As a teenager in school, I grew up with Boys Over Flowers franchise. With every version I’d think everyone around me wanting to be in Gorya’s place had lost their mind. The Male Lead abuses the FL physically and verbally throughout in both the Korean and Japanese versions. (And no it is not normal to call your partner ugly or pathetic!)
This version on the other hand…
It does the whole redemption arc, and they actually pull it off. To the point where I’d say my favourite character is Thyme. He truly goes through a crisis and tons of self-reflection before making a real effort to change himself. The friendship of the group is amazingly real and the family relations/conflicts of both leads are similarity well portrayed. Some of the highlights for me:
- Gorya’s character is not helpless or easily impressed with money. She’s extremely strong, takes responsibility for her whole family, and only wants to be in the relationship once she sees the change Thyme has made.
- The lack of toxicity: Maybe it’s because it’s Thailand, but I love how the guys are able to cry in front of each other and hug easily. They also share their emotions very often and have a healthy support system in each other
- All the female characters (even Rosalyn)! They’re all powerful and self-reliant in their own way. None of them truly chase after any guy (even with Hana they show that her issues go much deeper than just wanting Thyme). It’s a great scene at the end where they show Mira and Lita successful and happy in their own lives

Truly, the Boys Over Flowers franchise has terrible memories attached to it for me, but this show has made me like an unlikable story, and that’s a miracle.