BOYS OVER FLOWERS -- my latest addiction...

just finished watching boys over flowers... and i've just been under the spell of the gorgeous LEE MIN HO!!!! (^_^)v

luckily, i got a long break the past weekend so i had the chance to do a marathon of the most talked about korean drama today, Boys Over Flowers, the korean adaptation of the japanese manga Hanayori Dango. there has been previous adaptations shown years ago... the first one was from taiwan, Meteor Garden which starred the famous Jerry Yan as DaoMingSi and Barbie Xu as Sanchai... then came the japanese version, Hanayori Dango which starred Matsumoto Jun as Tsukasa Domyoji and Inoue Mao as Tsukushi Makino... and the most recent version, currently shown in ABS-CBN daily @ 6pm, Boys Over Flowers, starring Lee Min Ho as Gu Jun Pyo and Goo Hye Sun as Geum Jan Di...

having watched all three versions of it, i can say that i love the korean version the most! not only because of Lee Min Ho (though he's the main reason.. hahaha), but also because of the nice scenery and tourist spots shown in the drama. the part where they went to New Caledonia is my most favorite location. the story was pretty much the same since they based it from the same manga, but of course each one had its own revisions of several scenes and situations. below are some examples of the differences followed by the synopsis i got from wikipedia:

(taiwanese-japanese-korean versions of F4)

Differences between the other versions:

• In the Taiwanese version, Jan Di's character was an only child. In the Japanese and Korean version, she has a younger brother.
• In the Taiwanese version, the heroine attends college. In the Japanese version, the characters are in high school in season 1, but F4 (minus Domyoji) attend Eitoku University in season 2. In the Korean version, the characters are also in high school, but the F4 move on to Shinhwa University from episode 13 onwards. Shinhwa High School and Shinhwa University are located within the same campus.
• In Taiwanese and Japanese version, Jan Di’s character was already studying at the school for rich people. In Korean version, Jan Di was admitted after saving a boy for jumping off the roof of Shinhwa High School on a swimming scholarship.
• In both Taiwanese and Japanese version, the relationship between the two characters: Sojiroh and Yuki ( also known as Yi Jung and Ga Eul in the Korean version) is only hinted. But in the Korean version, the relationship between these two is gradually developed throughout the series, having their own significant plotline instead of acting as a subplot.
• Akira, the fourth member of the group, seems to be the youngest in Japanese version. In Korean version, Song Woo Bin seems to be the oldest of the four.
• Ji Hoo has a more significant role in Jan Di's life than the Taiwanese and Japanese version, more strongly depicted as a romantic companion for most of the drama.
• Woobin's family does not appear in this version, nor does he only have interest in older women.

SYNOPSIS
A second year high school, Geum Jan-di, becomes admitted to a rich, prestigious school known as Shinhwa. The school is filled with rich people who can afford to go there. She becomes admitted after saving a student from committing suicide. At the school, she meets people with various personalities. There are the mean girls, fake friends, and last but not least: The F4. The F4 consists of 4 people: Gu Jun Pyo, Yoon Ji Hoo, So Yi Jung, and Song Woo Bin. Gu Jun Pyo is the leader of the F4 and is also the heir of the Shinhwa group. At first, he insults and makes Geum Jan-di's life miserable after she humiliates him. The only person who seemed to have sympathy for her was Ji Hoo, who saved her numerous times. However, as the drama progressed, Gu Jun Pyo developed feelings for Geum Jan-di. It turned out to be a twisted love triangle between Geum Jan Di, Gu Jun Pyo and Yoon Ji Hoo.

o-0o0-o

there's one thing though that i didn't like much in this version.. the actress who portrayed Geum Jan Di -- Goo Hye Sun. she looks so ordinary (no offense GHS fans) unlike barbie xu and inoue mao who are both cute and pretty. but she acted great, infairness. she actually reminds me of Kim Jeung Eun, the lead actress in the drama Lovers in Paris. the lead guy who played Gu Jun Pyo -- Lee Min Ho, i actually didn't like him also at first... i was kind of annoyed of his perms and curly hair... but after seeing the episode where he had his hair straightened, i was blown away! he got me there! i realized that he's actually so freakin' gorgeous! and since then i haven't been able to take my eyes off of him... hehehe :D

overall, the drama was really great!!! although you can predict the next scene because of the older versions that were already shown, there's still something in it that makes you want to watch the next episode.. well, for me there was... i was always curious of the next episode everytime i was able to finish one.

once again, i was floating in a world of fantasy... a world where an ordinary girl meets a handsome rich guy who falls head over hills in love with her (and only with her...) -- the cinderella type story. that's quite far from reality, we all know that... but who wouldn't wanna be a part of that world? if only i could find such a guy... if only.. but i know i won't...

~grazhishu~
*lee min ho crazy*
*wu chun addict*
*forever loyal joe cheng gal*