Sassy Go Go: Episode 12 (Final)
by Saya
That picture there? That’s how I feel about this show being over. It’s an hour that hurtles by, meting out feels, poetic justice, and ignominious ends as necessary. But most importantly, we’re allowed to say goodbye to the team we’ve come to love, knowing that we’ve left them happier than we found them.
And so, for the last time: Go go!
FINAL EPISODE RECAP
Yeol confronts Ha-joon, angrily asking if Yeon-doo is the reason he quit cheerleading. He accuses him of running away like a coward. Provoked, Ha-joon asks, so what if it is? What’s he supposed to do after watching Yeol save her, after he told him that for the first time, he liked a girl?
Yeol cries that he should have told him. “And if I did, what would it change?” Ha-joon asks. Since Yeol can’t stop now, he needn’t concern himself with Ha-joon.
In an empty classroom, Ha-joon rampages like a caged beast. He throws a fist at the mirror, smashing it.
Yeon-doo catches him on the way back to the dorms, and she asks him why he quit. She notices his bloody hand. Taking it, she asks if it doesn’t hurt. “I got hurt, so how could I not be in pain?” he asks, shaking her off. This time, he tells her to stay right there and not follow him.
That night, neither boy sleeps. They remain awkward the next day. At the lunch bell, Ha-joon leaves first and Yeol looks forlornly after him. When Yeon-doo comes to collect him for their rooftop date, he tells her he can’t eat with her today.
He finds Ha-joon hiding out in the auditorium, and sits by him. Yeol says that he tried not to concern himself with him, but no matter which way he thought about it, he can’t stop with Yeon-doo, “But Ha-joon-ah, I can’t lose you either.”
Ha-joon assures him that he’ll clean up his feelings, it’s not a big deal, but Yeol asks, “If my heart is like this, then what about yours?” He suggests they give each other some time.
Ha-joon gets a call from his dad. He confirms he’s quit cheerleading and reminds Dad to keep his promise not to dismantle the club. Dad tells him to keep his head down since things are going to get noisy at school for a bit.
Dad takes tea with Chairman Lee, the head of the school board, and finds out the Ministry inspection will be this week, so it’s good he pulled Ha-joon from the club. The chairman sneaked the evidence to the Ministry, to prove the club is a spec-building ploy. The men chuckle over the club’s imminent demise, pleased it deflects attention from their activities.
Soo-ah mops the halls, and it upsets her mom to see her like that. She’s here to visit the principal, and Soo-ah, far lighter than we’ve ever seen her, tells Mom that she’s doing well both with her studies, and with her friends. So she hopes Mom won’t come to school or meet with the principal so much, and let her graduate without incident. Mom leaves disgruntled.
Mom’s heard about the Ministry investigation, and tells Principal Choi that they’re in the same boat. But she assures her that she’s disposed of the evidence of their spec-building, and convinced the other moms to support her story. Choi is impressed.
But it all goes south for them in the hearing, where the other moms hang them out to dry. They insist they opposed the club when they found out what Mom and Choi were doing, and even invite the committee to examine the CCTV to prove it. Addressing Choi and Soo-ah’s mom, the inspector asks if it’s true that the club was established upon receiving certain donations, since he noticed the coinciding dates.
The team cheer each other as they successfully run through their routine. Tae-pyung excitedly asks if they even have a chance of placing first. Everyone good-naturedly jeers when Instructor Nam says second.
But they’re dismayed to find the internet alight with the spec-building scandal, targeting their club. Da-mi bursts in with bad news, and they find a notice posted at school of the team’s disbandment, reinstating the original clubs, Baek Ho and Real King.
Hyo-shik scoffs at Real King being “saved” like this, and Tae-pyung wails that it means they can’t compete at regionals. Soo-ah realizes it’s because of the Ministry investigation a few days ago, and Teacher Yang goes to find out what’s happening.
Soo-ah calls her mom, who reassures her that she’ll take care of everything — she’s not going down so easily. But after she hangs up, she clutches a summons letter in worry.
Teacher Im helps Principal Choi pack up her belongings. Wait, what, did she get fired? She snaps at him to get lost, but he dithers apologetically (but so not, haha), explaining that Chairman Lee actually appointed him as interim principal. She becomes convinced he’s the one who snitched on them to the Ministry.
Teacher Yang and Instructor Nam arrive, demanding to know why the club was disbanded. Choi snarls about that damn club, and Im quietly explains that she just got fired for using it to inflate specs. Nam has no sympathy: What about the kids, who just lost everything they worked for because of her? But Im points out that the (ex-)principal is no longer in a position to take responsibility.
It turns out that Instructor Nam lost her job, too. Over drinks, Teacher Yang asks if she isn’t angry about it. He confides that he’s grateful to her, seeing the kids who only knew studying and attainment transformed by cheerleading. It moved him to watch them squabbling, laughing and crying together. Nam beams that the kids did that all by themselves. But she’s worried about how disappointed they’ll be not to compete, and both teachers sigh heavily.
With a heavy heart, Teacher Yang announces to the team that Instructor Nam is leaving them. It’s a decision that came down from the Ministry, so there’s nothing they can do, even if regionals are only days away.
Instructor Nam remains chipper, and tells them to forget all their hard moves and hold onto the happy memories. She promises to cherish her memories of every moment with them, too. She reminds them again, what cheerleading is: sincerely cheering on someone whom you want to give strength, “Most of all, cheer each other on a lot.”
She refuses to do a tacky farewell, and sails out with a breezy wave, leaving everyone in silent tears. A moment later, Yang and the kids pour out of the room and call after her, a chorus of thank-yous.
Ha-joon sees the disbandment notice for the first time, and heads straight to his Dad. He bursts in after overhearing him celebrating the club’s dissolution on the phone with Chairman Lee.
With increasing distress, Ha-joon asks if he really was behind it, when he knew how he felt about it. Dad sneers that it would have happened anyway, and orders him the hell back to school before he pulps him. Fatherly love.
Ha-joon tells Dad he didn’t trust him anyway, but he thought that if he left the club, he could at least protect it and his friends. So how could he do this? Dad insists it was all to protect him, but Ha-joon contradicts him and asks if it wasn’t because he was afraid his own corruption would be found out. Dad erupts in a rage, and slaps his son around the head. Something changes in Ha-joon’s eyes, as he stares down at the man.
Yeon-doo asks Yeol if being eighteen is hard like this for everyone. Yeol agrees that no sooner do they solve one problem, when another arises. She thought it would be enough to do what her heart told her, she says, but Yeol doesn’t have any answers either.
The team try to figure out what they can do, but even the Baek Ho parents have no clout in overturning a decision made by the Ministry. Moreover, they’ve warned the kids away from even mentioning cheerleading. Yeol nods — showing themselves at regionals now would only associate them with the scandal.
Yeon-doo speaks of how cheerleading was forced on them but they grew to love it, and care about each other. It’s upsetting that it’s taken away as abruptly. She understands how they feel, and tells them to take a few days to think.
In class, Yeol and Yeon-doo both gaze at Ha-joon’s empty desk. Teacher Yang tells them that Dad called him in sick so he’ll be at home for a few days. Knowing his ways, the pair worry.
Ha-joon finds himself locked into his room. Earlier, Dad took his phone away and ordered him to stay at home, worried he’d make trouble. He tells him he’s arranging for him to study abroad — maybe broadening his horizons will cure his weak-heartedness, Dad barks.
The doorbell chimes and he hears the housekeeper say he’s not at home. Outside, Yeol argues with her over the intercom, and flustered, she blows him off.
Yeol presents himself to Ha-joon’s dad, hoping to visit him, and tells him Ha-joon’s needed at school. Displeased that it’s about cheerleading, Dad says Ha-joon’s already quit, and Yeol is surprised he knows about it. But he positively reels when he learns that Ha-joon quit under Dad’s orders.
Gathering his composure, he tells Dad to stop hitting Ha-joon, “Even as a parent, you don’t have the right to abuse your child. That…is not love.”
Yeon-doo trudges out of the dorm. Soo-ah joins her, and asks why she’s not trying to talk everyone into going to the competition secretly, like her old self. She even offers to help convince the others. Yeon-doo sighs that her old self was more impetuous, but now she’s worried about the others getting hurt. Soo-ah tells her to take her time: “But Kang Yeon-doo. Don’t give up. Don’t run away, either.”
Regionals are tomorrow, and the team hold another summit. Yeon-doo tells them that she wants to be there with all of them, but it’s their choice whether they come or not. She’ll wait for them at the venue tomorrow morning, and warns them not to hold it against those who choose not to come.
In private, Yeol notes that even if one of them doesn’t show, it’ll be tough for them to perform. She knows, but it was the best she could think of. She hopes the team’s happy memories of the last few months bear out over their struggles. But what about Ha-joon? Yeol assures her that he’ll bring him.
Later, Yeol sidles past the eagle-eyed teacher to sneak out of the dorm, and starts when Yeon-doo catches him — she wants in on the rescue. I don’t know why watching a big guy like Yeol be stealthy is lolarious, but it is. He’s so big!
In the basement of Ha-joon’s building, they wait until they see his parents leave for their morning golf. They slip inside, and Yeon-doo activates the fire alarm. In his locked room, Ha-joon hears it, and pounds at his door to be let out.
Yeol pops out at him at the building entrance, and grinning like crazy, both boys run for it. The dismayed housekeeper immediately reports to Ha-joon’s dad.
The three of them nearly make it to the venue, when Ha-joon suddenly halts. Yeol follows his line of sight to a car. Ha-joon sends them on ahead — he has something to take care of. Yeol tells Yeon-doo that it was Ha-joon’s father’s car. He holds her back from going to him, saying it’s something Ha-joon has to do by himself. He really likes the Kang Yeon-doo who would do anything for her friends, he says, “But right now, let’s trust Ha-joon and wait.”
Ha-joon looks his father in the eye and refuses to go back: He intends to cheerlead with his friends here today. He catches Dad’s raised hand mid-strike, and tells him he won’t be beaten any longer. Pushing up his sleeves, he shows Dad his cutting scars — the evidence of his own self-hatred, the result of his feelings of worthlessness that came from being Dad’s punching bag. But he’s not going to hate himself anymore, he says.
He tells Dad to do his worst, “I’m not afraid of you anymore.” Back straight, he walks away, at last impervious to Dad’s barks. I’m bursting with pride for Ha-joonie right now.
When the three arrive at the competition hall, there’s no sign of the rest of the team. Yeon-doo deflates, just as they rush in — they were in the wrong place. Excited to be there, they fire each other up to go for the win.
But bad news: At the admin desk, they’re told Sevit isn’t allowed to take part, since the school cancelled their entry. The fastidious clerk holds fast to the rules despite their entreaties, but a voice cuts in telling him to let them do it. It’s Instructor Nam!
She struts up importantly, and tells him they’re with her. The kids are totally impressed, but the clerk totally is not. His “and what?” response is killing me. Still blagging, she sends the kids in to get ready, but the second they’re out of sight, she sinks to her knees and starts begging.
But there’s more bad news. They watch the reigning champions perform, and realize how outclassed they are. But Yeon-doo rallies them — did they come to win? Eyes bright, she points out how every single one of them made it here today, “Don’t be disheartened and let’s have fun!” They have a team hand-stack, and cheer themselves on.
When they’re announced, the room fills with whispers and they almost lose their nerve. They hold hands to form a chain and bow low to the audience. Teacher Yang shouts out to them that whatever anyone else says, they’re the best. The teachers’ support gives them the boost they need.
Their routine is humble compared to their competitors, but no one’s grins are wider or more infectious. They finish to cheers. Pulling out their signature move, they each hold up a letter to form the message, “I’m cheering on the me of today!”
Instructor Nam wells with pride, and Yang envelopes her in a bear-hug. The camera lingers a moment on every team member, and in voiceover, Yeon-doo says they should remember this — the passionate and painful time of being eighteen. When she stumbles again, makes mistakes and gets hurt, she won’t regret it, because they did their best for the sake of their happiness today.
Now back at school, the team relive their glory…until they’re brought down to earth by others students scoffing at them for placing last. But it’s not long before they fall about laughing at themselves.
Ha-joon welcomes Yeon-doo to share a giant bucket of gummy bears with him. She notices he’s even eating the green ones now. He places a red and a green one next to each other, and Yeon-doo asks if they’re close.
Ha-joon smiles that the red bear didn’t like the green bear at first — it was too noisy and meddlesome. But it slowly got closer, and whenever the red bear was hurt, cheered it up and brought it plasters. And so it came to like the green bear, learning how to love even while in pain. The red bear wants the green bear to know that he’s grateful. He smiles at her, and she smiles back, eyes full.
Yeol finds Ha-joon lying on the stage in the auditorium again. He throws himself down beside him, laughing that they’ll get locked out again. Ha-joon retorts that he’ll just snuggle here with him, then. They can’t stop giggling and I think I’m going to die of feels.
The conclusion begins, and Yeon-doo relates that Ha-joon’s father had a restraining order filed against him, and is receiving treatment. Soo-ah’s mom is under investigation for spec-related corruption, but Soo-ah talks to her all the time. She sends mom a video message to cheer up, and tells her that she’s sorry, and thankful, and she loves her. Mom’s eyes shine with a real smile. At school, Teacher Im’s reign as principal was a mere three days before a new principal was appointed.
And as for them? They went back to how they were — Baek Ho still the school’s top five percenters, and Real King the bottom-of-the-pack misfits. They face off in their old battle lines, tense, until Yeol crinkles into a smile, “I’m hungry, let’s go eat!” The lines melt away as they attack each other with hugs.
Yeon-doo narrates that if one thing changed, it’s that they found friends they would do anything with. Teacher Yang comes by with Instructor Nam, both reappointed, and teases the kids for being so attached to each other when they’re seniors now. Ooh!
Dong-jae returns to basketball. He exchanges easy high-fives with the team, and despite his cadre of fangirls, it’s Soo-ah at his side when the game is up. She swipes the strawberry milk he saved for Yeon-doo.
Which just leaves their story, Yeon-doo says. Their parents started to love again, and Yeol isn’t so against it anymore. At a family dinner, he smiles to watch them fuss over each other.
He thinks back to a car-conversation with Dad, who admits he handled his divorce badly and hurt Yeol. Dad tells him not to be in pain anymore because of him, nor close up his heart.
Yeol finds the engagement ring in the glovebox, with a note from Yeon-doo’s mom. In it, she says she respects his decision to put his son first. “And, I love you,” it finishes.
In the present, he asks his mom in the U.S. to be transferred to her family register, and is surprised to find they don’t have them (Yeol: “Then adopt me!”). Yeon-doo bounds up, wondering who he’s talking to all secretly — is he cheating on her?
Ha-joon throws his arms around both of them and tells Yeon-doo to come to him if Yeol’s cheating, and they all laugh.
The rest of the team crowd in, and Yeol cries, “Let’s go!” Arm in arm, they run forward.
COMMENTS
Ahhh. I feel content. For an ending, it’s exactly what I projected and everything I wanted. Go to regionals! Suck! Be happy!
I’ve noticed Yeol’s flashes of childishness seem to be rooted in insecurity, but discovering Ha-joon’s true reason for quitting the club burned off some of his immaturity. Initially, I found his angry reaction out of character, but Yeol’s proven to be a hot mess of insecurity where Yeon-doo is concerned. His subsequent return to frankness becomes (and often is) his saving grace. It’s a quality that lies at the heart of the boys’ friendship — that in a wolrd where they can trust no one, they’ll always be true to each other. It’s the same quality that defines Ha-joon’s relationship with Yeon-doo, and this, I think, is the reason why the easy, close friendship between the three survives — they will be ruthlessly, painfully honest with each other, and wholeheartedly trust in each other, too. That end moment, where Ha-joon jokes to Yeon-doo to come to him, warmed my heart so much, because it meant they were okay. No festering secret poisoning the three’s relationships with each other.
I was most moved by his gummy bear confession to Yeon-doo. There’s something so intensely childlike in that moment, that strips it of any romantic meaning. The way he uses the bears to tell his story, a poignant mirror of the way child abuse victims are encouraged to disclose during therapy, choked me up. He crafts his words to ask nothing from her — he doesn’t make her feel bad for not returning his feelings and I LOVE that. That he thanks her, choosing to cherish his capacity for those feelings, rather than their object, says everything you need to know about Seo Ha-joon and where his loyalties lie. To me, the best aspect of the boys’ friendship has always been their certainty in each other: For kids for whom so little in life is certain, self-sacrificing loyalty is everything.
This return to childhood also plays out in Ha-joon’s relationship with Yeol, and even with his father. With Yeol, it’s their safe-place, where they can return to the simplicity and unmarred devotion of their younger selves, and start again from there. But it’s the opposite with his father. Like Soo-ah, Ha-joon was trapped in an abuse spiral that he could only escape once the illusion of his father’s omnipotence was broken, in that crucial moment of parental betrayal. It’s particularly heartbreaking to watch marshmallow-giant Ha-joon cower, but it speaks of the power of social conditioning that makes resistance unthinkable. It also makes Dad’s end that much more satisfying, because in how many a drama do elders get a free pass when it comes to abusing kids? With a full heart, I love this drama for punishing the adults, and even making them inconsequential by serving them up inglorious ends (buh-bye Principal Choi!).
But although the battle lines between kids and adults were drawn from the outset, the show has been balanced overall — bad adults were offset by good, but above all, they were exposed as flawed and in need of correction. As Yeol’s dad says, growing older indeed does not make you grow up, but we still got adults to root for in Teacher Yang, Instructor Nam, and Yeon-doo’s mom, who exemplified sincerity and imperfection. Teacher Yang’s struggles were the most touching, with his one-man war against the system and his unfailing support of his kids. It was vital to the show that it kept the kids at the center of its narrative, and inasmuch as can be achieved in twelve episodes, our key characters were given full arcs. Dong-jae’s was less fully developed, but like many of you, I think it the wiser choice not to push N beyond his range.
At eighteen, our friends are neither quite children, nor quite adults, and this presents a set of challenges unique to their time of life. Sassy covers a lot of ground as the kids navigate the world, learning how to make friends, how to show loyalty, how to be moral and responsible, how to ask for help, and not to be ashamed to need each other. The fullness of its world is realized best and most in its small touches, like Yeon-doo borrowing Soo-ah’s jumper (“ugh as if”) after their reconciliation, or the way Yeol instinctively reaches for Yeon-doo in reassurance, or how Ha-joon and Yeol always find each other’s eyes first, even when the focus isn’t on them.
Watching Sassy reminds me of why I’ve always read YA, and what it is that makes a youth drama or book so stirring. It’s not just the intensity and the first times, but whether the story touches you remains dependent on the storyteller’s hand. Sassy respected its own story; it believed in its characters — their struggles and their conflicts, their loves and their woes — and it believed in the messages it was sending. It’s the kind of conviction that earns your trust as a viewer.
Did everything tie up neatly? Yes. Did it bother me? Not a jot. I am always going to be a sucker for the happy ending, but I’m an even bigger sucker for comeuppances (hence my unhealthy adoration for good revenge melos…). It’s a finish that brings emotional realism despite the limitations of its short run, and having to cram a lot of developments into the last few episodes. Their happiness feels earned, but measured. Their today is happy, but not because it’s perfect — their paths are still laced with uncertainties, and their victories still have to be fought for. But closing on the note it started on, we’re reminded that having friends beside you makes all the difference.
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Tags: featured, Ji-soo, Jung Eun-ji, Lee Won-geun, Sassy Go Go
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1 NahlaJW
November 13, 2015 at 3:14 AM
I'm gonna miss this drama T_T
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Saya
November 13, 2015 at 7:06 AM
Me, too!
Totally breaking Dramabeans Law and piggybacking on this comment (so suuuue meeeee~) to thank you guys -- everyone who's been commenting and reading the last few weeks -- for being such a great, interesting and devoted bunch -- and loving the heck out of this drama with me. Fangggssss!
(...who needs sleep anyway?)
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 7:18 AM
Hats off to you, Saya!
