Boys Over Flowers (2009)

Empty calories for the mind

The plot is crazy
The characters are not realistic
The music is so so so horrid *alllmoossttt pppaaaaarrraaadiiissseeee
This drama is so bad, it is addictive.

BOF throws away SO MANY insanely illogical plot devices week after week yet there i was, faithfully waiting for every new eps to watch it UNSUB first then SUBBED.
This is a testament to the great acting and chemistry of all the actors doing their utmost best with what little writing they have.
I believe this show was carried on LMH and KHS having surprisingly great chemistry.
Seeing KJH is bonus and KB is whipped cream with cherry on top.

I have seen the TW version, Japanese version and this K version.
I have to say the Japanese did it best, may be due to the fact that the original material is Japanese hence it converted seamlessly into dorama.
The TW version was also good - F4 were the original oppas before there were kdrama oppas.
This K version was crazy bad - you become used to the badness of it all and just enjoyed all the empty calories.

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So I watched this after watching one of the remakes of this series (yes there are many, this was only one of them) , the remake being Meteor Garden (which reigns over this). Going into this, I was like sure I;ll give it a go, since it's the most popular drama out there.
But good lord. This is quite something. The first thing I knew when I was watching it, was when it was from. 2009. The hair. THE HAIR. The acting isn't great either, but then again it's 2009. The story itself is great, but just this version of it, being that it is my opinion, just isn't it. I have yet to watch another remake of this, (probably the Japanese one will be next).
My thing with it too is that F4 is supposed to be attractive, and to me none of them are. At all.
If you give this a go, be my guest, but after you finish it, go watch Meteor Garden. You'll thank me later hopefully. (the 2018 one, not the one from 2001, I haven't seen that one yet.)

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Ninguna reseña es objetiva pero quizás, esta va a ser la más subjetiva de todas las que haré y, es que, por muchos fallos que pueda presentar la serie, su calificación no cambiaría nada.
La historia que se cuenta en la serie no podemos decir que sea una historia real ni que haya muchas opciones de que ocurra, sin embargo, ahí es donde está la magia y principalmente de los dramas: hacerte soñar con historias así (aunque después no nos ocurra).
Por otro lado, los personajes son muy graciosos y lo que más me gusta es que en ningún momento pretenden ser perfectos dado que todos presentan sus propios defectos y eso es lo que los hace humanos.
A pesar de ser una serie de 25 capítulos bastante largos, el ritmo de la misma es muy rápido (al menos casi siempre).

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Loved it the first time. Sadly, the second time I was actually paying attention! Hated it.

I first watched this several years ago, one of the first Kdramas on my route to explore this genre. My impressions then were that it was very romantic and rather full of beautiful people and locations. Oh, the shame!
I now decided to revisit it, and …. well – oh the shame
First – the positives
- Pretty nearly all the males (including the minions) are perfectly acceptable eye-candy – that never hurts. Lee MinHo was pretty dashing because – as he so humbly says himself in one interview I read – is pretty good at anything physical. So that was fun.
- The locations were mostly rather pretty,
- Jan-di's family, even though they were written and played for cheap laughs, were none-the-less an oasis of warmth and humanity in a desert of selfishness. Ga-Eul, JoonGi, and the porridge shop owner were also both fine people. These skilled actors gave very likeable and serviceable performances.

