If you happen to be like me and enjoy watching shows with substance, then here's your warning. The writing is messy, and questionable at best. The motivations for certain character's actions feel flimsy at best most times, and really there's no way to excuse the severe bullying that goes on, particularly through the earlier portions of this show. The leading man seems to have absolutely no redeeming qualities, other than the fact that he has uncanny timing and luck on his side every time the heroine is in need of some help.
I'm not entirely sure WHY the main couple ends up together. The guy is obsessive, possessive, inconsiderate, rude, arrogant, and apathetic, and he has one of the worlds largest superiority complexes. The girl is irrational, and almost as entitled as the guy is, and neither of the characters really improve, or change for the better, their relationship is just as rocky and selfish as they both are so it doesn't really make sense, and it's hard for me to even see WHERE their chemistry is, especially when he was literally abusing her in the first few episodes.
The second male lead is only slightly better, but still pretty bad. His indecision and general vagueness seem to do more emotional harm than good, and the only thing that actually makes him a nicer person than the lead is that he has a slightly better grasp at socializing with other people, and that he doesn't go out of his way to be mean, which is a pretty low bar. He still doesn't seem to have too many qualms about watching his friends literally ruin people's lives and mental health to the point where a kid genuinely tries to kill himself.
Asides from the overall awful characterization and forced romance, the plot is... Not good. The trips to other places are so random and only exist to create trenches in the plot for the heroine to fall into so that the leading man can go find a way to save her life. The pacing is all out of sorts, with some plots lingering for much longer than necessary, and other sections being sped up at ridiculously unbelievable paces that make the drama aspects of the show much more dramatic than the writers probably intended, which I mean, at least it makes them funny.
If possible, try not to re-watch the show. I watched it a long time ago and remembered disliking it, but my best friend loves it so I gave it another try and it was much more awful than I remembered. The boys are beyond mean, the plot is messy, the romance is questionable, and everything really comes to light when you re-watch it.
The show's saving grace is probably the actors, who did the best with what they were given. Sometimes it was hard to find their performances convincing, but it was more the fault of the writing than the actors, and they really helped add some depth to otherwise very 2D characters, and very shallow plot. The theme song is also a solid bop, probably the flag anthem for KDramas.
Overall, it's probably a great drama for people who watch dramas to watch some dramatic fairytale, but for those who are looking for a strong plot, a good romance, stable characterization and a fun time. I'd stay away from Boys Over Flowers. If you're not mad at the characters by mid-way through the second episode, then kudos to you.
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Pretty much what I expected
Um wow lol that was really bad. On a more serious note, I definitely felt peer pressured into watching this drama by the kdrama community, since pretty much everyone and their mother watched this drama at some point or another. It was full of cliches, annoying characters, cringey acting, and lots and lots of drama, but I still found myself kind of loving the whole thing. It got to the point where it was just so bad that it got good, you know? Geum Jan Di definitely made me almost rip my hair out at times because of how passive she was most of the drama with her feelings, and there’s a certain level of immaturity in Gu Joon Pyo that never went away. Still, this kdrama reminded me of the old days when I used to stay up all night reading bad Wattpad romance books just like this one, so watching Boys Over Flowers really sent me back to my early teens when I read these cliche love stories. Because of this, I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy BOF, because I definitely had a lot of fun with this drama. However, by no means was this drama high quality. A classic, though? It for sure is. I thought that the OST was pretty catchy overall, and the only thing that sort of bothered me at the end (besides all the cliches, although I have a sweet spot for the amnesia cliche so I can’t hate that one) was the fact that the conflict with the mother never really got resolved. Like yeah, we see her lovingly watching her son on the television with her husband, but I was hoping for a more direct confrontation where she admitted how much of a jerk she was for putting Geum Jan Di through so much trouble. Anyhow, while I by no means think this drama is good, it definitely has a place in my heart, and I really can’t hate on such a classic without feeling at least a little guilty. Therefore, I will still recommend this drama to anyone because it’s honestly just a classic that was the start of many people’s kdrama obsession.Considerați utilă această recenzie?
