Boys Before Flowers: Episode 6
by javabeans
Oooh, things just got good. (Finally!)
Episode 6 got off to a rocky start (I laughed along embarrassedly for the first part), but then they kicked up the angst — and given how this drama fails when attempting cutesy or slapstick humor, this is a much welcome turn. The cast is much better as dramatic actors than comic ones, so that gives us some nice scenes from just about everyone.
SONG OF THE DAY
T-MAX – “Lion Heart.” I’m usually one of those annoying music snobs, but I admit that after trying out some T-MAX lately, I’m digging their songs more than I’d ordinarily like to admit. Lol. I prefer their other stuff to the already-overused-and-bludgeoned-to-death “Paradise” from the Boys Before Flowers OST, though. [ Download ]
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EPISODE 6 RECAP
Jun-pyo undresses. Jan-di nervously tells him to cut it out. Laughing at her reaction, Jun-pyo calls her a dummy and heads toward the water in his swim trunks.
Jan-di gets back at him by telling him there’s a snake by his feet, then laughs as Jun-pyo dashes off fearfully, believing her joke.
There’s a really clumsy transition as everyone lazes on the beach. Ga-eul looks out at the water and senses something amiss; she grows more concerned as she shouts Jan-di’s name, which rouses Jun-pyo from his nap.
Jan-di is struggling to remain afloat (in, like, FOUR FEET of water), suffering a muscle cramp. Jun-pyo tries to go after her, but his feet won’t budge in the shallow water. A brief flashback of a body struggling in the water tells us that there’s something traumatic in Jun-pyo’s past that explains why he can’t swim.
Instead, Ji-hoo darts past and swims out to rescue Jan-di. (Based on how far Ji-hoo swims, I think she’s supposed to be out in deeper waters, but the effect is totally ruined when the camera shows the ocean floor, and Jan-di is clearly tall enough to stand above the waterline.)
Ji-hoo brings Jan-di in, and now that she’s safe, Jun-pyo keeps at a distance, upset with himself for not being able to do anything.
Back in Korea, Jun-pyo’s mother asks Mr. Jung what Jun-pyo is up to. (Her name is Kang Hee-soo, but it seems disrespectful to call a Korean mom by her first name — so I’ll be referring to her as Madam Kang, unless someone has a better suggestion.) Feeling sympathetic toward Jun-pyo, Mr. Jung tells her of the weekend trip with F4, leaving the girls out of it.
Awash in self-loathing, Jun-pyo takes to the hot tub alone, and as he slides underwater, a flashback shows Little Jun-pyo flailing in water and crying out for help.
Woo-bin and Yi-jung explain to Jan-di that when Jun-pyo was six, he’d been kidnapped. The car was chased and went into the river — with Jun-pyo in it. Yeah, I think that would do it for me too.
Perhaps compensating for his inability to save Jan-di, Jun-pyo takes extra care with elaborate dinner preparations. He particularly fusses over Jan-di, saying that her muscles cramped because she’s not eating properly; he fills her plate and instructs her to eat up.
Quieter than usual, Ji-hoo leaves the table without eating. Concerned, Jan-di follows him out to the pier, watching as the flower girl from the village hands him a potted flower and tells him to give it to his girlfriend.
At dinner, Yi-jung teases Ga-eul, under the mistaken impression that she likes Jun-pyo. Confused, Ga-eul tells him that’s ridiculous. Referring to their hilltop conversation, Yi-jung asks why she cares so much whether Jan-di and Jun-pyo get into trouble, then. Ga-eul blurts, “That’s because there’s someone else Jan-di li…”
She cuts herself off, but it’s enough for Yi-jung to guess what she was about to say.
More horrible music (are we even surprised anymore?) as the group enjoys the party, until Jun-pyo draws their attention to his specially planned fireworks display. He sneaks a look at Jan-di, then looks away quickly when she glances at him.
Jan-di smiles in appreciation, her good mood lasting until she comes out of her bathroom later that evening to see Jun-pyo unexpectedly in her room. Immediately nervous, she backs away and remembers the psychic’s prediction that she’ll be losing “something important, as a woman.”
But Jun-pyo surprises her by kneeling at her feet and fastening an anklet on her leg. It’s a cheap trinket from the marketplace, but he warns, “It may be cheap but if you lose it, you’re dead.” His tactics may lack a certain finesse, but Jan-di looks touched at the gesture.
Jan-di heads next door to Ga-eul’s room, but when her knock goes unanswered, she wanders the pier. Spotting Ji-hoo alone on the beach, she heads down to talk to him.
Ji-hoo shows her the flower and explains that it means the recipient will be happy, which is why you’re supposed to give it to someone you love. She wonders what happened with Seo-hyun, and he answers, “I realized how pathetic I was. There was nothing for me to do but wait all day in an empty apartment.” Bitterly, he adds: “Do you know what it’s like being nothing but a burden to the woman you love? You called them pathetic fools who can’t do anything on their own.”
Those are the words she flung at him at the airport; he says she was right, and other than loving one woman (“like a habit”), “I don’t know how to do anything. I’m pathetic.”
Ji-hoo offers the flower to Jan-di. Knowing what that symbolizes, she declines it. She says it’s meant for Seo-hyun, but I think part of her is thinking of Jun-pyo, and she turns to leave.
Ji-hoo grabs her arm and whirls her around in a hug. “It’s so cold, I can’t take it.”
After a moment, Jan-di draws back and walks away, flustered.
She hurries back to her room, outside which Jun-pyo is waiting, worried that something happened to her. As soon as he sees her, he scolds her for going off without notice.
Feeling guilty, Jan-di tells him, “I’m sorry.” Jun-pyo tells her not to swim or go off on walks alone, and leaves Jan-di to brood about her encounter with Ji-hoo.
Back on the beach, Ji-hoo picks up her anklet from the sand (which Jan-di doesn’t realize is missing until morning).
Jun-pyo, however, sees it on Ji-hoo’s wrist at breakfast. He grabs his arm to take a closer look, but covers up his alarm and doesn’t elaborate.
Trying not to jump to conclusions, Jun-pyo notices Jan-di isn’t wearing her anklet and asks where it went. Nervously, Jan-di lies that she left it in her room, since he’d give her hell if she lost it. He doesn’t really believe her but tries to let it go
Later, however, when the guys are having fun in an energetic game of volleyball, Jun-pyo asks Ji-hoo what’s up with the bracelet. Ji-hoo hands it over and tells him, “It’s Jan-di’s. She must have dropped it last night. Return it to her.”
At this proof that Jan-di met Ji-hoo last night — and worse, she lied — Jun-pyo is shaken so badly that he loses all concentration in the game.
Completely distracted as he puts together her lies, Jun-pyo doesn’t react when the ball hurtles toward him. It hits him in the face, bloodying his nose. He mumbles that he’s fine and stumbles away drunkenly, walking into the net before managing to head off to wash up.
(I suppose this is to show us how shocked he is, but come on — he’s heartbroken, not drug-addled.)
