Boys Before Flowers: Episode 8
by javabeans
Ratings continue to rise; this episode posted the highest numbers thus far (25.9%), widening the gap between now-second-place East of Eden (21.8%).
Just to clarify, I know what generally happens in the original story, but when I’m talking about this drama, I don’t care so much what’s supposed to happen, or how a certain event is construed in another version. I care what does (or doesn’t) happen now and how events are construed HERE.
Moving on: I think I giggled through at least half of this episode. Some of it intentional, some not.
SONG OF THE DAY
J with Humming Urban Stereo – “Toast” [ Download ]
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EPISODE 8 RECAP
After a moment, Jan-di pushes away from Jun-pyo’s hug and says, dully, “I’m sorry.” Jun-pyo takes a moment to let this sink in, then: “Do you understand what I’m doing? The Almighty Gu Jun-pyo is pleading with you.”
Jan-di answers that she can’t help it. He wonders, “How did I come to like someone like you?” as though wishing he didn’t. He tells her she just threw away her last chance, because from tomorrow on, she won’t get any more. Jan-di returns, “That’s what I want.”
He leaves. Jan-di repeats to herself, not very convincingly, “I won’t regret it. I won’t ever regret it.”
Race day. Schoolmates gather poolside to spectate, mostly betting on (and cheering for) a Jun-pyo victory. The Tarty Trio, naturally, solidify their Mean Girl image by dressing as vapid cheerleaders. Well, I suppose the vapid part is already built-in.
The swimmers take their positions and the relay begins; Ji-hoo takes an immediate lead over Woo-bin. Thus when Jan-di begins her lap, she’s got a head start over Yi-jung, and at the turn, she’s leading by a full body length.
But Yi-jung starts closing the distance, and in the final stretch, her lead has been narrowed so they’re almost even. (Hey Jan-di, if you volunteered to take Ji-hoo’s place, shouldn’t you have been, uh, better than him?) Ga-eul urges Jan-di to hang in there, and Jun-pyo watches the tightening race as tension mounts.
The situation starts to mirror the scenario described in the restaurant ajusshi’s hazy dream (so he’s not just kooky, but also psychic!) — Jan-di and Yi-jung are neck and neck as their hands reach out toward the wall… and everything goes dark. The lights have been switched off. When they flicker back on, everyone looks around in confusion and wonders who won, but nobody was able to see the crucial final moment.
Glancing around, Jun-hee spies Jun-pyo walking away, and smiles knowingly.
Right before the lights went out, our last glimpse of the swimmers had shown Jan-di ahead by just a hair, but given that Yi-jung was gaining on her, this suggests that Jun-pyo turns off the lights not because he is afraid of losing, but because he realizes he doesn’t actually want to win.
The reason I believe that’s the case (rather than Jun-pyo doing it because he didn’t want to lose) is because of what follows: It is decided that Ji-hoo and Jan-di get to stay, thus winning the competition.
Jun-hee announces the results to everyone minus Jun-pyo (who has left on his own), and thanks Jan-di: “My stupid brother seems to be growing up nicely because of you.”
Yi-jung congratulates Jan-di on a good race, then punches Ji-hoo in the stomach. But as he does so with a smile, it’s like saying, “You kinda sucked there for a while but we’re still friends.” Ji-hoo seems to accept this good-naturedly as his due.
After the others leave, Jan-di and Ji-hoo both speak up at the same time, intending to thank the other.
They laugh and try saying their thanks again, and then, somewhat out of the blue, Ji-hoo asks, “Do you want to go on a date with me?”
When F2 drops by, Jun-pyo is contemplating a toy robot and musing aloud, “Gu Jun-pyo, you sure are paying back your debt.” By way of explanation, Jun-pyo brings up a wooden robot Ji-hoo had once had as a kid, which Little Jun-pyo wanted to play with. Little Ji-hoo didn’t want to give it away, but he’d grabbed it anyway, then tripped on the ground. The robot clattered to the pavement, and an incoming car flattened it with its tires.
As Little Ji-hoo cried, Mr. Jung had told Little Jun-pyo that it had been a gift from Ji-hoo’s deceased father.
Jun-pyo explains that ever since that day, he’d felt that he had an outstanding debt with Ji-hoo. This is his way of paying it back — letting Ji-hoo and Jan-di win the competition and dropping the grudge.
Jun-pyo: “After all, I can’t destroy Jan-di just to prevent anyone from having her, like I did back then.”
Yi-jung and Woo-bin are impressed — and relieved — at this display of newfound maturity. Listening at the door, Jun-hee smiles, too — looks like a certain idiot brother learned his lesson with the ill-fated horse.
In the morning, Yi-jung and Woo-bin try to wrangle a resistant Jun-pyo out of bed. Not in the mood to go out, he refuses, stubbornly remaining under the covers. The guys look at each other knowingly and mention the one thing sure to rouse Jun-pyo’s interest: Ji-hoo’s date with Jan-di.
They oh-so-innocently speculate over what will happen during the date: “Maybe they’ll take in the sunlight and nap together?” “And she’ll sleep on his arm?”
It’s not an accurate prediction, but it does the trick in spurring Jun-pyo to action. Meanwhile, the actual date starts off nicely with a ride on Ji-hoo’s horse, which is followed by walking and conversation. Jan-di’s rather enjoying herself — until Ji-hoo steers them to Namsan Tower.