Throwback to when it was ok to kidnap people
This is the drama you watch and go "ahh the 2008/9s". Story telling standard has come a long way since then and I could see how people say it's over rated. But it was something so amazing at the time, literally everyone's dream to get entangled with the most popular guys at school. And get completely spoiled by a rich life style. Nowadays, you could do a lot of those things even if you're not filthy rich like Gu Junpyo. So, I see why people are unimpressed. This drama is still very popular, but rides on nostalgia. A lot of the concepts are ridiculous like Jandi getting conveniently saved every time. And everyone calling her a lotus or whatever. Of course things are outrageously blown up to max for k-dramas, but this drama has everything. So many things happened I'm pretty sure I went through 3-4 life times watching it.I think the casting was perfect appearance wise. As for the acting. It was really cringey a lot of the time, these actors were still young so I'll cut them some slack. Especially with every one screaming "EP POR DA (IT'S F4)". Don't get me started on Mr. Seo Yijung. He owns the word cringe at this point. Here's a compilation of his best cringe dialogue I found on YouTube https://youtu.be/ppjARlxbybk
I will never forget his line in the first episode "Your delicious looking hands" wtf O-O
Back then they didn't have the best mics so the audio blew up so when ever the characters raised their voice, and they scream A LOT.
I love the music, it's so good. People complain about only some of the songs standing out, but a good series doesn't need a plethora of chart toping songs to be good. The second "Almost Paradise" comes on people are already breaking into song. And that's the magic of a good ass OST. Most of Asia knows that song just like how most of the world knows Titanic's "My Heart Will Go On".
Over all, BOF is a good watch when you want to go on an all in one k-drama experience. Corny, cringey, and sometimes even bad acting, but so good. It's like junk food. So bad yet so good.
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A Story Retold Across Asian Dramas - Another Great Twist on a Great Story
9/10 is my rating. This is a 2009 South Korean drama that is a re-make of a series of books (Japanese manga) entitled "Boys Over Flowers" written by Yoko Kamio. The series spans 25, 60 minute, episodes.Geum Jan-di (Ku Hye-sun) saves a student of an elite high school earning her a "scholarship" and entry to the school. While there she gets bullied by the leader of the school's "F4" - four of the richest, talented, and most sought after boys in the school of the wealthy and connected. Jan-di is not one to be "put in her place" and stands up to F4 an action which earns her their grudging admiration. Gu Jun-Pyo (Lee Min-ho) pulls a series of mean spirited pranks on Jan-di in an effort to bring her around to the fear and worship like behavior that most bestow upon him. Yoon Ji-hu (Kim Hyun-joong) is another member of F4 but he has a streak of kindness and sticks up and/or saves Jan-di on several occasions causing her to develop feelings for him. It is not long before Gu Jun-Pyo starts to fall for this very different girl. The other two F4 members Song Wui-bin (Kim Joon) whose family owns a construction business and So Yi-Jun (Kim Bum) who is a skilled potter whose family owns an art museum, are the other two boys who have been friends since they were young children. Yi-Jun later falls for Jan-di's best friend and gives up his lady's man ways. The central story is about Jun-pyo and Jan-di. Is love enough to overcome the expectations for the heir of an empire?
Spoiler 🚨 I watched "Meteor Garden" (2018) Chinese drama prior to watching this. I found that, having watched that, I understood certain aspects of Boys Over Flowers (BOF) that were covered more in-depth in Meteor Garden then in BOF. To me, in BOF, it did not explain, as much, what the big deal was about F4 and how they came to be so revered in the school. There is a much more in-depth focus on each boy and their special talents. I think each character was cast well in each rendition but I personally liked Yoon Ji-hu (Kim Hyun-joong) character in BOF. I was more torn in this one over the love triangle than I was in Meteor Garden. I agree with another blogger that said the additional episodes in "Meteor Garden" 2018 allowed for a lot greater character development than BOF and a lot of the plot details were explored more fully. I am a fan of Lee Min-ho which is one of the reasons I wanted to watch this and he didn't disappoint. Strangely I liked the beginning and ending of Meteor Garden more because I felt like it did better setting it up and closing it out. But I loved the grand nature of BOF and I like the characterizations. I think it is worth watching all the various renditions as each brings out different aspects of this very compelling story. What girl wouldn't want four gorgeous guys watching out for her?
