we left off, Yoon-hee avoids making eye contact with Minister Ha who seems to recognize her. Just as he points his finger at her and begins to speak, a gisaeng apologizes for the disturbance, explaining that this was all a part of the Sungkyunkwan initiation and he(she) is a Sungkyunkwan scholar. Remembering his anger, Minister Ha threatens that he will have Yoon-hee expelled for disorderly conduct to which Yoon-hee respectfully bows and offers her most sincere apologies.
Just as Yoon-hee turns to leave, the whispering of the peeking noblemen catches her attention and she realizes that they’re staring at the bare-shouldered Cho-sun. The woman in Yoon-hee can’t stand to see another woman being so embarrassed and so, to Cho-sun and everyone’s surprise, she gives her outer garment to Cho-sun. Yoon-hee then asks Minister Ha’s permission to take Cho-sun with her, explaining(slightly mocking) that the president of Sungkyunkwan was the one to make such demands in the name of initiation. Despite his anger, the Minister is forced to let Yoon-hee go because it is his son she speaks about—and of course he cannot protest unless he was to undermine his son’s authority. Even after Yoon-hee has left, however, Minister Ha can’t shake the inkling that her face was a familiar one.
Yoon-hee leads Cho-sun out of the room, venting that it’s because jerks like the Minister are in positions of power that Joseon is in such bad shape. Guys like him should all be thrown into the Han river. Giggling, a gisaeng asks her if she’s going to spend all night ranting when she’s finally met the gisaeng she’s been looking for all along—Cho-sun. By the surprise on Yoon-hee’s face, it’s clear that she only brought Cho-sun out to save her from an unpleasant night with the Minister.
Meanwhile, Sun-joon is still pondering over his own mission: “The flower of all flowers is the lotus, thus pluck the lotus of all lotuses, the Bu-yong flower.” Being the puritan that he is, Sun-joon is thinking flowers and lotuses in literal terms. It’s only when his man-servant comes to the rescue(knowing Sun-joon and his puritan ways) that Sun-joon grasps the figurative undertones of “pluck” and “flower”. Tehe. (Did anyone else find Sun-joon’s man-servant’s laugh absolutely contagious? Ha, Loved it!)
The “lotus” in question is none other than In-soo’s sister Hyo-Eun (Seo Hyo Rim). Of course the mission itself is a setup for Sun-joon to fail, thus as she and her brother’s minions await his arrival, she rehearses her lines of rejection to the praise and adoration of Byung-choon. Outside the estate walls, Sun-joon is bickering with his man-servant—he deems it impossible that In-soo would set up his own sister for ‘plucking’ and that he must be missing something.
Little do they know that away from others’ eyes, Hyo-eun does a 180 on her image. Tired of waiting, an annoyed Hyo-eun storms off to her room and begins stripping off her outer garments in annoyance. When her hand-maid reminds her of her brother’s friends outside, Hyo-eun retorts, “They can just stand punishment outside! All of them have such pathetic looks… where in the world are the people like these novel characters?” As Hyo-eun giggles over her story book, she pokes her maid with her feet and tells her to let Byung-choon and Go-bong know that she wants to rest for 1 shigak(1 shigak/gak=15 minutes) threatening that if the maid doesn’t, she’ll go outside in her under-garments. That’s enough to alarm the maid and she hurries out to let them know.
Byung-choon decides to take this time to use the restroom (and of course Go-bong & co. follow) and as soon as they leave Sun-joon stealthily enters the estate(without losing his noble air, of course), still contemplating the words Bu-Yong-Hwa(flower)—and what do you know, he spots the Bu-Yong-Dang sign above Hyo-eun’s room.
Inside, Hyo-eun mistakes Sun-joon’s approaching shadow as her maid’s and she throws open her doors to yell at her—only to find Sun-joon’s startled face staring back at her. Sun-joon hurriedly closes her doors but Hyo-eun reopens them and as he begins to protest, she shushes him with her finger…her eyes of adoration fixated on him.
Back at Sungkyunkwan, Yong-ha and In-soo share drinks. Yong-ha tells In-soo that he need not worry if it’s Cho-sun that he’s worried about, pointing out that In-soo has been constantly checking for news from the Gisaeng house. In-soo denies it, reassuring Yong-ha(and perhaps himself) that Cho-sun will not so easily be moved—she wouldn’t even blink if a man were to lay down his life for her. Yong-ha explains that is the precise reason he sent Yoon-hee…he wants to see her be stripped of her guise.
At the gisaeng house, Cho-sun asks Yoon-hee what it is she can do for her—is it not her undergarments marked with proof of her affections? (I think we all know the undertones of that mission). Yoon-hee admits that she’s right. Cho-sun then says, “All that is left for you to do is ask me then.” She moves closer to Yoon-hee and blows flour from her face. This is enough to unsettle Yoon-hee and she hurriedly gets up to leave, claiming that she is no different from Minister Ha—they’ve both come to beg for one night with her. Impressed by his(her) chivalry, Cho-sun suggests that Yoon-hee just take her undergarment—it is a gift to the one she’s given her heart to. (Painter of the wind, anyone?).