Suddenly assailed with memories of the day she spent here with Jun-pyo, Jan-di glances over to the spot where Jun-pyo had waited for her in the snow, her mood subduing.
She remains quiet as they head inside and, at Ji-hoo’s suggestion, take the cable car. Ji-hoo enjoys the view, but Jan-di doesn’t even look outside, distracted with memories of the night spent in the cold car with Jun-pyo. Something catches her eye, and we finally see what it is that Jun-pyo had written on the wall with Jan-di’s pen:
Gu Jun-pyo ♥ Geum Jan-di
“Our first night!”
Meanwhile, Jun-pyo has followed the couple to Namsan Tower, watching unhappily from his car. (Ji-hoo notices that they’re being trailed and finds Jun-pyo’s behavior humorous, though Jan-di remains oblivious.)
When the couple heads to Ji-hoo’s house, Jun-pyo can’t quite decide what to do with himself — interrupt them? Go home? Instead, he paces outside indecisively, trying to tamp down his frustration. (Again, Ji-hoo notices Jun-pyo on the security monitor, and finds it amusing.)
Jan-di looks around at the luxurious house, noting pictures of Ji-hoo with Seo-hyun as children. When asked why nobody’s around, Ji-hoo explains that he prefers his staff to be gone when he’s home: “But it’s strange, I’m not uncomfortable around you. For some reason, I find you comfortable and fun. Something about you is warm.”
The flattery flusters Jan-di, her uneasiness growing when Ji-hoo looks at her meaningfully to say, “I think I understand why Jun-pyo likes you.” He leans in to kiss her.
Jan-di shrinks back, then pretends to be distracted, leaving him hanging. Rather than being upset at her reaction, Ji-hoo finds it telling.
He admits that the guys may have been right in thinking that if not for Seo-hyun, his relationship with Jan-di might not have developed this way. It turns out Seo-hyun isn’t marrying her French fiancé after all, but still, “That doesn’t change anything. I think it’s time for me to let her go.” He thanks Jan-di: “Because of you, I could let go of my first love.”
By way of consolation, Jan-di tells him, “They say that there’s a kind of fate where people may break up multiple times, but they end up meeting again in the end. You’ll meet her again. Because… the two of you…”
Jan-di trails off just as Ji-hoo’s head lands on her shoulder — he’s fallen asleep. But that makes it easier for Jan-di to finish her thought honestly; relieved, she relaxes a bit and says, “Thanks to Seo-hyun unni, I think I’ll be able to let go of my first love, too.”
While Ji-hoo sleeps, Jan-di leaves the house, turning back to murmur, “Goodbye, Ji-hoo.” After she’s gone, Ji-hoo addresses his poster of Seo-hyun on the wall: “I may regret it, but I should let her go, shouldn’t I?”
Jun-pyo, however, misses seeing Jan-di leave, because he gives up just moments before she emerges from the house and drives off in disappointment. Assuming the date is going swimmingly, Jun-pyo is therefore in a dark mood when he, Yi-jung, and Woo-bin get the same text message from Ji-hoo, suggesting a friendly game of ice hockey.
(I think this drama has decided to give us as many different uniforms and costumes as humanly possible. What’s next, folks? Scuba gear, circus acts, floofy tutus? Bring it on! I say this drama isn’t complete until I’ve seen all these boys cross-dressing at some point.)
When F4 is gathered on the rink, Jun-pyo says in a challenging tone, “Thought this was date night for you. Why’d you call us out?”
Coolly, Ji-hoo answers that he’d planned on a nice date night, but things got boring: “I don’t care for easy girls.” Jun-pyo’s hackles raise at this insult toward Jan-di and the other two warn Ji-hoo to cut it out, but Ji-hoo continues carelessly, painting Jan-di as eager and clinging. Because of Seo-hyun, he’d almost been tempted to take her up on the offer — “But she wasn’t good for anything other than passing the time.”
This, my friends, is what we call a death wish. Having deliberately pushed Jun-pyo’s buttons, Ji-hoo takes to the ice and the four begin their “game,” only it’s not really much of a game so much as it is Ji-hoo taunting Jun-pyo with the puck. Hampered by his anger and a singular goal to body-check Ji-hoo at every opportunity, Jun-pyo’s fury trips him up (literally) and Ji-hoo out-skates him. When he finally does slam into Ji-hoo, Jun-pyo flings off his helmet and starts pounding him.
(Btw, who else finds it hilariously inappropriate whenever they use the song “Paradise” in entirely un-paradise-like conditions? Like, say, to score a bloody fight on an ice rink?)
Ji-hoo points out, “She doesn’t matter to you now.” Jun-pyo: “She does! Even if she doesn’t, it matters!”
Woo-bin and Yi-jung hold Jun-pyo back as he bites out, “If you hurt Jan-di, I’ll kill you!” Ji-hoo sighs, “You should have just said that from the start.”
At that, the guys all stare. Ji-hoo continues, “See? You can’t give her up. You should’ve been honest so I didn’t have to do all this.” Far from appeased, Jun-pyo glares at him, calls him a crazy bastard, and storms off.
On the other hand, the other two are somewhat relieved that Ji-hoo isn’t entirely crazy and/or a horrible friend, although they do think he used rather extreme methods. Woo-bin wonders why he hadn’t said anything before, and Ji-hoo replies, “He owed me a debt. That punk broke my robot.” You just don’t get between a boy and his toys.
