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*

Dalja's Spring Addiction

I have just finished watching the KDrama Dalja's Spring which stars Chae Rim and Lee Min Ki yesterday. Well, what can I say? I'm not really fond of may-december love affair types of drama... but this was really something different. Never thought I'd be hooked... but I was! I loved the series so much, I was so addicted!!! I loved the humor and the story itself... now, it has been added to my most wanted KDramas and Lee Min Ki has earned another fan... it's me of course! Ü

...

This drama is about a 33-year old single since birth never been kissed career woman named Dalja. With time passing her by so quickly, she suddenly felt the pressure of settling down and building her own family. The problem is, she doesn't seem to have luck in finding her mr. right. She bumped into Taebong (Lee Min Ki) one night and hired him as her fake lover (or boyfriend so to say) to seek revenge on her flirtatious and playboy ex-boyfriend.

...

Dalja, being so naive and ignorant on dating, was tutored by Taebong. He was giving her hints, techniques and all the other things she should know about love. Surprisingly, her "spare tire" boyfriend-by-contract Taebong slowly developed feelings for her. These feelings grew deeper and deeper when they started living together in the same apartment (as Min Ki had no other place to go, he left his apartment because he needed money).

...

Here's a synopsis I got from www.hancinema.net which includes character descriptions:

...
Synopsis

...

‘Dalja’s Spring’ is the story of Dalja, a 33-year old single at a crossroad of whether to remain single or get married before she gets older. The drama aims to comically and candidly portray the reality and undying pursuit of romance of a thirty something single woman.

The love triangle of Dalja, Taebong and Gijoong brews conflicts over love versus marriage. Taebong, a hunk six years younger than Dalja, works as substitute dates and becomes Dalja’s fake boyfriend. Gijoong is the type who dreams of an ideal and rational courtship. The drama also highlights the life and work of women in their thirties through Dalja who is a talented managing director at a home shopping channel.

Actress Chae Rim plays 'Oh Dalja' while actor Lee Min-gi is 'Taebong,' who freelances as a substitute date and develops feelings for his last client Dalja. Lee Hyeon-woo will play 'Yeom Gijoong' and Gong Hyeong-jin is cast for 'Shin Sedo,' a free romantist and Dalja's ex. Actress Lee Hye-young plays ‘Wi Seon-joo,’ a 33-year-old home shopping show host with a brilliant sense in dating.

Casting

Chae Rim - Oh Dal-ja:
33-year-old promising home shopping channel managing director. She owns a house and a car thanks to a career driven life. She’s interested in men but is a disaster on real dates. She’s a professional in work but a novice in love. She begins a dreamy love affair with flirtatious coworker Shin Sedo but is enraged to find out about his infidelity. She hires a boyfriend by contract, Taebong, to seek revenge on Sedo.

Lee Min-ki - Kang Tae-bong:
27-year-old freelancer for a proxy dating agency. He begins to pretend as Dalja’s boyfriend. It takes people time to discover his warm heart due to his outspoken character. He develops feelings for Dalja.

Lee Hyeon-woo - Yeom Gi-joong:
36-year-old prospering businessman who heads an importing firm of foreign brand goods. He is polite and humble with reputable character. But he’s very possessive and hates to lose. He asks Dalja to start a relationship with him as he thought she would be comfortable and not have high expectations on love. He is aghast at her elementary dating experience but grows attracted to her more and more.

Lee Hye-young - Wi Seon-joo:
33-year-old home shopping network show host. A former hot model, she disappeared from the public eye when she married at 29. She returns three years later as a divorcee. The talented show host, who can be fussy and particular, gets on Dalja’s nerves. She is a dating genius who knows all dating rules there are and what not. Her skills shine in making Shin Sedo as her man.

Source http://contents.kbs.co.kr


Another thing I liked about the drama is that there were a lot of love quotes or should I say lessons you'll learn... below are some lines/quotes I got from the drama that gave me goosebumps... because they made me super kiliiiiig:

Dalja: How would i know if it's love?
SeonJoo: Simple. If he's the person that makes you smile... and the same person that makes you sad... the same person that makes you cry... and makes you wanna see him when he's not around...
...
Dalja: Why did you choose me?
Taebong: because... (became silent)
Dalja: There are many other girls who are younger and who are beautiful, why me?
Taebong: Because you're also beautiful. You're beautiful when you smile. You're beautiful when you cry. You're beautiful when you're sad. You're beautiful when you're mad. You're beautiful when you wake up, even though you haven't washed your face... even when you haven't combed your hair... you're beautiful...

