Boys Before Flowers: Episode 19
by javabeans
We’re back to fun and cute, hurrah.
I don’t actually think the new songs in this second half are any better than the songs in the first half (and they’re just as inappropriately used). It’s more a matter of not having had the songs hammered into our brains relentlessly (yet?), so they feel fresher and more interesting to my ears. (Although, I admit to having a few moments of wondering whether PD Jeon just recently saw Goong and is trying to recapture the ambiance of that score. No, they’re not the same songs, but a couple of them sound familiar.)
SONG OF THE DAY
Boys Before Flowers (Second OST) – “애인만들기” by SS501. The title literally translates to “making a lover” but frankly that makes no sense in English; I think it’s more prettily (if loosely) translated as “Finding a Lover” or “Building a Romance.” [ Download ]
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EPISODE 19 RECAP
After falling onto the bed, Jun-pyo quickly gets up and moves away from Jae-kyung.
Her proposal for a bet turns out to be a video game challenge, which she manages to win, bringing out his surly sore-loser side. She claims her winnings by dragging Jun-pyo around for the day.
Woo-bin tries to talk some sense into Yi-jung, who is hell-bent on drinking himself into oblivion. He’s unresponsive to Woo-bin’s worrying, though a phone call does jar him out of his liquor haze. (Rule of Kdramas: Bad news brings instant sobriety!) His mother has had another “episode” — a tantrum and pills — and has been asking for him at the hospital.
As in the previous episode, Yi-jung’s attitude is mostly detached, with a sprinkling of bitterness, so he answers that he’s busy. As he heads out, he shakes off Woo-bin’s arm and says, “If you don’t want to see me going crazy, leave me alone.”
He’s in a self-destructive mood, so he seeks out Ga-eul and asks if she still wants that date.
Encouraged, Ga-eul accompanies Yi-jung to a club, but her gladness soon dies because Yi-jung gets busy flirting with every woman who passes. He’s not even being subtle about it, and Ga-eul is naive enough to take his behavior at face value, when it’s clear (to us) that he’s doing this make a point.
Ga-eul steps out to the ladies’ room, and hesitates for a long moment over whether to return to the table. She decides to leave, not seeing Yi-jung until he calls out to her, “If this is enough to send you running, you shouldn’t have asked for the date in the first place.”
She’s gotten the message, but Yi-jung still has one “highlight” left.
Or maybe he really means “lowlight.” At dinner, Yi-jung’s father is friendly and open, but the more pleasant he is, the uglier Yi-jung’s mood grows. Yi-jung points out that it’s clear his father likes Ga-eul (insinuating that he like-likes her, if ya know what I mean). Personally, I don’t think his dad means to be skeevy when he calls Ga-eul cute, but Yi-jung turns everything into an innuendo.
He says caustically that father and son are similar — Mom’s lying in the hospital from an overdose and they’re both out. Dad suggests discussing family matters later, while Yi-jung’s smile twists further as he asks, “Then what should we talk about? This girl seems your type — want to borrow her?”
Ga-eul is really uncomfortable by now, but Yi-jung’s on a roll and he continues with the verbal jabs, saying Ga-eul is practically the same age as his father’s girlfriends anyway.
Fed up, Ga-eul throws water in Yi-jung’s face. She excuses herself and leaves, and Dad tells Yi-jung that he went too far. Coming from him, that’s got to be pretty lowering.
Since Jae-kyung won the bet, she drags Jun-pyo out on a grocery shopping run. (Note: She really is like a female Jun-pyo, and even uses some of his more commonly used phrases.)
Afterwards, Jae-kyung heads for a particular neighborhood, which starts looking familiar to Jun-pyo. Jae-kyung explains that they’re dropping by Jan-di’s new apartment — and given that Jae-kyung knows about the Jun/di relationship, feigning innocence while forcing them together makes Jae-kyung rather mean, doesn’t it? Or at least calculating?
But Jan-di’s not home, because she’s still out with Ji-hoo. While they wait, Jae-kyung and Jun-pyo cook some ramen, which they end up fighting over. (Jae-kyung claims most of it for herself.)
Jun-pyo notices that Kang-san hasn’t taken any — having eaten it every day, he’s not all that eager for more. Jun-pyo asks what he’d prefer to eat; Kang-sang answers that he’d die happy to stuff himself with pizza to his heart’s content.
They wonder what’s keeping Jan-di, but Kang-san can’t call her because Jan-di has no phone. Hearing this gives Jun-pyo a start, since he’d previously given her a phone. Kang-san explains that they’d given it to their parents in case of emergency.
This gives Jae-kyung an idea, and she drags Jun-pyo off to the cell phone store. Must be nice to be so rich you can just buy phones for your poor friends whenever the whim strikes.
Following their museum date, Ji-hoo drops Jan-di off at the clinic, where she invites him in for tea. At his hesitation, Jan-di guesses that he doesn’t want to run into his grandfather and assures him that he’s already left for the day.
Looking around, Ji-hoo finds that he’s unexpectedly affected at the sight of old family photos, which unleash a flood of memories of a happier childhood and a formerly loving relationship with his grandfather.
Grandpa Yoon walks in and catches him by surprise. Overwhelmed with emotion, the doctor is glad to see his estranged grandson and struggles to make an apology, knowing he has limited time to appeal to Ji-hoo before the latter storms out.
When Ji-hoo turns to exit, Dr. Grandpa stops him and hurriedly says he’s sorry, that he made a mistake years ago. Ji-hoo cynically says that he’s the one who made the mistake — for staying alive instead of his parents. “You must have hated me.”
Grandpa tells him, “It’s not your fault.”
(To be honest, I did want to put up a more attractive screencap of Kim Hyun-joong here… but this awkward eye-bulging look is more representative of his acting in this scene…)
Ji-hoo says, without turning to face him: “You should have said that fifteen years ago. Do you know how much that child waited for you? You don’t know, do you, how much that boy wanted to cry and be held in his grandfather’s arms!”
He storms out, which is when Jan-di finally comes in and guesses what’s happened. Dr. Grandpa is again seized with chest pains, but he urges Jan-di to go after Ji-hoo instead.
Jan-di runs outside into the rain, knowing that Ji-hoo has taken off on foot because his motorcycle is still parked out front. However, she chooses the wrong direction; Ji-hoo watches her leave, then is assailed by painful memories of his parents’ funeral.
His grandfather had shown up to the burial, but ignored him and driven off alone, leaving a young (and adorable) Ji-hoo sobbing. It’s got to be particularly traumatizing, since not only was he orphaned, he’d been forsaken by the one person he had left, whom he had depended on. Ji-hoo breaks down into tears, and man, he’s lucky it’s raining so he doesn’t have to fake those tears.
I’ve been softening on Kim Hyun-joong because he seems like a nice guy and the more I read about him in the press, the more I like him as a person. I’ve let his vague, dull acting slide in recent episodes because at least his character didn’t have much emoting to do. But when a spot of real emotion is required, it just can’t be ignored: He is not a good actor.
Unable to find Ji-hoo, Jan-di waits for him outside his house. Good thing, too, since she’s there to catch him (literally!) when he staggers home in a daze and collapses on top of her, exhausted both physically and mentally.
And we can never have too much emotionally battered staggering in one episode, because now it’s Yi-jung’s turn.
