A specific thought on ep 14 of Sungkyunkwan Scandal

[dangermousie]

Ep 14 was the first time in the entire drama I felt annoyed with Yoon Hee. I was really unhappy with her, actually.



It's the scene when she asks Sun Joon to help her at the hearing while refusing to explain anything. He asks her for an explanation and she refuses, only saying 'trust me!' WTF? Isn't it a bit much to expect someone to disregard the evidence of his own eyes when you won't give any explanation.

I am VERY unhappy with that - he's helped her out of about a million situations already (she wouldn't even be getting an education without him) and asking for help yet again without giving an inch in return or at least trying to explain is really appalling. IMO.

Especially what does she expect him to do? He saw what he saw and even if he qualifies it by the fact that it's his subjective opinion, none of this helps her unless he lies and says he didn't see what he saw. So she is basically asking him to violate his ethics (which are so crucial to him) and lie for no reason given to him.

Some people were mad at YH back in ep 10 when she basically wanted Sun Joon to become unfilial and expose his father's possible corruption but that did not bother me - she was trying to right a society-wide injustice and also give him a choice.

But his reaction to that challenge should surely have showed her that she can trust him with an explanation later and not keep him in the dark. Yes, I understand Jae Shin's secret is not hers to reveal, but (a) to expect SJ to violate the very basics of his character without explanation is really presumptuous and annoying and (b) she, JS and Yong Ha should know Sun Joon can be trusted - at the very least she can ask Yong Ha and Jae Shin about revealing the truth to Sun Joon. Or at least to give more of an explanation than 'trust me despite your own evidence.'

And the thing that drives me insane the most is that Sun Joon does. Despite it all, he throws himself under the bus (or, since it's a period drama, I suppose I should say 'ox cart' instead), and in such a public, horribly damaging way (drama does a good job of explaining if an upperclass man is fond guilty of homosexuality, his life is basically over). When he told the entire student counsel he was gay instead, I literally screamed at the screen.

Forget a spine of steel. I think it's made of titanium (the one consistent, most driving trait for Sun Joon from beginning though has been his fearlessness once he determined what to do - this is the same man who calmly confronted the King and the entire court and told them he violated their rules). But my problem is that I want to be sure that Yoon Hee is worthy of that sort of thing and her latest action makes me unsure. I don't want SKKS to end up like Coffee Prince, where by the end I just didn't think the heroine was worth the hero at all. (I want to clarify I am nowhere near CP territory, but I want YH to straighten her act out soon and/or to explain the truth to Sun Joon).

Comments

[gurlygirl10.livejournal.com]

I think that it was a pretty crazy request for YH to give to SJ, but I think with him sacrificing himself like that, it is supposed to show that he loves YH so much that he would trust her blindly and "throw himself under a cart"- lol For someone who is so upright and do-gooding like SJ, him lying for YH is like the ultimate price to show his complete sacrifice for her, he never would have done it for someone else... I really think that him saying he is a homosexual will be diverted into some lie about why JS and YH were seen together, I don't think he is meaning he is a homosexual literally, it is probably just used to make the audience excited for next episode- he is still getting married to HE and I'm sure everyone knows about it

I mean when SJ finds out that YH is a girl, he isn't going to turn her in because of his upright ways- even though it is the lawful thing to do- he will try to protect her anyway he can. SJ is changing because of YH- he is learning that to protect someone sometimes you can't follow the rules/ his logical brain is at war with his emotions (look at episode 13 where he almost punches JS in the face- so uncharacteristic of SJ) Doing the right thing is not always to strictly follow the rules of others but knowing what is important to you and saving someone you love no matter what the cost to yourself- SJ is the best unselfish hero ever...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think he will divert it too - use those brilliant brains, SJ, please.

I think it's a difference - turning YH in because of her gender or lying for her at the tribunal. Because it's not as if YH and JS are truly a gay couple and YH asks him to cover it because it's morally wrong to discriminate against gays (which is what the situation with her gender is - she really is a girl and if discovered, she should point out it's not right to discriminate against women). No, she is not giving any information but asking SJ to defend her or no reason.

But yes, I agree, SJ is amazing.

[cleobulle.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure that SJ will qualify his statement of being gay by saying that if hanging around a guy at night is suspicious, then all the students are gay or something. It's what he did in the first episodes, back when he claimed he was the one defiling the examination hall and then qualifying his statement.

