Boys Before Flowers: Episode 15
by javabeans
Monday episodes no longer even faze me. Yeah, the first half sucked, and while the second half was better, I’ve accepted that Mondays are just here to advance enough story to get us to the (hopefully) better Tuesdays. If I tried to make too much sense of it, I’d just wind up nursing a big(ger) fat(ter) headache.
SONG OF THE DAY
Panic – “기다리다” (Wait). This is the song Kim Hyun-joong sings in an early scene; Panic is the former group of songwriter-rocker Lee Juck. [ Download ] [ Alternate link ]
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EPISODE 15 RECAP
While sightseeing, Jan-di and Ji-hoo stop for snacks. Unfortunately, Ji-hoo can’t find his wallet, so Jan-di offers to pay, and when she accepts a pastry from the merchant, she leaves her wallet behind on the counter in plain sight. Folks, Idiot Jan-di is back! (Drinking-game followers, take a drink.)
As for Ji-hoo’s wallet, well, Ming took it. Because stranding someone without money in a foreign country is what all good friends do. Ming sneaks a photo of himself with Ji-hoo into Ji-hoo’s wallet, to be discovered later.
Jan-di discovers the loss of her wallet a bit later when she tries to buy a paper fortune at a shrine. Ji-hoo tells her to wait, and dashes off to save the day. But instead of searching for her wallet, which may contain important things other than cash, he… plays streetside minstrel? (Logic fail = take another drink.)
Ji-hoo borrows a guitar from a street performer, then starts to sing “기다리다” (Wait) (posted above). After a few bars of Kim Hyun-joong’s performance (it appears he’s singing live), we fade in with a new, acoustic version of SS501’s “Because I’m Dumb” — and I am SO annoyed that they intruded upon a perfectly good performance. You have an idol singer in your cast, finally give him the chance to show his skills, and then cover it up with a recorded track?
Mr. PD, maybe you’re proud to have gotten a new song to insert into the limited rotation, but as always, WORST TIMING EVER. (Drinkers: Cheers! I’m not sure which rule this violates, except my level of irritation tells me there are at least a half-dozen at work here.)
Money pours in from the sizable crowd and people applaud. Jan-di, who has wandered by, looks on in admiration. Ji-hoo smiles: “This should be enough, don’t you think?”
On the way back to Ming’s house (but what about the wallet?), Jan-di has trouble walking properly again (drink up) and her ankle rolls over as her heel snaps. She tries to stumble along in the broken heel, then decides to take the shoes off. Ji-hoo kneels in front of her and offers to carry her.
As she climbs on his back, Jan-di thanks Ji-hoo, at the same moment that he thanks her, too — this is the first time he’s ever earned money on his own: “There are a lot of things I’m doing for the first time because of you. So thanks.”
They enter the gate, not noticing the big black car lurking right in front. Maybe they’ve gotten so used to their dates being followed that they’re inured to the sight by now?
Inside the car, Mr. Jung asks Jun-pyo whether he should start driving; Jun-pyo answers, “Stay a little longer,” which turns into three hours. It’s only when the lights inside finally go dark that Jun-pyo allows Mr. Jung to head back.
This next morning scene severely tried my patience, and was only mitigated (marginally) by how gleefully Ming snickers at Jan-di. Still groggy, Jan-di stumbles into the bathroom and sits down on the toilet. Ji-hoo walks in — the door was unlocked — and covers his surprise, then walks out. When the reality of the situation sinks in, Jan-di shrieks, then locks herself in the bedroom to sob in humiliation.
I get that it’s embarrassing… but shouldn’t she have more grit than that? An initial freakout is understandable, but wallowing in bed all morning makes her into a silly, dramatic brat and I want to shoot her. (Character inconsistency — take a sip?) Gu Hye-sun’s acting does the scene no favors, either.
Seeing that Jan-di won’t come out, Ji-hoo leaves her alone while he steps out. When she comes down to breakfast, she finds a note that reads, “Memory erased.”
Ji-hoo browses the shopping center for some shoes, and buys the pair that Jan-di had eyed. (If there was more than one pair, why the hell were Jun-pyo and Jae-kyung fighting over the shoes? Ahh, my head hurts. Also: chug!)
Then, they’re at the airport. Jan-di sees that Ji-hoo has booked first-class tickets and, fearing the expense, offers to downgrade to economy. With a deadpan expression, Ji-hoo replies that his legs are too long to suffer economy, putting an end to that argument.
Jun-pyo sits through a business meeting when Mr. Jung brings him a document with a note stuck to it reading, “6 pm departure to Seoul.” Jun-pyo signs the note and hands the papers back to Mr. Jung, pretending this was mere business procedure. This is actually one of the few moments I really liked in this episode — the little detail to show how Jun-pyo is covering his actions to escape Madam Kang’s eagle eye.
With two hours left before Jan-di’s flight, next he’s stuck in a meeting with the heads of JK Group, although he’s so preoccupied with the passing time that he’s completely checked out of the conversation. Mr. Jung interrupts with an “urgent” overseas business call, which gives Jun-pyo an excuse to rise early.
He arrives at the airport just in time to see Ji-hoo kneeling before Jan-di to replace her broken heels with the new shoes he bought her, telling her, “I wanted to buy you something with the first money I earned on my own.”
(If Jan-di could barely walk in those shoes the other night, why is she still wearing them? Does she only travel with one pair of heels? DRINK.)