Yoon-hee unfolds the undergarment and begins painting on it to show that this is not a shameful undergarment but a beautiful memory. A smiling Cho-sun says, “Then I must write a poem in reply.”
Meanwhile, an awkward Sun-joon stands with his back to the still underdressed Hyo-eun(who has reverted back to being Miss Proper). He begins to excuse himself when Hyo-eun stops him—she can’t let him leave like this. Why? It’s because Byung-choon&co. just realized that Sun-joon might’ve slipped in to the estate while they were taking care of “business.” Byung-choon arrives just in time to see Sun-joon’s shadow inside but when he swings open the doors, there is only an underdressed Hyo-eun getting ready for bed.
Startled, Hyo-eun kicks an even more startled Byung-choon out and as soon as the coast is clear, she helps Sun-joon escape. Not before they share her fairy-tale moment—guy tells her he won’t forget this night, flustered girl trips, guy catches, girl is hit hard by cupid’s arrow. Of course.
On the road, Minister Ha still can’t shake his inkling and decides to turn back to the gisaeng house when his attention is turned to scarlet notes floating in the sky. He becomes alarmed and hurries home while a mysterious masked man sends exploding arrows all around the city. The arrows explode into scarlet pieces of paper declaring the secrets and scandals of the nation—and one of them fall into the hands of Yoon-hee.
The masked man is Hong-Byuk-Seo(we’ll be calling him the Red Messenger) and his next target is Minister Ha’s home. Just as the minister arrives home, he sends an arrow flying towards the minister. The arrow hits the main gate and a chase ensues. As Yoon-hee walks the streets while reading the scarlet note, the Red Messenger appears in front of her and unconsciously helps him escape by telling the guards she hasn’t seen anyone suspicious.
The chase ends when the Red Messenger hides behind Ban-chon territory, which the guards are prohibited from entering after hours.
Minister Ha is furious that an army of guards failed to catch one man but becomes intrigued when hearing that the Red Messenger disappeared into Ban-chon. The news reaches the King’s ears and he considers the possibility of the Red Messenger being related to Sungkyunkwan. He smiles as he muses that things are getting interesting…the Red Messenger is looking for the Geum-dong-ji-sa(kind of a Book of Kings, if you will).
Sun-joon’s father is alarmed at the mention of the Geum-dong-ji-sa. How did you take care of things, he accuses Minister Ha. The minister assures him that the book is long gone, but Sun-joon’s father warns that he must get rid of the Red Messenger. If he fails to do so, the Noron party will be endangered as a whole.
Outside the Sungkyunkwan gates, Yoon-hee is startled when Sun-joon grabs her shoulder. He reminds her that time is almost up and that she should hurry and Yoon-hee notices that he’s coming from Buk-chon.
The seniors of Sungkyunkwan begin checking the fruits of the freshmen’s missions and when they finally reach Yoon-hee, Yong-ha is sure of her failure. To his and everyone’s surprise, however, she offers up Cho-sun’s undergarment. Failing to hide his shock, Yong-ha asks if this really belongs to Cho-sun—the others suspicious that it belongs to another gisaeng—but when he unfolds and counts the flowers on the undergarment, he is assured that it truly is Cho-sun’s undergarment.
Byung-choon grabs it and begins to read Cho-sun’s poem: “Who would say that a short night is lesser than a long night? Such an enrapturing short night…I would not trade for any longer night.”
A stiff faced Insoo asks, “I’ll ask you again. Is it true? Did you see Cho-sun? And did she give this to you directly?” When she answers yes, In-soo clenches his fist silently in anger. Yong-ha on the other hand is thoroughly amused and lets out an adorable chuckle.
Yong-ha declares that the greatest prize is undisputedly Yoon-hee, who made possible the impossible. Yoon-hee receives her uniform, officially(or…unofficially) admitted to the university.
Next is Sun-joon. He announces that he was unable to fulfill his mission, saying that he did not even go to Minister Ha’s house in Buk-chon. Yoon-hee quietly protests that she saw him coming from Buk-chon but Sun-joon clears his throat to keep her quiet.
After preparations are complete, In-soo gives the ok for the punishment to begin(after a smug little speech) and several scholars come out to push him in.
Along the side of the creek, the school chancellor is waiting for Sun-joon to fall in with a custom made lifesaver. He grumbles that this is the problem with rich kids—they can’t do anything for themselves, forcing him to take matters into his own hands. “Why should an oldie like me have to run into save him at this time of night? This lifesaver is NOT for that inflexible prick Lee Sun-joon. It’s for me! The one you save is me! So you have to do it well!” And just as he swings to throw the lifesaver in, Yoon-hee cries, “Wait!”…resulting in a hilarious moan from the chancellor as the rope wraps around his neck.
Yoon-hee decides that she wants to use her one wish(the grand prize) on saving Sun-joon. Despite In-soo’s threats that if she uses this wish, he has the power to expel her, she insists that she wants to use it on Sun-joon.
