Boys Before Flowers: Episode 23

311 March 24, 2009January 24, 2016

by javabeans

I watched Episode 23 with the critical dial turned down and enjoyed much of it — it was cute at points, and touching at others.

Then I turned my brain back on to address the commentary section and found a lot of bothersome points to take issue with. This makes for a somewhat lengthy commentary section today, but I’d like to preface it all by saying that despite the critique, I really did enjoy this episode. I’m watching with fondness, not bitterness, really!

SONG OF THE DAY

Instant Romantic Floor – “Lie” [ Download ]

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EPISODE 23 RECAP

Jun-pyo and Jan-di’s zoo date marks their first chance in a long while for quality time, so Jun-pyo asks how she’s been holding up. He tells Jan-di, “I’ll take care of you,” explaining that Witch Mom isn’t the type to let the broken engagement and aborted merger slide — he’s preparing himself for her next assault.

However, Jan-di tells him she doesn’t want to be protected. Jun-pyo balks, because in his mind it’s natural to want to protect her, but Jan-di says, “I don’t like being supported by someone, or protected and taken care of. I’ve received many things from you, F4, and Jae-kyung. I want us to be equals, so I’ll face what I must.”

(And then the boy, Chan, whispers to Jun-pyo for a little bathroom assistance. He is so cute. Jun-pyo rushes him off, and the three enjoy their day at the zoo.)

I really like this walk home, which is characterized by calm contentment. Jun-pyo reflects, “It’s strange, it feels like I’m in a scene in a hazy dream right now.”

The words are spoken casually and Jun-pyo doesn’t mean anything by it, but they sure do make me uneasy. Their walk is cut short by a phone call from Mr. Jung telling Jun-pyo he ought to return home. Jun-pyo isn’t eager to go but he knows he should; he hands over the sleeping boy and reluctantly leaves.

Yi-jung’s studio. He examines the puzzle piece given to him by Eun-jae, and remembers when she’d first given him the present. When he’d asked what the characters meant, she had answered that it indicated “a once in a lifetime fate.” I suppose the point is that if it’s once in a lifetime and he had let her go, like the wind that never returns to the same spot twice, the relationship truly is over.

Ga-eul bursts in, nearly wilting with exhaustion but pleased to announce, “I found it.”

Ga-eul brings Yi-jung to the rooftop of a tall building and points in the distance, just as the rising sun illuminates the city skyline.

The billboards are advertisements for two different products, and when the sun hits, the light breaks and washes out the extraneous parts, leaving only “I love you” and “Yi-jung.”

Ga-eul explains how she came to discover this — three years ago, Eun-jae had asked Yi-jung to meet her at sunrise the next morning. That day’s recorded sunrise had occurred at 7am, so Ga-eul had been tracking down various locations until she found the right one, which displays this message only for a few seconds each day.

I’m sure Yi-jung has guessed the gist of Eun-jae’s message, but seeing it like this hits him hard. He breaks down, overwhelmed with regret, and sobs out wretchedly that he wants a do-over.

Ga-eul lets him cry, but his pained reaction affects her too, as she watches with pity (and probably some hurt feelings at this evidence of how deeply he cared for Eun-jae).

Ji-hoo and his grandfather fish together (while Jan-di prepares the fish stew that Grandpa Yoon likes). Dr. Yoon brings up the death of Ji-hoo’s parents, explaining that he was afraid of losing Ji-hoo as well, which is why he pushed him away. However, he’d thought of it as suffering alone — punishment for his lifelong pride — as though he hadn’t realized that Ji-hoo would misinterpret and shoulder the blame.

With things cleared up now, Grandpa Yoon is at peace, and feels he can die content. He asks Ji-hoo to take over his arts foundation and clinic when he dies.

That’s an idea that Ji-hoo isn’t ready to think about yet, and he doesn’t get much of a chance to protest because Jan-di announces that lunch is ready.

At the pottery studio, Ga-eul arrives with some apprehension, having been called there by Yi-jung. He’s in a much better mood than their last emotion-charged encounter, stomping on a mound of clay, barefoot.

Yi-jung has bad news and good news, then guesses she’s the type to want to hear bad news first, and indicates his right hand. He isn’t sure how it will hold up, and he won’t be as good as he was before. However — and this is the good news — he isn’t going to run away again: “Thanks to a certain someone, I’ve realized how much you can regret something after you’ve given up on it.”

Ga-eul smiles in relief, and he invites her to join him in working with the clay. As they stomp on clay together, she wonders how he knew she’d prefer the bad news first. He replies: “Good girls all want happy endings.”

She stumbles, and he catches her. There’s a brief moment between them, so Yi-jung reminds her, “I may be cool, but I’m not a good guy.” Ga-eul returns that he should get over his misconception that good girls always want good guys.

At that, Yi-jung leans in for a kiss, and Ga-eul closes her eyes… which is when her phone rings.

We don’t hear what the problem is (yet), but it’s bad news from her mother. And unfortunately, this time her bad news isn’t followed by good news or an almost-kiss.

Dr. Yoon’s heart condition is triggered when he receives an upsetting phone call, which sends Jan-di fumbling for his medication. However, Ji-hoo is frozen in shock, and Jan-di’s words all sound muffled to his ears — it’s like he can’t focus on anything, lost in his own fears.

Grandpa’s okay (or as okay as he can be). At the hospital, Jan-di tells Ji-hoo that his grandfather hadn’t wanted him to know, thinking all would be well if he was careful.

Mama Kang is once more on alert. Not only is she still upset about the broken merger, she has seen a TV news report that included footage of Shinhwa Zoo — which happened to include glimpses of the Jun-di date.

