Boys Over Flowers (2021)

A Solid Hanadan Adaptation

I just finished this drama and feel satisfied overall. I’d rank this as my third favorite adaptation (with the Taiwanese version still holding the top spot and the Japanese version second). For context, I’ve read the manga and watched all the drama adaptations.

Story: Very good, though I noticed that in the beginning, they tried to follow the Japanese version closely instead of creating their own take. I really wish they hadn’t done that because Japan compressed and re-organized a lot of scenes, not following the manga as closely as the awesome Taiwanese Meteor Garden. As a result, some scenes flowed a bit weirdly to me. That said, the show eventually found its own voice, and the ending surprisingly followed the manga (and thank God they cut Umi out during the amnesia scene - I always found her character annoying and unnecessary). I was expecting Thyme’s comeuppance for his horrible misdeeds to mirror the scene where Gorya gets kidnapped and he refuses to fight back (which was really cool in other versions - he could take them down but didn’t because the FL might get hurt). But in this version, Thyme actually went on to apologize to those he bullied, and that, for me, was an amazing take.

Characters: The characters were pretty good and likable. The dynamics of the main couple were refreshing as well. I liked Gorya and how they kept in this version that she’s already been a student there for a long time, which made the build-up to her fighting back really impactful (the Korean and Chinese versions made it seem more comical, which I didn’t like). The only issue I noticed is that, in the source material and other versions, the male lead doesn’t become nice overnight. In this adaptation, Thyme’s development seemed almost immediate rather than gradual, making it less convincing. One of the things that stood out to me in the original story was Domyouji’s character growth - from being a violent person with impulse control issues to becoming a better human being. I’m pretty sure this is a writing issue, not the actor’s problem. Other than that, I liked the friendship of the F4, as well as Gorya’s friendship with them (it’s really important that I feel this because Makino’s influence isn’t only limited to the male lead but the F4 as well), which was similar to the Japanese F4 dynamics. I also think that, next to Vaness Wu’s Mei Zhou, this is my second favorite version of Akira (M.J. in this version) because I really felt his presence here, even more than Kavin.

Music: I don’t even remember it most of the time - though this is subjective more than anything.

Rewatch Value: Some scenes are really funny, memorable, and worth a rewatch!

Also, I can’t be the only one annoyed by all the product placements - I get that they had many sponsors, but most of them were 80% in-your-face the whole time. There are ways to be subtle with these placements (see Korea with Subway).

Overall, great job adapting this story, Thailand!

Leggi di Più

I feel Gorya and Ren had more chemistry than Gorya and Thyme

This was really cute, but my first one out of all these adaptations was Meteor Garden and it didn’t disappoint at all. This was my second one and it also didn’t disappoint. The series is pretty similar to Meteor Garden, Gorya has bad luck meeting people I’m pretty sure she either meets people who will ruin her life or make her life change fully. Her relationship with Mira and Kaning was the kind of relationship I want with my friends alway supporting each other’s decisions. All of f4’s relationship with Thyme shows that their true friends from him ripping Ren’s teddy bear, destroying some relationships with each other, but they always seem to be able to forgive each other. I do feel that even though Gorya and Thyme had so much chemistry from their date to the Ferris wheel and him literally standing in the cold rain just to have a day with Gorya to when Gorya doing the smae for him when Thyme’s mom didn’t want them together that she didn’t eat for a couple of days. I still feel her and Ren gave a different vibe to me they seemed like they were more of a couple than Gorya and Thyme from him hanging out with her on the rooftop and listening to her problems kinda gave a different vibe that they would’ve been a better couple than Gorya and Thyme. Also justice for M.J. he had so much potential, but never got showed. Also I loved Kavin and Kaning she’s his little chipmunk and they were adorable together. I do definitely recommend this drama.