That night, Jan-di is lost in thoughts of Jun-pyo when she gets a call from his phone. In an effort to (over)compensate for nerves, Jan-di is about to launch into their customary bickering, but stops short to hear Yi-jung on the line.
Jan-di rushes to the hospital, so frazzled she’s wearing mismatched shoes, panicked about Yi-jung’s news. Arriving at a private hospital room bearing Jun-pyo’s name, Jan-di starts to tear up. Preparing herself for the sight, she enters, and Yi-jung greets her with a solemn look.
Woo-bin sits bedside by an unconscious Jun-pyo, begging him to wake up. Ji-hoo’s there as well.
Making her way to his bedside, Jan-di holds Jun-pyo’s hand and cries, cautiously at first, then growing in intensity:
Jan-di: “Wake up. Why won’t you wake up? I have so much to say to you, to fight with you about, to explain to you. What’s wrong?”
They explain that Jun-pyo had been depressed all day. The accident occurred after he rushed out saying he had to apologize to Jan-di. Starting to sob in earnest, Jan-di pleads:
Jan-di: “I’m the one who should apologize. Gu Jun-pyo, I wronged you. I lied to you. When you left after asking me to say those words, I regretted it. Gu Jun-pyo, wake up! Now I think I can tell you those words you wanted to hear, but how can I when you’re like this? Wake up!”
Happy to oblige, he does. His eyes pop open and he asks, grinning, “For real?”
As I am sure many of you guessed ahead of time (I was HOWLING with laughter throughout this scene), this was an elaborate ruse to get Jan-di to admit her feelings. Ji-hoo apologizes for his part, but they’re both so stubborn that extreme measures were required.
Jan-di blinks in bewilderment as the guys marvel at Jan-di’s proof of devotion. Jun-pyo leans toward her eagerly, wanting to hear her make good on her promise: “Say those words you just promised you’d say.” Jun-pyo thoroughly enjoys the moment, and Jan-di beats him up in retaliation.
I think if Jan-di had been seriously upset with them for manipulating her, I would have been behind her in thinking this was kinda mean. But she seems to take it well, after the initial surprise. At least, she doesn’t protest his attentions anymore.
Case in point: Jun-pyo takes her away for their own date day. First, he teaches her how to play golf (she is not good). (Also, can I say: I understand the desire to dress the lead actress in cute outfits without contradicting her poor character, but I would prefer they stop with the whole rich-guy-buys-his-girl-clothing thing. It seems proprietary.)
Then, he takes her out to eat some really awesome-looking sashimi, appreciating the sight of Jan-di stuffing herself silly. When dinner is over, Jan-di gazes longingly at the huge spread still left uneaten.
Feeling it would be a waste to leave all that behind, as they’re leaving, Jan-di tells Jun-pyo to go on ahead, then sneaks back inside to get the rest wrapped to go.
On her way out, Jan-di bumps into someone, who turns out to be part of a group date including the Three Musketeerettes (Amigas? Furies? Witches of Eastwick?). Jan-di’s boxed leftovers spill out onto the ground, and seeing that she’s alone, the girls waste no time mocking her for taking people’s leftovers. They’re caught up in laughter when Jun-pyo enters, sees the food on the ground, and takes stock of the situation.
The guys are vaguely acquainted with him and josh him for his new (read: plebeian) taste in women. As with all Jan-di-related insults, this is precisely the wrong thing to say; Jun-pyo threatens, “Want to shut up nicely, or would you like to read the news tomorrow morning about your company going under?”
If only we could all wield such power over our enemies. The guy hurries to apologize to Jan-di, and Jun-pyo leads her away.
Next, they watch a movie in the car at Jun-pyo’s private drive-in theater, where the pressure of being alone starts getting to both of them. Neither can look at the other; Jan-di squirms in embarrassment, while Jun-pyo tries to muster up the courage to make the first move. Their internal monologues are pretty hilarious, particularly with the normally-so-authoritative Jun-pyo trying to psych himself up:
Jun-pyo: “Gu Jun-pyo. Now’s the moment. Turn to her.”
Jan-di: “No! Don’t look at me. Gu Jun-pyo, if you turn toward me, you’re so dead.”
Jun-pyo: “Damn, I can’t do it! I’ll just have some popcorn.”
Their hands accidentally meet as they both reach for popcorn, and Jun-pyo takes that as his signal to make his move. He leans in closer, their hearts start to race, Jan-di closes her eyes in anticipation…
…and then her phone rings. Immediately, Jun-pyo retreats and the moment is broken.
Turns out her family is calling to exult over the latest extravagance: When Jan-di arrives home that night, they’re eating a lavish spread just like the one she had for dinner, sent courtesy of Jun-pyo.
She gets a text message from Jun-pyo that night, which he has sent to offset her reaction to sending all the food: “I’m saying this in case you get mad again, but that wasn’t for you. So don’t eat any of it.” Funny how his grand gestures often get her riled up, but a little thing like this (which shows he’s getting to know her enough to predict her reaction) makes her smile.
On the other hand, now she’s completely embarrassed by the almost-kiss and doesn’t know how to act around Jun-pyo. When he calls, she fakes static noises and rattles off a litany of lame excuses before hanging up on him. Oh, young love. Silly, stupid, young love.
Ji-hoo finds her swimming at school, and wonders why she’s there when they’re on break. When she replies that swimming makes her feel better, he asks if something’s bothering her (which she avoids answering).