Jun-pyo sees this and seethes. At Ji-hoo’s question, “Why are you here?,” Jun-pyo retorts, “What about you, what are you doing?”
Ji-hoo: “Do you think you have the right to ask that?”
Jun-pyo: “Yoon Ji-hoo!”
Ji-hoo:”I stepped back as a friend — I gave up because she was my friend’s girlfriend. I gave you a chance up till the end. I’m not going to hold back anymore.”
Jun-pyo punches Ji-hoo.
As always, Jan-di waits for someone to get punched before bursting out, “Stop!” She asks Jun-pyo, “Why did you come? Do you have something to say?”
Jun-pyo can’t respond (anything he says won’t make sense unless he backtracks on his Big Decision), and can only stare in frustration. Jan-di ignores the tears falling from her eyes and says firmly, “All right. I’m going.”
She and Ji-hoo walk off together, and Jun-pyo sinks to the ground.
Mr. Jung rushes in carrying Jun-pyo’s own gift (the shoes), and finds Jun-pyo on the ground. He helps Jun-pyo up, and the two walk off together. It’s fatherly, but also kind of weird. I blame the editing.
They leave the shoes behind on the chair… where Jae-kyung just HAPPENS to come by. WUT THE HELL. (Empty the rest of the bottle.)
Curious, Jae-kyung opens the box, recognizing the very shoes she’d wanted for herself.
On one hand, it’s like Jun-pyo is giving Jae-kyung a present indirectly, but on the other hand, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing — don’t Jun-pyo and Ji-hoo know you’re not supposed to give a girlfriend shoes? It’s bad luck! (The adage goes, if you give a lover shoes, they’ll run away from you. Maybe we should be glad Jan-di never got Jun-pyo’s shoes.)
And now, we’re out of Macau. Thankfully, this is the point where the episode starts to get better.
Back at home, Jan-di’s listlessness causes her to make constant mistakes. She’s so distracted that Ga-eul offers to take over when Master sends Jan-di on a delivery, but he insists that Jan-di go.
The delivery takes her to Cranky Grandpa’s busy clinic, which is crowded with (seemingly middle-to-lower-class) patients. Grandpa gruffly directs her to help out, so she goes around fetching drinks and babysitting. After everyone leaves, she gives Gramps the food, then hesitantly asks how he knows Master and what exactly he does for a living. He IS a real doctor, right?
Just then, a really bad actress stumbles in clutching her pregnant belly and crying in pain.
Jan-di assists Doctor-President-Fisherman-Grandpa as the woman gives birth. The experience introduces a new possibility to her life, and Jan-di returns to school filled with newfound direction and optimism.
Ji-hoo, fresh from a new haircut, drops by to see Jan-di, immediately clocking her good mood. She recounts helping with the pregnant woman, explaining that the experience made her feel something she had never felt before — “It’s the first time I didn’t think of Jun-pyo, or swimming” — and now she’s determined to be a doctor.
A bit sheepishly, Jan-di figures that people will sneer that a dummy like her wants to be a doctor.
Ji-hoo: “Do you know how hard it is to find something that you’d want to do despite being called crazy for it? What does it matter what people think? When have you cared about things like that? If you want to, just do it.”
Jan-di’s mood plummets when sees Jun-pyo on television talking to reporters about Shinhwa Group. Jun-hee happens to look out her car window and she passes, and spots Jan-di on the sidewalk. She greets her with a friendly smile and takes her back to her house for a chat.
Jun-hee has a general idea of what happened between Jan-di and Jun-pyo, and asks about Macau. Jan-di puts on a bright face, saying that she’s glad she went, so she could make a clean break with Jun-pyo.
Jun-hee’s disappointed: “I hoped you could stay with Jun-pyo. It’s too bad.”
Jan-di’s false bravado collapses when she walks past the doors to Jun-pyo’s bedroom, which are ajar. Stepping inside, she looks around and remembers the times she’d spent with Jun-pyo here.
The telescope brings to mind the star-moon necklace, given to her with Jun-pyo’s promise to never let her go. This sets off her tears.
Jun-hee passes by and comforts her, telling her to let it all out. Jan-di sobs that she’d lied earlier: “I’m not okay. I went to see Jun-pyo because I missed him, but I can’t believe he changed so completely.”
Jun-hee thanks Jan-di for being honest — at least knowing that Jan-di still cares means there’s hope. Jun-hee advises, “Jun-pyo will come back, so don’t give up on him. Trust me, and give him one more chance. Can you do that?”
Jan-di confides that she was hurt most not because of Jun-pyo’s cold treatment of her — but rather, because “I never got to tell him I was thankful to him, or that I like him, and I can’t tell him that now.”
Jun-hee’s not the only one who believes Jun-pyo isn’t over Jan-di; Yi-jung seeks out Ga-eul to give her an invitation to Jun-pyo’s birthday party, asking her to bring Jan-di along. He wants to confirm a hunch.
Ga-eul isn’t keen on the idea, because if something goes wrong, Jan-di will be the one hurt. Yi-jung reasons, “If Jun-pyo dumping Jan-di is all an act, that’s good.” On the other hand, even if it’s not an act, Jan-di needs to face it — it’s better she forget him cleanly rather than letting him linger in her thoughts.
Yi-jung presents Ga-eul with a stack of gifts: “If you’re going out to battle, you need weapons.”
In addition to Ga-eul, Mr. Jung also comes by to ask Jan-di to attend the party. He bears an invitation, not from Jun-pyo but from Madam Kang herself.