Leggi di Più

One of the most hooking versions of Meteor Garden/Boys over Flowers

I have never watched any Thai drama but having a MG adaptation made me do it, this is my first time watching a Thai drama and I am actually shocked how good their acting and their confidence to make emotional scenes proved it. Almost every episode of this drama there is a scene that is intense and emotional and I am here for it. For me, Ren carried the whole plot on his back he is the best and most selfless character in the story and aside for Gorya he is my favorite character and at some point I actually wanted them to be together which I never wanted in other MG versions maybe because Gorya and Thyme lacked romantic scenes and most of their scenes together are like best friends only but it is their dynamic as couple though but there should be more romantic scenes to show that they are actually a couple like maybe one or two more dates after they got official. I also liked that the story shows the lives and loves of the other F4 members and not just Thyme’s it gives somewhat of the justicen to the F4 title since out of all this version is the one the shows the most about their lives but of course with this lacks focus to the main couple and their romance is not that felt by me the most out of all the versions. Also, Thyme’s character seems a bit underwhelming for me he is a good character and his actor is good too but the way this series showed him is very monotonous like the scene I remember him the most is the breakup with Gorya in the clocktower and shouting at Gorya to leave at the last episode, I understand but they could’ve give him a bit more personality. The way this drama shows the gap between the rich and poor sends me so much and they really showed the struggles of both statuses. Lastly, MJ my sweet sweet boy’s love story is shown like a side story and advertisement, give my boy justice! it should have been part of the main series!. Overall I really liked this series and like all series’s its not perfect but for me it is one of the better ones

Leggi di Più

F4 Thailand IS A Good Modern Adoptation!

After month of putting it off, I finally watched this series entirely, I had it as plan to watch because I heard good things about the main leads Bright & Win but I watched them in 2gether first and that is how I decided to watch this series so Bright & Win got me this far. But what I discovered was another amazing Actor that debuted in this series Dew and he was the one I lached onto and ened up watching all 16 episodes. I had a SML syndrome just because Dew's character as Ren was to perfection.
He did an incredible job for his first drama, he tells the story with his eyes and he knows when to smile and with the right facial expressions. Bright did very good too but he had that smerk look his face almost all his scenes and that is the only flaw for his character as Thyme.
Win did a great too, he played his character very well and also MJ which I enjoyed the side story. Everytime the side story came on I was drewling for KFC! My start rating was 9/10 & finish rating is 8.5/10 only because the 2 half was not as good and there was many scenes that they did not get to squeeze in it. There was no getaway and that was one of great detail missing from this adoptation. It was not my favorite of the entire franchise but it was a good mordern story telling that the used with Social Media and loved that they addressed many issues which the bullying was the main thing but I think they haded too much of that and less funny moments. But I recommend to watch it and the opening OST is beautifully sang by F4.

Leggi di Più

Good but not Great

Well, it took me months to get through this. I think there are two reasons. 1) I saw the original early on when I first discovered K-Dramas. It’s old now but still can’t be beat. 2) The female lead, Gorya, was super annoying. She was screaming like every 5 minutes. I actually liked Lita so much better.

As for the rest of the cast, I loved all of them. The F4 boys were perfect. Bright was great. He showed a huge range of acting skills. He was especially funny when he would get words wrong.

This was a great production by GMM-TV. They always put out great quality. I do recommend it.

Leggi di Più

F4 Thailand: Boys over flowers

It is thai version of drama Boys over flowers - I do not remember which version was first and this is the only one I have watched. It is also first thai drama I have watched. I liked chemistry between cast - it has to be amazing, cause they still play with each other (not all of course, but duo or trio are often seen together).
Storyline is pretty predictable, I feel like it is type of cinderella story, rich boy fall in love with poor girl, maybe she does not have much money but have happy family while he only has money. And of course typical rich bulling poor - asking out would be too difficult.
But still a good drama if you are looking for enemies to lovers.
I do not know if it is worth watching other versions when you already seen one, I do not know if they are so different, but if you want to check if Thai types of drama work for you then this drama is good one to check.

Leggi di Più

Better Than Meteor Garden, Up There With 花より男子.

This adaptation of 花より男子 is more enjoyable to watch because it has more fighting than it's predecessors. The fighting scenes actually look more realistic and less melodramatic than Meteor Garden and 花より男子.