Ji-hoo takes a phone call from Jun-pyo, but when he assumes she’ll want to talk to him, Jan-di hurriedly motions for him not to mention her presence. Jun-pyo is on his way over, so Jan-di invents an excuse to rush off, leaving Ji-hoo puzzled at her behavior.
Thus she reacts with alarm to Jun-pyo’s unannounced arrival at home that night. Her family welcomes him enthusiastically, completely won over when Jun-pyo addresses her parents as “Father” and “Mother.”
She protests when Jun-pyo makes the rather unorthodox request that they put him up for the night, but she’s outnumbered: everyone else jumps to accommodate him.
It’s a little silly to show the five of them all settling in for the night in the same room, although I suppose they kind of explain it when Jan-di’s brother offers to share his room with Jun-pyo and his mother balks at that. (Perhaps they all want a piece of the Jun-pyo love? Can’t say I don’t understand.)
Although this is a far cry from Jun-pyo’s palatial estate — he laughs that his bathrooms are bigger than their bedroom — Jun-pyo is oddly enjoying himself.
While everyone else sleeps, he tells Jan-di, “I came without really planning anything, but this is a ton of fun.” He jokes about the sleeping arrangement, but muses, “Still, with everyone sleeping under the same blanket, doesn’t it seem like a family?”
In order to avoid continuing the conversation, Jan-di pretends to have fallen asleep — leaving Jun-pyo to fend for himself against her snoring, mumbling, crowding father and brother.
COMMENTS
Okay, I’ve made a conscious effort not to bring Hana Yori Dango discussions into this drama, but I’ll depart from that rule for just a second. I knew Rui’s meddling in the Doumyouji–Makino relationship turned out to be his way of prodding them to admit their feelings for each other, and I’d wondered if Ji-hoo was doing the same… But it didn’t seem so up through Episode 7. (For one, Jan-di and Jun-pyo were getting along when he showed up, so if anything his presence was an inhibitor, not a facilitator.) Also, Ji-hoo admits that he was acting out from losing Seo-hyun, which pushed him to become closer with Jan-di. Thus Ji-hoo had no secret motives when he kissed Jan-di — he liked her, he was rebounding, ergo kiss.
That wrecked everything with Jun-pyo, and to keep Jan-di from expulsion, Ji-hoo went along with the competition. He wanted to win to protect Jan-di, and somewhere along the line (when Jun-pyo lost control of his car), he figured out that Jun-pyo didn’t really want to cut Jan-di out of his life.
So as I see it, Ji-hoo’s manipulations began after they won the competition (or Jun-pyo conceded, however you choose to look at it), when he asked Jan-di out on the date — that’s when he began working to bring Jun-pyo and Jan-di back together, after contributing to their breakup initially.
However, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like Jan-di. Judging from his reaction after she left his house, I think we are to take that he does have feelings for her, but is willing to step back because the couple so obviously likes each other. (Although Jan-di is looking at the poster of Seo-hyun in the photo above, I think the image rather perfectly captures her relationship with Ji-hoo at that point, doesn’t it?)
I didn’t hate Ji-hoo in this episode, nor did I really like him — I guess he’s back to fading in as one of the F4 members, so he doesn’t register as strongly either way. I think I can live with that.
RELATED POSTS
- Boys Before Flowers: Episode 7
- A closer look at Boys Before Flowers scripts
- Boys Before Flowers: Episode 6
- Boys Before Flowers: Episode 5
- Behind the scenes with Kim Bum in New Caledonia
- Boys Before Flowers: Episode 4
- Boys Before Flowers: Episode 3
- 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-joo, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Joon, Lee Min-ho
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101 Grace
January 28, 2009 at 7:03 AM
oy, btw way guys, another cast accident
http://kr.news.yahoo.com/service/news/shellview.htm?articleid=20090128151918353e7&linkid=4&newssetid=487&nav=1
GHS hit her head while diving...
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102 Anon
January 28, 2009 at 7:03 AM
Temptation of Wife is #1. BOF was #1 on Monday, however, TOF didn't air that day. And it was #1 according to TNS ratings but behind East of Eden according to AGB ratings.
However, when TOF aired on Tuesday, BOF was back to being #2 (according to TNS and #3 according to AGB).
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103 Javabeans
January 28, 2009 at 7:09 AM
#101 and #103:
Temptation of Wife isn't a Monday-Tuesday series (it's daily), and it airs in a different time slot, so it's not really considered part of the three-way prime-time race.
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104 BOFfan
January 28, 2009 at 7:12 AM
Susieee #88,
Yeah, you got KHJ's 3 facial expressions down. I can't agree with you more. I also really loved Oguri Shun's portrayal of Rui.... His acting convinced me of his love for Makano, and it made me want them to get together even more. Not so much in the Korean version.
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105 Shaenna
January 28, 2009 at 7:18 AM
I've been curious to ask this question for a while now... This may be an obvious question but, are they going to fuse Season 1 and 2 (by HYD terms) into one callosal drama for this Korean Version?
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106 salt
January 28, 2009 at 7:33 AM
this is my favourite episode so far...
sweet, cute n funny at times. i hope this drama continue in this vein, i'm just worried that once 'the rich-mom-opposes-the-relationship' thing thrown in, it'll become like all the other typical korean dramas and not as fun anymore.
totally agree with you javabeans about the inappropriteness of the song paradise during that ice hockey scene. i guess they lacked a more menacing/ suitable serious song.
and does anyone else think that young JH (in the picture with seoHyun) looks a lot like a younger Kim Bum? so cute....
i still think that JH really do have feelings for JD. She may not be his first love/ his Great Romance, but he really does care for her. but he chose to step back for her happiness cause it's obvious that JD likes JP more. so even though he smiles, he still hurts inside... and lonely....
fuh.... great stuff for drama don't you think?
