Meet your Korean F4
by javabeans
What horrible timing following Choi Jin-shil’s shocking death, because now it’s hard to get that excited about news I/we have been waiting forever to hear, which is the announcement of the “F4” guys in the Korean Hana Yori Dango, aka Boys Before Flowers.
Although it was floated around that the casting would comprise mostly pop idol stars, it turns out (for the better, imo), that we’re split half-half between idols and actors (the two rising actors at least have a decent amount of experience — for their age, I mean).
- First is F4 leader in the Tsukasa role, aka actor Lee Min-ho (above left).
- Kim Hyun-joong, idol singer of pop boy band SS501, takes on the role of Rui.
- Kim Bum (!!!), at above right, is most recently of East of Eden and the biggest surprise for me — and a pleasant one at that, since he’s proved he can act. He’s Soujiro.
- And, finally, Kim Joon is the least-known of the F4 boys, as Akira.
Lee Min-ho takes the lead as “Doumyouji Tsukasa,” renamed for the drama as “Gu Jun-pyo”:
Lee Min-ho, born in 1987, has a decent amount of work behind him, having done several TV shows and a couple films, including I Don’t Know Either, Run! Mackerel, Public Enemy Returns, and the recent Our School E.T.
A least they gave Doumyouji to a “real” actor instead of the crossover newbie in his acting debut. Not that that’s bad (we all have to start somewhere?) but considering that he’s the most crucial F4 role, he’d damn well better know how to act.
Kim Hyun-joong takes the character of “Hanazawa Rui,” renamed “Yoon Ji-hoo”:
Kim Hyun-joong, a 1986-er of boy band SS501, is currently paired with Hwang Bo on variety show We Got Married, and was the first name to be floated around earlier this summer. He’s taking over the role following Oguri Shun’s excellent portrayal — that’ll be an uphill climb, particularly given that the boy doesn’t have a lot of acting experience. It appears he was cast because he fits the image; we’ll see if his skills measure up.
Kim Bum is cast in the “Nishikada Soujiro” role, renamed “So Yi-jung”:
I’m a bit disappointed that Kim Bum, the young’un of the bunch (a 1989-er), is being used in a lesser capacity here, although since the series is set for 24 episodes, hopefully Soujiro’s and Akira’s roles are given more attention than as mere sidemen for Tsukasa and Rui. I also hope he’s given a chance to expand on his recently demonstrated melo acting skills. Hey, at least Soujiro was given a bit of a “deeper” story line than Akira in the J-version, yeah? What I’m saying is: You’ve got this budding “serious” actor, so don’t waste him.
Kim Joon as “Mimasaka Akira,” aka “Song Woo-bin”:
As the guy I’m least familiar with (as in, not at all), this is the best pic I could get; Kim Joon (full real name Kim Hyung-joon, a 1985-er) is the guy on the right. And when I say “newb,” I mean this is his acting debut. He is, however, a member of the newish pop boy band T-Max.
Via Joy News
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Tags: Boys Before Flowers, Hana Yori Dango, Kim Bum, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Joon, Lee Min-ho
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51 Kippy
October 1, 2008 at 10:42 PM
i can't say i'm feeling particularly one way or the other
but at least kim bum is part of the cast! even if it means that there is a chance the newbz can still kill the piece, kim bum is definitely adding leverage.
btw, i'm still really surprised they cast that last dude at all ... i mean i don't think he has a very big fan base, and from what i can tell, there's got to be more guys that are more qualified/prettier than him. so how is he adding to the already relatively "dynamic" cast?
but to be honest, i think that makino is essentially the most important role and it's a shame they haven't posted the casting information for her yet ... but at the same time i'm taking this as a sign that the casting directors are taking extra time and effort to find the best fit. because essentially, the story is more about makino than anyone else - if she doesn't sell it, then no matter how hot F4 are, the drama will still be unbearable. i mean, makino is such a passionate character that if the actress was to try too hard to be cute (as in the case of most dramas featuring a teen-ish female lead) than she would be killing the sole essence of makino's character ...
