Hana Yori Dango 2 (2007)

I Enjoy It

This story tells the Boys Over Flower story in a more detail then the Korean and Chinese. It is a little more violent that al the others. It felt more of the challenge of Hanazawa Rui and Domyoji Tsukasa love for Makino Tsukushi then any other version. We really find out that Rui does fall in love with her but accepts her choice of who she wants to be with. Other version does not specify that he is really in love. There are action but the characters always makes it as he was just trying to get them together. I really like this version and I even compare it to all the "Meteor Garden" versions that are also out there. I have watch both "Boys Over Flower" and "Meteor Garden" in Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese, and Thailand. There are parts in many of them that I really like but the Japanese version and Korean of "Boys Over Flower will be my favorite, except I did not like the ending of the Korean version. Chinese version of "Meteor Garden" I enjoy but did not like the ending.

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BOF vs HYD part II

Don't read this if you haven't watched the show!

Wow the first season was good but this one won me over. I didn't think it was possible to get ever more conflicted between Domyoji and Hanazawa Rui but HR just got hotter as the episodes went by! Who am I lying to, I didn't want Hanazawa to end up with Makino at all, that was already set in stone for me by the end of S01, but did I have a crush on him myself!

Things to point out by the conclusion of HYD:

I felt sad that Hanazawa didn't have a grandfather side story to keep him company, but since he didn't look miserable for being rejected, I was ok with that. Not sure what him giving the violin to the little girl was about. Was he supposed to become more human by having been in contact with Makino?

The mother is just a mean human being, no wonder Domyoji was the way he was when we first got introduced to his character. She eventually came to terms with their relationship but still only because of the new deal the old man proposed. It's not like she had a change of heart or suddently start caring for her own son. But I think that's what makes her a true villan and I'm ok with it, specially because she was consistent. Her not wanting to go inside the building for prom, but letting Nishida go, aplause.

The proposal, just wow, that was a real show and seeing it made me realise how lame Jandi was proposed to in the K-version. I wouldn't have this any other way.

Still sad Sojiro and Yuki didn't get together but maybe, just maybe give them another 10 years of her simping and she will get a ride. That added a comedy aspect to the show.

New York vs Macau: Having Domyojis reasons for staying away were a lot more plausible. I felt the real burden he was carrying as he believed that his actions caused someone else that much pain. Trully a character development high moment! No wonder he was able to grow so much with it.
Also him rebeling against his mum and being disonwed is a stronger reasoning than my dad's kinda dead and I must carry on being the man of the family. Ok maybe cultural differences led to that scrip writting? Hard to say, but I prefer how HYD portrayed it.

The girls after Domyoji were equally as annoying but I appreciated that they simplified both acts and kept it short. I didn't need to see all of that nonsense again.

The head maid was creepier here but so sweet that her and Makino had bonding moments in the traditional house. It was a good replacement for the doctor with Jandi. Both girls needed a mature figure to advise her, her parents are useless in both shows.

The little brother side story was adorable and a great ways to show us that Domyoji can care for someone else for no reason other than being kind.

Overall, I really liked this show, as I felt a bigger connection to the characters and a great satisfaction to see their love story have a happy ending. It was emotional at times, I was crying when Domyoji reunited with Ken and when he got his memories back at the ski house. Even the necklace had better justice by being rescued from the river other than just falling into a swimming pool and her almost dying. A competitive swimmer, even injured, wouldn't just drown like that... She had well functioning legs and, humans float if they don't panic! Rant over.

While I said at the end of BOF that I wouldn't be interested in rewatching and gave it a low ranking for it, I could see myself missing HYD at some point and watch some of its best moments. This cast was absolutely amazing and the production team did a great job just like in season 1. I added 2 new songs to my playlist and will probably read the manga at some point in time.

I'm really glad I gave this adapation a shot.

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Part 2 of possibly my favorite HYD Adaptation

Link to my review of Part 1: https://mydramalist.com/profile/7498003/reviews/280267

I sort of knew, going into this season, that my rating for the second part would be lower than that of the first part for the simple reason that there are a lot of new tropes that I dislike even more — amnesia, disapproving parent, etc. And that was certainly the outcome; I just generally didn't like this part as much even though the chemistry between the leads was still there, and I still really enjoyed both characters generally.

A lot of my comments from Part 1 are the same; I still love the female lead's character. She was headstrong and brave but without seeming naive and impulsive like other HYD interpretations. This season had a lot more of the ML being mean BUTTT I actually don't think it was as bad as the other adaptations.

