When news came out all over the web about this, I was thinking, “Another remake of the famous manga Hana Yori Dango?”.
I was (very) apprehensive about it at first. Since I am a staunch supporter of J-Dorama, I wasn’t so keen about the Korean adaptation. Honestly, I thought that it will find great difficulty to re-live the overwhelming fan-base support that the J-Version managed to garner.
And then (as usual) Jaycee05 somewhat convinced me to test the water – just so that I can take revenge on her for the review she made on HanaDan the Movie, especially about MatsuJun spoiling her image of Doumyouji. After much thought, I finally did watch Boys Over Flowers. And what was my first impression? Maa, I’m surprised myself…
When I started watching the 1st episode of BOF, I’m not gonna deny that it was difficult for me not to compare it to HanaDan. I seriously thought I was gonna bash it, but I ended-up looking forward for episode 2…and the next, and then some more. And you know what? My anticipation for BOF grows even more with every episode. And if you don’t get it already, that’s me admitting that I’m hooked with BOF. Whatever pessimistic assumptions I had earlier about the Korean BOF is now erased. Time to eat all my words and swallow my pride: -I’M LOVING THE K-VERSION!…there, I’ve said it.
But HALT! This doesn’t mean that I’m favoring BOF (K-Version) over HanaDan (J-Version) ~ I love both drama for its’ uniquely different way in bringing the adaptation of the manga into live action. In fact, by watching both, it makes me even more thankful to the manga author and artist : Kamio Youko-san, for the creativity and genius into crafting such lovable and unforgettable characters that won the hearts of many readers of manga.
Jaycee05 probably have known from the beginning (or placing her bet on it) that after watching BOF, I will find myself liking Lee Min Ho as Gu Jun-Pyo, equally if not better than MatsuJun as Doumyouji. I’m keeping my peace here with MatsuJun fans, so I’m gonna say that I like them both just the same but for different reasons. Although, Lee Min Ho does bring more gusto into the character ( hehe…there you go, I’ve said it after all 
).
I do hope all the strong supporters of Nippon HanaDan will give Korean BOF a chance. I did, and I’m not regretting it.
But may I add, that my heart remains true to my favorite Hanazawa Rui ~ and that my friend, will forever be Oguri Shun!
Useful links:
1) Official site to Boys Over Flowers @ KBS
2) First Impression Boys Over Flowers
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Joy,
I never knew u were a BIG fan of BOF..hahahahaha..I actuaaly LOVE d K-version..In the 1st part it was quite exciting to watch,then in the middle it becomes a bit dull and the last part Confusing..Ppl seems to suddenly appear and vanished..
But if there were 2 be season 2 of BOF,I’ll b for sure to watch it..hahaha
Hi Feng! Ah, you found my blog! Thanks for dropping by. Ehehe, I’m a bigger fan of the J-version. I’m a Japanese drama junkie really and I’m not embarrassed to admit that. *tehee*
You’ve seen the Japanese version of BOF/ BFF? Hana Yori Dango? Yes? No? If it is NO, please take some time to watch it ya?
hahaha…I found ur blog..and there’s lotsa Japanese drama in here..I’m more to korean drama but it’s ur blog is very interesting lah..syiok mau baca ur drama preview..hahhaha..It reminds me d time BOF was aired in M’sia sampai sanggup stay up late just to d/load d latest series..so I understand ur passion on Japanese drama.
Neways,haven’t seen d J-version but have seen meteor garden.and i still prefer d K-version…hahahaha..love to watch it..I van watch it over & over again..
Hey Feng,
Did you know that Jii Hoo sanbae, I mean Kim Hyun-joong and his band SS501 was in KK yesterday? (2nd Sep ‘09). Heard that they were here since 31st to do some photo-shoot in Gayana.
Guess wat? I ’saw’ them during their last nite here. Thanks to my dear friend Rina who asked me to join her that nite. Too bad I only had a glimpse of Kim Hyun-joong, but I had a closer look at Hyung-joong – like he passed in front of me as he was heading to the toilet. Handsome eh!! Kekeke. But alas, I’m still very much into my Japanese obsession ;p
i think Boys over Flowers would be great! Korean Dramas are very interesting…i like Hana Yori Dango in Anime but i don’t like the real life characters of it!
Bottom line:
Meteor Garden was the first Greatest Hit Adaptation!!!
the real F4 was very cool!
Then I should watch the Korean version of Boys Over Flowers to see how good this Lee Min Ho compared to my Matsumoto Jun huh! kekekeke… btw, I watched the finale last week babe… still, Im in love with Jun… lol! So, what’s ur dream? hehehe ;p
Man-D dear,
So, you’ve finally managed to watch HYD Movie huh? Good for you! Watashi no yume? Run to Hanazawa Rui and make him fall for me instead *giggles*! (Oh I wish).
Boys Before Flowers (BBF) Korean Version is a good watch, although you’ll already know what to expect in the end. BBF have its’ differences with their storyboard, which is not bad at all. One thing’s for sure is that the character build-up is more prominent in BBF, and have more affectionate scenes between Jandi (Makino) and Gu Jun Pyo (Doumyoji)…and also more of Ji Hoo (Rui) doing all his best for Jandi. Like Rui, Ji Hoo won my affection instead. (Having said that, let me just tell you this that I will always be a RUI fan~ zutto zutto!). You should give BBF a chance. It made me love HYD more! Hehe.
As for comment with regards to Lee Min Ho bringing more gusto to the character, well, MatsuJun was superb as Doumyoji. I don’t think anyone can carry the role any better than him. But Lee Min Ho was very good as Gu Jun Pyo as well. I like them both for different reasons really. But compared to Doumyoji to Gu Jun Pyo, I still very much prefer Doumyoji ~ I think he stays truer to the character from the manga. I can say that now after watching BBF till the end. I’m a MatsuJun fan after all, not much of Lee Min Ho. *sorry Rin-Chan*
BTW Man-D, your darling MatsuJun is doing a new dorama airing this April, entitled SMILE. His female counterpart is Aragaki Yui from Code Blue and Koizora (Movie). Pretty gurl I tell you. Looking forward for this one!
P/S: I must add though, Lee Min Ho sure is one hell of a good looking block!!
agreed with what u’ve said.
honestly, minho portrayed gjp/doumyouji very well. he has more depth in it compared to matsujun (aiks, i really hate comparing both of them becos of them is just so good in it!)
as for rui’s character.. i love oguri shun more just because he’s more relax and more rui : ))
as for makino’s character – thumbs up to mao-chan! she is the best among all : )) the makino-ness in her was a bomb!
<3 <
hahah!! keep it up! blog more
i want to watch that..hehe..btw, i love both hanazawa rui and domyouji..they’re both cool
Yeah. We’ll see about the ending.
Hi Redge,
Not sure if I’m going to write about BOF (or BBF – the way I call it).
I’m loving the K-version as much as I loved the J-version. And yes, I’m behind you 100% that Lee Min-ho embraces his role as Domyouji very well than MatsuJun. I love Gu Jun-pyo!
Totally drooling over him now. Hehe..