Meet your Korean F4

319 October 1, 2008December 14, 2008

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

319

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101 f4

February 2, 2009 at 3:14 AM

this korean f4 is a total copy of the japanese .. i don't like the actors the've chosen.. they r just not really good 2 do dis role!!

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102 Mrs.Cullen

February 8, 2009 at 11:22 PM

Ji-Hoo Is so Hot ! :)

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103 : )))

February 22, 2009 at 7:58 AM

what i think f4 korean one is the best i dont care if its the same as japan one
everyone looks great and sooooooo cute! i love min ho and kim bum
gu jun pyo saranghaeyo~ :D

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104 kyo

February 23, 2009 at 6:43 AM

I'm not so satisfied about the looks of Korean F4. They look so young. For me, the hunk Taiwan F4 is the best!!!!

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105 -Az-

February 26, 2009 at 6:24 AM

I'm still rooting for the JP version. overall-wise they pwn. They managed to capture the essence of the manga aptly. & they have really gd actors/actresses. Even their Chinese & English pronunciation were better than those in the K cast. The drama was succinct, captivating and left viewers yearning for more makino/tsukasa or makino/rui. Their Season 1, 2 & the final movie really started beautifully & ended beautifully. Its one of the best closures to a drama I've ever seen. ^^

TW was refreshing, since they were the 1st to adapt the manga. & the F4 were all new to acting. For newbs, I would say they did a fairly wonderful job along with all the supporting cast too, & well, Barbie Hsu was a great actress in the drama too. The TW's version encompassed so much emotions especially the part where Shan Cai & Dao Ming Si broke up in the rain. & I love the scene where they were at each side of the door talking.. It is really memorable even though I watched it like 7 years ago.. Pity though that the story in the 2nd Season was a let down, with the most part on his loss of memory and rship with the other girl. It would have left a better memory had it just stopped at the 1st season. >.<

K is.. they have their own dramatic style? I'm guessing the director kinda assumed everyone knows the storyline already so.. not much effort was put in into the plot. Instead, the characters were more.. dramatized.. Like.. incorporating way too much flair in their language speaking.. like.. Ginger's english speaking was uncalled for.. (kinda turn off) & to me, the usage of mandarin was kinda excessive. I understand they were in Macau.. but. it just seems like the Director was trying to make his actors/actresses seem versatile and well-rounded. But Mandarin is really difficult to speak.. and if you can't pronounce it right.. it doesn make sense.. & all the more it reflects one's incompetency.. but well, kudos to their efforts.. =)

IMO, the Jap version is No.1, followed by the TW then the K. At least for HYD & MG, viewers were watching not only for the F4, but also the story.. in BBF, seems like pple watch for LMH & prolly the entertainment the rest provide. for me, I'm just watching since I've alrdy watched the TW & J version, I might as well watch the K one. As bad as the transition, character inconsistency, excessive usage & inappropriate choices of songs are, I'm still watching just coz its HYD. If there will ever be a spanish/french/latin/malay/or whatever else version, I will still watch.

Korea's KISS' "Because I'm a girl" had 9 other versions sung in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Japanese, Spanish & Turkish. I'm waiting to see how far the Kamio's original work of HYD can go. 9 versions.. 10 adaptations..

Since 1992.. Its been 17 years.. It has been popular since its manga days, anime times. TW made it hotter, Jap made it global, K made it unforgettable. Its essence will be etched in all of our hearts..

Just coz its Hana Yori Dango..

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106 jennyps

March 6, 2009 at 12:28 AM

hi...ahneong....love korean drama.....the latest korean drama is boys over flower make me fall in love with the actor....omg so cute and handsome...and the actress goo hye sun so cute...sarangheo...god bless you

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107 JDORAMA LOVER.