(...sleep is for the weak lololol.)
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She, GO GO!
November 13, 2015 at 7:54 AM
Saya, you're adorable!
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 9:17 AM
Saya, you're the best, ALL the hearts and crinkly eye-smiles to you and LollyPip ♥♥♥
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fabdrama
November 13, 2015 at 9:36 AM
You're too sweet, thank you for the great recaps! GO Saya. :D
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LollyPip
November 13, 2015 at 4:46 PM
Same here - sorry not sorry! This show inspired SO MANY FEELS in me, and it's probably one of my favorites that I've recapped. Thanks to all the readers and commenters that made it that much more fun to write about, and to Saya for being an AWESOME recapping partner! See you at the next one ;)
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She, GO GO!
November 13, 2015 at 6:22 PM
I enjoyed all the recaps you & Saya had written (and I do sometime re-read them all). Thank you so much for this amazing recaps journey! LollyPip & Saya, GO GO!
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kitkat
November 15, 2015 at 7:55 AM
lollypip, thanks to you too!!! enjoyed your witty recapping style a lot! :)
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maripaz
November 13, 2015 at 9:47 PM
Yes! While I do love this drama, I also want to say thank you to saya for your great recaps! I've grown to really love reading your recaps in particular because I find the end comments very thoughtful and insightful. Your analyses always seem to be at another level. Many thanks for joining the team! :)
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es
November 14, 2015 at 3:49 AM
haha, you and LollyPip are the best for recapping this gem of a show. thanks guys!! <3
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indy
November 15, 2015 at 4:07 AM
Really love this drama... I even play the latest episodes over and over again while waiting for the next episode to come. Thank u so much, Saya & LollyPip for the great recaps.. love your comments ^ ^
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kitkat
November 15, 2015 at 7:52 AM
saya, thank you SO much for your warm and delightful to read recaps!!! it was a wonderful journey. :)
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Auntiemame
November 15, 2015 at 1:38 PM
Thank you, Saya, for such wonderful recaps and comments. I couldn't agree more with your final comments on the drama.
I was hesitant about this drama when it was first announced. Frankly, I thought it was going to be the usual 'fluff', with such a theme as cheerleading.
However, as your insightful summation identified, this drama was not only not fluff, but it accurately summed up that magical and turbulent age of 18. And, with a writer who confronted and handled each topic beautifully and realistically.
Thanks, again.
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Auntiemame
November 15, 2015 at 1:58 PM
oops, forgot to thank Lollypips . . . and everyone at Dramabeans.
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Eunhee
November 15, 2015 at 6:06 PM
I'm an avid fan of your recaps! And sometimes I even read your recaps even after watching an Episode! that's how addicted I am to Sassy Go! Go! and how I want to check your opinion regarding each episodes!!
Keep up the Good work Dramabeans team!
Lots of love from the Philippines!! xx
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Cia
November 21, 2015 at 8:40 PM
Omg me too. I just finished it and WHY DOES THE OST GET ME EVERYTIME?! Ha Joon was definitely the stand out for me (curse my secondary lead syndrome) but the entire cast was amazing even if they weren't all focused on. In the end, their friendship became the focus and this show will really be missed
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Linh
December 11, 2015 at 4:01 PM
That's what you called "Great Actors" :) I think this is the main reason why the viewers are mostly attached to this drama, it's because this drama has all good and great actors, even the weak lings like Cha Hakyeon aka N (Vixx) is even a satisfy even actor, of course, he has a lot to improve, especially his expressions and such, but he's still good even for us to tolerate watching. Also, his chemistry with Eunji was as well awesome :) Their platonic relationship/friendship was one to really appreciate, it was cute hehe ^^
As for who stands out the most, I would say, they all stand out in their own ways. All of these cast are amazing actors, no words need to say about the veteran actors too, those actors are experts :) But for our young casts, the only ones that has the least distinct characters are Oon (played as Joon Soo, member of Real King) and Park Yoona (Kim Kyung Eun, another first year student in Real King), these two has the least distinct roles/characters, I wish we'd be able to see more of these two, but they seriously barely had any lines out of all the other cast. :(
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meliyasha
December 13, 2015 at 8:51 PM
I just recently saw N in a radio broadcast (this drama has made me checked out several of A Pink and VIXX's radio broadcast appearance) and he said that he can't do things that include emotions very well so I thought his role as Ha Dong-jae is perfect here. Yeon-doo and Ha-dong are really cute together, one of the best platonic friendship for me.
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Linh
December 21, 2015 at 3:17 PM
Yes lol I love Yeon Doo and Dong Jae's friendship as well. I think Dong Jae was able to emotes whenever he's with Yeon Doo, it may be because of Eun Ji's magical acting that can make N shows more emotions when he's with her. But yeah, I think he was actually okay with his character as Dong Jae, it was not really bothersome to me seeing him, the only thing I see and liked about him was his blank and innocent expressions because it was cute, but other than that, I do think he's the most weak ling among the rest of the actors in this drama, even the actors who has the least distinctive characters like Kyung Eun and Joon Soo were better than him, however, he was okay with his character and how he portrayed though :) I like it. But I think the only times he emotes was when he was with Eun Ji, I sort of see N's personality when he's with her.
2 JD
November 13, 2015 at 3:20 AM
That gummy bear confession scene was easily the best scene in the whole drama.
A confession told simply, yet holds a lot of meaning.
Loved the whole Sooah & Dongjae story arc too, and how they both healed one another from their struggles.
No words needed for Eunji. She's aces everything she does.
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 5:30 AM
I loved the gummi bear confession too, because it's so well-suited to both Ha-joon and Yeon-doo (I was actually holding my breath when he said the red bear began to like the green bear).
We've seen time and again that Yeon-doo needs things to be told to her directly - Yeol hinted at his feelings for her something like three times before he finally bit the bullet and stated plainly that he liked her. And that was when she'd already fallen for him but not realised it!
With Ha-joon, we see Yeon-doo mildly surprised by the backhug last episode and wondering what it was about - but she explained it to herself as Ha-joon needing comfort because he was in pain, which was a nice callback to her and Ha-joon's hug at the end of episode 8. This confession was perfect for these two, really - indirect enough (explained via the gummi bears) for Ha-joon to not make it uncomfortable for her, but direct enough (she knows what the gummi bears stand for between them) for Yeon-doo to get it.
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wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 6:28 AM
So true!! And that's why I love this scene sooooo much. I was wondering if the writer will include a scene with HJ telling YD his real feelings and if so, how would it be handled? This was spot on!!!
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 7:41 AM
I know, I wasn't expecting Ha-joon to actually confess to Yeon-doo, because normally you know that would mess up the three of them.....but the way it's done, it's like this is the thing he needs to do to take the sting out of his secret and in a way, a final clearing of the air - like Saya said, nothing is left to fester if he doesn't have to hide it.
and I just had to go out and buy a pack of gummi bears in honour of this. There's a red and a green one sitting on my keyboard even as I type this comment.
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wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 11:40 AM
Haha that's so cute of you! I do love gummy bears. Should get a pack. Things will never be the same again when consuming red and green gummy bears. LOL
But it's true. I think if HJ had to bottle up those feelings, it would have taken longer for him to get over them, if ever. By being able to confess, it really does take the weight off his heart and clear the air for him to interact honestly with YD and Yeol. And it goes all three ways. So, I love the fact that he did it indirectly so that it was obvious what he meant, and yet, it didn't make YD feel bad and she understood why he came to like her and still wants to keep him as a friend. You can see how close they have gotten through the series if he's someone YD feels comfortable enough to consult for her problems. And then that scene when YD told Yeol that HJ was better at the cheerleading moves than him and YD-HJ had that fist bump. Plus the ending scene when HJ was able to joke about YD coming to him if Yeol cheated. It was all very nicely done to resolve any possible conflicts with the romance and to maintain the friendship. =)
Linh
November 19, 2015 at 11:18 PM
@Lisa ~ I think the reason why Yeon Doo comes to feel comfortable with Ha Joon for her to consult for her problems, comes from the hug at the end of episode 8 that probably left a big impact on her (and on both of them), which if you noticed, she actually opens herself up more to him after that hug from episode 8, she'd also came to confide in him to be able to consults her problems to him.
Linh
November 22, 2015 at 4:31 AM
Aside from the gummy bears, I also love how these three all have their own private priority places for each ones of them, like YeolDoo have their priority place at the rooftop like the first time Yeol quietly helped her with the idea of making posters for the righteous of her club's danger, YeonJoon has their priority place at the Sevit's Island place (is that the place?) like the first time Yeon Doo reached out to him and handed him the ointments, YeolJoon has their priority place in the auditorium haha And lastly, the priority place for the three of them is the rooftop <3
I also love how each characters' pairs all have their own significant items that signifies their relationships.
For example:
- Dong Jae x Yeon Doo: Strawberry Milk
- Ha Joon x Yeon Doo: Gummy Bears
- Yeol x Yeon Doo: Post-Its, Banana Milk
- Yeon Doo x Soo Ah: Photos Book
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rosiemontgomery
November 22, 2015 at 10:39 PM
What a nice detail to notice, but it's true! Also, Dong Jae's and Yeon-doo's place is.. the basketball court I guess? Altho not anymore after Dong Jae quit basketball :(
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Linh
December 13, 2015 at 4:41 AM
Yup, Yeon Doo and Dong Jae's place was the basketball court, then it's stolen by Soo Ah at the end, as well as the Strawberry Milk hahaha
es
November 14, 2015 at 3:53 AM
it was such a beautiful scene. i didn't expect ha-joon to confess his feelings, but i love the way it was done and i'm so glad he did it. it was so sweet hearing him thank yeon-doo for letting him learn how to love. so heartwarming, so adorable, so ha-joon, hehe.
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3 Huh
November 13, 2015 at 3:26 AM
Thank you, Saya and Lollypip!
Thank you Sassy Go Go! I am hoping for a sequel... or a spin-off.
So, so hard to say goodbye :(
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4 Can'tstopwatchingSassy
November 13, 2015 at 3:27 AM
I'm so sad to see this recap, now I really don't have anything related to this show to look forward to...
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5 Tempi
November 13, 2015 at 3:33 AM
What a great great show!
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6 Franbergh II
November 13, 2015 at 3:35 AM
the best thing i love about this series: Ha Joon keep his hairstyle! hahaha!!! #YKWIM
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lostmysanity
November 13, 2015 at 4:35 AM
His hair looked pretty nice down too though :o
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7 growingbeautifully
November 13, 2015 at 3:47 AM
Thanks so much Saya! A lovely recap and review. I do agree. Thanks too LollyPip!
This was really a most wonderfully satisfying show. It did everything it set out to do and everything I hoped it would, within it's little world of lovable as well as conniving characters.
Thank you show for giving us lovely character development and showing us how friendship ought to be even in the face of love triangles.
Thank you for showing us how forgiveness can be offered even when undeserved and how it can be earned, and how both the givers and the receivers become free and at peace because of this.
Thank you for giving us such a heart-warming romance with the most natural development, and thanks for a sweet looking couple, with about the best chemistry I've ever come across.
Thank you for the solid bromance in the face of bad parenting that made so much sense all the way and for the sisterhood of Soo Ah and Yeon Doo that survived so much evil. These give much hope to me, in our RL where things don't work out quite so well.
Thank you for giving us resolution despite strange setups, good laughs amidst angst and real, human characters among the caricatures, and for lasting memories of great friendships and for a really good time! :)
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fabdrama
November 13, 2015 at 5:45 AM
Yess THANK YOU SASSY! This little drama gave us a lot of heart, quality conflicts and resolutions. It's rare that you come across a drama that hits all the right spots.
Mondays and Tuesdays will never be the same.
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growingbeautifully
November 13, 2015 at 5:50 AM
I know right @Fab!!! I miss this show already. Gotta steal time to re-watch!!!
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 6:18 AM
@Fab and GB - I never thought I'd love a drama again so much after Healer. But it looks like we got our hearts stolen again! How interesting is it that they were both on the same slot?
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fabdrama
November 13, 2015 at 9:45 AM
YESS I KNOW RIGHT. What a mad coincidence, and the same slot made it easy to get hooked on SASSY and watch it live too.
2015 can't get any better, I'm more than happy to declare it a winner.
@Growingbeautifully
that's a no-brainer hun, this one is definitely worth a binge re-watch.
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GrnDrgns&Appls
November 13, 2015 at 10:33 PM
I agree with everything! This was such a great show and it ended so well! I was skeptical at first, especially with the first two episodes which seemed a bit childish, but then boy did it pick up speed and quality quick! Loved it so much!
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fabdrama
November 13, 2015 at 8:40 AM
Ehhhh where did my comment goo! Happily writing a new one. xD
I'll be forever on cloud nine about how the characters were written and executed perfectly!
I love this drama so much I didn't want it end...EVER. But in just 12 episodes it managed to wrap up everything so neatly and satisfying, can't ask for more.
Beaming with pride here for how Ha-joon stood up to that poor excuse of a father. Growing up with abusive parents can shape you to the worst, HJ and the sheerleading club proved that real friendships can bring out the best in you. He made heaps of growth; went from a closed and scarred boy to a great comrade one count on in the bad and the good.
~SIG~ Mondays and Tuesdays will never be the same. I'm so gonna miss watching this little gem live. :/
Great job recappers, thank you!
Also huge thanks to my fellow beanies(with @Pogo in the lead ;-)) for loving SASSY just as much. Your insightful comments and brilliant discussions made watching the drama a fun and rich experience. <3
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fabdrama
November 13, 2015 at 9:14 AM
Oop this reply wasn't meant to end up here. SORRY! I shouldn't comment while doing a million of other things at once...
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 9:24 AM
oh goodness, I really did comment a lot, didn't I?
I'm like you - I don't want to say goodbye to this drama either but I have to acknowledge that its 12 episodes are perfectly crafted and could not be improved on even in my imagination.
And I love that it didn't run out of steam in the final episodes, because Ha-joon's story had enough momentum to carry the story through. I was another one practically bursting with pride when he caught his father's hand and refused to put up with the abuse any more. And at how everyone comes through in the end.
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meliyasha
November 13, 2015 at 7:23 PM
Yes, you did. And I love all your comments *forms a heart sign*
And I also agree about the episodes, if it was originally planned as 16 episodes then I'm fine with it, but if it was extended, I don't think it'll be as perfect as this one.
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pogo
November 15, 2015 at 1:36 AM
awwww I am blushing right now - but I loved you guys' comments too, the experience of watching (and noticing/thinking about the drama) would not have been the same without everyone here.
I'm with you on the episode count - I want more, but I'm fine with having 12 good episodes and a finished run instead of 12 good episodes, then 1-2 episodes of the plot spinning its wheels, and then the obligatory resolution.
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 2:29 PM
please consider all of this co-signed.
And can I also add:
THANK YOU Sassy Go Go, for that whistling soundtrack that was the background music to so many of the best moments of the story. So many dramas can be a chore to watch when the OST is overdone, but there's a sweetness and wistfulness to that track that captures the feeling of youth in this drama so beautifully.
No more whistling soundtrack from next week :(
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dkaoru, GO GO!
November 13, 2015 at 4:17 PM
I love the whistling soundtrack :)
Does anyone know which song that's from?
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jinny
November 13, 2015 at 4:39 PM
Apparently it's a version of Rely by Sol the Biz but I can't find the whistling part only for the whole song :( I hope they release it as an OST.
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fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 11:38 PM
Someone uploaded a little compilation of cuts from the episodes here: https://youtu.be/TDDtqjxXVWo
"but there’s a sweetness and wistfulness to that track that captures the feeling of youth in this drama so beautifully. "
This x a thousand.
I also found this playlist, which has: https://youtu.be/V9JaEGZOiV4?list=PLJ7BioYhVqnSZq9hltTFKuqldWPuV6Py_
I hope they release the full ost compilation next week!
pogo
November 15, 2015 at 1:41 AM
@fishfingers - that Fever song......I decided to check out the original music video and just realised that the kid who played Joon-soo belongs to the group who perform it!
fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 15, 2015 at 8:18 AM
Yeah, I looked it up right in the first week (I am a nerd) and noticed that! I wish we got a teeny bit more of Joon-soo, after his episode 2 ouburst, he faded into the background. I think his (and the other Real King girl...Kyung-eun?) personality was the least distinct. A tiny bit more of both...would have made this show too perfect, so never mind!
pogo
November 15, 2015 at 10:21 AM
yeah, I agree that seeing a little more of Joon-soo and Kyung-eun would have been ideal, but commenters in earlier recaps pointed out that Joon-soo went MIA sometimes even when he should have been there, so it's possible the actor had scheduling conflicts. But I reckon there's only so much you can do with 12 hours.
and I do like remembering that Da-mi, Tae-pyung and Kyung-eun are first-years in high school, so Real King and Baek-ho will be in somewhat safe hands when our motley crew goes off to senior year study hell.
es
November 14, 2015 at 3:57 AM
"...there’s a sweetness and wistfulness to that track that captures the feeling of youth in this drama so beautifully" - yes yes yesss exactly!!! It was love at first listen with that whistling soundtrack omg, I love it SO MUCH. Spot-on song choice. I hope they release it. :(
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fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 14, 2015 at 4:21 AM
I'm trawling eunzit's channel for all her (his?) subbed Sassy extras, suggest everyone else does same because omgyaaaahhhh.
Star UCC interview (a trilogy of vids, watch them all!)...I...just...can't....save meee....
Oh wow, rewatching the very first teasers...they really don't conceptually connect to the actual show at all, do they? Look at this one! But still so adorbs, can't help breaking my face with grinnings XD
And here's a longer highlights teaser (argh so awesome).
HAHA LWG totally knows his eyes when he smiles are the most charming!
This one is also, ohmigosh, why so cute, another LWG interview where he also talks about his eyes.
...which I actually totally get. My eyes vanish when I smile (and close completely when I laugh my head off), but it (sadly and tragically, as I now know) is in no way an eye-smile like his or Eunji's or Park Bo-young's. And I was nodding and crying with laughter when he talked about his field of vision shrinking when he really LAUGHED...and then he laughed his head off. HELP ME.
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pogo
November 15, 2015 at 1:39 AM
I know, right? The teasers are NOTHING at all like the actual drama, even though they looked cute and promising.
Lee Won-geun and his eye-smile should now be declared an official health hazard, he makes my heart flutter to levels that cannot possibly be good for anyone......
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omomo
November 15, 2015 at 11:29 PM
The first teasers are super cute!!! (Despite not really being representative of what the drama's truly about.)
Lee Won-geun's serious "Let's do it together" then saying it again in aegyo pretty much sums up Kim Yeol's personality haha! Cold A+ jerk on the outside but is actually a huge sweetheart and a total flirt~
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meliyasha
November 13, 2015 at 7:18 PM
+1
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! ♥
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8 Naa
November 13, 2015 at 3:57 AM
Ive been waiting for your recap. Thanks a lot.
Agreed with everything you said especially this ---> "we’re reminded that having friends beside you makes all the difference"
Now how i miss all my friends when i was 18. How nostalgic. We are not seing much of each other nowadays (im going to be 30 soon) but the memory still fresh in my mind. And my heart.
Thank you for your wonderful recap througout the series. I enjoy reading your insight. Your thought.
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9 apluszee
November 13, 2015 at 3:59 AM
I love how Kim Yeol always have his arm over Yeondoo. hehehehe i think cos this is a high school drama that there's less skinship etc. Boohoo!
Can we have another drama with Eunji, Woo Geun and Jisoo, and outside of high school? But this time Jisoo gets the girl! Can we????Please???? Want more angst!!!
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dooleygongshil
November 13, 2015 at 5:00 PM
Yes! Please let Jisoo get the girl! >< After Bokdong-ie and HaJoon-ie, he needs a lead role where he gets the girl! I would love to see more of these 3 actors, as well as Chae Soo Bin! I hadn't seen Woo Geun outside of those few seconds he had in Moon Embraces the Sun, so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked him.