I'm not saying he's not putting himself on the line for YH's sake but I don't think he has just thrown everything away for her.

About YH, I can see where you're coming from. I agree that she shouldn't have asked it of him. I think she's been pretty spoiled by SJ and that she's started to take some things for granted. PLus she's been under a lot of stress lately and her judgment might not be clear enough. I'm not angry at her yet. She's been awesome so far and I'll give her another chance.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Oh, I am sure he will turn the statement around somehow unless they intend to have the last 6 eps of the drama with him being sent off to a remote farm never to be seen again (and the guy is brave but not stupid) but I do hope JS and/or YH have some sort of explanation, however bogus. Because while In Soo may be Bug-Eyed Devil N1 and doing it out of evil motives, this investigation has a point in a society which seems to treat gayness as dangerous akin to leprosy - a man studying with another man in his dorm room is not suspicious, but hiding and cuddling with another guy in an out-of-bounds place is. Seriously, guys, it's not that hard to come up with an excuse - "we were pouring over Yong Ha lent porn together and were too embarassed to admit" would do the trick. I am sure Yong Ha would back them up.

But the thing is, leaving aside the issue of whether SJ self-destructed for her or not, I really don't think Yoon Hee had a right to ask her estranged roommate to get her out of her situation (which at the least would involve lying - what did she expect him to do but say "nope, never saw them" really) without even trying to explain (how about "it's JS' ecret and I cannot tell but I will try to find out if I can tell you later"). Shouldn't she be putting her head together with Yong Ha and Jae Shin, those in the know, the figure a way out. Either that or ask SJ for help after she told him the truth. I just find her approach unfair.

I suppose she isn't thinking straight though under all the stress, and it does indicate whom she values most, that the first person she wants to ask for help is SJ despite it all; it's actually huge, seeing how she was in the beginning of the drama - untrusting and not wanting to take anyone's help thinking it's either full of ulterior motives or would be withdrawn. So it's huge she is seeking SJ's help, that she trusts him enough. But still, I understand but believe she owes him an explanation.

[cleobulle.livejournal.com]

Yeah, she's being both too dependent on SJ and unfair. But I'm not sure if it's intended as character's development or if it's the only way the writers could think of to get SJ to the rescue as always.

I don't the think the Yh we've come to know would impose on SJ in that way, especially with the tense atmosphere between her and SJ right now. That's wy I think it might be awkward writing rather than the character itself taking a turn for the worst.

Can't wait to see the episode with subs so that I can get a better understanding of what's going on.

About the explanation, I think I read a spoiler on Soompi about students checking out the ghost of the virgin girl who supposedly haunts the building. JS and YH will jump on that and say that JS fainted when he actually saw the ghost but that they didn't want to admit it because it was too shameful for a guy to be so faint-hearted. LOL if it's true! And it could actually be, because the ghost has already been mentioned in a previous episode.

The two checking out porn would be pretty hilarious as well!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

That's wy I think it might be awkward writing rather than the character itself taking a turn for the worst.



I've never been the one to separate bad writing from the character - i.e. Yoon Hee is not a real person whos biography they are making. She is entirely created by the writers thus anything she does is automatically in character. Even if they make her swing from chandeliers and scream anarchist slogans, it would still be 'in character' to me by its very definition.

This said, I don't think it's out of character to ask for help here. This is a huge huge deal - either she gets kicked out of school and her life as KYS is over, or she reveals Jae Shin's secret. Neither is palatable (side question - how did everyone know that SJ saw the two cuddling in the shrine. SJ didn't tell, and while the trio saw SJ looking grim and extrapolated, I don't think they saw the hugging themselves, did they?) And she's never had to ask for help before because SJ always helped her out before she even thought of it (with the scholarship, with archery, with clearing her name, with everything). But I really think she may not even be asking for help (because surely then she'd try harder) but just do it because he is the one person whom she does not want to believe she and MJS are an item in whatever capacity and because she is trying to bridge the inexplicable (to her) gap between them by sort of trying to create interactions.

If you think about it, if not for estrangement, she wouldn't even feel the need to ask for help, she'd just assume he'd help.