Madam Kang’s next plans are so harsh that even Mr. Jung speaks up, reluctant to carry out her orders to proceed. Having seen Jan-di’s attachment to Ji-hoo and Grandpa Yoon, she plans to take advantage of her Achilles heel. Namely, she will retaliate by lashing out at Jan-di’s loved ones, starting with Ji-hoo’s grandfather’s art foundation. She says, “We have to take this opportunity to yank out the roots. It’s fortunate that there’s something more important to that foolish girl than money.”

It works out nicely for her, then, when Jun-pyo comes in with a request. He owns up to the broken engagement and says he’s sorry. However, while their relationship with JK is shaky, it’s not destroyed — he promises to restore the alliance and asks Witch Mom to entrust him with the task. To show he’s serious, he will accept all her rules and restrictions, whether that that includes being followed around or being locked indoors. In exchange for one thing: “Just leave Jan-di alone.”

He’s told her this before, but he’s never really offered up serious collateral, which makes this time different. Mom asks, “You’re saying all I have to do is not do anything to Geum Jan-di?” At his yes, she agrees: “I’ll promise. I won’t lift a finger against her. But don’t forget what you’ve just said.”

Jun-pyo assures her, “Don’t worry,” and leaves with an almost puzzled expression — he was expecting more of a fight, so he’s unnerved by her easy acceptance.

Grandma Housekeeper echoes those sentiments, warning Jun-pyo not to let his guard down: “Don’t you know your mother yet? This isn’t the time to rest.” Granny also wonders how he means to manage Shinhwa when he can’t even watch over his girlfriend:

Granny: “I didn’t raise you to be so pathetic. Just being born male doesn’t make you automatically a man. One must take time — experiencing anger at losing, the injustice of stepping aside, shame at running away — until he can overcome his weak self to finally become a man.”

Jun-pyo finds encouragement in those words, and grabs her in a sudden hug, saying, “Thanks.”

As Jan-di packs Grandpa Yoon’s things to take to the hospital, she comes across a box, which she hands over to Ji-hoo once she realizes what’s inside.

The box contains items from Ji-hoo’s childhood, such as his school backpack and child’s shoes. It also includes a series of drawings of his family, from when he was very young to the present day. Because his parents are in the pictures, I’m guessing this is Dr. Yoon’s own creation (and not based on, say, photos or real life) of how Ji-hoo and his family would have aged over the years.

And then, Madam Kang strikes. First, Ga-eul’s father is forced into early retirement, without warning. Jan-di overhears Woo-bin discussing the matter with Yi-jung, both of whom guess that this is the work of Witch Mom. Rather than hitting at Jan-di directly, she’s exerted her influence with Ga-eul’s father’s company, a Shinhwa subsidiary.

Furthermore, signs indicate that Ji-hoo will be next; it looks like she intends to shut down the art foundation entirely.

This weighs heavily on Jan-di’s mind when she visits Grandpa Yoon, who by the way fires up his matchmaking again by urging the two kids to go out.

(Given his statements to Ji-hoo in the last episode, I’m inclined to believe that Grandpa was pointing out their character differences — that Ji-hoo is too cold for Jan-di’s bubbly personality — rather than trying to drive them apart. But I’m still not entirely sure what his intentions are — whether he really means to marry the kids off or whether he truly feels that Jan-di and Ji-hoo aren’t compatible.)

Ji-hoo spies a piano in the lobby and takes the seat, starting to play. He smiles at Jan-di several times, but she can’t quite return them because she’s preoccupied with the knowledge that his foundation is about to be ruined because of her.

As they walk along the river, Ji-hoo says that he hadn’t ever wanted to protect anything before meeting her. But now, there are more things in his life he wants to protect, such as his grandfather, the foundation… and her.

Just as he says that, his words are drowned out — the bridge lights up and fountains roar to life. It’s kind of hilarious how Ji-hoo, twice thwarted now from making a sincere confession, is so exasperated that he rolls his eyes.

Timing (and therefore fate?) is clearly not on Ji-hoo’s side.

Jan-di, meanwhile, is lost in her own thoughts: “Now that you have your grandfather by your side, I’m glad. You don’t know, do you, that you were always like sunshine to me. Goodbye, Geum Jan-di’s honorary firefighter.”

Why the goodbye? Jan-di’s made a decision in light of recent events. She tells her unconscious patient of her intentions:

Jan-di: “Sir, I don’t think I can keep coming by. I wanted to see you improve and read you more books, but I’m sorry. I can handle being hungry and cold, but there’s one thing I can’t handle — when people I love are hurt because of me. It’s not anything I can fix by working hard. It’s really unfair, isn’t it? I’m not running away, you know that, right? Even without me, you must get healthy.”

Just as Jan-di leaves, his hand moves.

She then visits Madam Kang, but we don’t see the scene play out yet, and instead resume as she’s leaving the meeting. Jan-di walks through Gu Manor, for once not tiptoeing around, instead chatting openly with the housemaids, who wish her well, as well as Granny Housekeeper.

She even calls loudly for Jun-pyo from the hallway, which makes him think at first that he’s hearing voices. Seeing her there, he panics and drags her inside, afraid that she’ll be noticed by Witch Mom, not understanding why she’s being so boisterous.

Jan-di suggests they go on a picnic and outing, as they’d once agreed to do.

(And now I can rest at ease, because Jun-pyo finally sees his Jun-pyo Face Rice!)

The following date is super-cute, although it’s almost so sweet that it makes you worry (or maybe that’s just me? — scenes like this that are so full of contentment always give me a sense of impending doom).

As they walk along the beach, Jun-pyo wonders if this is some kind of special day for her. He’s enjoying it so much that he wishes every day could be like today — after all, she came to him first to ask him out, and they haven’t fought once.

Going with the good feeling, he asks one more thing: “Why haven’t you said that you like me? I’ve told you several times.”

Jan-di: “Do I have to say so in words?”
Jun-pyo: “I want to hear from you what I mean to you.”
Jan-di: “I like you. So much that I couldn’t stop myself even though I tried, and got angry that I couldn’t forget you when I wanted to.”