I didn't mind as much for this drama that there wasn't as much skinship because I felt it was so natural. It wasn't one of those dramas where they spend 5 min freaking out over handholding or whatever. It felt natural and spoke to their relationships. Cute stuff. :D
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eerinmide
November 17, 2015 at 12:53 PM
He has actually been cast in a drama called 'Page Turner' and HE GETS THE GIRL! Because well, hes the lead. And the girl is Kim Soo Hyun, who I hated in Moon Embracing the sun, loved in I can hear your voice and heard she did a beautiful job with School 2015 (I have an obsession with School 2013. I live for that drama so I have not watched 2015, because a people werent happy with the way it ended and I do not want to ruin the school memory in my head). But anyway... SO EXCITED!
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pogo
November 17, 2015 at 1:30 PM
It's only 3 episodes long apparently? But the writer is the same one behind I Hear Your Voice, and is really good at writing youth dramas.
And I am THRILLED to see a potential pairup of Ji-soo/Kim So-hyun (who is wonderful, and the lone reason why I cared about the main character in School 2015 at all - if another actress had that role/s, I wouldn't have bothered).
I hope that the role is different from Bokdongie and Ha-joon, and that the next thing he does after this is a drama with Jung Eunji (seriously, MAKE IT HAPPEN, dramaland. I need serious karmic compensation from the drama gods for some of these recent wtf castings, like Suzy in a melo and She Who Must Not Be Named in yet another lead role).
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rosiemontgomery
November 17, 2015 at 8:45 PM
Ji Soo and Kim So Hyun in a drama by the writer of Dream High, I Hear Your Voice and Pinocchio, yes!!! Too bad it's only a 3 episode deal. I would watch those two for 50 episodes if I could.
Lol, as soon as I read about the main lead given to Ji Soo, I thought "hopefully he gets a different character type this time around" and from the DB article the description of the main lead is: an athlete who has “a personality like a bulldozer”. Mmm... apparently something bad happens to him too, at least from the article. It's too early to tell, but I hope for his sake it's not too similar a role.
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10 Asterido
November 13, 2015 at 4:03 AM
I wait for the recap before watching the finale. I think i need a box of kleenex.
Thank you very kamsa Saya and Lollypip, the journey is even more enjoyable with the recaps.
And farewell to our dearest characters Yeon, Yeol, Hajoon (come to noona!), Dongjae, teacher yang, and even soo ah.
I will miss you terribly. :'(
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11 Feliss
November 13, 2015 at 4:10 AM
i love this drama..
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12 Lux
November 13, 2015 at 4:11 AM
Thanks for the recap!
Sassy Go, Go definitely earned a spot in my list of favorite 2015 dramas! I really loved how they did the finale, especially to the things they've done to the characters (e.g. restraining order against Ha Joon's dad, I was wondering how they resolve Ha-Joon and his relationship w/dad and I actually didn't think about this lol) and omg, Ha Joon's confession!! I LOVED everything about it! It was just simple: they just smiled and didn't act awkward with each other like how most kdramas do.
Overall, there were three things that stood for me during this finale: 1) Ha-Joon's gummy bear confession; 2) BROtp moment on the stage; 3) And Ha-Joon's "If he cheats on you, then come to me, I am very loyal" at the end (lol)
I'm gonna miss this show...so bad!
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 5:06 AM
Sassy Go So is now fighting Heard It Through the Grapevine for the spot of my favourite drama of 2015. (and it's lodged itself firmly in my top 5 of all time)
My head says Grapevine (which is like no other kdrama ever and avoided all the tropes), but my heart says Sassy (which did the tropes but in a way that's like no other drama ever).
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growingbeautifully
November 13, 2015 at 5:53 AM
I loved the tropes in this show! More, more tropes!!! (more kisses too please ... chaste ones at least!) :)
Love how the tropes were so reasonably included they did not irritate at all! And they did what skinship tropes are supposed to do... bring the couple closer and get them comfortable. Crazy about them!
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 6:15 AM
This is probably the only show in which I truly didn't mind the tropes. Yes, even the cheesiest ones!)
On paper, the otp scenes would have sounded corny as hell (falling on top of each other not once but TWICE!, forced proximity by hiding, falling asleep together on the bus, late-night movie date, etc.), however, LWG/JEJ made 'em work like they were situations that just happened naturally.
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 6:15 AM
*cheesiest ones!
Aru
November 13, 2015 at 10:25 AM
I agree so much! their on screen chemistry was on point. I re-watched their cutesy scenes so many times because I couldn't get enough.
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 2:16 PM
I know, right?! Falling on top of each other, hiding in a small enclosed space, hiding in bed (they just look so good snuggled up together), drunk almost-kiss..... and they sold it so easily and naturally that I ate up every last bit of it and wanted more! And you're right, the actors really do deserve credit for making it work - it would have come across as so contrived if it was a lesser pair, but these two could not have had more perfect chemistry.
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 2:19 PM
@Aru - I admit to re-watching/freeze-framing choice scenes too.
I had a MAJOR bit of squee at the end, when the end credits were showing bts stills - I think I went back to the one of Lee Won-geun and Jung Eunji on the crash mattress for their roll down the stairs in episode 9, way more than is healthy. And I freely admit I did it because of the way he was holding her just then - it was for a stunt, but it almost seemed like a snuggle.
GrnDrgns&Appls
November 13, 2015 at 10:36 PM
Yeah, that's true! Those scenes just seemed so fresh and natural to me with KY and YD that I didn't even think twice about the fact that they are tropes. But you know, the little details that the actors put into their characters made those scenes so adorable, and cute and rather new for me!
Lux
November 13, 2015 at 8:24 AM
Haven't tried watching HITTG yet mainly because I have commitment issues (i'm only a freshman YET I AM SO DONE already with college) but I might check it out some time!
Hearing the fact that the drama is already in your top 5 of all time got me curious... thanks for sharing!
On the other side, has anyone here seen Ouroboros? ?
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 2:12 PM
HITTG isn't exactly a feel-good type of drama, I have to warn you that where Sassy Go Go is optimistic and light, Grapevine can be quite cynical and dark. But there's a humour and intelligence to it that is rare in kdrama land, and it's absolutely unlike what one would expect of such a story. It's worth trying the first few episodes to see if you like it.
and yeah, I've seen Ourobouros! I'm a total fan of the cast but it was overall pretty good, even if it wasn't flawless (those awkward flashbacks) and I'm not over the ending.
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es
November 14, 2015 at 3:59 AM
The BROTP and OT3 moments in this episode were everything I ever wanted from them. T____T
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13 omomo
November 13, 2015 at 4:12 AM
Thank you Saya and Lollypip for all the recaps! And to the awesome commenters: kudos!
Sigh, I'm tearing up. T'was a really pleasant ride.
What I liked best:
- The lovely cast/characters and their amazing chemistry plus camaraderie. Can we pretty please have Eunji, Lee Won Geun (thank you show for introducing me to his glorious eyesmile and crinkles! ❤❤❤), Ji Soo and Chae Soo Bin - together or individually - in a new show? And FAST? I have so much love for them right now, I can barely contain it.
- The friendships, bromance, sismance, or simply put, the relationships that all felt so genuine and heart-tugging.
- The end approach they took with the love triangle. So what if they like the same girl? In the end, friendship wins! HJ: "If he cheats on you, come to me. I'm very faithful." Hahahaha that was golden!
- Overall breezy pace.
I'll miss you very dearly, show. (I miss Kim Yeol already, sigh.) You made me so darn happy.
One thing though, I wanted more kisses! (Yes, yes, call me a perv.) Or at least, more bear hugs?
Lastly, in light of the finale (and as promised), please accept my last humble offerings to the fandom:
Lee Won Geun (+his SMILE) header: http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah282/omomona/HEADERSGG3_zpssu7b4alr.jpg
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 4:12 AM
Ji Soo header: http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah282/omomona/HEADERSGG4_zpsm6j4vpah.jpg
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 4:49 AM
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
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alias
November 13, 2015 at 6:21 AM
Ji Soo's angst looks sooo hot there! *fans self*
All that steam must be from all the spontaneous fan combustion.
Thanks for all the gorgeous headers!!
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 6:38 AM
YEEEES! LOL. The steam is literally Ji Soo smoking up the screen.
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wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 6:22 AM
So much love!!!!! ^_____^ Would you mind uploading the two original Jisoo pics you used? I wanna save them. LOL
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 6:46 AM
Sure thing! :)
http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah282/omomona/CF35AUxVEAAj00w_zpsec1ekk7s.jpg
http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah282/omomona/CF34_-bUgAAj9Pd_zpslczbvqbb.jpg
Disclaimer: Needless to say the photos aren't mine.
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wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 2:48 PM
OMG!! Thank you!! I love you!! <3
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 5:20 AM
Omomo, you're the actual best.
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fabdrama
November 13, 2015 at 5:50 AM
Oh Omomo you never disappoint! Can't stop starring, love them. xD
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growingbeautifully
November 13, 2015 at 5:54 AM
Nice... More Omomo!
Go! Go! Omomo GO GO! LOL
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 6:08 AM
Hahaha! I do miss making headers since the last ones were for our dear JCW all those months ago, so I feel like I'm on a roll!
What about one for Chae Soo-bin? Or another OTP header?
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growingbeautifully
November 13, 2015 at 6:33 AM
OTP! OTP and Chae Soo Bin too...choose the ones where she's looking sweet and happy!
Plenty of Yeol too!!! And Yeon Doo being perky!
Well you did say on the roll, right? LOL!
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 6:36 AM
LOOOL unni! I will do what I can! :) Hopefully I'm not spamming DB with the headers. We're not even sure if they'll all go on rotation, haha!
Linh
December 21, 2015 at 7:52 PM
You can watch Chae Soo Bin in House of Bluebird, she plays as a lead character there. And her character is sweet and a strong girl. However, I only watched up to 6 episodes because Youtube keeps on blocking and deleting videos, and I was so caught up with other videos, also I keep on coming back to THIS drama haha It wasn't because that drama isn't good, it is and I really like her character in that drama too.
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 7:19 AM
YES YES YES to both OTP and Chae Soo-bin header!
But for CSB, since we got the boys a joint header of their own, can you do one of Soo-ah and Yeon-doo together?
(I'm being really greedy but the thought of seeing little bits of this drama long after its over in the form of the headers, is just too tempting)
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fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 7:22 AM
ooo I know what you mean. I still flail every time I see a Healer header, and reach for the screencap key.
omomo
November 13, 2015 at 7:43 AM
@pogo - Sounds like a good idea!
meliyasha
November 13, 2015 at 8:25 PM
YES I'd love to see a YeonAh header *?* Thank you so much Omomo, the headers are beautiful ♥♥♥
@fishfingers_fb - I flail and reach for Ji Chang-wook on my screen instead *bricked*
meliyasha
November 13, 2015 at 8:39 PM
And this is just a really greedy side of me but can we get an OT3 header? ^^
fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 11:42 PM
@MeLi LOL I do stroke my screen a little bit. Just. HEALER.
If I ever see a Sassy header, I will probably die like the first time I saw a Healer header. Hahaha.
fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 11:43 PM
Seriously, man. The life of a fangirl is HARD. Only other fangirls can understand.
omomo
November 13, 2015 at 6:03 AM
Thanks, y'all! ❤
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bbstl
November 14, 2015 at 12:24 AM
Omomo GO GO! if you just can't stop yourself from making more SGG headers, could you pretty please make one with the red and green gummy bears?
How about both girls in the "UGH, AS IF" sweater? LOL I want that sweater.
Seriously, thank you for all the lovely headers for SSG and for Healer.
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alias
November 13, 2015 at 6:18 AM
Awww Lee Wong Geun looks adorbs with the puffed cheeks!!!
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 6:53 AM
Isn't he just the cutest little eye-smiling chipmunk in the k-drama universe? ♥
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fishfingers_fb, GO GO!
November 13, 2015 at 6:51 AM
A team one, omg please! Like the second screencap in the comments!! Everyone deserves the love!
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 6:55 AM
The final shot in this ep looks like a good one for a header!
Too bad Dong-jae/N isn't in it. :(
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 2:07 PM
oooh, it would make a great header! It's probably the most representative shot of the drama, even with N's absence.
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meliyasha
November 14, 2015 at 8:32 AM
Omonaaa I just saw the team's header. And YeonDoo's one! Am still squealing so hard right now!!!!!!! I love you Omomo!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
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rosiemontgomery
November 13, 2015 at 12:53 PM
@Omomo, I completely agree with you on all the good things about the show... and thank you so much for the banners.
I can always love a show even if the plot isn't good as long as the characters are. And this show had such good characters. It gave us Yeon-doo, a female lead who was so emotionally intelligent that everyone in the cast not only loved her, but respected and looked up to her...Yeol, a male lead who never forced himself on the heroine or belittled her, and who was so refreshingly honest with his feelings and direct with his actions (a male lead who FLIRTS!!Who's not glowering from day 1!) and Ha-joon and Soo-ah, and even the Baek ho and Real King kids of whom we saw less but still grew to love (at least I did). I grew more attached to these characters in 12 episodes, than I have for characters in 100 episode series.
Can't I just squeal about Yeon-doo/ Yeol a little longer? I just love them. They're easily in my Top 3 Best Kdrama couple of all time...these high school kids had a more mature and fullfilling relationship than most of the adults in dramaland.
I wanted more kisses though... Augh, the withdrawal, it's hard.
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 6:37 PM
I know! I never even knew I had a thing for flirty k-drama male leads until Yeol came along!
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rosiemontgomery
November 13, 2015 at 6:46 PM
Me too! Which is funny because in real life I don't usually trust flirty guys, they're not my type either. But the moment Yeol flashed his trademark crinkled-eyes smile I was a goner.
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fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 11:47 PM
I think it's because his flirting wasn't cynical - he so openly adored her, it was hard for us not to get caught up in all the feels. And he didn't 'blame' her for liking her. He loved liking her! Just so good.
At least we still have year-end reviews for squee. And maybe we can keep this thread going forever (lol like the Healer ep.20 recap!)...
fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 14, 2015 at 3:15 AM
I just read this article, That Just Means He Likes You, about boys and (im)proper ways of showing 'affection', really good read, sums up a lot of drama relationship dynamics involving asshole heroes.
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14 namedx
November 13, 2015 at 4:18 AM
...just so much heart. *sniffs*
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Thankfully, not once did I feel Yeol's character was out of place or immature, but the fact that he raised his voice and grew angry at Ha Joon perfectly depicted the natural tendencies of 18yr olds who seem to shoulder the world's weight on their shoulders. Love how honest and raw their emotions were, just the way it should be.
Gummy bears are so my new thing now!!! Move over, onion head!
Thank you so much for recapping this show ladies!! Always a pleasure to read!
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 2:21 PM
yeah, I didn't feel like Yeol was being immature about Ha-joon liking Yeon-doo either, what he really was freaking out about was the thought of losing him over it. That comes through loud and clear in the scene, this is NOT about jealousy at all.
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es
November 14, 2015 at 4:06 AM
Yeah I don't see Yeol's outburst as being jealousy either. You could definitely sense his panic and guilt as well. A very natural reaction, I think.
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15 Fisgfingers_fb, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 4:19 AM
I wonder if we can get everybody to add "go go" to their usernames on this recap!
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fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 4:20 AM
and totally can't type my own name
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sundaexstory, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 4:36 AM
That's a good idea! I'm doing it now. :)
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 4:40 AM
Already done <3333
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 5:10 AM
oops, NOW it's done. Sorry!
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 5:22 AM
I'm with ya! ;)
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fabdrama
November 13, 2015 at 5:52 AM
My pleasure!
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Nyke, Go Go!
November 13, 2015 at 6:16 AM
Yay!! Done :-) :-)
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alias, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 6:24 AM
Hahaha I feel like a power ranger/sailor soldier! Make up! GO GO!
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fishfingers_fb, GO GO!
November 13, 2015 at 6:45 AM
dammit for being at work, I want to join the flailing squeefest
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 7:33 AM
You know, I'm a little in love with the name of this drama even though jb/gf preferred to call it Cheer Up at first.
And now look at us all changing our usernames to honour that bizarre but apt drama name, and the awesome drama it was attached to.
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dkaoru GO GO
November 13, 2015 at 8:25 AM
hahhahaha yes I thought the title of this drama was so cheesy and I refused to watch this drama in the beginning. I started watching at ep 6 then went back and marathoned 1-5 in 1 day hahahaha. Sassy go go! Cheer up!
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 9:01 AM
I actually got hooked by the weird name, I mean Cheer Up sounded like it could be any old drama but you have to have some serious out-there thinking to christen a drama something as weird as Sassy, Go Go!
And in a way I think the name captures the youth and freshness and dynamism of the drama and its cast, perfectly.
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meliyasha
November 13, 2015 at 5:07 PM
I'm late in joining the party but, done! I never forget to put Yasha in my username anywhere but now I change it, show what have you done to me?! Plus "Meli, Go Go!" rhymes with Sassy Go Go xD ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 6:58 PM
I know, right?! This is the first time in all these years of commenting that I've modified my username, and it almost feels like it was fated that I chose one that rhymes with go, go! in the first place :)
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meliyasha
November 13, 2015 at 8:16 PM
But I apparently commented as MeLiYasha again to the other comments ? I just wanted to talk about this show so much that I didn't check my username before I pressed submit.
I already noticed that your username rhymes with SGG from the first time and then I keep reading yours as Sassy Pogo kkkkkk~
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fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 11:49 PM
ooo pogo, you need to make your name Sassy pogo!!
pogo
November 14, 2015 at 12:04 AM
...and, DONE!
Nyke, Go Go!
November 14, 2015 at 5:52 AM
Hehe, after episode 2 recap I started reading pogo's username as Sassy Pogo too! :-)
16 Joanna
November 13, 2015 at 4:24 AM
Perfect ending!
Our Kim Yeol is a genius till the end, trying to change his family register so the parents can get married while he and Yeon Doo can still date?
I'm gonna miss this show..
Some of the scenes i would repeat over and over again:
1. ALL Yeol and Yeon Doo moments- I'll make sure I'm watching alone,others will think I'm crazy for smiling and squealing and throwing the pillows around
2.Yeon Doo:
-when Ha Joon found her (such great acting from eunji,you'll cry too?)
- in the hospital rest room after the kiss (cuteness overload!)
3.all scenes involving yeol's smiles?
4. Ha Joon and Yeol's bromance
-the rain scene,shower scene earlier in the show
-when they fought after ha joon quit the cheerleading club (you can feel how they truly care for each other)
-on the stage especially!!!it drives me crazy!!!
5.Ha joon and yeon doo
-the bite,the hug,the 'friend' story,the bear
To be honest,there are so many scenes that i love!!! So hard to move on ?
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 2:06 PM
Speaking of Yeol's time in the hospital, I LOVED Yeon-doo's expression after she realises he's woken up and his demanding to know how she's going to exact revenge on him. There's just so much in that one look, it kills me.
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rosiemontgomery
November 13, 2015 at 6:51 PM
I know! Out of the top of my head I remember she looked relieved, endeared, a little sad and sort of amused too. But most of all, there was love in her eyes. That one look said so much, I never needed her to say the words "I like you" out loud. It was written all over her face.
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Linh
December 11, 2015 at 4:55 PM
@rosiemontgomery - yup, Eunji's expressions were the best. Those are the expressions I was able to read through her face as well. When Yeol was unconsciously lying on the floor from saving her, you can also read through her expressions that she was really panicked, scared, and shocked all in one emotions at that moment. Then at the hospital, when Yeol wasn't awake yet due to the medication, you can tell by her expressions that she was worried and scared of losing him and that he won't wake up. But after he woke up, she was all relieved, sad, amused, and endeared all at the same time, like wow.. how can you expressed so much emotions flooding over your face all at once? haha Then after Yeol asked her how will she get her revenge back, she doesn't answer him since she's an action type of person, she initiate her response with a kiss instead, and her eyes and expressions really showed the "love" on her face.