He arrives at his door inebriated, and fumbles with his keychain. He’s so drunk that he can’t pick out the right key or fit it in the lock, so after a couple tries, he throws down the keys in a fit of frustration.
Lucky for him, Ga-eul arrives to pick up the keys, and helps him inside.
Despite her assistance, Ga-eul isn’t over the harsh way he’d treated her before — as soon as she brings Yi-jung inside, she turns to leave.
But Yi-jung grabs her hand to pull her back. He mumbles, “I was afraid I’d make her cry, like my father, like my mother. I chased her away because I didn’t want her to cry because of me.”
(Does he mean Ga-eul? Eun-jae?)
I guess after all those episodes of damsels in distress saved by F4 swooping in for the rescue, this is the episode for the ladies to do a little swooping in of their own. Now it’s Jan-di’s turn to tend to Ji-hoo; she watches over him and, thinking he’s asleep, raises a hand to his cheek. She’s startled but doesn’t pull away when Ji-hoo reaches up to grasp her hand tightly.
Jan-di stays with Ji-hoo during the night, and prepares some porridge for him before she leaves.
When Ji-hoo wakes up, he finds the breakfast waiting for him, and sits down to eat his porridge of pity.
(Does anyone eat as miserably as Ji-hoo? Well, since food makes him so sad, I suppose it’s no wonder he’s so skinny.)
Meanwhile, Jun-pyo has spent all night anxiously pacing around his apartment, waiting for Jan-di to come home. When she finally does, he’s out on the landing to hound her about where she’s been and why she’s coming home now.
Jan-di’s knee-jerk reaction is to feel guilty, but then she remembers that she didn’t do anything wrong and shouldn’t feel defensive. So when he insists, “Tell me where you were!” she shouts back, “No!”
She declines to enlighten him even when he asks again in a calmer voice (albeit uneasily), “Are you really not going to tell me?” (She’s really not.)
Madam Kang arrives home. She’s happy to hear that Jun-pyo has been spending more time with Jae-kyung, but asks Mr. Jung meaningfully, “Don’t you have anything more to report to me?”
That makes Mr. Jung nervous. Madam Kang shows him photos of Jun-pyo with Jan-di (and how the hell did she get a camera inside Jan-di’s apartment showing them eating ramen together?). Luckily, she accepts Mr. Jung’s apology that he was inattentive, rather than suspecting that he has been purposely hiding things from her. She orders him to get on the ball and find out what’s going on.
Jun-pyo may have had bad luck with Jan-di, but he’s better at playing the big brother to Kang-san. Remembering his pizza wish, Jun-pyo sets up a large food stall outside Kang-san’s school, equipped with a whole buffet of different kinds of pizza. A sign reads, “Kang-san, be strong! Eat up.”
Jun-pyo tells him to dig in, and Kang-san’s classmates eagerly line up behind him.
At home that night, Jan-di notices how quiet it is — and although she routinely complains about Jun-pyo making a fuss, now that he isn’t, she thinks, “It worries me now that it’s so quiet.”
Jun-pyo’s merely having some problems with his rickety stove, and has to resort to eating his ramen dry (which, by the way, I totally used to do as a kid). An unexpected visit from his mother’s flunkies ruins the mood, though — they’ve been ordered to retrieve him, and drag him off. He protests, and runs into Ji-hoo down in the alley.
Ji-hoo has learned Jan-di’s new address from Ga-eul. He trades a long look with Jun-pyo, but the two friends don’t talk as Jun-pyo is pushed into the awaiting car. There’s something really nice about the way Jun-pyo shoots one last look up at Jan-di’s apartment, particularly because (1) he’s leaving her behind, and (2) he knows Ji-hoo is on his way to her.
Ji-hoo doesn’t go up immediately, though, because when he does knock on Jan-di’s door, he’s got Yi-jung and Woo-bin with him. They greet Jan-di cheerfully and announce that they’re here for a housewarming. Looking around, though, F3 are a little dismayed that at how shabby her new place is, although Jan-di assures them that it’s quite livable.
And then, another visitor crashes the party.
Oh, Madam Kang is so scary. It’s amazing how much Lee Hye-young can do with one direct stare.
Everyone comes out to see the latest visitor, stopping short at the sight of Madam Kang’s posse. Jan-di asks cautiously what the reason for the visit is — and while she’s not rude, she doesn’t grovel in the way Madam Kang probably expects from everyone. Madam Kang says in her cold way that the polite thing to do is invite her inside. Even commoners should know that that’s basic manners.
It’s the formality that she wants, not the actual offer, because when Jan-di complies and invites her inside, Madam Kang sniffs that it’s better to stay outside than step foot inside that hovel.
Indicating the guys, Madam Kang insinuates again that Jan-di’s got loose morals — and even they bristle at the implication and speak up for Jan-di. Jan-di says, “I haven’t behaved in such a wrong manner that I deserve those words.”
Madam Kang begs to differ: “You call an engaged man to your house secretly, and you say you haven’t behaved wrongly?”
She asks Jan-di for a “favor,” though it’s really more like an order: “Even if Jun-pyo comes to see you, please don’t meet him. As you said, you and he have nothing to do with each other anymore. I can trust you, can’t I? Miss Jan-di, I’ll have faith in that great sense of pride of yours.”
The words are polite, the tone is civil, and yet there’s a very steely undertone. Madam Kang then addresses F3: “This is why I oppose Jun-pyo meeting you, too. Think of your families, and for the love of god, come to your senses.”
It’s sweet of the guys to come to Jan-di’s defense, even if it’s ineffective against the Witch Mom. After her departure, Woo-bin tells Jan-di not to take her words to heart — she’s like that with everyone.
Next, the friends all pitch in to offer Jan-di a housewarming present — they show up armed with wallpaper, paint, and other cleaning supplies, and get to work redecorating the room.
On the downside, Kang-san has to live in a pink room covered in flowers. On the upside, it does look a lot better once it’s done.
Meanwhile, Witch Mom has punished Jun-pyo by grounding him. On the downside, the lone exception to the rule is Jae-kyung, who is admitted into his room. On the upside, she does offer a way out.
Jun-pyo’s annoyance gives way to interest when Jae-kyung says the magic words (which she knows will win his attention): “I was going to suggest dropping by Jan-di’s place together, but I guess I’ll go alone…”
At that, Jun-pyo tries to pretend he’s not interested, though obviously he’s desperate to go along, and agrees to accompany Jae-kyung.
When the Jun/kyung couple arrive, they find everyone else already there and in a festive mood. Done redecorating, F3 and the girls sit around the table and joke that this feels like an MT (membership training, a typical college ritual). Ga-eul suggests they play the quintessential MT game — the Truth Game — and Jae-kyung bursts in, “Me too!”
The rules are thus: The one who is asked the question must tell the truth. However, if s/he doesn’t want to answer, that person has to give up something to the asker. That “something ” varies based on what they decide — sometimes it’s a drink, or a slap on the arm. Jae-kyung suggests a kiss.
Going with the kiss idea, Yi-jung starts things off with a question for Ji-hoo: “Can you love someone other than Seo-hyun?”
It’s a simple question and the answer’s not difficult, but Ji-hoo wants to have some fun — he plants a kiss on Yi-jung’s cheek. It’s adorable.