When they return to campus, Sun-joon stops Yoon-hee. Yoon-hee says, “If you’re going to thank me, there’s no need to. I was just trying to ‘stick to my principles’,” she smirks at her own Sun-joon reference and goes on, “I don’t like being indebted to someone.” Sun-joon tells her that it might have been better if she didn’t get involved, “Since I wanted to change this tradition of ‘mission impossible’ initiation. I also can’t stand being indebted to someone, so if you ever have a request, let me know. If it’s something within my powers, then I will do my best to do it.” Ah, the budding of a friendship.
As Sun-joon returns to the dormitories, Yong-ha is waiting for him to have a word.
Yong-ha, who seems to have heard Sun-joon talking to Yoon-hee asks:
“Is that why? ‘There’s no need to keep the rules of something as meaningless as this initiation’…Is that why even though you went to Minister Ha’s estate, you claimed you didn’t? ‘I’d rather be thrown into the urine-filled creek than fall for your immature tricks,’ is that it? Is it pride? Competitiveness? Defiance? It’s for guys like you…the initiation. Guys like you who were born into rich families with stiff necks because you’ve never had to bow your head to anyone. It’s to humble guys like you. Why? Because this is Sungkyunkwan. It doesn’t matter who your father is, here, all of you are just fresh meat…So get off your high horse—this is the precious lesson that your seniors are teaching you,” finally smiling after his uncharacteristic serious talk. “So don’t take it all too seriously.”
He leaves as he pats Sun-joon on the back, but Sun-joon retorts, “Then you must not have passed your initiation. Because there is no other scholar who wears such flamboyant clothes as you do. Is this not a display of the wealth and power of your father?” Touché!
Sun-joon continues by saying that it was because Buyong-hwa was a chaste young lady and he did not see it fit to embarrass her in front of men—that is all. Yong-ha breaks out into a smile and congratulates Sun-joon on his entrance into Sungkyunkwan.
In-soo is being pampered by his minions while they complain that they could’ve gotten Sun-joon good if it weren’t for Kim Yoon-shik. Go-bong lets slip that Sun-joon specifically asked to be sent to the East Wing dormitory. Why is this a big deal? It has been Sungkyunkwan tradition for people of the Noron faction to stay in the West Wing, while the Soron stay in the East wing—even the school is divided by politics. Who does Sun-joon think he is, going against tradition? Does he think lightly of the Soron faction? Even the school chancellor refuses to allow it but Professor Jung suggests that it will be hard to do change Sun-joon’s self-righteous mind.
Yong-ha doesn’t seem too worried though. Despite his past failures in getting Sun-joon into trouble, Yong-ha is sure that Sun-joon won’t be able to stay in the East Wing for long because they have a secret weapon: the crazy horse, Guh-roo. He never shares a room with anyone, ESPECIALLY not a Noron.
Meanwhile, Yoon-hee is sitting, looking like a deer caught in headlights as Sun-joon undresses into his sleeping robes.
Sun-joon tells her to take off her clothes to sleep, but of course she has her own secret to keep and thus refuses. A cute round of bickering follows, and as Yoon-hee opens the door to leave the room, she runs into Jae-shin (aka Guh-roo). Jae-shin stares down the two of his roommates while In-soo and his minions bet that Sun-joon will pack his bags. Yong-ha’s the only one vote that he won’t…or at least, not immediately.
Jae-shin looks around the room, “What is all this?” Throwing their belongings on the floor he yells, “Get lost!” Yong-ha is pleased. Recognizing that Jae-shin must be the famed Guh-roo, but just as he’s about to introduce himself, Guh-roo tells him there’s no need. He won’t be seeing his face again. Sun-joon introduces himself anyway.
Yoon-hee suddenly remembers that Jae-shin was the one who saved her from the Minister’s henchmen and slowly tries to creep her way out when Jae-shin says, “Hey, you there…why are you here.” Yoon-hee freezes. “You must be crazy. Where do you think this is?”
She begins making excuses but Jae-shin moves past her towards Sun-joon. “Hey Noron. Why are you here?” Sun-joon doesn’t answer and moves to pick up his clothes. “I’m asking you. Why is a Noron bastard in this room…stinking up the place.”
Sun-joon explains that he was assigned here and he’s simply following the rules against segregation. Jae-shin accuses him, a Noron, of ripping apart the country but Sun-joon replies that right now, it is Jae-shin who is segregating this room. Does that make Jae-shin a Noron? With that, Sun-joon says that he will now comply with the rules and go to sleep.
Jae-shin is left speechless, so instead throws off his clothes and lays to sleep, laughing hysterically at Sun-joon’s insult. He’s never heard a worse insult than being called a Noron. Yoon-hee tries to sneak away quietly but Jae-shin kicks her down between him and Sun-joon.
Jae-shin looks at her and says, “Are you telling me to sleep next to a Noron bastard? From now on, this is your spot… forever.” Can that be my spot please? Thanks.
The minions outside are disappointed that no one packed their bags, and Yong-ha collects his winnings. In-soo on the other hand has another power tripping episode, threatened by Sun-joon’s refusal to comply with Sungkyunkwan tradition.
Yoon-hee spends a restless night between Sun-joon and Jae-shin, the dagger from her mom tightly gripped in her hands—her mother and brother at home praying for her well-being.