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107 julie
January 28, 2009 at 7:46 AM
@ 106 Shaenna
From what I've understood this is the case. HYD had two short seasons, but BOF will have one long season.
Someone also commented on why JH do the things he do. However there is purpose to it because I think the producers are trying to show that he still has feelings for JD and this will make sense after their graduation. JP will get engaged and things start to become interesting...
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108 Anon...
January 28, 2009 at 7:47 AM
Oh, I see... thanks for the clarification.
Sorry for posting twice ( I didn't see my posts)... must be this stupid IE.
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109 kamee
January 28, 2009 at 8:16 AM
once again...not matter how good his intentions seem, he couldn't quite pull off the emotions, thus leading me to still not like him.
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110 kriyn
January 28, 2009 at 8:24 AM
I have noticed something odd (and incredibly cute facet) in Jun Pyo's character. He is extremely shy when he's required to take a serious step forward in their relationship (For example a kiss at the movies). But he's totally game about physical contact and closeness when he's just scarying her (e.g. leaning in close to get the medical bag in episode 5) and teasing her (e.g. carrying her off on his shoulder in this episode after golf). At first I didn't quite like how comfortable he is with coming in close at times because in the comic, he was pretty awkward at all times. But now I realize it shows how he really is quite immature, he's probably learned how to tease and taunt from being around playboys like Ee-jung but deep down he's serious when it comes to a relatonship and he has no example to look at for that. So he's all on his own and it's a nervous situation to be in. Awww...
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111 wynema
January 28, 2009 at 8:28 AM
the conflict with ji-hoo is now resolved. soon, the evil mother will make her move! hehe can't wait to see what she will do.
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112 kdma
January 28, 2009 at 8:50 AM
little jihoo is so cute!!!
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113 Alvina
January 28, 2009 at 8:58 AM
I think we all slightly saw that coming. I had a feeling that the all-knowing Ji-Hoo had something up his sleeve but I agree with your interpretation of his thinking...
For some reason, I just can't get into the drama on a deeper level. There are wonderful moments and even greater actors (Jun Pyo, Jun-Jee, Ga-eun, Ji-Hoo, etc)... this was the same problem I had with the second season of Hana Yori Dango; there is a point where the series becomes slightly tiresome and slightly ridiculous.
That said, I still watch the Yi-Jung scenes, Ji-Hoo scenes and Jun-Pyo scenes, and F4 lovely scenes in general...
but nothing beats your summaries ^_^
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114 anna
January 28, 2009 at 9:26 AM
"I say this drama isn’t complete until I’ve seen all these boys cross-dressing at some point."
Yes, please.
Although I have seen Lee Min-ho cross-dressed before, it's not a bad thing to see it again. LOL
I agree with ya. I don't hate Jihoo as much in this episode, nor do I like him either. However, if he just stands in the corner every episode and doesn't talk much, that would be great.
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115 bluelime
January 28, 2009 at 9:45 AM
i feel the whole turn of events are rather forced. maybe ji-hoo's acting is not convincing enough.
another thing that bothered me about this episode is that fact that at the last minute jun-pyo turned off the lights during the pool competition. for me at least, i wanted to see the result of the competition.by having ji-hoo and jan-di win the competition in this "not-so-fair" way made the turn of events seemed forced.
as much as i like kim-bum as yi-jung, i think it would have been better if they showed the result of the competition being: even though yi-jung was gaining on jan-di, at the very last moment jan-di wins the competition by a split second. then maybe the turn of events would have looked less forced.
and the method that ji-hoo used in order to make jan-di and jun-pyo admit their feelings for each other seemed really forced. honestly, when i saw the scene where ji-hoo tells jun-pyo "the truth" at the hockey ice rink, i thought that was so forced that it seemed like a last minute strategy to redeem the character "yoon ji-hoo" in the eyes of the audience.
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116 Steph
January 28, 2009 at 10:45 AM
I really liked this episode. I actually think Hyun Joong stepped it up acting wise the last threee eps. I was feelin the plausibility of the ill fated triangle. I'm glad to see it over though. Unlike you, I think Ji Hoo stands out now. He finally has his own place in F4 for me, yayy! E Jung and Jan Di's friend continue to be adorable! Oh and I love Jun Pyo's sister. Yes, with those dirty personality's, they are definitely cut from the same cloth!
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117 sonam
January 28, 2009 at 10:46 AM
@bluelime I agree ...It seem a little too conveniently resolved.
@111 Very good observations. It's really cute how JP is is totally clueless about how to romance a girl. He just knows how to push, shove, yell and show off his wealth by giving her makeovers and treating her to expensive food. I am a little troubled by all the makeovers and materialism. I hope Jandi stands up and puts an end to it. Actually I can see it coming......She's going to insist on a date where they do regular stuff that she does.
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118 soonie
January 28, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Hey Javabeans, you forgot to include the scene of Jihoo leaving the hospital room alone, in tears. Another illustration of how much he does care for Jandi.