As he takes in the situation, Jun-pyo’s dazed reaction turns dark, and he sets off to find Ji-hoo, who is paddling calmly out to sea in a kayak. Jun-pyo grabs another one and paddles madly to catch up.
When he reaches him, for a moment it’s uncertain how he’ll act, but Jun-pyo passes him like this is some kind of heated race with no finish line. Maybe it is. Perhaps Ji-hoo figures it’s better to avoid provoking a confrontation, but I think it’s pretty wimpy for him to turn around silently and head back to shore.
When Jun-pyo turns around to see Ji-hoo paddling away, he throws his paddle in frustration.
I guess all that exertion wears out his anger, because the next thing we know they’re both back on the shore and nobody’s beaten to a pulp. While Jun-pyo sleeps, Jan-di finds Ji-hoo preparing a sailboat to head out for some fishing. He invites her along and (ignoring my repeated exclamations of “DON’T GO YOU IDIOT”) she goes.
Ga-eul is starting to find Yi-jung’s persistent attention aggravating (which I’m sure none of us understands, eh?), so when he finds her on the beach, she hurries away. To a TWO-PERSON BOAT. Good intention, but maybe you oughtta work on unmixing those messages.
Yi-jung hops aboard and brings up Ga-eul’s comment last night, asking about the guy Jan-di likes. He doesn’t seem too worried about it, since he’s fairly certain Jan-di’s type leans toward bad boys: namely, Jun-pyo.
Ga-eul retorts that the guy Jan-di likes might turn out to be her soulmate (then cringes at blurting out more info inadvertently).
Yi-jung doesn’t make an issue of that, though, asking instead whether Ga-eul actually believes in soulmates. She answers, “Of course. Playboys like you can’t understand, but there is such a thing as a true love who stays with you all your life.”
Yi-jung: “Have you met your soulmate?”
Ga-eul: “Not yet. But when he shows up, I won’t let go, because I’d regret losing someone like that for the rest of my life.”
Whatever anger Jun-pyo felt earlier, he seems to work it out, because he takes Jan-di along in a helicopter ride to show her something. In the air, he points out a field that’s shaped like a heart: “I’d decided that when I found a girl I liked, I’d bring her here.”
She registers the meaning of those words as Jun-pyo smiles, asking, “Can you see my heart?” He seems very pleased with everything, but Jan-di looks away uneasily.
That night, Woo-bin and Yi-jung announce a Ji-hoo emergency: They’ve learned that Seo-hyun is engaged.
This explains why Ji-hoo has changed, but Jan-di feels awful: “Ji-hoo’s going to hate me.” By that, Jan-di means her wish that Seo-hyun marry a famous foreign husband, which she’d told Ji-hoo before knowing of their relationship.
She’s lost in her distress when Jun-pyo finds her, and asks if she’s accepted his feelings.
He leans in closer as though to kiss her, but she pulls away. Disappointed, he stops, then tells her, “Don’t make me wait too long.”
Feeling bad for Ji-hoo, Jan-di heads down to the beach to find him. She asks with tears in her eyes if the rumors of Seo-hyun’s engagement are true, and tells him she’s sorry.
He sounds so defeated as he tells her he can’t compare to Seo-hyun’s fiancé that Jan-di insists he’s wrong. Seeing how much his pain affects her, Ji-hoo gathers her in a hug.
She entreats, “Please be happy… because if you’re unhappy, I am too.”
Wondering, “How could I not like a girl like you?,” Ji-hoo leans in and kisses her.
The kiss lasts for a few seconds, but when Ji-hoo pulls back, Jun-pyo stands there. Gulp.
Jun-pyo asks: “Is that what was going on?” He approaches slowly, then suddenly punches Ji-hoo. Jan-di pleads with him, but he turns to her in a cold fury. “I wanted to believe you.” He’d tried his best because he didn’t want to regret not trusting her.
Jun-pyo: “I showed you my true self. But this was your answer?”
Jan-di: “That’s not it. It’s not…”
Jun-pyo: “It’s really over now. Geum Jan-di, don’t act like you know me anymore.”
Ji-hoo tries to call him back. Jun-pyo yells at him to shut up: “If you say one more word, I’ll kill you.”
The next morning, Jun-pyo is gone. The others wonder what could have prompted him to ditch them all, and Woo-bin asks Jan-di if she has any guesses. Uncomfortable, she says nothing.
On the boat later, Ga-eul takes out a bracelet like the one Jan-di lost, which she’d bought it in the marketplace. Apparently it’s supposed to be given to the person you want to spend your life with, and Ga-eul wonders, “Maybe it’s like asking them not to run away.”
At home, Jan-di puts her anklet away in her drawer, which reminds her of the auctioned swimming goggles lying there that Jun-pyo had given her. That sends her down memory lane: she recalls the night they were locked in the cold together, how he saved her from the bullies, how he took her up in the helicopter to tell her he liked her… Sorrowfully, she says, “I’m sorry, Gu Jun-pyo.”
At school, Jan-di apologizes to Ji-hoo for the incident on the beach; she shouldn’t have gone looking for him. Ji-hoo says he should be the one to apologize. She replies, “I’m the one who hurt Jun-pyo.” I’m pretty sure they’re both guilty on that score, but I suppose she has a point.
Picking up a piece of chalk from the ground, Ji-hoo doodles a picture of Jun-pyo on the wall. Jan-di takes over, adding an angrier scowl and curlier hair. She laughs at first, but the smile fades and she fights tears.
During lunchtime, Jun-pyo strolls into the cafeteria with Woo-bin and Yi-jung and rings the bell to command everyone’s attention. He has an official F4 announcement to make: “Yoon Ji-hoo is no longer part of F4.”
Everyone gasps, and even Woo-bin and Yi-jung are shocked. Jun-pyo continues coldly, “In one week, Yoon Ji-hoo and Geum Jan-di will be expelled from this school.”
The mean girls assume this is Jan-di’s doing and blame her for messing everything up — it’s all her fault that F4 has been disrupted and Ji-hoo kicked out of the group. She must take responsibility!
Ji-hoo interrupts: “I’ll take responsibility.” He denounces the girls for ganging up on Jan-di, to which Ginger protests, “If you act like this, we can’t take your side.” He shoots back, “Who asked you to?”
So now both Ji-hoo and Jan-di are in the same persona non grata boat. Jan-di figures that Jun-pyo won’t go through with his threat — she may be expellable, but surely not Ji-hoo. Ji-hoo reminds her whose school this is.
She wonders if there’s a way out of the mess, and he responds, “I’ll have to find one, because now I have a reason not to sit back and concede quietly.”
Ji-hoo says that last bit with a meaningful smile at Jan-di, which she takes to mean that he wants to reconcile with F4. Ji-hoo laughs and calls her dumb, because that’s not what he was referring to: “I don’t care about that.”
I love this next scene: Yi-jung drops by to tell Ji-hoo in a hard tone that he’d always understood what Ji-hoo did, and even thought Jun-pyo was sometimes hard to take. That’s why he never expected to be saying these things now.
Yi-jung: “Why did you do it?”
Ji-hoo: “I just felt like it.”
