“Don’t forget that you will be happy tomorrow only if you are happy today.” This line is for the perfectionist, workaholic kids out there, like me. I was actually really impressed by the way this drama addressed not kicking people when they were down. And that that was the whole point about cheerleading. It’s not for those who are in their happy place or people who are necessarily good. It’s people who need cheering up. There is a lot of generosity in this show. It really hit home for me the importance of showing support for people even though it might not seem like much, even when it seems like words won't help the situation. The plot is fast-moving. As soon as someone says they’re going to do something, they do it, and it gets resolved pretty quick. So I like that we don’t have to wait or dread future happenings. I was warned that this was some serious content, but at least none of the kids are dealing with poverty, teenage pregnancy, jail, sexual assault, or homelessness. I’ve only ever watched two school dramas and that’s what was entailed so, in comparison this was pretty smooth sailing. For the record, this is my favourite school drama ever. Kim Yeol “Kim Yeol isn’t someone who you can mess with.” Our rival leader has such a happy and empathetic face, it’s hard to dislike him. He also does this weird head dip that you might see on older actors. It’s a bit strange. He of course pulls off his menacing side very well too. Kim Yeol is rather resigned to the system. He’ll protect himself but he’s rather bored with life. “Geez...even when I lie, I’m practically bursting with sincerity.” I couldn’t help but like him. There’s something about his expression and delivery of his lines that entertained me. Even in negative circumstances, there’s a non-sardonic smile that finds its way to his face. It’s a bit contrary to the usual image of a high school king. He’s quite direct, I like that about him too. That he doesn’t beat around the bush. “You wouldn’t talk to me, so I had no other way. So I prepared a time and place for us to talk.” It’s also a really interesting concept to have characters acting so mean to people but then so freakin’ loyal to others. It’s such a clear theme in this story. “Pride? That seems to be the most important thing to you. But for me, that friend is a lot more important.” Right from the first episode, there is no room for judgment as we see the “bad guys” established. Everyone has their reasons or knows how to make up for their mistakes. I’m glad, because I didn’t want to watch a drama that made me really angry at a particular person. It was nice that I could root for everyone. Another theme is trust. Kim Yeol always goes on about not trusting adults and people in general. But he started to change when people started putting their trust in him. Yeon Doo Eun Ji has the biggest brightest smile that wants to make me laugh every time I see it. She plays her character in such a fun and realistic way. I feel like her creativity for doing her own thing is really off the charts. I mean showing up to the preppy classroom in a sleeping bag? Gosh, I love this girl. I can also understand why everyone looks to her for leadership. She has so much charisma and charm and ferocity. If someone tries to physically intimidate her she just gives it right back to them. It’s also so great how loyal her posse is and how they all care about her so much. Her loyalty is what makes everyone love her. Dong Jae I usually see N so full of himself so it’s nice to see him as the innocent and quiet Dong Jae. I love the friendship between Dong Jae and Yeon Doo. I love that even when she’s mad she remembers not to have physical contact and instead bashes him with a tissue box. Dong Jae keeps such a calm expression on his face all the time. Even in tense situations his face never carries any malice. I really liked that about him. He’s very accepting of whatever happens. Kim Yeol - “Dong Jae always gives you strawberry milk. I’ll make myself different by giving you vanilla milk.” Ha Joon “He learned how to love even if it hurts.” Everything that comes out of Ji Soo’s mouth is gold. Ji Soo is once again a hot-headed, angry and suicidal kid. “I cut myself. Do you know why I did that? Every time you beat me up I also hated myself to death. I felt like I was useless. But I don’t feel that way anymore. I still get depressed at times, but...I will try to hold on to myself from now on.” I liked how he totally didn’t mind that his best bud was falling for their arch enemy. I really liked how he became friends with