Zoe
I liked that this drama had characters that weren't afraid to get a bit mean with their enemies. If they were upset, they were upset and lashed back. I liked how human they were.
I really loved how nerdy everyone was and how much time they spent on the computer haha. Also, so much of the drama happens online.
Chinese kisses, are way better than Korean kisses.
I really liked the way the drama threw in some really random relationship factors and responses.
Wei Wei - female lead
Our heroine studies computer science and so do her friends.
“No wonder the girls in science and engineering have such a hard time getting boyfriends. We can handle electric work ourselves. What do we need boys for?”
I really got into this drama. As per usual with Chinese dramas, I skipped over some of the girl friendships, because they are so run of the mill and uninteresting. A ditzy side kick for the oh-so-sensible heroine. I don't mind the somewhat superior heroine in Chinese dramas. It is a good change from Korean dramas that prefer the klutz over the class.
Wei Wei is competent and confident. She rarely needs rescuing. And she faces off well against other women who try and attack her. She's not cowed easily. I couldn’t believe some of her snide remarks. It was great.
I liked her rationale when she was dealing with Xiao Nai.
Even though she's so awkward around him, I liked how logical she was with her overthinking and also how she was sometimes cute.
I enjoyed her problem solving abilities.
Xiao Nai - male lead
Xiao Nai is the hero and he's very kind and polite to Wei Wei but pretty arrogant and nonchalant with everyone else. I loved that he said he could change for her.
I like that he's direct with her.
I like that right from the start he lets Wei Wei have her say and make her own decisions and respects them. He continues to do that throughout the relationship.
I'm never a fan of the wrist grabs but if you have to include it, Xiao Nai does it right. It's not aggressive or domineering, it's almost like his main motivation is that he wants to touch her. And he does it just once.
Also, he might make those protective moves but he explains them right away.
I dislike heroes who are good at everything. I love love love that Xiao Nai is poor.
Although I was really relieved to see that the show demonstrated that Xiao Nai was a team player in sport and wasn't just a glory hog.
I really love how Xiao Nai knew how important Wei Wei's friendship with the girls was.
Xiao Nai doesn't let any unnecessary drama shake him in the least.
“Why wouldn't I trust my girlfriend?”
I really love that Xiao Nai doesn't mollycoddle her.
“Wei Wei, I might be adding to your troubles by telling you this, but I think it's something you'd want to solve on your own.”
Romance
“So how will you measure our affection level, then?”
“I'll develop a model for calculating it.”
Xiao Nai is not caveman jealous.
“Your wife is coming onto me.”
“Enjoy it. I don't mind.”
“What a well-coordinated couple!”
The most adorable thing was that Xiao Nai carried around Wei Wei's cactus that he was looking after.
Also, how he pays attention every time she touches him.
This actor is really good at kissing haha.
I like how he is subtle about showing us that he knows that he is lucky to have Wei Wei.
Wei Wei - “I'll have a sack and a bat ready.”
Xiao Nai - “If you're going to beat someone up, you should bring me with you.”
“You're going to help me?”
“No, I'll be the lookout.”
The Game
I like how important the game was to the characters. How they had morales about how they lived their character's lives.
I had to laugh as real life was leaked into the game as well. “You're still killing me? I'll just go do laundry.”
“That's enough. I won't waste my internet and electricity on you.”
Yu Ban Sha
I'm not used to seeing actors as good as this guy in Cdramas. He really sold his part.
“We should be humble. Our target isn't the prettiest girl. It's her friends we should be after.”
Bad Guy
I kind of like that the bad guy messed around with her support systems and how she had this conflict of how she didn't know who to trust. It wasn't the usual queen bee with her posse. Part of the drama was that she didn't know who her posse was.
Meng Yi Ran is way better than the average stale bad guy.
KO's relationship with Hao Mei is so hilarious. He looks like he doesn't care, or that he's constantly angry with the world but he just goes along with Hao Mei's bubbly personality.
Kdrama vs. Chinese Drama Debate
In Chinese dramas, things get solved in one conversation. I feel like there's no process. People don't just change their minds because of words.
I still dislike the lack of emotion on Chinese actors faces. But this time round, is my third Chinese drama and I think I'm getting used to it.
Chinese dramas take themselves so seriously.
When they film and show the characters I just feel like they're so pushing the concept of how perfect they are. I felt like the characters still had that dignified barrier between them. That they still didn’t feel comfortable with each other.
The Chinese characters seem much more dignified. I thought I’d never view my culture background from that perspective.
Parents are not very important in this drama. In Kdramas, parents are everything.
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Quotes
“In order to trust, you must suspect first.” This guy is too cool.
“Being too kind is a disorder. But it's not completely useless.”
It's annoying how in the intro theme Woo Jin is wearing glasses and he only wears glasses in the entire 12 hour series for 2 minutes at the beginning of the first episode.