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52 vrosemarie
October 1, 2008 at 10:44 PM
I'm hopping in anticipation!!! The guy, Lee Min Ho, well, I've never been fortunate enough to watch his work but he looks good as Tsubasa!!! Hope his acting is up to snuff but it should be.... Waaa, Kim Bum!!! I loved his character, Soujiro in HYD, hope they give him more screen time than his counterpart and more development in his storyline! (especially romantically..) ^_^ Akira looks cute! (Cuter than the Japanese guy anyway..) His character is gonna be like a yakuza with lotsa henchmen, but he seems too cute for that... I've got nothing much to say about Kim Hyun Joong but he really does have a pretty face... (sometimes he resembles Yamapi!) Yesss!!! Lovin' the line-up! (Please not Ara, please not Ara..)
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53 jin
October 1, 2008 at 10:46 PM
HYD is really good I hope the Korean HYD would be as good as the J-drama
Hyun Joong from SS501 and Kim Bum are the only ones who are familiar to me, I'm really curious of who are they going to cast as Makino...I'd wish that Moon Geun Young would be Tsukushi but that's not possible or is it? Park Min Young would be a good choice too, well I guess
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54 pinklover27
October 1, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Another shocker to me after hearing about CJS...haay
I am glad that they actually casted an "actor" for a lead. However, it would have been better if Kim Bum got the lead. Well, Lee Min Ho is a decent actor himself, so I'll just watch and see how he will sell Tsukasa's character. So i guess now, it will be all about the lead girl.
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55 royal
October 2, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Yey they got Kim Bum! There is hope for this drama then. Kim Bum is on my list of guys I want to be a part of this series ever since the rumors of casting characters became public. so yey!
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56 La Plume
October 2, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Pff, I wanted Kim Bum as a lead...
Too bad.
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57 maakusutipen
October 2, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Well hooray for kim bum....
I think getting him as Soujiro and getting his acting skills to use would mean they would place Soujiro's side story to the mix.... which is good!!! I would like to see Kim Bum bring life to an covert emo character! HAHAHAHA
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58 Anna
October 2, 2008 at 12:57 AM
I'm not really familiar with any of them except for the EoE guy I'm just happy we're finally getting somewhere.
Is it too much to hope for that as the most experienced actor is playing Soujiroh he and Yuuki will be our second lead couple? I know in the manga it didn't end with doves and roses and in HanaDan it's ambiguous at best but I like the Soujiroh/Yuuki coupling and in HanaDan the two actors had this nice quiet chemistry between them, I'd love to see S/Y explored again. It would give the other side of the F4 something to do other than be T&T's cheerleaders. Well one of them at least.
I wonder if they will keep Akira as a ganster's son, I'm sure that was just a HanaDan thing. -lol you can tell I'm getting excited beacause I'm speculating, so much for my initail meh reaction.
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59 plip
October 2, 2008 at 1:00 AM
the cast seems rather well selected to me.. though i think kim bum would do the korean remake proud by portraying soujiro so good he wins it hands down. we may end up liking the korean version after all. MORE SCREEN TIME FOR SOUJIRO!!
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60 McJayJay
October 2, 2008 at 1:14 AM
omg im excited! i hope itll be worth it..
not really that happy about the part of tsukasa, but im liking the rest =D
i hope itll be an awesome drama!
aja fighting!
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61 Maica
October 2, 2008 at 1:45 AM
Suddenly, I am happy and excited!
I personally do not know anyone of them but I wish they would give justice to their roles. Being a HUGE Hanadan fan, I expect a lot from them...
Hmmm....who would be Makino then? :)
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62 K-Drama Lover
October 2, 2008 at 2:04 AM
I just wonder who is going to be cast as Makino? Park Min Young or Go Ah Ra...only these two in my list....do you have any suggestion? well..definitely the female lead must be pretty...and young....and must be taller to fit with other 4 lead male. Can't wait for this drama,..
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63 twee
October 2, 2008 at 2:44 AM
im excited to hear that they castings done. but kinda disappointed at some of the cast? maybe cos it wasnt wat i was expecting? i think if ur going to cast kim bum give him a bigger role since he is an up coming actor? and not that i dont think he doesnt fit the image, but to give kim hyung joong the role of rui is a big task for him!! cos oguri shun did a REALLY good job in the j-version
but i still cant wait to see it cos i loved the j-version!
hopefully im not disappointed once it starts airing? i guess having mised feelings is a good thing? that way if its good i really will love it and if it isnt at least it wont shock me?
cant wait to see who's casted in the role of makino! hopefully someone who can fit the role well!!
