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“Boys Before Flowers,” aka the Korean Hana Yori Dango

I’m a little late to this info, but this news gets me excited. And apprehensive. But excited!

So the Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango has been made into an anime series, a Taiwanese drama (Meteor Garden), and a Japanese dorama. The Japanese versions are already popular in Korea, but now a kdrama adaptation of the drama has been announced, with the tagline that “Third time’s the charm!” But really, when every version has enjoyed immense popularity throughout Asia (and the world), the tagline is a bit misapplied, methinks.

The production team behind the series is none other than Group Eight, who did Fantasy Couple and Goong S, and says they were selected by the copyright holder Kamio Yoko (the original manga writer) and Japanese publishing house Shueisha based on the strength of those prior drama series.

I could go into a whole long post about why I really dug Hana Yori Dango, but OH LOOKY HERE you mean I already did? I just love when I do my own work for myself. (Btw, that link doesn’t have any substantial spoilers, but there are screencaps and I mention, in a vague way, some of the larger plot elements.)

So the immediate question on everyone’s mind becomes the casting, particularly the fearsome foursome “F4” who rule the school as quasi-celebrities, and the Doumyouji character in particular, its hard-hearted (and -headed) leader. A Group Eight rep explains, “Rather than casting based on popularity alone, we’re going for actors in the Korean F4 who fit the original characters best,” and intends to scour talent from already famous stars to unknowns in search of the most suitable F4 candidates.

I actually think going with unknowns can be a good move, because a super-popular series casting super-popular actors can overshadow what’s already a compelling, time-tested story. (But, might I suggest: Choi Shiwon would make a great Doumyouji, wouldn’t he? He’s got the right mix of popularity and freshness, and if he can manage the character’s mix of brutish assholery and thick-headed charm, he might just be perfect.)

Still, I think the big concern ought to be how to make the Korean version a series in its own, and yet remain true enough to the original story to please its existing (sizable) fan base. Also, how do you top the excellence of the Japanese version, made so recently? The dorama version was superlative in its adaptation, its casting, its music, its lighting, its production. Every aspect of the series was handled with great care, and it was rewarded with large success. Furthermore, the current Wikipedia news (so take with a grain of salt, obvs) indicates the Japanese series is planning to wrap things up with Hana Yori Dango: The Movie, to be released in the summer of 2008. Group Eight is certainly no stranger to expensive, gorgeous-looking sets with Goong S, but they’ve got their work cut out for them.

The series is set for a 24-episode run and, for now, aims for an airdate in the latter half of 2008. Dude. I am so there.

(And now all this Hanadan talk makes me want to rewatch the drama. Weekend marathon!)

Via My Daily

SONG OF THE DAY

Anamu & Maki – “ひとつだけ” (hitotsu dake / only one). Neither the song nor the group have anything to do with Hana Yori Dango; merely an excuse to post a Japanese song. [ zShare download ]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

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My heart nearly stopped beating when I saw this post.
I love HYD. I really love Kdramas.....and I hope that they don't kill it. I am rooting for the makers of this drama . . .
As for the actors, well my favorite rendition was the Jdrama, I never found Matsumoto Jun to be the definition of hotness BUT he was a good actor, I loved how he depicted the different sides of Domyouji (especially the parts he acted all goofy [think "Hemingyay" XD ])and he grew on me very quickly.
I just hope the guy that plays him is taller AND both agile and strong enough to be able to convincingly seem like he could beat up ten full grown men as was depicted so many times in the Jdrama. lol.