Sun-joon is up reading even before the morning call. As he’s about to leave the room to get ready, he sees Yoon-hee sleeping in an uncomfortable position and after a little hesitation, he begins to move her. Yoon-hee opens her eyes to the sudden movement, only to stare up into Sun-joon’s face. Fairytale moment! Kind of…
Startled, she hurries to get up, butting head with Sun-joon. He lands on top of Jae-shin… yeah I don’t think I have to explain what happens next.
It’s a beautiful morning at Sungkyunkwan as all the scholars wash up for the new day…but not without some whispering over Sun-joon’s staying in the East wing.
As the scholars walk to their classes, they are given instructions and offences that must be avoided by a professor…er… I mean, a student posing as a professor. He’s a student who’s had to repeat his years, “To more deeply understand the teachings.”
Everything is very ceremonial in Sungkyunkwan—eating meals must be first permitted by In-soo, and Yong-ha explains to Yoon-hee that even finishing your meals is based on a point system. Yoon-hee considers this as she eats, only to spit it all out into Yong-ha’s face when he calls her Dae-mul(Big One). She’s just earned herself a new nickname. Her peers make fun of her new Dae-mul status…even Sun-joon.
Meanwhile, the plot to force Sun-joon out of the East wing continues…almost. A few Soron scholars hoped to discuss plot details with Jae-shin, until they got too chicken to even speak to him.
Next plan, In-soo takes the reins. In-soo first warns Sun-joon that although he might think that he’s made an impression on the Soron for his non-segregating ways, the Noron are very unhappy with him. When Sun-joon replies that he didn’t do it to win anyone’s heart, In-soo tells him that he won’t last much longer before he comes crawling begging for mercy. “Lucky for you, I am very merciful to anyone repentant.”
Sun-joon replies that foolish hopes are bad for your health.
However, In-soo doesn’t back down. When his minions corner Yoon-hee to terrorize her for her friend-choice. They tell her she’s picked the line to climb because In-soo is the one with all the power. Or is she relying on her Dae-mul? They want to see this great package and as they begin to strip her, In-soo swoops in to the rescue. Or so she thinks…at first. He apologizes for the rudeness of his followers but warns that she should think and decide carefully using that great brain of hers to pick sides. She should keep in mind that he has the power to make her life in Sungkyunkwan a living hell.
Scared out of her wits, she finds Sun-joon in the library.
Yoon-hee asks, “Is my wish still valid? The debt you owe me from initiation.” Sun-joon replies that he will keep his promise, whatever it is.
“Will you go to the West wing? I trust that you will keep your promise. Lee Sun-joon, go to the West wing.”
COMMENTS
I think with every episode, the series and characters are growing on me. The first couple episodes, Song Joon Ki had me smitten with his portrayal of Yong-ha and I found that Micky Yoochun’s performance was mediocre if not barely sufficient. But I think Micky Yoochun’s performance is gradually getting better and more relatable. He’s not just that stiff neck snot all the time, or at least when he’s with Yoon-hee. You can see that Yoon-hee gets to him whether it sin a good or bad way. I can see that Micky Yoochun is loosening up with his acting, so I’m looking forward to seeing his improvement in future episodes.
Park Min Young is surprisingly endearing in this series, and also pretty convincing as a cross-dresser. I’m so thankful that they haven’t tried to pretty her up like they did for Park Shin Hye in the beginning of ‘You’re Beautiful’. Her voice is also low enough to be convincing but not disturbing.
As for the Red Messenger, I think we all know who is behind all that, but I don’t want to mention any names just in case some people haven’t caught on yet. Let me just say, I’m glad for this subplot because it makes this series so much more than just a bubbly romantic comedy but also a drama with political struggle, which I love. The Red Messenger kind of has an Iljimae feel, doesn’t he?
I enjoy watching this drama for its cute moments, hilarious sub-characters, and of course the pretty boys that give my eyes joy. Let’s just hope it keeps doing what it’s doing and not drag out to turn into a disappointment!
Also, if you’ve read this far, thanks for reading my first ever recap! I know it wasn’t perfect, but I’ll do my best to summarize better without cutting out important details!
ADDED: Just a short explanation about the Geum-dong-ji-sa. It’s a document written by King Yeong-jo that chronicles the pressures from the Noron faction to kill his son, Sado. It is said that Sado would often go on killing sprees in the Palace, thus with the pressures from the very powerful Noron faction, Yeong-jo was left with no choice but to lock up his son into a large rice chest… and Sado died 8 days later. This document, however, has been lost… which seems to be the doing of the Noron faction (hinted by the panic of Minister Lee, who is the leader of the Noron faction) according to this drama.
Jeong-jo, who is the king portrayed in SKKU is the son of Sado and the grandson of Yeong-jo. So it seems natural that the Soron Red Messenger, (Soron being the less powerful rival of Noron) would be looking for the document that would prove Noron’s malicious guilt.
I’m not sure how the drama will portray it, but historically it’s said to be written by Yeong-jo.
I think the definition of Geum-dong-ji-sa is “a document that chronicles the secrets and scandals of injustice to be passed onto their descendants.”
In real life we can’t say what the document really says and if it was really written by Yeong-jo because it’s never been found, but scholars believe it to be Yeong-jo’s confessions to let his descendants know of the pressures he faced in killing his son.
