Title: Boys Over Flowers (꽃보다 남자)
Also Known As: Boys Before Flowers
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 25
Broadcast Period: 2009-Jan-05 to 2009-Mar-31
Synopsis:
ShinHwa High School is a prestigious school filled with students from rich family. It is ruled by a group called F4, which is made up of 4 handsome males - Gu Jun Pyo, Yoon Ji Hoo, So Yi Jung and Song Woo Bin – who are from the richest and most famous families in Korea. F4 are both admired and feared by their fellow peers. Anyone who upsets the group will receive the infamous “F4 RED CARD” in their locker, which will cause the entire school to turn on the recipient.
The F4’s world soon turned upside down with the arrival of Geum Jang Di. Jan Di is an ordinary girl from a poor family, and is attending ShinHwa High School on a swimming scholarship. After getting on Jun Pyo’s wrong side, she became the first female to receive a F4 red card.
As Jun Pyo attempts to make Jan Di’s life a living hell, he soon develops feeling for her. However Jan Di develops feeling for Ji Hoo, whom has helped her several time from Jun Pyo’s bullying.
A complicated love triangle. A wicked mother who wants a daughter-in-law with a background that will benefit her business. And two stubborn and hot-tempered characters. What will happen?
Geum Jan Di
Played By: Ku Hye Sun
Geum Jan Di is the eldest daughter of the Geum family. She is a stubborn, hot-tempered and isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Her family which consist of her father, mother and little brother, owns a dry cleaning shop. After saving a student from committing suicide, Jan Di was offered a swimming scholarship to attend ShinHwa High School. She is in her second year, and inspires to become a famous swimmer. Unfortunately her school life became unpleasant after getting on the wrong side of Gu Jun Pyo, and became the first female student to receive a F4 red card.
Played By: Lee Minho
Gu Jun Pyo is the leader of F4, and is the most popular and feared person at ShinHwa High School. His family which consists of a mother and an older sister, is the owner of ShinHwa Conglomerate. Being the heir to ShinHwa Conglomerate, Jun Pyo has a lot of power and influences at school. Jun Pyo is a spoilt, stubborn and hot-headed, and is always getting his idioms wrong. The only person who seems to have power over him is his sister. Jan Di was the first person in Jun Pyo’s life that hated him, this caused him to issue a red card. Curious of how someone could hate him lead to the bullying of Jan Di, but soon the curiosity and anger turned into love. Yoon Ji Hoo
Played By: Kim Hyun Joong
Played By: Kim Bum
So Yi Jung is a member of F4. He is the Casanova of the group and is a skilled potter. He uses his good looks, musical skills and knowledge of pottery to flirt with girls. His family is the owner of the biggest museum in Korean. Yi Jung’s playboy image slowly deteriorates after he helps Jan Di’s best friend Ga Eul, get revenge on her boyfriend, and resulted in him falling for her.
Song Woo Bin
Played By: Kim Joon
Woo Bin is a member of F4. His family owns a large construction company and has connection with people in underground organisations. He is known as the “Don Juan” of the group, and wealthy seductive men. He is always flirting with different girls and has a list of contacts in his phone. Woo Bin in the atmosphere maker of the group.
Played By: Kim So Eun
Chu Ga Eul is Jan Di’s best friend and co-worker at a porridge shop. She is a kind-hearted girl who is always sticky by her friend, and helping her out when needed. After being dumped brutally by her boyfriend for another girl, she managed to get revenge with assistance from Yi Jung. Afterwards she starts to develop feelings for him, and even took up a pottery class.
***SPOILER ALERT!!!***
Review:
My first reaction when I heard that Korea was making a Korean version of “Hana Kimi” was WTF. I think it was a couple months after I finished the Taiwanese Version, which unfortunately did not live up to the Japanese Version. I kept seeing articles on this blog I was following back in 2009. I didn’t bother to read them, because to be honest I had no interest. I saw the cast list, and they were names that I did not know. First episode was released and still I had no interest. I really didn’t understand why Korea had to make their own version of a classic Japanese Drama. But boy, am I glad that they did.
It wasn't until episode 11 was released that my friend made me watch it. Very grateful that she did. Boys Over Flowers is one of my favourite dramas of all time. It had almost everything. Cute guys, fantastic actors/actress, 3 cute and adorable coupling matches, humour, drama and an interesting story line. Korea really put their own “ZING” to it. They changed and alter the story that I knew, and it really worked out.
The cast was perfectly chosen. Even characters that didn’t have much appearance stood out incredibly. For instance, Jan Di’s family. I just loved watching them, especially the little brother. It made me wish that my family was as close as them. Jun Pyo’s mother was annoying to watch along with the countless interfering third-wheeler girls. I’m not really sure, but Korean third-wheelers are extremely annoying. Just feel like slapping them. However they left a lasting impression for me.
The humour is just wonderful in this drama. I love the scene when Jun Pyo was pretending to be "seriously" hurt in hospital. Jan Di was going to give her wonderful confession until the cover was blown. F4 managed to fool the stubborn girl and make her realise her true feeling. It just shows how close F4 is in order to pull such a prank. LOVED IT!!! The kiss scene at the park was magical. The director created the best atmosphere and Minho and Hye Sun wonderfully melted my heart with their romance. :) <3 font="font">
However I really think that Korea over exaggerated some of the scenes. For instance, the scene where Jan Di was kidnapped by Min Jae Ha (Lee Min Ha's twin brother). The fighting and the fake blood on Jun Pyo’s face was just too much for me, and the fact that Jan Di hurt her shoulder because of it. Come on? Really? If you didn’t want her to be a swimmer, then don’t in the first place. It was just unnecessary to me. And the fact that Yi Jung hurt his hand as well. Why? Why? There was no follow up story besides him breaking some pottery.
Also, I don’t know about you guys, but I actually loved the Ga Eul and Yi Jung coupling much more than the main. I’m not really sure why, but I looked forward to their couple scenes more. Maybe because I haven’t fallen for Lee Minho yet. (I’ve only recently fallen for him in his drama Faith) But the parting scene for Ga Eul and Yi Jung was really annoying for me. I wanted them to have a definite ending. If you love her, then love her.
But overall, this drama was amazing. It introduced so many new actors and actresses for me, which is something I’m grateful for. It’s a shame that Korea don’t make these type of drama any more.
Boys Over Flower: 8/10
