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BOF vs HYD
I started watching this straight after Boys over flowers. I mentioned this in my review for BOF and I also believe that it applies to this show a little, the story is a outdated. Obviously. It is based on the manga which started around 1992, wow that's 30 years ago.What's good about this version is that, even though some scenes are still too old fashioned to be believable, they are better than the Korean version because they kept it simple. The majority of the plots just happened naturally, and quicker. It was interesting to see the production decisions to make a scene happen in a certain part of the season rather than later or overcomplicated.
I felt that Domyouji was meaner than Gu Jun Pyo; Makino wasn't as whiny and came accross as a much stronger female character, that I could see as a potential role model; Hanazawa Rui wasn't as prince charming as Jihoo was in the beginning, but he started to show his own charms as the story unravelled. F4 was still F3 for a while but not as much as in the Kdrama version. I didn't feel a stronger connection for Sojiro in here as I did for So Yi Jung, maybe because his side story doesn't take so much screen time. Something in Akira made me like him a lot more than Woobin, I mean they were both meant to be the mediators of the group and did that just fine, maybe the fact that we saw his mother and twin sisters, or that he had a crush on the dango owner shop? Those details made him stand out more.
Unfortunately I spend so much time comparing the adaptations, that I can't give an unbiased opinion, and while I feel like some of the friendship elements weren't as strong in the Jdrama, the romance build up was more satisfying, to the point that I actually started cheering up for the main couple, which I could never in its Kdrama version. Jihoo will always be the best one for Jandi, but Domyoji and Makino simply belong together.
Ok now onto season 2!
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"Hana Yori Dango" is the Japanese version of the F4 story. It's also the most famous and well-known version.Makino is a poor girl who attends a school full of rich people, always feeling out of place and not belonging. One day, while helping a friend she recently made, Makino becomes the target of the F4 and earns a "Red Tag," meaning she's marked, and the students do everything they can to make Makino give up and leave the school. Unable to stand the humiliation and bullying any longer, Makino decides to fight back, and her attitude is what makes Domyouji fall in love with her.
The drama is a typical Cinderella story, but Domyouji is what makes it interesting, as his personality is completely different from any Prince Charming. He's immature, impulsive, and sometimes quite stupid, but at the same time, he's affectionate, loyal, and once he falls in love, he never gives up. If I had to characterize someone from F4 as a prince, it would be Rui, because of his personality and his demeanor.
The romance between Makino and Domyouji in this first season is captivating, but since the drama is split into two seasons, they made the beginning lighter, allowing us to see Makino gradually realize she's in love with Domyouji. The final scene where Makino pursues Domyouji and finally confesses her feelings for him is truly memorable <3
One of the reasons I loved this version so much is that there's a strong focus on all the F4 members, not just Domyouji and Rui. Akira and Soujirou are also great characters, so having more screen time with them was a joy. The soundtrack is another reason; it was through this drama that I discovered ARASHI, and what an incredible band they are! It's impossible to stop singing!
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Possibly my favorite HYD adaptation that I've seen
As someone who hates the poor girl/rich boy trope, the toxic male lead trope, the amnesia trope, the kidnapping trope, the disapproving parent trope, and more, I went into this adaptation of HYD with a lot of doubt and trepidation — especially since I'd watched several other versions before (BOF, 2018 MG, F4 Thailand in that order) and not really enjoyed them for a multitude of reasons, from cringy writing to weak acting.To my surprise, this was actually really fun to watch, and dare I say it, this might be my favorite version of HYD that I've seen.
The main reason is really the two main leads, who not only had insane chemistry but also managed to balance serious dramatics with humor really well. Domyoji was really lovable despite his toxic flaws, and Makino was a particularly impressive, being a strong female lead who stood up for herself and her friends without ever coming across as being naive/stupid, brainlessly impulsive, judgmental, or wishy-washy (which had been my criticisms of other HYD FLs).
I think the pacing was also a benefit. The fact that there were so few episodes meant that annoying misunderstandings weren't dragged out; arcs flew by fast, making this a better adaptation for people who already have some knowledge of the original story. I do think, however, that if a viewer is going into this story blind, it might feel too fast, as there are a lot of subplots with new side characters that aren't really given time to marinate.
Basically I loved the main leads the most in this version, but the side characters better in the others. Nevertheless, I actually would recommend this! It's short, it's quick, and it's fun.