At the party, Jan-di explains to Ji-hoo that she only came because she didn’t want to run away, but now she wonders if she shouldn’t have come after all. The guys urge her to stay a while
It must be noted that Ji-hoo’s not the only F4 guy with a new hairstyle: Woo-bin and Yi-jung have also changed their looks and now sport upswept styles. But while Ji-hoo’s takes a little getting used to, at least the change works for Woo-bin and Yi-jung.
Party time, in name if not in spirit. Jun-pyo sits stoically while his mother presides, beaming in pride. Madam Kang welcomes everyone to the party, and brings Jun-pyo onstage for the presentation of the cake.
It’s at this point, when he blows out the candles, that he finally looks over and sees Jan-di sitting at the F4 table. They lock eyes for a prolonged beat, and then he turns away.
Ji-hoo clocks her hurt reaction, and asks if she’s okay. She isn’t, and uneasily starts to excuse herself, saying that it was a mistake to come. Before she can leave, the whole table looks up in surprise at Madam Kang’s approach. In a suspiciously cheerful tone, she thanks Jan-di for coming, then requests a piano performance of her: “In the spirit of things, could I ask you for a favor in congratulating Jun-pyo on his birthday?” I do not follow this logic — drink for me — and neither do Woo-bin nor Yi-jung, who wonder worriedly whether Jan-di can play the piano.
Ji-hoo steps in to take her home, but Jan-di stands and faces Madam Kang: “Yes, I will. You invited me, so I should at least sing for my supper.” (She literally says, “earn my dinner.”)
At Madam Kang’s introduction of Jan-di, Jun-pyo looks at her in surprise. Jan-di starts to play. She’s not good, but she’s not bad either.
In Episode 13, I posted two versions of “사랑밖에 난 몰라” (“I Only Know Love”), which Jan-di played on the piano with Ji-hoo. Here’s a third version by Horan (of Clazziquai) and Dave Koz. [ Download ]
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(In case you didn’t know, Gu Hye-sun is actually a strong singer — she almost debuted as a singer instead of actress. In this scene, she sings in a wavering voice because, for one, Jan-di isn’t supposed to be a great singer, and two, emotion threatens to choke her up at several key points in the lyrics.)
Here’s what she sings (the ellipses mark her long breaks):
The moment you come to my side,
I love that look in your eye.
Yesterday I cried, but because of you today,
I’ll be happy tomorrow.It’s not your face…… or style
but your soft love that I needed
to forget the past.
Without you, I can’t do anything anymore……
I only know love.
After she finishes, Jan-di gets an enthusiastic response — and a standing ovation from Woo-bin — and again locks eyes with Jun-pyo. Oh yeah, and Ji-hoo throws long (blank) stares in Jan-di’s direction. (Drinky!)
On the other hand, Madam Kang is perhaps disappointed Jan-di didn’t outright suck, and says in her bitchy-pleasant manner that she’d asked too much of the student. She apologizes on behalf of Jan-di, who ruined the mood and should have known her limits.
And now, she makes the Big Announcement of the evening — the introduction of Jun-pyo’s fiancée. Everyone is completely shocked (including the couple themselves), while Jae-kyung is literally carried into the room, kicking and shouting.
Not only is the announcement a shock, so is Jae-kyung and Jun-pyo’s realization that they’ve met before.
Jan-di’s group convenes outside in the hall, which is where Madam Kang finds them to gloat. She addresses Jan-di triumphantly: “Do you understand now? The wife to the next head of Shinhwa Group has to be at least at that level.”
Jun-pyo joins them, demanding first to know what his mother is doing, then asking Jan-di why she bothered to come. Hurt and angry, Jan-di retorts that she has nothing to say to him.
And then, Jae-kyung joins the group — what, is nobody left inside? — to ask Jun-pyo’s mother if she’s truly serious about the engagement. Madam Kang replies that the parents have already discussed the matter; both sides are pleased with the match.
Jun-pyo cuts in to address Jan-di: “I have something to say to you, so don’t argue and follow.” He grabs her by the wrist and drags her away, grumbling all the while about how she should have suspected his witchy mother was up to something when she invited him… not realizing that he grabbed the wrong wrist.
Meanwhile, Jan-di (and the others) watch in puzzlement as Jun-pyo grabs Jae-kyung’s wrist by accident and pulls her away. Madam Kang may be our villain here, but I just love the wonderfully bitchy shrug she tosses at Jan-di, as if to say, See? You’re toast.
Witch-Mom tells her, “You must have realized by now that you should give up your empty hopes and fantasies.”
For what it’s worth, it actually is kinda funny when Jun-pyo yanks Jae-kyung along, muttering the whole time that he’s dragging the wrong girl behind him, addressing her as though she’s Jan-di.
Finally, Jae-kyung shouts at him, and he realizes his mistake. And then promptly blames it on her for letting herself be dragged along.
Jun-pyo tells Jae-kyung to stop following him and starts to walk off. Incredulous, Jae-kyung chases after him and jumps on his back, insisting he apologize to her. (He calls her a crazy monkey, lol.)
She bites his ear — unorthodox but effective, just like her — then falls to the ground. This is probably supposed to Mean Something because Jae-kyung teases him for blushing, suggesting that he’s attracted to her.
She asks for money to take a taxi home. He doesn’t have any, so she demands to use his cell phone, and gropes around his pockets to find it.