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64 pahboohchak
October 2, 2008 at 3:52 AM
awesome! great gee wow! i can see this topping "MY SOJU.com" LOL!
this is one drama, though repeated a couple if times already it's gonna be a sure fire hit. (^,^)
HYUN JOONG! hyun joong! hyun joong! he's my fave.
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65 Vhlady
October 2, 2008 at 5:04 AM
Oh well. At least they balanced the idol-group members with the experienced actors (relative to their age of course). Not my ideal F4 combo although Kim Bum being cast makes up for it. Although I think the Soujiro role is a waste of his acting talent. About putting Kim Bum in the Rui role, I don't really know. I've mentioned before that Rui was too easy for Oguri Shun to play given that towards the end his storyline is centered on the triangle instead of having his own story arc unlike Soujiro who actually had a pretty substantial story arc that at least challenged the actor's acting abilities. So if Kim Bum can't be Tsukasa, I guess Soujiro (if they play his arc like the Japanese HYD) is an acceptable role. Hopefully they increase his role even more. I mean Korean dramas (the trendy dramas I have watched) always have a meaty B-plot involving the second couple. At times, I even find the second couple's story arc more compelling than the main lead (Dalja's Spring comes into mind). So hopefully, that's the approach they take with Soujiro.
I'm really not familiar with Lee Min Ho, Kim Hyun-joong, and Kim Joon. Does it mean that Akira would be just a standing prop given that they cast a newbie in the role? As for the Tsukasa role, nailing the physical attributes (tall, bad-boy looking), hopefully, is just one of the reasons why they picked him. Because the Tsukasa role is the most demanding role in HYD due to the fact that the character undergoes a lot of ups and downs (plain crazy), I am praying that he can be versatile enough to portray the many sides of Tsukasa (sweet, funny, corny, menacing, bully, romantic, crazy etc,). Of course if they were going for the Jerry Yan version, instead of the HYD version, I guess Tsukasa won't be that difficult to do, :) I admit, it is interesting to see an actor of Kim Bum's intensity portraying the crazy personality of Tsukasa. Too bad, it’s not going to happen. ;) Maybe he can use this as a vehicle to get meaty film roles in the future? :)
If they cast Park Min Ji, in the Makino role, I'll be happier. Hehehe...
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66 kirara43
October 2, 2008 at 6:40 AM
Hmm.. it seems like everyone looks the part.. guess we'll have to see how well they do onscreen.
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67 La-Nuit
October 2, 2008 at 7:15 AM
that second guy, the one wearing the vest, really looks like the character from the taiwanese version. he really does look the part.
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68 cartman
October 2, 2008 at 8:08 AM
omg! tis is so exciting! they're all sooo HOT! haha :) Can't Wait!!
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69 kwonnie
October 2, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Pictures of Kim Hyung Joon of T-Max:
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70 Jo II
October 2, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Well, I hope they live up to the Japanese version because I loved that series! Plus I'm glad Kim Bum is Soujiro because he was my favourite F4...or maybe because I adore Matsumoto Shota who played him. LOL.
So bring on Hana Yori Dango Part III! Woo. ^-^
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71 backstage
October 2, 2008 at 12:24 PM
kim bum!!!i honestly wish theyd change their minds and make him BE tsukasa!!!!
i fell iluuuuv with him after seeing him on east of eden!!
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72 anonymous
October 2, 2008 at 1:36 PM
i would love love love to see kim bum as rui. <3
and i don't think go ara is up for makino because i heard she was going to be part of a korean version of gossip girl? but then again, what do i know...
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73 chimmy
October 2, 2008 at 2:11 PM
wow! eye candies! let's see if they surpass the japanese F4 who i totally love...
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74
October 2, 2008 at 3:39 PM
AHHH! they're finally out!(:
well, i only kinda know kim bum
never seen any of his stuff..
but i can't wait!!
another step closer!!(:
i just hope the boys do good meeting up the
the high standards set by their taiwanese/chinese and japanese counterparts ! xD
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75 bebo
October 2, 2008 at 7:04 PM
oh man, i had a HUGE giddy fangirl moment (a few moments, actually) looking at the second picture of Kim Bum above. he looks SOOOOOO cute in that pic!!! my sentiments also about him being casted in such a small role since he's the only one out of the 4 that i'm familiar with. but LMH was given the lead role for a reason so he might be a pleasant surprise as doumyouji...i hope!