I would say Jun Eunji did an amazing job showing her expressions with such sincere feelings through acting, it's rare to have this kind of actress. I really respect this girl though she is also 2 years younger than me like she is to Won Geun.
In this drama, I give a double win for LWG & JEJ couple, but in the next drama, I really want to see Ji Soo being the lead, AND pair up with Eun Ji for the next project. Ji Soo and Eun Ji also has a very amazing chemistry with each other, I think their chemistry was much more flowing and natural than Won Geun and her. I want to see JS and JEJ together, and LWG with CSB in the next project, also have JS with CSB as well. These four totally have so much endearing chemistry.
Also, if we are going to talk about the bromance here, we should also talk about the sismance between KYD and KSA as well, man, I swear, even the girls' chemistry was on fire in this drama as well, especially, when you see them confronting each other, their confrontations has so much tensions that it makes you feel tense with them, especially the part where YD confronted SA at the camp, in the BH's practicing room, and especially the most tense atmosphere at the stairs, when Soo Ah was grabbing on Yeon Doo's collar, their moment right there was seriously more tense than when Yeol confronted Soo Ah, the way Soo Ah grunted her teeth was wahhh... So it's not just the bromance that was filled with chemistry, even the sismance lol No less than KY and HJ at all.
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17 pogo
November 13, 2015 at 4:29 AM
The expressions on the kids' faces in that top cap is the exact one on mine too – much like the kids at their competition, Sassy Go Go might have ended up at the bottom of the ratings pile but the thing to be thankful for is that it existed at all. AND I AM SO NOT READY TO SAY GOODBYE.
It's funny to go back to the earlier recaps and look at comments (including my own) hoping for no love triangle, because in a way it's been one of the best-handled elements of a great story about friendship, and how it was about all three of them, especially the two boys. Yeol and Ha-joon were each other's sole support and only friends for so many years that they'd become their own isolated little unit - only something drastic would have even created the opportunity to let a new person in. And while Yeon-doo creates this major change in Ha-joon's life, I love that even that ties right back to Yeol – she wouldn't be part of their lives if it hadn't been for
1.Yeol's single-minded devotion to keeping Ha-joon as safe as he possibly could
2.Yeol asking for Yeon-doo's help to avert the threat of losing Ha-joon. Which is a monumental thing, considering how he previously regarded everyone outside the two of them as either inconsequential or potentially hostile – remember him snapping at Yeon-doo to mind her own business in the hospital in episode 2? And then him trying to obscure the real reason why he wanted Yeon-doo cheerleading......it takes a while for him to actually realise that Yeon-doo's diehard loyalty to her friends is actually their common ground – and it's that common ground that both makes Yeol and Yeon-doo so perfect as a couple, and also is the reason for her breaking into Yeol and Ha-joon's little fortress-of-two relationship in the first place.
Basically, if it wasn't for Yeol and that first massive leap of faith, we wouldn't get Yeon-doo connecting with Ha-joon at all. Which is completely unusual for a love triangle, and all the more glorious in what it says about their friendship.
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 4:39 AM
And one of the greatest things about the love triangle is that we genuinely didn't see it coming – Ji-soo isn't marked on the cast list or posters in the place of the usual second lead (if you were only looking at those, you'd assume N was the second lead), the production said NOTHING about him potentially having a love line at all, and nothing in the first couple of weeks marks him out as our true second lead. The lack of that information stripped the predictability out of the narrative and gave us a chance to genuinely follow the story as it unfolded, instead of being all 'ho hum, look there's our designated second lead, he's bound to fall for our female lead and it will be painful' – which is something I appreciate in a way that goes beyond words, now that the show is over. I love that the show took such care in developing ALL their relationships - Yeol and Yeon-doo (who engaged in all the cheesy skinship tropes kdramas have ever indulged in, while avoiding all the actual relationship ones like noble idiocy or pretending they don't like each other, and genuinely grew as people through knowing each other), Yeol and Ha-joon (seriously, this is the best bromance I've seen since School 2013 - and here we do have romance, but the writer took care never to lose sight of what these two meant to each other even at their most painful moments), and Yeon-doo and Ha-joon (that gummi bear confession...I'm crying a little).
It's also one of the nicest experiences I've ever had of conflicting ships – the two boys were so well-written and well-played that we never ended up with any shipping wars in the comments. Because it was just that easy to fall for Yeol, Ha-joon and Yeon-doo equally.
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 4:51 AM
oh, and that final, joking 'if he cheats on you, come to me!' just made my day.
What we really wanted from the love triangle was for their friendship not to suffer or be damaged, and that one line is such an awesome way to illustrate that our trio are stronger than ever.
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es
November 14, 2015 at 4:10 AM
omg that final cheating comment KILLED me in the best possible way, it was everything i envisioned and hoped the trio to be, and just emphasised how comfortable they are around each other now, despite everything that happened. <3
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 5:14 AM
And the other thing that made my day was Yeol and Ha-joon on that stage, with their bromance stronger than ever. I think a little piece of my soul just went to heaven when Yeol just slid into place beside Ha-joon like that - theirs is the purest and most incredible love, and seeing them back together is..... I don't think I have the words for it.
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 5:19 AM
And as for Yeol and Yeon-doo's future, I'm going to repeat my prediction in episode 11 that they grow up into awesome adults and eventually have adorable eyesmiling chipmunk babies of their very own.
(and the babies will most definitely be sent to a less hellish school than Sevit!)
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 5:45 AM
In our own head-canon: YES THEY WILL! And no one can tell us otherwise.
If Yeol does end up moving family registries and his dad marries Yeon Doo's mom, they'll most likely all live under one roof. (Pretty unconventional for a family to have both the parents and the kids as couples, but I think they'll find a way to make it work lol.) That way, with the co-habitation thing, there will be less reasons for YeolDoo to split up.
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siesta
November 13, 2015 at 7:03 AM
with the strong foundation they have in their relationship at 18 i wont be surprised if they make it through to old age together lol.. they have more trust and good communication between them than a lot of married couples i know
i kinda doubt yeol&yeondoo will go to the same college tho haha..yeol might be 1st in school but he's no magician xD
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 7:28 AM
@siesta - oh, if Sung Shi-won could get into college in Seoul with her fanfiction-writing despite being bottom of her class, I'm sure Yeol and Yeon-doo can at least get into college in the same city (likely Seoul).
And that means they can just live in the same house with Mom and Dad, if they're married by then. And those ramyun daydreams will be REAL!
siesta
November 13, 2015 at 7:32 AM
aah sassy, how do i love thee? let me count the ways
1. loooove how the love triangle was handled. with honesty, no small amount of respect and grace <3 this drama should go down in books on How To Be In A Love Triangle and survive With Your Sanity Intact and How To Be Mature Grown Ups
2. gummy bear scene is now firmly in my top 5 most memorable most wibble-inducing drama scenes of all
3. Kim Yeol. Best leading man of all time
4. YeolDoo. Relationship goals. period.
5. "I really like the Kang Yeon-doo who would do anything for her friends, But right now, let’s trust Ha-joon and wait.”
these words pretty much sum up the relationship between those three- care and respect for each other, yet not forgetting the gentle encouragements for growth too
6. maybe because his face is so small, but i never saw Yeol as a big boy until Saya said so haha.. and lol Kim Yeol is really so bad at this whole sneaking around business (and a dancing blackhole xDD)
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 7:57 AM
@siesta - can I just hug your comment and weep, because my internal reaction to having no more of this drama is exactly like Yeon-doo flailing herself right off her bed last episode at the thought of no more her/Yeol (ramyun daydream).
That gummi bear scene....I have never bought anything because of a drama before, but that scene had me rushing to boy a packet of gummis in time for the recap because I wanted to have my little red-and-green homage to our puppy and sunshine too.
And YeolDoo really are relationship goals. They're everything, really - Yeol should also go down in books about How To Write A Kdrama Male Lead Who Is Nice and Not An Asshole, and Yeon-doo should go down in How To Write A Kdrama Female Lead Who Is Not A Candy, Insipid Or Otherwise Helpless, And Can Think For Herself.
Maple
November 13, 2015 at 9:57 PM
yep, this is what i envision of yeol and yeondoo in my fantasy drama land.... they will go the distance!!!!! I actually went to a high school where many of my classmates were high school sweethearts and married each other. 12 years later, they are all still happily married with children. So i definitely do not discount "young" love, just because of age. In fact, I met MY husband when I was 17. (although we didn't start dating until I was in my early 20s) :) So it always bugged me when I would see comments saying that it would be ok for their relationship to break up over the HJ and parents issues, because they're "only" high school kids and its "only" puppy love.
Yeol and YD have an amazing relationship. Open, honest, trusting, respectful and could go on and on. They have a depth and maturity in their relationship that many grown adults don't have. LOVE THEM SO SO SO MUCH!!!!! I really truly don't think I've seen such a healthy and well functioning relationship like theirs in kdrama land. Well, nothing that comes to mind anyways. Been a kdrama watcher for over 13 years now and they are easily hands down, one of my favorite OTP. I know this would never happen, but I so wish I could see a drama of them post high school. AH....not ready to let goooooooo!
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 5:52 AM
Exactly! Who would've thought we would end up liking a love triangle this much?
Truly a first in a k-drama for me! The only other times I felt this way were in a couple of mangas that I read in which both guys were honestly too precious, it was impossible to choose. Similarly, both Yeol and Ha-joon were so well-written, likable and portrayed exceptionally by talented young actors!
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 8:01 AM
I know, right? This drama has done SO many things that I didn't want, but made me love them.
I've also never seen a kdrama love triangle that I liked this much, and you guys are right that the actors are key to this - not only Yeol and Ha-joon, but Yeon-doo.
btw which was the manga with the love triangle you liked? I wonder if I've read it, I used to be a huge shoujo manga fan and still like them a lot.
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 8:12 AM
True! Yeon-doo is like the cog in the wheels making the ot3 work so well. :)
Strobe Edge
Hirunaka no Ryuusei (Daytime Shooting Star)
Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
They're pretty popular for the love triangles and launching a thousand shipping wars. But me? I was perfectly content with either ship!
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 9:06 AM
I've read Strobe Edge! And I can totally see what you mean by being ok with the ships going either way, lol.
For me, my favourite manga love triangle happened (or didn't quite happen) in Fruits Basket. I legitimately had no idea which of two equally lovely boys the heroine (one was a Yeol, the other was a Ha-joon and they were totally enemies lol) but I was absolutely ok with either of them as a romantic interest, and I loved the way her relationships with both of them played out.
omomo
November 13, 2015 at 9:28 AM
I still hurt for Andou to this day. </3 But the good thing about Strobe Edge is, like in Sassy, Ren and Andou actually got to keep their friendship.
And oh, Furuba! How could I have forgotten it?! I loved both Kyo and Yuki, however, as the chapters progressed, I found myself rooting for Kyo more and more.
omomo
November 13, 2015 at 9:37 AM
"...one was a Yeol, the other was a Ha-joon and they were totally enemies lol."
Haha, that is so true!
Even if Kyo was endgame, at least Yuki managed to find a love of his own.
Now I wish Ha-joonie will! He's an awesome third wheel and a fundamental part of the ot3 (like how we're certain that YeolDoo will never let him feel left out), but he deserves his own personal sunshine too!
fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 9:42 AM
@pogo OMG I totally thought of FB as well! My life's most favourite and formative manga *yearn*
But you know, I desperately shipped FB's Ha-joon. Still do. To the death. TO THE DEATH. lol.
Now I'm having Fruits Basket flails. The life of a fangirl :(
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 10:09 AM
@fishfingers_fb @Omomo - COME TO ME MY FELLOW FURUBA FANGIRLS ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
I absolutely adored both Kyo and Yuki, even though in hindsight Kyo being the endgame was obvious because his is the classic tortured hero personality (another way in which Sassy Go Go deviated from the norm - they made the level-headed tease the leading man instead of the hotheaded puppy who just needed someone to love him). But I just wanted them all to be happy, and I was thrilled when Yuki found his romance.
That manga is possibly my all-time favourite, I read it when I was going through some tough times (it wasn't yet complete then) and it had an effect on me I can only describe as healing. So much love ♥♥
omomo
November 13, 2015 at 10:55 AM
@pogo - Aw that's nice to hear! I'm sure everything you've encountered so far has shaped you into the wonderful person you are today. <3
As for me, I read Furuba when I was in my early teens. It left an impression on me in such a way that I wanted to find a love as pure and heartfelt as theirs. (Err I sound so cheesy hahaha.)
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 11:41 AM
@Omomo - I know what you mean about wanting to find a love like that, they were just so lovely together and Tohru, despite being packaged to seem almost like a Mary Sue, was far more than that.
I first read it when I was around 16-17 so the same age as the characters at the time, I guess? And it just really struck a chord, especially about families and friendships. And I loved that it wasn't preachy or formulaic. It's just such a well-balanced story, there's so much darkness and pain in it but also so much amusement (Ayame lmao. And Kyo and Yuki's fights)
rosiemontgomery
November 13, 2015 at 12:23 PM
Oh, I haven't finished reading the Furuba manga, but I watched the anime. Lol, I love your comment öne is a Yeol and and the other is a Ha-joon". I always loved Yuki best out of the two boys and wanted him to end up with Tohru, no wonder I was so happy with the Yeol/Yeon-doo pairing.
(I'm gonna miss them so much).
pogo
November 15, 2015 at 3:04 AM
@rosisemontgomery - you've watched the Furuba anime, but not finished the manga? I'm almost jealous of you for having the chance to experience the full manga for the first time, now - it goes way beyond what the anime showed, and it's fantastic. Do finish it!
fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 15, 2015 at 8:22 AM
"That manga is possibly my all-time favourite, I read it when I was going through some tough times (it wasn’t yet complete then) and it had an effect on me I can only describe as healing. So much love ♥♥"
This. Every word of this is true for me, too. Furuba came into my life at a time I really, really needed it. Kdrama was like that, too. It's still one of my go-to reads for bad times, like an old and missed friend. It's too bad there's so little time to read these days :(
pogo
November 15, 2015 at 9:34 AM
@fishfingers_fb - You described it perfectly - Furuba to me is also an old and missed friend, and will be forever beloved even if I don't have time for all 17 volumes!
And speaking of reading material, I noticed the copy of Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix on the shelf behind Ha-joon's head in episodes 7 and 8, and nearly died - both because I have been a massive Harry Potter fangirl for half my life now, and because that particular book seems like THE most perfect one to represent Ha-joon's arc
(specifically, Harry in the book is suffering from major trauma and erupting in rage as a result of PTSD - but his friends' support makes all the difference. As does the formation of a certain club ;) The parallels aren't always so totally on-the-nose, but they're there)
fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 16, 2015 at 6:07 AM
ohhh I totally did not notice the hp book in the bg!! Can you pinpoint the minutes it appears? So true, though, about how appropriate it is!
(tbh, I'm not a fan of the later hp books, I think they went downhill after Azkaban, although I too was a slavish devotee to the whole fandom experience. It just left me ultimately disappointed.)
pogo
November 16, 2015 at 9:51 AM
@fishfingers - It's in episode 7 in the scene where Ha-joon's looking at the medicine Yeon-doo gave him and then Yeol comes in.....about 10 minutes in, I think? There's a shot where you can see Ha-joon's bookshelf and the spine of the book is clearly visible (it's a UK edition, which is the one I have). I remember one of the db screencaps showed the book quite clearly. In episode 8, it's visible when Ha-joon's back in his dorm and looking at his and Yeon-doo's punishment pic on his phone, before he takes out the medicine she gave him to put on one of his scrapes.
And I also agree that Azkaban is the most perfect of the HP books, but I really did enjoy the later ones too - with the exception of Half-Blood Prince (and to some degree, the Snape backstory in Deathly Hallows - no one will believe me now, but I'd seen that one coming since Azkaban, and I was not a fan of it). OotP was flawed but I was thrilled about the massive size of it because it came after a three-year Harry Potter drought - and even now, I can always pick a random page and find something to enjoy.
wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 6:43 AM
I agree that Jisoo didn't seem like the second lead at the onset and N was more like that position since they portrayed N and Eunji as childhood friends. And we know how that usually goes in dramas when the friends grow up. Good thing they didn't end up having N entangled in the love lines with Eunji. Once again, Jisoo shows his potential and acting prowess can't be ignored. He stole the show in Angry Mom and made his mark here as Hajoon. I love how LWG played Yeol as well. You can't help loving the trio and it was just so heartwarming to see. They really did a great job balancing the characters and making everyone shine. I think if Yeol or Yeondoo were played by other actors who couldn't hold their own, it would have been more of a shipping war. LOL
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fishfingers_fb, GO GO!
November 13, 2015 at 6:56 AM
"I think if Yeol or Yeondoo were played by other actors who couldn’t hold their own, it would have been more of a shipping war."
...like the Drama That Shall Not Be Named. Hahahaha.
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wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 7:48 AM
Hahaha! Exactly!! So, as much as I love Jisoo, I also love LWG and Eunji here. I knew it wasn't gonna happen between YD-HJ. I just enjoyed the ride as the characters grew. ^^
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 8:04 AM
oh god, imagine the WARS we would have had here if Yeol had been played by a lesser actor than Lee Won-geun, or someone with whom Eunji hadn't had such blazing chemistry from day 1.
The minute Ha-joon left her that umbrella, it would have been game over for that poor non-LWG sucker in the eyes of the viewers.
wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 2:51 PM
@pogo "game over for that poor non-LWG sucker"
Hahahaha!! So true!! That sucker would've been left in the dust. LOL
pogo
November 15, 2015 at 3:08 AM
@Lisa - August left a link on the second page to an interview of Lee Won-geun stating outright that he was the one who wanted Yeol to be cute and adorable around Yeon-doo, even though the PD favoured a traditional cold-jerk kind of portrayal.
So yeah, any actor who wasn't Lee Won-geun in the role of Yeol..... would really have been toast after the first hint of the Ha-joon/Yeon-doo love line.
eerinmide
November 17, 2015 at 1:23 PM
Are we talking about School 2015??? We better be -____-. I watched the first 3 episodes of that show and gave up (especially after having a huge fight over who she should end up with. My sister had finished it and spoiled it for me and I was SO HEARTBROKEN! I could not go on anymore). Ugh. The way that drama breaks my heart, the maths was perfect. 2 boys, 2 girls. Why did they have to mess it up?
rosiemontgomery
November 13, 2015 at 12:30 PM
You said exactly what I wanted to say. The main reason I love this drama is because they were truly brought to life by the actors that played them...if either of the four main characters (Yeon-doo, Yeol, Ha-joon and Soo-ah) had been played by lesser actors, this show could've turned out very very differently. We could've ended up fiercely hating So-ah or lamenting the existence of the love triangle, because let's face it, the reason we found it so compelling was that we loved all three characters and they all had such chemistry with each other. It was a delicate balance, but this show made it work.
It certainly had flaws, and I do think no love triangle would've been a better way to go, but if we had to have one, this one was as natural and well-solved as it could have been.
The show certainly surpassed my expectations in how well it tied everything up in a (mostly) believable way.
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Linh
December 21, 2015 at 10:23 PM
@rosiemontgomery
Exactly. This drama has the main solid cast ever, every actors brought their characters to life that it made us believe they are really those people in real life haha Even N, who's the most weak ling out of all the cast members, and his character as one of the main characters is as well the least compelling, but he still did quite okay with it :) But for our 4 main characters, they are seriously all toe to toe with one another, even though Kwon Soo Ah's and Seo Ha Joon's characters are a bit more compelling to Kang Yeon Doo's and Kim Yeol's characters because their characters drives more on the emotional rides to the story, but Kang Yeon Doo's and Kim Yeol's characters are also not less compelling and endearing than those two because they are the main core of the story.
If these four main characters (Kang Yeon Doo, Kim Yeol, Seo Ha Joon, and Kwon Soo Ah) were played by the lesser actors, we probably would already be skipping this drama once we watch the first episode, because remember, the start of this drama was shown by our lead actress, Eun Ji. The first and second episodes were sort of like any other k-dramas out there, but starting from episode 3, the story became more unique and interesting, however, the actors of this drama has aced it since the very first episode, this was one of the reasons why I got so hooked since the start.
