Meteor Garden (2018)

Meteor Garden the remake

Most of the lead actors, including the supporting cast, were chosen quite well. But I believe we can mostly agree that DiDi stole the show on this one. Darren Chen, real name Guan Hong, or the actor portraying Hua ZeLei actually gave him a run for his money. Where Didi was the spoiled bad boy who initially bullied the girl he fell in love with, Darren was the angelic good boy who was introspective and someone who knew how to value a long-standing friendship. Where Si was the one who threw food in ShanCai’s face, Lei was the one who helped her wipe it off.

For the full review, please link to this: https://thislifehappened.me/daoming-si-and-hua-zelei/

Leggi di Più

A beautiful story with amazing casting

Meteor Garden (2018 version) was the first cdrama I watched so it is very nostalgic for me, and might even cloud my judgement of the show as a whole lol. That being said, I honestly do think it is a masterpiece, from the visuals, to the story and the acting and honestly just all of it. It's that one show I always keep coming back to. I have to warn you, this show really takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. You're laughing and crying, sometimes both.

The story to me is really interesting, and even though it's a little violent in the beginning it does get much better later on. That is actually one of the charms of the show. It starts off so dramatically with a very flawed male lead, that throughout the show has a lot of character development. It honestly is one of the reasons why Daoming Si still to this day is one of my favourite characters in cdramas in general, because he goes from downright awful to an adorable guy. One of the reasons why I think this show is so good is because the characters are in my opinion written so well, that all the main characters are likeable, and there isn't like an annoying female lead or anything. Daoming Si and Shancai are both written well, and even the rest of the main characters are likeable and I find myself rooting for all of them. That does not include those two girls that constantly try to sabotage Shancai lol.

The plot to me is interesting and never draggy or slow. Something is always happening, which to some may seem like a lot, but to me works out perfectly. This show definitely isn't one of those chill fluffy romance dramas, where nothing that drastic ever happens, because this show really throws some plot changes at you from time to time. Nothing too drastic though, but enough to keep it interesting. Meteor Garden is very dramatic, so if that's not your thing, then this might not be for you. It does have a lot of adorable romance too so it's not lacking in that department. I also find that many dramas have the characters do something horribly cringe where you just want it to be over, but Meteor Garden really never did that to me.

The casting in this show is AMAZING, like every one of F4 went on to be male leads in their new dramas, that's how iconic this was lol. F4 was casted so well in my opinion, they all portray their characters so well, and I find myself watching their other dramas as well just because they're the leads. Shancai and her friends were also casted so well, like I literally can't think of one actor in this show that I thought didn't play their role well. Also, Shancai and Daoming Si's chemistry is so good, it feels like it's almost real and not acting. Those dramatic scenes really hit different, and I'm not even gonna lie I cried multiple times watching this it's so good and captivating. Their emotions are so real it gets me every time.

I've seen some people complain about the music, about how it seems as though they didn't have a budget for music or something lol, but in my opinion the music really fit the story. Like I don't know what it is but "Say something" really got a new meaning through this show and now every time I hear that song I get nostalgic because of Meteor Garden. That song was perfect for those sad scenes, and you knew you were gonna cry when the song started playing.

I have watched Boys over Flowers, the korean version of this, and I've also watched a part of the Japanese version. To me Meteor Garden (2018) really is the superior version, it just brings me the feels every time. I know this might upset some people but to me Boys over Flowers was just way more cringe, and way more rushed than this version of Meteor Garden, and for that reason it doesn't rank nearly as high for me as this one. The Japanese version however, is a solid contender, where I have to admit it is alright, nothing wrong with it, I just happen to prefer this one. That might be because I watched this version first, and it's nostalgic to me. Keep in mind I haven't watched all of te Japanese version but I'm hoping to finish it at some point.

Meteor Garden is one of those shows I always go back to. I watch it every day, and then I take a break from it and come back again in a few months. It's that one nostalgic show to me. That's why it has a lot of rewatch value, and even though I've seen it so many times, I still keep coming back for the memories of this masterpiece. It is quite long, but all in all if you're thinking of watching it, I think it's worth it. And once you're at episode 10 you'll be hooked and can't let go anymore lol.