This time she’s the one who draws him close, surprising him as she pulls him in for a kiss.

On the drive home, Jun-pyo can’t stop smiling, but Jan-di’s expression grows more and more somber. We find out why as she flashes back to her meeting with Madam Kang.

Jan-di had asked Mom to leave Ga-eul and Ji-hoo alone. Ever the cold businesswoman, Mom had asked what Jan-di would do in return, not expecting Jan-di to be able to offer anything worthwhile.

But Jan-di surprises her: “I’ll leave. I’ll leave Jun-pyo. I’ll change schools and homes and go somewhere he can’t find me. Will that do?”

Oh, that’ll do. Madam Kang accepts. Still, Jan-di feels the need to clarify:

Jan-di: “I haven’t lost to you, and I am not running away either. You’re the worst person I’ve ever met. I’m leaving because I don’t wish to connect the ones I love to you. I’m just sorry that I can’t save the one person I love the most from you.”

This explains the date: Today is really a farewell trip for Jan-di. Coming back to the present, she asks Jun-pyo to pull over, then she gets out with her luggage.

He laughs, wondering if she’s planning another surprise event, and doesn’t immediately grasp her meaning when she tells him, “I’m not going to see you again. Today was our last day together.”

He grows more serious but still doesn’t understand, and asks if something happened with his mother. Jan-di answers simply (and coldly), “I’ve decided to remove you from my life.” She tosses out a casual “Thanks for everything. Take care.”

Jun-pyo knows this has to do with his mother, even if she won’t admit it. She contradicts him:

Jan-di: “This time I realized that you and I are from different worlds. We met as though in a dream, but now it’s time for us to return to our own worlds.”
Jun-pyo: “You’re lying. Tell me, I’ll figure it out. I’ll protect you!”

A bus stops, and Jan-di heads to board it. Jun-pyo follows her and asks her not to go: “You said you liked me. Is this what your love is like? You say you like me and end things so easily?”

Leveling a firm gaze at him, Jan-di explains that her love must have had its limit, and she’s reached it: “It must have been exactly this much.”

He asks, “Taking away Shinhwa or my chaebol status, have you ever once just seen me as one man?” Without hesitation, Jan-di responds, “No. No matter how you try, you’re still Shinhwa Group’s Gu Jun-pyo. I’ve never forgotten that for one second.”

Her answer leaves him stunned. He doesn’t snap out of it until she boards the bus and it starts moving, which is when he starts to run after it, yelling for the bus to stop.

Inside, Jan-di cries, looking back as Jun-pyo grows smaller in the distance. She thinks, “After I fell for you, I’d always wished you were a normal man with no relation to Shinhwa. I’m sorry, Gu Jun-pyo, for not keeping my promise. I’m really sorry.”

So Jan-di arrives in the remote fishing town where her family has relocated, and finds her mother in the marketplace. After the initial giddy reunion, however, she’s dismayed to hear that the family situation is no better than it was before — faced with growing debts, Dad had to go away on a boat (to escape debt collectors, I assume?).

Jan-di wishes they’d told her, but they didn’t want to worry her. They didn’t want her to drop out of school to work, which is exactly what she would have done. She has to finish high school and go to university. Because of her mother’s reaction, Jan-di is unable to admit that she’s left Seoul for good, and merely says that she’s here for a family visit.

Meanwhile, Woo-bin and Yi-jung sigh at the way things have changed following Jan-di’s departure. They’ve looked everywhere, but she’s hidden herself well. They’re worried about Jun-pyo, who is apparently acting out worse than he was even in Macau.

Even worse, they fear more for Ji-hoo. He may be getting along with Grandpa, but Yi-jung points out that immersing himself in foundation and clinic work — for a guy who used to laze around napping all the time — is a drastic change.

I suppose the difference between Ji-hoo and Jun-pyo is that the former is internalizing his pain, exerting strict control over himself and his environment, while the latter is all about acting out and losing control. He sinks into self-destructive behavior.

For instance, when being driven home after a drunken night at a club, Jun-pyo sees a toy machine on the street, and recalls the double date when he failed to win Jan-di a toy prize from the claw machine. Now he staggers out, intent on winning the prize.

I was thinking there would be a beautiful sort of irony if he were to succeed now where he failed before — because now he doesn’t have the girl so it would be a pitifully empty victory — but no, Drunk Jun-pyo is not any better than Sober Jun-pyo.

In a rage, he lashes out at the machine, kicking and beating it until he attracts the attention of the police, who arrest him for (I’m guessing) causing a public disturbance. It’s in the holding area of the police station that Jun-hee finds Jun-pyo, staring emotionlessly in the cell, alone.

COMMENTS

Before commenting on this episode, let me add a few thoughts on the previous one:

I was reading some of the dissenting opinions on the Jun-di relationship, seeing who sided with Jan-di and who sided with Jun-pyo. It’s probably not fair to charge those who think Jun-pyo acted more understandably with being clouded with Lee Min-ho affection, because (1) Well, yes, I think he’s quite a good actor, but (2) I figure at this point I’ve written enough on this drama, and in enough depth, to escape the tag of judging purely based on a hormonal reaction. (Honestly, y’alls, he’s cute but he ain’t my type.)

Here’s what it boils down to, for me: Both Jun-pyo and Jan-di have been shown, unfortunately, to be weak. This is problematic and has significantly hindered my regard for the second half of the series. I wish both had more backbone and were more forthright about their true feelings. Of course, if they did that and had a functional relationship, we wouldn’t have much of a drama to tune into every week.

Both parties have reneged on promises; both have been guilty of giving the other person mixed messages. Jun-pyo called Jan-di a stain, which is pretty harsh stuff, and obviously Jan-di has a right to be hurt. On the other hand, Jan-di has given Jun-pyo no indication that she wants to be with him following Jae-kyung’s arrival on the scene. She may not feel she’s in the position to do anything about it, but she did actively step back and even aided Jae-kyung in getting together with Jun-pyo — that certainly sends the message that she no longer cares for Jun-pyo. She also said that her promise from Episode 10 is no longer valid.