Yi-jung: “Jun-pyo liked Jan-di—”
Ji-hoo: “—and I knew it.”
That angers Yi-jung: “I can’t tolerate you messing with a friend’s girl.” Ji-hoo says he is sorry to Jun-pyo, but he can’t let him kick Jan-di out of school.
Yi-jung: “So? What are you going to do?”
Ji-hoo: “I have to do something.”
Yi-jung: “You’re not going to have anyone on your side this time.”
Meanwhile, Woo-bin appeals to Jun-pyo, saying he understands his anger but that he’s going too far. He reminds Jun-pyo that Ji-hoo’s not himself right now, and that he’s acting out because of what happened with Seo-hyun.
Jun-pyo answers, “That jerk didn’t do that because he really likes Jan-di. He was just using her because of Seo-hyun. That’s more unforgivable.” When Woo-bin tries again, Jun-pyo snaps, “Don’t defend that jerk anymore. One more word and you’re out too.”
TANGENT
You know, Boys Before Flowers kinda reminds me of the whole Twilight phenomenon — which is surprising to me since I like Boys Before Flowers but remain staunchly anti-Twilight.
Both have this compelling story at the core but are obscured by flawed storytelling. The hunky lead males are by all rights not supposed to be hero material and yet are, perhaps largely because they’re just so damn beautiful and charismatic. It doesn’t hurt that they’re devoted to their ladies — to a near-disturbing extent, but which somehow becomes transformed in fiction as appealing. Also, both franchises attract widespread fervor among its core audience — and just as much disdain from those who feel superior to what they regard as trashy stuff.
Yet, you can’t deny that it’s got a mighty pull. For people who hate it, no amount of persuasion will convince them that it’s worthy, while for those who love it, criticism won’t keep them from loving it. In both cases, the material is told in a clunky and clumsy way — if only more skilled artists were telling the story!! — but is still undeniably able to tap into something deeper that stirs up intense emotions. While the target audience may be teenage girls, I think it’s reductive to say that that’s the ONLY audience. (Helloooo, points at self.) It’s part fairy tale, part escapism, and part basic human longing. Even if the first two don’t get ya, the last one just might.
Oh gawd. I think I just wrote a semi-defense of Twilight. Curse you, Boys Before Flowers!
COMMENTS
I think that what’s been holding back the series in the first five episodes is a borrowed feeling it couldn’t quite shake off entirely. Personally, I think Boys Before Flowers is best when it takes its own spin on things — Jan-di’s entrance to Shinhwa, Jun-pyo’s character — and falters when adapting too literally.
But I felt a shift in this episode, which moved us from comic adaptation into (more of) a thing of its own. It’s starting to feel like its own series, with its own characters and own conflicts. Maybe it’s just me, but this episode was the first time I didn’t think, “Well the other version did it another way…” I hope this is a good indication of the future, and think (hope) that the comparisons may start to die now.
I like this plot turn, because just as Jan-di starts to enjoy all of Jun-pyo’s attention, it gets taken away. She was taking it for granted, and now that it’s gone, she starts to realize how much she likes Jun-pyo. Now the dynamic is all messed up and different and I really, really like that. Jun-pyo gets to be a cold-hearted bastard again (yet understandably so), while maybe Jan-di will have to exert herself a little now — she’s been on the receiving end all this time without giving. It’s not her fault because Jun-pyo has been giving without considering her opinion, so it’s like forced receiving, but the point remains — she’s gotta step it up now.
On the other hand, just as Kim Hyun-joong’s acting improves marginally, they give his character a pretty shitty turn. (Kim isn’t wonderful, but at least he’s not as distractingly bad as he was in the first few episodes.) How is he supposed to be Jun-pyo’s best friend when he seems to be actively undermining Jun-pyo’s relationship with Jan-di? In his (brief) defense, he’s being deliberately self-destructive because he’s so affected by losing Seo-hyun — lashing out at something covers up the hurt of the other thing. Well, he can be as SELF-destructive as he likes but that doesn’t excuse betraying a best friend willfully. Isn’t “bros before hos,” well, sacred male code?
Jan-di still sucks for not pulling away from Ji-hoo’s kiss, and I’m annoyed about that, but her betrayal of Jun-pyo is nothing compared to Ji-hoo’s. I hope this is resolved satisfactorily, because while I do love the angst — it feels real and palpable, for once — I hope they didn’t go too far in making Jan-di and Ji-hoo unlikable.
RELATED POSTS
- Boys Before Flowers: Episode 5
- Kim So-eun earns praise for double duty
- Behind the scenes with Kim Bum in New Caledonia
- Flower boy power
- Boys Before Flowers: Episode 4
- Boys Before Flowers: Episode 3
- Overnight star Lee Min-ho awash in CF offers
- Cast members featured on Boys Before Flowers OST
- Boys Before Flowers: Episode 2
- Boys Before Flowers: Episode 1
Tags: Boys Before Flowers, Gu Hye-sun, Kim Bum, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Joon, Lee Min-ho
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101 kirara
January 21, 2009 at 6:42 AM
I thought this episode was better than Ep5, i mean it had its own spin to it, combining a few scenes from other versions and elaborated more on those similar scenes.
Plus the actors all did pretty well, lots of emotion and fighting, it wasn't your typical screaming and bickering it was actually, yes.. He was hurt so this is his way of taking care of the situation.
I thought some of the scenes were a bit cheesy and cute (the heart shape land looking from the helicopter)and I also thought it was funny the two F4 boys were talking to the foreign girls calling them "Baby" and talking to them in Korean like they completely understand. They just kept following the entire group the whole time.
Personally, I don't get really giddy when I see the F4 boys, I've seen both versions, but for some reason Rui (Ji-Hoo) is just super cute! Maybe its because I'm not fan of Vic Zhou and for some reason I like Oguri Shun as his other roles that it didn't appeal to me as much as Rui..
And maybe because he's a Fresh face( kim Hyun Joong)and he doesn't say much or have a lot of lines (which in this episode he played a big role and i'm sure for the next few episodes some more) but for some reason he just makes me want a prince charming like him.
YIKES..ok. I'll stop talking now.. moving on. :D
Thanks again Javabeans for your wonderful detail episode recap.
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102 bella
January 21, 2009 at 7:10 AM
but *I really craved for a heated love tri-angle.. and in every drama´s the policy is: "love before bros", the two guys loving the same girl always relate to each other in a biological or friendshipable way... in drama´s it´s ok I guess, but I doubt that the reality works all like that... hehe... anywyas, I´m in love with this drama and you´ve a good point in that the drama is starting to become something on is own, which is a really good thing!
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103 Anniebananie
January 21, 2009 at 7:24 AM
Thanks for the recap! I really like Jandi and Jihoo. it seems that they are the soulmate. I know that Jihoo heart is for another woman but it is just a puppy love.
ep 6 show that Jihoo really love Jandi but he did not know how to express his feeling when Jandi think that his heart is still with other woman.
sad. I hope these two can end up together.