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76 Jen
October 2, 2008 at 7:55 PM
Kim Hyun-joong being casted isn't much of a surprise because he really does look the part. I've got to say, I usually don't go on looks, but he's so good looking that he makes me hurt. LOL. Even if he just stood there, I'd be glad to watch him all day. Plus, I love his pairing with Hwangbo on WGM.
Kim Bum was totally unexpected. He's such a great actor. Plus, he's adorably cute. I truly hope they make his character a bigger presence in the drama.
As for the other two, I honestly have no clue who they are but I'm willing to be optimistic.
As for the role of Makino, I just hope it's someone with acting experience. Please, please, please!
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77 oooo ... la la ...
October 2, 2008 at 10:02 PM
so cute ... can't complain. Any word on the girl?
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78 Doris
October 2, 2008 at 10:37 PM
YOON EUN HYE!!!!!
I just wish that they choose her..it's been awhile..i really miss her....
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79 makino casting?
October 2, 2008 at 11:21 PM
i heard that kwak ji min (also from i am sam) was chosen for the lead role. can anyone confirm?
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80 belleza
October 3, 2008 at 12:06 AM
"i heard that kwak ji min (also from i am sam) was chosen for the lead role. "
Wow, if they get Kwak Ji Min, HanaDan will have no problems in the acting department. I wasn't even thinking that they would cast a actress (see Ki Duk's Samaria) like her in this part.
She's really, really good.
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81 mimi
October 3, 2008 at 8:09 AM
i dunno the three but for me kim bum he can ACT!!!
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82 ichi
October 3, 2008 at 4:05 PM
hmm.. I've seen Lee Min Ho in I AM SAM, i think he was ok with his role as "most popular guy in the school" and he has good chemistry with Park Min Young although he wasn't the lead character..now we'll just have to see how he can pull off the "you want a piece of me!, dumb, confuse, excited like a boy and teary-eyed look" which Matsumo Jun did a pretty good job especially the dumb-behavior he does everytime he's around Tsukushi trying to impress her..Good luck to Lee Min Ho I'm looking forward to his acting skills
As for the Rui I think based on his looks that's why he's got the part...coz really the actor only has to look blank-faced and a little sad, not to talk alot and smile once in a while..that won't be hard to do for a newbie won't it? tha most important part for him to pull off is the bestfriend bond with Tsukasa which I think will be easy coz male-bonding is a piece of cake especially when you're almost the same age..
I wonder whom they gonna choose for Shizuka..she should be pretty and look like a model..and Tsubasa should that too but a little on the rebel side..
FOr Soujiro and Akira, Kim Bum fits Soujiro for me coz it'll be a waste if he's been Rui...coz Rui has fewer lines and most of his part is reminiscing about Shizuka, and Kim Bum's face is all smiley and I can't imagine him being quiet at all times..and I think he do good as a "player" part coz with just one smile and blink of his eye any girl would go following his tail..haha
And Soujiro-Kim Joon- he looks ok don't really know him..i hope he has a long hair on the drama so he'll stand out a little bit given that he has a minor role..and yah gang look at least..
I want to know who'll be the "evil mother" part....the source of all heart-ache, the stone-face and black-heart mom..who only thinks of "we're the best ever company!" haha..
Maybe they should make the story a little bit different like when almost ending..the Tsukasa mom discovers she has a cancer and she has little life to live (since korean dramas are fond of that..hehe) and so she wants to have a clean leave and she permits the relatinship of Tsukasa and Tsukushi haha..but then on the second season she really didn't die coz her medical file was mixed with another person who's supposed to have cancer..and so the ending lovey-dovey battle begins again...hahaha
Can't wait for this one! wel time flies! I and I hope they choose Park Min Young over Go Ara--she's too skinny and she doesn't look the part who loves to eat alot which is Tsukushi is..
Ok I've said alot!
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83 ichi
October 3, 2008 at 6:30 PM
I just read the first episode of Painter of the Wind..and I think Moon Geun Young can fit with the Makino part, well for her acting that is...but for the looks Park Min Young is still better?
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84 momoisluv
October 4, 2008 at 3:08 AM
who will play tsukushi? i wonder...
i'd rather if kim bum was the lead. :DD
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85 safa
October 5, 2008 at 5:44 AM
really i dont watch any movie or tv series for you but when i watch you picture i like you you are handsame
safa
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86 mIss_arELA
October 5, 2008 at 10:15 AM
wow
i really love this story...METEOR GARDEN 1&2 and HANA YORI DANGO 1&2 were really superb!!!
i also a big fan of KIM HYUN JOONG...i really love his personality as a leader of SSS501...