Now – the bad – hope you have a lot of time
- The writing/plot – this was a display of emotional abusiveness masquerading as feelings. Each of F4, with the possible exception of JiHoo, were apparently unable to have any relationship with anyone outside of F4 without bullying or plain using and abusing – they are introduced from the very start as bullies who lack even the moral fibre to do it themselves and instead set the other kids on the weak rather than exerting themselves.
The basis for the romance starts off as game to torment JanDi – and frankly it continues on the same track, even though the ML's feelings are now benevolent to her. However, I struggle to find a single instance of his thinking or caring about what she wants or needs, though he does pay lip service to the idea.
Why is she stuck on him? – you hardly never see them simply having fun together.
The quality of this writing is less even than adolescent standard. Cardboard characters, given a poor-me back story, but no real life in the now.
- The eye candy. The F4 are supposed to be swoonable, but for most of the time they are badly dressed, poorly coiffed, over-made-up, and far too old for the roles. However, if you calm that down a bit, they're not bad. I'd have to say that the swimming and wet suit scene was pretty disappointing, though, but some of the island scenes were pretty – in the man-candy sense. The island was of course gorgeous – sea, sun and sand ... what's not to love about that
- the “luxury” - well tbh, for most of this series we are supposed to be smacked in the eyeballs by the opulence, and the insane consumption. Failed. The interiors do a better job than many in other dramas, with less evidence of an insane designer being allowed to rampage their bi-polar disorder all over the shop, but still no more than middle-class opulence in my (admittedly limited) experience. That experience, however, does include some extremely beautiful locations, with mind-bendingly pricey finishes and furniture. You would expect the Go residence to be replete with custom-designed pieces amd original art - not MDF panelling and paint finishes. However – other give-aways that all this is deeply fake included ...
= insane amount of staff hovering everywhere. The very best staff are ALWAYS invisible
= staff dressed in ridiculous uniforms which make them both pathetic and conspicuous – see above, ref invisible. In addition, the uniforms make it impossible to do a decent job of work.
= security staff all over the place in your face, but unable to straightforwardly control a supposedly adolescent boy. The best security – as with servants – is invisible. In addition, if they decide to lay hands on you – even if careful to avoid actual harm to your person – they do, and you don't have any choice about it. Being unable to efficiently subdue your principal is - in security circles - dangerous, and cause for dismissal.
= the clothes – too often clothes looked cheap and did not fit properly. Awful. If you are going to have beautiful young men, dress them so that we can enjoy their bodies, with things that fit. The styling for the girls was not supposed to be as fancy, and they were much better dressed – until they were supposed to be in posh clothes : then they were shown mincing around in baby-doll nighties, almost.
- The acting. Oh GOD. The pregnant pauses. The mugging. The face-pulling in place of actual emotion – or (god forbid) thought. The laboured “surprise” when someone notices something that has been in plain sight for 10 minutes. LMH was very angry and he did it well enough. He was at times thoughtful and that went OK too. But other actors were less well directed. The F4 were almost universally smug and vacuous. Their idea of “fun” seemed to be hanging around pretending to be interested in girls – never convincingly, sadly. There was damn all character development, even for LMH who is supposed to learn how to love someone in the course of this drama – but his first instinct always remains to lash out emotionally or physically and to wound. Very bad writing or direction or both.
- the plot – was INTERMINABLE as well as implausible, but it amounts to little more than la series of different locations and circumstances for JanDi to be belittled and emotionally abused in
- The music – aural soup. Repetitive, sickly, seldom written to enhance the acting, but just audible wallpaper masquerading as posh – cod “classical” horror. It would have done ab-so-lutely NO HARM to have some scenes play out in silence. In fact – a relief.

I can't bear to think about this any more,
This drama is the sort of thing to which young minds should never be exposed. It is potentially more dangerous than pornography, especially for young girls who might think that this is what you should consider an ideal romance.
Heaven forfend! It's amazing that it has good scores – but then, the first time I watched it I mindlessly failed to engage brain and just watched the visual feast such as it was. As far as that goes (I don't think far enough) – it's OK I guess.
But after a considered viewing, even though I wanted something easy to digest, instead it make me pretty ill.