[dapenguinisblue.livejournal.com]

"she is trying to bridge the inexplicable (to her) gap between them by sort of trying to create interactions.

If you think about it, if not for estrangement, she wouldn't even feel the need to ask for help, she'd just assume he'd help."

Yep. Seems realistic to me. People act this way when they feel someone becoming distant from them. Ugh, that proposal from SJ to HY is all the more heartbreaking for Yoon Hee to witness.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes, but if you think about it, I don't blame SJ for the proposal at all. For one, he thinks he is doing a morally right thing to supress his 'evil' feelings for Yoon Hee but for another, he is trying to protect YH from his feelings - he clearly thinks she is not gay and has no interest in him that way, and it's a weird attempt to protect her from his 'evilness' (in the preview for ep 15, he even tells her something like he can't control what he feels for her so she should run away from him - he is trying to protect her from being 'tainted' by homosexuality. Awww, SJ, you break my heart).

[dapenguinisblue.livejournal.com]

<3 I agree completely. There is definitely protective motivation there. I think the moment he understood that he LOVED Yoon Shik was while he was proposing. And, he took concrete steps away from that love. I believe he is doing it to protect not only himself but everyone around him. His love and pursuit of Yoon Shik would devastate everyone around him. This is Sun Joon being Sun Joon. I have never found him to be a character who seeks to protect only himself. He's always mindful of the bigger picture at play and the stakes of any situation. Even when he says stuff like, "Thievery is still thievery" re Bok Soo, he sees the reasons why a Ban-In would resort to thievery and he's deeply affected. He's a person who confronts the facts head on and begins solving problems from the "true" place. When he made the decision to hand in that incriminating book, he knew exactly what was going to change about his ideals, relationships and politics, and he prepared himself to adjust accordingly. I think as far as SKK peers go, In Soo recognizes that Sun Joon is his closest rival because Sun Joon sees the same problem but processes everything from a perspective opposite of In Soo's. That's why In Soo is adamant about making Sun Joon his person.

And Sun Joon's evolution has been masterful. I think it was easy to write him off at the very beginning of the story as principled to the point of being stuck in the mud, but that's a very cursory understanding of him isn't it? Even from the beginning, he was bucking dumb laws and customs in order to uphold the principles from which the laws are derived. Spirit of the law and all that. He's subversive when it matters. Being at University for anyone is lifechanging, and Sun Joon has been growing each day at SKK. That crap he pulled at the first lecture with Prof. Jung, being a joykill, I don't think he'd choose the same exact words should the same thing happen again. (I say crap bc he was annoyed with a magic show. Dude. I understand not bribing, but magic show!) He's learning social grace, he's made drinking buddies with classmates, made friends, and hell - is even drinking. Most importantly, as a doryeonim with everything, he is learning sacrifice for others.

He lost control of his emotions at times, but that was before he made a decision/conclusion about his feelings to Yoon Shik and Hyo Eun. From that decision, logically he'll do his best to forget YS and marry HE (and leave SKK). I'm looking forward to when he does what he does best, which is to act according to the spirit of principles. To Sun Joon, being honest and rigorous with himself are key to upholding his morals, and he'll realize his love for Yoon Shik is GOOD. Again, he's proven in the past that he can eschew "majority rule/mentality" and once he gets to love for Yoon Shik is GOOD, he'll rest in his decision. The students at SKK are being taught to test convention and ask questions, seek new answers. This is university life. He's growing up into an adult. I also think it's really interesting to see him wrestle with this idea of "protection for others". Part of growing up is learning that you can't control or protect other people to the extent that we want. When Sun Joon declares that he's gay, he's in effect choosing to relinquish that sort of control (it's all in his head really), about how others will be affected.

I really find Sun Joon amazing and sexy precisely because he has confidence, and it stems from knowing himself so well. He's a master at introspection and that results in a steady personality and intelligent articulation, all qualities I think many people find attractive.

Wow. I am all over the place in my thoughts here. Sorry about that. I am so tired today. Stayed up later than usual watching kdramas and TVXQ clips. I wish this was more logically tight but my mind is not there today. =)

[(Anonymous)]

what make me not connected with SJ character is he sounds superficial. I can't put my fingers on but when I look into his eyes it as if it doesn't go deep into in soul. Maybe he has to stop glaring- same to In Soo.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

This is my favorite comment of the week.

