Last warning, this would be a opinion based blog and there's story spoiler in between so do read in your own risk if you still didn't watch until episode 8. Happy reading^^

Well... There's a lot of discussion, news, debates and comments on Moorim School (which I'm currently, patiently, waiting and watching) so I just jumped on the bandwagon and decide to voice out my opinion, as a fan of the actors, as an audience and as a broadcasting student. Moreover, I have no one to fangirl to so... Let me voice out everything here XDD

So what about Moorim School?

To be honest with the on going news end of January plus the ratings, it has a very bad reputation. Due to the funding, the series have cut down to 16 episodes instead of 20. Compared to the 3 major stations in Korea, Moorim School had the worst ratings of the program that aired at the same time. 

Is Moorim School not good enough or it doesn't catch attention? 

Well honestly, I was very ecstatic when the whole cast was revealed because before, I only know Hongbin will involved in a drama and when I saw one of my favorite actors, Lee HyunWoo going to act along beside him as the male lead, I seriously fangirled. Plus, for those that are reading Metallic Love, you know why am I happy about it. Not because the story line is the same but the collaboration between two of my favorite person in the world. It just that I was a bit disappointed that HyunWoo have to act out a cool character aka Shiwoo so I can't see his eye smile much (ep 7 smile is not enough OTL).

I need to find a guy that look at me just like how they did in these two picture OTL

I had more expectation when I get to now comedian, Sam and more idol-turned-actor like Xander and Shannon (that time I only recognized these two) are also starring in this drama. Plus, they are revolving in one of my favorite genre, action, which involves a lot of martial arts (and I can see my sassy bean in action x3). Maybe it was because I don't watch much drama and I choose which one I wanna watch, so I don't know much about Seo Yeji who acted as Shim Soonduk and Jung Eugene who acted as Hwang Seonah.

The first episode went on great... At least for overall. As a broadcasting student, I have my own opinion I mean more of, "they should have done this" kind of opinion. For example, on episode one, the transition from Shiwoo to Chiang was a bit off(?), for me it was a bit uncomfortable for the jump because they should have let Shiwoo feel a bit relieve instead of just jump into another scene when his head still looking up while gulping his water. Another thing I hoped they didn't do instead was, Chiang chinese lines. Yes, I would agree that Hongbin tried hard for that scene because it wasn't in his mother tongue but it doesn't suit his character at all. Why would I said that? Chiang is a half Chinese, half Korean, and throughout the story you get to listen to how Chiang grew up with his dad and his mum stayed in korea, the part he was half korean is convincing because he would pronounce "mermaid" wrongly (instead of 인어공주, he pronounced it as 잉어공주) and the way he misused the saying or phrases make people believe that he is a half korean after all but as a person who stayed most of the time in China, his chinese doesn't sound convincing, the tone was a bit off and it doesn't convince me he have lived in China for a long time. 

I asked other viewers on the details so I guess because I'm a scriptwriter for most of the drama and I would help around during production most of the time, I'm a bit obsessed (though I like to be called detailed or meticulous person XD) with details because other viewers didn't notice much on those details. The second episode doesn't have much flaw except, Chiang and Shiwoo should have fought while sleeping because they would sleep in different set of sheet and wake up with another set of sheet. It doesn't make sense if they have made the time jump because once they woke up for episode two, they just attending their first class so the change of bed sheet somehow... very weird to me and this continued until the recent episode where they keep changing sheets between both of them and I don't see such thing in Soonduk and Seonah's room. 

The dialog, for the first two episode, some of the dialog was awkwardly executed. There's a point where the character was suppose in an argument or something but they waited for each other to stop their lines and continue instead of cutting off what the other person trying to say. In some scene, the characters should have said at the same time but instead they said it one by one, so I personally think it's kind of off? Maybe they don't want the viewers to get confused or irritated. 