With that being the case, Jun-pyo has no reason to believe he has a future with Jan-di, and he walks down the aisle believing that his One True Love is over. In real life, we know that we get second chances and that a person can fall in love more than once, but in dramaland and in Jun-pyo’s heart, as he explained to Jae-kyung, he knows that it’s Jan-di or nobody. Therefore the question isn’t “Should I marry Jae-kyung or not?” but rather, “Is there any hope at all for a future with Jan-di? — because if not, I really don’t care about marriage and might as well do this political union.”

Meanwhile, Jan-di has been the poster child for passivity. WE know she loves Jun-pyo, but she sure as hell doesn’t let anyone else know that. As some commenters said, perhaps she’s not in a place to demand a relationship with him, but if she hides all her feelings and mopes privately, well, that’s just wallowing in one’s self-pity. She tends to just accept whatever happens to her, and that frustrates me. Jun-pyo is also weak, but at least his feelings — and his desire to escape from the influence of others — are clear. He’s bad at following through on his feelings, but Jan-di doesn’t even get that far — she keeps hers bottled up and unspoken, and that does nobody any good.

And yes, I recognize it’s a pointless exercise to say who was MORE wrong in this situation — but it’s always fun to do it anyway.

Now, for this episode:

I understand Jan-di’s actions and her rationale for leaving, and I actually kinda agree with her decision. Or at least the reason for her making the decision. However, this plot device suffers from overuse — it’s a tactic used in all those classic (read: outdated) Cinderella kdramas, where the girl selflessly gives up her love — even though the guy is prepared to fight for the relationship — to save those around her.

I suppose we’re supposed to feel admiration and pity for the woman who sacrifices her own happiness for the greater good, but what she’s really doing is taking away the choice from the other person, who deserves to have a say in this. Just as Jun-pyo (wrongly) asserted his will one-sidedly earlier in their relationship, she’s disregarding his feelings under the excuse that “I know what’s best for him.” I hate that.

Now, IF she had believed everything she said before getting on that bus — and I think her words had a point — then I wouldn’t have complaints and would probably back her up. (I think it makes sense on one level to want to say, “I gave it my best shot, got my heart broken a couple times, and want to believe that Love Conquers All — but maybe all this fighting isn’t productive if I’m just fighting a losing battle against this all-powerful, evil force who is going to hurt everyone I love.” It’s not fair, but sometimes you have to think of self-preservation.)

However, that’s not the case here: As we can see from her reaction afterward, she lied purposely to get Jun-pyo to let her go, believing that he didn’t need to know the truth. And that her decision was right no matter what he thought. By the way, they’re both guilty of this — him most notably when he turned Jekyll-and-Hyde in Macau — so it’s not like I’m only blaming Jan-di for the tendency.

I might have let this go otherwise, but it really doesn’t help that PD Jeon’s prior two series also employed this exact same scenario (girl leaves selflessly to spare the guy pain, but in a way that removes his choice from the equation). When Chun-hyang in Delightful Girl Chun-hyang did it, I actually enjoyed the ensuing angst (and the anticipated reunion!), but I watched that series earlier and didn’t have a slew of similar dramas to compare to. Also, Jae Hee really rocked the emotional turmoil in that drama’s breakup and reunion.

In My Girl, I hated the ploy because it seemed like a direct ripoff of Chun-hyang (same director, same writers), plus it seemed more forced into the story for manipulative reasons.

Here, I don’t hate it as much as in My Girl but I think it’s definitely less effective as a plot device than it ought to be, because (1) it’s so overdone at this point, and (2) this whole drama has been full of dramatic angsty moments like this, so this one doesn’t particularly stand out for me.

But on the upside, we’re so very close to the end that all this analysis is really just extraneous stuff. Mostly I’m watching with half my brain turned off, and at least there isn’t enough time to drag this storyline out into as painful an arc as the Jae-kyung one.

311

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251 amanda

March 26, 2009 at 9:33 PM

I agree with you, Javabeans... Jan Di needs to have SOME form of expression in her relationship with GJP

and seriously?

I personally feel that GJP needs to GROW A PAIR. He just needs to man up a little bit, and deal with his mother.

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252 vicki

March 26, 2009 at 9:35 PM

i totally agree with you nyeet! she's not a coward

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253 lamena

March 26, 2009 at 9:44 PM

hanadan..
you are so funny...
-laughing..

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254 4thDimensional

March 26, 2009 at 9:45 PM

@ amanda
GJP can do that easily if it is written in his scripts..............and Mom Kang's scripts says exactly what she says.........

So guess who is to be addressed here? Writer and PD.

Not MamKang, GJD or GJP.

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255 Kimche

March 26, 2009 at 9:59 PM

eh, I doubt the writer is giving Jan Di and Jun Pyo wimpy moments on purpose just to make them seem more 'real'. Jan Di isn't passive because she is young and has a hard-knock life. Jan Di is passive because the writer couldn't think of a more creative way to get Jan Di involved in a plot device, other than have her conveniently dragged into it by another character. Jan Di and Jun Pyo don't talk to and fight for each other yet because the writer can't think of a better way to draw out their separation until their eventual reunion in the last minutes of the last episode. It's best to not think about these lapses into out-of-character moments, or even fanwank some sense out of them. They're just there to move the plot forward. It's best not the think at all while watching BBF, actually. Just admire the all the pretty.

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256 angelina

March 27, 2009 at 1:20 AM

arghhh ! who interrupted yi jung and ga eul's kiss ??!!!! give the real kiss between them !

