zleighz

If the storyline doesn't grab you.... it might not be for you.

There are so many things about this version that have elevated the storyline from fun/cheesy/guilty pleasure/over the top/etc of some of the other versions and into the realm of fantastic drama, storytelling and characters... but tbh, if the story just isn't your thing, it probably doesn't matter how good it is.

Definitely worth watching the first episode though!

She also has the best line ever when she's yelling a Daomingsi... something like, "you belong to the social group psychologists say are most likely to be sociopaths" <3

I think Kiyoi is one of the most sympathetic leads I have ever seen in a romance. My heart breaks for him when he feels toyed with, and when he tries so hard in his actions and words to express himself only to be misunderstood and have his feelings ignore by Hira.

Hira is great as well, but Kiyoi stole my whole heart.

Oh yes, I LOVED her response. When Kavin says that Gorya is cooler than he thought at the end of the last episode, it mirrored my feeling about this version of the FL.

The social media aspect feels like it gives weight to this world and the bullying setup. In all other versions, the setup felt really over the top.

All of this exactly!!

I was trying to think up how to express a lot of these and couldn't articulate my thoughts. I'm so glad you just made this comment.

One more to add:

Letting the trip/kiss be because Gorya was pushing Thyme away from Ren was way more interesting than the usual silly set up for their accidental kiss.

The original Meteor Garden (Taiwanese) is the best of the other versions imo. The FL is strong and not annoying, and the ML is charismatic.

That said, the Thai version has blown me away and is way better than any of the others so far.

Part of what sets this version apart for me is that it has brought the "mother's expectations" part in at the beginning. In all the other versions, it is just an obstacle to them being together, in this version, it has been used to set up Thyme's character.
He Is sympathetic and understandable right away, and his behavior can be seen as a cry for help more than anything else. Amazing decision from the scriptwriter

Completely agree!

It's like this version was able to understand whatever the something special is about the story that keeps us all coming back to it time and again, but then actually wrote the characters and setups in a believable way. So well done.

Like one character in F4 Thailand says, "there's a fine line between cool and cheesy".

Boys Over Flowers crossed that line.

This version is superior.

Omg. I thought you meant Gorya's mom and I was devastated! 😆

I agree completely. I also loved the mom's interview and the explicit use of "red card", which elevated the school game from simply being a set up and plot device, and connected it fantastically to the ML's internal struggle. None of the other versions have set up WHY the ML is an emotionally stunted brat until he's already fallen for the FL. In this one, he is so much more 3 dimensional right away.

I like your comment and agree with everything except that I think Thyme is the best acted version of the ML that I have seen yet. His face when Gorya's friend was gonna have her heashaved was perfect. The emotions were there, but subtle. I'm very much looking forward to more of his take on the character.

Another change is to the FL's family characters. In this version, they aren't just annoying drags on her. The whole part about wanting her to marry a rich husband is tempered by their love and support and desire for her to be herself and be happy above all. More than anything, I hope to see the show keep these relationships going.

If I remember correctly, all the other versions have the FL standing up to the ML, and him falling in love with her immediately (anyone can correct me if I'm wrong). In this one... she stands up to him, and his behaviors afterward are clearly influenced by her, but it's not so simplistic as "be my girlfriend" like in the others. Instead, his family and status influence, which is usually pretty annoying drama in the other versions, has a lot of weight and importance right off the bat.

Wow. Whoever took this source material and created this script is amazing. The changes are subtle, but this story flows way more believably and these characters feel way more weighty and real than any other version.

Well done. I'm enthusiastic for more.

This version of the character is much more subtle and it has set up internal conflict right away, so he is way more relatable. I would say the acting here is superior as well.

Fantastic acting. I was honestly blown away by his role as Kiyoi. There was a whole episode of Utsukushii Kare devoted to his inner thoughts, and it was almost unnecessary.... his acting had already showed his feelings. It was subtle, but it was there. Having his inner voice was just candy. So sweet.

I will be checking in and keeping my fingers crossed that I can see him in more dramas.

I have never seen a better or more affecting confession scene in any drama. This was an amazing drama. Absolute perfection.

Her choreography at the end was beautiful.

Spoiler for the ending:
Without the last scene, I loved it. I thought it gave me shades of Ex Machina (which I love) and and was fantastic through and through.
With the last scene, it's a cute love story with great actors.

One more thing:
For everyone talking about how things don't make sense or that threads are left loose.... ridiculous. It would be a horrible story if it focused on the rules of the cleanup or the motives etc etc. The story is about our 2 leads, everything else would've just made it longer and less worthwhile.

Since I liked Ji Hoon in At a Distance, I was contemplating trying Love Revolution again, so thanks for the recommendation!

Like 7 or 8 of them...
I'm only 3 episodes in and it's fun seeing so many of them together in totally new roles!

Except Wu Tong/3rd prince of Xi Qi... he's a massive dick in both apparently lol.