The chemistry of our 4 main characters are all on fire and off the roof - the bromance and the sisterhood of these four when interacting with and facing, and confronting one another were all intense and real like wow!, then our OT3 friendship, our 2 lead (sigh :)).
I love all moments between our four main characters, LWG-JEJ, LWG-JS, LWG-CSB, JEJ-JS, JEJ-CSB, or JS-CSB, I love it all.
Maple
November 13, 2015 at 9:48 PM
thank you pogo for all your insightful comments on this lovely drama. i always looked forward to reading your thoughts on DB. so sad this drama is over, but so satisfied on all fronts.
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pogo
November 15, 2015 at 3:11 AM
Thanks, maple! Reading people's analysis of Sassy Go Go has also been one of the best parts of this drama for me - like you, I'm sad it's over but glad that it stayed this good all the way to the end.
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fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 15, 2015 at 8:25 AM
I second this. I have a bunch of favourite commenters I look out for (like IRY had a really strong group), and it changes with the dramas, but sometimes I'm blown away by their awesomeness. This is what makes DB and recaps amazing!! It's not just a recap, it's real, serious discussion, not a series of variations of 'lawl hawt' or something XD
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eerinmide
November 17, 2015 at 1:29 PM
LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 'Lawl Hawt'. I flatlined at that. But you are so right. I have been wondering why i couldnt watch any drama without dramabeans and its because of the insight and the feeling of community (which is why I watch on viki too. The comments are delightful). The hawt comments get on my nerve, if i am watching a show not recapped on db, i look for other places. and none of them go insightful, just 'hohoho hahaha chocolate abs'. like really, thats it?? No psychological explanation? No Mentalist-shenanigans?? No foreseeing or shipping wars?
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fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 11:52 PM
pogo, serious question: did you ever consider becoming a recapper? After reading all your brilliant comments throughout Sassy, I found myself thinking I'd read the hell out of your recaps!
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pogo
November 15, 2015 at 3:18 AM
@fishfingers - good god, no! I'm not nearly organised enough to be any kind of recapper (I don't know how everyone here does it!) and as for the comments, half of them were just thrashing out things with/reacting to things you guys brought up, so really, the credit belongs to you. I rather like just being able to dive in and hang out in the comments, it's more fun.
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fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 15, 2015 at 8:26 AM
I guess recaps must be a ton of work! You're right, on reflection, it's way easier to let the recapper (hi Saya!) do the hard work while we just hang out and chat!
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Linh
November 20, 2015 at 2:56 PM
@pogo ~ Actually, it's not only because of Yeol that brings Yeon Doo and Ha Joon close to each other, it started from the progress of Yeon Doo trying to make friends with him on her own. Remember, after Yeon Doo accidentally came across seeing Ha Joon's father abusing him at the school parking lot, she became wanting to be friends with him and wanted to help through his struggle, first. Although their closeness does ties back to Yeol, but YD and HJ also have their own connections that creates the dynamics between them too, and Yeol doesn't know about how these two had become close to each other. Yeol didn't even know that YD found out about what she saw, both of YD and HJ didn't tell him, then in episode 11, that was the episode where both YD and KY both naturally shared an open secret about HJ's pain that they didn't noticed that they both knew.
So yeah, it wasn't only because of Yeol lol They became close from their own connections and progress that even Yeol didn't even know. And the secret that YD found out, Yeol still probably didn't find out haha That's why Yeol was always surprised and curious of seeing Ha Joon changed. That means HJ and YD also have their own confidante that Yeol doesn't know. Remember that although it was Yeol who had them knowing each other are, but the reason why they became close to each other wasn't because of Yeol, it was from their own confidante that they found out about each other, and it was through Yeon Doo's progress of becoming close to him.
No matter how the roads go of making these three became close and formed a little unit of 3 musketeers, we just have to love the way these three eventually shares confidantes that the other doesn't know, they all confides in one another in a way that the others can't come across through them.
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pogo
November 20, 2015 at 8:21 PM
I do agree that Yeon-doo and Ha-joon came to form their own bond through interactions that weren't mediated by Yeol/that Yeol didn't always know about.......but the very fact that she was there in the first place and they had a common cause to commiserate about, was indirectly because of Yeol.
Without Yeol asking for Yeon-doo's help to form the cheerleading squad/her agreeing, we wouldn't have issues like Yang-saem getting unjustly accused of sexual harassment, or Yeol getting framed for cheating (both major icebreakers for Yeon-doo/Ha-joon) - they simply wouldn't be in those situations, enough to be getting close.
And Yeol's trust in her is certainly part of the reason why Ha-joon starts seeing her as a decent person, to begin with - in ep 2, Yeon-doo sees them at the hospital after Ha-joon's cutting incident and expresses concern over his injury, but Yeol snaps at her to keep away and Ha-joon doesn't seem any more inclined to trust her just then. It's only after the cheerleading club (which wouldn't exist without the underlying driving factor of YeolJoon spurring Yeol to ask for Yeon-doo's cooperation) starts and Yeon-doo actively tries to seek Ha-joon's help, that he starts seeing her as something other than the class loudmouth.
And again, she witnessed the beating in the car park on her own and offered up the medicine afterwards - but without their acquaintance from cheer club and his knowledge from the Yang-saem firing discussions that Yeon-doo genuinely acts out of a sense of justice/caring and not out of pity or nosiness, Ha-joon would have been far less inclined to trust her motives or see that she was genuine with the medicine. (again, indirectly because of a situation Yeol steered them into)
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Linh
December 10, 2015 at 4:02 PM
Yeah, it's true from your perspective too. But then again, if we truly think about it, it could be Soo Ah, who's the core of the whole thing that brings all of them together and knowing each other in the first place. Because as we know at the very, very beginning, which was since first episode or even before that, she was the one who was behind and the one who purposely started the whole war and battle lines between the Real King and Baek Ho clubs, she was also the reason why Yeol became closer to Yeon Doo, she was the one who brought up the whole cheerleading thing and made both RK and BH clubs merged together. Soo Ah was basically the reason of this whole story between RK and BH, Yeol and Yeon Doo (both teams' leaders) starts.
As for the core friendships of YeolJoon with Yeon Doo, I would say it correspond to the heterosexual friendship, YeonJae with Soo Ah, in different ways of them coming together. If Yeol was the reason for Yeon Doo and Ha Joon's friendship developing, then it goes the same with Yeon Doo for Dong Jae knowing Soo Ah. Coming to think about it, both Ha Joon and Dong Jae are close-minded of other people and has only consisted of their own childhood best friends, whereas Yeol and Yeon Doo were the ones who brought the open doors for both of their respective best friends to bring other people in their lives, not just only depend their lives on them.
It goes like if it wasn't because of Yeol, Ha Joon wouldn't have become closer to Yeon Doo and knowing her better than just a nosy, meddlesome, and a loud troublesome girl. Also, if it wasn't because of Yeon Doo, Dong Jae wouldn't know who Soo Ah is, he wouldn't decided to be all up in Soo Ah's business and wouldn't become knowing all of her weak sides, and also wouldn't get to know how Soo Ah really is behind all the evil things she has done to other people. Also, Yeol and Yeon Doo were also the reasons why all three of these people, Ha Joon, Dong Jae, and Soo Ah had began to have feelings for one another, like Ha Joon fell for Yeon Doo, Dong Jae also seems to have a some strong feelings for Soo Ah, then Soo Ah became notably having feelings for Dong Jae as well. It's a parallel between the core friendships thing, it just all goes different ways. I would say both Yeol and Yeon Doo are the core of this whole friendships between Ha Joon and Dong Jae, it just starts with different situations and goes different ways.
I would say that Soo Ah was the core behind Yeol and Yeon Doo became closer to each other, and behind the whole war and battle lines of RK and BH, and the merge between two clubs to the cheerleading club.
Yeol and Yeon Doo are both the core with the friendship roles with their respective best friends. They were the ones who opened the doors for both of their best friends to bring other people in their lives. Ha Joon and Dong Jae were the ones who received those messages and decided to open their hearts for others; Ha Joon for Yeon Doo, and Dong Jae...
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pogo
December 10, 2015 at 8:44 PM
I agree that Soo-ah sets everything in motion with the first photo setup and the threat to Ha-joon, but the fact is she could have screamed and threatened Yeol all she wanted and he would never have given in if it wasn't for Ha-joon's sake.
The same goes for Yeon-doo - Soo-ah's involvement makes her dig in her heels and refuse to be part of the spec scheme, but it's Yeol's plea to save Ha-joon that makes her reconsider and brings her on board to form the club.
I would say it correspond to the heterosexual friendship, YeonJae with Soo Ah, in different ways of them coming together.
It doesn't correspond as neatly, because even if Dong-jae has come to know Soo-ah via Yeon-doo, the three of them (YD/DJ/SA) seem to keep their interactions separate for the most part - Yeon-doo hangs out with both Soo-ah and Dong-jae, but never with both of them at the same time. I mean, she was friends with Soo-ah for a year and Dong-jae still didn't know who Soo-ah was (ep 1), that points to her keeping her friend circles more or less separate.
With YeolJoon+Yeon-doo, they actually do hang out quite a bit as all three, although the separate pairings (Yeo/Ha-joon, Yeol/Yeon-doo and Ha-joon/Yeon-doo) are very much present. But they're a trio, in a way that Yeon-doo/Dong-jae/Soo-ah are not.
Linh
December 10, 2015 at 10:47 PM
Yeah, you're right about that, on both the friendships and the Soo Ah thing.
Well, 5 of these characters are the cores of the drama in all sorts of aspects. Yeon Doo is the main core of changing each characters becoming better people, she also has the influence from Yeol changing her. YeolJoon is the core of friendship, and Soo Ah is the core of all the happenings. And Dong Jae... I don't know hahah He's only involved around Yeon Doo's world, until Soo Ah became his best friend's obstacles in life, he began to creep over Soo Ah haha I guess, that's the difference between Ha Joon and Dong Jae, they are similar but also a lot different.
18 ree
November 13, 2015 at 4:33 AM
What is YA?
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sundaexstory, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 4:38 AM
Young Adult (books). They're books with teenagers as the main characters.
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19 ree
November 13, 2015 at 4:35 AM
All the dramas I have been watching have all ended ? Second Time Twenty, She Was Pretty and Sassy. I’m not feeling Bubblegum,Reply and Achiara. What to watch next??!
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dkaoru GO GO
November 13, 2015 at 8:29 AM
I'm just going to re-watch Sassy Go Go, and Second Time Twenty years :)
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rhiaa
November 13, 2015 at 3:03 PM
Haha, true, just rewatch if there is nothing to watch! :D :D
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Thu
November 14, 2015 at 6:24 AM
Watch Awl! It's so good.
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20 Ai
November 13, 2015 at 4:43 AM
I love the gummy bear confession. They will never be the same anymore. And post-it notes -- can't forget that. Sigh. I love this drama soooo much. It's the kind of drama that make sense to me. It's not another Playful Kiss or just one more high school cheerleaders. Plus, the ending is not too out of universe or too meh. Just nice. Like your favorite milk ;) I am happy to see that Yeol is a real genius until the end; trying his best to stay in relationship with Yeon Doo.
Best drama ever!
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 8:11 AM
oh, this is definitely not just any high school drama.
If I use chocolate to compare, where Playful Kiss and the like are like M&Ms or those horrible Hershey's milk chocolate bars, Sassy Go Go is basically like Lindt bonbons.
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es
November 14, 2015 at 4:17 AM
yep, sassy go go is a perfect example of why i watch high school dramas. although very very few have been as charming and well-done as SSG.
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21 laisa
November 13, 2015 at 4:56 AM
Wow what a lovely comment. I totally agree for all the things you wrote. I missed this show already . Deep inside me Im hoping for more. I'm sad because the ratings were low knowing how many of us were following the show. I wish miracles happen that will help the cast and crew how appreciated and validated they are.
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22 pogo
November 13, 2015 at 5:00 AM
Also, while I'm thrilled that dramabeans has finally woken up to the charms of Mr. Crinkles, Lee Won-geun (I admit I'd have been blind to him pre-Yeol too if I hadn't seen Wild Chives last year – but seriously, you guys are so Ji-soo biased that any lesser male lead would have had us all stricken down with mass Second Lead Syndrome – and that includes me, btw), I also want to note the other dark horse of this drama – Chae Soo-bin.
She didn't have the advantage of starting off playing a likeable character, she was the drama's antagonist (and oh my god, what an antagonist she was) through most of its run, but even with that, I have to admit she's freaking extraordinary because a character like Soo-ah could have come off so badly wrong in the hands of a lesser actress – she could have ended up being flatly hateable or ineffectual, but instead she felt real and alive, and even though we could hate her, it was absolutely impossible to be indifferent to her . And it's even more amazing considering she's a rookie who only debuted last year but already has a range and finesse to her performance that puts some people with far more experience than her, to absolute shame (seriously, this is the kind of girl writers like Lee Kyung-hee and Kim Eun-seok should be looking at for their lead roles). Her chemistry with Jung Eunji had an intensity and authenticity to it that almost rivalled the boys – in a way, their relationship was written to be like the reverse of Yeol and Ha-joon's (a fractured friendship that got the chance to mend), but was no less believable for all that. Those scenes where Yeon-doo's chasing Soo-ah down the corridor, or when Soo-ah asks why Yeon-doo isn't out there getting the kids to cheer? I love those, I wish we'd had more. And Yeon-doo wearing Soo-ah's 'UGH. AS IF' jumper kind of made my day – like Saya says, these are the little touches that make a drama so much more than a bunch of people saying lines in front of a camera.
And last but not least, JUNG EUNJI!!!! I actually believe the story and characters of Sassy Go Go were at least partially shaped by the actors and what they could do – and what she had to do was nothing less than be the heart and soul of the show. Yeon-doo's such an essentially good character that it would have been easy for her to come off as flat, but Eunji brings with her a boundless vitality and charm that make Yeon-doo not only incredibly endearing, but totally believable. And the fact that she can go toe-to-toe with Lee Won-geun, Ji-soo and Chae Soo-bin (incredible young actors, all) and never once come up short, speaks to her skill as an actress, which people frequently dismiss or underestimate because they think she's just playing 'herself' – but she's developed into far more than just that, and plays incredibly well off her costars. (which is also something I really like – this is a cast that brought out the best in each other, and that is incredible).
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 5:07 AM
oops, this was meant to go under comment 17. I apologise for taking up so much screen space on the first page AND messing up my replying.
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blues
November 13, 2015 at 5:20 AM
Jung Eunji, the one that dragged me to this drama. I don't trust people who said she was just playing herself. As a fan of her as an actor, I wouldn't say that. Because when we see her closely, she's growing, and keeps growing. She's getting better and better for each production.
And I cannot agree more, everything you said about Jung Eunji is so on point. I've been following her with those thought too.
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dkaoru
November 13, 2015 at 7:05 AM
I don't think Jung Eun Ji is just playing herself. I've seen her in Answer Me 1997, and few episodes in Trot lovers and a few variety shows. When I was watching this I didn't think oh Yoon deo is exactly like Shi Won. There are a few similarities but I feel they're different characters.
I do wonder if she's gonna get type-cast into these high-school roles.
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 8:06 AM
This is only Eunji's second time playing a high schooler, after Answer Me 1997. Her other jobs have involved her playing young adults, so she's ok on that score.
But I do worry about her and Ji-soo being typecast as spunky everygirl and troubled high school boy respectively, it sucks that they may be forced into a box just because they were so good right from the start.
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sundaexstory, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 6:47 AM
I agree that Chae Soobin was excellent at portraying Kwon Sooah; the character's complex layers were shown clearly thanks to the actress.
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 7:51 AM
Exactly - the very fact that Chae Soo-bin as Soo-ah was able to raise such conflicting emotions in us as viewers, speaks to her skill. As does the fact that so much of her character is expressed non-verbally, you learn almost as much (if not more) about Soo-ah from her facial expressions and body language, as from the things she says.
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Linh
November 20, 2015 at 3:48 PM
True. Yeon Doo and Soo Ah's relationship was written as the reverse of Yeol and Ha Joon's relationship, and I actually love how both of these two relationships are written. One relationship was written to be a solid and confidante childhood friends who got entangled together through parental problems, while another relationship was written to be fractured friends who goes through so much evil for them to be able to become closer with each other. Through all of these problems they went through together and against each other, makes their relationships becomes more solid and stronger. I love these Bromance and Sisterhood relationships <3
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pogo
November 20, 2015 at 8:36 PM
Actually, looking at School 2013 (which was also produced by Contents K, which made Sassy Go Go) it almost feels like Yeon-doo and Soo-ah's relationship is like an expanded version of Kang-joo and Ha-kyung from School 2013.
The School 2013 girls were mostly in the background, but the basic characteristics of the two pairs of girls are roughly similar - one being a top student determined to get into a top university at any cost and willing to alienate even her closest friend out of pride, the other being the loudmouth friend with a heart of gold who will still snap if pushed (and the interesting part was that the overachieving one was given the more primary role, out of the two). Of course Soo-ah went much further down the path to darkness and Yeon-doo had way more nuance than just being noisy in the background, but it's interesting to compare the two pairs of friends and see how one could have been an influence on the other.
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meliyasha
November 24, 2015 at 11:44 PM
Wahhh I love your comparation. I actually loved the sis-mance in School 2013 too although it's being overshadowed with HeungSoon that I sometimes forget about them.
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Linh
December 10, 2015 at 11:01 PM
@pogo
I love your comparison with that lol You are so right on topic and I totally agree with you that the relationship of Soo Ah and Yeon Doo being the expand version of Kang Joo and Ha Kyung's relationship. While, Yeol and Ha Joon's relationship was the opposition version of Nam Soon and Heung Soo's relationship.
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Linh
December 11, 2015 at 6:00 PM
@pogo - I totally agree with everything you said, and I also don't agree with the people who said her acting is flat or that she was playing as herself, like what all of you said, her previous characters, especially her as Sung Shiwon and her character here as Kang Yeon Doo, I've also watched Reply 1997, but at that time, I watched it because of Eun Jiwon (former member & leader of Sechs Kies), but as I kept on watching, I began to realized Eunji's acting ability from that drama, and I would say her characters as Sung Shiwon and Kang Yeon Doo are two different types of people. Sure, they have some similarities, but Kang Yeon Doo is more selfless and determined, and also more considerate than Sung Shiwon, which Eunji portrayed Yeon Doo's character out on spot for that. People underestimated her acting skill because her characters are all somewhat similar based on their personalities and such, that they became to be blinded to see some differences between each characters that she's portraying.
This goes the same with Ji Soo as Go Bok Dong and Seo Ha Joon. Most people can't seem to differ him from Bok Dong and Ha Joon because the two characters has the same problems, which they are both troubled high schoolers that have abusive adults and has a one-sided love with the female lead. I didn't watch Angry Mom yet, so I can't really say about Bok Dong's personality, but as I read from those who HAVE watched it, they said Bok Dong is also a tough and strong kid on the outside but is fragile and emotional on the inside, which is sort of similar to Seo Ha Joon too. But the thing they NEED to differ is that Seo Ha Joon is actually not as pitiful as Go Bok Dong, their lifestyles are different, Seo Ha Joon actually has a more better and stable life than Go Bok Dong, Ha Joon has true friends who are willing to go miles with him which made him became emotionally stronger and became a better person. Seo Ha Joon has a healthier and better lifestyle than Go Bok Dong, as well has a better fortunate future than Bok Dong does. See, there are many differences between Seo Ha Joon and Go Bok Dong, they need to see these differences. Also, the way I see, Seo Ha Joon seems to be more stable, happier, and smiles more after he became close to the female lead, Kang Yeon Doo. So seriously, Seo Ha Joon's character is not really pitiful than Go Bok Dong, and people NEED to see that differences.