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257 HanaDan

March 27, 2009 at 1:46 AM

Joshee @230

F3 Taiwan is so much fun right? They teased DMS and SC really well. Their chemistry is so real. I thought that they're actually real friends. Like when MZ and Ken argued on who would smack DMS head? Or when Ken got hit by DMS and how he refused to help the pair, so cute. And of coz the brave rider joke when Ken told DMS that SC would fight his mother with him. It's just stick in my head.

DMS and SC chemistry too... They are so funny together. Both not knowing what to do romantically. I kept seeing that fake date thing over again. DMS & SC is really funny at that time... esp MZ talking about how Ken's helping her friend to open her flower... LMAO.. and of coz with that violin player who kept playing the song in the bathroom. So funny!

Anyway I'm sad that BOF is ending, even though it doesn't reach my satisfaction entirely but it was a good show.

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258 lily

March 27, 2009 at 5:59 AM

@ 250 LMAO "J-Tsukasa is only Stong because his mom is alot WEAKER than K-Mom Kang"
Sorry but maybe when you watch Kang features you feel like that but please ! KAEDE Weaker than Kang ? I would rather say Domyoji Tsukasa is a lot stronger than Jun Pyo ! He was a strong brat rebellious son because he lived alone for a long time ! He did not want to show his weak side to her because He was educated CODLY, HARSHLY by his mother (she hardly cared about him she reffered to him like the future heir) to be the futur Domyoji corporation president ! No feeling (what apparently is not the case in BOF since I feel Kang love his son). That's why he is extremly arrogant and you will never see Domyoji cry in Kaede (he did it in front of Makino, F3 & Ken)! Plus don't forget at a moment Kaede disinherited his own son (what did not prevent Domyoji to follow Makino to live with her even in poverty. Watch the wonderful episode 9 of season 2 and you will see either how the F4 relathionship is STRONG).
So Kaede maybe elegant, smart, and doesn't look threatning (even though the actress acting showed the contrary) but weaker than Kang ? BIG NO.

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259 VANNESA

March 27, 2009 at 6:23 AM

i am sad that it is ending tooooooo,
i love KIMBUM,
seeing him suffer, so sad you know...

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260

March 27, 2009 at 6:26 AM

I was initially surprised when I read comments about the lack of chemistry between the main leads, because I think they have excellent chemistry with each other.
I'm not the type who usually notice (and comment about) chemistry and whatnot, but I remember saying out loud "Wow these 2 really have sizzling chemistry" somewhere during epi3. Of course when I think about it again, I decided their chemistry was starting to become obvious during the scene where JP tried to wipe JD's bloody nose in epi2.

I guess when JK entered the picture, viewers just forgot, and it did not help that JK was always all over JP (hence the assumption JK-JP had better chemistry) while JD-JP rarely have skinship at all.

@250 4thDimensional
GHS and LMH are not to be blammed for their characterization of the HYD but the writer and the PD.
Here are two top notch talents and PD and writer screws their roles ROYALLY!!!

I agree with you totally.

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261 HanaDan

March 27, 2009 at 8:51 AM

@ 250

"J-Tsukasa is only Strong because his mom is a lot WEAKER than K-Mom Kang"

You're so right! And I want to add actually of all 3 versions, she is the weakest. Why?

Her appearance looks too nice and in the end yes, she will eventually accept Makino.

For this version, even her appearance is darker and more cruel but there are moments when I think that she can be changed and can finally accept Jandi.

But for the Taiwan's mom, even though her look is a lot nicer but till the very end she will never accept SC. There's not even hope to change that woman's heart.
Not even a glimpse! I mean that's just scary, right? To have that kind of person to be your mother in-law...

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262 (o.O)''

March 27, 2009 at 11:00 AM

1) I agree with all those who say that Jandi isn't a coward. The moment she found the root of the problem, she quickly got on her feet and made her decision-- to leave her loved ones behind no matter how hard it gets. She freakin stood up to Darth Kang and even claimed that she's not running away, but keeping the ones she loves from Mama's evil grasp. She knew she had to leave Junpyo because she understands what family really is-- you can't just rebel away from parents and break away. It's done Korean style-- family comes first.

2) Now speaking of the break-up scene: For me, it actually didn't sound like Jandi was lying. It seemed like she was really telling Junpyo the truth of why she's leaving. When she says that they're from different worlds-- she knew it all along ever since she met his mom. And when the bus drove away, she says that she wished that Junpyo was just a normal guy(not attached to Shinhwa) the moment she fell for him. She began to like him not for his riches, but for his efforts and devotion. But now that everything is tangled up, everything became clear to her. All she could do left was to gather her last bit of strength to make good memories before her goodbye.

And when Jandi says that her love has reached it's limit, i was thinking that she was in terms of denial to detach from him. She mentioned earlier that she likes him so much that even though she tried to forget him, she hates herself for being unable to do so. Her words continue to contradict.

3) Granny: “I didn’t raise you to be so pathetic. Just being born male doesn’t make you automatically a man. One must take time —

(a)experiencing anger at losing,
(b)the injustice of stepping aside,
(c)shame at running away

— until he can overcome his weak self to finally become a man.”

^ So is Junpyo finally becoming a man? Maybe next episode will decide? He has already met with (a). Perhaps he'll give Jihoo a chance for (b)? He had already met with (c).. Will he do so again? hmmmmmph. It takes 25 episode for the Almighty Goo Junpyo to become a man. lol

3) Oh how i wish the scriptwriter weren't so crappy =P
____________________

thanks for the recaps and comments!
i'll be so sad after next week passes..

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263 @ (o.O)''

March 27, 2009 at 11:58 AM

yea! i agree about the break-up scene/lines your talking about.
to add to that:

When she said to wake up from the dream, it reminded me of the scene when they were walking home from the zoo where he mentioned that he felt like he was living in a hazy dream. This marked her words true..

