Boys Over Flowers (2021)

Such great acting from the main cast

After seeing a lot of the different adaptations of the F4/Boys Over Flowers story over the years, I couldn't help watching this while comparing them to the others. This version held its own and I think it captured the key points without putting too much filler into it while simultaneously including some side stories that I don't recall being in any of the other versions. (It's been a long time since I watched the older versions so maybe they were there and I don't remember them.)

Right off the bat, I really liked Bright's portrayal of Thyme. (All of the F4 guys were phenomenal but Bright in particular.) I thought the series did a good job at showing Thyme's personal growth and change over the course of the episodes, especially showcasing just how far he had come when he reverted back to his old self after losing his memory. Bright did a great job showing the many complicated sides to Thyme and how different he acted around different people.

Kavin and MJ reminded me so much of their Taiwanese counterparts in the 2001 Meteor Garden adaptation. Like, at times, I felt like I was literally watching Vanness Wu and Ken Chu. They even had the same basic look which, yeah, it makes sense since it's the same character. But it was just so bang on that I could immediately tell who was who when the series started.

I was kind of hoping they would have gone further into Kavin and Kaning's relationship (I guess I'm so used to series having multiple couples now) but I understand why it was left the way it was since that's how it was in the original manga. Their story was kind of left open ended.

For a series that I knew what was going to happen and what it was about, I wasn't prepared to be so invested or emotional about it. Especially the rage I felt over the bullying. The series is literally based around bullying but it's still so frustrating to watch which I guess means they did a great job at showing it. I did like how they included the bit about them going to all their victims and apologizing and, even though it was like a montage with narration over it, you can still see how the victims could finally let go of it, even if it doesn't fix what happened. Sometimes, that's all they need.

This was also a better showcase of how kids mimic their parents' behavior and the effects it can have on their life early if they don't recognize it themselves and change before it's too late. Thyme was on a fast track to being as cold and heartless as his mother and, while he wanted to please her, he didn't take a moment to step back and realize she had zero love around her and that was how he'd end up in the end. On the other side of the spectrum, you have Gorya who has basically nothing but love and yet she's happy and has healthy relationships with her close friends and her family. From one extreme to the next, they needed to find a middle ground which came at the end of a long and bumpy road.

I don't know if I could watch this again, seeing how frustrating the overall plot is. But I did enjoy it and I think it's a great addition to the Boys Over Flowers catalog. I would recommend it but just keep in mind, it's not for the faint of heart or if you want a light and fluffy romance. The characters are flawed and sometimes have to learn the hard way from their mistakes. But it makes the ending that much more satisfying, in my opinion.

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Best version

This is the best version of the manga. However, I'm a bit disappointed in some aspects regarding Thyme's behaviour. I don't understand why they wanted to push this 'bad boy' agenda because it doesn't fit in. His anger is not an excuse for beating people, like in the first episodes where he would just casually beat anyone on the street. Obviously, when he tried to PUNCH Gorya was so f****ng wrong and inexcusable. But people still romanticise it/ try to excuse him (i literally saw people asking for the name of the drama just because of that scene).

The actress is so good, considering the fact that it's her debut, i wouldn't guess. Thyme's actor was lacking in the first 2-3 episodes but he got on track. I think what I hate the most is the whole bullying thing. The fact that he used to bully her it's alone a weird position to accept to become close to your perpetrator. And she was severely bullied, PTSD thing. The first 2 episodes are nonsense to me and I think they just wanted to pay tribute to the manga but the way they retold the story was much better.

Gorya and Thyme relationship was wholesome (not considering the first episodes and the one when he tries to punch the sh*t out of her), so that's why I don't understand why they needed to make Thyme so violent when his character is still interesting even though he's not 'a broken child'. The whole poor-rich dynamic was itself satisfactory for their hardships in relationship so I don't see why he needs to act like a criminal.

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Better than I thought it would be

I must say I started it with preconceptions.

I think the main problem I had with it was that it was such a hit.

I remember when it was released, everyone was talking about it and I could see it everywhere. Because of this, I think I just got bored of it and lost any interest I could have with this series. Plus it’s not really the kind of tropes I know I will like usually.

However, now that some times had passed by, I thought it would be the good time to give it a try.