I heard this drama was copy from the Japan is that correct?
thanks again
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104 sonam
January 21, 2009 at 7:38 AM
I am shocked at how lazy and unimaginative the director of BBF is. He seems to be caught in some time warp ....80's. Instead of the corny Kenny G music he could have used some bossa nova or why not the local island music?
He is dressing Jandi like an anjuma. The printed satiny dress with the big yellow flower on her ear made her look so old! Her friend dresses better than her. The turquoise shift dress was so chic.
Jandi has to stop pouting too much because she doesn't haven't the prettiest mouth. I like her when she's serious. I actually like her when she's with Rui. She seems so much more likeable.
I understand why she let Rui kiss her. She's always had a thing for him and she felt sad that he was suffering. He was touched by what she said and he was feeling vulnerable. These things happen in life. Both got carried away by the moment. I don't think he was going out his way to steal her from his best friend. At this point she is supposed to be in love with him. Isn't Makino supposed to take longer to like Domyoji?
The director is doing a bad job at handling the GJP/relationship. He is making Jandi look like a silly girl with no will of her own. I don't mind JP bossing her around (that's very Domyoji) but could Jandi react in a more mature way and handle the situation more coolly instead of behaving like a nervous kitten? I like the way she handles the three bimbettes. No matter what they do she never takes them seriously. She never gets affected. Speaking of the bimbettes one of them looks way too old. The other two are adorable and look like twins.
What a Tuesday it was ....Barack Obama as president at last and LMH taking off his shirt.
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105 Katrin
January 21, 2009 at 8:07 AM
Javabeans,
thanks for all your recaps. I’ve been reading most of them since I found your website a few months ago and are really amazed by how fast, entertaining, witty and accurate your postings are.
Today I want to join the discussion because I am wondering why so many of you don’t like Ji-hoo’s acting. Maybe I don’t get it right because I rely on the Eng. subtitles to understand what they are saying. Does he talk in a strange way? His body language doesn’t strike me as something awkward or bad.
I also can’t understand why you are all so irritated by Jan-di’s preference of Ji-hoo. I think that Jun Pyo’s behavior towards Jan-di is rather annoying, harsh and not at all amiable. I even think that he has a nasty personality. He is spoilt, snotty, shows off his (parents’) wealth and is often much too pleased with himself. The 6th episode showed that he belittles Ji-hoo’s feelings by lightly saying “I know that fool. He will be ok.” after getting to know about the article showing Seo Hyun with her new partner. And later he is threatening Woo-bin to get expelled, too, just because Woo-bin is saying what he thinks. A strange behavior for a good mate, isn't it?
Most of the time when Jun Pyo is nice to Jan-di it’s only to make up for something bad he has done to her before, like taking care of her lesions after being the reason why she got hurt. He always shouts at her, bosses her around, drags her here and there and scolds her.
Is there anything that he can do well apart of being handsome? I can’t see why you think of his flaws as being cute. They even throw a worse light on him. His fear of insects and spiders is in its ferocity rather ridiculous. And his inability to swim can’t be an excuse for not being able to do anything at all when his beloved one is in danger. And if he really is so afraid of water why would he go out into the open sea in a small canoe and not even being afraid by the loss of his paddles.
He isn’t supportive and you can’t say that he has shown Jan-di (or the audience) much of his good sides. Has he ever told Jan-di WHAT he likes about her? He just repeats that he approves of her and later indicates that he loves her. He takes it for granted that she (will) return his feelings and ignores her resistance to his approaches and his public proclamations of her being his girl-friend. “Don’t let me wait too long.” is what he orders her to do. I know that he cares about her and that some of his presents are not only expensive but chosen with some kind of thoughtfulness, but up to now I think that he is insensitive towards her wishes and rather selfish.
Ji-hoo has got a lot more aspects in his favor. He seems to be thoughtful, he doesn’t boast, he supports Jan-di and has helped and saved her several times (just because he is nice, not because he was in love). He is a good musician, he is able to express his feelings, he is grateful towards Jan-di and compliments her. He can be flirtatious and charming and of course he has good looks and airs some kind of melancholic aura that naturally attracts a good-hearted girl as Jan-di. You can see that they get along very well and feel like soulmates.
Therefore, I can understand why Jan-di can’t get over her crush on him. Of course, it now looks as if Ji-hoo is not a nice guy at all: betraying his friend and maybe using Jan-di to get over his greater love Seo Hyun. But don't forget that Ji-hoo is willing to take responsibility for the mess he has caused.
And knowing the Taiwanese and Japanese version of HYD I am sure that he will play a crucial part in Jan-di and Jun Pyo’s becoming lovers very soon.
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106 Daniel
January 21, 2009 at 8:08 AM
I still agree with Jen, I do feel sorry for JunPyo, as he said, he showed all his love for her and she did, in a certain way, betray him. But I can't help but feel much more sorry for JanDi. It's obvious that she still has a lot of feelings for JiHoo, and she can't help but want to be with him, who was always her guardian, but at the same time, if she did tell JunPyo she didn't like him, she would end the same way. No matter what she does, if she pisses JunPyo off, she will always have to succumb to the hatred of the whole school and, uhm... the netizens XD And I love Rui/JiHoo, I love how he always seem to be way above JunPyo's childish actions, it's a good contrast. People say that JanDi doesn't take JunPyo's feelings in consideration, but I think he doesn't take hers too, it seems he doesn't understand that sometimes her problem is HIM.
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107 tetsi
January 21, 2009 at 8:28 AM
as of now, i'm in Yi Jung/Ga Eul boat.
I love how they make Ga Eul a lot more sassier than the japanese one.
and the chemistry between them is very real!
can we have a spin off with just the two of them please....
ps. Yeah, I can't stand Twilight either....
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108 michy
January 21, 2009 at 8:53 AM
LOL -
Isn’t “bros before hos,” well, sacred male code?
nice quote!
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109 byul1232
January 21, 2009 at 8:57 AM
The reason why this episode is the first one where it wasnt compared to the other version is because the korean one is somewhat staying closer to the manga plot.
The japanese one kept to the manga plot too but they jumped around from event to event.
I'm kind of glad the korean one's doing it this way so it doesn't get compared.
this episode was definitely an improvement of all the flaws from the previous episodes, so i'm thankful.
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110 lily
January 21, 2009 at 9:16 AM
This Episode can't compared with the Japanese because simply it looks like MG. This one doesn't exists in HYD but MG. Look at MG. They too follow the Manga.
It seems most of people see that Jdrama HYD is a very good quality one.
Otherwise I watched it. It' doesn't improve at all.
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111 lily
January 21, 2009 at 9:23 AM
And I can't help but when I read people like Min Oh' Jun Pyo because of look. I mean There less and less reviews concerning his acting and more and more about his look (although he looks 35)
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112 Peeps!
January 21, 2009 at 9:26 AM
I think I get why Ga Eul is avoiding Yi jung. I mean, come on, she thinks/knows the guy's a player and is totally disgusted with him (At least that's what I think she must be thinking, given her actions the first time they met...).