I don't know why, but I think people just tend to keep on sticking the similarities between previous characters with the current characters that the actors are portraying, and it make them too blind to see the differences of each characters with similar personalities or problems like Eun Ji and Ji Soo's characters. Some or most of you guys here are like that too.
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23 nil
November 13, 2015 at 5:01 AM
This drama is sure a tease. They tease us for the whole series with the parent-dating things, and they solved it by mere a minute phone call to yeol's mother asking for adoption. Seriously unnecessary. Hahahaha
Anything else was great. Also great journey of reading recaps and discussions with fellow fangirls. Thankyou guys. :*
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24 pancchi
November 13, 2015 at 5:02 AM
Thank you for recapping this show, DB!!
I don't know why but am getting too emotional now. I couldn't even look at the header properly. If i do, the dam will break...
Am trying hard to achieve my dream but am failing again and again. Teacher told improvement is there but i was not selected. They tell ladies are more aggresive in discussions. I want to be successful in my first attempt for my parents and myself. Parents are out of town and i don't feel like going home.
Sorry for taking the space here. I don't have a good friend to tell these. I lost my trust in them when they remember me in their free time. I need a friend but not like them.
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growingbeautifully
November 13, 2015 at 5:46 AM
Hi @pancchi
I read ya. You can email me to chat.
You know, being on this particular show's recap... it's just appropriate to say, "You're OK Pancchi!! You're just fine! You're not alone! Pancchi fighting!!! Believe in yourself, you can do it! Pancchi Go Go Go!!!"
I hope you can take heart from this show, seeing that those kids got last place but they still cheered for themselves and for their selves (slight difference) and were glad. They knew they are worth every good cheer and so are you!! Take care! :) *Hugs*
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pancchi
November 13, 2015 at 6:03 AM
Yes Unni, Thank you:)
I have to start from scratch and create a master-piece, hypothetically. Though i have done that many times before, this time is the most difficult. I believe in myself, but at times i feel worthless. I don't want to be pitiful, but little understanding, at times!!
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growingbeautifully
November 13, 2015 at 6:09 AM
I'll email you instead of chatting here, since this is the SGG thread :)
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KanpekiLove
November 13, 2015 at 6:34 AM
I'm sorry to hear that you're going through a hard time pancchi. Your heart must be hurting so much. *hugs*
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dkaoru
November 13, 2015 at 7:09 AM
Pancchi fighting! GO GO!
Following your heart and dream is never easy! Don't give up!
I don't know your full story but there are always up and downs in life. Take heart!
We're here to cheer on the you of today!
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wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 7:50 AM
Awww... Must be tough, frustrating, and overwhelming. But never stop believing in yourself. You will pull through. Pancchi fighting!!
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 8:08 AM
panchhi, I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time. I hope you'll pull through and be happier when you do.
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rhiaa
November 13, 2015 at 3:06 PM
Fighting, pancchi!! Go, Go!! *huuuuugs*
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fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 11:57 PM
Be strong, pancchi, you can get through it! You'll achieve your dreams and find the right people to be beside you. This hardship you feel now will end, and even when you don't get what you want, you'll find things you never knew you wanted, and wouldn't exchange for the world. <3
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meliyasha
November 14, 2015 at 1:44 AM
Pancchi fighting! I wish I could reach my hands through the screen to hug you but I can't :( Still.....cheer up! We will always be here for you ❤ *virtual group-hugs*
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eerinmide
November 17, 2015 at 1:35 PM
Pancchi Unni, FIGHTING!!!
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25 Miss mina
November 13, 2015 at 5:04 AM
I always watch the drama, read recap n then watch the drama again. M soo not ready to say goodbye to Sassy go go! Going to watch it again. I just love the mature love and friendship that r lacking in many dramas.like when Yeon do keeps her friends around and boyfriend. The honesty and frankness are just amazing! Marathon watch now!!!
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Linh
December 11, 2015 at 6:59 PM
Exactly. And also, the actors in this drama really amaze me, like seriously, how could they act and talk all so natural? Especially, the part where all thirteen of them went to the regional competition and they were fighting with the servants hahah The way, they all arguing with the servant guy was so natural like they didn't even act, and it was so real during that situation, but at the same time, it was also funny hahah Because...
1) They are students and minors.
2) They know they are powerless, but they were still fighting with that guy.
3) Even the wealthy kids, Baek Ho, also go along being powerless with the Real King and use the same method with them, especially Kim Yeol, who can easily use his power talking with that security guy, but he didn't use it hahaha
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26 Gongaroo
November 13, 2015 at 5:08 AM
The first time that I've ever felt that twelve episodes were too short... ?
I started watching it for Eunji but stayed because of Lee Won Guen. Jisoo was the ribbon on top of this awesome present.
I'm still swooning over Yeol Doo and eye-smiles galore. It was so wonderul to have a male lead who liked his partner so much that he refused to be a noble idiot and was always ready and willing to flirt back or support her decisions. I ❤️ Yeol!
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 3:11 PM
It was so wonderul to have a male lead who liked his partner so much that he refused to be a noble idiot and was always ready and willing to flirt back or support her decisions.
I KNOW RIGHT?! why can't we have more drama leads like this - and he's a teenage boy! the demographic with the ultimate excuse to act like immature children when they finally fall for a girl, and he does none of that.
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dkaoru, GO GO!
November 13, 2015 at 4:32 PM
All the kids in this drama rise above all the adults in terms of maturity.
Age doesn't make you more mature - i think one of the character said this, I can't remember who said it.. clearly I need to re-watch this show again and again hahahaha
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 7:00 PM
It was Yeol's dad who said it :)
And yeah, with the exception of Teachers Yang and Nam and Yeon-doo's mother, this is so true!
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Linh
December 11, 2015 at 8:35 PM
@Eveil-GoGo
So true lol Having this kind of male lead would be so much better than the lead that is such a jerk and immature to the female lead. What's a double plus of this drama is that not only the male lead that refused to be a noble idiot, our female lead also refused to be a noble idiot, even though in episode 11, we saw that Yeon Doo wasn't feeling right after what they did to their parents, but she still decided to stay beside Yeol and didn't give up her relationship with him even if she regretted for hurting her mom. I totally love that <3
@dkaoru - You are so right :) All the kids in this drama really did rise above all the adults in terms of maturity. In exceptions of Teacher Yang and Nam, and Yeon Doo's mom.
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27 blues
November 13, 2015 at 5:15 AM
First of all, I would like to thank both LollyPip and Saya for staying with this drama and sending so much love for this. We're really thankful. Hands down.
Speaking of the last episode I was actually scared, I pushed a couple of days to watch this episode, tried to hold myself from twitter to prevent any spoiler, and prayed so hard to be not disappointed at the last moment. From the beginning I really wished I wouldn't be disappointed by any least thing from this drama, that's maybe why I put my expectation so low and tried to trust the writer. My hardest thing being this drama's viewer was not to fall for Hajoon-Yoendoo's circle. And just like some of you I failed. Their chemistry, their moment, their friendship are beyond my power. I lost and fell desperately for the ship. Of course there was a moment when I was so angry, frustrated because of the pain I would gain by having unforgiven wish to the state that I wish the writer send Yeondoo to Hajoon and ruin the story. I know, I know, this is too much.. Do not worry, I was back to my sense. I remembered I told myself weeks ago that I would like if Yeondoo became Hajoon's first love. And for not getting your first love it didn't matter your life would end just like that. I told myself to remember my own wish back then. And for that, I was and still am so happy with how the writer executed Hajoon's love story. I was and still am so happy for, first, he could confess his feeling; second, for smiling and looking so relieved when he told her the bear story; third, for thanking her for what he had learned from her; forth for Yeondoo's smile and understanding; fifth, for that hug, and joking around telling Yeondoo to come to him if Yeol ever cheat (seriously, just like Saya said, that part also relieved me so much). Being the loyal stan, Hajoon-Yeondoo part affected the most from this episode.
But, talking about all the episode, I can say that I'm glad. I'm glad for all the execution. Yes. I love Sooah-Yeondoo's real bonding moment. I couldn't believe she was fake on first episode when she could be this sweet companion. I also love those tiny moment between Sooah and Dongjae. When she took Yeondoo's milk, I was like 'oh, she moves first! I think I will love her even mooooore!.' I also like that they didn't win the regional. Ha! And I love that the parent's relationship continued. Because to think about it, even when we've been concerned of their relationship since the beginning, I still think that ending their story the way Yeol wanted was still not right. There should be better option even if they had to end it. And woah, I salute the writer for bringing back the relationship, daring this choice and it's added by how Yeol eventually learnt that he was not right, that there should another better way to solve this matter. What a long journey.
Also, aih, I will put myself to talk out my impression of this drama as much as I can. Also, I like the friendship journey. From the...
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blues
November 13, 2015 at 5:26 AM
Oh, and Saya! The last pic though, those gummy bears, I love it the most. Ha, of all, you pick that pic as the last image of this last recap is literally flattering my heart. Thanks!
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es
November 14, 2015 at 4:21 AM
haha yep, definitely loved that tinnnny hint of romance between dong-jae and soo-ah in the end. dong-jae's all indignant and "that's yeon-doo's milk!!!" and soo-ah's just "well now it's mine". so cute.
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28 gadis
November 13, 2015 at 5:16 AM
Love the ending soooo much. I need season 2, or maybe they can just franchise it like school series.
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29 doubt_no_more
November 13, 2015 at 5:17 AM
Thanks for the recap, Saya.
With you posting this recap, its really over.
This drama is really a gem! Despite its tough competitions, the writer managed to stay true till the end. Kudos to the writer. And also kudos to everyone in SGG. This drama brings me so much joy and made me nostalgic. Lately Ive been missing my friends from my high school year, and maybe its time to reconnect with them?!
Gonna miss everyone here. Off to marathon SGG^^
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30 Mochi
November 13, 2015 at 5:20 AM
Hello, I want to try watch this drama but are the main leads step siblings? I didn't really follow the recap just do a laser scanning so I prob make mistake comprehend some of the story.
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blues
November 13, 2015 at 5:22 AM
They are not step siblings. Don't worry, this drama is not just about romance, it values friendship more and how eighteens tried to value their current life.
Try this one. It's one of nicest journey of friendship.
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 5:28 AM
Don't worry, they're not. :)
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31 iamme
November 13, 2015 at 5:34 AM
I love how this drama can give such simplicity in some scene but it is so so effective and deep.. There's not so extravaganza and not much non-realistic.. How both Yeol and Ha Joon's confession is so straigthforward and cute.. They go to compete in regionals but they're still amature so they lost, but they're happy.. Their parents are dating so go ask help from birth mom, lol.. And so glad both senior and junior couple still dating though, they're just perfect for each other..
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32 anaisu Go Go
November 13, 2015 at 5:39 AM
I LOVE this drama so much. I'm sad because is finished but I'm happy because how it was ended.
Best Bromance since School 2013. Indeed, I like think that Ji Soo and Lee Won Geun are now really good friends after this drama... Ji Soon calling LWG Hyung :D
Also because their chemistry was out the charts Yeol and Yeon are the Best Couple since Park Ming Young and Ji Chang Wook in Healer, I think the fact that both couples were very straight forward and honest to each other (once they were a couple) is probably why they are THE BEST!!
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 6:34 AM
The real life bromance between Lee Won Geun and Ji Soo is super cute!
Notice how in this bts picture, everyone is doing the hearts gesture while our brotp are literally the only ones with their hands linked to form a heart symbol!
http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah282/omomona/vlcsnap-2015-11-13-22h25m44s82_zpsxbcdrwfz.png
Aw, these two.
And also, agreed! Imo LWG/JEJ should at least win a best couple award like JCW/PMY did in the year-end KBS awards.
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fishfingers_fb, GO GO!
November 13, 2015 at 6:52 AM
I noticed that and had a private squee/flail by myself! Just so ridiculously adorbs it killed me. I want them to be besties in real life so badly.
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dkaoru GO GO
November 13, 2015 at 7:43 AM
Thanks for the pics! Squeeeeeeee
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wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 7:51 AM
I totally saw that and squealed too! So cute!! Jisoo and LWG being besties after this just like School 2013 with KWB and LJS!! =P
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fabdrama
November 13, 2015 at 9:58 AM
Awwww cute! And they're the only ones who're doing the real heart sign. LOL
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pogo
November 14, 2015 at 12:21 AM
They're killing me, they really are.....how are they allowed to be this cute?
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meliyasha
November 14, 2015 at 1:55 AM
I'm stalking Ji-soo's IG acc every now and then just in case he upload a new pic with Lee Won-geun or anything from Sassy Go Go. So glad that he posted even more pics than when he was in Angry Mom and previously most of his bromance pics were with his Byun Yo-han hyung (not that I'm complaining, I accept any form of bromance that I can get)
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es
November 14, 2015 at 4:23 AM
definitely the best bromance since School 2013!! and i honestly don't think i could choose between the healer couple and yeol/yeon-doo anymore, i love them both too much. T__T
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Linh
December 11, 2015 at 8:48 PM
Don't forget about the chemistry between the sismance of Yeon Doo and Soo Ah too lol :) They've went through so much evil to survive and reconciled at the end. Their chemistry, tension, and confrontations were really on fire. Especially, their confrontations at the camp, in the BH practicing room, and especially at the stairs, that part was really filled with so much tense, it was more tense than Yeol confronting Soo Ah. The stair part really brought back the history of them two being friends, and you could tell that Soo Ah really put her trust in Yeon Doo being the person who would never betrayed her, but at that moment, her anger overpowered her mind, so she couldn't control her emotions of believing Yeon Doo not being that kind of person. That part showed so much impact and intact between their history.
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33 growingbeautifully
November 13, 2015 at 5:41 AM
What I loved about this episode:
Yeon Doo let the team make up their minds individually. They looked to her for leadership and would have followed her to the end, but instead of glorying in that power, she let them free to choose and stood by her word and their decision. Such wonderful trust, such great growth in this girl who has moved on from being impetuous to being thoughtful and more mature.
Ha Joon finally realising what his dad was about and taking control of himself into his own hands and facing his dad to tell him so. It was of course dramatically sudden (since it was the last episode) but it took uncommon courage to stand up to the adult of authority who had been bullying him for years, and freeing himself from fear.
Soo Ah looking out for Yeon Doo, coming over to her and offering to help her. Aahhh why couldn't this have happened and episode earlier so that we could have had them being so sweet together. One of the nicest girl friend pairings but so little of it!
Teacher Yang so excited that he hugged Teacher Nam and how it wasn't anything and they were still friends.
How the kids did not go into the competition only to win, but how they realised the greater objective of being true to what they had worked so hard for, and true to themselves, ... and how they realised what it meant to lead a cheer. I loved how the Teachers cheered for them and then how the kids cheered for themselves .... for whom they really are despite what their parents and the school was twisting them to be ... and how they felt so good even with last place. I am so touched each time I watch that scene. *sniff smile* I want more! *wah!!!*
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 6:00 AM
"Teacher Yang so excited that he hugged Teacher Nam and how it wasn’t anything and they were still friends."
Yup! But I wouldn't mind if some kind of romance developed between these two as well. ♥
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dkaoru GO GO
November 13, 2015 at 7:45 AM
me too! I was sooo hoping that at the end when they're showing what happens to everyone we'll get a scene of these two eating out together somewhere!
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 3:08 PM
Me three! I could totally ship that duo, but they make fabulous platonic friends too.
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pogo
November 15, 2015 at 2:37 AM
I know, the real theme of this show wasn't the actual routines of cheerleading or even the expected 'misfits vs top dogs', it was actually about how these kids from opposite ends of the grade scale find friendship and acceptance and solidarity with each other.
Real King didn't have to 'win' over Baek-ho, because what they needed was a way to overcome their differences and work together - and I love that every single member of both clubs eventually ended up liking it better when they were together than apart. Like Saya noted in episode 10, it'd been happening for a while, not just through Yeol and Yeon-doo (and Ha-joon), but in running threads like Tae-pyung's obvious crush on Da-mi and Hyo-shik indulging him in piggyback rides, Jae-young and Na-yeon going all-in on the cheer in episode 6 and then being loving sunbaes to the younger Real King girls, the kids ALL running out to take the punishment for the cheer signs, and even little things like Ha-joon fighting Joon-soo and Seung-woo in ep 1 and ep 4 but then ending up with affectionate headlocks in the final episode. Like Saya said, Soo-ah was the last one through the door - but the true union of the clubs would have been incomplete without her, which is why she needed to be saved and the kids needed to be the ones to reach out to her.
And like you, I loved that Yeon-doo genuinely left the choice up to her team members, without pressuring them. That just killed me, that even the ones who were so reluctant or sceptical at first, showed up as a united front. She's a true leader, and I love that she wasn't stagnant through the series either - she had her own growing up to do, and how.
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Linh
November 20, 2015 at 7:35 PM
Yeah, the Real King kids did not win over the Baek Ho kids, because as we can see throughout the whole show, both clubs are flawed and each has their own missing pieces, including their leaders from both clubs. The cheerleading club was what brought these two clubs merged and gets to know each other, and become a solid, inseparable team. Soo Ah is the last straw for them to become complete because she was basically the one who started the whole situations of making these two clubs coming together through this cheerleading club, and was the reason of having the two clubs' leaders coming to knowing each other and become that close to each other, without Soo Ah, the club would still be incomplete.
The Real King kids' altogether strengths are their companionship, and their passions for dancing and having fun of their present lives, but their flaws are the troublesome that they brings, and just having fun would not be so good for their future. The thing they needed to learn was to balance their studying and their passions of dancing and fun together, so they can make a better living in the future.
Same goes with the Baek Ho kids, their strengths are their smarts and seriousness in studying, but their flaws are that they are missing the fun and passions in their lives. They also needed to learn to balance their studies with fun as well.
So yeah, the Real King and Baek Ho kids are the balance of their missing pieces, and I think that was the main purpose of the series of merging these two clubs together to form a united, inseparable, and unstoppable team. Both of these clubs only knew about specs and grades as the most important thing in that prestigious school, they didn't know anything else, but after the merging in joining the Cheerleading club, they've come to know the reason why they had to join this club and why they have to become friends, and also learned the reasons of how to survive in their school hell. That's what brings them to grow more being mature than the adults out there.
And as for our 5 main characters, they all also have their own demons in them, they grow by each other's influences and challenges, and they each brought the best out of one another, also they survived through so much evil. They all have their own loss, and their losses are not more or less tragic than the other, it just comes from the choices they chose to lived before knowing one another.
Yeon Doo's losses are her father, which we don't exactly know what happened to him; and her tragic near-death experience since childhood, it comes affected to her in the present life as well. But the path she chose before coming to this hell prestigious school was the positive way to cure her loss, thanks to her mom that fills up her losses. That's why Friendship and Loyalty are what she needs the most to keep herself strengthen and has the encouragement to survive through her losses.
Yeol's loss was his parents abandoned him since childhood and he had...
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Linh
November 20, 2015 at 4:25 PM
Through that competition, both clubs has become to learn their lessons with grades and rankings because as we all know that before, both clubs only know and thinks that grades and ranks are the important things, but through that competition made them learned their lesson. I just love how these kids actually learns so much things so quick just from little things that they went through individually and as a group, their dynamics of growth and maturity are actually better than most of the adults' experiences through life. Sometimes, when watching this drama, we can see and learn that though they are just high school students, they become the ones who actually teach the adults the lessons of being better people and better parents. Throughout the whole show, the kids has always been trying their best being good children to the parents even if they have horrible parenting, like Soo Ah and Ha Joon, though they have always been trapped in the pressures of their parents, they still tried their best to be good children. We can see that through Soo Ah, through all the emotional abused her mother be given to her, she still has always been doing all the wrong things just so that she can make her mother proud of her, and she's been showing that all the way to the end.
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Linh
December 21, 2015 at 11:28 PM
"Yeon Doo let the team make up their minds individually. They looked to her for leadership and would have followed her to the end, but instead of glorying in that power, she let them free to choose and stood by her word and their decision. Such wonderful trust, such great growth in this girl who has moved on from being impetuous to being thoughtful and more mature."