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Cliche cinderella story
Despite what people said this drama will always be one of the "Must Watch" Kdrama at least once in a life time. It's a classic.I myself was rewatching this 4 times when i was still in a high school because the story is just that cliche overly cute, cheesy cinderella story that probably most teenagers love to watch. But now that i remember it i wont rewatch this drama again lmao but let it be just that classic in kdrama history.
The drama is all about poor girl who accidentally got into an elite high school with all bullying and social status conflicts. It was just a passing story when i watched the first time because i just love to watch the "cute" love story and all those rich high school students life style. But now it sounds so disturbing and unpleasant to watch. So just watch this drama if you want fluffly, cliche romance story but ignore the main conflict altogether because it really has all the cliche formulas.
One thing that i still really like about this drama is the OST. Almost paradise, Stand by me, Because i'm stupid are some of the most popular OST until this day, it is trully iconic. I still love to listen to the OST.
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Overhyped drama...
My review will hurt many people i know😛but i tried to watch this drama but couldn't last more than 9 episodes.................Le min ho was not a good choice for this role he is tall handsome and my the most fav actor in the world but he was not able defeat the charm of original japanese main lead....... ..........
I survived 9 epi just bcoz of jihoo....
ji hyung and ga eul's story was interesting so i watched all their scenes complition on youtube😂😂...............
The music was very good..
MFL was amazing but still this drama sucks..
This drama is overhyped save urself from this torture...
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ALMOST PARADISE!
This show is like Kdrama crack. Basically ALL the things happen. ALL the emotions are there. ALL the cliches are mixed in. ALL the cheesy, impossible scenarios are presented to the viewer. Now, that may make some people feel frustrated or disengaged, but not me. This show served up a giant portion of cheese and I WAS THERE FOR IT. It was like crack. I couldn't get enough of it. I needed more hours in my day to watch more episodes. I went to work and had the theme song on loop in my head. I'm fairly new to Kdramas (just started watching them this year), but I can already tell that this is one that I would re-watch. I've seen plenty of people criticise this show online for it's storyline and acting, but I thought that both were great. Lee Min Ho did a great job as the villain turned hero and even managed to remain attractive despite been given a hairstyle that vould only be described as a crime against humanity. Gu Hye Syeon was completely over the top, but in a lovable way. Her feisty and tenacious character was endearing. My favourite of the side characters was So Yi Jung (played by Kim Bum). I'd love to see other shows or movies he has been in. If you haven't seen this show, give it a try... you may end up loving it!Considerați utilă această recenzie?
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A classic where the sum is greater than the parts
This was the first K-drama I watched every episode of, and it will always be near and dear to my heart. There are issues with pacing. More importantly, there are questionable parts to the story that rely on violence against women and the underprivileged that plays out completely dismissive of personal agency. If I rewatched this show now, I would probably need to rate this show lower than 9/10, which saddens me, because there are some glorious, iconic moments of K-drama romantic comedy perfection in this show. So, watch it, but don't ignore where it falls short.Considerați utilă această recenzie?
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Loved it. Hated it.
Goo Joon Pyo, the main spoiled, selfish, brat of the F4 is ultimately rewarded for being such a total jerk.I hate that.
The lead girl, Geum Jan Di, was just not special enough for the F4 to be making such a fuss over her. She was constantly miserable, moping, uncommunicative, and wistful. She was hard to watch, slumping, stomping, and making weird faces. The kiss scenes were awkward and awful, and she managed to diminish what few feel-good moments there were, with her stiffness. Her character also makes stupid decisions at every opportunity.
I don't blame the young actress. The script was lame - but I hated her character.
Geum Jan Di's parents - while understandably meant to provide some comedy relief, were ridiculously over-the-top, and so goofy it made them unlikeable. Certainly unlovable. Geum Kang San, Jan Di's brother was great, and the little actor played his part admirably. I adored him.