As Jun-pyo tries to shove her aside, her team of bodyguards swoops in to her “rescue.” Not realizing that they’re her people (or not caring), Jun-pyo reacts as he always does by fighting. They restrain him quickly, much to Jae-kyung’s amusement.
Ji-hoo takes Jan-di home in solemn quiet. Ji-hoo asks if she was very shocked, and she answers (not at all convincingly) that she doesn’t care if Jun-pyo gets engaged.
Ji-hoo defends Jun-pyo by guessing that he probably didn’t know about the engagement. Despite their rift, it seems Ji-hoo has faith that Jun-pyo would have told them if it were true. But Jan-di doesn’t believe it — she saw Jae-kyung in Macau, which means they probably did know each other.
Referring to the airport scene when Ji-hoo had hinted that he would have pursued Jan-di, Ji-hoo now says, “About what I said to Jun-pyo in Macau…” Jan-di reassures him, “I know. You only said that because you were angry at him.”
That’s not what he means at all, and he takes a long pause to think, then responds, “You’re right.” He leaves her with wise words: “Sometimes what you see isn’t real. You need faith to see some things.”
After she gets out of the car, he sighs to himself, “Yoon Ji-hoo, what the heck are you doing?”
At home, Ji-hoo looks at the bag Jan-di left behind in his car (bottoms up!), and dials Jun-pyo on his phone. Just at that moment, his phone starts to ring, and he peers outside to see Jun-pyo standing there, phone to his ear.
COMMENTS
The first part of this episode had me seriously scratching my head. So many irrelevant moments, weird plot jumps (they HAVE to lose both wallets to get Ji-hoo to perform?), that even the small shining moments — Jun-pyo’s contained pain, for instance — were suffocated by the rest. For instance, Lee Min-ho’s quiet portrayal while watching from his car was a GREAT beat and conveyed with nice nuance… only, sadly, I couldn’t care that much because of all the other chaff that surrounded it. His breakdown at the airport was also acted well — but then I cringed through his exchange with Mr. Jung, which should have been a lovely moment but instead made me uncomfortable. Mr. Jeon PD, you should take the words of advice of your own characters and let the good stuff in your drama thrive — by CUTTING OUT THE WEEDS.
Normally, I would argue that ratings and quality are linked only tenuously together; you can’t say they don’t reflect on each other at all, but it’s too simple to say that they’re directly correlative.
But in this case, I’m tempted to say that the high ratings have actually adversely affected the quality of the drama, if only because it can be seen as positive reinforcement of bad behavior. As in, the drama director can point to high ratings and defend his work saying he’s doing something right, when I think perhaps the drama is a success mostly in spite of his instincts which threaten to derail it on every level.
I mean, honestly. He’s going to drive us all to drink.
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Tags: Boys Before Flowers, Gu Hye-sun, Kim Bum, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Joon, Lee Min-ho, Lee Min-jung
Interview with Kim Yoo-jung
Hello Dramabeans series
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1 lol
February 23, 2009 at 8:33 PM
first~~~~!!!!
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Jeanette
June 3, 2017 at 7:33 PM
Two-hundred-forty-third!
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2 K
February 23, 2009 at 8:37 PM
second!
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3 blavkum
February 23, 2009 at 8:38 PM
thanks for the recap :)
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4 Linda
February 23, 2009 at 8:38 PM
at least the acoustic version of SS501's song is sung by Hyun Joong himself ^^
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5 b
February 23, 2009 at 8:38 PM
2nd
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6 tina
February 23, 2009 at 8:39 PM
omg it was hilarious at the toilet scene. i kinda think that jun pyo is stupid. how can you mistakenly take the wrong girls hand and not notice? what a bum. this episode was rather disappointing than what i expected! but thanks for the recap!
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7 Empress
February 23, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Why is it whenever I see Jun-pyo crying I want to cry with him? That darn Lee Min-ho. He is so good at what he does.
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8 maria
February 23, 2009 at 8:42 PM
i did! so did everyone that i woke up. ha ha! you manage to connect daw po kahit TV, and i said ganun kayo talaga, lalo sa classroom *yes naman* :P was that your library po?? coz..yeah. AWESOME.
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9 maria
February 23, 2009 at 8:43 PM
*oh forts, the previous comment was for a diff blog LOL but it got published and refused to let me delete it! sorry!
anyway, i just want to say.. i'm COMPLETELY discombobulated by the SO surprisingly pretty (and APPROPRIATE! *gasp*)acoustic rendition of that SS501 song. we are all so used to the music here being heinous, that MY BREIN GOT BORKEN from all da awesomeness of ji-hoo singing *swoon* ...oh, and *drink* for JAN-DUH leaving her wallet!!
even with the music, i do like this drama, my main gripe is just that it tends to rest on its laurels, in terms of overriding things like err.. character consistency, LOGIC (like how f4 or jun hee *woo* is ALWAYS there when the jandistress signal calls! almost paaaradiise!), rationality (why the hell did jan di still wear those broken shoes?!)... i've heard many an argument that actually said, we don't need logic, this is BOF. uh-huuuh. right. so i just accept these inexplicables? ^- ^
but although it was a typical slow monday epi (this season, in general, has taken its time more than the *shebang* of last season's first epis) and nothing substantial really happened, i really am excited for 16 because it's what they do, they sacrifice the mondays eps in order to set up amazing tuesday eps, eh?