March 6, 2009 at 8:04 AM

ERR.I DUNNO IF IT WILL WORK.
BUT WHATEVER RESULT IT MAY HAVE I STILL DO BELIEVE THAT HYD JAPAN(ORIGINAL) IS THE BEST.
NO OFFENSE GUYS.IM JUST BEING REALISTIC:)

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108 Scarlet

March 6, 2009 at 7:52 PM

EEEEPPPP! cannot contain giddyness.....Kim Bumis so darn cute!...can't stop lokking at him....EEPP

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109 nande0nande

March 12, 2009 at 3:18 PM

At first I was worried about Kim Bum taking Sojiro's role because of his cute face and Matsuda Shota was not cute, but hot. I just love Kim Bum as So Yi-Jung now! All I can know say about him is: EEEP!!
I love Kim Hyun-Joong as Ji Hoo, but my heart belongs to the Japanese ver. of Hanazawa Rui (Shun Oguri.... EEP!!)

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110 love goo joon pyo

March 15, 2009 at 7:43 AM

i love him!!!
hehee/...
=P

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111 love kim bum

March 16, 2009 at 4:22 AM

i love you you must remember my mail the korean the most beatiful is

kim bum. i will go to korea, i meet you see you soon

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112 X3 Kim Bum is so awesome

March 16, 2009 at 3:47 PM

well, im really glad that kim bum was chosen as one of the F4 (but regretably not one of the main ones...Y.Y) he was so funny and a really good actor in High Kick and East of Eden!!! T-T o>.<o i really wish i could meet him...he is so hot!! *fangirl squeal* X3 <3

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113 big fans of mIm HoO and KiM BuM

March 19, 2009 at 12:07 AM

annyong haseo........................................................
well,it'zzzzzz my first comment.......................................
he he he he........
min hoo and kim bum izzzz my favourite actor.................
wait for me,,,,, i'll go to korea for meet you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxo big fans of mIn HoO and KiM BuM

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114 Audrey

March 19, 2009 at 2:28 AM

They r awesome!!!Im excited on their show!!!

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115 muuluu

March 26, 2009 at 7:55 AM

hi my name is mongon. i am 20 years old. f4 sak

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116 sarnai

March 26, 2009 at 8:00 AM

hi my name is sarnai. iam 12yers old. i love you f4. goodbye

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117 p.dolgoon

March 26, 2009 at 8:11 AM

aash f4 vnheer hoorhon nowshnuud shvv.mongol hvmvvsee baina uu
shibal
aash AASH AASH AASH
SHIKI
VNHEER GOY F4 SHVV
XZ KIM IS SO AWESOME GIZII MINI ALIISHVV PSDAAKUD MINI
HA HA HA HA

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118 John Paulo S. Trinidad

March 31, 2009 at 1:33 AM

KIM BUM is best actor why because he is really natural and cute guys.

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119 amulet

April 2, 2009 at 5:59 AM

uaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
very nice movie
i like
i love f4
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

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120 zuzu and hosoo

April 9, 2009 at 9:57 PM

wow so handsome actors. i love them and my girl friend too. they look really cute and fasion. lee min ho and kim bum are the most handsome. we both love them.

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121 naraa

April 10, 2009 at 12:35 AM

I love f4 korea

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122 shinee

April 10, 2009 at 10:49 PM

very very niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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123 dAnIcA

April 29, 2009 at 5:37 AM

i THiNk It ShOulD bE a gReaTesT SerIes In pHilLPiNeS thIs 2009!!!?

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124

May 4, 2009 at 9:07 AM

...ur s9o handsome...

..i want to meet you all personally...

..luv you guys...

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125

May 4, 2009 at 9:09 AM

..ur so handsome all of you..

...luv you guys..

..can i get ur address and cell #????

..pls..... by the way im pribcess silva of philippines..in general santos city...

..luv u all...

..F4 $-ever..

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126 lonyi

May 7, 2009 at 7:12 AM

hai.......... i hope u guys can come 2 indonesia... cause' u're has a biggest fans in here!!!!!!!!!

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127 enkhjargal

May 9, 2009 at 2:45 AM

hi. You are very wonderful guys. i like your movie, and i wiss you more succesful life. good luck.