Now it’s Ji-hoo’s turn to ask: “Jun-pyo, if the one you love runs into trouble because of you, could you let her go?”
I was hoping for another kiss, but Jun-pyo answers straightaway, “No, I won’t. I can’t. I’d grab on tight, and be sure to make her happy.”
Jun-pyo wastes no time in proceeding with his question: “Geum Jan-di, the promise you made before on the street — does it still stand?”
He’s referring, of course, to the sunset scene in Episode 10 after he kissed her in traffic. Back then, he’d asked her to promise, “No matter what happens, don’t run from me.” She had promised that his mother would never be the reason for breaking them apart.
But now, Jan-di answers, quiet and matter-of-fact: “No. The person who made the promise and the one who asked it are both gone now.”
It’s a sad moment, although she hurries to gloss over the silence by forcing a smile and asking her question. She picks Woo-bin, and says, “If F4 were women, who would you want to marry?” (Ha, like he needs the “if they were women” qualifier!)
But no, Woo-bin answers that he’d rather stay single — heck, he’d rather join a monastery — than have to settle down with one of these fools. He points out their faults — one is stuck-up (Jun-pyo), another is “fourth-dimensional” (oddball Ji-hoo), and the third is a cold-blooded Casanova.
When Jun-pyo drops off Jae-kyung, she asks him to answer one last Truth Game question: “Friendship or love: If you had to choose between them, which would you pick?”
Without hesitating, Jun-pyo replies, “Both. Because there’s no such thing as giving up in my dictionary.”
(After he leaves, Jae-kyung sighs that his answer — which bodes ill for her, since he’s got no intention of giving Jan-di up — appeals to her. What a dilemma.)
It’s funny how Mama Kang chooses her revenge(s), because when she faced Jan-di on the rooftop, she was actually rather civil. Her words were mean and she did insult Jan-di, but her attitude wasn’t one of hatred or fury. (I’d call it more resigned and frustrated.) And yet, when she does choose to act, it’s so calculated. Like with Jun-pyo, the cruelty really does hurt more when it’s so… carefully considered.
Her next step is to take away Jan-di’s home. It’s not enough for her to evict her from her apartment — which she could so easily do — but she actually has the entire building planned for demolition. A construction worker tells Jan-di to vacate immediately.
On the other hand, life is looking (slightly) better for Yi-jung. While packing up his pottery materials in his studio, he finds Ga-eul’s gift and looks at the arm socks fondly.
Ga-eul, meanwhile, is putting in some extra time at her pottery class. Eun-jae wishes her luck and starts to leave, which is when Ga-eul spots the little ceramic puzzle piece hanging from her purse. She takes an immediate liking to it, and asks to borrow it so she can make one for herself. Eun-jae hands it over, but asks her to take care of it, because the item has a lot of meaning for her.
If you’ll remember, Yi-jung had the other pieces in his collection — each jigsaw piece had been formed of clay, and made to fit together like a real puzzle — which I suppose symbolizes that Eun-jae is the one missing piece in Yi-jung’s heart. Or something.
To Ga-eul’s surprise, Yi-jung drops by her classroom, apparently not surprised to find her there.
And finally, Jan-di must say goodbye to the last of her family. With their finances in such dire straits, her brother has offered to move down to join their parents in their fishing village. Kang-san has an upbeat attitude and tries to talk like this is a great thing, that he’s lucky and looking forward to joining their parents.
Jan-di plays along, but it’s much harder for her to pretend this is what they all want. She wonders if she should join the family, too, but Kang-san reminds her she’s got to graduate and go on to medical school.
He boards the train and says his last goodbyes, reminding her to take care and eat well, and also: “I think Jun-pyo hyung still likes you.”
COMMENTS
First of all, I always love seeing F3 in support of Jan-di, just as I loved how uncomfortable and stiff they were around Jae-kyung in a previous episode.
As for Jun-pyo and Jae-kyung: I’m willing to revise my sentiments from the prior episode, although I still think that the actors have more chemistry than the characters ought. And their interactions did muddle up the dynamics to make it seem more romantic than I wanted. Even though I agree with comments that they’re supposed to be friends more than lovers, I wasn’t getting that from the actual acting, which is why I found it confusing.
On the other hand, I think this episode went a long way in defining the lines of the relationships, and yes, now it does look much more obvious that the Jun/kyung relationship is meant to be platonic more than romantic (at least on Jun-pyo’s end) — the video game was a prime example of that, with Jun-pyo treating Jae-kyung like one of the guys.
Previous interactions aside, in this episode Jun-pyo makes it very clear that he has only ever wanted Jan-di, and that he is absolutely not giving up. I appreciated that his answer in the Truth Game came immediately — he doesn’t even have to think about it because the truth is so defined in his mind.
Same thing when Jae-kyung asks her question later. I’d wondered whether she was asking him to choose between friendship and love because she recognized that Jan-di had fully occupied the slot for “love” in Jun-pyo’s heart, relegating Jae-kyung to friendship. It seems like she’s grasping a bit at straws, like she’d settle for friendship if that meant she could still have him, even if that ruled out love. Because Jun-pyo may harbor doubt about whether he can win Jan-di back, but at least there are none about his feelings.
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Tags: Boys Before Flowers, Gu Hye-sun, Kim Bum, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Joon, Lee Min-ho, Lee Min-jung
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201 xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
March 11, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Toward BOF, when people act like they are movie critics; I'm just ROFL because if quality is what you're looking for; you would have stopped watching BOF right after the first few epi, not just for the acting but you-know-what. So yeah, stop with your frustrations for whatever reason.....it will cause stresss and make you grow old. DOn't let a teenage drama do that to you. I got to love Hyun Joong fans though; that's just to show that people need to grow a personality. It really does go a long way. I think they support him to the end not just becuz of his look. But like dramabeans also shared that the more you read about HJ, the more you find him interesting. So people might not loving his acting that much; but they can't help but be less critical of him. If anyone thinks that the fans are blind or stupid....hahah, what would you say to your boyfriend if he says to you "Hon you are the prettiest girl in this whole wide world".....HAHAHAHA......you know you ain't thattttttttttt beautiful but you are going to believe him anyway, aren't you!!!! Just like Jun Pyo, the way he treated people and how he dragged JD around; I want to bitch-slap him soooooo bad. But people still love him and think he's a hella good catch just cuz he's rich, tall, cute, funny, and a self-proclaimed one-woman-man. They totally ignore his short-coming. What am I trying to say again!!!?!???
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202 Jessie
March 11, 2009 at 3:11 PM
@199 asdf.
"@151: in the japanese version domyouji moved in BEFORE shigeru called it quits. he even bought the entire building "
Yes, Domyouji moves in before Shigeru called it quits, but WHEN he moves in, he TELLS Makino that he still hasn't gotten over her, and that he ran out of the meet-and-greet with the parents. During this exchange, when Shigeru walks in, and Domyouji and Makino are all tangled up on the fllor, Domyouji tells Makino not to run after Shigeru; He doesn't care if Shigeru has the wrong idea. After that scene, Domyouji and Rui have the confrontation where Rui tells Domyouji that he's acting like a lowlife-- Why is he suddenly acting like Makino's BF when he's ignored her for however long?
