Boys Over Flowers

If you want to start watching K-Drama’s, I’d say to start with this one first. The popular Korean series Boys Over Flowers has gained popularity in just in Korean, but also worldwide.  The series comes from a Japanese manga book, Hana Yori Dango. The Japanese were the first to turn the book into a drama. From what I understand, it was popular in Japan. Next a Taiwan version was made followed by the Korean version, shown in 2008 / 2009. I have not read any of the books, but I have seen the Japanese version and a few parts of the Taiwan version. The Japanese version sticks to pretty much to the book with the actual names while the Korean version changes several things. I liked the Korean version better so I will review the Korean version since my blog is about review K-Drama’s.

Geum Jan Di is an average girl who lives with her parents and younger brother. I would not exactly say they are poor, but if I were to categorize the family, I would say lower middle class. One day, she’s delivering laundry to a high school student who attends Shin Hwa. It’s basically a high school for the rich. She finds the student, but he’s about to kill himself because he’s being bullied and can’t take it anymore. Just when he’s about to jump, she grabs hold of him and saves him from death.

The news gets out about the bullying and protests erupt. Shin Hwa is not just name in Korea. It’s one of the largest companies in Korea. The company practically owns everything from shopping malls, gas stations, schools, etc. You get the point. To calm down the protesters, the president of the company decides to let Jan Di in as a swimming scholarship student.

Reluctantly, Jan Di decides to attend and meets the boys that bullied the poor kid earlier in the show. The boys are called F4. They’re probably the most richest and popular students in the high school. They are Goo Joon Pyo (Leader of F4), Yoon Ji Ho, So Yi Jung and Song Woo Bin. Each one of them has their own story as to why or how they became rich. You’ll have to watch to find out. Hey I can’t give everything away now can I?

Jan Di has had enough of the bullying going around the school and decides to confront the leader. Joon Pyo believes she secretly likes him and her acting mean and rude to him is her way of saying she likes him. But Jan Di likes another F4 member Ji Hoo. Keep in mind Joon Pyo is the president’s son of Shin Hwa. The president is his mother.

Joon Pyo tries to win Jan Di’s heart and throughout the show, Joon Pyo’s mother finds out about Jan Di and makes her life a living hell. Not only is the relationship of Joon Pyo and Jan Di affecting them, but Jan Di’s family and friends get caught in the crossfire.

Back to Ji Hoo, a quiet character who lost both of this parents, likes Jan Di as well. He’s torn because his friend likes her as well and wants to give Joon Pyo a chance. Who will Jan Di choose?

The acting in this drama is exceptionally fantastic. Each F4 member has their own personality and the actors really showcase these characteristics. Lee Min Ho who plays Joon Gyo has not been in many K-Drama’s as a lead actor, but does a great job protraying the arrogate and cocky Joon Pyo. And Kim Hyun Joong, the leader of K-pop group SS501, plays the quiet and introverted Ji Hoo.

As I mentioned, if you are a K-Drama beginner, this show should on top of your list to watch first! There is a lot more to the story, but I do not want to give it away so watch it to find out what happens.

Grade: A+
Episodes: 25
Cast: Lee Min Ho as Goo Joon Pyo
Koo Hye Sun as Geum Jan Di
Kim Hyun Joon as Yoon Ji Ho
Kim Bum as So Yi Jung
Kim Joon as Song Woo Bin

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