Yeon Doo. That gummy bear scene is so cute. At first Ha Joon is only loyal to Kim Yeol. But then he started expanding his friendship circle. And he really is so brave with the way he backs up the crazy Yeon Doo. Ha Joon is the one character that really has everything on the line. Yeon Do to Ha Joon - “That’s why you get mad because you don’t know your own feelings.” Kim Yeol - “Seo Ha Joon! You traitor! Choose between me and Kang Yeon Do.” Ha Joon - “Of course I’d choose you.” Yeon Do - “Yeah!” Ha Joon - “But she’s so strong...” Ha Joon jokingly says, “If he cheats come to me. I’m very faithful, you know.” Ha Joon’s relationship with Yeon Doo is really interesting. He wouldn’t have liked her so much if it wasn’t for him opening up to her because of his best bud’s interest in her. And he also loves her because she is so concerned about Kim Yeol, just like he is. His like for her almost seems like an extension of his friendship with Kim Yeol. He even (only) gets jealous when Kim Yeol gets jealous of someone else. Ha Joon likes to see Yeon Doo happy with Kim Yeol. Kim Yeol, is a bit more territorial haha. “Wait...why am I jealous of them getting punished?” I kind of like how the perspective on punishment changed throughout the drama. For the posh kids, it was like it was the end of the world. But they came to see that it’s just part of life and sometimes it’s worth it, or sometimes being punished with your mates isn’t so bad as long as you’re together. Romance “Now you kids are flirting by using pickled radish?” Bahahhaha. In the end Kim Yeol and Yeon Doo were like a married couple looking after the kids, and supporting each other like a well-oiled machine. They’re such mature teens. “If I’m alone with you under an umbrella...I may get myself in trouble.” I like the premise of the two opposing gang leaders. A bit of a Romeo and Juliet. Even right from the start, almost every time Kim Yeol looked at Yeon Doo when she wasn’t watching he smiled or looked completely fixed on what she would do next. It’s also interesting to see that it’s a relationship that could only develop if one of them was defeated. One of the things that Korean dramas like to do is let a hero see the heroine’s raw pain, and that is what moves him. I guess it’s a passion thing, that he saw her heart, and realised what he’d done to wound her. I kind of liked how easy going Yeon Doo is. She’s not too prideful or spiteful against Kim Yeol. They let a lot of words fly, but I feel like there’s a grudging respect on both sides. “Hey, you idiot!” “I’m No. 1 in this school!” “I know, you No. 1 idiot!” I love how Kim Yeol knows he’s being unreasonably jealous towards the naive Dong Jae and how he tries to drop hints to make Dong Jae go. “You should eat at home! Your mum will be disappointed!” Dong Jae – “Yeon Doo. Let’s eat dinner at your place.” Kim Yeol - “Hey! E-e-eat….at your own place.” I also liked how the couple showed the parents that it wasn’t puppy love. Yeon Doo - “I was a person who didn’t think much, but just did things. I’ve calmed down a bit now. I’ve also learned to protect myself thanks to Yeol. ” Kim Yeol - “I am grateful and happy that she believes in me no matter what. Now that I’m with Yeon Doo who believes in me...I’m beginning to have the courage to believe in other people.” I also noticed that when Koreans want to change the conversation to something more intimate, they thank the person. Bromance Hell. Yes. “It’s the first time I’ve seen this.” “Huh? What.” “That kind of expression on your face and you laughing like that.” I love how observant the friends are. And the way Ha Joon notices how happy Kim Yeol is. Kim Yeol - “We should do nothing. We don’t smile or cry. Let’s stay quiet as if we were dead. The adults want us to do that.” Ha Joon - “That’s why I’m trying my hardest to survive. It’s all for you.” Ha Joon -“I’m on my knees now for what Ha Joon did yesterday. Please forgive him.” Kim Yeol - “I don’t care.” Ha Joon - “It doesn’t sound like that’s coming from someone who turned the classroom upside down for her.” I thought it was interesting the way the boys each showed their true colours in protecting Yeon Doo. For example, Kim Yeol always approached in a very predictable, political way while Ha Joon stood up for her in rather dramatic and risky ways. Yeon Doo’s mother is the best. “It’s ok if you’re not good at studying. It’s not like your grades could get any lower, anyway. And dancing...I’ll allow it since you love it so much. But I won’t be able to stand it if you’re ostracised or in pain alone, ok?”