Woo Jin completely won me over. The actor, Lee Sang Yoon, I have the biggest crush! His education tone is so sexy. Haha.
He never smiles with his teeth during the entire show. Isn't that sad?
I like how they show that he is taking in everything. Plus, his eyes are pretty.
Fashion
The guys are obsessed with turtle necks.
Woo Jin wears Chuckies. I like that.
Da Jung wears some great heels.
Thoughts
Don't Kang Do Young and Ha Woo Jin get tired of staring at each other so meaningfully?
Do Young is annoying.
I wanted something more from Da Jung and Woo Jin. Not necessarily romantic, just a sign that they're friends or that he respects her, or she makes him happy.
That ending is confusing as hell. I'm disappointed that after all the mind games the ending just ends up being a mindless shoot out.
This drama has strong women, even though they aren't the heroines, I heartily approve. The reporter Ja Young and the PD. Normal career, competent women who can hold conversations with a hot guy.
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Chinese dramas take a while to introduce their topic and I don’t really have the patience for it.
I didn’t think I’d be interested in middle aged people’s stories. But I was. This show has a good sense of balance. When the bad guys scheme, it doesn’t drag on and on and on and their plans often go bust. There’s a good sense of satisfaction and triumph that their evil ways don’t go unpunished. They suffer immediate consequences often.
I liked the beginning and then I had to skip a bit through the intro episodes of the 12 years later because it was like starting a new show where the bad guys were still exactly the same but you had to reacquaint yourself with the good guys.
I found Yi Bei’s childhood story incredibly sad.
The cruel and manipulative lies are so frustrating. The selfishness is appalling.
There are some things towards the end that I liked.
1. seeing who decided to come clean and who didn’t.
2. linking the fact that Yun Kai was always joking and then Yi Bei decided to also joke towards her elders and the grandmother asked if she was being influenced by Yun Kai. (Because Yi Bei is always so serious)
Guo Guo
Guo Guo is stereotypically bright and sunny and nice to everyone except her hero. I like that motherhood makes Guo Guo a stronger person. She has something to protect and fight for so she won’t let anyone step on her. I love that she doesn’t let people guilt trip her as the drama goes on. There are so many manipulative people but they don’t stand a chance when Guo Guo has made up her mind. She was so impressive towards the end how quick she was at revealing the truth. She was truly formidable. When she decided to go head to head there was no stopping her. I loved her despair/angry acting. She so seldom gets worked up, but it seemed so genuinely distressing when she did start shouting at people.
Yun Kai
Yun Kai as an adult is a real character. You can tell he puts up a front a lot of the time. He loves making people feel uncomfortable. And the actor does a good job of showing how he can act charismatic and sarcastic but he has a lot of hidden depths.
For someone with such a painful childhood, he does a wonderful job of pretending to be a happy-go-lucky kind of guy with minimal brooding. It’s almost like he’s just decided to give up on the people around him and just have his fun where he can. Every second sentence out of his mouth is a joke. I like that he can rock wearing shorts in such a fashionable way.
Romance
“Why do I think you’re unhappy? Tell me! Who bullied you? I, the great lawyer, will help you punish the evildoer. Hurry, tell me who it is.”
It was interesting to see our heroine not really giving a stuff about our hero for a good long while. Her antagonism against Yun Kai gets to the point of awkward that she continues to push him away without explanation. I really enjoyed seeing Yun Kai fall in love with Guo Guo.
“Don’t worry. There is someone who dotes on you and your mother too. He will definitely court your mother and marry her.”
The show takes the time to see him looking at her with such hope and expectation. Even though he gets pissed at her he just steadfastly continues to like and hang around her.
“Let’s go. Don’t move. I will pack this. You need your hands for embroidery, so you can’t do manual labor. I’ll do it.”
He gets involved with the high drama and helps to protect the ladies in his life with all his lawyer training.
“For the two most important women in my life, I can run until my legs break.”
I like that he appreciates Guo Guo’s cooking.
It’s a bit strange that even though Yun Kai should technically feel betrayed by Guo Guo, she’s just so antagonistic towards him he never even gets a chance to breathe his grievances. Despite seemingly endless immaturity, when it comes to the big moments in his relationship with Guo Guo, he is surprisingly mature. And despite Guo Guo’s attempts at dumping him at every corner she sticks it out with him too.
Guo Guo - “I didn’t not believe in you. I just...I just don’t know how to face it.”
Yun Kai - “I need your trust because I love you to the point that no medication can save me.”
Yun Kai - “I already made myself clear to my dad. In this lifetime, I will only love you.”
Yun Kai’s delivery of romantic lines is really on point. For once, I understand the heroine’s insecurities about the hero’s love. She has so many people in her life putting her down it’s crazy.
“If you give me up because of my mother’s opposition, then won’t I be too pitiful?”