RELATED POSTS
- Sungkyunkwan Scandal: Episode 2
- Sungkyunkwan Scandal: Episode 1
- Will Sungkyunkwan Scandal change its name?
- Sungkyunkwan Scandal releases its poster
- Park Min-young closest to Micky Yoochun on set
- Seo Hyo-rim in Sungkyunkwan
- Park Min-young gets comfortable on the Sungkyunkwan set
- The Sungkyunkwan Scandal cast speaks to the press
Tags: featured, Micky Yoochun, Park Min-young, Song Joong-ki, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Yoo Ah-in
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1 cingdoc
September 14, 2010 at 12:01 PM
@cassie.opeia
Welcome and Thank You for your hard work....I haven't started watching this yet,but still wanted to stop and say how grateful I am to ALL the recappers (and JB,of course) :)
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2 kdlover
September 14, 2010 at 12:03 PM
Yayyyyy....someone recapping this...Im loving this series!!! Soooo interesting and great eye candy!!
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3 iWANTcereal
September 14, 2010 at 12:06 PM
Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!! I've been waiting AGES. Great recap :)
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4 charmie
September 14, 2010 at 12:19 PM
Yey!
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5 risyel611
September 14, 2010 at 12:21 PM
I love it... I love love love this soap. If I can mary it I would, lol :)
Thanks again for the recappers... thanks cassie.opeia
till next episode :)
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6 sumee
September 14, 2010 at 12:21 PM
@cassie.opeia welcome 2 the world of Fascinating recapping..loved your 1st recap...
PS the series is greatly intruding..just finished watching EP-5..it keeps on getting better !
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7 gaika
September 14, 2010 at 12:29 PM
thank you for the recap. looking forward for more..
"Can that be my spot please?" - fun
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8 lei
September 14, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Omg omg omg thank you thank you for the recap!! Off to read!
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9 nara:)
September 14, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Thank you for the recap! Although I don't watch it, since I am solely devoted to MGIAG at the moment, I still enjoyed reading your recap! Sungkyungwa Scandal seems very interesting, especially because the drama has deeper political plot lines aside from the usual comedy and romance.
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10 matinsoleil
September 14, 2010 at 12:35 PM
really like song joong ki character!!!!
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11 Haj
September 14, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Thanks so much, an welcome to Cassie.Opedia!!!
I confess I have not been as patient as I should, but I'd like to think that I was polite about it.... I don't know if i fall into the impatient category but sorry!
I enjoyed how detailed this recap was! Particularly because you explained EVERYTHING i wasn't understanding. Before, if it wasn't in the recap, I assumed it wasn't a big deal/I would learn later. And that's fine, I'm just happy to have my curiosity fulfilled a bit more :)
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12 purplejjang
September 14, 2010 at 12:41 PM
Thanks for the recaps! Been waiting for this since last week. Thank you! Thank you!
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13 MEIKO**** ^-^
September 14, 2010 at 12:46 PM
thanks for the recap cassie!
loving this series. I think everybody's acting is good enough, even Micky's, given his character's personality.
And, love everybody, even the villain-> student president!
Havent really chosen a favorite yet...mmm...difficult task..haha!
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14 sorcente
September 14, 2010 at 12:49 PM
hello cassie!!! and that was a nice recap with a good comment section.. i watched the 5th epi just today.. and i can really say that its really good..
i have a feeling she will fall in love with micky but ..... i want yoo ah In ! seriously he is waaayy hotter.. :D
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15 :D
September 14, 2010 at 12:50 PM
this was a very good first recap!
and i love this series!!!
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16 Penn
September 14, 2010 at 12:52 PM
I love this drama. Thank you for the recap. If only Micky Yoochun shown more emotions with his eyes, Lee Sun-joon would be such an awesome character to watch. I'm with you, Song Joong Ki is so fun to watch.
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17 alice
September 14, 2010 at 12:53 PM
Yay! another song joong ki fan! he is the best but as the drama moves along the other characters are starting to become just as good. I am impressed with how Micky is starting to become a stronger actor. His emotions and facial expressions are becoming more controlled and is acted out fairly well. And Gu Roo ( don't know his real name and i've just known about him since watching this drama) is also very expressive. I like how they cast all the young actors in characters that match them.
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18 tildy
September 14, 2010 at 1:01 PM
Fantastic recap! Thank you so much for doing this.
This series is growing on me more and more. The whole gisaeng storyline does remind me of Painter of the Wind, and also of Twelfth Night - love it.
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19 sans
September 14, 2010 at 1:01 PM
i have to disagree...jae shin is the most beautfiul man of the series...he is so prettily hot and yet his voice is soo deep and smooth... thats like the best combination. *_* but i do love joong ki too! his winks my god they make me die lol and yoochun is my favorite member next to changmin so of course i find him intriguing all the time. Did you guys know that Ha In soo in real life is Ha ji Won's little bro?!?! omg he is cute even though hes evil ^_^
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ronron
September 15, 2010 at 9:49 AM
whoa, really? i never knew he was Ha Ji Won's little bro..anyway, i agree w/ u, he's cute too^^ all characters in SKKS are cuuute ><
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20 müge
September 14, 2010 at 1:03 PM
for me, the most important reason to watch that drama is Yoo Ah-in!!