Leggi di Più

An emotional roller coaster yet so good

10/10 is my rating. This is the newest (Chinese) rendition of story that has been told a couple of times. In 2001 this was aired, under the same title, but with 27 episodes. It is also a retelling of a Japanese Manga "Boys Over Flowers." Reading the review on those I am actually glad I started with this because a consistent comment is that this telling in 49 episodes (45 minutes per episode) allowed for telling some side stories and greater character development which which were two of the things I really liked. In this version, Shen Yue plays the female lead, Dong Shang Cai. I loved her spunky nature. Those that had watched other versions did not like this element they felt that rather than responding to injustice she played it more like she had a chip on her shoulder. But I will say more about that in a minute. She works hard and finds herself in an elite university that has a boy group called F4 which is made up of the handsomest, wealthiest and most talented boys in the school. Of course, Shang Cai has a run in with them and, most particularly, their leader, Dao Ming Si (Dylan Wang). He is basically an arrogant bully and Shang Cai basically has no problem standing up to him because she doesn't hero worship people. That and her spunky nature, sets it up so these two main characters will have a lot to learn from each other.

Spoiler ? As the plot develops, you begin to understand why Ming si is the way he is and that just because someone appears to have everything does not mean that they do. His friends - the remaining three of F4 - Hua Ze Lei (Darren Chen), Yan Ximen (Caesar Wu), and Feng Meizuo (Connor Leong) were also arrogant and seemingly spoiled on the surface but as you got to know each of them you realized there was so much more to each. I loved Hua Ze Lei he was one of my favorites. He was there when he needed to be and not when he shouldn't be for all of the characters. I both loved and hated this movie deeply. I loved it because it was a well developed, beautiful story. The romantic story was wonderful but the relationship between the boys was equally moving. We all want friends like that. The way they all came to like her because they could see how happy she made their friend was one of my favorite parts. There are a lot of sad parts and I do not typically like anything that makes me feel sad. That was the part that I did not like. I cried, along with the characters, multiple times. But, in this case, the story was so good and ended so well I was willing to forgive it. You definitely have to understand the culture to get why they do certain things and I don't think you need to understand it up front but you do have to approach certain parts with a level of curiosity and seek out the answers if you don't understand. If you have immersed yourself you will likely get it but if you know little then you will not get certain things. I personally grew up in poverty and can tell you that some of the elements in this movie still exist within the culture I am most familiar with, the American culture. There was certain people that were sort of off limits because of their wealth and social standing. Much more subtle but definitely there. So I could identify with that. I know I will watch this again in the future (and not too distant) as I know I would gain even more if I watched it again. Grab some tissues if you are a crier and saddle up for a bit of an emotional roller coaster. You will be glad you did.

Leggi di Più

Took months to get through this one. I almost gave up at first though. The main male character was TOO aggressive. I know, I know...that's the point, he's supposed to be a jerk....all that. I know. I just didn't like it. At all. He assaulted the girl on numerous occasions and she falls for him. I had trouble with that. Quite a bit of trouble, actually.

But then Hua Ze Lei showed up like a knight in shining armor and just stole my heart and I had to keep watching even though SLS was written all over that poor boy. But seriously, I want his wardrobe.

The story takes a long time to resolve with too many I love him/her, I hate him/her, Let's date, let's break up, I love you, NO I love you episodes. It was tiring. The writers also seemed to forget some key points (the bridge club, Shen Cai's cooking) by half way through which makes it seem scattered and leaves you wondering why we lived through the drama of those things when they ultimately mean nothing to the plat. Headscratchers.

Eventually, as Dao Ming Si matures and recognizes he's an idiot, I warmed to him. The crying scene...lordy, son...breakin' my heart. I wasn't even mad at Shan Cai for liking him over the alternative. The heart loves who it loves. Happy endings and all that.

So, with reservation, I would recommend this show. The violence toward Shen Cai is triggering so if you have a sensitivity toward that, don't watch this.