Ah yeah, also when Ga Eul finished her 'soulmate' speech, Yi jung made some kind of weird face/expression ( It might be obvious to you, but I'm just not sure what that meant, so I'm checking.). So, does that face mean that he agrees with her? Somehow, somewhere, I'm getting the feeling like he thinks he did something wrong....
My emotions are all muddled up. I'm so confused.
Also, Javabeans, thank you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for your wonderful recaps! I love your spot-on sarcastic remarks! Sarcasm makes the world happy!!!!
Who "loves" twilight?? ME! *Raises hand*
(That's supposed to mean I hate Twillight. But I guess Twilight's the kind of book where you either hate it or love it. I belong to the 'HATE IT' club. I doubt anyone's neutral on that subject...)
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113 Jo II
January 21, 2009 at 9:47 AM
I haven't seen the episode yet but it seems to playing out a lot like MG. But it may have been executed in a different way...don't know yet.
Also, yes, Jan Di shouldn't have kissed Ji Hoo but you can't help the way your heart feels...and that's the point right? It's the underlying theme that you have to win people's hearts not their 'wows' or 'aawws.' And you can't do that by grand gestures, you do it through the little ones like wiping their face when it's covered in flour or lending someone some shoes when they don't have any. Likewise the best bits between Jan Di and Jun Pyo are the little snippets like him tending her wounds or giving her a cheap bracelet.
I mean, yes, Jun Pyo is doing nice things for her now and putting his feelings out there but it still doesn't change the fact that he blows hot and cold all the time! Ji Hoo isn't perfect but at least, he's more constant, he's never pretended to love her or hate her, he just is there for her when he can be. That's why, I think the triangle works because atm, Jun Pyo is just confusing...I mean, 1 minute, he gets people to set your bike on fire, the next you get a free holiday, what?!
So that's two pennies! Thanks dramabeans for the recap!
^-^
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114 anna
January 21, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Ugh, there's nothing I hate more than seeing two best friends fighting over a girl. Yes, the phrase "bros before hos" should be effective. It's just sad seeing them like that. Of course, I'm not hateful toward the guy who tries to steal his friend's girl like that. She's no better if she lets him on.
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115 Peeps!
January 21, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Er... I'm confused again (It's feels like I'm stupid or something), but is the author/owner/blogger of this blog DRAMAbeans or JAVAbeans? DRAMA/JAVAbeans, which do you prefer I call you?
And still no replies to my question (112). Though I must admit, I only waited for like 20 min. I'm so impatient..!
* Must be patient...must be patient...*(<-- speaking to self... Am I mad?)
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116 snuffythemonkey
January 21, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Quick question: Is it Javabeans or Dramabeans? I never know which to refer to when I thank you. But nevertheless, thanks for creating a place where we can deconstruct dramas and where I can rant. Apologies for the latter.
Here I go...
In Ji-hoon's defense I'd think he was using Jan-di as a substitute and since he couldn't do anything for the girl he loves he wanted to pursue the girl he likes and protect her now. He was helpless before but he wants to take a more pro-active role. Although that really doesn't give him the prerogative to steal his best friend's girlfriend.
Seriously though the F4 knit isn't strong enough for me to feel the betrayal. If I were to watch this drama with fresh eyes having no contact with the canon I wouldn't know that they were best friends who knows each other deeply.
As for Jan-di, she had so much room to play with regarding her character. She should border on hatred towards Jun-pyo for taking her freedom away from her. She couldn't freely like the guy she does, live her life under the radar, or even to make genuine friends at her school. She should be outraged and indignant. But she does less of that and seemingly enjoys the splendor of goggles and vacations. She is suppose to be a strong character because of her fighting spirit and sense of justice. However I find her playing a damsel in distress more than the spunky girl I thought she would be.
I've always thought that the best dramas gave motive and a reason behind every characters' chain of action and reaction. Even the most hated villain could be pitied if he had a legitimate or understandable motive behind their actions. However I don't see enough of it in this drama which saddens me. Instead I harbor some dislike to Jan-di and Ji-hoo and even Jun-pyo for being such a bipolar sometimes.
On the sunny side up though, I do like Ga-eul and Yi-jung. I hope Yi-jung gets to develop his story and I can see how their conversation will lead to that. (The whole shenanigan about the having regret for giving up on your soul mate.) Although given the predecessors of Hana Yori Dango I don't think a happy ending is in store for this lovely couple. I do hope otherwise.
Thank you for your recaps. I'm always tempted to read them before I watch the drama and usually I fall for temptation.
And your comment section is turning out to be an essay contribution from viewers. Sorry, it must be tiring reading all of this. I promise to be brief next time.
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117 sonam
January 21, 2009 at 11:45 AM
I can understand why Jandi can't take the irascible Domyoji seriously. What I don't understand is why she's so rude to him all the time. Does she have to yell every time she talks to him? It seems so immature and rude ....very un Makino. It makes me question why he likes her so much. Why couldn't the director make her comebacks to Domyoji witty, spirited and fun? Show that she's not intimidated or impressed by him or his wealth not by having her yell at him every time they have a conversation. But by having her be this really cool, fun independent girl with with a strong sense of self who is happy in her own skin and her world and doesn't get impressed or frazzled so easily. I thought the main reason Domyoji fell for Makino was for her cool character.
I was also shocked when the director had her slap the friend from hell. It seems so out of character. Getting physical, yelling doesn't mean you are strong. Just the opposite.
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118 Javabeans
January 21, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Either javabeans or dramabeans works for me. :) (To be technical, the first is me and the second is the site, although it's kind of interchangeable now. I started with the handle 'javabeans,' then took the domain name 'dramabeans.')
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119 Jheanelle
January 21, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Thanks for the caps and summary. They were as entertaining as always lol.
I was rooting for Jun Pyo from the beginning of this episode because he was putting his heart into convincing Jan Di that she should give him a chance. And it finally looked like he was making some sort of progress with her. That's why Ji Hoo kissing Jan Di was so out of left field for me (Jun Pyo too lol). I was hoping that she'd finally wake up and realize that Jun Pyo's feelings were genuine and he wasn't playing some sort of game with her.
Ji Hoo's obviously heart broken over Seo Hyun and is now acting like a complete scum bag. His pride is hurt over his failure to change Seo Hyun's mind and now he's messing up Jan Di and Jun Pyo's potential romance. I just hope that their "love triangle" is resolved and doesn't linger until episode 23.
But I can't even really call it a "love triangle" since there really isn't any love on part of Ji Hoo for Jan Di. It seems more like a comfort thing. She makes him feel warm and fuzzy inside and because he's a selfish idiot, he doesn't care if his clinging to her will hurt his best friend.
I'm mad at Jan Di too, but I can understand her not pushing him away. He's her first major crush and that kiss was a fantasy fulfilled. It doesn't make her any less of an idiot, but I can sympathize lol.
Like you, I'm looking forward to her having to put more effort into her relationship with Jun Pyo.
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120 Anniebannie
January 21, 2009 at 12:22 PM
I dont know but I think Jandi and Jihoo do have feeling for each other.
I hope she will fall for Jihoo instead of Jan Di.