I can't find the exact words to express my feelings while watching him and wishing to see him more and more. I'm sure most of you undertand me even if I don't explain.
I'm just melting...
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meia46
September 15, 2010 at 2:33 AM
I so agree with you. That is why I love Yoo Ah In- everything he does, he does it perfectly. Too bad his heart will be broken. Than again, he can always come to me :).......
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21 Annie
September 14, 2010 at 1:03 PM
omg thank you!! I have been waiting for the recap like forever~~~im so addicting to this drama <3 ok time to go read the recap
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22 Camille
September 14, 2010 at 1:05 PM
Cho-sun falling for Yoon-hee reminded me of Painter of the Wind, though not as convincing. :(
Otherwise, this was a rather nice ep.
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23 hjkomo
September 14, 2010 at 1:10 PM
Congrats on your first recap! :D
I think there may be a brawl over that sleeping spot. ;)
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24 nikkyp28
September 14, 2010 at 1:12 PM
Wow!!! thanks I've been checking Dramabeans everyday for SKK Scandal. THANK YOU VERY MUCH CASSIE.OPEIA !!! When I first saw your name, it gave me a smile because of DBSK. I'm not familiar with the group until of course I came across SKK Scandal, I went ahead and read DBSK or TVXQ on enwikipedia as the 2 names really got me confused ( I thought it was 2 different group of idol - that show my ignoramus mind on this sort of thing). Anyway, back to SKK, I really got to it as you can tell by now not because of Yoochun but because of the story and the intriguing novel that someone (YOGURUTU - Thank you too!) is blogging right now, some scene that is. I like how the story is unfolding, the characters were so unique and engaging especially Yong ha right now. Each of these character have their own share of plot in the storyline, they are not there merely as eye candy (although they are in a sense) but part of a whole storyline. I am not even into the romantic angle of SJ and YH at this point, although I may come to root for it later, but for now I like how the 4 are coming together and how they are being portrayed. Even the side characters are very fun to watch, particularly the gisaeng Cho-sun... she reminds me of Cha Song Joo in Capital Scandal...as for Yoochun, I'm actually surprise, acting-wise, he's got a long way to go but he got potential, at first episode, as you said, he's all stiff neck snot and I thought he's having a hard time acting but as I watch though episode 3 atleast, its really part of Sun Joon charm... in the sense that he's really portraying SJ that way cold, principled and straight-lace-can-do-no-wrong guy, and I'm buying it :) I want to see how he will tackle the change of his character into a warm, more humane person as he interacts with YH and JS. As for JS...for now - he is the Hot Guy for me, he's portraying an easy going character so good and so relax to look at but the JS character is also hiding some inner dilemma like Yong Ha that I really want to know. As for the Scarlet messenger, I have still 2 suspect in mind. All in all, I like where this drama is going, It has charm and character. They may have taken the old plot of cross-dressing as a plot but they rehash the whole thing and given it spice and flavor. The music is so beautiful too, It suits each of the scene, the scenery is awesome....the ending of each episode reminds me of an old oriental painting, restored, retouched and repainted..thus coming to life in such vivid and vibrant colors. Thus it come strong and wonderful to look at.
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Blusamurai
September 14, 2010 at 4:32 PM
Cassie.Opeia excellent first recap i have enjoyed reading this. I have to say i wans't going to watch this drama but got hooked on it waiting for MGIAG to be completed. Now iam looking for these episodes and your pov on the recaps as much as everyone else. Nikkyp28 i found the site you're tsalkin g about being translated by Yogurutu i have to say if the drama tries to stay as close to the novel i think everyone will be satisfied. Yes i know they will probably revise the strong hints of sexual awareness and identity but i hope the writers are clever enough to convey this point of view tastefully that the censors will allow it to not take away from the meaning as it is like in the book. I must also say the actor who plays Jae-shin i saw him in Strongest Chil Woo and he was definitely androgynous looking i couldn't tell whether he was a girl or a man at first. I usually don't like my men looking like that either big turn off for me but some of his scenes in that drama the camera did catch his masculine looking side and i had to admit he was sexy but in this one man with the little beard and mustache he is off the charts damn sexy. No way i couldn't mistake his gender now.
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meve
September 15, 2010 at 6:04 AM
I know. the MUSIC!
LOVE it! and the whole feel and pacing of the drama. it's a well-thought and -executed drama so far. not just your run-of-the-mill romantic-cross-dressing-comedy
kudos to everyone, including the recappers!!
now i have d WHOLE week to look forward to, MGIG and SKK! ^^
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25 Annie
September 14, 2010 at 1:18 PM
ok, done reading, need more pics with ur recap? >O<" anyway welcome for your first recap.
---
On the drama
I love the all of the characters, Sun-joon is growing on me even though I like Yong-ha better in the first and second ep. Later on, I start to really like Jae-shin.......I am so doom, can't decide who i like best
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26 Cecilia
September 14, 2010 at 1:24 PM
You guys are doing a great job! Thanks for recapping.