There's a news article that the netizen said the production were badly executed and they are questioning Hyunwoo for choosing such "bad" drama. The drama wasn't bad and though it is a mystery kind of thingy and some even compared it to Harry Potter (whut.. -.-) Yes it's a secret school but the whole martial art school thingy was kindda new in K-drama, you don't always see girls save guys like how Soonduk save Chiang, things like that in a K-drama. As what I compared to most of the Kdrama. I would agree that this story plot really capture my attention. On their character, beside girls can live and survive for their own while saving guys, each character pretty much play a pretty typical role not that I was hoping for anything else because I like the way the characters play in this drama. So it wasn't Hyunwoo misjudgment or anything. I believe it so. 

Yoon Shiwoo, the idol, the hot-tempered idol but still have the soft side of him and wasn't aware about his feelings until a few episodes afterward. The typical idol male lead like Hwang Taekyung (Jang Geunsuk character in You're beautiful), he do stuff he think its right and usually fall for the girl few episode after and they never start off the good term. Wang Chiang, the rich chaebol that are not serious most of the time, trouble maker, and acting like a spoilt brat and no matter what he did, no one will take him seriously (except the characters that like him) and usually fall for the female lead first before the first male lead. His favorite lines in front of the drama "I'll ask my dad..." xD At one point, I really want to ask Wang Chiang if he can sponsor me a proper studio xD 
Shim Soonduk, a poor girl and will take all sorts of part time job to keep the family well fed, though she don't have much family member but yeap... Something like Geum Jandi (from Boy over flower, played by Goo Hyesun). She will also have that dignity kind of thingy like what he told Shiwoo, her life is also important. Hwang Seonah... The principal tough daughter. If I like Soonduk being so funny, I would to admit that I admire her. She can be listed like my girl crush. A tough cookie and she is pretty too! She is also a fangirl that I was kindda happy to see that there's a girl like that in Moorim School XD 

The star wars reference XDDD

So far I really like the overall storyline, though by now (episode 8) most of the things are getting clearer but there some stuff that yet to be solved. Like we figured out Seonah and Shiwoo are actually siblings, we know that Chae Yoon (the coma guy) is their father, though I still can't figure out what Chiang father trying to do except trying to get the power by allocating the three keys together (at one point I think he is using Chiang to get easy access just as a back up T^T). Though I had some assumption about what going to happen but yeap let's keep it to myself for now and what Principal Hwang is trying to hide from everyone. Plus! Whole thing must have relation with Soonduk dad because he have no reason to tremble while talking about Moorim School. 

Me:  

I also like how Chiang and Shiwoo friendship started while they are like slowly showing that they care of each other, the bromance. Come on don't tell me I am the only one who melts when they say sweet stuff like "Why did you stay?" "because of you" or "Don't smile. I scared that I'll like you" x3 hahah and I like how annoyed they are at first when they keep bumping to each other (half xP sorry but me like to see Chiang's abs. Tell me I'm not the only one XDD). I also like the interaction between the members of the students and the teachers TBH hahah I also like how Seonah and Chiang get together sometimes and I also like the way when Chiang is making aegyo and being whiny because let's admit this fellow starlight, our Hongbinnie is the most sassy and the guy that won't make aegyo that easily in real life, this is our only chance to see him behaving such cute way (2nd male lead syndrome). I think I also developed a I-am-not-sure-I-like-him-for-his-acting-character-or-the-actor-himself syndrome, because I'm not sure I like Chiang because of Hongbin or because of his character. Just like how I confused I like Ansel Elgort because himself or because he acted as Augustus Waters in The Fault in Our Stars XD

Hongbin also have grown a lot as an actor. Compared to One fine day where he is an awkward bean, he acted more naturally this time and I like he did some of his own stunts and I'm glad Hyunwoo didn't let me down with the cool character because I was a bit worried XD Most of the time I'm just being thankful that I wouldn't need to struggle and wish for Hongbin appearance for each episode like I did for One Fine Day. 