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264 iris

March 27, 2009 at 12:44 PM

OMG I just finished watching ep. 23 and is the saddest episode I think of the whole drama…I felt the pain of GJP ( well lets be real he kind of deserved it after the way he treated JD in Macau) but is was painful to watch…the EVIL MOM got to die.. I don’t know how she is going to accept JD….NOW the memory lost plot is coming up…

I’ll have to disagree with the poster who said JunPyo didn’t protect JanDi by his actions. Well, he did stand in front of trunk at mountains in order to stop it to find JanDi. He did get willingly beat up by that model-psycho in place of JanDi. He did learn how to swim, overcoming his fear of the water, in order to help jandi in the future. He beat up that creep on the double/’triple’ date who insulted JanDi and GaEul. He came to the rescue at the scene where she was being tormented after she fell off her bike.Those all qualify for actions to me!

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265 Mo108

March 27, 2009 at 9:04 PM

Boy, am I glad in a way that I have no previous point of reference when watching this drama--though I am afraid that when I go and watch HYD, all the BBF characters and characteristics will be the template, and so maybe that would make my appreciation of i
t somewhat disappointing... You know--the inevitable anger and bitter disappointment when Hollywood remakes 'updates' films you've always loved, and somehow cancelling out or challenging your inital feelings and reactions and responses and what personal meaning that first watching had for you...

But I will watch HYD, and maybe even MG, because I don't think I'm ready yet to let go of these characters. It's a serious problem. I first approached this story out of curiosity and with some trepidation and a pinch or three of salt, thinking I'm too old and too cool and well, a total cultural outsider to this kind of stuff. But here I am at the tail end of the series that my Korean friend told me about, arguing now with her about JD and JP and JH, and we're both university scholars in our thirties, for chrissakes!

..and I don't car what my friend says--I will remain a Ji-hoo shipper right until the bitter end! Jan-di has never been weak or cowardly (though I don't agree with this view) when Ji-ho is involved.. he brings out her best characteristics, just as she brings out his best.

and AMEN a thousand times to the comment that Jun-pyo just needs to GROW A PAIR! Sheesh...

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266 cosmopolite

March 28, 2009 at 12:00 AM

AHHH DAMN IT!

SO CLOSE! Soeulmates UNITE! If they don't kiss at least once by the end, I'm gonna go bat shit crazy.

(Why I let myself get so worked up over BOF is beyond me....sigh.)

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267 Thai Fan

March 28, 2009 at 12:03 AM

Dear Javabeans, I think I should let you know that I LOVE your writing in this blog (I am ignorant about your other works). You are so thorough in every angle of any drama you choose to recap. Your comments and criticisms are very witty, funny and sharp. Your choice of words is perfect. I learn a lot of new vocabularies from your blog. Your style of writing is impeccable.

I am not kissing your ..... This is truly how I feel. And I THANK YOU very much for your efforts in such input.

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268 Bontaku

March 28, 2009 at 4:10 AM

I came to understand that the reason why the Director or write choose to do so and so with whichever character or storyline is because of the target audience - Korean audience. I do not know what are the norms or what are the typical things that happens in a Korean Drama. But the reason why the show differs from MG and HYD is because of the audience they are writing to and of course they culture and experience in Korean drama (well that ties to the audience as well). I hope someone understand my ranting lol

On another note, I believe when an actor/actress is bad in a scene, it's the director's fault. He is the one that yells CUT!!! and reshoots the scene. Well if the director accepts crappy acting, well enough said. Unless the director has many NGs and this is the best take, well the actors should get lessons.
If the dialogue or cohesion of the story or plot is terrible, writer should take responsible as well as director. Director shoots it = accepts it.

And I don't believe that Makino is stronger because of a weak Kaede. In other words Jandi is weak while Mdm Kang is strong? So the ending should be opposite of HYD then? I find it all boils down to acting, directing and storylines that depends how a character is or how it is played.

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269 skeemx3

March 28, 2009 at 3:57 PM

i've already heard of what will happen in the next episodes, but i still don't understand why the PD/screenwriter decided to add one of it in.. (note: i don't wanna say it, because it'll spoil the story) it's just unwanted drama. and a bit cliche; and i have no idea how this scene will be acted out, because it seems kind of random..

i just want the drama to end the way i want it to be
and they way probably most of all the other viewers want it to be...

and MAN. soeul couple ! that stupid phone always rings at a crucial moment -_-;
maybe next time.. if the main couple doesn't end up together (but it'll probably will.... IT BETTER T_T), i pray that yijung and gaeul become a couple. they're so cute (:

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270 4thDimensional

March 28, 2009 at 4:40 PM

To #260 and #261 Thank you for your affirmation to my 250 thoughts....

@Lily, come up with your original assessments for once- that will be thinking!

Sooryy I agree to dissss here...K-BBF is the best of all 3 in many ways.

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271 lily

March 28, 2009 at 5:00 PM

@ 270 sorry you say "BOF is the best in many ways" ? I can see through your statement you are not original either ! Indeed you speak a bit like every BOF fans. You say it's the best but still you don't give some facts in this drama which make it like the best thing (Thankfully you did not say "I can't explain it I am addicted to that " or "the guys are hot "). Javabeans reviews show somewhat the contrary.

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272 Gloria

March 28, 2009 at 6:54 PM

I thought the date was adorable, but man am I tired of this drama and all the "angst." I've been rewatching HYD, and I know it's unfair to compare since BBF and HYD feel like different dramas for me, but I was so happy when I watched it because I thought that this was how it should be (:

oh and if he's filled with regret over eun jae, how can he all of a sudden fall for Ga Eul? (i know it's been developing.. [and on a sidenote. sorry SoEul fans but I felt this took away a little too much from the drama. I mean.. did we ever get to see a little about Kim Joon?? apart from that stupid extraneous emo part] but.. .. -___-;; How can someone cry out of regret and then be prepared to kiss someone else? Doesn't this mean he wants to go back to that time so he could've gone to see EunJae, which means he loves her more than GaEul??) I like them, but I just feel like this part was so cramped. If this had happened over the span of a few episodes maybe.. but..