GAHD, mama kang, i need to slap you hard with..with,... with FISH! as big as the one they had for sashimi. NO, BIGGER! thank god jand di (who stupidly agreed to 1) go to the party and 2) PLAY PIANO LOL) actually put in a heartbreakingly touching performance. the eye contacts!!! and GAHD, JUN PYO'S FACE listening to the words of that song!!!! she's saying THE WORDS jun pyo.. fight for her! don't.. drag the wrong girl! *slaps jun pyo with fish also*
aaaand i wouldn't be a *true fangirl* if i didn't mention... ZOMG THE HAIRCUTS. *hallelujah* woo bin's hair is like... magnetic. :P
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10 dramafreak19
February 23, 2009 at 8:45 PM
I just could NOT get past those freakin UGLY dresses that Jan Di and Ga Eul were forced to wear...OMG...they were painful to even look at....Javabeans, before you shoot Jandi for unnecessary crying, shoot the costume designers of BOF, you'll be doing all of us a BIG favour....
Although Kim Hyun Joong's acting is improving, he's still got miles to go, I agree with Javabeans that his long blank stares and "dead fish eyes" are getting extremely tiresome to look at....
I do really love Ji Hoo's "special friend", he plays his character to the T and it's hilarious...
Still can't wait for Ga Eul and Yi Jung's date!
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Jezebear
February 17, 2013 at 6:21 PM
And shoot the Monday episode writers while you're at it! ;P or threaten to shoot them...? Anyways, SOMEHOW make them show some continuity in writing. Alas, if someone had done this before these episodes aired...(sighs). I don't feel like it's as much the actors as the sometimes over-the-top writing/directing that makes some parts of this series just so unbearable to watch (like the ramen-finding scene. Why. Just. Why? And almost all of the Macau scenes...JD, you say you're not pretty, nor smart...but being smart and having common sense is completely different!) But we really need to keep watching for those scenes like the bridge one, the airport ones, Namsan tower...these actors are clearly trying to find their ground in the series, and the writers are not always helpful.
Like this episode. I can't even. I'm actually thinking about trying your drinking game Javabeans just so the first half of the episode will start making sense in my alcohol haze. I got the point where JanDi was crying in her room and went "nope, can't do this." And skipped on to where Gu Jun Pyo got the little card telling him the time of Jan Di's departure--gah love that scene so much. And when GJP left for the "urgent matter," bowing respectfully to Jae Kyung's parents and just giving his mother a very cold look--that look she had on her face afterward almost made me feel bad for her.
I actually disagree with you Javabeans and think that it was good that Jan Di waited until GJP punched Ji Hoo to tell him to stop. Ji Hoo's words had to be said, and it didn't look like GJP was going to sock his friend until he did it. He didn't come over with fists raised or anything haha, the punch seemed really sudden. However, the part with Mr. Jung WAS really awkwardly edited...then...(takes another shot) Jae-Kyung just happens to walk by. OK. OK. Whatever writers.
Ah this show, this show! It completely confuses, frustrates, and irritates me at times, but those moments of beauty, like JD's singing (which thankfully the director decided to not tamper with) and so many others is what makes me keep watching this series over and over!
Thank you for the recap and comments :)
YES the new hairstyles are awesome!
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11 shinhyesungluv
February 23, 2009 at 8:45 PM
i cried during this episode when jandi was singing T_T
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12 cullenhale
February 23, 2009 at 8:47 PM
Honestly, I liked this episode...even though the beginning was kind of weird and so not necessary, I found the bathroom scene with JanDi and Ji Hoo pretty funny, I enjoyed his reaction more than anything else.
Mr Jung and Junpyo! Oh man, that was intense. I don't know, I enjoyed the relationship that is building between them. It was very sweet that Junpyo has someone to kind of lean on. The later half of this episode was better but it has been better than most of the odd numbered episodes.
Can I say this? But Junpyo''s fiance annoys the hell out of me! I mean, like how she was carried by the guards against her will but other than that, her voice, dear lord, is just annoying. I liked her in Who Are You, which was a more simple and pleasant character but she's pushing it way too much in this series.
oh Jun Hee! She is such an awesome sister. I can't wait till the showdown between her and the mom.
I admit the series isn't perfect but there is something about it that makes all of us come back for more. The preview for next week almost seems hopeful just because Jandi is kind of talking to Junpyo. I need this ridiculous angst to wrap itself up in two episodes or less, please! Bring Jandi and Junpyo back together, I need the bickering back.
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13 Empress
February 23, 2009 at 8:47 PM
I don't understand how Ji-hoo was able to buy those shoes for Jan-di with the money he earned playing the guitar. From what I remember in the previous episode weren't those shoes rather expensive (correct me if I am wrong here). Did her really earn that much to buy her the dragon luck charm thing and the designer shoes?
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14 Sevenses
February 23, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Lol. I was using my own rules for the drinking game (and with Coke, not suicidal or angry at my liver just yet) and this episode pretty much killed me anyway. I'm pretty sure parts of this (the Jaekyung-Junpyo exchange springs to mind) were lifted directly from the Japanese version, which is annoying in its own way.
*crossing fingers for tomorrow's ep*
(Sorry for not commenting sooner, I really enjoy the recaps!)
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15 Aleutia
February 23, 2009 at 8:49 PM
I thought the soundtrack wasn't as overplayed in this episode although the cut-off of Ji-Hoo's guitar scene ruined the mood for me. I totally agree with you on the fact that they SHOULD NOT have played SS501's song. The rendition of the song was nice though but it just annihilated the mood for me.