The BIG difference is no one in the Kdrama series bothers to point out to JP that what he's doing isn't aboveboard. Remember how Makino told Domyouji how he's acting like a lowlife and how she can't trust anything he says? I really don't see Jandi sticking up for herself and confronting JP about what he is doing.
Moreover, Jun Pyo NEVER tells Jandi that he moved in because he still has feelings for her. How the heck is the girl supposed to know when he called her "a stain he wants to erase," and just earlier in the episode, she saw JP and JK embracing in the hot tub? Also, in the Kdrama version, JP seems to be enjoying his time with JK (perhaps a problem of too much chemistry between the fiancee and the main actor?). And when JP finally gets around to telling Jandi how he feels, its with F3 and Ga-Eul around, and his fiancee SITTING NEXT TO HIM?!! How would any sane, non-sadomasochistic girl respond? And I don't remember Domyougi being brought by Shigeru to Makino's run-down apartment during his non-date!!! Domyouji was always a space-cadet during their dates, and always trying to leave Shigeru on a street corner somewhere!
These are slight differences but culmulatively, they add up to a depiction of Jun Pyo that is not so flattering. Say what you will, but domyouji was steadfast and ONLY had eyes for Makino.
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203 vivi
March 11, 2009 at 4:04 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MIMX82EeZs
that's the link
im not sure if it's legit or not tho
*cross fingers* i hope it's not legit
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204 vivi
March 11, 2009 at 4:07 PM
and you know what, i stopped caring for JunDi right after JP kissed JK
i think since the PD wants it to be different, we'll have JH & JD together, and JP will die *maybe?* xD
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205 Jessie
March 11, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Tippy@106 - lmao after reading your comment. Totally agree with you!
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206 stargazer377
March 11, 2009 at 4:14 PM
@176 IcanhazGJPyo and others who agree with the poster, count me in!
this is not the BOF i was expecting. this version is def. different, but at the same time, i'm getting quite bored (and fed up) with how the writers are handling the various issues that are cropping up. these characters need mental health professionals in their lives! and Junpyo needs to grow some balls or something. the lack of interaction between the main couple is taking wayyyyy too long. =/
despite all my complaints i'm still enjoying it. or maybe i'm just waiting for the "real" story to finally continue.
and this comment is for the previous episode, but was anyone else reminded of Ghost with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze in that clay scene between YJ & EJ?? AND screw Yi Jung and Ga Eul / Eun Jae, let him be with Woo Bin instead!
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207 NOT Jessie
March 11, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Weird. I wrote #205 but I'm not Jessie. wth?
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208 NOT Jessie
March 11, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Oh, childhood memories of snacking on uncooked ramen! Total no-no at my house which made it even more delicious. Am I the only one who said (or thought) "wait, you've got to crush it some and spinkle the seasoning first!"
Thanks as always for the witty recaps, javabeans. "And we can never have too much emotionally battered staggering in one episode, because now it’s Yi-jung’s turn." Classic :)
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209 kkstar
March 11, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Maybe I am in the minority, but I will NOT be happy if Jandi ends up with Jihoo. I feel like I will have wasted all my time watching this show, especially the first part. Besides that, they are just too BORING as a couple. Sorry, but I do not enjoy watching them that much together. If I am going to watch a show, I like my couple to have a little spice.
Also, does anybody really think they are going to do this amnesia thing? They only have like 6 freakin' episodes, they better speed things up as it is, I don't know how they would manage to throw that storyline in there.
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210 mai
March 11, 2009 at 4:59 PM
lol i thought the same thing, it sounds like he's reworking goong music
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211 JAM
March 11, 2009 at 5:21 PM
#43 BBF i agree with u about getting all Elizabeth Bennett thing and JD is supposed to do that during the confrontation outside her house ... well, at least in the manga. yeah, yeah, i'm not suppose to compare the 2 or else it will drive me nuts.
on the relationship btw JP and JK, according to the manga (sorry gals! can't help it!) JK is actually the female version of JP and that's why you get this chemistry. but also totally agree that we need to see more JP and JD story or else its going to be hard to swallow the minute they are a couple.
minor things that sticks in my head - the photos of JP in JD's apt - which Javabeans has already pointed out. there must be a few hidden cameras in the room - Mama Kang has the room bugged! :D plus the painting scene - they all look immaculate from start to finish. how wonderful. and JH walking dejectedly in the rain, i kept noticing his bum - maybe its the dark backdrop, his dark top and his startingly white pants. ha! ha!
see u gals next week. keep cool!
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212 eray
March 11, 2009 at 5:37 PM
For 191 - Jessie.
You so totally rock. These are my sentiments exactly. For both the GaEul and JanDi situations.
For GaEul: What he did has no good excuse. He used her and lashed out so horribly because of his love/ daddy issues and then she just gives in. NOOO! Stay angry! Any woman with a shred of dignity, or pride, or just plain old self-respect would have walked away and not EVER! turned back after being treated like a cheap whore for the 'lending'. I guess I'll applaud her for taking the moral high road and being good enough to check on him and for getting his drunken, sorry ass inside; but melting over some bull-s reason that probably isn't even about her is just sad to see. I want to see the tough, modern, self-respecting firecracker that stood up to him when he asked her to warn JanDi away from JunPyo. I want her to be strong and unforgiving until he shows some actual true remorse and does something that warrants her forgivness, at the very VERY least I should think a basic apology would be in order.
JanDi just pisses me off. SHe is everything chauvinistic and degrading about this show. Her character is supposed to be a tough-never-give-up-never-give-in fighting woman that a girl should strive to be like. Instead, she has been turned into a self-pitying, victimized, damsel-in-distress that needs all the big strong men to help save her all the time. She allows herself to be jerked one way then another by everyone and she stays silently suffering. In the beginning I realized that the Korean Makino character seemed kind of off. She was more silent and rserved and accepting of all the torment, but when she finally snapped into fighting mode I cheered. I figureed, okay, she is a bit on the reserved side but she is still strong, and independent, and capable. THen that went away and this weak, dependent, whipping-girl is all that is left, and I'm frankly disgusted and disturbed by it.
It is really wrong that the only truly strong, powerful female characters are either never present or present in the wrong way. Think about it.
1)The strongest and most powerful woman is the evil, villain mother who everyone hates.
2)the strong-bodied, strong-willed and kind-hearted sister is never present and when she is they make her practically useless and powerless to help.
3) The smart sophisticated heiress who didn't let anyone or anything stop her from chasing after her dreams was banished from the show unless it's to talk about how she broke JiHoo's heart by doing so thereby making her a bad unmentionable kind of woman.
4) The young, smart, opinionated, strong, and capable girl thaqt SHOULD be Makino/JanDi is instead the soon to be jilted other woman who nobody wants or even really seems to like. And she too is rendered weak by her clingy, dependent, and insistant need to secure the main man by whatever means she can.
The guys are worse. THey are all spoiled, rich brats who treat these girls so poorly and lowly and in such a degrading manner but are instantly forgiven because like you said; they are young, rich, and handsome. They get away with abominable behavior because they are the rich, strong men and simply because they can.
Sadly, I love this show and I can't stop watching because I want the couples to end up together, I want the witch to go down , I want BBF to pull a rabbit out of a freaking hat and make it right. Make our JunPyo completly and 100% faithful to JanDI like Domyouji is supposed to be, Give JanDi and GaEul back their strength, pride, and dignity. Stop gloryfing and making excuses for the playboy who leads on the innocent girl that are suppposed to justify his treatment of her.