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119 Debbie
January 28, 2009 at 11:25 AM
I just read an article online that Lee Min Ho and his manager were involved in a minor car accident after filming late one night. Both of them were OK; no injuries whatsoever.
They really need to stop over-exhausting these young actors. Three of the F4 boys have already been involved in car accidents. This is not good!
And I just heard that Gu Hye Sun hit her head while filming a pool scene very recently. She's OK too, but.... geez, there are lots of accidents happening to the cast of BOF! They need to be careful!!!
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120 b020
January 28, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Officially in love with this series now because it finally came into its own!!! I no longer compare it with Meteor Garden, which I thought was the better version. I can only hope that it does not end like the manga which totally left me frustrated after 30-some odd books!
PS: Can anyone clarify for me if the characters are in high school or college? I was under the impression the students are all high schoolers but someone else said the setting was college.
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121 b020
January 28, 2009 at 11:38 AM
One other thing - I don't think JD is really in love with JP yet. I think she's just getting comfortable with the idea of JP liking her, but she's not sure about what her feelings are yet. The hospital scene just clarifies that she does have feelings for him, but she hasn't admitted to herself that she loves him. Again, YET being the operative word.
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122 Loki
January 28, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Did I miss a scene from any of the episodes, but when did JD ever get a phone?
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123 shu
January 28, 2009 at 12:10 PM
just wondering, the member number four of f4 is getting more screen time, is he also applicable for any possible love stories? that would be an interesting thing to watch. yet in that poster where he held the flower, he said, friends are most important. in the tw version they actually came out with their own akira love story with a cellist. its quite interesting. i think all the love stories are like based on two charcters which are worlds apart.
so i hope woo bin gets a part in the love section as well, haha. and i think he can act better than ji hoo. =P
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124 le
January 28, 2009 at 12:17 PM
i loved this ep, finally JP & JD are together, & they go on a cute date, too bad some s will happen soon. the Slow Food guy's premonition was right, so he wasn't just crazy. good acting from all the cast. this is my favorite in a very very long time.
Jandi got a phone from Junpyo, in New Caledonia when she talked to her family he had to give her family a phone, so it is that one.
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125 makuii
January 28, 2009 at 12:23 PM
haha I am digging this episode...^_^
AND I think the robot idea is much better than hanadan (they did apples- yes, weird)...I'm looking forward to when Jun-pyo's fiancee comes...
Now THAT is going to be fun...
^_^
Thanks as always..
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126 Chocolatetree
January 28, 2009 at 12:26 PM
I also agree with Shu! I really hope Woo Bin will also have his own storyline!
I actually didn't mind Ji hoo so much in this episode, he was pretty decent I thought.
Also can't wait for more Yi-Jung/Ga-Eul ness!!! :D
Anyways, I love your recaps Javabeans!! :D Thanks for recapping so fast!!!
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127 Lucille
January 28, 2009 at 12:28 PM
@32 I agree with you. While I like the JP and JD chemistry and relationship, I really don't care about her. I think her acting is fine. I hated it at first, but now it has grown on me. I hope they use the next couple of episodes to bring her out more. Especially since I have a feeling the mom is about to step in.
@55 "Did anyone else think that at first, in the car scene, it was going to be about their realization that they have the obstacle of different classes to overcome? I thought the moment where the mean girls and their dates bumped into Jandi, making her spill her leftovers, was supposed to bring up that issue. "
55, I totally agree. I thought the same thing. We all know JP does not have a problem with her lack of class, but I thought she would at least have brought it up. Ahh well, we still have16 more to go.
BTW, who wants to bet that they wake up in each other's arms in the morning? Can't wait for episode 9. Thanks, Java
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128 Imee
January 28, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Thanks Javabeans for the recap.Best Kdrama romantic comedy series ever.Love Jun Pyo and Jan di.It is Goong,Heart of 19, Delightful Girl,My Girl rolled into one and much more. Love it to death!!!!
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129 snuffythemonkey
January 28, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Thank you Javabeans for the recaps.
Did anyone else find it a little disconcerting with the random sound effects? Especially in the scene where Jun-pyo was suppose to be in a coma and perks up at Jan-di's semi confession. I understand that the PD is trying to make it light hearted but it seems excessively done.
Although there were a lot of parts that was really cute. My favorite moments include the father and brother mimicking Jun-pyo's style an Jan-di spouting excuses to Jun-pyo.
For me Ji-hoo has redeemed himself as a decent character. Now he has to convince me that he is likable as Ji-hoo.
I hope you had a Happy Lunar New Year! All the best to you in the year of the ox.
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130 LDJ
January 28, 2009 at 1:44 PM
I don't want to comment to long, b/c most of what I think has been said. But i must say I love how realistic the GJP / Jandi date in the car turned out to be. In HYD it was so obvious that th elevator scene was a love love development, Whereas this was more like reality, many a times I've been on a date with my bf and it just seems so unspecial and ordinary, but when I look back on it it seems so sweet. GJP and Jandi seemed so boring on the car, no fireworks of chemistry but when we get to look at the flashback with her, it made me go awww. And the little grafitti message awww. I am so in love with BBF. I want to see some more F2 action too. JiHoon is getting better, maybe its because he gets to be happy more than broody. Hyun Joong does happy well.
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131 gia
January 28, 2009 at 3:18 PM
just a question, since when jandi have a cell phone... only ep 8, i guest?
