The 2005 Japanese version will always be my favourite. I've rewatched both seasons and special a few weeks ago and I have to say it has aged very well. The music, the general atmospehere and the explosive couple are evergreen. :D
Totally agree with you about the second male syndrome in the Korean version. I think it was the only version where Ji Hoo was truly in love with her and even confessed. Not to mention that I could never warm up to Lee Min Ho in that role... ugh.
I have been posting on my journey of watching MG18 on the forums and have written an article on my take of the…
I'm sorry if I somehow overlapped with this article of mine: I should have given a better look at the archives. I'll fill the gap and go read your article right now. :)
I have not completed MG 2018 yet, I'll wait to do so before venturing a comparison. Until now, I'm not very impressed by Chancai, I'm afraid. This new Dao Ming Si however, is the most charming of the lot - and I'm not referring to his hair, I promise. ;-)
Although I haven't watched it personally, I've heard a lot of bad things from friends about the Korean adaption…
I'm partial, but I believe Hana Yori Dango 1 & 2, the Japanese version, to be the best on many levels, including the clichès you mention.
Makino is a positive character, even with her stubborness, and she doesn't let anyone trumple over her, certainly not the male lead or the other bullies. The male characters are... well, not exactly role models from the very start, but they all improve a lot ongoing. While it's impossible to avoid the love triangle, in this version it's neither dragged, nor is it causing major pain to anyone. Nobody's particularly indecisive here, and I'd say Rui is a crucial character for the main couple to fully comprehend what and who they really want.
Clearly, viewers form their own expectations based on personal taste, so if anyone's indecisive, it's actually us, lol.
In any case, given the premises avoid the Korean version like the plague. :P
P.S. I'm really curious to know the unbiased opinion of someone who watches this story for the very first time. If ever you decide to give it a try, I'd be pleased to know what you think of it. :)
Of all these adaptations, I've only watched Boys over flowers and I hated it so much.It felt wrong, I couldn't…
Ah, I hated BoF too, but I nevertheless completed it. This story really has a weird ability to keep the viewer engaged even when one doesn't like it. You're right, it's one of those classic one needs to deal with in order to understand the meta-references. :D
You should write more reviews, Arvis! :) May I join in the club of admirers of Chae Soo Bin? I'm only at the very early stages of this drama, but I already find her irresistible, to the point that I don't even really care where this show's going, as long as I can empathize with her character. Last night my husband exclaimed: "wow, they really managed to create a robot that looks like the actress"... until he realized what he had said and we burst out laughing. As ridiculous as his interjection may be, it's still proof of the actress's ability to play the part(s).
What, he returns to the same high school as a STUDENT? It doesn't make sense. He's an adult now, and so should be the two classmates he's up to get his revenge on, how can they all be still at school?
LMAO, if possible, this second rant is even funnier than the first. Thanks you! :D
How about the character crossing a deserted road when a truck (or a white van!!) suddenly comes out of nowhere and runs him over without even touching the brake pedal? Obviously the character didn't hear it approaching! Who knows, maybe he was immersed in one of the monologues you mention... :P
My biggest preoccupation about reviews is about the person who writes them. I usually read reviews when I'm trying…
@Sofia I too go read their list and compare when I stumble upon a reviewer who catches my attention for some reason. :D
However, I've also noticed that even my most trusted friends and fellow reviewers dislike something I loved and viceversa. You will never find another person who shares ALL your tastes, no matter how kindred your spirits may be. It's actually a great thing, in my opinion. :)
Thanks for writing this. I can see that you put a lot of thoughts and effort in it :DYour analysis about the types…
It makes perfect sense to me too. I usually go look for the "out of the choir" voice - which is, more often than not, the negative one. Actually, I even find writing negative reviews easier than the positive ones. Explaining why we love something isn't an easy task...
What hard work! Thank you for taking the time to read us and put it all together, it must not have been easy. Great article! :D
The hottest topic is clearly the "time to write a review".
While I understand very well the impulse - at times the irrepressible need - to express our opinion on something we are watching, I share the opinion of those who are not happy with reviews written before the drama has ended.
It's not as though there weren't other options: the episode review section is at times like a deserted island and so is the discussion section, which exists exactly for the purpose of gathering people who want to talk about the show. Why not use those?
A review is not a place to discuss a drama, it is, as you wrote quoting Wikipedia "a critical appraisal of a book, play, film, etc." Professional film critics sit through a film even when they hate it before writing a review; they don't run out of the cinema 5 minutes in to shout to the whole world "Best movie evaaaa!!!", or "don't watch this crap!". What's even worse, MDL system does not allow you to write a review without grading it at the same time, which means that one truly needs to be a magician to give an OVERALL 10 to a drama by episode 4!
Respect is a mutual thing: readers should respect the opinion of writers even when they disagree, but reviewers should respect readers too, A little patience on the part of everyone can't possibly hurt. In the meantime, the comment section can flourish all it wants.
I've heard that the finger between smallest finger & middle finger on your left hand has a nerve that connects…
In Italy we wear engagement and wedding rings on the left too, and we aren't Asian. I know nothing of the nerve you mention, but the left IS the side of the heart. This is like deciding the English, Malay, Japanese and so on drive on the "wrong" side of the road...