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16 Aye
February 23, 2009 at 8:50 PM
I never really paid attention to those who've said Tuesday episodes of Boys Before Flowers are better than Monday episodes. That is, until today. How could I not when the difference was glaring at me? Last Tuesday episode was so good and today episode was... well, you know very well what's wrong with it. One of the issues I had with it was Jan-di's piano scene. I'm one of those who don't compare previous versions with this one but I'd have to say the same scene in Meteor Garden was a whole lot better. (If you want to check it out, it's in Episode 14.) They (PD Jun Ki-sang and his staff) should have made it better if they were going to change things but they didn't, which is why I have a problem with it. They made Jan-di play (meekly, which is so not Jan-di) a love song on the piano when it was not really about being able to play the piano. She was supposed to teach Madam Kang a lesson about how being able to play an instrument or having material goods (typical wealth brandishing stuff really) does not make one a better person compared to another.
Don't you feel like another thing they ruined in this episode is Madam Kang's character? They made her act very childish in the scene after the birthday party; when they were all standing in a circle outside the ballroom. A tough, aloof, and stern president/mother, standing in a circle with a bunch of teenagers and rubbing it in their faces like that? So out of character. She was boasting to everyone about how her plans came together perfectly and why she invited Jan-di to the party. There really wasn't any need for her to explain all that to prove she did it. It's so unnecessary. Why go and turn her into Cruella when her character should be more like Mrs. Danvers from the novel, Rebecca? Ugh.
With that said, I am crossing my fingers for Episode 16. And I'd turn into an alcoholic for sure if I have to chug all that down, haha. Thank you for the insightful recap as always.
P.S.: I apologize for the long post. I am so fixated with this drama that it's getting creepy.
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17 Debbie
February 23, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Even though BBF is chocked full of the "what-the-hells" and inconsistencies, I still enjoy it very, very much. Just trying not to take it too seriously...
Anyway, aside from all the things you have brought up, what really is the role of Ji Hoo's Chinese friend Ming? Was he there to just give Jan Di and Ji Hoo an excuse to stay an extra few days in Macau? He really had no storyline there...
I'm still loving the acting of LMG and GHS. LMH was great in the scene in the airport. I didn't think that it was weird. I was glad to see that Jun Pyo has Mr. Jung right by his side supporting him and acting as his surogate father.
I'm finding the fiancee Jae-kyung to be really annoying. Her character is loud, and from watching the preview for ep. 16, kinda insensitive!!! The actress who plays her seems to have the Gu Hye Sun syndrome from the beginning of the series -- overacting!!
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18 Airajuliafor
February 23, 2009 at 8:51 PM
On the bright side, this wasn't really the worst Monday episode, was it?
And is it just me, or does Ji-hoo's new hair also exactly looks like Oguri Shun's version of Rui's hair?
And please, please, please.... I'm totally digging Jae-kyung's character right now, but oh writer(s), please don't ruin her for me. Like, turning her into an overly obssessed I-have-to-have-you-beside-me-or-I'll-kill-myself character so common in K-dramas.
BTW, anyone else want a super awesome sistah like Jun-hee?
Anyhoo, thanks, Javabeans. Ur awesome for doing these recaps. =)
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19 Nore
February 23, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Also, weren't the shoes like, $2500? Even if the currency were in MOP, that would be ~313 USD. How in the world can you make enough to afford that after one street performance? There were only a handful of people there too.
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20 IcanhazJoonPyo? AKA IheartBFF
February 23, 2009 at 8:52 PM
I really, really, really enjoyed today's episode. It was moving, with some exquisite scenes--like GJP crying at the airport and being comforted, Jan Di crying in his room and being comforted, and the mother being bluntly mean and vicious. I didn't think today's episode was filler at all; the fiance is finally revealed (thank God--it took them long enough), and we know that GJP is a breaking point.
the show is following HYD version rather faithfully, which is disappointing because i had hoped for some deviation. That means that the final wretched (um memory thingy) bump in the road will be in this version. ugh.
I really, really, really DO NOT like how well the fiancee (one e or two ees) is being depicted. She is spunky, pretty, feisty, etc., and there is too much too like about her and I feel like I am cheating on GJD and i feel anxious about it all. At least the HYD version girl was annoying as hell...this one so far has been the kind of girl (if I were into girls) i would totally date.
Finally, Ji-Hoo. So, so, so pretty. I almost wanna IcanhazJihoo. Almost.
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21 sneee
February 23, 2009 at 8:52 PM
thank you for the recap ♥
i hope tomorrow's episode is better. looking forward to the jandi-junpyo interaction as seen from the preview :)
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22 heesoup
February 23, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Are my eyes deceiving me or are the shoes that Jan di breaks a pair of Louboutins?!?! OK.I really likeed the airport scene. Lee Min ho acted that out so well!! However the rest of the episode was mess. The fiancee's voice kinda grated on my nerves near the end. Btw I thought it was weird that Jun pyo's mom tell Jan di that (I forgot the fiancee's name) is the kind of girl for shinhwa or whatever when she comes in kicking and screaming not acting very chaebol wife-like material? Also, I love the Yi jung and Ga eul couple but is it just me or does he seem to be treating her with a more cavalier/ playboy attitude then before?
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23 maria
February 23, 2009 at 8:53 PM
sorry for spamming, but
sarahbeans, luv, docmitasha... tell me you're as *dronk* as i am... sarahbeans is right. so many scenes just violated like... 15 drinking rules all at once. :P
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24 Lena
February 23, 2009 at 8:53 PM
the toilet scene was so over the top, but I loved it haha I was laughing so hard, if that happened to me, I probably wouldn't leave the bathroom for the whole day lol
the fiancee is really annoying. I liked shigeru in the manga, but man, LMJ's voice is so annoying. I wonder if she's making it screechy on purpose.