I think the moment he understood that he LOVED Yoon Shik was while he was proposing

I think he understood a bit later but that is when he really confirmed to himself/came to terms that merely being standoffish would not be enough. That is why he is binding himself in promises (because he doesn't break promises - so the promise will be an extra chain) - it's about trying to 'right' himself, too, but it's also hugely about protecting Yoon Hee. After all, he sees little evidence YH is in love with him/is gay and with his upbringing and in his world, his 'unnatural inclinations' are seen as morally evil and just all-around-intolerable and he is trying to shield YH and not to drag her down. I think that is a huge part of the reason seeing YH with Jae Shin in the shrine hits him so much. It's jealousy, yes, but it also opens up the possibility that YH likes men too so maybe Sun Joon himself isn't as insane/monstrous/alone as he thinks he is. (But of course YH shoots it down in the libarary).

In Soo recognizes that Sun Joon is his closest rival because Sun Joon sees the same problem but processes everything from a perspective opposite of In Soo's. That's why In Soo is adamant about making Sun Joon his person.

I think the story of In Soo/Sun Joon's conflict is a very interesting one - both are very smart and sons of very powerful men, but they view the world entirely differently, probably because while Left Chancellor may be hardball politician he pretends to be upright and instilled virtues in SJ and War Minister is openly about the biggest slime you can find. I wonder how they would have fared brought up in each other's environment.

I think it was easy to write him off at the very beginning of the story as principled to the point of being stuck in the mud, but that's a very cursory understanding of him isn't it? Even from the beginning, he was bucking dumb laws and customs in order to uphold the principles from which the laws are derived. Spirit of the law and all that. He's subversive when it matters

Yes, exactly. You put it so eloquently. Even in ep 1 or whatever, he had no problem no turning in Yoon Hee for cheating when he learned it was for a sick brother, or not turned her in for forbidden book or whatever. He is very spirit over letter of the law. But what makes him so different is ultimately he cares about the law - unlike In Soo and his gang which bend the laws to suit their whims, or Jae Shin who despairs of law and thus is Robin Hooding, or Yong Ha who doesn't care, or Yoon Hee, who was pretty close to Jae Shin's position at the start but being arounf Sun Joon made her combine her strong sense of right with idealism and justice.

I really find Sun Joon amazing and sexy precisely because he has confidence, and it stems from knowing himself so well. He's a master at introspection and that results in a steady personality and intelligent articulation, all qualities I think many people find attractive.


Yes. I find confidence and competence extremely attractive and he has both in spades. It doesn't mean he doesn't doubt (he doubts himself all the time lately, what with sexual confusion) or that he is always right, but he has a baseline level of competence and moral courage and ability to really think things through. He is the kind of person where, even if you don't always agree with him, you can see how someone smart can think so.

[cleobulle.livejournal.com]

I've never been the one to separate bad writing from the character - i.e. Yoon Hee is not a real person whos biography they are making. She is entirely created by the writers thus anything she does is automatically in character. Even if they make her swing from chandeliers and scream anarchist slogans, it would still be 'in character' to me by its very definition.


I'm usually the same but I sometimes make an exception for Korean dramas because of the way they are written: ie. script for future episodes are being written as the show airs.

Sometimes I get the feeling that the writers created a character a certain way but then had to compromise on things or had to take shortcuts they wouldn't have taken otherwise. It might be because of an episode cut, an actor's lack of availabitlity etc....So, yes, it's still the writers's character, but just maybe not the same character they'd envisioned at the start of the drama.

To get back to YH, I don't think it's out of character to ask for help, but it's the way she did it that seemed strange. I would have thought she would have been a bit more hesitant or self-conscious about it considering the current state of her relationship with SJ.

But she must be really getting desperate. Her life has been at stake from the beginning and it must be taking its toll on her. Add to that all the various things that befell her since she entered SKK and it's a wonder she can act as normally as she does in front of others.

I agree that she wants SJ of all people to believe in her. And it's so sweet that the reverse is true as well: SJ usually only cares about YH's opinion (I'm not putting his filial piety to his father in the same category here). They're really perfectly matched.

About your side-note, I don't know either. Plot-hole? Or maybe more details will be brought to light in episode 15? Or maybe it's to show us how a mere rumor without any proof or eye-witness could ruin lives?