I like that he gives her a chance to see if she wants to go the long road with him, because it’s so obvious that she’s putting on the breaks. And he makes himself clear how he feels about her. It was so satisfying when Guo Guo started to finally fall in love with him too. But just when you think she’s going to be nice to him, she goes back to acting like he’s an annoying fly. This frustrated me. I lived for those moments when she smiled at Yun Kai. It was so freakin’ rare.
Twisty Things
In a way, despite the terrible plot twist of Yun Kai believing someone else is Yi Bei, it was so nice to see how his love for Yi Bei as a child was different from his love for Guo Guo and how he treasured Yi Bei. If the show didn’t do this, we wouldn’t have seen this wonderful side of Yun Kai not caring who “Yi Bei” is in the present, and loving her anyway.
Le Tong
This little girl is so magnificent. I love the way she approached and talked to the adults that they forgot they were arguing with a 5 year old when she spouted her philosophical wisdom.
Chinese Vs. Kdrama
I always have a little note about the differences between the countries’ productions since I’m mainly a serial Kdrama viewer.
Recently, I have been really enjoying Chinese dramas just for something different and for more comfortable and less over the top romances.
One thing that remains consistent is the strange character development or deux es machina that occurs with relationships. People reconcile, or resolve differences just because and there is not much story telling in that aspect.
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Wistful, storytelling, peaceful, weird sound cuts. It has a few Korean drama moments of surprise.
Woori is surprisingly fierce and determined to get what she wants. She's also no blushing idiot.
Well, she does become a bit of an idiot as the show goes on. But I like her face. She's so pretty!
I like that moment when Woo Young looks into her room and sees she's not in there. Captures a real human moment of looking at someone's area/possession and feeling that emptiness or that wondering of where they are.
Woori's new boy toy helps her out of every kind of scrape. He's doormat material until Woo Young challenges him. The male ego. So amusing to me.
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Office dynamics. I liked seeing how they were like a rag tag family. How circumstances or problems drew them together. They would fight between themselves but if an outsider tries to take them down, everyone teams up.
I also liked seeing how with just a look, the other team members conveyed their concern for their colleague. Rival yes, but colleague when push came to shove.
Actually, the drama makes a bit of a theme of that. Of how in the relationships people might really not get along but they actually do respect each other and want to work together.
Geu Rae
This guy is a bit sad and small. He gets on fire when he's got a task he has to do. His only talent is playing Go. That talent springs up in some unexpected places. Not just the problem solving aspect but also that competitive streak.
“Over the years, my focus on winning has grown even if I'm a loser now. I'm a pro at it.”
He's a bit slow, sure, but when people hurt him relationally, he doesn't really let it go.
It was also good to see him being so happy when someone stood up for him. Slowly slowly his boss starts to ease up on him.
It was so satisfying when he impressed.
I liked him even warming up to his boss' gruffness and understanding his sincerity.
As the drama goes on, he starts making more facial expressions, which is also really great. It's always funny how dramas do that. It makes you appreciate the character even more and enjoy the show as you get more personality.
Mr. Oh
He's a tough character but you can see that he really is a justice man. He doesn't like it when things are unfair.
“I get more suspicious when he's so chirpy.”
Young Yi
Young Yi is good at her job. I was glad to see her with less airs as an intern and someone who doesn't mind wearing her heart on her sleeve a bit more.
She gets treated badly due to her gender.
I really liked seeing her bravery and how she could be so strong especially when her past came back to haunt her.
Her team sucks but it was cool when they banded together against a common foe.
Baek Ki
Baek Ki's struggle with his boss seemed like the unfair tension that often happens in romantic relationships in Kdramas. It's strange to see it happening between two males.
His boss, Mr. Kang is so chill and calm. Mr. Kang is also the dude from KMHM and I loved him.
Dong Sik
I liked how he had a chat with Geu Rae and just was like saying how impressed he was with him and how he actually wanted to get to know him as a friend.
“He's part of Sales Team 3 now. We should accept our members no matter what.”
Everyone's got different problems. Too little work, too much work. It was interesting to see when the team leaders got together and the dynamic they have there is completely different to how they are among their own team. Actually, it’s really cute when the main characters get together to do a project too.
It was so great seeing Geu Rae pulling his weight and being part of the team where the other newbies still struggled. His team trusted him.
I liked the portrayal of the women. Strong, smart, influential and respected. Fair and fierce.
The drama looks at the different teams in the company. Planning team, resource team, finance team, sales team and how they are their own island and personality.
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Jin Myung
I love that she’s this same, unflappable calm older sister. She’s so sensible. And she doesn’t smile unless necessary.
Ye Eun
The best moment for me was when Jang Hoon talked to her so kindly not knowing she was the one with the past. And it was so good for her to see that there are some guys who are decent human beings and want to do the right thing. Her mother is really hard on her and I found it intriguing that someone so cheery and open would have such an oppressive mother.
Eun Jae
This character continues to be super boring and annoying. She’s petty and shallow.
