Boys Over Flowers is a 2009 series based on the Japanese Manga, Hana Yori Dango. I have seen this drama so many times and to me it really seems like it’s a classic in the Korean drama world.
Genre: Romantic comedy, drama
Episodes: 25
Summary
This is a modern spin on the classic Cinderella story. Geum Jan Di (Ku Hye Sun) ends up attending a prestigious private school for the rich and famous. Jan Di decides to spend her years at the school unnoticed, but she ends up attracting the interest of the school’s most popular, richest, and most handsome guys, the F4.
Review
I love this story! So any version of it really attractive to me. There are 25 episodes each an hour long or so which causes me to loose interest often. I think of this Kdrama as a classic and I think it is often use as a way to cross people over into the darkside (muhahaha!). Boys Over Flowers has tons of your favorite drama cliches including, but not limited to poor girl/chaebol romance, 2nd lead syndrome (#teamJiHoo), evil mother-in-law, arranged marriage, memory loss and more!!
Characters
The characters are the one who make the story, so here’s a quick shout out to them.
- Geum Jan Di: headstrong, warm, hardworking. She is typically a strong girl, but ends being a little weak when things get tough. I guess there’s only so much one can handle.
- Gu Jun Pyo: Leader of the F4 and heir to ShinHwa Group. He is spoiled, arrogant, passionate. The one thing he wants is Jan Di and he does anything to get her.
- Yoon Ji Hoo: suffers from second lead syndrome. Survivor of a traumatizing car crash that killed his parents. Plus he so reliable. He helps Jan Di cope with the difficulties of her life.
- So Yi Jung: The hottest of the F4 (Kim Bum!!). A playboy who also is skilled at pottery. He loses his first love and learns that he can fall in love again.
- Song Woo Bin: The fourth and forgotten member of the F4 (I guess we can’t give everyone a side story when there’s only 25 episodes). His family runs the biggest construction company in the country and he has ties to the mafia. Another playboy who is interested in older women. He is also the glue that keeps them together.
- Chu Ga Eul: Jan Di’s BFF who works at the porridge shop with her, She eventually falls for the playboy Yi Jung.
Story
I have seen (or at least started to watch) the many versions of the drama. This version adds in many of the most of the important points of the manga. I think out of all of them, this one does the best to show off Jun Pyo’s wealth. The drama does a really great job at expanding each member’s story. They gave Ji Hoo a great extention on his story. Yi Jung has a different talent, but they also show his struggles with his family. The fourth member doesn’t really get much. I almost feel like this story could be an extended series with various season. I did recognize a few inconsistencies that I think I’m suppose to ignore. For example, when Jan Di goes to Macau she bumps into Ji Hoo and they continuously extend their vacation. All I can think about is, “doesn’t she have to return to work and school? Where are her responsibilities!?” I may have been jealous at that point though. I want an extended vacation!
Just an observation (don’t get mad), I feel like if Jan Di and Jun Pyo had an extended time away from each other (say 4 years) that they could fall in love with someone else. Despite it being first loves for both, I feel like they could be with other people. I don’t know just a thought or maybe a wish. hahaha!
Production
Like most Kdramas, they shot the drama at the most lovely location and took beautiful shots. But I honestly hate the 1 hour plus episodes. I sometimes find that there are many points in the drama where they could end the episode. Also too many flashbacks. It really is torturous to me.
Music
This drama has one of the best and most iconic OST I have ever heard. I think Descendants of the Sun is the only other drama where I loved most of its music.
Here’s a link to the playlist on YouTube.
Best scenes
There are probably more scenes that I like, but sometimes when a drama is too long (like this one) it’s more difficult for me to pinpoint what are my favorites. These are the ones that stuck with me most. Plus there were probably too many times where I was watching and I forgot I’m suppose to be analyzing and taking notes. Sorry You’ll just have to watch it to find your favorite scenes.
This is the part where Jun Pyo gets what he deserves.
I find this scene funny because Jan Di is nicer to Ji Hoo.
This was a straight burn from Jan Di to President Kang.
Questions
This one really bothers me…
Can you really talk on the phone with a motorcycle helmet on? I need to know!
Quotes
There are so many quotes from this drama that really stuck with me. I am certain that I miss some. You might be able to find more gems in the story, but for now here’s what I caught:
“Look all you want. I won’t charge.” Jan Di’s great comeback for someone starring
“If apologizing solved everything, why do you think there’s a need for laws and police officers.” Jun Pyo (but this is also a quote from the manga too.
“You don’t make friends with money. You make friends with heart.” -Jan Di
“Good shoes will take you good places.”-Min Seo (also a quote from the manga)
“It’s better to regret after you act than to regret because you don’t.”-Jun Pyo (also in the manga)
“Don’t even look at a tree you can’t climb.”-Yi Jung
“Did you boil and swallow the heart of a train?”-Jun Pyo (just thought it was funny. He said it because Jan Di was being too loud.)
“You’re head of the family now.”-Jan Di’s dad says to her and the brother responds, “When has she not been?”
“A man’s word is as good as gold.” “Give up isn’t in my dictionary.”–Jun pyo ( I actually really like this quote.And something I should repeat to myself often.)
“I was the wind you mistook for oxygen.”–Jan Di (if that isn’t way to break it off with someone…
“A person acquires as much as they seek.”
Afterthoughts/Recommendations
A classic Korean drama. I was #TeamJiHoo for the first 2 times I watch it. The last time I watched it, I tried to focus very hard on the Jan Di-Jun Pyo relationship. So I guess I’m #TeamJunPyo.
Here are other dramas you might like:
- Stories from Mangas: Itazura Na Kiss, Good Morning Call, Good Morning Kiss
- Other Adaptations: Hana Yori Dango, Meteor Shower, Meteor Garden
- Chaebol: Heirs, Shopping King Louie, Secret Garden
- Second Lead Syndrome: You’re My Destiny, Good Morning Call: Our Campus Days, Mischievous Kiss
This drama is currently on Netflix and Hulu. To watch it online, go here.
Drama-to-Life
I liked to see what I read or see in books or dramas and then try to learn more about it. There are plenty of things from this drama. I probably won’t be able to get to all these things, but they are worth learning more about:
DIY hankerchief
The dates
Making Kimchi
Jihoo’s pancakes
Snowboarding/Skiing
Egg Rollup
Star Tie
Travel locations
Culture in BOF
Did anyone else wait as long as I did to watch this? What did you think of it?
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