Hana Yori Dango Adaptations
Hana Yori Dango (aka Boys Over Flowers) is my favorite manga of all time. I never get tired of it or the *many* drama adaptations, all of which I've enjoyed so far. On a side note, I highly recommend the anime to fans of the manga!
*I've included Meteor Shower, despite it being unauthorized. It was adapted as a version of HYD and only at the last minute was it called an "original work" due to copyright issues. This is the only unofficial version I'm including since other "versions" I've seen people call adaptations only have a few similarities (i.e. Moon River). It's inevitable that other dramas would have a similar premise/formula to HYD.
-
1. Hana Yori Dango
Japanese Movie - 1995
- A truly wacky movie that's fun but most people won't like anymore.
-
2. Meteor Garden
Taiwanese Drama - 2001, 19 episodes
- Solid adaptation that covers that manga well but feels a bit dated.
-
3. Meteor Rain
Taiwanese Special - 2001, 4 episodes
- Only Xi Men's episode is based on the manga, the others are all original.
-
4. Meteor Garden II
Taiwanese Drama - 2002, 31 episodes
- This sequel is authorized but not based on the manga at all, though it bears some semblance to the amnesia arc.
- Haven't finished yet but it seems painful.
-
5. Hana Yori Dango
Japanese Drama - 2005, 9 episodes
- My personal favorite version
-
6. Hana Yori Dango 2
Japanese Drama - 2007, 11 episodes
- One of best sequels of anything ever imo.
-
7. Hana Yori Dango : Final
Japanese Movie - 2008
- Also not based on the manga, but partly inspired by the deserted island arc.
- Special note: Author of HYD helped create the story for this movie.
-
8. Boys Over Flowers
Korean Drama - 2009, 25 episodes
- The only version I haven't seen all the way through. The reason mostly being time and its length. I've seen clips though so I know most of what happens and what arcs are covered.
-
9. Boys Before Flowers: F4 After Story
Korean Special - 2009, 4 episodes
- A music video sequel to the K-drama
- Basically just a special project that shouldn't be taken too seriously.
-
10. Let's Go Watch Meteor Shower
Chinese Drama - 2009, 36 episodes
- Unauthorized so not an adaptation per se. There are a lot of similarities, but most of the character development and story has been changed obviously.
- Special note: it was originally titled "New Meteor Garden" until the producers were unable to get the copyright (which was due to a clause in contract with the Korean drama version).
-
11. Let's Watch the Meteor Shower Again
Chinese Drama - 2010, 36 episodes
- Sequel to unauthorized Meteor Shower ^
- I've only seen part of it so I'm not completely sure, but it seems completely original though it reminds me a bit of Meteor Garden II (which I also haven't finished).
-
12. Hana Nochi Hare: HanaDan Next Season
Japanese Drama - 2018, 11 episodes
- Sequel/spin-off to the Japanese drama.
- Technically an adaptation of Hana Nochi Hare, the sequel manga to HYD (which I also recommend!)
-
13. Meteor Garden
Chinese Drama - 2018, 50 episodes
- Also a remake to Meteor Garden (2001) and was produced by the same producer, Angie Chai.
-
14. Boys Over Flowers
Thai Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
- The latest drama announced in 2019. At first, I thought that this wasn't going to be official so I was surprised when I found it was completely authorized.