We have to thanks Kim Yeol for changing her to this positive nature, made her became more mature, logical, reasonable, and more considerate haha Just like how we have to thanks Yeon Doo for her heart and soul that influenced others to change and become better people. They all have grown by one another's influences, and it's a great influence they got from everyone. Also, we have to thanks Kwon Soo Ah for bringing up the cheerleading club for her specs, because that was the main reason why our two clubs who were rivals and had invisible lines between them came together, they became knowing each other as people through this club, also thanks to Coach Nam, she's the cause of their bonding and understanding as a team.
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34 Kayla
November 13, 2015 at 5:50 AM
now, can ji soo go and star in a cute high school tween love drama with kim yoo jung?
kthnxbye.
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 5:56 AM
Funny how Kim Yoo-jung was originally courted to play Kang Yeon-doo!
But yep, imo they had some real chemistry in Angry Mom. Would be nice for them to take on a center stage romance!
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 7:09 AM
Honestly, I cannot see Kim Yoo-jung as Yeon-doo at all because Eunji owns that role so totally and I suspect the casting for Sassy Go Go was centred around her, once she was offered the role (seeing the relative ages of the other actors).
We'd have had a very different Yeon-doo (and a different drama) if she'd taken the role as originally offered.
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fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 7:20 AM
Agreed - I've only seen KYJ in Angry Mom, but she seems to be a different temperature to Eunji. I think this drama is an example of insanely perfect chemistry, which is almost impossible in an ensemble show - everyone plays off everyone so, so perfectly, not one of them is interchangeable, even in the satellite characters. Even N, whose char totally worked because it centred on his sense of detachment. As for the central four, the chemistry was beyond fierce. Eunji, Lee Won-geun, Chae Soo-bin, Ji-soo. Blistering and fiery and magical.
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siesta
November 13, 2015 at 7:39 AM
i havent seen a cast assemble with a chemistry this strong in a drama since Nodame Cantabile japan version, everyone was perfect for their respective role
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 9:32 AM
yeah, I can see the Nodame comparison - that is high praise indeed!
For me, Misaeng and this year's Heard It Through the Grapevine are tops for flawless ensemble casts and chemistry, but Sassy Go Go can easily join them.
GrnDrgns&Appls
November 13, 2015 at 10:45 PM
Totally agree. There were so many little expressions, nuanced gestures, smiles, twinkles, cuteness that only Jung Eun Ji could have pulled off - I feel like KYJ is way too somber for a role like this. Who knows, maybe she'll take on a role where she plays someone more vibrant and complex, but so far she has only played the unnaturally nice girl. And as much as I like her, I don't think she has depth in her acting yet so Sassy would not have worked for her.
Also, YD's character matched KY's character point by point - his smarts for her spunk. I couldn't even Kim Yoo Jung being able to play Kim Yeol's equal and getting his respect. Eun Ji had mad chemistry with Lee Won Geun.
But what I would like to see is Kim Yoo Jung and Yoo Seung Ho. I feel like they have similar temperment. I think I read a Javabeans and girlfriday post about a fantasy wishlist drama remake of Last Match starring: Kim Yoo Jun, Yoo Seung Ho, Kim So Hyun and Lee Hyun Woo. Wouldn't THAT be a drama to die for.
es
November 14, 2015 at 4:30 AM
the chemistry between the cast is some of the best i've seen in any show or movie i've ever watched. to have casting be so spot-on for every single character is so hard to come by in high school dramas especially, but they did an amazing job finding the perfect actors and actresses for these roles. they didn't just act well individually; they played off each so brilliantly that it really elevated the drama to a level beyond your usual generic high school story. so much love for the cast. <3
Linh
December 11, 2015 at 9:02 PM
Exactly lol Also, I wonder how do all these characters have so much chemistry with one another since the very first episode?! Like HOW? hahah It is totally rare to see such chemistry between actors and actresses being so powerful since the start of the show... THIS is the first time I've come across seeing ALL actors having burning chemistry since the first episode.
I see why people loved this drama since the first time it aired, including myself lol hahah I was actually really amazed in the beginning to see such natural chemistry of the Real King kids, then later on, we see the battle lines between the Baek Ho and Real King kids were wow! I just don't know how to explain it.
omomo
November 13, 2015 at 7:39 AM
EUN JI TOTALLY OWNED THE ROLE! It makes one wonder why she was the second choice.
Ditto, I think Yoo-jung would have done well, but her Yeon-doo would be a completely different kind of heroine.
Plus we probably wouldn't get an otp kiss! The girl's only 16, making Lee Won-geun 8 years older than her. (Then again, there's ItaKiss: Love in Tokyo.)
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 7:46 AM
I think they'd probably have got a different (and younger) actor to play Yeol, if Kim Yoo-jung had accepted the role of Yeon-doo.
The casting announcements about everyone else only came out after Eunji was announced to be considering the role, which is what gave me the impression that she was their reference point on who (and how old) to cast. It was the same with School 2015 - when Lee Yubi was in talks, the leading men that were rumoured were close to her in age, but when Kim So-hyun entered the picture, they scrapped previous plans to cast Kang Min-hyuk and got younger male leads.
dkaoru GO GO
November 13, 2015 at 7:46 AM
Agreed! I can't imagine anyone else playing Yeon-Doo!
omomo
November 13, 2015 at 8:26 AM
@pogo - Oh, that makes sense! :)
If that's the case and let's say Yoo-jung accepted the role, who do you think would they cast as Yeol? Is there anyone else close to her age who's also a good actor? Or... *gulp* would they have opted for an idol?
(Except for Yook Sung-jae, I can't think of any other idol-actor who would be fitting. But he's tied up to Village and he already did School 2015 so I highly doubt it.)
For an actor, there's Yeo Jin-gu. However he was in Orange Marmalade so again, I doubt it.
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 8:57 AM
@Omomo - if Kim Yoo-jung had accepted the role, they'd probably have tried casting someone in their late teens/very early 20s as Yeol - but I'm coming up blank on potential names.
I mean, Lee Won-geun was an unknown (to most people that is), they'd probably just have gone with a younger unknown. Or even an idol, lol.
wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 8:00 AM
Agree with you here. KYJ is just a different vibe from Eunji and I think Eunji totally knocked this role out of the ballpark. The rest of the cast played off so well from each other with Eunji in the central role. Hard to imagine others playing these roles and the direction and feel would've been totally different.
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 9:28 AM
yeah, their energies (KYJ/Eunji) are just not the same.
Though I suspect Eunji was a PD choice, the PD of Sassy Go Go was a co-PD on Trot Lovers. She'd obviously seen what Eunji could do, even in a drama with far less of a vision than Sassy Go Go.
GrnDrgns&Appls
November 13, 2015 at 10:48 PM
I think Lee Hyun Woo would have made a pretty good Kim Yeol opposite Kim Yoo Jung. Or even Yoo Seung Ho. See, I'm still stuck on that casting. Javabeans!!!
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 9:30 AM
no, he needs to do another drama with Eunji first - high school or no, it doesn't matter, but they need to be paired up so I can see a little of that Sassy Go Go chemistry again.
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She, GO GO!
November 13, 2015 at 3:04 PM
count me in! I'm thirsty for EunJisoo another project too. Their chemistry is so strong, somehow different wif EJ-LWG but its still there & I'm so ready to watch that again!
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 3:07 PM
I would also like a repeat of Eunji/Lee Won-geun some day, but I know kdrama OTP couples rarely do repeat castings so I don't have much hope for that.
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She, GO GO!
November 13, 2015 at 4:43 PM
Rare but not impossible, like Jisung/HJW who had another project together bcs of their ridiculously strong chemistry, so I think we can keep some faith. \o/
I'm welcoming any OT13 reunion!
GrnDrgns&Appls
November 13, 2015 at 10:53 PM
There's Ji Sung and Hwang Jung Eum and then Park Seo Joon and Hwang Jung Eum. But yeah... that's about it. On that point, I wish K-Dramas would continuously cast the same leads if they have crazy great chemistry (ie., Jung Eung Ji and Lee Won Geun here; Hyun Bin and Ha Ji Won; Won Bin and Song Hye Kyo; So Ji Sub and Gong Hyo Jin, and the list goes on!).
Other countries do: Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence (have they NOT had a movie together since Silver Linings??). And of course, my favorite couple with unbelievable chemistry. The king and queen of Bollywood (in my opinion): Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. They made so many movies together due to their awesome chemistry! And all these movies were huge hits! So, tv execs should take note and just cast super chemistry leads together in dramas more often. The fans want to see it!!
meliyasha
November 14, 2015 at 3:04 AM
@Grnapple31 - Ji-sung and Hwang Jung-eum + Park Seo-joon and Hwang Jung-eum's reunion make me feeling hopeful that we can have a Lee Won-geun - Eun-ji or Eun-ji - Ji-soo reunion. But the one that I want most right now is Eun-ji - Ji-soo one so I can ship my girl with both boys haha..
pogo
November 15, 2015 at 6:11 AM
@MeLi - I know, I want both potential pairings of this love triangle too, but my need for an Eunji/Ji-soo project is rather more urgent since we already have such a flawless project for Eunji/Lee Won-geun as a pairing.
I can't believe they've only just wrapped up this show (and probably not even finished catching up on their sleep) but I'm already impatient for Eunji's next acting project and have my fingers crossed that someone in Korea has the same ideas I do about a potential pairing out of Sassy Go Go ;)
35 me go go!
November 13, 2015 at 6:19 AM
Getting to know eunji through her drama. Waited anxiously a year for her to go back into acting, and to get this gem..
It was soo heartwarming, it hurts. And to think that it might be another long wait.. :' (
nway,thanks for the recaps and all the insight! :)
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36 wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 6:20 AM
Thanks so much for the recap, Saya! Love this show so much and having withdrawal symptoms for a drama for the first time. LOL
I really like how they wrapped things up. The adults got their punishments and the kids learned so much from being together and going through what they did. It reminds us that 18-year-olds value friendship above all else in their world, so when other things happening in their lives threaten those friendships, they react in the way that they know.
Yeol-HJ... Love their solid brotherhood. You can see Yeol backing HJ against his dad the moment he realizes that it was HJ's dad who made him quit cheerleading. And I loved how Yeol and HJ talked frankly about what has been happening with YD and giving each other time. Then, they were back to their old selves again at the auditorium. Snuggles! LOL I also love that Yeol knows what HJ needs to get away from his dad's clutches and gave him the time to stand up to his dad once and for all.
HJ-YD... Gummy bear confession scene!!! Love love love it so much. And it was just perfect. Simple and sweet. No angst, no jealousy, no awkwardness. But just thanking YD for moving his heart when his whole world consisted only of pain besides Yeol. And definitely loved the end when he joked for YD to come to him if Yeol cheated. It shows that he will be able to clean up his feelings and maintain his friendships with the two very important people in his life.
It was good to see Yeol and YD's parents being able to be together and their family moment is so sweet. Yeol-YD are full of cuteness as always and I love that Yeol thought of a work-around to make his dad's marriage world while he can see be with YD. Heehee... These two couples really bring out the best in each other.
YD-SA having their friendship back on track was also good to see. And it's great that YD has matured... Instead of just charging ahead with what she wants to do, she is just leaving the decision up to the kids whether or not they wanna join her in the regionals. SA-DJ are cute too... Got a new strawberry milk drinking partner now. Haha...
The way the regionals worked out was perfect. Looking at their competitors, there was no way they would place first. So, I loved that they placed last but enjoyed doing the routine so much. They learned the meaning of cheerleading and it was wonderful to see Teacher Yang giving them the encouragement they needed. I like that this show does a lot of mirroring. The kids cheered on Teacher Yang during his scandal and he cheers them back. The gummy bear theme and low-fives between YD-HJ. Yeol-HJ trust/bond leading to Yeol-YD and HJ-YD relationships. Everything feels very satisfied at the end. I like the message and the cast and crew did a fantastic job. Can't wait to see more of these "kids" in new projects. ^^
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 2:51 PM
I know, it's a really solid ending which stayed consistent with the things this drama was all about - friendship and growing up. I LOVE that the team competed, found themselves outclassed (not that surprising, they only started this three months ago) but in the end winning #1 didn't matter so much, it was all about getting to be together and show what they'd learned.
The gummi bear confession turned me to mush inside, but Yeol and Ha-joon giggling like happy children in the last shots before the epilogue narrations began, just ruined me. I know School 2013 ditched its romance in favour of bromance, but Sassy Go Go went one better by showing how bromance was no less essential to these boys even though they had feelings for the same girl.
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wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 2:59 PM
Yes, so many dramas falter towards the end due to lack of consistency or they ran out of ideas and recycle the same old thing or just rush everything. This felt really good in the end. It was always about friendship though there was romance along with it. And I like the fact that when you're 18 and a high schooler, it's NOT the end of the world to make a few mistakes, to not get stellar marks at the cost of friendship and other things that are part of LIFE. Everyone's growth was wonderful.
Hahaha... Looove that scene in the auditorium and totally LOLed when HJ was like... You can just cuddle here with me. XDDD Yes, I also watched School 2013 and totally loved LJS-KWB bromance there with no love line whatsoever. It was just right. And I agree that they did the bromance and romance justice in this series so it didn't feel like either had to be sacrificed.
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 3:06 PM
I adore both the School 2013 and SGG bromances, it's nice to have both pure bromance (no room for girls here!) as well as the kind where a girl is involved.
though to be blunt, a lot of whether the romance element would work on being introduced to a bromance, depends on the female character and actress in question. I really couldn't see Park Se-young fitting convincingly between Lee Jong-seok and Kim Woo-bin's characters in 2013, so I was fine with ditching her intended LJS love line - she just felt too cold onscreen.
But with Yeon-doo as played by Jung Eunji, it's absolutely no effort to see either why two boys would fall for her.
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Nyke, Go Go!
November 14, 2015 at 6:25 AM
"....she just felt too cold onscreen"
@pogo, Go Go!, totally agree!!! I kept wishing for something between Kim Woo Bin and Ryu Hyo-young' characters though :( There was some chemistry there and it looked promising. Also with her character already good friends with Lee Jong-Seok's character, it looked like it would have fit in real good with the bromance.
pogo
November 15, 2015 at 3:34 AM
@Nyke - Park Se-young won a lot of praise for an earlier role, but I thought she wasn't the right fit for the role in School 2013 - and I wasn't really into the drama's early attempts to establish the prelude to a love line between her and Lee Jong-seok. It was a relief when the production scrapped the love lines!
I do totally agree about Ryu Hyo-young and Kim Woo-bin having chemistry though, in the very brief scenes they had together. Their potential something was the only thing that gave me even a twinge of regret in the love line scrapping. The bromance was epic enough to make up for it all, but this was the only 'what might have been' I experienced about that decision - because she had great chemistry with both boys and a surprisingly fleshed-out character despite her small role.
And Ryu Hyo-young is a surprisingly versatile young actress, especially considering she was only 19 at the time (I've also seen her in Wild Chives & Soybean Soup with Lee Won-geun, and could hardly believe it was the same girl who played Kang-joo!) I wish she got more work.
Nyke, Go Go!
November 15, 2015 at 8:07 AM
@Pogo, I'm not familiar with Park Se-Young's dramas, what role was that? I loved her a lot in Faith, the only other drama apart from School 2013 I've seen her in;the character she played was quite sweet.
Rhu Hyo-young acted with LWG?!! Now I'm very curious about Wild Chives and Soybean Soup, although I'm of two minds about it because of most comments about it. I hope she gets more work too, I'd love to see her in a lead role!?
fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 15, 2015 at 8:15 AM
She was excellent in Faith, I think her demeanour really suited the character. There was a it of joking about how she came down in the world, from Gogoryeo queen to high school!
pogo
November 15, 2015 at 9:07 AM
@Nyke - it was indeed for Faith! I think for School 2013, she just didn't have the right feel for the character - something about her just came off too mature for the role, weirdly. I did wonder if I'd be as indifferent to the character if she'd been played by Lee Yubi, who was originally offered that role - and who ironically ended up playing second lead to Lee Jong-seok in Pinocchio, lol.
Ryu Hyo-young was the younger version of the second female lead in Wild Chives & Soybean Soup, and if anything her character has shades of School 2013's Ha-kyung. Lee Won-geun was actually paired up with Yoon So-hee for that drama, and they were adorable together - that's how I knew of him before Sassy Go Go, and that drama is the reason why I wasn't in the corner with everyone else lamenting about why Ji-soo wasn't the lead. BUT if you're planning to watch it, be warned : the only good parts of that drama are the younger versions, and their part ends in tears. (I was totally indifferent to the adult actors who replaced LWG/YSH)
@fishfingers - I remember those jokes! But like I said, ultimately I just wasn't feeling her there.
Nyke, Go Go!
November 15, 2015 at 11:38 AM
@fishfingers- hahahahaa Daebak! Wish i saw those jokes!
@Pogo, Lee Yubi in that role? Now that's a thought! She just might have nailed it big time. Thanks for the heads up about Wild Chives and Soybean Soup, sooo not up to anything too angsty right now. Buh might check it out later, if just to see LWG's smile hehe!
pogo
November 13, 2015 at 2:54 PM
oh, and I loved Soo-ah dissing herself in the club room after the competition, for being silly enough to try and stack her specs by cheerleading. That's such a perfectly played moment caught between amusement and embarrassment, kudos to Chae Soo-bin for that one.
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Linh
November 20, 2015 at 8:50 PM
It was realistic too because that's probably what we, as an audience be wondering too hahah Because as we know, neither both of these club members know about Cheerleading, they only agreed to join because for Yeon Doo was to revive her club, Real King back, and another for Yeol was to help Ha Joon. Other than those, both clubs know nothing about Cheerleading hahah So it was very realistic with Soo Ah's own realization and said it out loud hahah
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37 Miraclan
November 13, 2015 at 6:23 AM
It's been really difficult saying farewell to this wonderful drama... as a matter of fact, I still can't. I keep hanging on, and fooling myself that next Monday, we'll have another episode. T___T
Thank you Saya for the wonderful recaps. I remember enjoying your KMHM recaps, but I think these are your best ones yet. Looking forward to your next drama!
Cheers. Mira.
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Shorthand, Go, Go!
November 13, 2015 at 6:47 AM
@Mira I dont know y, but my IP keeps getting banned on ur site, so I just wanted to let you know that I'm really grateful for all ur posts on Sassy Go Go. Loved all your insights, and please don't let ur Ep. 12 review be the last post. I need you to write more so that I can get slowly withdraw from this. :D
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Mira Hill
November 14, 2015 at 12:20 PM
@Shorthand I will write more. My feelings are just quite in upheaval right now because of Paris. Let me know your IP, I will allow it.
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 9:34 AM
@Miraclan - I know, I am having serious withdrawals that even gummi bear consumption isn't helping with.
(and consider yourself warned, I'll probably try to cure my withdrawals by spamming your blog with all my feels and every last thought about random things. For some reason, I couldn't access it last week, weird.)
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Sassy Go Go major withdrawal
November 13, 2015 at 10:30 AM
thx Saya, it's been a journey full of laughter and tears. glad you were there to guide us through it.
@Miraclan @pogo, Go Go
same here. couldn't access your site four a few days, but been catching up and it's amazing!!!!
i love your detailed posts & podcasts (love that accent). its helping me w/ my withdrawal syndromes, so please continue.
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Mira Hill
November 14, 2015 at 12:21 PM
@Sassy Go Go Major withdrawal. Thank you, and I probably will.
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Mira Hill
November 14, 2015 at 12:21 PM
@pogo LOL. Feel free to use it whenever, spam or otherwise. I've already paid for the upgrade, so might as well use it. XD
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Maple
November 13, 2015 at 10:11 PM
looking forward to see your upcoming posts to help my withdrawal!!!!