I want Jandi & Junpyo together again! Jihoo got so much better looking this episode, but Jihoo-Jandi scenes are really boring. That's how I've always felt about the Rui & Makino relationship.. they're so perfect for each other that it's boring lol
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25 KTV
February 23, 2009 at 8:54 PM
ha ha Thanks for the recap. By the way, did Jihoo regret to tell Jandi that "Sometimes what you see isn’t real. You need faith to see some things."? I just want to interpret the drama in the right way.
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26 el
February 23, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Hm you know Junpyo's plotlines have just as many retarded holes as Jihoo's. Anyway this drama is just for fun and watching pretty boys be pretty. I don't think it really tries to be any more than that and I think the problem is you take it much more seriously than the director does. Just loosen up and enjoy the goodness.
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27
February 23, 2009 at 8:55 PM
love your summaries and yes, i agree that the plot could use some work..
but i love yoon ji hoo! he's so good to jandi.
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28 G
February 23, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Thanks for the recap!
I always look forward to reading them on Mondays and Tuesdays :)
I thought this episode was surprisingly watchable, through and through, actually. This is the first time I feel such a disconnect with what everyone seems to be saying. I thought the music choices and acting (Ji-hoo) were improved, and didn't fast-forward through anything.
Madame Kang was awesome. I also loved the evil shrug--I think she was cast wonderfully. I also actually kind of liked the parallel comforting scenes between Jun-hee/Jan-di and Mr. Jung/Jun-pyo.
Looking forward to the next episode!
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29 Akiddo
February 23, 2009 at 8:58 PM
Thanks for the recap!!
This episode marks the beginning of a better episode today! :) A lot of inconsistencies and rather ugly dresses but....still a few good things:
1. I like Woo bin!! He is so positive and logical.
2. For sure - they love each other (JP and JD). And the shoes - i dun mind having a pair of those gunmental flats.
3. Good to know that JD found a purpose in life - I am sure that will bring the audience to the next stage of the drama....we'll see.
Oh...and...a bit gleeful about this...my earlier post in episode 13 - i mentioned something about the song she played with Jihoo and that it might mean something. haha...bingo! Maybe the drama is getting a bit predictable.
Look forward to your recap tomorrow!!
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30 lynn
February 23, 2009 at 8:59 PM
even though jandi's character seems childish sometimes; i still love the bathroom scene of her and jihoo, that was pure hilarious and exactly follows the manga, which the production team said they would.
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31 rainey
February 23, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Thanks for the recap.
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32 all4movies
February 23, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Jan-Di's singing was a surprise as there was no hint of it up until this point. She has a pretty voice.
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33 Chloe
February 23, 2009 at 9:03 PM
Sigh, i love you Javabeans.
Your heavy dose of wit and sarcasm are much appreciated.
:)
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34 Olive
February 23, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Thanks for the awesome re-caps! I really liked this episode, despite some of its illogical inconsistencies. But I'm kind of confused about your gripe with Jan Di's characterization. I've noticed that she gets the brunt of your irritation when it comes to stupid things like the wallet and then not reacting until after Jun Pyo punches Ji Hoo, which I thought was a natural response because she was probably in shock at seeing him since their breakup was pretty brutal and fairly fresh in her mind. Yet, when idiot Jun Pyo mistakenly grabs the wrong girl's hand, which played out pretty stupidly on screen, there's not even a single comment about it. To be fair, that scene definitely deserves a *drink!*
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35 Javabeans
February 23, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Olive, a huge component of that is that Gu Hye-sun was a HORRIBLE actress in this episode. I've been a defender of her (I've liked her very much in past series) but she's really not cutting it for me here. If either the character or the acting is great, I can usually overlook the other component. But if they're both bad, grrrrr.
el (#26), i see your point, but if I just sat back and relaxed, recaps would be about a paragraph long and limited to stuff like "Cute shoes" and "Hot boys." The way I write is just what you're going to get from me; it's how I roll here.
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36 ank
February 23, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Thanks for the recap!
Yes.. I was hoping to see the whole performance of Jihoo... I was disappointed when they put the recorded track of Because I'm Foolish over it.
The whole wallet thingy is also weird... I thought Jihoo dashed back to find the wallet, but instead he is busking hahahaha...They could have just made a scene Jihoo borrowing a guitar and sing to cheer Jandi up.
Her screaming after the toilet incident was annoying for me too.. I mean, even if you're embarrassed, you just need to keep it to yourself and act like nothing happens lols.. but for her to scream and cry (for a long time) was a bit too much for me.
Anyways, I tried not to think too hard about all the flaws in BOF, they're annoying, but well I'll just watch without using too much of my brain hahahaha..
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37
February 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM
FIrst of all, i'd like to thank you for taking the time to do a summary. It is very much appreciated. With all your summary, i must say that this is the most fun, i was laughing at your short (comments). I can just imagine you doing that, and other people drinking to lessen the stupidity of some of the scenes. I agree with what you've said - the good scenes ( mostly of Jun Pyo - i must he is good, he can really transcend the emotion he is trying to convey) was obliterated (figuratively) by the scenes that doesn't making any sense AT ALL.