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132 Rory
January 28, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Little Jihoo -- can you say ADORABLE?!? (or metro?) Little boy dressed in a little hot pink bow ties = awwww
i think i'm going to continue to watch for the yijung-gaeul coupling. the two of them are the cutest. and jandi is just too distractingly annoying for me...
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133 anon
January 28, 2009 at 4:29 PM
@130
I agree! I hate those sound effect. especially JD's blinking eyes. so annoying
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134 Sogba
January 28, 2009 at 5:39 PM
When did jan di and Goo jun Pyo fall in love
did i miss it i no they liked each other but i never saw which part jan di actually admitting she fell for him......
ne who this episode was funny espcially when junpyo was under the covers n kim bum and the other guy(cant think of a name) came in to tease him lmao he was so cute
Joo ji-hoon acting improved in this episode though, im happy for him
Kim bum looked cute as usual
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135 eRICA
January 28, 2009 at 5:46 PM
can someone answer this cuz i can't figure it out?
WHEN DID SHE GET HER CELL PHONE? DID I MISS SOMETHING?
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136 Drama Geek
January 28, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Impeccable! I enjoy every article you write!
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137 malen
January 28, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Love watching BBF.... very exciting, even I know what will happend next, there still unexpected suprise and sweet moments.
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138 kimchikay
January 28, 2009 at 7:43 PM
its funny...depending on which version you watch first...i think it'll definately have the most lasting and profound effect on you...
having watched both HYD and Meteor Garden - this Kdrama version is very different but i have to say HYD (which i watched first) did it for me and as of now....its probably still better in terms of plot and character development....
if this is the first version your watch, then as i said, your not going to like HYD or Meteor Garden...its going to seem rather boring to you....thats the way it is with all dramas....do you remember the first kdrama you ever watched? most people probably will and will say its "the best drama they ever watched" even though most people think it sucked - thats what i've noticed with people
^anyway mind my random-ness....loved ur post javabeans
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139 bbm
January 28, 2009 at 8:14 PM
thank you so much for your recap...
every Tuesday and Wednesday i wait for you recap n opened 2 windows at the same time, your recap and youtube, so that i can understand what's going on...
my question is the same with #136, when did she get her cellphone, i know it's from junpyo, but when did he gave her that cellphone. i laugh when i see JandiCall... she's using Anycall... i want one of those... too bad samsung doesn't sell them here...
and also i find JP hopping outside JH's wall is too cute... aww... :)
waiting for another 6 days...
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140 dot.dot.
January 28, 2009 at 9:15 PM
i agree with you on the fact that i laughed through at least half of the episode. it was rather entertaining watching the hockey scene with 'paradise' as its background music. haha. and i just though jun pyo's reactions to everything was so funny. but in a very cute way. and i knew after watching the 7th episode and the preview of 8 that the date was going to lead to the air lift. i just knew it. and it was cute. finally i know what it says! and also through this episode you can finally see jan di's feelings for jun pyo, although they arent verbally expressed. it was kinda like when she had her crush over ji hoo. but this was more... just more because its suppose to be! haha. and i'm surprised you didnt mention any ga eul and yi jung moments. i love them. i hope we see more soon. and i officially love this more. i dont know why, but i love it more. haha. BBF fighting!
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141 christina
January 28, 2009 at 9:37 PM
I hate to complain, but KHJ's acting is just...atrocious. Don't get me wrong. He's an adorable guy, loved him on WGM, but just watching him makes me cringe. After the Sang Sang Plus episode where he admitted that he's trying REALLY HARD on his acting, I softened up a bit, but as the series goes on, I just don't think he's improving. I also think his poor acting skills confuses the storyline. I needed this recap to set this episode straight and I'm fluent in Korean...
I just read on coolsmurf's blog that Jang Geun Suek wanted the role of Ji Hoo, but they chose KHJ over him. I was thinking the whole time JGS would have made an excellent Ji Hoo. I understand KHJ fits the role physically, but I really wish they chose someone with better acting skills for his role. Ji Hoo's character is so complex and has so many layers. It's a pity KHJ can't convey the character well.
Don't get me wrong, though. BBF still makes me squeal like a fangirl. It really does. I sincerely hope KHJ improves...I really do.
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142 Anne
January 28, 2009 at 10:16 PM
@139
i don't think it has to be necessarily the first drama version you watched which will make a great impact on you and that the first drama would definitely have to be the best drama for you... i suppose i am speaking from personal experience.
i have watched meteor garden when it came out, around 2001 or 2002 i think?! and i had enjoyed it (but in season 2, i was more interested in the supporting cast rather than the lead characters). i had enjoyed it then but somehow, i don't think i'll love it too much if i do watch it again now.
then next would have to be hana yori dango. it was amazing and i it is my favorite drama version. in a nutshell, it made sense and it has great overall -- from the direction, to the acting, to the story flow, etc. do read javabeans' post about how much she liked hana yori dango japanese drama, it was an interesting post and i was surprised she even wrote about it because she mainly writes about korean dramas.
the korean version, boys over flowers, is so-so for me. i like the strong supporting cast and i hope they get more coverage (i hope the sister will still come out regularly) but it falls flat on a lot of things -- acting, directing, music, story flow, etc.
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143 jacq
January 29, 2009 at 1:56 AM
JiHoo is quite likable in this episodes. I like him best when he smiles. I do think that he is getting better in acting. Little JiHoo is so very adorable! JP is excellent as always. Love him! It is so hard not to root for him. Jandi is ok, tolerable in most parts (when she's not screaming or over-acting). The family is funny & has some cute moments. My fav scenes are the cable car scene (so glad they revealed what JP did with the pen) & the hospital scene. Overall a great episode; I enjoyed it very much! BOF, fighting!
