Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Sungkyunkwan Scandal

TV Show spotlight

Sungkyunkwan Scandal

2010
TV Show
Ended
2 Seasons
Korean

In the Joseon dynasty, a female breadwinner takes a job as a substitute test-taker, but soon finds herself attending a men's university in disguise.

Insights

IMDb7.7/10
Director: Kim Won-seokGenres: Historical, Romance, Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

In Joseon Dynasty Korea, a bright young woman named Kim Yoon-hee disguises herself as her brother to attend Sungkyunkwan, the most prestigious school in the country. To survive academically and socially, she must navigate strict rules, academic rivalries, and the attention of her fellow students, including the stern but observant Lee Sun-joon and the carefree free spirit Gu Yong-ha. As her deception deepens, she finds herself entangled in a dangerous web of political intrigue and blossoming romance.

Critical Reception

Sungkyunkwan Scandal was a critical and commercial success, praised for its fresh take on historical dramas, its engaging plot, and the strong performances of its lead cast. The series was lauded for its blend of humor, romance, and social commentary, earning a dedicated fanbase both domestically and internationally.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its witty dialogue and charismatic performances, especially from the main quartet.

  • Applauded for its unique premise of a cross-dressing heroine in a historical setting.

  • Noted for successfully blending romantic comedy with political intrigue and social issues.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the captivating chemistry between the main actors and the show's ability to balance lighthearted moments with more serious dramatic elements. Many viewers enjoyed the exploration of friendship and loyalty within the strict confines of the historical academy.

Awards & Accolades

Won numerous awards at the KBS Drama Awards, including Top Excellence Actor (Park Yoo-chun), Best New Actor (Song Joong-ki, Yoo Ah-in), Best New Actress (Park Min-young), and Best Couple Award.

Fun Fact

The drama was inspired by the novel 'The Lives of Sungkyunkwan Confucian Students' by Jung Eun-gwol, who also penned the novel 'The Moon Embracing the Sun'.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
ParkMin

ParkMin

The drama felt like it was held together with duct tape. Unbelievably long and draggy for little to no story. Everything can be summed up with 6 episodes without compromising anything from the narrative. The drama was infested with pointles...