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38 Annie
February 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM
If you would like to share me your addy, I'll send you or better yet, I'll pour the drink for you the next time you recap this drama ^_~.
Do you like Soju or wine or just Soda?
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39 Cheesey
February 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Thanks - that recap brightened my day - funny - now all i have to do is actually watch the episode ;)
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40 sopi
February 23, 2009 at 9:11 PM
The scene with Jandi playing and singing was adorable!
She already told Junhee that the most regretting thing
is not having thanked JP for what he had done to her, and saying she liked him really much...
I think through the love song and her birthday present
she is trying hard to express her feelings to him... so whatever the results will be,
she has no more regrets left.
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41 agreed
February 23, 2009 at 9:11 PM
I am so glad I was not the only one who was EXTREMLY annoyed with the bathroom scene and not to mention Goo Hye Sun's acting. TOO MUCH!!!
She is so amazing during intense scenes, but comedic scene is not her strong point.
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42 lisa
February 23, 2009 at 9:12 PM
The only thing I had a problem with was the stupid "zomg I'm gonna cry all day long cuz this boy saw me on the toilet" scene. SO OUT OF CHARACTER UUUUGH. Otherwise I pretty much enjoyed the whole thing...
I think the actors have all grown on me and I can appreciate them for their talent, and ignore the terrible writing. lol
Plus...I LOVE Ji hoo's new hair! I really didn't think he was cute at all before, but when I saw that I was like "whoa, who's the hottie?!" X)
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43 elmo
February 23, 2009 at 9:14 PM
muwahahaha
i LOVEE JI HOOS new hair
he reminds me of japanese idol yamapi, actually a LOT like yamapi
i enjoyed the recap but i haven't watched it yet, i'll probably be throwing my fits in the air about jan di soon enough
and and
I NEEd more scenes w/ ga eul and yi jung!!!
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44 Kdramalovers
February 23, 2009 at 9:14 PM
I actually like the first half and the second half^_^ looking forward to tomorrow's episode.
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45 Jenn
February 23, 2009 at 9:15 PM
Gu Hye-sun is not a bad actress. She just can't do comedy to save her life which is what made that toilet scene so horrid. Yet when you go back and look at her dramatic scenes (At the bridge or even the ones in this episode) she really does show she has talent. I found the piano scene to be really genuine and emotional. It was definitely my favorite scene of the episode.
This episode wasn't horrid by any means but when compared to the previous one, the difference is noticeable.
I adore JP's fiance but i'm still loving JP and JD together.
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46 myweeklyfix
February 23, 2009 at 9:16 PM
This episode was so-so, is it just me or is jihoo so good to her all the time that nothing that he does stand out anymore? What I'm curious about is what junpyo wanted to tell jandi when he 1) rushed to the airport to meet her with the shoes, 2) when he dragged the wrong girl off. Since he can't share his real intentions, I wonder what he was thinking of?
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47 deeta
February 23, 2009 at 9:18 PM
so true, i got pissed when they covered jihoo singing with a recorded track, can't they play it some other time?
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48 jackieee
February 23, 2009 at 9:22 PM
WTFFFFFF?????????
haha okay, if the monday trend has to continue, then hopefully tuesday will make up for the insanity that is Episode 15!!!
Mr. Jeon PD... WHAT ARE YOU DOING??
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49 Thai Fan
February 23, 2009 at 9:23 PM
I just LOVE your frustrations! I had big laughs out of those rather than the story itself. Thanks a million for a quick and fun recap. I do love your blog.
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50 queen_of_the_game
February 23, 2009 at 9:24 PM
jun pyo in the car waiting made me cry for him...because right now...he's choice was to watch her from afar when he can actually do something about it...oh well atleast he gave justice to his character....anyway..i give this episode a 7 because it just jumped from one thing to another...i really hope they'll edit it better....anyway i love the airport scene the most...when jan di ask what jun pyo was doing there...it had me shouting...say somethingggg...say anything...just say something...but he didn't..and im touched how Mr. Jung really cares for him not only as the loyal secretary but also as a friend....and i guess we just have to use our common sense on some of the other scenes...like maybe ji hoo didn't intend to replace jandi shoes (meaning jandi actually had 2 shoes w/ her)...he just really want to buy the something for jandi and finds that the shoes is something that jandi will like.....i was telling my friend about this in YM while watching this episode...jihoo must be really attentive to the person he likes because he even knew jandi shoe size..not like jun pyo....in an ideal world..ji hoo is the ideal boyfriend because i think he's almost perfect...but in real world it isn't always what happens...i remember back in my university days..i had this guy courted me..true gentleman..picked me up at school and sent me home safe and sound...bought me gifts that i didn't even imagine he'll give me...but just couldn't see him as my boyfriend...i just see him as a very good friend...i made him cry but we're both glad i have been honest to him because it never would have worked out....my personality was too strong for him (if i may say so myself)..hehe so out of the topic...
so back to episode 15...hopefully they'll give us something good for jun pyo and jandi's reconcillation...i told my friend again...i want to see jun pyo begging and telling jan di that he can't live without her and that he's willing to give up everything if jandi will stay by his side...i hope they won;t use some childish stuff again....like stopping yi jung ang gaeul to go for a date to get them together or something....bcoz if thats the case then maybe we need to change our direcctor and script writer....i'll even volunteer to add some bits and pieces to that script heheheh...so lets keep our fingers cross for a better ep 16...aja! fighting!!! sorry guys can't join you with the drinking game because ill have a heart burn hahahaha....goodluck!!!
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