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I appreciate the fact that this adaptation has fewer episodes than the Mandarin version, and I absolutely love Lee Min-Ho in everything I see him in. Kim Hyun Joong is the cutest version of this character I’ve seen yet, and that’s both a good and bad thing. The thing that upsets me about this version is how much time they spend on the relationship development between Jan-di and Ji-hoo. Don’t even pretend you weren’t hardcore shipping them too, because we all were. There was so much more of their relationship than the relationship between Jan-di and Joon Pyo, even knowing the outcome ahead of time, you are almost shocked that they are the ones who get to live happily ever after. I do however, love the fact that they made Koo Hye-sun look so average, which is the way that character is supposed to be represented. Each of the other adaptations has had her too cute for people to seriously not understand why she’s the girl they all fall for.

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Either you love it, or you hate it.

There's no in-between, either you are a die hard fan or you dislike it completely, and ngl i can see why. It's my first kdrama, as almost everyone at this point, and in the beginning I was skeptical, the first episode was so full of stereotypes it felt like reading a 2015 fanfiction, but I decided to embrace the chaos and keep going.
Everything is exaggerated, hilarious and quick, they took all the famous tropes and dumped them in the story along with traumas. At the end of the story Jan-Di had more traumatic experiences than hair.
But although being extremely cliché, I loved watching it. I laughed, i cried a lot, i got angry and emotional, and I'll probably keep rewatching it when I'll be feeling off.
I literally binge-watched it in 4 days and I'm still not regretting it.
I loved the cast, i fell really quickly for Gu Jun-Pyo, and I blame that on the daddy issues, Ji-hoo deserved more, and I wish we had more SO-EUL sadly.. I also wished they gave us more Woo-bin content since we only got a lil of him towards the end.
I would have definitely liked a "What happened after the ending" episode where they showed us the life of everyone, maybe seeing Jan-Di and Jun-Pyo in a somewhat healthy relationship, what happened with Ga-Eul and Yi-Jeon.
The OST are a bop, I can't stop replaying them in my head, they just live rent there.
The second lead syndrome is strong here, Ji-hoo had me on a chokehold.
But I reiterate, I understand why someone could not like it, not my case but it might be too much for someone else.

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Ah, Boys Over Flowers, the mother of pop culture. It was my first drama, and probably so for a lot of other people too, and of course back then it was new and glamorous and therefore good. But here's a secret for you: Boys Over Flowers is actually pretty bad. This classic Cinderella story is turned sour by a number of things. There's the overstuffed plot, that seeks to rob the best arcs from the manga and only occasionally succeeds in doing so. There's the fact that Gu Hye-sun really can't act and makes for an insufferable heroine. There's also the fact that the romance is toxic and is doomed to make our hero and heroine miserable in the future, but somehow convinces gullible teenage girls that this is what they deserve. So why haven't I rated it lower? Well, it's still Boys Over Flowers. But I would recommend the Japanese dramas over this adaptation any day of the week.

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Ultimate... It's been 11 years and still enjoyable and classic.
This drama is about how Love and Friendship is important in our life. Lee Min Ho was So cool , Hye Sun's character was honestly so good.
Jan Di and Joon Pyo... They faces many hurdles yet still wants to be together. Side love story of Kim Bum and Kim So eun was adorable, they looked so cute.
Ji hoo's character was nice, how he always supports Jan Di and always there for her was great.
F4... Daebak!! Four Charming boys together looked so damn good. Each and Everyone did Amazing job. The Swag of F4 was next level.
With Awesome acting, Strong female characters and unexpected twists... So good .
If you're a Kdrama addict then you should definitely watch this.?❤️

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Love, friendship, and high school drama collide in this addictive K-drama series.