Ji Won
I love Ji Won even though her character in this seems even more painful than before. She says whatever comes into her brain without any filter. She totally stole the show towards the end of the drama. I really enjoyed her time on the screen. She seems to have got more pretty and more showy. And the actress portrays her vulnerability so well.
No matter how she plagues her friend, Sung Min, their friendship is beyond resilient. And we see the cracks in Sung Min’s feelings towards her. You can see when he opens his expression to her, looking hopeful that she might be about to say something romantic to him. So incredibly sad.
“If anything happens to you...[wait for it]... I’ll have to go home by bus.”
Jo Eun
It was subtle how the drama showed us that Jo Eun was warming up to her house mates. At first she really looked like she had no interest in them whatsoever beyond her mission, but then the drama shows her talking about them so much to her friend. And she starts to smile as she talks about them/to them, which is the first time we see her smiling at all.
“It’s better to be alone than laughed at.”
“Troublesome midget.”
“Still better than excessively tall.”
Jo Eun’s height is almost an awkward thing. But it’s so cute to see how small everyone is compared to her, especially Yoon Sunbae who is such a boss but still has to physically look up to Jo Eun.
Jung Hoon
I loved how much on screen time Jung Hoon got. He’s a great, mature character and a perfect fit for a house full of girls. He reminded me of a friendly ahjussi always fixing something out on the lawn as the girls would walk by.
Heimdall
Jin Kwang was pretty boring but he did say this great line. “We’ll wash the dishes. That’s for us men to do.”
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I think the charm of the premise is this dignified scholar falling in love with this ridiculous young lady from the future. In many ways, she gets to appear competent because he has no idea what to do in the modern world.
The music at times could be truly beautiful and poignant. Similar to the Korean version, I adore the use of the traditional instruments.
Romance
Our hero has a lovely way of looking at our heroine like he is really listening to her and interested in what she’s going to do or say next. She’s really nothing, but he thinks she is the greatest. And I find that so incredibly cute.
“I like your personality very much.”
The pair have a very nice dynamic that is innocent and simple. They make each other happy.
“Seeing you there is hope and I have courage.”
It was very cute seeing Gong Min pine away for Xiang Xiang even when he couldn’t remember her. It kind of made their love feel more substantial. Even when he doesn’t remember her he can’t do without her.
I like how even though he is always strong in front of Ying Yue, his grief over losing Xiang Xiang is so great that he can’t hide it from her.
Kdrama vs. C-Drama
I appreciate that the interactions between characters are not exaggerated. There is a sense of normalcy with the pair without having to overdramatise everything.
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Towards the end, the plot gets more melodramatic and improves vastly in my opinion. The theme of the mystery never got old and only got more intriguing. And the drama ties up with one heck of an ending. I loved it.
Romance
I always appreciate it when a heroine has to teach the hero. The couple's relationship isn't that great though. After all the trouble he puts her through and how rude he is to her, I didn't find his kind gestures that touching, but viewed them with the attitude that he owed her. She's quite weak towards any gentleness, but his cheap chivalry had me scoffing. I also unfortunately found their silly moments quite lame.
Park Ha
I like her face. I also like how she can intimidate the guys. When Lee Gak tries to get all high and mighty on her she just snaps at him and he responds with, “Yes Ma'am.”
Lee Gak
No complaints on the actor, who is phenomenal. I was amazed at his transformation between personalities. I just hated the character. I guess I have to keep reminding myself he was a Crown Prince and thinks he's all that. He continues with his historical voice which is quite annoying. But his moments of vulnerability are really satisfying.
He's very petty and conceited throughout the drama.
His best moments are when he's scaring the shit out of his cousin Tae Moo.
I also thought his angry acting was brilliant. And his menacing face is even better.
The Dudes
“Have you upset Park Ha...?”
“As a man, I believe that is a very pathetic move.”
I'm always a fan of squad goals. The servants are definitely one aspect of the drama that I enjoyed. They made me laugh a lot with their group mistakes and blind dedication to their prince. The thing they did best was when they were trying to learn something and their serious and synchronised attempts were so hilarious.
I think Yong Sul was my favourite.
Auntie Wang
This actress is always the bad guy in dramas so it was nice to see her in a bit of a different role. She's actually quite cute.
Sister
Se Na is a stereotypical bad egg. The drama goes way over the top to show what a terrible person she is. Why not just stamp “bad guy” on her forehead.
Although as the drama went on, I began to become more invested in her scenes. Her schemes, manipulation and ruthlessness, is pretty thrilling.
I also liked how Park Ha handled her and those glasses of water - he he he.
Music
It usually takes me a while to warm up to a soundtrack, but I loved this drama's music right from the start. Even the emotional music, which I usually find tacky to begin with struck a chord with me, which really enhanced my early viewing experience.
And there's this one soundtrack that every time I heard it, I really empathised with the Prince and forgave him for all his flaws because the music reminded me of his tragedy and his grief and his love for his wife.