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144 Shrimp
January 29, 2009 at 5:09 AM
@136 eRICA
remember when JD was enjoyin' herself in New Caledonia. JP took out his fone and dialed his folks.....the brother even told JD that he'd love to have tat cell... soooo ring a bell?
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145 lily
January 29, 2009 at 5:36 AM
It's was funny yes but I fail to understand how you can fall for a forced script and rushed scenes drama like this? Since when Jan-di is in love with Jun Pyo?? And I always wonder why is Jun Pyo in love with Jan-di?
For instance this drama and the actors are not as great as people make it think.
Jun Pyo looks like more and more to a "sweet lambe".
Ji hoo improved a little.
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146 kaye
January 29, 2009 at 8:00 AM
ji hoo def. has feelings for her, we all know that how things turn out in the world of HYD.
but i have to say in all the HYD versions this is the first time ever that i'm rooting for tsukasa's character (jun pyo).
for once tsukasa has never been this charming. he knows how to make a girl feel special. he took notice of the fact that geum jan di gets happy over simple things which is why he got her a simple anklet.
also i'm so glad that jun pyo's character isn't a brainless punk like dao ming si and tsukasa who does nothing better but beat up people. i've always been turned off by that side of his.
the way i see it is if ur going to be into violence don't turn it into a habit use it as a tool,
jun pyo has obviously shown this, we don't see him going around, beating up people all the time, he gets violent only on occasions.
which leads me to another thing, having said all of these things about him. tsukasa this time in my opinion is neck in neck with rui(ji hoo) on who's the better man for makino (jan di).
my only complain about tsukasa's character is tsukasa is too much of a man to be writting down things like jun pyo loves jan di our first night. if he wrote it the other way around jan di loves jun pyo our first night i wud have find it sweet of him and even have a good laugh about it,
omg. that wud have been a good bittersweet moment
you have jan di feelin bad one minute then giggling the next min.
but yea its so out of his character to be doing cheesy things like that.
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147 CW
January 29, 2009 at 8:16 AM
I do agree with lily that it's a forced script. There's a plot that they are trying to follow but they do not keep the characters consistent so that their motivations are clear and their actions makes sense (or are predictable or expected, giving their personalities). It's almost like every scene is self contained without them bothering with how it connects to previous or future scenes.
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148 Georgie
January 29, 2009 at 11:10 AM
My only issue with this series is that the boys are SO skinny! I mean, I know that they're supposed to be teenagers, but I've known teenagers who weren't so skinny. Like Lee Min Ho, who I find very charismatic and incredibly likable is SO skinny! I just couldn't get over it. When they were in New Caledonia and he was stripping down to his swimming trunks, I couldn't really enjoy the scene because I was so struck by his tiny body! His legs seem to be even smaller than Gu Hye-sun's! Crazy.
Anyway, that's my only beef. And this has been the case with a lot of the Korean boys I've seen/known (and I know a lot -- I'm Korean myself!).
Otherwise, whoever it was that said this show is like crack is right. I need my next hit SOON!
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149 Carolyn
January 29, 2009 at 7:12 PM
I know everyone is sick of comments like "Oh, it should be like HYD/MG" or, "Oh, it should be like the manga" -- but honestly, Jan Di is just not doing it for me as a Korean Makino. Acting aside, writers aside, she's not Makino Tsukushi, the weed.
I couldn't help but cringe during the scene where she drops her restaurant leftovers and just stares pathetically on the ground, waiting to be rescued by Jun Pyo while the GinSuMi trio go to town on her. I mean, in the manga, Makino was fearless and strong on her own -- when she was being harassed by Asai and co., she fought them back with a little cheek and a little heart. I mean, this is WHY in the first place, Jun Pyo falls in love with her, right?
And I'm not complaining just for the sake of being snarky, I'm complaining because this is seriously making me wonder why Jun Pyo is fighting for her with so much might when it seems more like, really, he's made such a fuss about getting her, he might as well keep going -- more like a "habit," is the best way I can describe it.
See, I know people will respond with some version of "Don't compare it, blah, blah, blah," but how can I not? Don't carry the name if you're going to butcher the original story. This is meant to be a different interpretation of HYD, not a completely different story altogether.
Although maybe I'm just exaggerating a bit. I don't mean to imply that the series as a whole is not enjoyable. Perhaps it was just that one scene that bothered me so much, because the show does seem to keep getting better, which is promising, but it still has some flaws to work out.
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150 Debbie
January 29, 2009 at 8:40 PM
I don't think the reason for Ji Hoo to ask Jan Di out on a date is to try to get she and Jun Pyo back together. That's giving him way too much credit, in my opinion. I do believe that Ji Hoo had feelings for Jan Di and he really did want to go on a date with Jan Di. But when he attempted to kiss Jan Di and Jan Di rejected him, he knew that Jan Di did not reciprocate the same feeling. And because of that, he and F2 concocted the hospital scheme to trick Jan Di into expressing her true feelings towards Jun Pyo.
AHHH I want the preview for episode 9!! And can Monday come any faster??? (I used to dread the end of the weekend but now I can't wait for it to end sooner... look at what BOF has done to me! INSANE!!)
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