Sorry. I went off on another tirade. I have that habit. In conclusion Jessie (and Java) I just wanted to back up your points and thankyou for also recognizing these kinds of flaws and just how not okay they are.
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213 marulinda
March 11, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Thanks for ur recaps! I love them.
You are right that Kim Hyun Joong can't act but he is just the perfect eye candy...
8->
I can't wait for the next episode. I hope that JK backs off because JP still loves JD.
JD+JP 4vr!!!
Its gonna be very interesting when JD is JP's maid. Also, I wonder who is JD's soulmate and husband. Ep18 said something about JD making a family for JH. I know that it is for getting the grandpa and JH back and in the Japanese final version, JD and JP get married by JH but I just remembered the episode in New Caledonia w/ JD's dream. Theories....
Also, we finally get to see more acting in Kim Bum, but YJ was a jerk to Gaeul when he offered her to his father.
I also love the very cute scenes when JH kisses YJ.
I wonder where if there is a ep20 preview because I would love to see it.
:)
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214 Gloria
March 11, 2009 at 5:44 PM
I'm glad the cute is back! (:
Not to mention, Junpyo and his undying loyalty ; w ; <33
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215 queenbee
March 11, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Oh, I have just finished the review of ep 20 and 21, what a nerdy PD when he created these messes. HOW long do I have to endure the monkey? She is going to be unbearable, shameless, sticky girl.
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216 Mona
March 11, 2009 at 6:49 PM
"I’d wondered whether she was asking him to choose between friendship and love because she recognized that Jan-di had fully occupied the slot for “love” in Jun-pyo’s heart, relegating Jae-kyung to friendship"
I think she is wondering if she should sacrifice her "love" for Jun-pyo for her "friendship" with Jandi.
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217 2Late2Say...
March 11, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Ahh... when I can finally wake up from this hellaride???
Sum things up...
Episode 1 - Boy meets girl. Girl hates boy. Boy hates girl.
Episode 2 - Girl kicks boy. Boy likes girl. Girl hates boy.
Episode 3 - Girl saves boy. Boy kiss girl. Girl still hates boy.
Episode 4 - Boy saves girl. Girl now confuse. Boy likes girl.
Episode 5 - Boy rescues girl. Boy and girl go on vacation.
Episode 6 - Boy punch friend. Girl cries. Boy angry at girl and friend.
Episode 7 - Boy fights girl and friend. Boy ask girl. Girl sent boy away.
Episode 8 - Boy and girl make up. Boy sleep with girl's family.
Episode 9 - Boy fights with girl. Girl apologizes. Boy kiss girl.
Episode 10 - Mama's boy angry. Girl work with family. Boy kiss girl. Boy uneasy.
Episode 11 - Girl give up. Boy go cool off. Girl get kidnapped.
Episode 12 - Boy saves girl. Girl gets hurt. Boy gives JJ. Boy went away.
Episode 13 - Girl looks for boy. Boy has changed. Girl is sad.
Episode 14 - Boy meet girl. Boy sent girl away. Girl cries. Boy hides his feeling
Episode 15 - Girl cries with boy's noona. Boy has a fiancee. Girl is sadder.
Episode 16 - Girl friends fiancee. Girl ask boy for help. Mama slap boy.
Episode 17 - Girl adds work. Boy kiss fiancee. Boy save girl. Girl is touched.
Episode 18 - Boy lives near girl. Girl kill roach for boy. Boy and girl eat ramen.
Episode 19 - Boy finds girl. Boy no longer hides. Girl gave up.
Episode 20 - ????
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218 Lila H
March 11, 2009 at 7:10 PM
@217 - LMAO.
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219 Kimche
March 11, 2009 at 7:30 PM
LOL @217
It suddenly makes so much sense....it's all about the ramen
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220 Eryn
March 11, 2009 at 7:33 PM
@212 Eray & @151 Jessie
You've articulated things far better than I ever could! The four examples of how women are depicted in this show-- so astute. Heart the: "I want BBF to pull a rabbit out of a freaking hat and make it right. Make our JunPyo completly and 100% faithful to JanDI like Domyouji is supposed to be, Give JanDi and GaEul back their strength, pride, and dignity. Stop gloryfing and making excuses for the playboy who leads on the innocent girl that are suppposed to justify his treatment of her. "
@217 2late2say
Best.Post.Ever!!! LMAO-- tears where streaming down my face...
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221 Leslee
March 11, 2009 at 7:52 PM
#217 - that is so true and so funny. Is this what it's like to be addicted to drugs? It is bad for you and bad to you, but you just can't give it up... :)
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222 sucks.....
March 11, 2009 at 8:02 PM
like some people have mentioned..a relationship with JH can be pretty boring. But dont you guys think that a relationship with JP would be very tiring?
I dunno...If I were to meet someone like JP, I think I would rip my hair off. lol. Yeah, sure he may love me but he would definitely drive me crazy.
So here's what I think...Jandi should not end up with any of them.
Maybe she should just focus on Medical School and all.
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223 lakornlover
March 11, 2009 at 8:04 PM
@143 momo - Please visit the Soompi forum for BOF to give all KHJ's sympathizers a wake-up call - You have said exactly what I want to say - WAY TO GO!!!!!
Nobody would argue Kim Bum is the best Soujiro and it is so obvious that KHJ is the worst Rui. I haven't seen any forum that is debating these two facts.
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224 kkstar
March 11, 2009 at 8:22 PM
@ 222
You are totally right, a relationship with Junpyo has the possibility of being really tiring. But, then again, they aren't a real couple and we don't have to deal with all of that. For TV purposes, tiring couples make for better stories than boring couples. And really, Jandi and Jihoo bore me to tears. They'd make an awesome couple in real life, just not something I want to think I wasted my time watching in a show.
Though of course, I may be a little bit biased because my boyfriend looks way more like LMH than he does KHJ. Go GJP! (and LMH : )...)
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225 soyboy
March 11, 2009 at 8:51 PM
I loved the cozy scene where they played the "Truth Game". I loved the intimacy and friendship that has grown amongst everyone....it looked so natural and REAL. I guess the scene transcended mere acting...
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226 IloveBOF
March 11, 2009 at 9:24 PM
For those of you with harsh opinions of BOF, please go find another drama to watch. Your harsh comments are just too much to bear. I am a strict fan of BOF.
My personal opinion is I love the drama. Just like a great book, KBOF makes me stay addicted and wanting to analyze more and more about the characters and the situation that are so complex. It is a story that makes you wish you had friends and relationship like F4, Jandi and Gawel.
Why can't Jandi be strong and yet so vulnerable in the face of love and difficult situation? Haven;t we all felt that? Perhaps we are wanting out main characters to be just one-dimensional and then complain that characters have no depth. These actors and writers cannot win with such a negative crowd.