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The show makes fun of Mijo’s immortality, her age and the fact that she doesn’t really feel pain.
Mijo
Our heroine enjoys old lady hobbies.
She works as a love consultant and she’s good at what she does. She understands men and she likes to pull historical anecdotes from the centuries she’s lived through.
I wouldn’t say she’s mature, but she does have a noona feel to her. She has a way of being confrontational and comfortable with it that I liked.
She keeps lots of ancient treasures with her that all have a story.
Her unpredictable nature is a highlight of the show.
Jun Nu
Jun Nu is a standard kind of guy but the way he responds to Mijo is really lovely.
Jason
This is the second time I’ve seen this dude play opposite Kang Seung Yoon. I enjoyed the twist in Jason’s character.
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“ ‘I love you’. Wouldn’t that be enough?”
“That’s for flattery. That’s just to calm her down.”
“Why do you always interpret that phrase like that?”
“That phrase just doesn’t fit this situation.”
“The phrase ‘I love you’ is always the right thing to say.”
I wasn’t sure if I would get this drama. The slow story telling, the basket of crazy but boring characters. And then by Episode 7 I GOT IT. There’s something really different about this show. I like how they make you tired of the constant OHY mix ups and then they make fun of the premise with their own clueless characters.
I never get bored with the “you treat us so bad and we hate you most of the time, but when you’re hurting we’ve got your back” cliché.
I really loved how they looked at step-sibling relationships. They are so harsh with each other, but fiercely loyal and there’s that dynamic of adult siblings house-sharing.
“I was going to fabulously have a go at you and leave.”
“Just come at me. Then leave.”
One of the things that stood out to me is that dramas often portray the concept of, “we don’t really know why we like each other we just do”. And this show consistently shows that it’s strange and stupid, but I can see that they like each other to the extent that they really make each other happy. I kept asking these characters, “Why on earth are you attracted to each other?!” But the point is they are convincingly in love despite all the “buts”. Seriously, so many times I’m like, “You guys are so dumb...but I’m glad you’re all smiley”
With the start of this show, the logic of everyone is really weird relationally. The pacing of the show is much slower especially after I just finished a university drama.
I didn’t have much love for the characters in the show. They don’t have very appealing personalities. Our heroine gets drunk, glares at people and is generally out of control. The hero is just quiet and isolated. It took till episode 3 before I could see the potential of the couple.
And this drama commits the great crime of way too repetitive and lengthy flashbacks.
Do Kyung
“You shouldn’t control people with fear, Do Kyung.”
I’ve never found Eric Mun attractive. Usually, if I don’t like a hero’s face at the start, I’ll like it at the end, but this is my second drama with this actor, and I still think he’s ugly. Sorry! To top it off, the drama takes a long while for us to get to know him. Usually even if a hero is gruff to his heroine, we’ll get some good scenes when he interacts with others. But not Do Kyung. Showing affection to no one – not his friend, his brother or his mother or sister. That being said, sometimes his personality comes out when Hae Young is around and I started to see the beauty that is his character. I really appreciated how his character sometimes really embarrasses himself or does silly things and it’s just gold.
The idea of being a sound director is really interesting. I like that Do Kyung is so aware of his auditory environment.
“Insert the sound of sunlight coming in.”
Hae Young – female lead
I kind of like Hae Young’s glasses look. Hae Young is chatty, which is obviously necessary to fill in the fact that Do Kyung doesn’t say anything half the time. But she also points out her observations of Do Kyung’s nature and personality, which surprised both Do Kyung and me.
I like that despite her being one of the worst heroines ever, when she decides to be hard-assed she goes all the way and stops with the crying.
“If you like me 89 on the scale, not 100 then tell me so. I will like for the same amount.”
The actress for the female lead is actually really good. Despite me disliking her character I really came to appreciate the actress ability to make her lines come alive, and be full of emotion. The way she talked drew me in, her acting made me care about a stupid and idiotic character.
Parents
Hae Young’s mother is fierce and loyal to her daughter. Actually Hae Young’s parents probably gave me the most laughs and I loved how they were so sensitive and thoughtful. They really seemed very in tune with Hae Young.
“Of course. My daughter is wonderful.”
I really like the way Hae Young is also wanting to tell them everything and allow them to comfort her. I also like how Hae Young’s dad looks to his wife so he can be in sync with her or be prepared to stop her.
Soo Kyung
This actress gets some weird roles. And I didn’t want to like her, but as it went on, I kind of did. I like that her love interest is ridiculous but also really quite weighty. I really love what a cold and miserable character they make her. I actually really felt for her. And I love how multi-faceted she was and how you think she’s going to be a stereotype but she becomes an interesting and well-rounded character with a good amount of warmth for family.
Other Hae Young
I really appreciate that we got to know the other Hae Young. I like the way they explain her. The drama makes a good show of showing how the “pretty Hae Young” is jealous of plenty of things about Hae Young’s life. And how the pretty Hae Young lacks the things she wants.