And I was right. Because I really enjoyed it in the end.

The story is nothing knew to be honest. The poor girl with the rich guy, we’ve seen that over and over. However, there’s something about Gorya’s will to fight that made it really interesting from my point of view.

The F4 group also really made it all for me. Despite their little fight, I really liked how deep is their bond and how they care for each other.

The same goes for Gorya and Kaning’s friendship. They were so cute.

Finally, I found Ren and Gorya’s relationship really beautiful although it was that kind of one-sided love (deep down I wish she ended up with him).

MJ and Ren were really my favourite characters. MJ is exactly what I like. The mafia kinda vibe but with his heart on his hand and always caring/prioritising his friends. I’m really happy he got his happy ending at the very end. He totally deserved it. As for Ren, how could I not like him? I think he is the most cutest and selfless character I have ever seen in a series to be honest. I would give him the world if I could.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t perfect and definitely had its flaws. Some stuff like the huge acceptance of bullying and the behaviour of Thyme’s mom really gave me the hicks.

But overall, it’s a great story and I would surely recommend it.

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Its a one time watch but really good... Watched for REN and GORYA..

Okay i really liked it, but its really not a rewatch according to me.
I personally didn't like Thyme, he was really bad with his acting especially his hideous eyes, the way he does with his eyes, i wanted to like his character but i couldn't. Really expressionless.
Metawin was again good, thank God he wasn't as expressionless than his other series Beauty newbie. I really liked him, Flirty but sweet.
Gorya was superb, i mean she was so pretty in building up her character, her voice, charmness was top notch.
Nani played his character so well, I loved him, bold but good.
Ren was excellent, i really wanted Gorya and Ren together, coz i felt they really made a good pair. Wish to see them both in other dramas. I really liked how soft Ren was in this series, his charm, personality, everything was adorable.
Loved F4 friendship and family disputes.
I would recommend it to watch it at least once.
All the casts and crews were extremely talented.

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Overhyped

Boys over flowers was my first ever korean drama and my 7th grade self loved it. I tried to look for the same giddy feels in the chinese adaptation but couldn't find it. The Thai version was recommended by a lot of people which I watched it but honestly, it was pretty overhyped.

Likes-
-Thyme's character development was the best in this adaptation. In most scenarios they were able to differentiate between the right and wrong and give a clear messaging to the audience that everything you do comes with consequences. If I recall correctly, this bit was not addressed well in Boys Over Flowers. They were too busy bringing out Gu Jun Pyo as the hero/ saviour/ messiah whenever Geum Jan Di needed saving.
- This version is much more realistic. It doesn't have the weird island vacationing bit and the bit where Jun Pyo is almost marrying the girl his mother picked for him.
- Gorya is a much better version of the female lead than Jan Di. Ofcourse there's the useless screaming and hitting for no apparent reason bit. But I kind of feel that her character didn't over do "oh look i am so cute, oink oink" bit. (sorry if i sound bitter, but i really dislike even the slightest manic-pixie-dream-girlification of female leads.)

Dislikes-
- THEY ARE IN SCHOOL!!!! Did these rich brats ever go to a university WTH?
- How does Kaning not know where her bestfriend's parents live? I know it when my bestfriend's parents even go for vacation!
- I know I said that Gorya's character is better than Jan Di but her character is still not great. In my opinion, she is very physically harsh. Like imagine a person who recently had brain damage and you are just forcing your love (or whatever the fuck that is), asking him incessantly to swallow a pill. What happened to all the love, kindness and delicateness which you were preaching throughout the entire series?
- Our boy Kavin liked a girl, never admitted it to her and never came to visit her when she called him to meet, went on with his life, meets this another girl, who is now going to every rooftop in the city and showing her sincerity, love and what not. WHY? WHAT DID THE GUY EVEN DO TO DESERVE THIS? WHY ARE WOMEN CHARACTERS ALWAYS WRITTEN WITH A "SHE IS GOING TO FIX HIM" ATTITUDE IN THEM?
- Gorya was on a sports scholarship? Did we ever see her do any sports????? Did she ever talk about sports????? Any sports metaphor atleast????