Leggi di Più

Spoiler Alert!

I have watched the original Taiwanese Version and after watching this I still love the original more. Here are my thoughts about this version. Dylan wang and Darren chen did a very good Job when it comes to acting. Dylan Wang as Daoming Si is so handsome even when he is angry. Shen yue is cute but I felt that she could've done better. She did much better in A love So beautiful and also Barbie Hsu's version of Shancai is classic . They didn't use shen yue's real voice. Someone dubbed for her and I think that this voice didn't suit her at all. sometimes it was too shrill. There are 49 episodes while the original 2001 version had only 27 episodes if I remember correctly. So as I expected, the story went off track.The first two episodes were so good ,as the story kept on progressing there were so many ups and downs. Everytime Daoming Si gets closer to shancai something bad happens and they keep on fighting. What was all that with Meizuo, Caina and Terrence. It was so boring that it nearly destroyed my interest to continue the show. episode 48 was so draggy. Again and Again, flashbacks of Daoming Si and Shancai's love story was shown which was not needed. The Ending? It was so confusing. Shancai Hit the butler and fainted lol. She wakes up dressed in a wedding gown and has a dream . when did the dream end? Why the hell was Thomas one of Daoming Si's best men? Why didn't Shancai's parents attend their only child's wedding? I was so confused. Anyways they got married and all ends well unlike 2001 version which continues with a terrible, horrible season 2 that broke my heart(eventhough daoming si and shancai reunite at the end). I really loved all the songs from the show. I think that it would've been better if they cut short it to like 30 episodes instead of 49.

Leggi di Più

All great performances except one

I would love to have given this series a much higher rating but Shen Yue’s acting quite frankly ruined it for me. All the other actors were great, giving excellent performances but Shen Yue was uninspiring. Dylan Wang gave this cdrama credence with his heartfelt performance as a sort of Shakespeare’s Romeo as Dao Ming Si. But for all the effort he put into his character the opposite seemed true for Shen Yue’s performance as Dong Shan Cai. Even the ordinary girl she portrayed could have at least been played by someone a little less annoying who would never let her guard down even for a moment. It was exhausting watching her refusal to bend and begs the question, if the main character doesn’t really care why should we? Wanted to also make an honorable mention of the performances by Darren Chen and Caesar Wu who also added a sense of believability to their characters as members of the F4 group.

Leggi di Più

This one’s a classic and I feel that many of the tropes from shojo manga or even romantic k-drama (plain cinderella surrounded by a bunch of good looking guys, rich guy/poor girl, evil mother in law, etc.) were inspired from this. In other words, it’s got everything people either love or hate depending on their personal tolerance or liking for these old tropes.


The male lead is very controversial. He’s downright mean in the first few episodes and almost does something unforgivable in the fourth episode (something I wish they had removed because the story would have worked just as well without it, IMHO) but I could see what the writer was trying to do with him…he’s a big sweetheart and probably one of the most devoted and unwavering MLs by the 30th episode onwards; almost like an entirely different person but it takes awhile for him to get there and maybe for others (understandably) a little too late.

The relationship between the ML/FL only work out here if* the viewer likes the trope where one character transforms after going through a lot of changes. I was loving the ML/FL by the latter episodes but again, it took a long time to get to that point and there’s a lot of angst a viewer has to wade through, brought on by their social status differences and his meddling evil mother.

I’ve seen several versions of HYD/MG. It was a huge hit when it aired in my country; in fact, it started the asian drama wave in the 2000s. I think this might be the best version because of how closely it follows the manga. It does something better in that it manages to soften the characters even further and inject more sweet moments between the ML and FL, which I didn’t see much of in the HYD comic. I could actually tell that they liked* each other here, compared to other versions where they just bickered most of the time. It also handled the amnesia arc from the comic very effectively…I didn’t like that trope.

Also, casting is on point for all the characters here, especially the F4. I’ve always thought Lee Min Ho from BOF and Bright from the Thai F4 were too soft and pretty to be Domyouji/Dao Ming Si..but they would have been perfectly cast as the 2nd ML. IMHO, only the Japanese, Taiwanese and now the Chinese versions cast the ML right. So far, the only San Cai/Tsukushi I like are the ones played by Barbie Su and Mao Inoue. The one here is just alright. It’s a nice touch that they made her a chef.