One thing I am hoping that the ending wouldn't happen like how I expect it would be. I mean I hope it won't end as Soonduk and Shiwoo talk out about their feelings so does Seonah and Chiang and they all settle as 2 couples that fight along with each other. Instead of that I hoped it would end as Chiang would go separate way (or maybe be the next Moorim School principal) and Seonah be a wanderer (or stayed at Moorim trying to be the principal). I havent decide much on Soonduk and Shiwoo though XP
To make things easier for you to understand is, I like the flow, the characters, the story (plot) and I just don't like the fact there's no continuity in some of the scene (don't they have any conti-boy or conti-girl to make sure of that because I would like to volunteer x'D) and some of the lines execution. I like how the mystery in the drama starting to make sense. That is my overall view in the drama. 

So what's up with the low ratings? I read this opinion stuff on tumblr or comments on facebook I couldn't remember but I agree with what he/she said... It wasn't the typical school love story, it's about mystery, adventure, more on friendship and come along with a little romance. Moorim School wasn't the typical kind of story line so they prefer to watch something they are familiar with, something with relationship tension and something with family problems, or even historical. Since the Koreans are not so familiar with such story that why it is not really well enjoyed by others. I am not korean so I can't 100% guarantee to you that this is the reason so this are just assumptions. So far as what I read (the comments and ratings) the international fans or audience seems to have huge interest in this story. A lot of people left good remarks and keep on wondering why they still stuck with bad ratings. Well I can't say I am telling you the reason but I am just stating my opinion. You can have your own and if you do, leave some comments ^^ 

One more thing before I end this blog post. Some said Chiang should have to gone over his feelings and be with Seonah because Soonduk didn't even like him since the start and some defended saying Shiwoo should have know Chiang feelings more since Chiang has been very open about his feelings towards Sooduk. Both are right, Chiang should have get the clue that Soonduk never like him but Chiang deserve to leash out on Shiwoo because as someone that you trust, when you know he like the person you like, it hurts. Betrayal hurts. Shiwoo in the point where he don't want to hurt him because of this but it hurts more if he decide to keep quiet, well that the point he went to find Chiang and got punch isn't it? He was trying to explain but Wang Chiang was too angry to think rationally. 

My feelings exactly ;~; 

And lastly (I really promise this is the last) for once, I cried (when Chiang said he thought Shiwoo was friend so how could he treat him like that), I laugh (when Chiang being adorable and Shiwoo is trying so hard not to notice whatever his roommate is doing but still so obvious), I squealed (when Shiwoo look into Soonduk eyes, when Chiang being adorable, fluffy human alive) and seriously want to breakdown (when Seonah holding Chiang wounded hand as if saying I can embrace everything including your pain T^T) plus frustrated (When Chiang is not so caring enough like Shiwoo did to Seonduk (knowing her hands hurt andt stuff)) and have all sorts of emotions while watching a drama. Usually just frustration and squealing xD Oh! Sassy go go succeed in making me cry every episode x'D

Can you feel me people OTL This! All these OTL

For the first time, I have no idea which couple I am supporting (though I never want any of them together for the sake of variation of ending XD). I like Shiwoo-chiang bromance but I like Chiang-Soonduk too but then Soonduk-shiwoo look so good and I totally like Chiang-seonah too. OTL Let's see how the story work

Now I will patiently wait in torture until 15th of february and whoever who like Moorim School and willingly to fangirl about anyone in Moorim school do find me in twitter @_guardianstar (Seriously, please do). 

That all for now.

All of the above statements are my own words and doesn't intend to hurt anyone. If someone haven't watch till ep 8 and still read my post and think this is full of spoilers, don't say I didn't warned ya XD 

For those that celebrating Lunar New year, Happy Lunar New Year in advance and I hope this year will bring everyone abundance of health and happiness ^^ 

picture credits to Tumblr, and since I just find the picture under the tag under #moorim school so I wasn't able to credit one by one OTL I am so sorry. Do tell me if your screenshot and stuff is here and if you want me to take it off. Have a nice day! ^^