Ehhh.. I'll be glad when it's over. The guys are hot, yes. But in no way is this the best drama I have ever watched. > w >;

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273 Gloria

March 28, 2009 at 7:01 PM

One more note.

Does anyone feel like the F4 from HYD felt stronger? It's gotten better for me for the korean version, but especially near the beginning, I felt like they were awkward and didnt show their caring for each other as much. I dunno, maybe I'm wrong..

And I totally loved Domyouji and Makino's strength. ): Yes, Jandi can be courageous. But she's so passive and she sometimes gives up when she could still be struggling (remember the weird photography shoot scene?-__-) I think the writers screwed up her character because I feel like Gu Hye Sun is a pretty capable actress (apart from her overacting scenes in the beginning). Hyun joong got better. Kim Bum is alright, but he still has a ways to go :O Lee Minho is probably the strongest actor for this drama.

I feel tired of being dragged around. ): Though this is the DomyoujixMakino relationship. Even so, I truly felt their love/devotion for each other. ): Sometimes the korean version made me question this.

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274 siteri

March 28, 2009 at 11:21 PM

@liliy
Comments by 250 and 270 260 and 271 are RIGHT ON!

I just love the actors in Korean HYD......enjoy the last 2 episodes.....LURAO

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275 Annie101

March 29, 2009 at 2:53 PM

i was just wondering.....does it make sense that the SAME billboards are still there from THREE years ago?? i mean i don't know.....it is dramaland though.

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276 balletbabeanna

March 29, 2009 at 4:00 PM

I have a question going back a few episodes when the fortune teller said Jan-di will meet her soul mate and future husband. The fortune teller was only talking about Jan-di right, because from my understanding she was only holding and reading her hand. A lot of ppl have been commenting all over the internet that the soul mate part was for Ga Eul and the husband part was for Jan-di. SOME PLEASE CLARIFY THIS FOR MY SO I CAN PUT MY MIND AT EASY!!!!!!!!

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277 Belle

March 29, 2009 at 6:46 PM

huhu...
so sad...
BBf ending is around the corner..
will b miss jun pyo in the future....

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278 soondubu

March 29, 2009 at 8:30 PM

Does anyone know the name of the song that Jihoo plays for Jandi on the piano at the hospital?

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279 AshleyL

March 29, 2009 at 8:56 PM

What I don't understand still about this drama is why JP pushed JD away when his father 'passed away'. I saw no clear reason for him to do so. His engagement hadn't happened yet so what's wrong with heading a company and having a girlfirend at the same time?? Besides the Cruella being against it, I really saw no reason explained. (And having 700,000 employees under you wasn't a real reason in my view.)

Also, I wish BBF had more clear dialogue between JD and JP. It is so refreshing and satisfying when one person expresses - in WORDS, not only in facial expressions-- what s/he is feeling. I kept wishing JD would just go all out and say how much she loved JP. The closest she got was at the beach how she "liked him" but that was sooooooo unsatisfying to the viewers.

When you have good writing, you have good dialogue and a good movie.
... And happy viewers who would recommend the movie to their friends.
(Although having Lee Min Ho in it is enough... :-)

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280 siteri

March 30, 2009 at 7:56 AM

to #279

My takes are that these are still HS youngsters growing up....so are their abilities bare their vulnerable feelings.....when pride and promises seems to hinder. Majority here tend to apply "grown up" attributes or challenges

GJP, In his screaming scene @ his mother in Macau - after the BRIDGE Cruelty directed @ GJD....

it was impplied that He and his MOM made a promise/deal.

he will not be involved with GJD if his mom leaves her alone-don't hurt her....So

He tries to live up to that agreement ( to protect JD from the evil retaliations his mom is capable of)...and
( try to keep his promise to his dad about the company) -

and he simply puts it to F3 boys in Macau as having 700, 000 people to protect their livelyhoods,,,,in a short breath....but quite a convoluted mess when mom kang dislikes GJD's economic background which brings nothing to her companies' boost/wealth/stocks or fame...

So fighting GJD from her son is the heart of all GJP and GJD's hurtful love life...

GJP has stood up for GJD many times privately to his mom, except for the KISS that stopped traffic!

GJD is not able to love GJP openly and sincerely fight for him, because her family has been hurt many times, now her friends and family are being hurt too.

So as a HS girl, what can she not do? or do?

No money, homeless, 3 jobs and a student as well.........

So if i was in her shoes and reaalllyyyy in love with GJP , I will do the same - keep my fighting spirits in check and selfless.

Majority HS students will have given in to their Hormones (fans too) and demand immediate Gratification - become IMPULSIVE.

GJD merely delayed @ best her gratifications and suffered quietly....but I doubt she gives up her love easily, deep inside.... that is the meaning of "Jan Di - weed- that is difficult to pull out or kill for good. etc etcv...

So eventually the Weed ( fighting spirit that never will give up) takes over again....

These are the reasons briefly....

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281 jandoe

March 30, 2009 at 9:29 AM

i REALLY love reading your recaps/ reviews. your thoughts and mine pretty much similar but you seriously have humor in writing them and pointing out the obvious flaws (or simply overdramatic antics?) in the series- as well as obviously, it being a Kdrama.

will be back to read up on your thoughts about eps 24 and 25, thanks for this! :D

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282 bbfaddeeeekk

March 30, 2009 at 10:42 AM

i supeerr dooper love BOF!! as in supeeeer!! i have been a super dooper lurker here at drama beans.. and ur analysis.. sometimes ryt sometimes hrmmm not..

the soundtrack rocks!! Omigad!! im crying in almost all of the scenes on epi 23!! best epi ever!!! so emotional.. guys wer already on the home stretch of this.. and im happy to be sharing this bof moment wid u all.. this has been the best series that i have watched in years..

oh! and one more thing! wats the title of the song on the ending part of this epi..
gaad that song is so good.. its like playing in mind over and over agen.. while im alone driving etc etc... please reply.. i really need to know..

thanks.. wer almost done!! and fo sho im gonna miss this series.. whew!!