Thanks so much, both for reading the review and for commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I loved this flawed little…
Yes, me too. I'm sad the writer didn't have the guts to keep the initial, adorable quirkiness intact till the very end, since, just like you, I loved the messy and at times surreal feel of it all. The last episodes lacked that spark, but all in all it has been a very enjoyable drama that felt a little like a Summer adventure. :D
Fantastic review! One I totally agree with and perfectly captures the tone of this drama. I love your food parallel, so much that I came here to write a review and leave with a satisfying sense of satiety and no wish to elaborate myself. Thank you!
No, it's not only you. The drama's as deep as a mud puddle, which made it a lot easier for me to drop it at the first sight of impending rain. :P Never regretted my choice since. Kudos to you for the courage to compete it.
4 
Totally agree with you about the second male syndrome in the Korean version. I think it was the only version where Ji Hoo was truly in love with her and even confessed. Not to mention that I could never warm up to Lee Min Ho in that role... ugh.
I have not completed MG 2018 yet, I'll wait to do so before venturing a comparison. Until now, I'm not very impressed by Chancai, I'm afraid. This new Dao Ming Si however, is the most charming of the lot - and I'm not referring to his hair, I promise. ;-)
Love the Mario Cart parallel. LOL
Makino is a positive character, even with her stubborness, and she doesn't let anyone trumple over her, certainly not the male lead or the other bullies. The male characters are... well, not exactly role models from the very start, but they all improve a lot ongoing.
While it's impossible to avoid the love triangle, in this version it's neither dragged, nor is it causing major pain to anyone. Nobody's particularly indecisive here, and I'd say Rui is a crucial character for the main couple to fully comprehend what and who they really want.
Clearly, viewers form their own expectations based on personal taste, so if anyone's indecisive, it's actually us, lol.
In any case, given the premises avoid the Korean version like the plague. :P
P.S. I'm really curious to know the unbiased opinion of someone who watches this story for the very first time. If ever you decide to give it a try, I'd be pleased to know what you think of it. :)
Thanks for laughing with me. XD
I actually wanted those grains to be a little bigger, but I had to restrain myself and try to salvage appearances… ;-)
May I join in the club of admirers of Chae Soo Bin? I'm only at the very early stages of this drama, but I already find her irresistible, to the point that I don't even really care where this show's going, as long as I can empathize with her character.
Last night my husband exclaimed: "wow, they really managed to create a robot that looks like the actress"... until he realized what he had said and we burst out laughing. As ridiculous as his interjection may be, it's still proof of the actress's ability to play the part(s).
How about the character crossing a deserted road when a truck (or a white van!!) suddenly comes out of nowhere and runs him over without even touching the brake pedal?
Obviously the character didn't hear it approaching! Who knows, maybe he was immersed in one of the monologues you mention... :P
I too go read their list and compare when I stumble upon a reviewer who catches my attention for some reason. :D
However, I've also noticed that even my most trusted friends and fellow reviewers dislike something I loved and viceversa. You will never find another person who shares ALL your tastes, no matter how kindred your spirits may be.
It's actually a great thing, in my opinion. :)
Actually, I even find writing negative reviews easier than the positive ones. Explaining why we love something isn't an easy task...
The hottest topic is clearly the "time to write a review".
While I understand very well the impulse - at times the irrepressible need - to express our opinion on something we are watching, I share the opinion of those who are not happy with reviews written before the drama has ended.
It's not as though there weren't other options: the episode review section is at times like a deserted island and so is the discussion section, which exists exactly for the purpose of gathering people who want to talk about the show.
Why not use those?
A review is not a place to discuss a drama, it is, as you wrote quoting Wikipedia "a critical appraisal of a book, play, film, etc." Professional film critics sit through a film even when they hate it before writing a review; they don't run out of the cinema 5 minutes in to shout to the whole world "Best movie evaaaa!!!", or "don't watch this crap!".
What's even worse, MDL system does not allow you to write a review without grading it at the same time, which means that one truly needs to be a magician to give an OVERALL 10 to a drama by episode 4!
Respect is a mutual thing: readers should respect the opinion of writers even when they disagree, but reviewers should respect readers too, A little patience on the part of everyone can't possibly hurt. In the meantime, the comment section can flourish all it wants.
Actually, I enjoyed writing it more than watching the drama too. ;-)
This is like deciding the English, Malay, Japanese and so on drive on the "wrong" side of the road...
I'm sad the writer didn't have the guts to keep the initial, adorable quirkiness intact till the very end, since, just like you, I loved the messy and at times surreal feel of it all. The last episodes lacked that spark, but all in all it has been a very enjoyable drama that felt a little like a Summer adventure. :D
One I totally agree with and perfectly captures the tone of this drama. I love your food parallel, so much that I came here to write a review and leave with a satisfying sense of satiety and no wish to elaborate myself.
Thank you!
The drama's as deep as a mud puddle, which made it a lot easier for me to drop it at the first sight of impending rain. :P
Never regretted my choice since. Kudos to you for the courage to compete it.