I also love the symbolic setting of the KBOF. GEUN Jan Di means the golden grass in Korean, a soft stage, ground and foundation on which the F4 flowers need to be nurtured and eventually bloom from each of his own demons. It is also symbolic that both Jandi and Gawel work for a porridge shop. Usually, in Korea, porridge is given to people who are sick or recovering from sickness. All F4 have lots of issues and self-destructive patterns deriving from their own family comflicts and losses. You know what they are. YJ has fear that he is his father (the power of self-fulfilling prophecy) and so do not feel he deserves love and that is why he sends away women who are good for him. He is afraid to hurt them like his father hurt his mother. JH has issues of loss and tremendous guilt over his parents' death and living with feeling that everybody that he loves eventually leave him---again he may feel deep inside that he does not deserve love either. Woobin lives with the shame of coming from "criminal family or mafia" background. It is even more of a conflict for him because he is the kindest person and the facilitator or peacemaker in F4. You wonder how he will cope when he takes over the business. I hope JD and F4 help him with that.
JP's demon is of course his mother. He cannot stand up to her. Like any kid who has had too strict a parenting, do you remember doing things behind their back to breath a little? In Macaw, JP was so closely supervised by his mother 24-7 that he had to act mean to JD to protect her. He is complex because he is also conflicted by his loving duty to his employees and their families. His moving next to JD and yet unable to break from JK mean that he still has the conflict and his demon to overcome. His eating ramen on his own instead of asking JD to cook it for him tells me that he is taking a minor step to really try to stand on his own two feet without anybody's help--although his old self took over when he called his father-figure Secretary Jung to help him.
To me JD is actually stonger in character than Makino, although it is possible I missed something as I do not understand Japanese language and only depended on the translation. She is torn about JP and JK. she cares about them both. She may have also misinterpreted the scene where JK was hugging JP in the hotel. She may also be very scared of JP's mother;s next evil act and is on the survival mode to make sure that at least her family will be OK. I do not think she has ever told JP about the kind of evil things that his mother has done to her and her family. JP only knows that JD's family business went bankrupt not that his mother bribed the store owner and other owners of the surrounding area to never rent a store to JD family. JP does not know that his mother paid for JD to be kidnapped by that character whose older half brother almost jumped off the school building if it was not for JD. JD is not going to take responsiblity for JP and his mother's conflict. He has to come to terms regarding his mother on his own so that he can handle it himself. To me that makes JD wise although it may look too self-sacrificing and stupid on the surface. I would not want JD to run to JP and complain about his mother--that would not be JD. JD stands on her own. She gets help not because she asked for help but they came to her because of who she is----brave, loyal, gutsy, funny, defender of the weak----she is more the "man" than F4. She is the "grass" that helo make "men" out of the F4. Don't you think so?
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227 tsukasa, come back!
March 11, 2009 at 9:25 PM
ok. i understand people feel bad for KHJ because he's getting a lot of criticisms and he seems like such a nice guy. but don't defend him by saying "he's still learning and trying his best".
uhhh.
don't you think he should have learned BEFORE shitting all over this amazing story? (along with GHS, the writers, PDs, music directors, even KB's ridiculous overacting) arggh, it's so frustrating.
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228 Tay
March 11, 2009 at 9:30 PM
One thing i forgot to mention is that how come JH can make phone call when he is wearing his helmet when he saw JP being taken away hahaha...
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229 tsukasa, come back!
March 11, 2009 at 9:30 PM
"She is the “grass” that helo make “men” out of the F4. Don’t you think so?"
no.
reading your analysis made no sense to me. GJD is stronger than Makino? what????
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230 1j
March 11, 2009 at 9:33 PM
I think i have a good idea of what Junpyo's answer means.
When he says he wants both love and friendship, i think he is talking about going after Jandi and keeping his friendship with Jihoo. I think the reason why JaeKyung likes his answer so much is because she is in the same dilemma. Jaekyung wants to keep going after Junpyo but she wants to keep her friendship with Jandi....JaeKyung is so cute..
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231
March 11, 2009 at 9:43 PM
@227
yeah I think KHJ should have cameo in a few low budget drama before starring in such a high profile production like this. but except he didn't even audition for the part. he's just given the part. i blame his agency and casting director.
@223
nah. shota is still the best soujiro. kim bum is not playboy enough.
KHJ is not the worst Rui because the character he plays isn't even Rui. I don't even know who this JH character is. He's so different from the manga. He's so saccharin I want to exasperate. Where are all his cool lines? "Wanna me to kick down the door?"
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232 baegopayo
March 11, 2009 at 9:48 PM
hmm..i think pple should be more open-minded. I, for one, dont mind how the story would end even if its different than the original ending.
Yes, it's an adaptation. However, we have to keep in mind that this a KDrama...it's not the manga itself. Changes can be made.
An adaptation can mean that it's a source of inspiration. So it does not mean that since it's an adaptation, you have to follow strictly all plots and storyline.
Infact, I think that the drama is different than the manga to begin with. The characters are somewhat miles apart different than the original characters.
Just like how other remakes can have changes. Sometimes change is good and sometimes change is bad and for this one, we'll just have to wait and see.
We all have to loosen up abit and dont be too uptight about it.
Anything can happen in dramas based on what the producers want...so yeah.
Besides, there are like tons of JoonDi fans out there and I doubt that the producers would want to enraged the fans. It would be like digging their own graves.
So I think that we should all just calm down. Sit back, relax and just enjoy the show.
Sorry if i'm being too cool about this.
Maybe because I have always been calm my whole life. lol
So here's what I'm hoping (though i dont expect too much)
- Jandi & Junpyo sweet moments.
- Jandi & Junpyo end up together again.
- Yijung realizing that GaEul is his soulmate.
- JiHoo being happy with his grandfather without his grandfather dying.
- WooBin getting an exciting storyline of his own.
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233 SC/ M/GJD
March 11, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Whew... I need to put my 5 cents here... hehehe
Please stop the comparison between GJD or Makino or SC already.
Each version has its own pros and cons...
Stronger or weak, each of them brings a lot of different twist of the Makino as depicted in Manga character.
The same ground id here. All 3 are the same, in GJD, Makino or SC, she shows her braveness to defend or help or speak for others, but she fears to fight for her own and to me that's the main typical Makino character. In GJD case, just because somebody always help her when she's in trouble, she is condemned weak, I mean that's a bit unjust, right?
In KDrama, they focused more on emotional side of GJD, her sadness, which I think never really shown in HYD or MG. All we see that Makino is strong and SC is tough but actually both are sad in their heart.
I think what GJD lack here is her narrative voice (inner thoughts), which both earlier version did. I mean the inner voice really help viewers to know what is GJD is thinking rather than just seeing her sad face... right?
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234 IcanhazGJPyo
March 11, 2009 at 10:14 PM
To interject with a completely different tone:
I want to express just how much I have enjoyed the entire experience of watching Boys Over Flowers with you all--and I include fans on soompi, youtube, etc., with the ones here.
I have never watched a show while it was airing with so many fans, and even though I bitch and complain about Boys Over Flowers, it has been a terrific experience. I think I will feel a tremendous amount of sadness once it stops airing, and I have a feeling that I will feel lonely and depressed for a while. It's not that I don't have friends (they are in my head, but I love them, dammit) and a crazy work schedule to keep me busy--but this experience of seeing fans upload files, sub them, recap them, and then comment with long essays on episodes has been just wonderful. I love the many different ethnicities I have seen represented--the other day I came across an Arab woman raving about BOF (there are Arabic subs for the show!)