Having said all this, maybe I am too old now for a series like this. Maybe if I had seen this back in 7th grade this would have appealed to me. It's a better adaptation than Boys over flowers korean and much better than the chinese version because I couldn't even sit through one episode of that one. However, there are much better watches than this one in the market.

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Best outcome off an outdated concept

A far better version of the same old story. It still has problematic plotlines, but I don't think that can be avoided considering the root is already rotten. I'm really glad they changed up or omitted certain plotlines. The cast is studded with capable actors and the chemistry between the main cast is great, both romantic couples as well as between friends. The female lead as well as her best friend (Gorya and Kaning) are the best versions of their characters so far. The chemistry between Kaning and Kavin is so much better than in the Chinese version. The evil mother is also at her best (kudos to the actor, who is damn sexy, by the way.) Overall, it is a good one time watch if you have a lot of free time on your hand.

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Better than the other F4 dramas

If you're okay with the male lead being toxic at first, this show is great. If you're not fine with it, I would not recommend this show for you.

The male lead is very toxic at first. Being violent when jealous. And all that stuff. But in the later episodes (about episode 9/10) he gets much better. (Apologizing to his victims and just in general being a better person.)

I've watched all the "remakes". The anime, jdrama,cdrama and kdrama and must admit that this one is the best so far. I like that the plot is a bit different. Some scenes changed for the better dragging the show less than the others.

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отличный мужской каст

Меня эта версия "Цветочков" порадовала. Но оказалось много но... Хотя поначалу думала, что она будет, возможно, самой удачной:. Тем, кто знакомился с сюжетом "Цветочков" именно по тайской версии (они же Сад падающих звёзд, они же Мальчики краше...), думаю, всё очень понравится, но я-то знала сюжет наизусть и интересовалась почти как коллекционер: какой местный колорит появится в истории? появится ли химия между героями? и т.п. понравилось: собрали хороший каст актёров. Красивы, хороши, эмоциональны. Мама вообще ведьма. Мечта чтобы с ней что-то случилось была практически весь лакорн. Когда она стала доброй, такая тёплая тётя оказывается и красивая сразу стала. Главная героиня, на мой взгляд, выигрывает по сравнению со многими своими предшественницами: симпатичная, вполне адекватная, без бесячих ужимок и кривляние. Что не понравилось: особой химии, да и химии вообще между гг не будет, лучше вам - в тайваньскую версию 2001 г. - "Сад падающих звёзд", там такой страстный и напряжённый любовный треугольник
Так как сокращали сюжет, многие интересные и важные для раскрытия отношений героев моменты были "скомканы" или едва прописаны.
Реклама в конце концов попёрла из всех щелей - это из реальности происходящего сильно вырубало. 4) К концу дорамы нарушена логика в развитии характеров некоторых героев.
Про актеров. Ну не знаю, как насчет Дью и Нани, что это дебют, сыграли парни лучше всех. Реально чувствуешь и понимаешь все их эмоции. Дью, как и в корейской версии Хёнджун, сыграл эмоции потрясающе. Особенно в конце когда бедную бабку (то есть меня) довел до истерики. Не знаю, кто играл "злодея мстителя", но тоже шедеврально сыграл. Правда разница в росте с Дью .... тут я ржала как конь, хотя момент был абсолютно не смешной.
В начале, спецвыпуск как снимался лакорн, отдельное спасибо режиссеру. Подход добрый и качественный. Но вот с чем в процессе я была не согласна с ним, так как это то, что гг-ня, актриса Ту (по типу крутая актриса), учила Дью сниматься. Видимо на обучении весь ее запал и закончился, так как в лакорне она играет не очень. Расстроена игрой Брайта. Океееей, плохое зрение и съемки в линзах, но порой слишком уж пучеглазик выходил. Хотя эмоции и боль играет шикарно. В целом, посмотреть вполне можно, а если ранее не видел японские (3), корейскую, китайскую или тайваньскую версии - можно даже получить большое удовольствие от просмотра.

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F4 thailand is the best of all versions.