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27 red pill
September 14, 2010 at 1:25 PM
Two thumps up. <3
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28 red pill
September 14, 2010 at 1:25 PM
Darn it, I mean thumbs. Sigh.
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29 mary
September 14, 2010 at 1:26 PM
Not really into this sort of drama, but this drama rocks. Park Min Young is so lucky to be around so many guys. Each character is endearing. I hope the evil student body president warms up. Love that the main girl is intelligent and the lead guy is so righteous. Robin Hood guy is quite heroic. Fancy duds guy is adorable and I like how he keeps on trying to see if she's really a girl. Glad I gave this drama a shot.
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meve
September 15, 2010 at 6:08 AM
and i love kinda seeing their relationship off-cam. it's like i can feel the camaraderie from where i'm watching! always fun!
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30 brookeeve
September 14, 2010 at 1:29 PM
thankyouthankyouthankyou! You did an awesome job!
I love this series! I've had to go and look things up about Korean history, and that makes my little historian's heart happy (which means that BA I have in history actually came into use for once). I tried to call one of my old professors from college, but he went back to Taiwan and therefore I have no one else to call. (Sad face.)
I can't wait to hear your explanations, because this series takes a little more effort than just admiring pretty faces. That's like an added bonus.
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31 joanne
September 14, 2010 at 1:41 PM
i REALLY REALLY THINK that jae shin gives off the same vibes as super junior kim kibum. like. aspecially from side view.
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32 shirley
September 14, 2010 at 1:44 PM
Hey girl!! just thank iu for the recpa! i just love this drama soooo bad... and iur xplanation is just pure love xD
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33 anon
September 14, 2010 at 1:53 PM
Thank you for recapping, I am addicted to this drama right now. Nice cap to put at the top :D
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34 CapitalScandalRocks
September 14, 2010 at 2:20 PM
Thanks Much
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35 jea
September 14, 2010 at 2:33 PM
You are an angel! I'm so glad you and red pill have risen to the challenge to recap this series. The dialogue has been a little hard to follow, so I'm glad that you guys are recapping this. Great job on your first recap. Looking forward to the next one!
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36 endodo4ever
September 14, 2010 at 2:49 PM
Good job on your first recap! :) I'm looking forward to some more male eye-candy along the way!
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37 ilukd
September 14, 2010 at 3:09 PM
Thank you... Thank you.... And thank you .... Waiting for more .....
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38 Daituf
September 14, 2010 at 3:14 PM
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!! XD
Now do episdoe 4 and 5!!!!
This show is SO. GOOD. Gawd...
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39 whatis
September 14, 2010 at 3:26 PM
thanks for the recap! I've been patiently waiting for it... 'cause I got so confused with the chinese subtitles with my horrible chinese. hahaha!
Can I just say in-soo is the suckiest, saddest villain ever? His angry stare off to nowhere is coming close to being comical, because there's really nothing to get pissed off at, to such an extent. In the beginning, they were going to set sun-joon up to be in possession of a banned book. I think that's over doing it. Now he has gone from that, to petty little things like making him jump into a river of urine. Which I think, if any of us have been into a pool with kids, it's not that big of a deal.
He's not even a villain I want to hate. He's just so pathetic and illogical. I wish we had a better villain. boo.
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Jenny
September 15, 2010 at 12:55 AM
I completely agree. His threatening glare is getting tiring. He hasn't really succeeded in bringing anyone down (yet)... so far, he's kind of a failure as a villain. I think... deep down, he's just a control freak who's scared of losing his grip over the entire student body.
Anyways, I must say, thanks for the recaps! While I'm enjoying both MGIAG and SKKS at the moment, I find that the latter has me thirsting for more. :D
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jenjen
September 15, 2010 at 4:37 AM
lols, I find myself loving In-Soo more than Sun-joon for some reason ^^
indeed i find myself unable to hate him (of course, I've only watched 3 eps in engsubbed, so...), but about being a bad villain? i'm not so sure.
Maybe I have a weird taste for villains, but I prefer not hating them than hating them, if u get wat im saying lols.
And I don't think he's gonna be the only villain or even the main villain in this series (or i hope not).
I think his father would rise up on the villain-o-meter further into the series, and even Sun-Joon's father as well...but i'm only speculating. And I haven't read or been reading the book so I don't really know wat will/should happen in the drama.....
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40 Q
September 14, 2010 at 3:32 PM
Thank you for taking the time to do this; it's not your priority, or your job, and you're not even being paid (I think?), so thank you for volunteering to waste hours of your life just to keep us greedy children happy. You did a great job on your first recap - I enjoy your cute side-comments :].
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41 ockoala
September 14, 2010 at 3:49 PM
Great start to a surely fruitful and enjoyable recap of SKKS! Congrats on jumping into the recap pool.
As for SKKS, all I do when I watch is chant Yoo! Ah! In!, Yoo! Ah! In!, and then some gibberish.
Moon Jae-Shin is hands down the hottest guy in the drama, but Song Joong Ki is the prettiest thing (guy and girl) around.
And their story is way more interesting for me at this point. SKKS is off to a great start.