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87
October 5, 2008 at 9:26 PM
God I love Kim Bum! As happy as I am to see he's F4, I'm bummed that he's not Doumyouji Tsukasa! Kim Bum is way too good of an actor to be Nishikada Soujiro. Why would you put such a good actor as a supporting character? Now everytime I see Lee Min-ho, who also looks a bit too old, I will think of how Kim Bum was robbed the main role. I seriously could go on and on on how insane this is...
Also I dont know about the girl but omg Go Ara should have played Tsukushi. She so fits the part.
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88 Alvina
October 9, 2008 at 6:56 PM
I suppose I'm okay with the cast...
The only ones I am really familiar with are Kim Hyun Joong and Kim Bum...
Hyun Joong might be able to pull it off; he has that eccentric nature that Rui has... that distant quality that does remind me of Rui's Aspergers syndrome.
Kim Bum, obvious will be amazing. I just hope he won't over-shine the others in the group lol
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89 Dena Vang
October 9, 2008 at 9:57 PM
No offense, but Korean guys ALWAYS look better, but I'm afraid the Japanese version is still better than the Korean, because I thought it was better than the Taiwanese version!
But in my opinion, the leader in Hana Yori Dango was cute. Everyone was cute, but compare to the Korean, the Korean have better styles!
Also, the Japanese version was the BEST. I love how it was so funny and sweet....compared to the Taiwanese version...it was like, "Nonsense!"
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90 Richard
October 10, 2008 at 6:10 AM
Now i know why they picked Lee Min Ho as Tsukasa because he looks a lot like the Taiwanese Actor Jerry Yan which played as Dao ming Zhu or the taiwan version of Tsukasa.. Lee min Ho is suited for the role.. so dont under estimate Min Ho..
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91 Tiffany
October 11, 2008 at 6:20 AM
I love Kim Hyun-joong and Kim Bum. HJ definitely fits the role because he's gorgeouuuuuuuuuuuuus!! Don't know much about the other two. I'm curious to know who the lead female will be. Can't wait until I see it! I saw both Taiwanese and Japanese version and I know the Korean version won't disappoint me. I'm ecstatic to know that Kim Hyun-joong is in it!!!
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92 MEK
October 27, 2008 at 2:18 PM
i just watched this series this weekend - mind you i finished them both in one day (jap version)- tsk tsk tsk...like i have nothing better to do, right - i love this show - i love tsukasa and rui and tsukushi - isnt the girl they just casted the girl in Delightful Gilr Choon hyang? She would fit the role. Makino is cute and feisty and she's cute and feisty - good job there. I'm not at all familiar with the guys but it seems like they did a good job as well - i cant wait to see this. The Taiwanese version is kind of annoying.
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93
November 4, 2008 at 12:08 AM
I luv KIM BUM a lot!!
Lee Min Ho looks like Jerry Yan too...
Im so very excited to watch it here in the Philippines!!
Korean's F4 are more cool!!!!!!!!1
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94 minette
November 4, 2008 at 12:09 AM
I luv KIM BUM a lot!!
Lee Min Ho looks like Jerry Yan too...
Im so very excited to watch it here in the Philippines!!
Korean's F4 are more cool!!!!!!!!1
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95 michelle
November 9, 2008 at 10:13 PM
how abot the girl who really play Makino Tsukushi/杉菜...?
the best gurl must be..
Yoon Eun Hye
because she is talented and flexible...
I really like here...
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96 Deborah =3
November 23, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Has anyone seen Princess Hours (Goong)?
I think the girl who plays "Chae-gyung" in Goong should get the role of Makino since she's proved it in Goong.
Anyone agree?? *^.^*
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97 diana
December 18, 2008 at 6:16 AM
so excited for this remake! since the japanese remake is very good!! a lot better than the original taiwanese version, i'd say!
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98
December 19, 2008 at 1:22 PM
omg; i like the taiwainese F4 so much more!!!!!
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99 moon
January 14, 2009 at 8:37 PM
i love korean F4
gr8 korean drama~`
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100 paola
January 21, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Kim Bum couldve been a better Hanazawa Rui, IMO. Give him brown hair and tadaa, a better looking rui.
Im sorry, but i hate, hate the guy who plays rui....
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