To start with I have always heard great about korean version "Boys over flowers ". I wanted to see it but I couldn't get attached to start watching as I'm not a high school drama lover. Again wanted to see Chinese version but would step back due to more episodes. Finally in 2023 after watching just a scene(where lita offers herself to thyme) in yt shorts, I badly wanted to see this.
I started watching it immediately and finished in less than two days. As a lakorn lover, after watching dramas for one year I lost interest in all dramas except my fav actors' dramas. Finally this drama broke my perception. Again I got my interest back in watching dramas. Glad that it is a thai drama❤.
Coming to the drama, for me f4 boys stole the show. They are so warm and compassionate in spite of being rich. FL's courage and concern towards others also not giving up were something great. I first thought the ML was ren😅 but the characterization of thyme was so natural and convincing. He is so loyal and warm person inside. Their fights were so fun to watch but never boring. There is no unwanted romance like in other versions. (Some may feel offended for having less romance) but for me, it was more natural and showcased their feelings more.
There were many messages and learnings in the drama which will make us better persons. Even though the school bullying was brutal, it ended well showing how toxic it is. The scene where thyme comes to rescue groya when her scooter is burnt, was the best of all versions coz it showed emotions more naturally. There are many situations where we can see reality in this drama. There was no exaggeration or dragging, everything was on point.
If only I should mention flaws it would be I felt bad for ren their relationship would have been clear. Music also played good role in lifting scenes. It was not like typical high school dramas but way more natural every scene was acceptable.
Finally, I am very glad I watched this drama. If anyone is hesitating to watch this, trust me it's worth watching but keep ur heart strong it may waver at times🤗. It's going to be in my head for days❤❤. Now I have to watch other dramas of these actors to get over this drama😂.

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definitely the best adaption of the source material in my eyes.

i was hesitant to give this a try because of how much i did not enjoy the korean and Chinese versions for specific reasons. its hard not to compare it to other adaptions given how numerous and popular they are but even without comparing, it is the best adaption hands down.

While some may believe that it changed the story completely, i would argue that it took the source material and took it further than even the first adaption Hana Yori Dango did and even did what the 2018 version failed to do- great modernization of the story. A lot of the toxicity was tamed down especially between the two main characters but not to the extent that we would miss the angsty or fighting scenes. we even get to see the progression of their feelings including our female main character which i feel like i didn't see much in other versions. they built on so much including the f4 friendships that its hard to list everything down. the development of thyme's character was amazing to watch as well within the story as well as comparing it to other adaptions (and how he actually apologized and was ready to face repercussions for his actions)!

the director, screenwriters and the team behind this show saw the potential in the story we all love and continue to watch, and added so much to it and made it even better. im in awe of how well they did. i just wish it were longer than this was and that the second half didn't feel so messy. other wise great series and adaption.

also loved the small references to past adaptions and the source material!!

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Rehashed Classic you say? Absolutely not!!

I have watched every single version of this drama, Taiwanese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and now Thai. And the winner is.... Drumroll please... F4:Thailand! I will tell you exactly why! Because the director has taken the Boys over Flowers manga in it's entire beauty, and created a version that is his own, covered all the elements, without too much angst, yet given each characters a phenomenal growth arc. Now that's how I am going to write my review, my feelings about each character and a bit of comparison.... SO please bear with me.

Thyme (Bright Vachirawit): I think I can just keep on talking and talking about Bright. He is a phenomenal actor. As Thyme, he is a force to reckon with. In all the versions that I have seen, it's the character of Thyme that has stood out. Why, you ask? Because, he is cruel, hard, crazy, soft, sweet, hot-tempered and has a personality of his own. His reasons to be what he was before he meets Gorya and his reasons to change after he meets her are very very well etched out. I am not going to say the other versions were bad, but somewhere, they were not convincing enough. And Bright as an actor has such beautiful and myriad expressions! AND his wardrobe!! Lol, full credits given to the person who styled him, because he or she did a fantastic job. How he begins to how he ends, all are expressed through the way he dresses.

Gorya (Tu Tontawan): It took me a while to digest that this was Tu's first ever show. She was just amazing. As the lead of Boys over Flowers, I must say no one has come as close as being the street smart, sassy and self sufficient Makino! And i say this even though I am a huge fan of Shen Yue (who played the same role in the Chinese version Meteor Garden.) Her chemistry with Bright is just perfect (BrightWin fans, kindly don't hate me, I love them too - I am just saying what it is). Their hate to love, enemies to lovers story is probably the most believable one I have seen. They talk, they fight, they spend time together. Once she agrees to be his girl, there is a beautiful change in the way they look at each other. And I love how she herself grows as a person. She is intelligent and knows when to step back. She knows how to answer Thyme's mom without making her lose face. She has such inner strength and beauty, that I was floored. In a world filled with chaos, she chose Thyme, the most chaotic!