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brookeeve
September 14, 2010 at 3:57 PM
We should throw party streamers when we chant Yoo! Ah! In! And then eat cookies.
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ockoala
September 14, 2010 at 4:23 PM
*Streamers a-streaming, chanters a-chanting*
Ah, Yoo Ah In love never gots old.
My problem with the OTP is purely a personal viewer idiosyncracy.
I don't find Micky Yoochun attractive. And his character has already been played in a sageuk by another guy who performed it so well, a team was formed in his honor.
I am talking about none other than Park Kyu himself, of Team Park Kyu fame, from Tamra the Island. I love me some upstanding, cold, righteous saguek scholars. And unfortunately, Micky's version pales so much in comparison to the incomparable Park Kyu that my eyes stray to YAI and SJK who are much better actors in SKKS.
And saying I don't think Micky is attractive doesn't mean much - since I used to think Im Joo Hwan was singlurly unattractive (from his Snow Queen days) until I watched him as Park Kyu and now his smile melts my brain.
So unless Micky inject more emotional and depth into his portrayal, he's kinda like wallflower moving the plot along at this point. I hope he continues to improve, he's got a great character to play.
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simplesim
September 14, 2010 at 6:52 PM
Agree…
But poor Micky cant carry the sageuk look (imo only). Our Park Kyu just rocks it! He’s no.1 (sageuk) on my list, but he does not carry the contemporary look in Snow Queen and even after I fall for him I don’t like his look in Hyunhaetan Marriage War. I really hope he will be cool in What’s Up.
JJH also looks so good in sageuk (beard and all) in DJG, DY but I don’t like his modern look. There are some who can look so good in both eras eg KJH, JGS (can’t recall others atm).
Anyways, its (imo) on looks only. Lol
@cassie.opeia
Congratulations and thanks on your 1st recap.
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kiwi
September 14, 2010 at 7:34 PM
I agree that there needs improvement in micky's acting but he did great in ep5.....
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momosan
September 14, 2010 at 6:44 PM
Very very good plan. 8-) cookies for everyone, and we all sit back and grin like fools at Jae-Shin
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meve
September 15, 2010 at 6:14 AM
LIKE!
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42 viola
September 14, 2010 at 3:56 PM
congrats on your first recap cassieopeia! It was awesome :)
p.s. I think you might need to fight some rabid fangirls for that spot between them. lol.
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43 houstontwin
September 14, 2010 at 4:15 PM
First of all...thanks for a terrific recap.
I know that many viewers don't care for Micky Yoochun but I have found his character quite believable from the start. I know people with that same stiff, principled personality. He is definitely not "eye candy" like the other leads but he grows on you.
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44 Purpleclouds
September 14, 2010 at 4:24 PM
Yeah, i was wondering why no recaps for ep 3 & ep 4 but I didn't want to ask/demand since this site is free and you're doing it out of kindness so am just thankful for what i can get. I really like this show. I wouldn't say Mickey is a pretty boy, but he has really nice mouth and is pleasant to look at. And Yong Ha the bad lovable boy is fun...i wonder if he will fall for Yoon Hee???
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45 marie
September 14, 2010 at 4:36 PM
Thank you very much for your wonderful recap. Very much appreciated. Keep up the good work you are brilliant!!!!!!!!
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46 Sunflowery
September 14, 2010 at 4:40 PM
thanks for your hardwork :)
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47 Appitaz
September 14, 2010 at 4:40 PM
I havn't like a rom-com this much in a loooooooooooooooong time! Its fricken gorgeous to watch too. Yay for Sungkyunkwan Scandal!!!
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48 ck1Oz
September 14, 2010 at 4:42 PM
Good job with the first recap I hope you would enjoy the drama..
Ep 6 was daebak and I'm now a Micky fan from there onwards.Thanks for taking the time and effort.I hope the drama continues to keep us interested....the dynamics are beginning to emerge and I feel the intrigue beginning :-)
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Lemon
September 14, 2010 at 9:50 PM
I know right! Ep 6 was reallyyyyy good :D I'm still squealing from it.
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An
September 15, 2010 at 6:10 PM
me too! my excitement from that ep is not calm down yet
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49 ar
September 14, 2010 at 5:09 PM
Thank you for taking up the recaps! I think this drama is probably the biggest surprise of the year for me. And I'm in love with Park Min Young's Yoon-hee/Yoon-shik character. The way she handled the whole minister-gisaeng scene, it was beautiful! I could see her as the most noble of gentlemen. Mickey needs to step it up a bit to stand out amongst everyone, but I think he's doing a decent job. There is a gravity in his acting that fits well with a sageuk. He doesn't feel like an idol running around in sageuk clothing.
Love all the rest of the guys! Who else thinks Ha In Soo is hot when he's being mean? And doesn't he sort of remind you of Draco Malfoy, or am I the only one seeing this? And the actor really looks like someone but I can't figure out who. I know he is Ha Ji Won's little brother...but he doesn't look like Ha Ji Won in this.
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50 heejung
September 14, 2010 at 5:22 PM
Thank you very much for recapping~
Oh man, the line about Geol-oh segregating the room cracked me up. I love Sun-joon :D
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