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128 jssss

May 9, 2009 at 2:47 AM

KIM BUM is best actor. mmmmm kiss. saranheyo

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129 bLuEsTaR

May 11, 2009 at 12:32 AM

I love F4........................
I hope you guys will come to have a show in Cambodia.
All of you so handsome and cute...........
especially Kim hyun joon
I like him so much......................
My lovely star.................

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130 LUCIFER

May 11, 2009 at 7:05 AM

Kim joon and kim bum is my favourites. They are fit with their characters.
i love F4.

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131 F4 's lover

May 11, 2009 at 7:11 AM

Lee min ho! you are such a handsome man.you are fit with your characters.
Kim Joon! you are the most handsome guy i have ever seen!good acting.You two,Fighting!

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132 Justmitch

May 14, 2009 at 11:19 PM

The F4 Korean version is fabulous. They definitely did not disappoint my interest as a viewers impact. I know about the Meteor Garden and the Hana Yori Dango (Japan) both are heart warming series. The changes they made in Korean F4 version to improve the story is award winning and really impressive. I am looking forward for more delightful series Korean style. Good work! Congratulations!

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133 roseller

May 16, 2009 at 12:12 AM

i really love the story its so romantic

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134 roseller

May 16, 2009 at 12:17 AM

i love you kim bum nice job you are the row model of the next generation continue work and be hamble love ur work ilove you more power

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135 carlyle

May 16, 2009 at 8:54 AM

oh theres so cute and cool especially to mr. kim bum

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136 monhtsetseg

May 17, 2009 at 7:19 PM

hi my name is monhtsetseg ilove you f4

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137 MARJORIE TUBON

May 18, 2009 at 11:49 PM

THE KOREAN F4 IS THE BEST...THEY ARE ALL CUTE AND HANDSOME...I LOVE THEM SO MUCH... IF I HAVE A CHANCE I WANT TO MEET THEM IN PERSONAL...

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138 mhaya from philippines

May 19, 2009 at 7:58 AM

how i wish that one of them be my lover, ilove them all... ehheehhe... can i see you guys!!!!

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139 Nikka Vie T. Am-is

May 20, 2009 at 5:09 AM

Hello!

I hope u will go here in the Philipines!

Plz?

I want 2 see u in personal!

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140 maire maiden

May 20, 2009 at 9:00 PM

Hey..guys.. I like you all.. . You know guys,all of us here in the Phillipines were wishing that you all will going to visit us here very soon.. you're all fabulous.. infact you guys were very famous here in our country because of your series '' Boys over flowers '' .

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141 Lyra

May 21, 2009 at 1:42 PM

oh.... how i wish 2 c u ol guyz!!!i luv BOF..so much.. 1 of da best!!!especially lee min ho!!!mwuaahhh...yam2 from Philippines mabuhay!!!

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142 audrey

May 22, 2009 at 10:48 PM

i really like the story it is much better than the Taiwanese version and the other version that is been made. i ilke kim bum so much

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143 shygirl

May 25, 2009 at 4:57 AM

hi guys!..i just want to say to the cast of korean F4,BOYS OVER FLOWERS,GOOD JOB GUYS! the story of your novels is very good and nice..hope to see u here in the philippines very soon!...luv you gu jun-pyo....take care guys(F4)...

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144 layar

May 26, 2009 at 2:04 AM

ga eul & yi jeong, little but always remember ,,,

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145 SOEULAMATES:)

May 26, 2009 at 8:24 AM

ohh...LOL...KIM BUM is the most cutest of them..:) (LOL)

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146 anGeL

May 28, 2009 at 1:06 AM

,...hi,..

,..This movie is really wonderful,..i love to watch it everyday,...Filipinos are watching everyday,..My day wouldnt be complete if i dont watch it,..

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147 mharla

May 29, 2009 at 9:12 PM

hello my name is mharla your boys over flowers really wake up me and I'm in love with ji hoo I wish I can see him in personal. And I wish jun pyo will stop being mean again and ji hoo can join the f4 again : D