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AAAAH! I don't know if I'm happy or totally worried about this. I once commented when I first got into Kdrama that Hanadan would make a good one since it has all the essential elements of a Kdrama plot, I never would have though they'd actually make one! But still, I worry...I mean, someone commented before that Hanadan is essentially Kdrama ish at heart (and it is, omg the comment about Sakurako and the plastic surgery? I nearly died laughing) but still there's many MANY things that could go so terribly wrong. Also the group that's picking it up don't have such great standing in my books *cough*GOONGS*cough* but then again, fantasy couple was a cute and enjoyable drama so it could go either way (I really hope it goes in a good way). I've seen all the drama version of Hanadan (even the old OLD live action movie) so there's a lot to compare this new version to in my mind, I'll really have to refrain from doing that though, I hope I can treat this version as something of its own. A lot of people compare the TW version with the Jdrama and end up hating the TWdrama. I, for one, really loved Metero Garden =D.
I'm thinking really hard about who'd be good for the roles and I really have to agree with Siwon as tsukasa (and not just cuz he's smokin') I thought he had a really commanding kind of presence in the Super Junior movie and could still be cute and ridiculous (like he is in EHB). I really like Yoon Eun Hye but I don't really think she's the best for Tsukushi...well...parts of her are really Eun Chan-like so there's no doubt she could play someone responsible and dirt poor, maybe my image of her is off. Other than them I kind of like the look of that girl from Epik High's FAN mv, she also played the sister of the main female lead in Que Sera Sera. I can't remember her name. Ah! I think maybe Kim Jung Hoon could do a good Rui since he's something like Yul (yearning for a woman he can't have) and he's shown he can have a cruel kind of jerk off side like in Witch Yoo Hee. But he's a little older than what the aim is isn't he?
Ah, I'm so excited for this. I can't wait until they release the cast list. I wonder if I'll be sad then or really happy. I'm crossing my fingers for a good run!

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You know what's funny. every asian country has to have some kind of F4 boys.
the pretty pretty boys in their drama.
cuz, they also produced a similar one in Indonesia (hella bad... very very bad)
but they did make it, as i think other countries in asia will as well (or already done, we just don't know that they made it)... haha

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omg, i'm so excited. korean actors are so much better looking.

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Ahhhh, Hanadan. That awesome awesome dorama. XD

Another whole different version of it? Thank You, God (*on bended knees*). Life isn't so bad when they make different versions of your fav drama! And yes, I would have loved it if Si Won was casted anywhere in the drama.lol. Doesn't even have to be Doumyoji.

Yeah, talking abt it makes me wanna watch it all over again. ^_^

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im so exyted to c this....

like to YEH in it..

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like to see YEH in it

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Ohhhhh no...no,no,no.....PLEASE NOOOOOOO

NO YEH!!! I don't think I'll watch this if YEH is Makino...i loved her in Cofee Prince...but her Goong character makes me think that she is TOTALLY wrong for this role

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ooohhh.. i wonder who will the other F4 be.. lol..

ahhh.. can't wait.!!! geeezzz..!!!

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They should make a Ouran High School Host Club drama... it would totally ROCK!

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I was completely thrilled when I heard that S Korea was taking this series on as a drama. I really do think they excel in the drama department over the other countries. Their actors seem to act circles around the rest of the world.

I just hope hope hope that they cast the F4 well. As far as appearances are concerned, I think Meteor Garden had an appealing cast. The F4 did seem tall and fearsome and handsome (even though the only one I felt who could act was Vanness Wu!)

And the Japanese version...I couldn't get past the first two episodes. The main actress was adorable, yes, but I felt it was way too rushed. Also, I couldn't get past the appearance of the F4. They seemed way too waifish, girly, and sallow to be the fearsome F4. I know it's shallow of me, but it was a huge turnoff. They were just too little, and they had bad teeth.

So, from Korea, I have high expectations for actors who not only act well, but also look the part, and I'm also anticipating excellent script writing. I really can't wait. I love this manga. And I love kdrama!

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I seriously hope that this doesn't happen anytime soon. I mean I love Korean dramas, but Hana Yori Dango is just releasing their movie in June. I agree that Hanadan has elements of the average Korean drama, but then, it makes me think that they've done so much of these type of drama's already that the storyline could get stale. Seriously 24 episodes is too long. I mean Goong got to be too long and repetitive. Imagine 24-hour long episodes, would that mean more Rui sulking, Tsukushi and Domyouji fighting, evil plots by the several antagonists?

In my heartest of hearts, I hope they hold-off on this for at least a year. I mean Hanadan came out way after Meteor Garden was finished. To be sure, Korea will not lack the talent necessary to pull this feat. Though, it will be hard to top the Japanese dorama. Their sets and costumes got the whole jet-setting, rich F4 to a t.

"Also, I couldn’t get past the appearance of the F4. They seemed way too waifish, girly, and sallow to be the fearsome F4. I know it’s shallow of me, but it was a huge turnoff. They were just too little, and they had bad teeth."