Darn, talking about SS makes me want to watch an episode! I saw episode 13 with subs just yesterday but I want more already. I'm so greedy. I'm loving the angst between SJ and YH right now: him trying to distance himself from her essentially to protect her from his inappropriate feelings and her not understanding his reasons and being all hurt by it. Plus the jealousy. *swoons* This is drama heaven!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I think she just blurted the help request out and she didn't push it or anything. It was a spur of the moment thing, right after he rescued her from bullying. On further thinking, it just struck me as a plea to believe her couched in terms of plea for help, more than a plea for help itself.

That's true, SJ only cares for what YH thinks (he even tells her so pretty explicitly in an earlier ep). With the rest, he doesn't care what they think, as long as his moral compass tells him he is right, but he values YH's opinion even above that - in some ways she has replaced that compass for him.

I'm loving the angst between SJ and YH right now: him trying to distance himself from her essentially to protect her from his inappropriate feelings and her not understanding his reasons and being all hurt by it.

Oh, it is all so good. And in the preview for ep 15 he explicitly tells her that he likes her so she should run away from him :((((((

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

No, it was earlier - when she wanted him to transfer dorms and was going "everyone thinks blah blah" and he was all desperate "but what do you think?"

The scene in ep 11 was such a confession and he was so lovely to her in ep 12 and then yes, in ep 13, it's freezer territory. It must look insane to YH, agree.

[gurlygirl10.livejournal.com]

which ep are you referring to where SJ tells YH that he only cares for her opinion, is it episode 11, where he says to stay by his side?

Relating how SJ actually says to YH that he wants her to stay by his side even after SKK in episode 11 and then by episode 13 he says he could care less about her- If I were in YH's shoes I would think he was very bi-polar, lol

Also, isn't it weird that SJ seems to get incredibly jealous where JS is concerned compared to when YH is with CS, why do you think that is? Why would SJ be so incredibly jealous of YH with JS, is it just do to them being close and he likes being her #1 friend and being close to her in that way, it isn't romantic jealousy? This question comes before SJ catches JS and YH together- then it is obviously some sort of romantic jealousy SJ is feeling- if he felt that kind of jealousy, do you think that SJ ever had the notion that YH could be gay?

Re: jealousy

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I think it's because it's made clear to everyone, Chosun included, from the very start, that Yoon Hee has no interest in her in any way. OTOH she is really chummy with Jae Shin.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

No, it was earlier - when she wanted him to transfer dorms and was going "everyone thinks blah blah" and he was all desperate "but what do you think?"

The scene in ep 11 was such a confession and he was so lovely to her in ep 12 and then yes, in ep 13, it's freezer territory. It must look insane to YH, agree.

[gurlygirl10.livejournal.com]

you're right I think it was like around episode 4, I just love how SJ's feelings grow so subtlety throughout the drama, its like he was in love with her before he even knew it and by the time he knew it, he was so far gone that he couldn't stop it, I really like to see the process of the hero falling in love in dramas, I always try to find how or why it happened but love is something that just creeps up on you, its a total mystery and it must be hard for SJ to figure out because he likes real answers and love is something that just doesn't have an explanation- love that SJ thinks he is in love with a man, it is even better that SJ's character is so set in the right or wrong way of thought- it causes great conflict and angst, I am so obsessed with this drama

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes. I think he was actually drawn to her from the first - even though she was cheating, he let her get away, and then he was so obsessed hunting her down all through the town. I really love watching him fall deeper and deeper and then the deliciousness of when he realizes and thinks he's in love with a boy and still can't stop (and the stakes are so much higher here than in Cofffee Prince - his whole life will be wrecked and it's against his basic moral/religious/societal precepts). And I love that he is estranging himself in huge part to protect Yoon Hee from himself. Oh, Sun Joon, how I love you.

[cleobulle.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think you're right. I'd forgotten that scene came right after the bullying actually. With everyone so against her she'd be desperate that her dearest friend believe her, even if he's been unexplicably stand-offing these past few days. Sort of like: I can endure what the others think of me if you, at least, believe me.

but he values YH's opinion even above that - in some ways she has replaced that compass for him.

I love it when a hero redefines his whole moral compass because of the heroine. That's some very powerful stuff. It can be pretty tragic and twisted though.