Also Javabeans, I want to thank you for offering this site as a meeting place. I can't remember the last time I had as much fun watching a TV show! In fact, I don't think I have ever had this much fun watching anything! I love how you allow many different opinions in the comments, and how you set up a loving but sardonic approach to enjoying the show.
I know that it is too early to feel sentimental, but really, it has been fun. And all criticisms aside, I still love the show. If nothing else, it is sinfully full of gorgeous men.
--
Back to self:
Here is the dialogue I heard in my head between JD and GJP:
GJP: Where were you last night?
JD: Wow, dude, seriously? You want to go there. Don't even start.
GJP: Where were you?
JD: You cheating, fiance-kissing, calling-me-a-stain-and-never-apologizing d*ckwad. Really? You want to do this now? You stay away for a YEAR with no word, get a fiance just because you don't have b*lls to stand up to mommie-dearest, and YOU are going to ask me where I spent the night?
GJP: But--
JD: But what? Bitch, please. Just be glad that you're not in front of me because you're so in for an a$$-whopping even your mom's ass will hurt. Sit yo ass down, and STFU.
That episode in my head was goooooooood. ;-)
--
A big hug to KHJ--it must be tough to hear all this criticism. I don't think he is as bad as everyone is saying he is. In fact, I find KB's overacting and overemoting much, much more embarrassing.
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235 tsukasa, come back!
March 11, 2009 at 10:35 PM
yeah, i admit i'm a bit more forgiving of Kim Bum because he's just so damn cute (which is awfully shallow) but yes, a lot of you are are right on the money. he may have been great on East of Eden but he's not really versatile and is a terrible Soujiroh. part of it is just because his baby face makes his playboy character a little unbelievable. but mostly it's because of the bug-eyed, clench-jawed overacting that really really bugs me. ugh.
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236 kriza09
March 11, 2009 at 11:40 PM
@202
I think what I like from this version is that JP character seems more humane...
the other versions' character of JP just seem so selfish, always does anything he wants and doesn't have a heart for anyone else except Jandi and F3...
In the Korean version, Junpyo isn't that stupid and knows his responsibility.. he feels for the 700,000 families whose lives are on his shoulder... i really don't think he will be able to be mean to Jaekyung especially since she's not evil at all...
he would be very straightforward to her (saying he doesn't like her and all) but he wouldn't do anything harsher than that... he would still treat her as a human, or even a friend..
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237
March 12, 2009 at 12:42 AM
@tsukasa, come back!
I was the poster that said KHJ is still learning earlier. But that's far from defending him. In fact, by saying he's learning means that I am admitting he's not on par. He's being pay as a professional to act but he's far from a professional.
I like the guy but I evaluate things objectively. Please don't band the crazy fangirls and people with moderate views together. "Still learning", "he's trying his best", "he's getting there" are admissions that KHJ still needs to work harder. Don't take them as signs of defense but rather acknowledgments of his shortcomings.
People have different tolerance level. Depending on personal preferences, they can either hate KHJ's acting or indifferent to it. And then, there are some that love everything he does. I am impartial to his acting. After all, I am watching boys over flowers, not Shawshank redemption. I understand the story his JH is trying to convey. Then I move on. I don't dwelt on each scene and examine whether he twitches his eye muscle correctly. Maybe my personal critiquing rubric for asian dramas are quite lax because I still don't see the horrid acting everyone is talking about (albeit the beginning of the series).
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238 Innocence
March 12, 2009 at 1:19 AM
233
I totally agree with you. In all 3 version, it shows the typical Makino character which is the strong drive of justice. She tends to defend other people first rather than herself. That's so typical Makino.
Also agree on the lack inner voice of GJD. I totally agree that some of the time I really wish that she will speak her mind. It helps a lot and making the viewers really understand. Totally clueless at times...
And may be you're right, in both earlier version, it show how strong is sad SC/ Makino is and they focus on how resilient a grass can be regardless how weak the look.
But in this version, it shows how sad is strong GJD. They focused on how weak a grass look like regardless how strong it is actually.
For me its a brave approach since we already knew in our hearts, who SC/M/GJD is.
Just to highlight, I think this version has achieved one thing that both earlier version didn't. HOW GJP ACTUALLY CHANGE GJD. As in the manga, Makino admit to herself that without Domyouji, she would've never be able to stand on her two feet. And I get that vibe from this version. Unlike earlier version which shows that she is already strong without ever need anyone help.
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239 daizukun
March 12, 2009 at 1:56 AM
@237
Thank you so much for the comment. I couldn't have said it better myself :)
ps. Thank you so much Javabean for posting up the recaps! I have been a silent reader since the beginning of your BOF posting but I just wanted to show you my appreciation for all your hard work! can't wait for your next BOF post!! :DD
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240 Lila H
March 12, 2009 at 1:59 AM
I think KIM BUM is doing a FANTASTIC job at playing So Yi Jung. I look at pictures of KB and I find it surprising b/c there's a marked contrast between him and it's character. It's like looking at twins with diff. personalities.
I always get the cold, distant, elegant, cynical, jaded vibe from Kim Bum's portrayal of YJ. It's in the way he lounges, the way he tilts his head, the cynical slant of his eyes, the smug, disdainful expressions. it's so very much how I would imagine the play-boy F4-er to be and puts together a whole, realistic portrait of the character. I can imagine YJ in real-life, b/c all his portrayed personality traits go together so convincingly.
I do agree that he does tend to go a little too far on the emotional parts. The other Soujiros didn't have the father storyline, so he's venturing into new territory. The one thing that irritates me about his acting in those emotional scenes is that his voice always follows the same patter.
Soft -> yelling. Soft -> yelling. It's too melodramatic. He needs more inflections.
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241 cheonsa
March 12, 2009 at 2:04 AM
yea, this is the first kdrama where i get so excited and worked up about. it's the first time i'm catching a drama real-time and now it's like clockwork every mon and tues nights - waiting with bated breath for the raw downloads, then followed by javabean's recap and then rewatching the show with eng subs. It's just so much fun! and being able to discuss the show with like-minded folks adds so much to the enjoyment. it is such a guilty pleasure!
i'm just so over the moon after reading some updated season 2 spoilers (well, it doesn't spoil the fun for me)! JunDi love is gonna be back! still, even though JK plays a crucial and important role in that, i still wish there was not so much unnecessary screen time wasted on JP-JK. just like the lost decade in japan, ep 15-18 felt like the lost time for BOF..hah, if i make any sense. i know if i ever rewatch BOF after it ends, which i'm sure i will, i'll be skipping these eps altogether.
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242 flooooo
March 12, 2009 at 2:52 AM
people are not hating the actor KHJ (who could hate him anyway, he has a great personality, judgement made from all the interview and news) but hate JH because KHJ portrayed the character poorly. don t jump to some conclusion and finally attack another actor to vent your anger. ;p..and accept the fact that really he isn t a great and fabulous actor in BOF that all his fans tend to proclame. maybe he was good in WGM (didn t watch it)
Wonder how is the statistic of Javabeans blog when she releases a recap of one episode of BOF?
I think at the end of the year, when you are going to class your favorite/non favorite dramas, you ll have to create another section called addictive drama, or dramas which made the highest statistic of my blog..:p
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243 4thDimensional
March 12, 2009 at 3:39 AM
LMH is confusing his character in the last 5 episodes....but then HJK has such sweet-talk-a-tive EYES....and is throwing him OFF!