LOL
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121 Cinamoroll
January 21, 2009 at 12:28 PM
well, seriously, I thought everything should be blamed on Jihoo this time though. Jandi is not clear about her feeling yet- I mean think about it, this some cold-hearted bastard literally ordered her bestfriend(then) and her to lick his shoes for some ridiculous reason, and after that she got all the brutal treatments from bullies-she almost got raped by three men! that's enough for anyone to fret for months! Of course we viewers know that JunPyo did not intend that to happen, but regardless it did and does Jandi know that? nope! Of course this drama is not about Jandi overcoming near-rape experience so they didn't elaborate on it, but man, seriously, If I were her, I would never like him. Now, JunPyo, all of sudden, feels love and pushes his feeling all over her, ignoring Jandi's pace. Jandi likes Jihoo and still in progress,I guess, to forget, and she starts to like JunPyo, but she does not know that. Enough of that, but really, Jihoo provoked JunPyo all along in the episode 6 and when JunPyo hit him, I say JH asked for it. JH knew that JP likes Jandi, but yet he was in his self-destuctive mode so much that he was indifferent enough to wear and show Jandi's bracelet to JP and even made a comment without any explanation. I mean, if he was caring enough he could have given bracelet directly to Jandi! Poor Jandi, sandwiched between two uncaring men....OH well, but this incident will now give Jandi her chance to clear her feelings and be on the same track with JP.
JavaBean, when Yi Jung mentioned what kind of man Jandi would like, yes, he did say "Bad boy," but his description sounded more like Ji hoo instead of JunPyo. he said, girls like Jandi are too compassinate to ignore the guys who are so pathetic that they can't do anyhing by themselves but to rely on their women. Isn't that how JiHoo described himself? lol that's why Ga-Eul couldn't talk for a second.
One more thing, people CAN drown in the water where their feet can reach the bottom if they are panicked enough, surprisingly lol. I was in exact situation as Jandi,and I panicked too much that I,er, sorta drown myself, so my friend actually had to drag me out to the side. embarrassing! lol
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122 le
January 21, 2009 at 12:33 PM
i'm not liking Jandi & Jihoo right now, Jandi lied to Junpyo & that sucks & then Jihoo worms his way into Jandi's heart when Junpyo has been working his butt off courting Jandi, but really how could Jihoo do that to his BFF? i don't think any reason will do. i hope Jandi gets hurt by Jihoo quick so we can see her realize how great Junpyo was to her. i hate how Jandi is getting played so much, she is too naive & i heard more people will screw her over. writers please don't drag this JanJi relationship too long, i want JanJun.
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123 Resa
January 21, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Dang, girl!
I bow in awe before your eloquence and wit :-)
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124 kandi
January 21, 2009 at 12:45 PM
JP is cute and the acting is great, however, JP's character is very childish and selfish. I feel like if he doesn't get his way, he is quick to throw JD, the girl he loves, or his friends under the bus. JD never agreed to be his gf and he sensed that JD had an attraction to JH even before JP announced JD as his gf. How many times was JD violently bullied because JP was throwing a temper tantrum? Although it is easy to fall for JPs smile and good looks, as a person and as a bf, JH character is so much better (at this point anyway). JH is much more mature and although appears cold at times, is sensitive and compassionate to both JD and SH. I can see why JD likes JH - after all, he saved her on several occasion when she was in trouble due to JP's antics. I understand JP knows no other way but his way - demanding JD to love him is not the way to go.
I'm liking Yi Jung and Gaeul's relationship - it is more realistic than JP and JD's romance.
The F4's guys are cuties! Love Kim So Eun as Gaeul and Lee Si Young as Min Ji. Looking forward to Kim Hyun Joo as JP's sister. JD is a bit annoying (not sure if it's the script or the acting) - something I did not feel at all with the other versions. JH character and the relationship among the F4 members are under developed. JD's younger brother is adorable!
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125 Kimmi
January 21, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Sarah-- I always try to wait to watch the episodes on the weekend, because my weeks are so swamped, and I try really hard to keep myself from reading your recaps but I can't!
I really appreciate them, and even though your recaps are almost a blow by blow it always makes me excited for when I finally do get to watch it.
I'm a fan of the Twilight series for the same reason that I'm a fan of Boys Before Flowers. They're both wonderfully escapist and the comparison/defense was lovely, even it was unintentional (the defense part anyways).
And sigh. Lee Min Ho.
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126 babycakes
January 21, 2009 at 12:56 PM
harumph. the jandi/jihoo relationship is starting to get mighty annoying. in fact, blame the actions of the men on their raging hormones, but jandi is being maybe a bit too fickle for my liking? she certainly thinks she can have her cake and eat it too!
anyways, thank you for your recaps and of course that generous sprinkle of wit that i enjoy!
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127
January 21, 2009 at 1:06 PM
I just wanted to say a quick thanks for recapping so quickly!
Looking forward to next week's episodes :)
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128 jacq
January 21, 2009 at 1:26 PM
This was a great episode. It was hard to see JP got hurt & betrayed. I can understand why Jandii did not resist the kiss from Ji Hoo; he was her first love and she has always had feelings for him from the start. But what bugs me is that she should have told JP she was not interested in him instead of stringing him along, letting him think he might have a chance. He even showed her his "heart" for god's sake. I don't get why JP is soooooo into Jandi and tries so hard to court her anyway. All she does is yells at him.
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129 yelibean
January 21, 2009 at 2:43 PM
i think people are forgetting that Jihoo has liked jandi from the beginning...
It's hard to realize this point because the director did a pretty bad job at establishing their relationship in the first couple of episodes...but if you all remember, even SH mentioned to JD that JH always talked about her with a smile, and that he was not the type of person to interfere in other people's business yet he always helped JD when he had the chance, and that therefore JD was special...remmber she also told JH that she didnt really like it when she saw him running towards JD? i presume she was talking about the incident with the wonder woman outfit...
i think JH liked her from the beginning but was too preoccupied with SH whom he had loved "like a habit" for 15 years and it is obvious that SH is someone extremely important to him....and now that he is back, he has come to realize that the love he has for JD is different from the love he had for SH who was like a mother/sister to him.
and i really love the scene with the chalk because it is in THAT moment that JH realizes that JD has developed feelings for JP and that he is too late....which is really SAD T_T
i really like this drama but the director is doing a pretty bad job in establishing the characters and their feelings/relationships with one another...
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130 kdma
January 21, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Ok. I ABHOR how GJD acts. She makes so many stupid faces and always screams at GJP for the stupidest reasons even though he is the perfect guy. Don't get me wrong. I see where you guys are coming from when you call his love immature and obsessive, but she's his FIRST girlfriend. He probably thinks that what he is doing is romantic. He has never had a real relationship before and everything else in his life he has gotten by being pushy. It is his nature and honestly, I find it endearing. However, I don’t know whether it is the script or the actress, but GJD infuriates me. I agree with an earlier post that her acting is best around KJH. Why? Because she actually acts naturally. Maybe it is because the actress herself is much older than 19, but she tends to overact to compensate for that. Her “endearing and cute” [GAG] faces and tendency to scream for absolutely no reason are so so so so so so annoying. I can’t even describe it.