Oh, it is all so good. And in the preview for ep 15 he explicitly tells her that he likes her so she should run away from him :((((((

Argh! I've resorted to live streaming to watch SS when I can but I'll be at work for episode 15. And I won't be back until late in the evening. I can already feel SJ's pain. He wants to protect YH but ends up hurting her as well as himself. For him to actually confess to her, his feelings must have been too overwhelming to keep on hiding them.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Sort of like: I can endure what the others think of me if you, at least, believe me.



Yes, that is totally how it read to me. She is so emotionally at the end of her rope at that point and she really, even in the middle of expulsion, most concerned with what SJ thinks. This is huge.

It can be pretty tragic and twisted though.</>

Yeah. See Bali.

[cleobulle.livejournal.com]

Yeah. See Bali.

I'm still traumatized. A good traumatized (unlike Hong Gil Dong but then I'll never recover from that one) but traumatized nonetheless.

Luckily for us, SS doesn't have that tragic feel yet and I hope it will remain that way. I like that it deals with very serious themes but manages to be light and funny as well.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I ended up being Ok with HGD ending but yes, talk about traumatized.

[gurlygirl10.livejournal.com]

*how did everyone know that SJ saw the two cuddling in the shrine. SJ didn't tell, and while the trio saw SJ looking grim and extrapolated, I don't think they saw the hugging themselves, did they?*


I think that they just asked SJ where JS and YH were the night before, because they are room mates, and he either didn't know or couldn't tell- not sure without subs-- but the fact that SJ is their room mate is why he should be the witness for what is going on between JS and YH since he is in such close proximity with them.

Just like to add that I also didn't think the heroine in CP deserved the hero, she kept that she was a girl from him for pretty much no reason. Even though YH does impose on SJ but asking him to help her, she just seems desperate to be back to how it was between them where he used to help her all the time, plus she knows how smart SJ is, maybe when she was asking she wasn't really asking him to lie but asking him to find some sort of loop hole to get them out of it, I think he's pretty good at that...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

But the rumor is specifically that SJ saw them making out in the shrine. Hmmm. Probably random rumor that is made up but happened to be true.

I am so glad, I am not the only one who felt that way about CP heroine. Seriously, at least once you start dating, tell him. Ugh. I was also pissed off that he gave up his lifelong career dream for her, but she didn't feel like giving up two years abroad for him.

[gurlygirl10.livejournal.com]

I know, CP heroine was very selfish... loved the hero though and how kept wanting to marry her, so sweet...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes

[dapenguinisblue.livejournal.com]

Hello all!
I admit that I wasn't as annoyed as you were DangerMousie (too busy comprehending the enormity of MJS-GYH), but having read your complaints and those of Cleobulle and Gurlygirl10, I hear you. I think Yoon Hee is probably taking Sun Joon's faith for granted, like expressed above. I definitely was like, "ah there's a plot contrivance there" when viewing because hello, didn't the Joseon Four completely bring about a huge overhaul in the economy?! Duh, you guys should at this point make blood oaths to one another of undying loyalty! And it is a contrivance because Sun Joon SHOULD be confided in. OK, so it could be that the more people know about MJS=red messenger, yeah plausible deniability could be touted as a reason to keep the number to the absolute few, but Sun Joon has won their confidences in the past, with Yoon Hee in particular. All this is to say that I think the events that transpired during the day, with the hockey match, those bad vibes are at play there with JS and GYH not trusting SJ. It makes me sad because aside from the issue of Yoon Hee, Sun Joon and Jae Shin have come to respect one another and could be amazing friends. I have faith that we'll get there, but yeah, in analyzing only this week's episode - it was a annoying.

Ah, basically this doesn't add anything new to the discussion. I just really love reading and responding to your comments. I appreciate you all being so passionate! =)

[cleobulle.livejournal.com]

It seems that SS makes us all so very passionate. That's the sign of a good drama :o)

Seeing SJ being kept in the dark seemed like a cold shower after seeing our Joseon F4 thick as thieves and working together in previous episodes. So it did scream "plot contrivance" at me at first too.

But then with SJ being the son of the leader of the Noron faction and JS hailing form the Soron faction, I understand why they would hesitate to say anything.