Dalja: Happy bday! (prepared dinner and cake... after going from work to the hospital to visit a co-worker)
Taebong: You didn't have to do and prepare all these...
Dalja: Aren't you suppose to thank me instead? I had work and I went to the hospital before going to the supermarket to prepare all these...
Taebong: I said you didn't have to do this coz I know you're tired. I don't want you to be tired. You don't have to show me you're strong. I've known you form the start. I can be strong for you.
...
These and a lot more... there were a lot of lines, I just can't remember them all right now...

All I know is I love Lee Min Ki!!! I love his character so much! I love this independent guy who looks so tough on the outside but so warm hearted on the inside! I love this guy who's willing to give up his dream for the woman he loves. I love this guy who patiently waits no matter what. He just got the charm that kind of hypnotized me.. haha Ü ...

I give this drama a two-thumbs up! really a must-watch korean drama series! So kiliiiiiiiiiiiig!!!!! Ü

...

~grazhishu~
*new wu chun fan*
*forever loyal joe cheng gal*

just can't get enough

So far, after watching almost 50 taiwanese and korean series in dvd, there are only 2 dramas that kept me wanting for more...

my favorite korean drama ♥ Princess Hours (Goong) ♥

and needless to say,
my favorite taiwanese drama ♥ It Started With A Kiss (ISWAK) 1 and 2 ♥

What's the common factor? I would say besides being both romantic and funny dramas, the lead girls are so devoted and the lead guys are so super hard to get.. ;p super hard to get guys really keep me hooked... it's some kinda magnet that i cannot escape... hehehe ;p

i dunno but i just love seeing a guy who's hard to get in the beginning... lets the girl desperately do everything possible to win his heart... would make fun of the girl most of the time or just not pay attention to everything she does... the girl would then get tired of doing almost everything for the guy and suddenly stops/decides to give up... then the guy would miss everything the girl does for him and he, then turns out to be and realizes he's so head over heals in love with the girl..

yeah... i know i'm just a typical hopeless romantic... poor me... but i really can't help it. it runs in my veins... ;p and i'm not denying coz i'm really hoping someday, i'll have the same kind of story... just like what other girls dream of... to find someone who'll love me as me, whole heartedly... ♥ '_' ♥

my own diversion

there are times when you feel like you've just had enough of everything... that you've been so tired of everything you do... sometimes due to problems that you encounter everyday... and the never ending responsibilities that you need to fulfill... or due to tragic events you've experienced, whether it be with a close family member, a friend or a special someone... like losing someone you love thru an accident, thru a third party or just because he/she fell out of love...

well for me, dwelling on the situation will just make you more helpless.. the more you pity yourself, thinking how less fortunate and less worthy you are because of what happened... the more that you sink further and further down until you can no longer recover.

i know it's so easy to say but so hard to do... however, i think this would be the best way. that is to think how fortunate you are compared to other people and to divert your attention to other things. you may engage or join other activities. your situation is actually not the worst of all. there are many other people in this world who are less fortunate and who do not enjoy the things that you already have. to divert your attention, you may go to the gym for work out, go to the mall and watch movies, attend a fund raising project or be a volunteer on a house building project for less fortunate people, hang out with your friends that you haven't seen for so long, etc... there's actually so much to do in this world other than to just think of your problem the whole day.

well as for me, what works best is watching my korean and taiwanese drama dvd collection... i know others would find it so boring or so corny, but i don't really care. though the stories sometimes are quite predictable and simple, they have the ability to enlighten/brighten up my mood. most of them are FEEL GOOD dramas... best suited for depressed/tired people or even for a normal person who just wants relaxation.

there is always this "KILIG" factor in this kdramas, which is what i rarely find in american series. you'll have this "KILIG" feeling just by seeing how the characters gaze at each other, the way they converse with each other, the way they hold hands, the way they hug and kiss... really very different from american/mexican series. i don't know if it's just me, but i feel like the emotions are so real, unlike those american series where i can't see any spark.

you might as well try and see for yourself... :)

~ aja! ~