Ren (Dew Jirawat): Oh, for unrequited love! I was pleasantly surprised at the casting of Ren. Dew is also a newcomer, and he thrilled me with his easy portrayal of Ren. His unrequited love for Mira and then his unrequited love for Gorya, the ultimate sacrifice that he makes when he goes to bring Gorya back to Thyme, his need to keep Thyme on track, him being a saviour for Gorya, never making her feel less than she was even though he knew what she felt for him, being her ally in the hardest times, being a pillar of strength for every single one of his friends, the growth of Ren is something that is a thing of beauty. He is the one who takes a stand for Gorya at the beginning when he didn't know her and at the end, when he knew her well enough to be sure that if anyone could bring Thyme back, it would be her. His undisputed love and affection for his friends made me somewhat downcast that he did not actually end up with someone. However, the general story arc ensured that I did not suffer from 2nd lead syndrome, because I kept rooting for Gorya and Thyme, unlike in the other versions.

Kavin (Win Metawin): Another character I just cannot stop talking about! Sauve, sophisticated, charming, playboy but loyal, loving and committed once he decides his path. I think we could not have found a better Sojiro. Yes, he is cold. He has suffered a heartbreak. But unlike with the other versions, Kavin's know-it-all, 'I hate everyone, yet I am a playboy' image is so easily chipped away to show the vulnerable and soft inside. A coconut in it's glory. That's what Kavin is. Hard and difficult to reach, but his softly called out endearment for Kaning really can make anyone let down their guard. The way he supports her at her break-up, the way he tells her his story, they way he allows her to see his broken side, the way he helps her with the garlands and flowers, the way he keeps turning up to meet her, is a clear indication that while he may not be expressive about it, but he was falling in love.

MJ (Nani Hirunkit): What can I say? This series gave me a 4th lead syndrome. I cannot, just cannot get over MJ. His sheer presence, his eyes, his unswerving loyalty, his unshakeable faith, him being the first to switch to Team Gorya, his mafia vibes, his skills with computers, there was nothing about MJ that I did not fall in love with. Also a first time actor, his looks and his acting were out of this world. What I also loved about MJ was his bike. He always arrived in such style and with such panache. He even managed to look sexy attending a funeral (rolling my eyes for effect). And his hair? I love me a boy with long hair!! I really want to see him in so many more dramas and want him to play the lead too. He certainly has the looks and the acting chops. Despite his harsh outside, MJ, like his best friend Kavin, is as gooey as chocolate inside. He never fails to look out, not only for his friends, but later also for Gorya. He is the prankster, keeping everyone smiling, yet never forgets the responsibilities that he has on his shoulders.