-------------------------------- ✧✦ Pros ✦✧ --------------------------------

♥Captivating Romance: The love story between Geum Jan-di and the enigmatic Gu Jun-Pyo is both intense and heart-warming. Their chemistry keeps viewers invested in their relationship and eager to see how it unfolds.
♥Dynamic Ensemble Cast: The series boasts a talented ensemble cast, each portraying their characters with charisma and depth. The interactions and relationships among the F4 members, as well as Jan-di's friends, bring an additional layer of enjoyment to the story.
♥Engaging School Setting: The backdrop of an elite high school provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of privileged teenagers. The rivalry, social hierarchy, and power dynamics create an exciting and captivating narrative.
♥Fashion and Visuals: "Boys Over Flowers" is visually stunning, with lavish sets, stylish fashion, and eye-catching cinematography. The aesthetics add to the overall charm and allure of the drama.
♥Emotional Rollercoaster: The series effectively balances light-hearted moments with emotionally charged scenes, creating a rollercoaster of emotions for viewers. It explores themes of friendship, family, and personal growth, keeping the audience emotionally invested throughout.
--------------------------------------------------------- ✧✦ Cons ✦✧ ----------------------------------------------------------

✘Predictable Plot: The story follows a predictable trajectory, with some plot points and character developments being familiar to those who are well-acquainted with the high school drama genre.
✘Unrealistic Portrayal: Certain aspects of the series, such as the extreme wealth and influence of the F4, can feel exaggerated and disconnected from reality, making it less relatable for some viewers.

--------------------------------------------------------- ✧✦ Characters & Story ✦✧ --------------------------------------------------

Geum Jan-di serves as a relatable and likeable protagonist, showcasing her resilience, determination, and growth throughout the series. Her interactions with the F4 members, particularly Gu Jun-pyo, Yi Jung, and So Yi-Jung, provide a mix of heart-warming and turbulent moments. The complex relationships and friendships among the characters add depth and depth to the storyline.

The overarching story revolves around Jan-di's journey as she confronts challenges, faces personal dilemmas, and finds love amidst the elite world of Shinhwa High School. The series explores themes of identity, social class, and the importance of staying true to oneself.

--------------------------------------------------------- ✧✦ Conclusion ✦✧ ----------------------------------------------------------
"Boys Over Flowers" is a captivating and addictive K-drama that combines romance, friendship, and high school drama. With its charismatic cast, engaging storyline, and visually stunning aesthetics, it keeps viewers hooked from start to finish. While it may follow familiar tropes, the series's emotional depth and memorable characters make it a must-watch for fans of the genre. Prepare to be swept away by the whirlwind of emotions and discover why "Boys Over Flowers" became a classic in the world of K-dramas.

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I usually love high school romances, as well as love/hate stories and damsels in distress, but I had such a hard time getting through this drama - and I fast forwarded a lot. I probably would have abandoned it after a few episodes if I didn't love Lee Min Ho.

There are so many ridiculous and repetitive twists and turns in this story, and I believe they only got away with making 25 episodes because they had such an endearing cast. I don't think every young actor in this was great, but they were all lovable regardless.

I think my initial problem was the lead female character. I eventually understood how she fell for Ji Hoo and Joon Pyo, but it's hard to fathom why those two fell for her. I didn't feel I was given enough significant moments that showed her nice personality until about halfway through. Also, there was way too much random shouting from her and it annoyed me. It wasn't as bad as in She Was Pretty, but it was pretty awful.

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Finally watched it . The stylist were in another level, I laughed whole heartedly at the fashion and I couldn’t get past the hair the first time but I carried on and wasted 25 hours of my life watching it.
I loved the first few episodes with the female lead, she was Vivacious , strong not some dense child like character but that personality was gone after a few episodes then she became the typical female lead character we’ve all seen before. The drama was crying out for a decent plot line. It started well but the cliches throughout were shockingly bad.
A dash of physical abuse and throw in an attempted rape scene, a strange love triangle.
It could of been so much more

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My first korean drama when I was a child, I was in love with this drama. The more I watch it, the more I fell in love with the second leads. I was in love and more attracted into what the second lead couple were going to end up, than the main couple. I was not a fan of how on and off the relationship the mian couple had. I found it annoying as it got more and more cliche to other dramas. More dramas had similar plotlines, but back then I can tell why people loved it so much, since it was a new plotline back then. The more I watch, the more I thought this drama is boring, but I come back to it everytime there is no more dramas to watch. My ALL time favourite, with exceptions.

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