So Yi Jung (the potter)'s story is actually quite workable, and he smoothed out any wrinkles with his fabulous acting, charisma, and charm. He did a great job, considering he didn't have much to work with. The very talented Kim Bum really rose to the occasion, and I loved his character.
Chu Ga Eul, the girl whom So Yi Jung eventually grew to love (once he'd finally worked out his issues), was a breath of fresh air. Honest, kind, enduring, and considerate. It was a straight-forward part to play, and the actress executed it admirably. I loved her.
Song Woo Bin, the mobster's son, had an embarrassingly underdeveloped back story. His character started nowhere, and ended nowhere. The entire character seems to have been an afterthought for visual effect, and a bit of rough. The actor did the best he could with the storyline, and managed to be both likable and believable.
I might have loved him, had he developed into a person. Failing a better script, options were limited. This is no fault of the actor, who did his job well. I liked him.
Yoon Ji Hoo, who was warm, kind, considerate, and steadfast ... was punished for his dazzling humanity by being given a storyline so sad and disheartening that the hopelessness of his very existence rivaled that of even Bidam (from Queen Seon Deok). The gut-punch of his storyline's ending was too much for me,
and I thoroughly hated it.
Ji Hoo himself, however, was a prince among men ... and I loved him dearly.
I've become a fan of the actor, and am starting to discover his musical talents, as well.
I was outraged by the final episode.
The music was tedious and much too loud. I was constantly adjusting the volume between blaring SONGS and modest dialogue. Watch it again? I'm too angry to answer that right now.
The F4's visuals, as well as the solidity, and dynamics, of their 4-way friendship was a big bonus in this drama.
It's a friendship I will never forget, and I feel privileged to have been a fly on the wall, watching this life-long friendship endure the hardships together. There were moments when I even liked the actress playing Jan Di, who was occasionally quite cute, and had a nice smile ... occasionally. The F4's true friendship endures the drama, and the half baked script. I loved the friendship.
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One of the first
I've watched almost every version of boys over flowers but not this one scared i'd be disappointed by it.But luckily i wasn't, it's not my favorite version but I think out all of them this one had the best acting.
The ending got me shocked because she at first rejected to marry him and then it started again a lot of years after and they haven't had an happy ending yet.
Each character is special in their own way, Jandi even if she wasn't very brillant she was selfless, junpyo was really selfish though so I think it's like: "The opposite attracts each other" which only makes me believe harder that this was the good couple.
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I watched the Korean version first of the franchise, but this review is made after completing the Japanese Hana Dori Yango and the Chinese Meteor Garden 2 and partially watching the Taiwanese Meteor Garden. Therefore my reflection on this show is somewhat biased by other versions I watched. I will not comment much with the storyline as this drama follows the Japanese manga that ran from 1992 to 2003. Since I am not familiar with Japanese student's life around those years, I cannot confirm if the school bullying and toxic youth relationship were quite common back then, that writer Yoko Kamio materialized the issues into her comic. Therefore, all resentment and objections on the story theme are somewhat unjust due to the live adaptation was made from a classic manga. We better watch this drama purely as entertainment only, therefore my review below is primarily over the roles and acting.
First of all, I don't understand why the Korean version has to make the main characters of Joon Pyo and Jan Di to the extreme. Joon Pyo is portrayed way older than Jan Di, the rest of F4, and other high schoolers. He looks like a sugar daddy to Jan Di than a senior student. Plus his curly hairstyle is exaggerated. Jan Di character started nicely by being a heroine to a suicidal boy but soon it goes downhill and her initial confrontations with Joon Pyo is childish with screaming. Plus I detest her kiddy street and party clothes they made her wear. Joon Pyo and Jan Di do not have strong chemistry. I ship her with Ji Hoo, I think their friendship and chemistry is sweet and natural until the end, him being her 'soulmate' as she acknowledged. Actor Kim Hyun Joong did a great job portraying Ji Hoo that viewers get a severe case of Secondary Lead Syndrome. His scene crying over unrequited love with Grand Pa is heartbreaking. Other roles and actors/actresses are pleasing to the eye, this choice of eye candies is possibly to catch the attention of first time viewers. But I won't rewatch it again.
Will not rewatch for the second time, since I like the Japanese version better.
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