Jin Sang
“You used to beat the crap out of me for petty things.”
Kim Ji Seok is a really decent actor. I’ve seen so many transformations of him and he always delivers his character so on point, it’s impressive.
Somehow I came to love the side characters when I didn’t think I’d ever pick up a pom pom and cheer for any of them. I became interested in what they were up to and their stories. I even really liked OHY’s office friends.
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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?”
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As with most Chinese dramas that I watch, I skim through most of it stopping on the parts I like but in the end I get really attached to the characters.
I like how the relationships evolved in this drama.
The romance can be quite ambiguous. I guess it had the feel of young people not knowing the fickleness of attraction.
Ruo Bai
Yang Yang is such a romantic actor. I first saw him in Love O2O and that show didn’t really give him the chance to act the great range of emotions that he displays here so beautifully.
Ruo Bai respect Bai Cao’s loyalty and her kindness and her calmness in the face of mean people.
Also, because he’s a kind person, he wants to look out for her.
His face is amazing. He’s the kind of actor that is hot when he’s frowning and adorable when he’s smiling. Also his voice. Anything he says is sexy. “Even if you lose, it doesn’t matter.”
I love how Yang Yang can make such a stiff and emotionless character so compelling. I like that as a teacher he views Bao Cai quite analytically but because of that he falls in love with her because he likes what he sees. He knows about her because its his job to, but he ends up liking her.
And the hair cutting incident. OMG. Ruo Bai’s reaction is priceless.
I really like that Ruo Bai isn’t good at everything. But he is good at giving inspirational speeches. A few of them are just psychological jabs, but when he gets going he is so motivational haha.
I found his relationship with Bai Cao fascinating. There are a lot of angsty heroes out there but Ruo Bai’s behaviour makes sense to me. His character is already the quiet type and the fact that all the things he would like to say to Bai Cao are always being witnessed by not one but two love rivals, there really is no room for him to speak.
But he is very zen and calm and selfless and happy to quietly love Bai Cao without her knowing. “Here in this time...it’s as if I have the whole world already.” *be still my beating heart
I like how his facial expressions started to have more warmth and he started smiling at her so sweetly.
Ruo Bai’s BFF really brings it home for the viewers.
BFF: Are you just generous or mentally unstable?
Ruo Bai: It’s fine if she’s happy.
At the end of the drama, Ruo Bai really goes for broke, it was just incredible. Yang Yang does an outstanding job.
Bai Cao
Bai Cao does a lot of crying and whinging. She’s a typical stand-up, righteous character. I like that she didn’t just take the sport at face value but really thought about what was going on in the game. I really like that she used her brains and strategy to defeat her opponents.
Everyone consistently accuses Bao Cai of everything under the sun, her motives, her thought processes, her life. The girl can’t catch a break.
I like how easily Bai Cao dismisses Ruo Bai’s hotness and kindness. She just sees him as a coach and totally takes him for granted. But later on she reveals that she knows she is like his family, so it was an interesting turn. I especially think that she is one brave chick to confess first to Ruo Bai because he wears his walls so stalwartly and comfortably I would never have dared.
My favourite bits was when she was practicing with her serious face on and her movements were so fluid and she acted so naturally and kicked so nonchalantly.
Ting Hao
This character starts out really predictably, but the actor really owns the personality so I enjoyed this dude's screen time quite a lot towards the end.
Random Notes
I like that there was a twist to the fat-shaming. And obviously fat-shaming is never good but they rounded out the chubby characters a bit better than usual.
It was also funny to see the girls fashion styles when they weren’t all geared up to fight.
Chu Yuan is so passive and dense and slow I have no words.
Guang Ya was my favourite secondary character. She’s so goth.
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“What's so bad about a witch? Rather than Snow White who's dependent on others and causes trouble, an independent witch is a hundred times better.”
I like how it didn't take a crisis or a break up for Ji Yeon to put some boundaries in place and realise she can't rely on a man for everything.
My favourite quote from her is. “Don't work hard. Do it well.” More heroines should follow this advice from Ban Ji Yeon.
I really love the feel of this drama. I like how the characters have real conversations and just say ordinary things when they’re feeling awkward.
The side characters are not that important but I do like Soo Chul and Dong Ha’s relationship. Soo Chul was definitely the best side character. I even liked his weird thing going on with Eun Chae.
I think with other Kdramas they take their hostilities seriously but Dong Ha and Ji Yeon, they're always jokingly offending each other.
Dong Ha – male lead
Park Seo Joon has the best awkward/freaked out face.
Dong Ha is a really special hero. He is really great.
First, he isn't rich. Yasss.
And he is a huge softie. But not in a way that means he can be pushed around. He just can't hold a grudge. If he sees someone hurting, he can't stand by.
Romance
So much kissing! Yessss.
This drama really really convinced me how perfect the couple is for each other. I love that feeling. That I'm able to really get behind them and root for them.
