Let me preface this by saying that the first season will almost always be better than the second: That`s also the case here. Does that, then mean that this is not worth watching?ABSOLUTELY NOT. This remains as one of the best sequels of any body of work to this day. The acting is consistently excellent, the soundtrack is as great as it was the first time around and the drama is keeping true to the feel of its original material. Like I have mentioned in my review of the first season, "Hana Yori Dango" the drama is better than both the manga and the anime version and I stand by my words. It`s also better than any other adaptation of this material and I have a feeling that it`ll stay that way. This time around we have two more extra episodes, rounding up to 20 and a movie, which I`ll also review.

Now regarding this season, I had to give it a 8.5 instead of 9.0 even though it contains some of my favorite moments of this drama, like the fig talk between Tsukasa and Makino(which remains one of the most romantic scenes my eyes have ever seen). The reason for that being, sadly, the AMNESIA plot point. Ugh, I hate it so much when shows do this, I can`t even explain it. We`re lucky that it is done by such good actors like Matsumoto Jun and Mao Inoue, otherwise it would be a sure skip. Now, everything stays consistently good, but what also happens is the definite moment where you`re made sure of the actors` talent when compared to other adaptations and I would like to insert that one scene here. For comparisons` sake, the scene I`m talking about and am pitting against each other, is the moment Tsukasa/Jun-Pyo sees Makino`s/Jan-di`s magazine shoot in New York. This one right here is the best scene where I can confidently say that Matsumoto Jun can out-act Lee Min-ho easily. First off, the atmosphere is completely different for both scenes. Lee Min-ho`s is well lit, filmed from a direct point where you can clearly see his facial expression being that of simple jealousy. Yes, that`s fine that`s what the original material calls for as well. HOWEVER. Matsumoto Jun`s scene is dim, with him looking over New York and his back is turned to us. We see him looking at something and then, with a dose of disdain, he throws it on the bed:The magazine cover. His face is then shown to be completely blank, yet his eyes are full of pain. He doesn`t say anything, just keeps looking over the skyline pensively. With this scene, you`re not communicated if he`s only jealous. Because he isn`t. He`s restrained by the guilt he feels towards his friend for a reason I won`t reveal here, but he is also pained by jealousy AND another layer of guilt for having such a petty emotion in that moment. Truly, Doumyouji Tsukasa BECOMES Matsumoto Jun. And I`ve never seen that happen. Same is true for Makino and Mao. And Shun and Rui. And I`ve never realized this before, though I`ve seen this drama a million times, but Tsukasa and Makino only ever kiss three times in both seasons and I was shocked by that. Because what they transmit through looks and caresses, some actors can`t with even the steamiest of scenes.

This time around we also get a worthy villain who has been lurking from the start in the form of Tsukasa`s mother, and though stereotypical, the actress chosen for this role fits it like a glove and I really felt an array of bad emotions towards her character because of her presence. Still, this is a more than worthy successor of one of the most famous Japanese dramas ever created and it has my glowing recommendation.