Now, I would probably be more forgiving if I actually like JiHoo. It’s shallow, but it the other versions, I always liked the Rui character more simply because they were better looking. It’s almost ridiculous. I mean, Vic Zhou is 50398503985 times cuter than Jerry IMO, and Matsu Jun’s face takes a while to get used to, even though I was cheering for him in the end. Am I the only one who thinks that JiHoo is ugly? I don’t know why… but anyways, I obviously like JunPyo better in the Korean version not only because he’s hot [am I the only one who almost had a heart attack when he started undressing?], but he is so charismatic.
I hope I won’t be screaming “YOU’RE SUCH AN IDIOT” in every scene with JanDi and JiHoo in the future --;
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131 Labacookie
January 21, 2009 at 3:02 PM
I nearly choked on my pizza when I got to the end of your commentary. I said the "bros before hos" thing aloud myself. XD
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132
January 21, 2009 at 3:14 PM
64 Brenda - Jan 20, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Not to offend any JH fans, I think the difference between Rui and JiHoo, IMO is that JiHoo seems to be either mentally slow or in lala land, and Rui appeared to be very intellectual, he always had a book with him, while JH only sleeps or pretends to play the violin.
Response from Wikipedia entry on Boys Over Flowers manga:
It's commonly mistranslated that he had autism as a child. However one cannot outgrow autism, and the 'when I was a child' is actually a mistranslation 'since I was a child.' He has Asperger's syndrome which explains why Rui holds grudges for many years, and often extracts his revenge after everyone involved has forgotten about it. He prefers sleeping at least 10 hours a day, has trouble socializing and can't recognize facial expressions (example in being trying to draw Tsukasa, he drew an expressionless egg with curly hair). These are all typical autistic personality traits he still holds.
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133 OHHH
January 21, 2009 at 3:24 PM
I was waiting anxiously for your recap because I like the comments you made about dramas in general. However, I disagree with you and everyone else who think that Jihoo betrayed his friend. He is a person at a state of conflicting emotion. I'm sure his wanting to kiss Jandi is because he wants to feel and to be loved. It has nothing to do with knowing JP likes her. Hecks even if he does, he has the right to persue her because they have the balcony thing for a long time now. If anything, I think JH might think YP is not good enough for Jandi. And that, I agree because she has the heart that JP is totally lack of. What with the bros before hoes, I know I'm taking it too literally. But, Jandi is not a hoe, she is Jihoo's special friend, one that understands him, and not just simply a love interest. Possibly a better friend that YP, the bro could ever be. And JP, gosh, does he seem like a friend to anyone at all, other than himself.? Upon hearing about JH's love interest getting engaged to someone else, all he said was OH he'll get over it. OMG....that's a very important person in your friend's life, the one who was beside him when he lost everything in this world, his loving parents. How can he just get over it like nothing happened. Where is the leadership and friendship when it is needed. SOOO he doesn't deserve any sympathy at all because either a bit of nature + nurture, he is a total jackasss. Instead of thinking, someone stole my "property/Jandi", he should of react as his friend is hurting inside, not only him who is hurt, and need more support than ever?
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134 lily
January 21, 2009 at 3:37 PM
How Jun Pyo is the perfect Guy??? I don't understand. Is Jun Pyo supposed to be the perfect guy??? Please explain me.
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135 lily
January 21, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Are you sure Jun Pyo and J Hoo are friends????
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136 Veronica
January 21, 2009 at 4:16 PM
I'm getting off topic here, BUT!
I loved the original Boys Before Flowers manga, but it was EXTREMELY painful to read at times...because the writing was terrible. Anybody who thinks otherwise needs to put away the retrogoggles and read it again. The characterizations were shoddy from time to time, the plot devices were horribly contrived...but it was fun. I just get irritated when people hold Hanadan up like it's the greatest shoujo manga ever made, when it so, so isn't. It was embarrassing illogical and frustrating sometimes, but overall enjoyable and addictive. So, I've concluded that this adaptation is completely accurate, as far as recreating that particular mood. For better or worse.
However! As far as the story being better in the hands of a more capable author: Yoko Kamio's most recent work, Cat Street, is one of the most well-made shoujo manga I have ever read. Honestly, considering there was only a year grace period between the end of Hana Yori Dango and Cat Street, the improvement she's made as a story teller is baffling. And inspiring. Oh how I wish I could say the same for Stephenie Meyer...
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137 luvyoo
January 21, 2009 at 5:04 PM
this series getting more and more interesting,i prefer JP than JH........Lee Min Ho rocksssss.thanks Sarah for d recaps ^ ^
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138 Carolyn
January 21, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Just wondering...do Korean dramas have opening titles at all? I haven't noticed it at all until now, but of all the Korean dramas I've seen (CP, Witch Amusement, Dal Ja, Goong, QSS, and now BBF) none have full-length openers. I think Goong had like, a second-long titlescene, and Dal Ja's had those lovely character paintings, but that's it, mostly.
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139 Miki
January 21, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Like you, I am pro-HYD and anti-Twilight. I do see they're similar but I also get why they're different. I am also a literacy snob. And that's just horrifically bad writing. And BBF has a likable heroine. Bella or Makino? And the guys! He is likable at the end, but in the beginning, the guy is horrendous and recognized as such. (That's... a main draw for BBF for me. The guys don't start out as likable.) Whereas stalker-Edward was ALWAYS romantic and is stalker-romantic right to the end.
Throw in the fact that BBF has some very moving parts and the character action is half-way intelligent and understandable whereas some stuff in Twilight is not. And the relationships aren't half as obsessively creepy.
Plus, Twilight takes itself WAY to seriously. You'd think it thinks it's the next War and Peace or something. And its vampires are totally ridiculous (SPARKLY?) but it's so serious! At least BBF knows what it is. So even when it falters (in the drama, in the manga, with writing and contrivances), I can forgive it for knowing its fluffiness.
>< No, no, no. I do not like Twilight. They are nothing like my beloved HYD.
(@Veronica-Yes, Cat Street was VERY good, wasn't it? I think it's because she took a more realistic turn. Another reason for loving HYD for me is the twists she took in the story, and the realism she snuck in at little parts of the manga. It lifted it up for pure guilty pleasure to something heartwarming and deserving of a place in my heart. But HYD's premise was essentially a fluffy and flawed one, which the improvement of the mangaka couldn't completely overcome (it did show in the Rui and the ending, though). I think Kamio Yoko set out from Cat Street wanting to make a more realistic, shorter, and well-put together manga. And she got that.
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140 nara
January 21, 2009 at 5:45 PM
You are right...javabeans..the music makes the drama more enjoyable....I have seen... Whats up fox?..soulmate...flower for my life.. que sera sera.....coffee prince...I loved how they matched the music with the scene.....
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141 lovin it
January 21, 2009 at 6:11 PM
the k version makes it seem as if jihoo didnt like jandi from the beginning! while the jversion made it clear! -_- this makes jihoo seem like such a bad guy when hes not :(
and jandi didnt agree to be junpyos gf..