I like that they can laugh together. They don't take their pride too seriously.
I like that Dong Ha is man enough to confess and man enough to talk about his feelings.
I really like the noona feel and how Dong Ha is able to be masculine and a bit aegyo. It's not annoying or creepy at all haha.
I love how he looks at her.
He knows how to navigate the relationship well and everything he says and the way he acts around Ji Yeon is so convincing for her and for me that he's a great guy.
Dong Ha knows when the to back off and when to fight. He's got perfect timing.
They’re such a good match for each other. Their interactions are so much fun and you can see that they are having fun too. They even sing together.
The drama was solid throughout. I enjoyed it every step of the way. There might have been some annoying bits, but overall really fantastic and solid pacing and plotline.
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I never thought I would think the traditional Korean dress was cool. It took me a long time to work up the courage to watch a historical. But I'm converted! Haha. This show is really easy to watch and easy to skip over the politics and still enjoy the growth and the progression of the premise.
In this drama more than ever, I can see how the characters humble themselves even when they are so freakin' angry because they know they have to self-regulate to achieve their long term goals.
I liked how they explored their corrupt society and how they were worried about distinguishing between right and wrong because they had so many bad role models and unfair structures in place.
Things start to get serious as the drama begins to wade into family relationships and betrayal and being a role model.
“Hey, big brothers, live life correctly, cause I'll be following your lead.”
Cheeky, but respect man.
They had to question what was culture, what was their values and why they were brought up in their traditions.
“Watch me with your own two eyes. Whether I'm going the right road until the end.”
Kdramas explore characters in a way that I can understand.
I also like how they take into account past and future. “So will you remember? One day, when you have to make a difficult decision like you did today, just once...that there was someone who trusted Lee Seon Joon more than himself.”
Yoon Hee
“I'll still have to dress in a man's hat and robe....And even if I can't do that, I'll have to marry anyone...To me, there is no tomorrow that I should want to protect with all my might.”
Girl's got skills. And she's incredibly smart with a photographic memory (but the drama forgets about that later).
The opening of this drama, with the ladies chasing after our heroine, thinking she's a man, I knew we were in for some ridiculous, but hopefully amusing moments.
I like the sort of manly friendship that Yoon Hee makes with Lee Soon Jun, even from her perspective as a girl, she treats him like a dude.
“I believe in you more than I believe in myself.”
I was quite pleased at the little ways in which Yoon Hee showed how tough she was. Getting into a fist fight, and stopping a punch was all pretty normal for her.
Seon Joon
Yoo Chun is a pretty stiff guy but it kind of makes his human character really really very funny.
I first saw Park Yoo Chun in Rooftop Prince. I didn't like his arrogance there. He continues to be a dick in this one. But maybe more within reason because he's just a scholar and not a prince. Still, his concerned, sad face is the best.
He's a lot more reasonable and forgiving. But he's still self-righteous as ever.
He really admires Yoon Hee's rebel nature of standing up against the unfair laws of society.
“Sungkyunkwan is a place of study because of the citizens, if you do not agree with this, then we new students, will not recognise you as seniors.”
It's nice to see the hero for a change rotting away when he is lovesick, barely being able to function.
Seon Jin does say a few nice things too. “Not just my classmate...but my good friend. Someone who is willing to be my good friend, Kim Yoon Shik, you are the first.”
“If I made a friend, I thought it would be nice if it was you. It's just...I didn't know how. Since it was my first time. I'm sorry.”
Lee Sun Joon isn't so bad after all. A lot different picture of the arrogance he often portrays.
I really like how he didn't know what to do with Geol Oh.
I loved how he learned to joke.
Romance
Lee Sun Joon on the romance front is actually not that bad. His feelings, his expression of them, his role in the romance, I was actually pretty impressed. I love how he wore his heart on his sleeve.
He's not petty or childish in his love for Yoon Hee. He thinks about her feelings and what she wants rather than always pushing his feelings.
It's quite unusual for the hero to be outed for his affection for his heroine so pitifully. And for it to happen to a proud hero like Lee Soon Jun was pretty darn hilarious and satisfying.
I like that even after Lee Soon Jun realises Yoon Hee is a woman, they're still on even ground because Yoon Hee doesn't allow it to be any different.
Lee Soon Jun is amazing in his love for Yoon Hee and really doesn't let pride get in the way.
And his uppity rationale for why she should kiss him some more was so hilarious. “One shouldn't start something one can't finish. Stopping in the middle is worse than not having started at all. This is a teaching from the Analects. To stop something you've already started isn't something a Confucius scholar should do.”
I really loved how the drama showed Lee Seon Joon exploring his desire for Yoon Hee in such a cute and funny way.
And how she was the one that had to be direct. She's also really confident in the relationshia pnd likes to tease him.
I really appreciated their clear communication with one another. How they talked things out and put their hearts on the table and didn't hold things back or didn't hesitate to make things clear.