The music (OST) was not really my favorite. Not sure why, it just never struck the right cord for me. Making the score of some scenes a little off in my opinion. I do, though, love the acting. The cast swept the board compared to the other adaptations. Which follows into the production which was very well-done.

(Watched: DRAMACOOL)

Leggi di Più

Good adaptation

Well, this is the different one from other adaptations with >20 episodes into 16 episodes. Fast paced. but it succeed. Tu Tontawan and Dew already made it very great in their debut.

However, Bright still have to improve his expressing skills in this drama. Not saying that he's bad, just needs some improvement. Win and Nani succeed to bring the character the joy to their friends, like the narrator said in the last episode, "The one who looks like a mafia, but actually has his soft spot, and really love his friends". And I have to admit the perfection of the villain (Thyme's mother) because i really... really like the acting. Idc she's a villain i still like her acting lol. I recommend this!

Leggi di Più

Nothing to lose my mind over..

A decent story overall. I generally enjoyed the elements of realism when it came to the school bullying and the depiction of poverty and struggle in contrast to wealth and power. The characters for the most part were fine, but not that much developed. I get that the protagonists need more screen time, but I needed for the side characters to have their own goals and motives instead of their life revolving around the main couple 24/7. And speaking of the main couple, their love story I can't say it won me over. The actors did their job, but I wasn't convinced to root for them based on the writing. It felt kinda forced.

I was more intrigued in the first half of the show, but it kinda flopped after a point. The plot was all over the place, the writing wasn't that good and many things were wrapped up fast, which I guess has a lot to do with the number of episodes being fixed and not with the writers.

Still I'll recommend it to anyone who likes a typical romantic story with.

Leggi di Più

Simple Thoughts

In simple words, F4 is a better version of Boys Over Flower. The things that I found cringy in the previous adaptations were almost gone from this drama. The cast was perfect. They did a wonderful job portraying their characters. Especially the second lead couple captured my heart, they were too cute. If they make a squeal with these two, I will definitely watch it. One thing that could have made this drama way better is the stop of random product promotions. Like what they did in the hospital when Thyme was injured. I mean seriously, you guys need to stop with the product promotion. Anyway, if you love BOF, Korean or Japanese, you will love this drama.

Leggi di Più

LOVED it but...

I honestly loved this series, everything is great the acting, the plot is good an all and there's something I particularly/specifically don't like about this drama, or should I say hate? well I'm not sure maybe that's too strong of a word lol. I feel like the FL trusts anyone BUT the ML and honestly it frustrates me, contant making of wrong or should I say bad decisions and the thing is that she doesn't really ✨️communicate ✨️and jumps into conclusion without making thorough consideration, and again everyone has their own opinion. But honestly worth to watch. LOVED TYE ACTORS AND ACTRESSES AAAAA THEYRE SO MAJESTIC

Leggi di Più

Very worth your time! I HAVE REWATCHED IT MULTIPLE TIMES

This drama has 16 episodes with about 50-60 minutes long each. I love the cast so much, when I finished the drama for the time I immediately searched up the actors/actress in the drama. Their acting is so good! They paint the perfect image and makes you feel some type of way. The cast is very talented, and their acting is my favorite. I love how the FL doesn't cry pretty and she really sobs not like a lot of dramas where they barely show pain. Except, I do have to say, the FL is kinda naive and she trusts people way to easily even after what she goes through she never learns a lesson, and she doesn't learn to what others want to say.

The story/plot is very interesting... that's all I can say, there's a lot of plot twists but some of them are kinda predictable, some plot twists are very deep. I love how there are very little details and it captures the moments perfectly. I wish I could give the story line a higher score but there's a lot of times I just want to smash my device across the room because of how random the character developments are. It is a very deep drama and it makes you want to watch more and more to the point you don't sleep at night.

The couples are incredibly cute and totally worth watching! <3 9.5/10 ONE OF MY FAVORITES!

Leggi di Più