This review may contain spoilers
"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!
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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