This is a 2010 drama and I kind of have this rule that I don't really like dramas older than five years. But I enjoyed the pacing of this one, and there weren't many filler moments. I liked how the drama took a different turn towards the end. The beginning half was all about surviving at school and making friends and relationships and not getting caught for being a girl. The second half is more conspiracy and the bones and heart of the relationships. I liked it. It was great. The emotion was beautiful and real and I enjoyed the more melodramatic tone. 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.