I think you're comment was funny because they do look like that. You'd think that being rich boys,that they are, they could afford to get some dental insurance. But in retrospect, it is based off the manga that needed the boys as "waifish" and "girly," it is shoujo after all. :) Besides, most guys who wear couture in a day to day basis are somewhat girly anyway. Anywho, what they lacked in appearance, they totally made up through their performance. Domyouji IS Matsujun. It'll be a hard act to follow because the bar is set so high. Matsujun and Mao have such a rapport with each other, that you forget that he is too short to be playing the part.

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unknown cast? WHY? T_T

totally agree w/ you on choi shi won.. *drools* as for the female lead, i think yoon eun hye would be good (c'mon, who doesn't love her?) and park shin hye & moon geun young are also great candidates =3

all in all, can't wait for the k-version of hanadan! :D

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I like Kang Dong Won to Play Domyouji...

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I can't even begin to say how much I'm looking forward to this but part of me is dreading being disappointed. I mean, after the fantastic JP version, can they top that? I was really looking forward to It Started with a Kiss 2 but I was really disappointed. There was really no need for that and if they had just made season 1 a bit longer, they could have wrapped they story up just fine. And I understand why they want to pick complete unknowns and I'll keep my fingers crossed that they get the casting right. I have faith in the company because they did a fantastic job with Goong. But if this is coming out in the latter part of this year, surely they should have started casting by now? Why haven't we heard anything yet??

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i really hope Lee Yeon Hee gets the lead role! I think she'd do a really good job...if she doesn't end up getting the role i think i'd be bummed =( ..I just hope the director makes picks a great cast for this drama.

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Sorry for the long post. I’m a Hanadan freak *.~
ho look me ^^

original DVDs of both. I actually watched it first before I did Meteor Garden - which made me wonder why the taiwanese version was such a big hit… Anyway, I hope the Korean version ^^
ty
ty
^^

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Tsukasa is my favorite character, but no one comes to mind…If this were made years ago, I would say Won Bin, but he’s obviously too old now and is MIA, so..
If Jang Geunsuk isn’t too busy, I think he’d make a good Soujiro or Akira..
Rui…hmm. I didn’t like Oguri in the part, so I hope for the Korean version, they pick someone who really captures the softness of the character…

Sorry for the long post. I’m a Hanadan freak
cast especially for f4 and more especially makino (and kinda yuki [makino’s best friend).. i wonder who’s going to play her.. lots of the young korean actresses (that can act passably) are more cutesy i think.. but choi si won would be a great choice if he manages to pull the roll off well
urgh.. i hope they don’t mess up by putting in random eyecandy

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i'm tottaly fall in love with hana yori dango.i'm absolutely HYD fan all the way! the japanesse version it's the best so far (IMHO). love domyoji and makino play by matsumoto jun and mao inoue. so, i would not missed HYD in korean version.
when it will be aired anyway?

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I've watched both hanadan and meteor garden...enjoyed both, I have great faith the korean version will be fun too...choi si won, yeah...after watching him in Hyang Dan, been waiting for another drama with him in it!!!!!!

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Kim Hyun-Joong got cast as Rui......

anyone have any comments on him? Is he a good actor? Ive never seen anything w him

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hyun bin 4 domyuji!

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im sooo excited i love the japanese version and can't wait for this one

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whaoh!!! i cant really wait for this korean version of hana yori dango!!!
i love hanadan so much be it S1 or S2! and now the hanadan final is already on screen!
i can't wait to watch the subbed one!!!

and for hanadan korean version, i do hope that the one that will be domyouji is choi si won. and makino is park min ji.
choi si won because of his character do suit domyouji tsukasa and i love him!!
and for park min ji, i think she also might suit makino character well too. just watch her in 18 vs 29 too. where she play the young version of the female cast. and anyway she IS with choi si won in that drama and i think their character in that drama somewhat similar to domyouji and makino!!!

this is just my opinion but i do really hope that this will happen because i love their acting in that drama and i want more of them together in another drama!!!
I REALLY RECOMMEND FOR YOU TO WATCH 18 vs. 29 FIRST!! (just their part). XDDD

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is yoon eun hye will play makino tsukushi?

