A few Sungkyunkwan Scandal thoughts (not spoilery)

[dangermousie]

1. I honestly do not get why the King of all of Joseon, who has plenty of advisors and loyal officers decides to use 4 college students to help him locate the all-important document that will change the course of history. I mean - bwah? Yes, even if the document is on premises of the University, how about using his pet advisor/prof? Seriously, he

Comments

[clairiere]

Your first point sounds familiar. Oh yeah, it's one of the major complaints I've seen on DCgall, that the writer's overshooting by forcing the Golden Scroll story so late in the drama when it wasn't even in the novel orginally. That's all I can add by way of comment since I have yet to catch up, but it sounded like a familiar refrain and just wanted to let you know you aren't alone in feeling that way.

FYI, Daemul subs are out all through ep. 8 on soompi.

[dangermousie]

The problem is I also don't find that part of the story interesting - I am not big on mechanics of puzzles and mysteries. When you add in the fact that clearly Jeongjo never successfully replaced the capital and that I, with my 21st century Western eyes, find the whole will not particularly relevant/earth-shaking/shocking the way the characters do, and you sort of have a damp squib.

I know re: Daemul! I have just obtained them :)

[clairiere]

That's pretty much what they're saying as well, that it doesn't serve much dramatic purpose at this point and it's actually deflating after the build-up with SJ & YH, pointing to the ratings dip as evidence. Many of them are fans of the novel, and they seem disappointed the writer keeps introducing these extraneous elements at the expense of mining the relationships between the F4, which has always been their primary attraction to SKKS.

[dangermousie]

It also is based on a stupid premise - all my liking for Jeongjo went out the window when he revealed that he wants to find this not to control factions or make better laws but to move the capital to create a classless society in it (and just in it?) without any further details on how this plot is supposed to work without massive nasty bloodshed and horrible upheaval. It made me switch to the Noron side!

[gurlygirl10]

I really liked how SJ wasn't angry with YH for pretending to be a man, I think if he was it would have detracted from their love story. His anger would probably last for at least half an episode which would take away from cute sweet moments.

I was wondering if you ever read any romance books with a character similar to SJ as the hero? I really want to read a book with a hero like this- the only hero I could compare him to is Mr.Darcy in Pride and Prejudice but I want others. A somewhat cold, arrogant, reserved, innocent- but not wimpy-hero and the heroine who he becomes emotionally vulnerable to. Thanks!

[dangermousie]

Yes, it felt real.

Let me think about recs. Oooooh, Gaelen Foley's The Duke - it's the only book of hers I liked.

[mionenoelle]

I think the king used J4 more for their youthful idealism than anything else. He's an idealistic king with an idealistic vision that doesn't sit well with his *elderly* officials, most of whom are either Norons or controlled by Norons. He knows that two of them (Yoon Hee and Jae Shin) can be motivated by curiosity/revenge for what happened to their family

[dangermousie]

I think his vision is idiotic and would lead to a massive civil war so I am not sympathetic to start with L)

Yeah, this part of the plot is not my favorite, bu I agree, the shippy scenes arising out of it are epic, and that's all I care about.

Yes, a lot of dramas drag. SKKS is a lot less draggy than most.

[quaggy_mire]

HK is an impulsive drama queen and Sun Joon is a very reserved, reasoning, measured person

BWAHAHAHAHA!! Very true! And the whole beheading thing makes a big difference. And, truthfully, so did being told by somebody else. Han Kyul calmed down a lot after he realized she WAS going to tell him, but Whoyamacallit beat her to the punch. I bet if she had a chance to tell him herself, Han Kyul would have freaked out and yelled and then been really, really happy all in the space of five minutes.

[dangermousie]

Awww, now I want to rewatch CP.

[paatriiing]

First paragraph -- I see what you mean. And if he was so into it even 10 years before, why start just now? On the other hand, tbh, I give the dramas I'm watching (and liking a lot) a lot of leeway and I guess I'd have to go with somebody else's assessment of the situation. His plans for a new Joseon sound so idealistic that it's not really going to fly with anybody else but young idealists. I think even Prof Jung is a little side-eyes-y (though he does seem willing to help despite that). Re: SunJoon, yes, that is pretty selfish of him (the king). And an extremely risky move. It's never easy to go against your own father.

Joseon X-Files -- I read a recap of Ep7 on dramabeans and I was so freaked out. lol. It sounds very smart but it made me feel unsafe at night :p

[dangermousie]

Oh, I can see why idealistic, out of touch king high on opium would come up with this plan, but where the drama and I part ways is in seeing that plan as in any way viable or useful.

I do like what it does to SJ and YH's dynamic.

I am staying away from JXF spoilers :)

[paatriiing]

ut of touch king high on opium
lmfao

I am staying away from JXF spoilers :)
What ep are you in? I am both intrigued and scared. lol