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Mira Hill
November 14, 2015 at 12:22 PM
@maple thank you <3 let's go through this withdrawal together. T__T
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Mira Hill
November 14, 2015 at 12:18 PM
Well... I guess I'll help us reach the 400 comments mark. It took us 12 episodes, be we did it!! So glad to see how popular this drama grew to be. :)
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38 Ms ?
November 13, 2015 at 6:26 AM
I LOVE Ji-Soo from Angry Mom! Is this worth the watch for him in it??? Is he the same cute character? I miss Bok Dongie!
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fishfingers_fb, GO GO!
November 13, 2015 at 6:45 AM
Ha-joonie will take over your heart foevah, I promise. After just two episodes, he will be Ha-joonie to you!
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omomo
November 13, 2015 at 6:50 AM
Ha-joon was an adorable gummybear, but also a little heartbreaking.
He's not the only reason to watch the show, though! You'll fall in love with the otp cuteness, the friendships, and the feels. <3
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wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 7:02 AM
Definitely worth watching for Jisoo! You'll grow to love his character Hajoonie here and also the main leads. Very heartwarming drama and you won't be disappointed by Jisoo's performance. ^^
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39 sundaexstory, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 6:30 AM
*sigh* This ending had everything I could wish for. It's so wonderfully perfect; I'm just speechless and I don't know what to say...but just sigh in bliss with a silly smile on my face. :)
I am amazed at how a mini drama like this with just 12 episodes could squeeze friendship, teamance, bromance, romance, love triangle, cheerleading, education corruption, child abuse and student pressure/competition into it. Sassy Go Go is a short, sweet and epic journey of these adorable teenagers finding happiness, maturing and cheering each other up when facing the harsh reality. It's about cheerleading, just not in a literal sense of cartwheels, and I love it.
I love how the storymakers (director, writer and producers...) kept Sassy true to its character and not let any kdrama cliches get in the way. Okay maybe there were some, but they were all executed in a refreshing way. Look at how well the love triangle was resolved. I am so happy.
Thank you to everyone who created Sassy Go Go and let its vibrant presence grace us all on the screen. You've all worked hard and this drama is definitely a SUCCESS, damn the ratings. You're all as brilliant as OT13 in the story you've created. Thank you.
Also thank you, Lollypip and Saya for recapping this drama and giving insightful comments. As well as all the commenters here who fangirled and discussed about Sassy Go Go with me, this has been a lovely journey. Thank you.
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meliyasha
November 14, 2015 at 3:53 AM
Oh I just read your comment but you said everything that I wanted to say and everything that I forgot to say, thank you too ?
This is kinda off topic but when you said OT13, I got this happy feeling when I remember it's the same number of the group that I stan. Makes me love Sassy Go Go even more if that's even possible.
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40 Mikanjjj
November 13, 2015 at 6:31 AM
@fisgfingers_fb yessss!!! That's a great idea !!! Let's all add go go at the end !!!!
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41 Shorthand, Go, Go!
November 13, 2015 at 6:44 AM
Thq Saya for this last recap!
This drama has been awesome, and I'll miss it a lot.
I'll probably marathon it again soon.
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42 bebebb
November 13, 2015 at 6:51 AM
I feel a bit weird about the father mother relationship and yeon doo and yeol's relationship..........for instance does their parents know? Are they ever going to marry? If yes, then will yeon doo and yeol be siblings? If no, then theyre just gonna date for the rest of their lives??? O_o
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Maple
November 13, 2015 at 10:34 PM
The parents do know that they are a couple. They told them directly that they were dating. Totally understand the weird feeling of a mother father pair and the children dating each other, but honestly both couples are so right for each other, it;s a shame that any of the pair would have to give each other up. I do think at the end they allude to the parents eventually marrying, but i don't see that as YD and Yeol being siblings. They were not raised together to be siblings and were practically adults when their parents got together. I think Yeol at the end tried to find a legal loophole out of being "legal" step siblings by having his mother adopt him and he would be moved out of his fathers registry system. So although he's cutting off his father "legally" this would allow him and YD to eventually marry (in my fantasy drama land - they go on to marry and have crinnkly smiley babies). So in the eyes of the law, there is no problems being together. Now, not sure how korean society would view it, but I don't think it would be that big a deal here in America. I'm sure theres tons of stories like that out there.
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43 DINSSS
November 13, 2015 at 6:53 AM
Omoooo!!!!
Sad that my tue-wed' sunshine already ended~
Huhihuhuuh:"
And yap, i live this kind of ending~
And i love this 18 quote more than the school 2015's.
And hajoon~
Sigh~
Jisoo yaaa, can't wait for your next project!!!
Love you so sooo soooo much higihiihih
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44 Dilys
November 13, 2015 at 7:22 AM
Senior year for season 2 please?? It seems very possible plot-wise. But they concluded it so neatly and the show's not THAT badly in demand so... :(
What a satisfying 12-episode ride! This show was a nice mix of sweet, meaningful, a little dark, and plenty adorable. Personally I'm biased towards the Dongjae/Soo-ah pair and arc, but all the relationships were a joy to watch.. the young and healthy relationship of the 2 leads, the Ha Joon/Yeol bromance, the loyalty between Yeon Doo and Dongjae that finally depicts a cute and loyal friendship between a guy and a girl that is also perfectly platonic, Yeon Doo and her mom, Yeon Doo and Teacher Yang, the two teachers (and even with the assistant principal!), Da Mi and the glasses guy, the 3 "mean" girls.. where does it end???
Thanks for all the recaps!
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es
November 14, 2015 at 4:34 AM
omg i'd love a senior year season 2, but that's impossible sobs.
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Linh
November 20, 2015 at 9:11 PM
IF they were to do a Season 2, I'm pretty sure, the story will depict on the same theme, like friendships, bromance, romance, family, systematic of the school, and that. If they were to do season 2, I think this time, it will not only deal with the bromance, but it will be capturing the solidarity of the 3 musketeers (KY-YD-HJ), the solidarity of the sisterhood of YD and SA, the loyalty between YD and DJ, but this season might have DJ involving with HJ and KY too. I'm sure the theme will be similar to this one, but it lead on more of the solidarity of these main characters' friendships, or maybe both RK and BH Cheerleading will have to merge with another team hahah If that happens, OHHH hahah
If the motley crew goes to their senior year, then the 3 juniors, Park Da Mi, Choi Tae Pyung, and Kim Kyung Eun, will have to be the next roles to take care of their respective clubs, Real King and Baek Ho, for the new 1st years to enter their clubs. But these two clubs will probably change, since the battle lines between them has already blurred and became united.
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45 Mikanjjj
November 13, 2015 at 7:24 AM
Thank you lollypip and saya for the recaps !!! Thank you to the writer for writing sassy go go !!! Thank you to the cast and crew of sassy go go !!! You have given us a drama to cherish !!! This is going down as one of my favourite dramas !!! Thank you all !!! Thank you to all my fellow db readers for all the comments !!! I've enjoyed all the anger ?hurt ?sadness?love?squeals ?swoons ?and all the fangirling !??!! I'm gonna miss SASSY GO GO so much !!! ?????????????????? I hope that there is some writer out there who despite the low ratings watched the drama just like us and wants to see lee won geun and jung eunji in a drama so bad !!! ??? I'll be so happy
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46 dkaoru
November 13, 2015 at 7:36 AM
Thank you Saya and Lollypip for recapping this show!
This show makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. This just proves that you don't need 20-more episodes drama to tell a damn good story. I love love the message of this drama. Yes, some things are over-simplified but oh the executions are just wonderful. There are so many things I love about this drama but these are my faves:
1) The friendship: it is so true that when you have a friend who supports you, you can endure so much. For such a short show, this drama manages to draw out the friendship not just between Yeon Doo and Kim Yeol, but Yeol + Ha Joon, Yeon Doo + Ha Joon, Yeon Doo + Soo ah, Yeon Doo + Dong Jae, Dong jae + Soo ah. It's crazy good how they manage to get all the different characters highlighted. This is a true ensamble show.
2) The underdog story: ah to root for the underdog. I love how the Real King was the underdog in the beginning, then it was more the adults vs teenagers, and all the kids were the underdog. So awesome. I love that they didn't win the 1st place in the competition! So many underdog story always end with the hero/heroes getting the trophy. It's not about winning, it's about what you learn in the process! I'll be honest and wish they didn't place bottom though ahahaha, can't they come nicely in the middle somewhere? hahaha
3) Grades are not everything. There are so many pressure from parents and society in general to do well in school. Listen, what your grades say about you is that you're good at taking tests. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. It doesn't make you better than others, it doesn't make you inferior to others. It's just a grade. Ivy league, 4.0 average, dean's list, honor roll - hey it's great if you've got them, but if you don't, don't worry it doesn't mean you're a failure.
4) The overall positive tone of the show. Even when it's tackling really tough issues like self-harm, attempted suicide, child abuse - this show never got dark. It chose to highlight these but deals with it with the most positive attitude. At times, I do feel it oversimplify the issue and in real life, I think it's incredibly difficult to overcome an abusive parent the way Ha Joon did. But I do love the way the drama handles this. I hope this can inspire people to stand up for themselves the way Ha Joon stand up for himself. Way to go Ha joon!
4) The nicknames of the characters from Saya+ Lollypip + commentors. I really have enjoyed the show and the recap and comments are awesome icing. Thank you sooo much for Crinkles, Crinkle eyes, Chipmunk couple, Grumptopus, Grumpy bear, Gummibear couple. I shall never look at gummi bears the same way again.
I LOVEEEEE this showwww! I lOVEEEE the recappers!! I LOVEEE you all!!! GO GO Dramabeans +beanies everywhere! *you can't see me but am waving a pom pom and doing carthwheels* hahahaha
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dkaoru GO GO
November 13, 2015 at 7:42 AM
arghhh I forgot to add GO GO to my username!
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fabdrama
November 13, 2015 at 9:21 AM
Ha! I believe you. *waves back enthusiastically while poking an eye*
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47 siesta
November 13, 2015 at 7:42 AM
the withdrawal is going to be as bad as Healer's, isn't it? ;~; everytime a great drama ends it always feels like a breakup~
btw, in viki's sub, Ha Joon's last words were "If he cheats, come to me. My family relationship is clean."
and i died a little at that xDD i thought he was referring to yeoldoo's parents situation
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She, GO GO!
November 13, 2015 at 8:09 AM
Yes, that was what I heard too; clean family relationship/history (eventho it'd be very cute if HJ really said "I'm very faithful, you know")
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meliyasha
November 14, 2015 at 2:32 AM
OMG thank you for the information. I did hear "clean" but due to my limited korean knowledge I thought it's just another word for faithfully. Heol it's even funnier if it's referred to YeolDoo's parents situation.
The withdrawal really is as bad as Healer's, but I didn't watch Healer live every week so it feels worse this time around. I can't seem to leave this particular thread for the time being.
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pogo
November 15, 2015 at 5:34 AM
THANK GOD for this, I could swear I heard the word 'family' in there somewhere and 'clean' but knowing what Ha-joon really said just has me dying of lols. It's the perfect ending to the love triangle, even we couldn't have imagined better.
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siesta
November 15, 2015 at 7:48 PM
i seriously lol-ed when he said that haha.. i was like "he got you there, yeol!"
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48 August
November 13, 2015 at 7:46 AM
Saya, Thank you, thank you for recapping Sassy Go, Go (aka Cheer Up!) and what a wonderfully outstanding finale post - insightful and lovely till the end like the series. An awesome drama - the little engine that could that came from out of the blue - now in contention for one of the best kdramas of 2015. In fact, it's secured a spot as one of my all-time favorite kdramas in the teen/youth/school genre.
Absolutely loved it! Hence, the sadness in having to bid adieu to Sassy Go, Go. Nevertheless, I'll cherish my memories — every moment with the smiling chipmunk couple, Yeol & Ha-Joon bromance, Teacher Yang & Instructor Nam, the Real King kids & the Baek Ho (White Tiger) kids, Yeon-doo’s mom Park Sun-Young, etc. Can't thank SGG enough for all the smiles on-screen and off, especially those that I just had to mirror back.
Wise words from Yeol: “Even as a parent, you don’t have the right to abuse your child. That…is not love.” This nugget of information, kernal of truth in the story was hard to digest: Ha-Joon's mother was fully aware of the emotional and physical abuse Ha-Joon received at the hands of his father (her husband). Yet, she was content to sit idly by and turn a blind eye to the abuse happening within her family unit.
Yeol's father Kim Byung-Jae being engaged to Yeon-doo’s mom: Didn't his backstory hint at or show that he had a domestic altercation with his first wife, Yeol's mom? If so, then you'll be hard pressed to convince me that this is a good match or romance that should progress to the next level — in this case marriage. A history of domestic abuse/violence, not a good idea to tread in those waters. Especially if one knows about it and can avoid it.
Now Sassy Go, Go is definitely an example of a kdrama that could/should) have benefited from an extension of episodes. Twelve (12) episodes seem too short for such a gem of a drama. Still, I'm thankful for those 12. Boy, I sure could watch this cast and group of characters for a full count of 16, 20, 24, & 50 episodes. And many thanks to The Sassy Team @ Viki.com for subbing Sassy Go, Go (aka Cheer Up).
Forever grateful to have experienced watching it live! Sassy Go, Go — become the beloved cult classic you're destined to be, I'm cheering for you!
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August
November 13, 2015 at 7:50 AM
Forgot to say & beg for...
Season 2 please, please, please, pretty please!!!!
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August
November 13, 2015 at 8:36 AM
Wanted to share this quote I came across. It touches upon the character & redemption arc for Soo-Ah and the way in which the Real King & Baek Ho kids responded and chose to handle things:
“Grudges are for those who insist that they are owed something; forgiveness, however, is for those who are substantial enough to move on.” ― Criss Jami, Salomé: In Every Inch In Every Mile
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rosiemontgomery
November 13, 2015 at 12:17 PM
What a beautiful quote! Thank you for sharing. I need to spread it out to all the people in my Tlist who were really mad at the show for the way the kids forgave Soo-ah.
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dkaoru, GO GO!
November 13, 2015 at 4:41 PM
That's a great quote! am gonna write that down and keep it. Thanks :)
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Barfi
November 13, 2015 at 5:42 PM
I could give you so many instances where persons had the right to owe something from other when they were wronged but it cannot be labelled as grudges.
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 8:19 AM
You know, we'd all assumed Ha-joon was motherless like Yeol - I was actually confused when a middle-aged (mom-age) lady came out of the house beside Ha-joon's dad. It didn't even occur to me that he had a mother, because WHAT MOTHER SITS BY AND LETS THEIR HUSBAND ABUSE THEIR CHILD LIKE THIS?! That's a different kind of monstrousness altogether, and adds a whole new dimension to Ha-joon's self-hatred.
And there's a definite indication that Yeol's dad had a physical altercation with his mother at the end of their marriage, and Yeol heard it. BUT Kim Byung-jae at least seems to have tried to atone for his mistakes and was trying to be a better father to Yeol (that surprised 'Aboji' from Yeol in the hospital in episode 10 nearly broke my heart).....though he has a long way to go, and needed to learn things like it's not a good idea to unilaterally decide on future stepmoms for your kinda-estranged son. Or stepsiblings, for that matter.
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fishfingers_fb, go go!
November 13, 2015 at 8:29 AM
It's not actually necessarily uncommon for people to stand by, even when their nearest and dearest are abused. It's part of what makes abuse such a terrible and isolating experience. It's possible that his mother was also suffering abuse from her husband - Dad didn't exactly look like he distinguished. Some parents stay in denial, others place the blame on the kid. But overall, if you do any reading on case studies etc, you'll find it's not uncommon at all. Sad.
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fabdrama
November 13, 2015 at 9:09 AM
Yeah sadly that's closer to reality as it gets. His father is probably the sole provider to the family which isolates the mother from the outside world all the more. It's a bit miraculous that HJ was able to get a restraining order against him, especially without his mom's testimony. Pff I'm just glad he took the initiative to free himself, and he's almost of age too.
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 9:39 AM
yeah, thinking about it you guys are right - it's horrifying, but Ha-joon's mother quite likely thinks her hands are tied and all 'disciplining' of her son is her husband's business. It's just the knee-jerk horror at finding out he has another parent and that parent does nothing to stop it, is all.
And I am so glad he got that restraining order in the end!
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dkaoru GO GO
November 13, 2015 at 8:35 AM
Yes I was a bit shocked when I saw Ha Joon's dad with his mom! My first thought was: huh? he has a mom? what in the world has she been doing while her husband is abusing her son?
Because she was never shown before, I assumed Ha joon's mom was dead or at lest his parents are divorced or something.
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pogo
November 13, 2015 at 3:01 PM
I know, it lends the knowledge of Ha-joon's treatment at his father's hands a different dimension, to know that his mother is actually alive and with him and letting it happen. Poor baby :(
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Jennipoh
November 13, 2015 at 11:39 AM
Oh...I had assumed the ahjumma was the housekeeper!
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wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 3:05 PM
It was the housekeeper who had answered when Yeol went to HJ's place. She also called his dad immediately when the boys ran away. But the woman playing golf was the mom.
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wackycashew
November 13, 2015 at 3:11 PM
Yeah, they didn't show anything about HJ's mom till that golfing trip scene. So, it was surprising to finally see that HJ indeed has a mother figure in his life. But like some others have pointed out, abused victims usually mean that HJ's dad might have also abused his mom. And they feel trapped in this cycle or fear that something might happen to the husband (or to herself/son) if she were to ever try to break free. There are so many factors... So, it was good to see that HJ was finally able to stand up to his dad and get that restraining order.
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Linh
November 20, 2015 at 9:39 PM
As for Yeol's dad, if he's really determined to change, despite his backstory with Yeol's mom, then it would be alright for him to fulfill Yeon Doo's missing piece of her father. BUT he still doesn't change, then it might lead to the same problem to Yeon Doo, the same way that led to Yeol, and then we'll see the repeated problem that happened to Yeol, will lead to Yeon Doo as well. Then both of these kids will be closing themselves again for Yeol, but for Yeon Doo, it will be very painful for her because she's been missing a paternal figure since little, if the things that happened to Yeol when he was a child, and becomes a fracture for Yeon Doo, what will happen to her? She will probably be like Yeol, or probably worse because deep down, Yeon Doo is vulnerable and sensitive, so if she encounters the same thing that happened to Yeol, she would totally become like Yeol or even worse. However, this time, she has Yeol WITH her, as well, as her friends, Ha Joon, and Dong Jae, and maybe Soo Ah, but I'm sure she will close herself up like Yeol did, but will only open up to those 3 or 4 people. But you see, even when she doesn't have that problem, she still keeps her loss to herself, so that says a lot about herself.
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Nathania
June 1, 2016 at 5:42 PM
Does anyone remember what episode it was when someone says "doing what one's heart tells you to do makes the heart at ease the most"? i'm pretty sure Ha Joon was the one who said it but i'm not 100% sure.
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49 Adal
November 13, 2015 at 7:46 AM
And it's a wrap!
Goodbye to this awesome, bang up show! They managed to leave everything on a hopeful note and the baddies got the justice they deserved. So sad to be saying goodbye at this point.
For its short run, this drama had a lot of social messages to convey and I can say, if the discussions on Dramabeans are a sample of reactions all over the world, that its messages were well delivered.
I hope for bigger and brighter things for all the cast and crew; hopefully this will a breakout role for many of them.
Adieu!!!!!!
Thanks Saya and LollyPip for recapping this gem of a drama.
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50 Laura
November 13, 2015 at 7:46 AM
i wish they resolved the parent's issue in more than just 5 minutes, loool
either way, i'm glad Yeol and Yeondoo ended up together x3
i would love to see a season 2 with all the kids at uni
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es
November 14, 2015 at 4:38 AM
i'm actually glad they resolved it in five minutes LOL, because it wasn't the type of conflict that was ever able to generate any substantial angst. so i'm glad they didn't drag it out, and i'm sort of amused that of COURSE yeol would come up with such a brilliantly simple, yet surprisingly obvious solution to it LOL.
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