With that being said, the benefit of the fast pacing still applies — Fewer episodes meant those tropes weren't dragged out, but it might, to a new viewer, feel like the subplots weren't in depth enough. Therefore, when we got to the secondary couple arc, I don't think it really had enough emotional weight.

Nevertheless, I really think this might be my favorite HYD adaptation that I've seen — I loved the main leads the most in this version and it's worth watching for them alone.

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Okay, let's be clear: this is a cheesy romcom. So I will write a review for what it is, and my feelings watching it. I won't write like how others are, where they think too much about it, when it's supposed to be a fun watch!

It's been a while since I saw the first season, but fortunately you can watch this despite that since there's a short recap at the start (which I appreciate very much). There was a lot going on in this season, and I think that that is its main flaw: the story. If I point out every single flaw of this drama, we can keep going on and on about it, but like I said, this is a romantic comedy: it will make you feel like you're having fun and it's supposed to be lighthearted so we have to put the seriousness aside. Now that I've put that aside, I just want to say that the cast is just AMAZING. They fit their roles very well, and I'm so biased I guess because I love Matsujun but aside from that, they were really able to encompass their characters.

The drama has only a few notable songs but of course I gave it a 10 because they're simply ICONIC. Who wouldn't jam to Love So Sweet everytime its played as the OP song?

Anyway, I'm not one who rewatches dramas but like I said, this had its flaws. The messiness of it all would prevent me from rewatching it, but I definitely understand why it won't be for others. This is, after all, a classic dorama cherished and loved by fans all over the world for so many years already.

I kinda also feel nostalgic about it because I was about 9 or 10 years old when I saw the first season, and that's actually the reason why I gave this still a high overall score. Nothing can beat the impact it had culturally as a manga, drama and how iconic its other adaptations are as well. It's nice to see this now that I'm older, it made me feel the rush of innocent feelings of what I perceived love to be as when I was younger, and of course its flaws and what's wrong about them. Makes me feel a little sad honestly, because it's a sign I've gotten older but at the same time I appreciate seeing my own growth because of it. Also Matsujun was literally my first Japanese boyfriend... please let me be aaaa

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Classics never get old.

It's weird. This story is unrealistic, sometimes quite stupid and cliché, but somehow you just can't forget it. And you love it. Makino and Tsukasa, they are a legendary couple I'd say. For some reason, their story makes them seem grand and meant to be. Maybe it's because they went through so much together. Their friends and the support of everyone was really nice to see. I mean, it's a classic, you just have to watch it.
Shigeru was probably my favourite. Or at least she made me cry SO MUCH in this whole story. Her personality and selflessness made me so emotional even in this last episode when she appeared.
I wish we could have seen Nishinoya and Yuki together, but I guess we got that in Meteor Garden 2018. And yes, I definitely agree. This version is better. Especially in the acting department, I guess this drama is my first proper Jdrama. I wanted to give it a try even though this is 15/13 years old and I didn't really wanted to watch the korean version. But I am pretty surprise at the quality, even the cinematography? This is over a decade old and has better camera directing than some newer dramas, like what.
ANYway. Personal highlights of both seasons:
Tsukasas hair (especially in s1). Gorgeous. And obviously him.
Tsukasa in a beanie.
Makinos tears.
Tsukasa and Makinos kiss in the sunset.
Tsukasa and Makino brothers plot.
"Did you know that when you cut a fig in half it looks like a heart? That's why they say that the flavour of love is sweet and sour. But to me... the flavour of love only tastes like that lousy cookie you made." my eyes got wet real quick.
Tsukasa and Makinos relationship in general.
Rui.
Just. Shigeru.
NISHIDA.
That badass housemaid.
That OST.
Tsukasa and Makino <3

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Highly recommend

My all time favourite drama! ❤ i have watched meteor garden 2018 it was good but too long, it got boring after ep 30 and i started the korean version, i couldn't get passed the first episode itself cause of the FML's overacting...so annoying she was!

And now HYD, the best version for me. The actors were perfect in their roles. Matsumoto jun will always be my favourite actor, he nailed the role of domyouji and mao inoue also, she's the cutest yet fierce! I love her so much as Makino..Ariena-itsuno!! ❤❤ Rui, soujiroh, akira , makino's family, okami-san and yuki, all are so good in their roles.. Everything is perfect!!! ❤❤ The story is well paced, not a single boring scene. The ost are so nice.. especially planetarium and love so sweet.

This is the kind of drama i can rewatch for how many times and not be bored of.
10/10
Highly recommend!

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