The only thing I didn’t like about this version were the episodes that focused on a made up character named Zhou Caina, who was not part of the comic..and also the last episode which seemed rushed and out of the place.

Leggi di Più

the story some times gets boring specially when the main character Shancai always get in trouble. The acting of the cast is really good, specially Darren Chen, his performance is really natural.
About the music, it is very outstanding.
In general is a nice story you will love it and watch it more than once. You haver to take note that the subtitles are in english and in spanish, also you listen some english expression during the serie this helps to get the main idean of the scene.
What I dislike from the serie was that sometimes the main love story of Shancai and Daoming Si gets bored because the actors some time you can see that the acting of the actor were very forced was no natural.

Leggi di Più

Problematic and fun... two words that only go together in fiction

I've seen the Korean adaptation but none of the others. The actress's portrayal of the MFL in the Korean version made the character so pathetic, I wasn't able to finish the series. I honestly only watched this version for Dylan Wang. As an aside, I didn't realize they dubbed his voice in some of his drama until I watched Only For Love and heard his real voice (which I actually prefer). Anyway, enough about voices.

This story is problematic-ish. I add the "ish" because it's based on a comic book and everything is always over-the-top in comic books. Since this version seems to follow the original faithfully, the over-the-top scenes don't translate as well to TV/film as a medium. The acting is rather cartoonish (except when Dylan Wang does that eye thing, where he communicates all his thoughts with a single look; that's impressive as always).

This show is also addictive. Something is always happening until about episode 12, then it slows down a bit, which was good. I was getting exhausted from all the back and forth. The romance is drawn out to the N-th degree, thus I found binging 5 episodes at a time to be the right amount.

Basically, if you enjoy watching cartoonish, fun shows with over-the-top reactions by the ML and FL, this one is for you.

Leggi di Più

Review from someone who had no exposure to any of the previous versions

I watched this series because a friend showed me the first 20 minutes on Netflix. When I came home, I reluctantly tried to watch the first two episodes. After all, I dont speak any Mandarin, and was questioning the subtitles. I speak several other languages, and in my experience with Netflix, it doesn't provide great translation.

I was hooked after two episodes, and have now watched ALL the episodes.

Great casting job! Having come to understand, it was first job for many of the young cast, I'm impressed. Especially Dylan Wang and Darren Chen. Im sure Shen Yue knocked it out of the park, but her character had me, a woman, wanting to reach into my TV and knock some sense and shake her at times.

I grew up on Bollywood entertainment, and have a South Asian background. So I understand the cultural restraints to great story telling. The conservative nature greatly restraints the story I find, and the actors. Every cliché to dating and relationships is played out, and even made fun of in the story.

My biggest disappointment is the normalization of violence against women, and the acceptance of it. I understand that this version greatly reduces the violence by introducing a card game as a tool that F4 uses, but there is no remorse or acceptance of responsibility from the characters who mete out the violence, even Dao Ming Si.

Also concerning is the women, who dont look out for themselves. I was totally shocked at the bar scenes and women. There are no cautionary measures introduced, and friends seem content to leave their drunk female friend with a stranger. As someone with sisters, daughters, nieces, i was just floored. Please understand, I moved out on my own when I was 17, and had to learn some survival skills on my own. If I was at a bar, I watched my drinks, and we generally had designated driver, who stayed sober.

The ending felt rushed. There ought to have been more foreshadowing of financial struggles and Dao Ming Feng's desperation to keep the company afloat earlier. I felt jarred to go from two young people in need need of medical care to a waking Dao Ming Feng. I didnt care that she got some sleep finally.

Maybe language skills could've helped with the ending and the bizarre wedding scene. Also, what could help is translating the songs. The songs were cheesy, but i find they help understand the characters and their motivations.

Would I watch it again? Yes. Would I recommend to others? Oh yes!

Leggi di Più