Ep 14. Episode 14

Set in the year 1762, Sungkyunkwan Scandal is a South Korean historical drama television series chronicling the story of a girl who disguises herself as a boy to attend Sungkyunkwan, Korea's premiere educational institution for men. The show follows the trials and tribulations of the protagonist, Kim Yoon-hee, as she navigates through the male-dominated society of the Joseon Dynasty.

Episode 14 of Sungkyunkwan Scandal delves deeper into the political turmoil plaguing the nation as the scholars of Sungkyunkwan find themselves embroiled in the conflict between the Norons and Sorons. The Norons, consisting of the ruling class, believe in maintaining the status quo and upholding the monarchy. In contrast, the Sorons are the scholars and intellectuals who seek to reform and modernize the country.

The episode begins with Yoon-hee facing a tough challenge as she tries to figure out how to retrieve the heart-shaped jade hairpin she had bought for her sick brother from the black market. Yoon-hee's friend, Gu Yong-ha, comes to her rescue by infiltrating the black market amongst slave dealers. He manages to retrieve the hairpin, but not without attracting the attention of the slave dealer, who recognizes Yong-ha from his privileged background. The slave dealer demands a hefty amount, and in return, Yong-ha asks for a dubious favor in the future.

Meanwhile, Lee Sun-joon, who is the head of the Jaesin faction in the Noron party, faces a dilemma when his father reveals his intention to become a regent. Lee Sun-joon's father believes that the current king is incompetent and that he needs to step in to ensure that the country functions smoothly. Lee Sun-joon, on the other hand, is against the idea of his father becoming a regent and sets out to stop him. He confronts his father about his recent actions, but his father dismisses his concerns, stating that he is doing what is best for the country.

As Lee Sun-joon tries to navigate his way through the complicated politics of the Noron party, Yoon-hee finds herself in a dangerous situation. She had come to the conclusion that the slave dealer who had demanded a favor from Yong-ha had something to do with her older brother's disappearance and begins investigating him. She finds out that the slave dealer had sold her brother to a sorcerer, who used him as a sacrifice in a ritual to obtain a powerful artifact that would secure his place in the Noron party. Yoon-hee immediately informs Lee Sun-joon about her findings.

Lee Sun-joon sees this as an opportunity to show his father that the Sorons are not as corrupt as he had thought and orders the Soron scholars to cooperate with him in exposing the sorcerer. They set out to find evidence of the sorcerer's wrongdoing and succeed in catching him red-handed. They also manage to retrieve the artifact and return it to its rightful place, defying the cruel sorcerer and the Noron's plans.

Moreover, the episode also sheds light on Yoon-hee's complicated love triangle with Lee Sun-joon and Moon Jae-shin. Yoon-hee confesses her feelings to Lee Sun-joon, but he does not respond, leaving her feeling uncertain and confused. Meanwhile, Moon Jae-shin secretly observes the two and suppresses his own feelings for Yoon-hee.

In conclusion, episode 14 of Sungkyunkwan Scandal is a gripping tale of political intrigue and personal struggles. It brings to the fore the complex relationships between the characters and their conflicting loyalties. The show masterfully weaves together issues of power, loyalty, and love, making it a must-watch for anyone who enjoys a good historical drama.