Addicted to Boys Over Flowers
Six years after Meteor Garden comes the Korean version, Boys Over Flowers or Boys Before Flowers that became a mega phenomenon of 2009. I was so addicted to Meteor Garden in 2003 in my freshman year. I’d be rushing home when my last class is finally done. I even had posters then of F4 especially Zai Zai, what fans call Vic Zhou who played Hua Ze Lei (Hanazawa Rui). I even bought the original soundtrack of the series which was a big deal to me already. I practically love everything about the television series from Taiwan.
In 2005, came the Japanese version with the same title of the manga; Hana Yori Dango. However, this one was aired on GMA-7 who dubs awfully. But I did like HYD, I also became a fan but particularly it was because I like Shun Oguri who played Hanazawa Rui. He wasn’t really that handsome, but he had this special aura and appeal.
I never thought, I’d still be this addicted for the third time. When I first read about plans to do a Korean version, it was initially an off idea to me. I just thought that, doing another version was over the top already. But thanks to Boys Over Flowers, I got to meet another person who became my instant crush, Kim Hyun Joong who played Yoon Ji-hoo (Hanazawa Rui).
However, BOF proved my doubts wrong. When it was finally aired in Korea, it was an instant massive it and becoming the phenomenal series of 2009. It was very much applauded by millions of fans and critics alike. I thought then, this might not be bad at all. When I heard ABS-CBN got the rights to air it on local tv, I was extremely thrilled. I wanted to see badly what people have been raving about from Korea to everywhere.
The trailer from ABS-CBN was really cute and funny. I did like the girl, she has her own persona as Geum Jan Di (Makino Tsukushi ). Although sometimes, she goes overboard with her acting but she’s likable still. I can never compare her to Barbie Xu or Inoue Mao. She definitely has made a new trend for the character. Of course, this is not saying that Barbie Xu and Inoue Mao did badly. She’s played by Koo ( Goo ) Hye Sun. Well, I haven’t really heard of her before. The five of them were practically newbie’s and up and coming Hallyu stars.
Lee Min Ho, who plays the same role Jerry Yan did 6 years ago, was also fit for the part as Goo Jun-pyo. Honestly, he has some close resemblance to Jerry Yan. He looks like Jerry Yan’s younger brother. But still, Jerry Yan remains to be the best for the role of Tsukasa Domyouji, but not because he was the original. Lee Min-Ho was okay however, he seems to be a bit lacking as compared to Jerry Yan's Dao Ming Si. And for Matsumoto Jun, well he is good looking but I think he made the character funny which isn’t supposed to be..
The last but not the least, my favorite character – Hanazawa Rui. In Meteor Garden, I was a Hua Ze Lei fan. In Hana Yori Dango, I was again rooting for Hanazawa Rui. Now Boys Over Flowers and I still like the same character, Yoon Ji-hoo this time. I really wanted that Shan Cai would end up with Lei instead. Not that I didn’t like Jerry Yan or Dao Ming Si of course. Until the Japanese came, I thought I’d change preference that time but I didn’t. When I first saw, Kim Hyun Joong as Yoon Ji-hoo, I was a little apprehensive at first. I didn’t like the way they did with his hair. It was just too long. I was quite undecided as to whose side I am this time, Ji-hoo or Jun- pyo ( Dao Ming Si / Tsukasa Domyouji ).
When I watched the first episode and the following episodes, I finally decided that I’m for Ji-hoo. When you look at his face closely, it feels like WOW. He really looks like a perfect gentleman, sensitive, handsome, down to earth, mysterious and quiet. He was totally perfect for the part; he was so much in character. Although in real life KHJ is actually more hyper than YJH, but still humble and a nice person like his role. It’s all in there you see, his face and his eyes are so beautiful. He’s even prettier than Jan-di especially in the part where he was looking at a billboard of Seo-hyeon.
I like all the guys who portrayed my favorite loved character, but I can’t compare one from the other. The three of them had different ways of portraying the role. But you know that there’s still the unique Rui- factor. Of course, it’d be ridiculous to do the same thing. Kim Hyun Joong is actually a singer – leader of the SS501 boy band. I think this was his first acting role. He’s good for an amateur to be honest, not because I’m so in love with this guy right now.
I really enjoyed the series. And still enjoying now on its replay run on tv. I’ve seen the best of three, Meteor Garden; Hana Yori Dango and Boys Over Flowers. Although I have yet to finish Boys Over Flowers English sub, but I’m really impressed already. I must be the only one left in the world who hasn’t seen BOF English sub yet. It may be the same story, but I like the fact that they did some really good changes that makes it a lot more exciting and refreshing.
It was a great relief that ABS-CBN got the rights. If it wasn’t, my god how terrible the dubbing could have been. And the fact that ABS-CBN is so good when it comes to publicity makes the series even more popular with the public. Although, I did like Hana Yori Dango as well, I still prefer ABS-CBN’s dubbing.
I certainly have a new addition to my dreamboats, Kim Hyun Joong. He is actually the closest to Rui in the manga. It looks to me like, it was tailored for him. No one could play the role better than him. I’m really glad he was the one they’ve chosen. If not, I would not have met such a wonderful and very talented guy. He’s actually dub as the hottest in Korea, he’s been topping almost every survey in the hottest property category. He’s a very lovable guy, very down to earth and funny without even trying to sound funny. He’s such a sweetie and a cutie. His smile brings a breath of fresh air to me. It feels so calm and happy when I see him smile. Now I have Vic Zhou, Oguri Shun and Kim Hyun Joong. He is surreal. It feels great.