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244 Meiqi
March 12, 2009 at 4:08 AM
Hah.. Haven't read finish all the comments! But since I'm taking a break from work so heres my comment!
I'm like nodding nodding while reading #151 & #176!
I think Mr Goo is being a bastard now.. for breaking two girls' hearts. One that he loves, and another that he regard as almost a friend. Don't tell me that the reason is because he didnt dare to rebel his mom. Since when is our Goo Jun Pyo a mommy's boy? I guess like what you guys've said. It's the writers' / producers' fault. They should stop acting smart. And go back to the manga storyline already. All four characters (JP / JD / JH / JK) [lol.. all Js] are beginning to behave outta sorts. This really pisses me off as I love Domyouji the character really lots. JP doing this is definitely not morally right... And he got the nerve to tell Jihoo that he will hold on tight to the girl that he loves.. Yea yea.. Whatever, hypocrite. Declare that you are not taking JK as your fiance and declare that you love Jandi before saying all that shit about love.
I hope that the koreans are not like Taiwanese.. They strayed from the manga in the 2nd part too (and in the end Domyouji really didnt end up with Makino in TW version). Didnt watch it after the 4th episode (Part 2) when it strayed. It was my first time watching HYD (I didnt watch manga) at that time. And I hated the 2nd part of Meteor Garden!! Hope that BBF won't self-destruct! I was telling my friends that BBF is better than HYD (Jap), now I think I've gotta eat my own words... =(
lol.. Regarding Hyun Joon's acting. I think I didn't really mind it cause I'm watching this for the storyline... Haha.. and I thought he did a better job than Vic Chou in MG!! lol! Overall.. I guess, Oguri portrayed the Rui that I love best.. =)
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245 batty
March 12, 2009 at 5:00 AM
wow ... it was infuriating wht yi jung has done Ga eul in restaurant but i still hoped if Ga eul would be angry of him for little longer time and i wish she turns him down for being all linked to his first love as it will show up in next episode .. but i hope that her way of turning him down is by avoiding him and try not to meet him any longer.. and i hope the writer will show more of love of yi jung to Ga eul .. in confession like manner not just symbolizing ..
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246 blah
March 12, 2009 at 5:45 AM
@244
in the TW version the HYD story ends in the first part, I don't think many people even watched the second half (me included) because the story was completely different. I think the production term just made it to reap some more $$$.
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247 IloveBOF
March 12, 2009 at 6:42 AM
229
I probably am going overboard trying to defend myself to you about my point of view. I was only speaking symbolically. I was praising the writers for setting up the KBOF story with great symbolism. "Geum Jandi"=golden grass where people find rest and flowers find place to grow, "porridge" symbolizing nutrition and comfort for the sick, and Flowers 4 representing outside beauty with so much fragility inside.
You seem to be a big fan of the Japanese version. I am sorry if I offended your taste. As you can see I am a bigger fan of the Korean version than the Japanese version. I always felt that the way Makino's character was played on the outside seemed too timid and unsure except when she kicked Domiyouji for being a bully. I could be wrong. Again sorry if I offended anyone. Just my preference.
Great stories make me want to analyze it to pieces. The KBOF writers give plenty of tid bits, whether intentional or not, for all of us to ponder over. See? even now towards the end of the series, we do not know how the story will end. Also, almost all the characters are so multidimensional that we cannot feel but empathy for all of them. These KBOF wirters are just amazing to me at least.
244
Jun Pyo is not a moma's boy. That is NOT what I meant. Just as his mother is a bully, JP was also a bully before he met JD. Don't you all remember JD commenting about "heredity" when the F4 described how all the young F4 were pointed with guns for escaping the camp scene by JP's mother? But I do believe that JP is very scared of his mother. In Maccaw, he did yell at his mother if she was happy that JD had been cruelly sent away and that he will destroy everything if his mother "messes" with JD. His love for JD was never an issue, but his fear of his mother is an issue. Again, KBOF writers really made JP character so interesting. HIs aggressive facade is only a protection and defense for all the fears and anxiety inside. Perhaps because that is the only social learning he received from his mother. The scrip makes that clear. He is not as tough as he looks. JP's character is a little boy at heart--scared of little boys' things--like bugs. He was also betrayed by his "brother-like bodyguard" at young age and almost drowned, making water is another fear. But the writers give us a glimpse that his love for JD can conquer his fears--after all, he conquered his fear of water by learning to swim and finally saving JD in the hotel. JD brings out the "true courage and not just a defensive aggression" out of JP. He has to develop more of this "TRUE GUTS" to stand up to the biggest bully in his life. Anyway, these are just my thoughts.
As for the acting, I think everybody is pretty good actors in this show. At least they convey the meaning of the story very well to me. Of course, GHS, LMH and KB are more seasoned. I was surprised at KHJ's acting. I was wondering if he would pull the scene with grandfather off. In my opinion he did better than I expected. Kudos to you KHJ! Keep on fighting!
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248 lily
March 12, 2009 at 7:27 AM
I am amazed when people say Kim baby bum can't - hit - on - women for nuts, drunk and annoying man with akward melodrama scenes is the Best Soujiro.
Sorry but here too I would argue too (like Jan di and other F4 too)
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249 lily
March 12, 2009 at 7:39 AM
@ 236 kriza09
Obviously if Domyoji is originally unhuman, mean brat ect... it's on purpose. Indeed it make Makino very strong (she punches him although she knows how powerful he is), the romantic, serious scenes SPARKS (Domyioji is changing thanks to Makino and "it's Power of love") so Domyioji faults become his qualities (He is sooo arrogant than he can do anything to be with Makino and he is sooooooo clueless than he can't see any other woman expect Makino and he become loyal).
I think people put Domyoji down without see how the "dark side" of him can be his "strong points"
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250 Imee
March 12, 2009 at 7:43 AM
I saw Meteor Garden and loved part 1 but part 2 sucks as they strayed away from the story line but eventually DS (Jerry Yan) got his memory back and reunited with SC in the end. However in both Taiwanese and Japanese version ,the two guys never entertained the fiancee as much as Jun Pyo is doing right now and it is quite upsetting especially his goo goo eyes in the breakfast table. I remember Dao Ming Si getting upset with SC when he saw the gift she received from the fiancee and practically throwing it away. Here, he is like JK's puppy dog and good for JD that she answered him negative on his TD question. JP don't act what he says and JD is struggling and confused by the messages JP is conveying. I think at this point JP has the weakest character of the 3 Domyoji Tsukasa. At least the two stood up to the mother . I wish crazy monkey (love the way JP pronounce monkey) would go away soon but it looks like she will be around till the end.I was wondering if there will be a second girl trying to steal an amnesia stricken Domyoji Tsukasa's heart like in the Taiwan and Japanese version. This is so close to the end so I was thinking the PD just might hang on to crazy monkey. Just like the rest I will be sad when the series would come to an end. Never felt this way watching a series despite the many flaws in the story line, despite Ji Hoo's acting faupax (still love him), despite all the flaws.This drama became a part of my Monday and Tuesday life waiting for the earliest no sub upload by Kdrama2008.Love the exchanges between fans and Javabeans and hope will all find another drama as addictive as BBF . Thanks Javabeans.
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