Plus points:
1. The friendship between the boys of F4. They are loyal, supportive and are mirrors for each other. They just don't show the good things about each other, they never fail to point out flaws either, which makes them excellent friends.
2. Gorya and the F4. When Thyme says that F4 will be Gorya's force, I never expected those words to be literally taken by the boys. Their love, their loyalty and their support of Gorya is so beautiful and unconditional that it made me jealous. To have these kind of pillars holding you up, no way in hell are you gonna falter!
3. Gory's relationship with the girls of F4. Kaning is her best friend and thinks of Gorya first, before she thinks of herself. Gorya has the same kind of feelings. With Mira, there is respect and a faith, that there will be support. With Lita, there is true camaraderie and honesty. She refuses to accept Thyme, until Thyme makes everything clear with Lita, because for her, friendships are more sacred that love itself. With Tia, there is a phenomenal sisterhood, because Tia accepts Gorya as the best choice for Thyme.
4. The fact that Gorya actually wore the necklace that Thyme gave her (how beautiful it was). In the other versions, after the guys put it on for the girls, they did not actually wear it. It remained a symbol. But Gorya wore it, and kept it safe when she was separated from Thyme.
5. Thyme's mom. The fact that we hate her for what she is, and then like her later, is the best way I can express what a phenomenal actor she is.
6. Hana and Talay. They hated Thyme and took revenge on Gorya. But their appearance in the series only served as a foil to strengthen the relationship between Thyme and Gorya. It did not feel out of place. Instead it was so well integrated with the story that it did not stand out as unnecessary.
7. The fact that Thyme apologised. On his knees. I was definitely impressed by that. No other show gave such a character development to the hero, and this made my day!
8. OST. The more I say, the lesser it is. Shooting Star and Who am I by my F4 boys plays on constant loop on my Spotify. And the other songs are just as wonderful. Definitely an OST that gives you goosebumps!
9. Chemistry between the cast. Each and every member of the cast plays they roles so well. There is a natural camaraderie that is pretty visible, be it Gorya's family (Fourth is adorable as her brother in this), Uncle Ga, the maids at Thyme's house... I can keep talking about them.
10. The fact that the women in this series are treated with dignity and respect and have a painful reason for doing what they did and are not made out to be toxic monsters who set out to ruin lives just for the heck of it. (Case in point : My Dear Donovan.. Ughh.. rolling my eyes in terror!)
11. Some of the amazingly hilarious moments in the show. Thyme inviting Gorya to join him in front of the whole school, Thyme and Gory's first 'date', the hospital prank by the boys, Thyme and Glakao's back and fourth, Thyme's spelling and mixed up Thai... loved it all!!

Where I would minus: I don't know. Maybe there were few minor flaws, but for the most part, most issues were dealt with amazingly. At times, it felt a bit over the top, but I think that too added to the charm of the show.

Rewatch value: Definitely! Absolutely! I watched it twice after. Can watch it any time!

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A Solid Hanadan Adaptation

I just finished this drama and feel satisfied overall. I’d rank this as my third favorite adaptation (with the Taiwanese version still holding the top spot and the Japanese version second). For context, I’ve read the manga and watched all the drama adaptations.

Story: Very good, though I noticed that in the beginning, they tried to follow the Japanese version closely instead of creating their own take. I really wish they hadn’t done that because Japan compressed and re-organized a lot of scenes, not following the manga as closely as the awesome Taiwanese Meteor Garden. As a result, some scenes flowed a bit weirdly to me. That said, the show eventually found its own voice, and the ending surprisingly followed the manga (and thank God they cut Umi out during the amnesia scene - I always found her character annoying and unnecessary). I was expecting Thyme’s comeuppance for his horrible misdeeds to mirror the scene where Gorya gets kidnapped and he refuses to fight back (which was really cool in other versions - he could take them down but didn’t because the FL might get hurt). But in this version, Thyme actually went on to apologize to those he bullied, and that, for me, was an amazing take.

Characters: The characters were pretty good and likable. The dynamics of the main couple were refreshing as well. I liked Gorya and how they kept in this version that she’s already been a student there for a long time, which made the build-up to her fighting back really impactful (the Korean and Chinese versions made it seem more comical, which I didn’t like). The only issue I noticed is that, in the source material and other versions, the male lead doesn’t become nice overnight. In this adaptation, Thyme’s development seemed almost immediate rather than gradual, making it less convincing. One of the things that stood out to me in the original story was Domyouji’s character growth - from being a violent person with impulse control issues to becoming a better human being. I’m pretty sure this is a writing issue, not the actor’s problem. Other than that, I liked the friendship of the F4, as well as Gorya’s friendship with them (it’s really important that I feel this because Makino’s influence isn’t only limited to the male lead but the F4 as well), which was similar to the Japanese F4 dynamics. I also think that, next to Vaness Wu’s Mei Zhou, this is my second favorite version of Akira (M.J. in this version) because I really felt his presence here, even more than Kavin.

Music: I don’t even remember it most of the time - though this is subjective more than anything.

Rewatch Value: Some scenes are really funny, memorable, and worth a rewatch!

Also, I can’t be the only one annoyed by all the product placements - I get that they had many sponsors, but most of them were 80% in-your-face the whole time. There are ways to be subtle with these placements (see Korea with Subway).

Overall, great job adapting this story, Thailand!

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