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142 belleza
January 21, 2009 at 6:13 PM
"I think Kamio Yoko set out from Cat Street wanting to make a more realistic, shorter, and well-put together manga. "
Yeah, that's true. Kamio was learning her craft (including learning how to draw well) during Hana Yori Dango.
Kamio's talked about doing a sequel to Hana Yori Dango. It would be interesting if, say, Yuki became the main heroine. Also, it would be a true josei story, and so the storylines could be more adult. Not uhhh Yazawa adult (oh gawd, Nana has been like a cloud of dread the past 3 years)
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143 Imee
January 21, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Thank you Javabeans for this wonderful site and it is on top of my list.I love your
your recap of BBF and especially the beautiful pictures.I can't help but make a music video using your photos ( well acknowledged) and I hope you like it. I just posted it now at Youtube under the name Boys Before Flowers (Korean Style). You can also find it by just searching for Defroster9 videos. Thanks again for the lovely photos of BBF.
Imee (Defroster9)
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144 Fel
January 21, 2009 at 6:49 PM
@ belleza
I’ll say it again: Lee Min Ho is baby Kimura Takuya. Around his jeri curls and pretty sneer, why, I am a blushing bride!
Oh, Kimura Takuya is just... wonderful!! There's no other words to describe him... other then HAWT!
I kinda like where this drama is going, cuz the japanese one didn't really follow the original plot line I fell in love with(hana yori dango was the first anime I ever saw<3).
I like that Lee Min Ho's Domyouji is more cold and a little sharper then Matsumoto's version, but I have to say Inoue Mao did a better job as Makino. She had more of that same; "oh lord, what to do, what to say, who to pick"-feeling as the manga-Makino had.
Kim Hyun Joong... I'm not so sure there, cuz I didn't really like Rui. Rui is someone that, other then being introvert, is complex and a little twisted. Like when he jokes around with Makino(in the beginning), knowing that she likes him. Kim Hyun Joong-oppa managed good with the complex part, and after this episode, even a little twisted! It'll be fun to see how he shows Rui's softer side.
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145 risa
January 21, 2009 at 7:21 PM
once again an awesome recap. is it just me or is Ji-Hoo channeling the male version of Dal Ja's Spring's Wi Seon-Joo?
would it be a step backwards to read the manhwa?
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146 hientt
January 21, 2009 at 7:41 PM
It's refreshing to be watching a drama that is adapted from another country, especially if it is done with a spin. What is the point of making a "Korean" version if it is going to be the same as the Japanese? Thank goodness this drama has been good so far. I was worried that it would suck like all other remakes from other countries.. like the Taiwanese version of Hana Kimi? Oh-My-Goodness.. the only reason I stuck through it was because of the random eye candy.
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147 Soonie
January 21, 2009 at 7:48 PM
'I was waiting anxiously for your recap because I like the comments you made about dramas in general. However, I disagree with you and everyone else who think that Jihoo betrayed his friend. He is a person at a state of conflicting emotion. I’m sure his wanting to kiss Jandi is because he wants to feel and to be loved. It has nothing to do with knowing JP likes her. Hecks even if he does, he has the right to persue her because they have the balcony thing for a long time now. If anything, I think JH might think YP is not good enough for Jandi. And that, I agree because she has the heart that JP is totally lack of. What with the bros before hoes, I know I’m taking it too literally. But, Jandi is not a hoe, she is Jihoo’s special friend, one that understands him, and not just simply a love interest. Possibly a better friend that YP, the bro could ever be. And JP, gosh, does he seem like a friend to anyone at all, other than himself.? Upon hearing about JH’s love interest getting engaged to someone else, all he said was OH he’ll get over it. OMG….that’s a very important person in your friend’s life, the one who was beside him when he lost everything in this world, his loving parents. How can he just get over it like nothing happened. Where is the leadership and friendship when it is needed. SOOO he doesn’t deserve any sympathy at all because either a bit of nature + nurture, he is a total jackasss. Instead of thinking, someone stole my “property/Jandi”, he should of react as his friend is hurting inside, not only him who is hurt, and need more support than ever?'
super long quotation there but didn't know where to cut off.
My thoughts are on very similar lines on the whole Jandi-Jihoo-Junpyo triangle...!!
There is absolutely no chemistry BTWN Junpyo and Jandi! The tension that's there is ALL Junpyo (gotta love Lee Minho for his intensity, though I wish that sometimes he would be more scary(?). I've just seen so much more intensity from other actors....I keep thinking of the drama "Model" and Han Jae Suk's agonized intensity when he can't seem to get the girl).
But then on another thought, at the same time, I also don't think that Jihoo genuinely likes Jandi....I mean its only been a couple of days/weeks(?) that he got over the model girl. Seems to me that Jihoo is only attracted to Jandi b/c Jandi is a reflection of himself. This compels him to draw near to Jandi and comfort her so that in doing so, he feels comforted himself. This is something that I think he needs to help him get over the model girl (can't remember her name sorry).....though unfortunately at the expense of Junpyo's feelings and his friendship with him (sorry but there is no relationship or even a friendship between Jandi and Junpyo for there to be even a "break-up").
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148 bjharm
January 21, 2009 at 8:25 PM
in regards to the ankle bracelet , didn't curly hair throw something in the water after the big fight, it wasn't shown what he through down nor her picking it up, but at a guess it was the bracelet
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149 dae
January 21, 2009 at 8:51 PM
I always like how you do your recaps....
I have been looking forward to watching this korean version of the HYD.... however based on the recaps you gave so far i haven't felt anything that would be remarkably distinctive from the prev versions i watched so far....
jun pyo char seemed to be a look a like of the actor who played dao ming xi... i like these kids dont get me wrong.... not exceeding the TW version though... i think they are cute.... however, i was just probably hoping to see those that dont look like taiwanese or japanese at all but still could portray the character at the same time (androgens included).
...in the HYD these four boys are supposed to be reflecting a high sense of fashion as much as they could afford luxury.... in this version its seems that jun pyo's char is given a different twist of awkwardness when dressed in fashionable clothing close to being gaudy at times ... i hope that changes.... (or probably bec i have only seen your recap on scenes i could just be missing the real thing as you guys are able to watch them on tv.
the rui character i have always liked in the orig manga... (am a sucker for first love!) ... in the scenes you sampled out however, there were angles that showed flawed faces w/c was not present (if not at least very insignificantly captured in the previous versions) ... it kind of took off the previous dream like characters i have swooned so far from the prev live action versions i have watched.
Still I will not miss this ... I hope its going to be really better than the rest in the succeeding chapters.
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150 Gia
January 21, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Heu guy,
Seriously, i enjoy a lot all the comments that you wrote here.
Since the coffee prince/que sera sera, this is the first drama that i am addict go.
This drama for me is sweet. Like the poster, it's pink.
Monday-tuesday, i enjoy to see the drama. And the rest of the week, the ost on ou iPhone.
Have a good day and i love you guy.
Xxx
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