“What you're pushing away is not greed It's me.”
“Then what am I supposed to do? I'm so scared.”
I feel like it's been a while since I've seen a nice and caring romance like this. And also to see the hero go all out for his woman, is bliss.
Geol Oh
“Why should I be afraid? Living isn't fun anymore.”
I like that Geol Oh could pull rank when it suited him.
I love Yoo Ah's new look. Really surprised to see the ruffian is a gentleman.
His personality is so much fun in this drama. He's really good at treating Yoon Hee like a man even when she messes up. He so subtly reminds her that she's supposed to be a boy.
“Don't bow your head to anyone. Don't kneel for anyone. It will become a habit.”
Yoo Ah is the best in this drama. I like how his character managed to keep treating Yoon Hee as a man.
Oh those sleeping arrangements made me laugh so much.
“Sunbae, this isn't your usual sleeping place.”
“My usual sleeping place is this whole room.”
He has this beautiful moment in Episode 15. He's such a wonderful character.
Gu Yong Ha
“Tell me whatever it may be. I can keep a secret better than I look.”
Song Joong Ki's gleeful smile is so cute. He plays so many mind games and plays both sides of the school factions. But I loved that despite that, Yoon Hee still got to mess around with his head.
He's a rich and insouciant kind of guy who is bored with people so he likes to play games.
One thing I liked about him is that when anyone is down, whether they are right or wrong, he's there for them so they don't have to be alone.
I like how there are different relationships in the school that even though one might technically be on one side, he will still help the other and look out for people on the other side even though “politically” he is opposed.
I liked his friend with Moon Jae Shin.
“The one I trust is not the king, but you, Geol Oh.”
Bad Guy
The amazing thing about the bad guy is that he is so nice to his daughter. Haha. I really liked how evil he was and then how much he loved his baby girl. Even though he is full of pride and ambition, “I am not the kind of father to get in the way of my children.”
The music can be quite pretty.
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Hang Ah
“That means your military background includes training others for death by explosives.”
I'm sorry, by Ha Ji Won's acting...what the heck is she doing? Her baby voice is so argh.
No one does a rough woman like a Korean.
“It's been a long time since I assassinated using explosives.”
Hang Ah has the most perfect bad guy calm threatening tone that sends chills up your spine.
I love that she's a badass but can skip around in heels too. Talk about #useyourand. I love that she's girly.
I like that the men are rooting for Kim to take her place among them and she's the one that doesn't want to do it. She's not ambitious in the army and her comrades are wanting to push her forward.
I thought her mother in law would hate her for a long time, but she gets used to her pretty quick. The family's loyalty to her despite circumstances was awesome to see.
Hang Ah is not particularly fierce on the emotional front, but her rationale is pretty good. She's calm about her love and she has some common sense.
My favourite parts were when she was up against Jae Ha's enemy. She really knew how to handle herself.
“Don't misunderstand. I'm not alive now by luck. It's because I haven't chosen to die yet.”
Jae Ha
He's laidback and audacious, just like he is as a kid. The epitome of the younger brother king who wants to just fool around and leave the responsibility to the older brother. Oh my gosh, I usually hate brats like this guy but Lee Seung Gi is so comical he just pulls it off so hilariously.
Jae Ha is reckless but he's also terrified of Hang Ah.
I was really surprised to see how kind he was when Hang Ah was down. “Who was it? Who made our leader cry?”
“Jae Ha, a man calling himself cute at your age is pathetic.”
“But I am cute!”
Jae Ha's serious tone is brilliant. He smiles very casually but his intensity has so much personality. When he gets fierce in his calm way over Hang Ah, I really enjoyed it. His expression when he's trying to get a point across is compelling.
Romance
“You're afraid I'm going to jump you? I'm too scared to do that to a special forces agent.”
Jae Ha is really good at the little gestures. You gotta love that in a guy.
I couldn't see the pair of them working out until Jae Ha smiled at her and then I was sold that they should be together forever hahaha.
Once again, there's a great usage of showing intimacy without showing intimacy.
After the halfway mark the relationship takes on an interesting turn. It was nice to see the side of Jae Ha that wants to make it up to Hang Ah.
Eun Shi Kyung
He is the kind of character that the show will do cruel things to to show how manly and disciplined he is. Also, it is really awesome that a soldier has perfect pitch #useyourand.
It was interesting to see how hard he is when it comes to romance. Despite his obliging personality on his professional level he is really quite a hard nut to crack. Or maybe it's just his insecurities.
“I may be amusing to you now, but you'll grow tired of me.”
“I'm not that impulsive.”
“Don't toy around with me.”
Jae Shin
This actress is always so much fun. I loved seeing how brave she became.
Mother in law
She's great. Really great.
There's an Australian in this show hahahaha.
Soundtrack
I think I might like this rock and roll soundtrack
Strings tension track ooh yeah
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