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I hope not

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if you read it in romaji, the titile is technically gott boda namja
the gott is not pronounced "got" but more like "goht".
but it looks better as gott.
but the white part of the title is just gott boda, which means rather flowers.
the pink isn't korean i think.

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ahaha! I am really looking forward for this korean remake... f4 rules! I wonder who will be officially casted in the drama... please do announce it as sooner as it airs. Thanks!

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wait~ i thought the cast was somewhat.. already selected? at least a gf told me.. i'll ask her for the url..

anyway.. though i can see Kim Jeong Hoon as Hanazawa.. he's been playing the quiet guy who never gets the girl a bit too often don't u think..?

and im still a wee bit confused with them saying that Seven or Kangta will play Domyoji.. hmm~ and yes.. i was rooting for Choi Si Won to play.. something.. too. but if they could at least get Lee Jun Ki, that would be nice.. ^_^

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aaaa...i can't wait 2 watch hana yori dango korean version !!!! i hope you will show that drama in ABS-CBN ..PLSSSSSSSSSSS....

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WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

HANA YORI DANGO FINAL CAME OUTTTTTTTT
must watch!!!

pleaseeeeee someone sub/upload soon! i'm dying to watch it!

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and can i just add ... kim hyun joong as rui?

idk about that ...

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I'm also so excited about his news and as far as i know.. Kippy is right..
They already chose Hyun Joong as Rui. According to my friends it's after he appeared in the tvshow We Got married. Now true or not..
I would like Kim Jae Wook somewhere amogst the F4.. ^^

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If 10 countries decided to remake Hanadan, I'll watch them all.
Just to share my thought........every time I see Changmin of DBSG, always thought, "what a perfect Doumyouji". (even my 12yrs daughter sometimes point out at Min shouting "Tsukasa!!!", specially when he wore a binnie).

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Big Bang’s TOP for Doumyouji pleaseeeeeee
Hyunjoong of SS501 for Hanazawa Rui
Go ARA as MAKINO ........................................

xoxo

please not Choi Si WOn...(BORING PERSONALITY)let TOP of BIG BANG be the LEAD STAR pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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Big Bang’s TOP for Doumyouji pleaseeeeeee
Hyunjoong of SS501 for Hanazawa Rui
Go ARA as MAKINO ........................................

xoxo

please not Choi Si WOn...(BORING PERSONALITY)let TOP of BIG BANG be the LEAD STAR pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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an amazing masterpiece such as Hana Yori Dango deserves to be remaked three times ^^

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WOW INTERESTING!!!!!!!GREAT GREAT GREAT REAT IDEA!!!!!!
GROUP EIGHT GIVE IT TO ABS CBN.......SO DAT IT WOULD BE MORE GREAT GREAT GREAT.......CAN'T WAIT 2 WATCH IT IN PHILPPINES.........I ALSO HOPE PHILIPPINES WILL MAKE THEIR OWN VERSION OF METEOR GADEN.......LET'S JST SAY MAY ALL THE COUNTRIES REMAKE THIS SEREIS AND I WOULD PROBABLY LUV TO WATCH IT........KOREA PLEASE AIR IT NOW!!!!!!!

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in my opinion, i think Heechul would make a decent Doumyouji rather than Siwon. He's already got that stuck-up, i'm better than everyone else attitude, it's just a matter of presenting the other side of Doumyouji. And he has some acting experience though i say he's not that good =/

and i hope and pray that no wondergirls member ESPECIALLY Sohee will be casted in this drama. No offense but I really don't think sohee can protray anyone in this drama. I think SooYoung from SNSD might fit the role for Makino; she's got a bubble personality and i think she has a tough side to match. she might be too uhm "girly" shall i put it? for makino though

I'm all for no idol "girls" as casts though. If they get whoever though i'm fine with it as long as they fit the character well and is good at acting (also good-looking hehe ^^)

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don't egt me wrong, i love hana yori dango whatever the version may be, i just hate it when they don't stay faithful to the original plot. I'm sorry but though meteor garden was really great, they divided one character from the manga into two or sometimes three characters. There were a lot of characters and the transition of events were so, oh i don't know how to say it, "not stringing together" probably because it had a lot of episodes.