Link to my review of part 2: https://kisskh.at/profile/7498003/reviews/280275
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Well, I see why this is a classic
This drama is almost 15 years ago, I enjoyed is SO SO MUCH! I only watched the 2018 chinese version of this and I have to say, I can totally understand why many rank this version the first. Even though this is so old, it doesn't actually feel old? Expect for the styling and technology, it doesn't feel out of place like older dramas often do. The leads were amazing, I mean they are way better actors than the chinese ones (I have to add that they were rookies tho).And I have to say, this story has some pretty questionable storylines, but for some reason if you can overlook that, you can feel that the love between the leads and the friendships feel so sincere and heartwarming. This is definitely a classic. Also I loved that it only has nine episodes.
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MAKINOOOOOO
I loved it sm when I watched it a couple years ago and I still do. I think I hold it on a high pedestal because it’s one of the first dramas I ever watched, but I love the story and the characters and the way they’re portrayed in this adaptation! i’ll admit some of the story drags on, but i think that is also what keeps you watching. the new york parts in s2 were definitely interesting tho 😭 anyways i’ve seen both seasons & the movie and honestly you could watch the beginning of the movie and then skip to end lol … but all of it is very cute!!!! best adaptation idcWas this review helpful to you?
I loved this version!!
I think it's first good to say that my favorite Kdrama is BOF. So naturally I was obsessed with this drama! From the moment those boys came on screen I was ready to love/hate them and as a big a baby as Domyuji is, it didn't take me long to love him and his little permed hair. I love this story so much, so to see an adaptation so akin to my Kdrama version and yet all it's own made my heart so happy. I adored Makino and she and the actor who played Domyuji had great chemistry in my humble opinion. The story kept me on the edge of my seat and I anticipated every next moment. I just ate it up! All the drama, shouting, fighting and crying was just on point for me and every day I looked forward to watching the next episode. The entire cast felt truly connected and I loved the way Domyuji matured throughout the series. I loved seeing how this version played out compared to others I've seen. Domyuji continually mispronouncing words was too precious and Riu's devotion to Makino kept me going at times. I wish they would've done more with our side couple, but like Soujirou running away from even the hint of a committed relationship also makes since. Domyuji didn't hold much attraction for me at first but the actor was so great, it didn't take me long to fall head over heels for him. He never once wavered in his love or pursuit of Makino, even when he didn't remember her, he remembered her. His constant love and never ending persistent became what made him so attractive to me. I love a man who knows what he wants. This was just it's own masterpiece. Some may prefer other versions and that's okay, but this one is still gold and definitely worth the watch. Especially for BOF lovers. 🌸Was this review helpful to you?
I watch other adaption
I watch the other adaption of this, this is so bad I would never watch it again, the Chinese and the Thai did it the best. but it the the og / manga is Japanese. just respectfully I would never recommend this or re watch this. I just wish they put more effort in this I just feels like me and my family just want to make a drama and this is it.Was this review helpful to you?
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Before watching this drama I already seen Korean one then chinese one ,in all three drama story is the same but as it was so old and Korean drama made after three years of this drama taking the season 2 story in their drama ,so I enjoyed that one more than this one because of three years gap made the lots of changes like view ,then little bright colour of the background ,new technologies used and most important I am too much connected with the second lead also that character had all my sympathy but I am not connected with the second lead character of this drama as well all other two F4 characters .As a whole in all way Korean drama is the best one ,all F4's characters story and then lead actress and her friend ,each and every character connected me very well with the story. Then I like the chinese drama too it's first lead and 2nd lead both are cute and lovely and other F4 character again do not connected me with the character but compare to this it is better.About this drama story is good ,but it is at fast track. In the whole drama I like the lead actress acting only .As I had seen 1st season only so I can't come at the conclusion ,may 2nd season change my view .
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Story: 10/10 because who doesn't really know this story? It's been adapted many times. I just love this plot.
Acting: 9/10 because I thought that the acting was great. The leads have great chemistry. I like the friend chemistry too. I thought the Rui & Tsukushi had good chemistry too.
Music: 8/10 because the soundtrack was good especially the song that plays through out the drama like Flavor of Love(I think it's called that?). It was good, but not as memorable.
Rewatch value: 9/10 because this was a cute story, and I would watch it again if I become upset and no other drama comes to mind to watch.
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