SJ proved himself devoted to justice when he was ready to hand over that incriminating register to the king but here, with JS's life at stake, it would be kind of risky to take him into their confidence.

Plus, as you say, there's all the normal "student stuff" happening and keeping the blood of our young men running hot. Ah jealousy....

I have faith everything will work out as well. For now, I'm enjoying the SJ/JS rivalry about YH too much to mind the rest. I'm shallow that way! lol.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree that the match and estrangement played into it. As far as anyone but Yong Ha can tell, SJ is losing it for no reason, which makes him unpredictable, which makes him untrustworthy.

[sarashina-nikki.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. Just for a different perspective, from my point of view I understand why the other three don't feel like it's safe to tell SJ that JS is HBS (lol acronyms).

I mean, if you look at SJ's actions in the theft/bribe scandal, he's basically just demonstrated that he holds his very strict moral code as more important than his loyalty to even his own father, who he obviously idolizes. I can completely understand why the others would be afraid that SJ might think he has a moral obligation to turn JS in for his unlawful actions. So I understand why the extent of YH's explanation to SJ has to basically be, "I know it looks bad, and I wish I could explain but I can't. But please believe in me as I believe in you."

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I can see that, but I really wish they would at least tell him why he can't tell. After all, even with the thief, he wasn't going to turn him in against YH's wishes.

Ah well, it's going to give me lovely angst so I shouldn't complain. as long as there are smoochies after.

[issy-chan.livejournal.com]

I sooo agree with you on this. we also need to remember that because of fake HBS, the real HBS is charged with murder and theft. SJ in no ways will turn a blind eye on these crimes.
i think YS did a good job in not telling SJ. and there is also the fact that they wanted him out of the danger too. the least he know, the better for everyone. as they think.
but i did feel sorry for SJ for being left out of the group.

[(Anonymous)]

I think the reason why the trio kept SJ in the dark is to protect him. YHa said so in the ep. And why YHee asked SJ for help despite their terse relationship is because he has always been her only main source of help. She said in that ep all she has in her mind is him- SJ! In such desperate times, the more she relies & needed him.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes, that makes sense. And put that way, it's quite lovely.

[livvy-s.livejournal.com]

OK - I don't want to say this, because once I start the nitpicking, it becomes an ending series of gripes, but episode 14 just.....didn't suck me in the way other previous episodes have. Don't get me wrong, I was still openmouthed and unblinking the entire episode, but there were a few moments where I was a little (just a tiny itsy bitsy little)....irritated by the plot. I haven't read through all the comments, but I seem to remember someone pointing out that it would have been so easy for them to come up with a plausible lie: "we wanted to see the white ghost and get good grades" or "we were reading porn and smoking crack". For the rest of the school, its understandable that the scenario looks so suspicious, but I don't get why to the 3 involved, the choices are either "reveal Jae shin is HBS" or "admit we're gay". After all, half the school was hanging around that same area on that night, so either a lot more people are in the closet or else there are other reasons to go there at night. Basically, if for just a moment Yoon Hee and Jae shin had stopped all the angsting and put their heads together to concoct a story, I guess half the plot of this episode needn't have occurred. And master planner and all round mastermind Yong ha - I'm disappointed HE didn't realize this; the best he could come up with was getting everyone trashed?

And I totally agree with your point that Yoon hee just expecting blind trust from Sun joon is unfair - because denying the evidence of his own eyes to accept her words, would basically require Sun joon to be blind. Again, a plausible story would have fixed this and not require our morally upright Sun joon to break yet another one of his principles.

Anyway, I'm excited for episode 15 and I just hope the conflict isn't something we the audience can so easily see a way out of.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Re: excuses. Exactly. You came up with two random ones in five minutes and so can I (anything from 'we were reading porn' to "we were planning an elaborate prank and didn't want to be interrupted' to 'Daemul was giving JS tips on how to get into Chosun's pants and wanted to do it out of hearing of SJ who is a prude'). All they need is an excuse that is suitably sleazy that it would make sense they'd be embarassed to admit it but not bad enough to kick them out. And yet it does not occur to any of the three of them to put their heads together - they are left hoping either Sun Joon perjure himself or divine intervention occurs. WTF? I can buy JS isn't the most lateral thinker and Yoon Hee is under ridiculous amount of stress, but Yong Ha can't plan all of a sudden either?