For the korean version of hana yori dango, i'm actually quite excited being the hana yori dango lover that i am, but i'm scared because korean dramas are quite sad and they would be airing 24 episodes, 1 hour each, i mean come one! i doubt the drama will ever be faithful to the story! they would have to fill in gaps with more stories just to prolong the episodes and the transition of events will also be "not stringing toegther".

But i still an excited with the korean version because it still is hana yori dango =)

Now, this is what really bugs me. Being a filipina, here in the philippines we love to copy dramas from other countries and try to make our own. I hope they won't make a philippine version of hana yori dango for the following reasons:

1. If you look at youtube, filipinos are making fanvideos of their top picks to play f4 and makino and i swear, these people do not know how to act!!! they just look good but cannot even move their faces because it would make them look ugly or something! BAD ACTORS!

2. Hana yori dango will be sooooooo overrated! people would just probably watch the drama because a cute actor or actress is there and claim that "it's my favorite drama" not because the plot is good, but because the one who played is cute, regardless if their acting sucks

3. hana yori dango would look so unnatural! sorry, but if you look at the current situation of philippine elite schools, they don't act like that. The elite school culture demonstrated in the hana yori dango japanese version can be somewhat related to them because japanese people value honor and respect. here in the philippines, if a rich boy tries to bully you in high school by sending red notes, you'll just get laugh at and be asked. "what are you doing?"

yeah yeah i know, i will definitely hate a philippine version of hana yori dango. I love hana yori dango but i hope that the korean version will be the FINAL (and absolute final pleaseeeeee, sheesh they already made a movie with the word final in it, did it ring a bell?) of hana yori dango. I will still watch the korean version because it is hana yori dango but after that, the succeeding versions will just tarnish the name of hana yori dango.

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i agree with you javabeans on 2 things. casting unknowns & re: Siwon. he has that smug-look-but-can't-help-falling-in-love-with aura. Hyun Joong looks the part of the quiet, sensitive one but the big Q is, can he act? very good looking boy though. :)

hope they cast this right! haven't seen Hana Yori but i loved Meteor Garden so, yeah, i guess i'm a fan.

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HYUN BING
&
YOON EUN HYE!~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111

i want them!!!!!!!!

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i hope they find the actors suitable for hana yori dango soon... i liked the jap one cos the show was almost exactly i imagined it to be when i read the anime. except domyouji... he was smalller than i expected. the taiwan version was a little different (the rich people did not look rich, and the part where makino had a makeover dint impress me at all:() i have faith that the korean one would better than the prev 2 versions given that they would have learnt from the prev versions' mistakes!! cant wait!!! ><

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I would really like to see 'So Ji Sub' from (I'm sorry I love you) play the main leading male. He has always played the role of a poor or tough guy, I would love to see him play a different type of role. He is a great actor and also I can see him with the bad boy look and also a kind hearted gentelman. He's age is a ittle bit old, but movie directors can make you look half your age.

As for the girl- I hope we get to see a new fresh face-

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shinee should be in e cast!! ^_^

love them lotz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Hana Yori Dango (Boys over flowers) is one of the most famous comic in Japan and many films were made from this comic. I'm very grateful and excited to know about "Hana Yori Dango Korean". I've watched that film (Hana Yori Dango made by Japan - 2005 and the other by China ) and I do like the Japan's more than China's becase it's more like the comic and i really like Makino - Mao^^! She's lovely.
I've already vote for the actors and I hope that they'll chose the best actors for this movie, fit with the character.
GOOD LUCK!!! mAnY fAn'RE WAITING......

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pakshet‼ i'm so excited to watch this hana yori dango korean ver.‼
i really love tha story, since it was first aired by the taiwanese ver.‼
i was then in my grade school, were i already fantasize this drama‼ so i hope that it will be aired here in the philippines‼ saranghe♥..

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I am a great fan of Hanayori Dango and also Meteor Garden but am also a great fan of different korean movies and series so I am looking forward for this one. It seems that the actors are not that famous and I have no idea who they really are but I do hope they can come up with better script than MG2...Since I really like MG1 and also Hanayori Dango 1 and 2 ..

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