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283 AshleyL

March 31, 2009 at 12:20 AM

thanks, siteri, for the explanations. :-)

I still think too many things were implied. Clear dialogue is what I like.
Love this drama anyway.

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284 Annae

April 1, 2009 at 9:19 AM

I love JUNpyo

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285 crazylitoazn12

May 8, 2009 at 9:25 PM

lol thanks for ur awesome recaps!! and (for once) i dont think the PD is to blame for their separation... they had to follow the manga, i guess. im just hoping that they will stray from the manga for the ga-eul and yi-jung romance. lol i really want them to end up together!

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286 Sya

May 14, 2009 at 5:34 AM

my tears flow out easily after i watched Jun-pyo screaming out loud after Jan-Di left..left him all wondering why why why and why? left him all confused..Min-ho u r such a good actor..after 23episodes and u did it..u made me realized that u r a good actor.. congrats min-ho =) aja-aja fighting!

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287 ryzzlie

May 27, 2009 at 1:14 AM

ahhh!

why didnt ga eul turn off her phone!! i really wish they would kiss!

SoEul-mates 4 ever

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288 captain planet

May 29, 2009 at 10:33 AM

woohoo! yey for Ga Eul and Yi Jung. hahaha. and aww atlast after long agonizing hardships Jun-di had gone through the past episodes... a date.. i mean 2 dates! it was relieving actually. and it was nice to see Jan Di take the initiative in their 2nd date (particularly the kiss part. XD) even though we all know it was all because it was a farewell date. she was always showing her true emotions to Jun Pyo only when he was not around. (toink!) and yeah i thought Jun Pyo was going to get the toy out of the "Dream Machine" too. :))

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289 Zvaigzdute

June 18, 2009 at 1:44 AM

I think the problem with this series is that at first I loved it. It followed the manga pretty closely and it kept Domyoji the same, and then the going away part came, way too early!
I understand that you have to switch around stuff, and such but this was just a waste of time!
Then adding melodramatic undertones - like Tsukasa/GuPyo - not being able to swim - really? JiHoo(Rui) not being able to drive? And then Tsukushi injured her shoulder, Nishikado broke his wrist! What the hell stop it!!!!

And the whole engagement thing was soo over done like in HYD 2 - Shigeru gives up on Tsukasa because she doesn't want to lose Tsukushi, and she even helps them in the end, by kidnapping them both and putting them on a deserted island!

I think this series got boring after Macou it included such useless cliches!

Yes the going away scene in the manga is too powerful, especially because Tsukushi is always unsure of her feelings- she doesn't know if she loves GuyPyo-Tsukasa! And then she finally understands! And it happened I think back in 1994-1995 so it was waayyyy before all of the dramas you have mentioned above! Like other people said! It was so heart wrenching to see Tsukasa's face, and his conversation with F3- and saying how it was the happiest day of his life, and right there it war ripped away.
And then Tama of all people talking to Tsukushi, and Tsukush after fighting for so long - completely collapse!

The bus scene done in the manga is one of my favorites- but this was done very poorly. GuPyo should chase after the girl and run as fast as he can but he still cannot catch her, but when a crowd of people goes by she gets off and meets him.

I think they really weakened characters - especially for half of it after episode 11 everybody just cries, cries and cries! Stop it
Tsukushi cries on some occasions but not that often 0 usually she is extremely cheerful, sprited and almost never depressed- and that is what makes her amazing.
Rui never cried! Nishikado only cries when he sees the light, but he doesn't bawl, tears just fall!

I think at the beginning of the drama they did Tsukasa's character really well but then it stopped! And they just became stereotypes!

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290 myalterego

June 24, 2009 at 12:35 PM

does anyone know the instrumental song being played when Jun Pyo was looking at Jan Di's maid uniform then Grandma came in and talk to him. i think the song was being played in cello, heard it a couple of time in boys over flower and other korean movies/series (the classic movie)
pls pls pls help me find this song ^_^

really like jun pyo's character im so inlove with him!!!

TIA

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291 mj

July 6, 2009 at 2:22 PM

i agree with daquiri. we GET IT ALREADY!

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292

July 20, 2009 at 2:48 AM

i want you to comment because the boys over flowers are so chalenging i so happy for them

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293 sheila

July 20, 2009 at 3:15 AM

i love boys over flowers. Iwant to go to the south korea ang i will find theme for my beatiful face and also for gale

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294 paula

August 29, 2009 at 5:38 PM

does anyone know the title of the song that played in bof eps 23 when yi jung see the reklame?

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295 azky

September 3, 2009 at 10:00 PM

uukh co sweedt bgd jan dii end jun pyo ,,
tv knapa jan dii harus ninggalain jun pyo????

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296 baby shyra

September 18, 2009 at 9:40 PM

.....hay naku naka2inlav tlaga si ji hoo......hope sana sa nxt na sope nila s c jandi naman at ji hoo magkapartner,,,,,,!!!!!!hahaha...sana may part2....
.....a_10_tion.......
!!!WANTED BOYFREN NA KA2LAD NI JI HOO.......eje

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297

January 5, 2010 at 6:17 PM

I WANT THIS PICTURE

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298 pardis

February 4, 2010 at 6:14 AM

thank you sooo much!
i've bought all dvds but they were some problems with eisode 23 that i cuoldn't play it and it was driving me carzy not to what has hapend so your script was just like an resque angel!thank you soooooo sooooo verryyyyyyy much!:)

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299 vanness

April 13, 2010 at 7:40 PM

Song that plays when with Yi Jung and Ga Eul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de5A0M9Xr3s
Lee Ji Hye - A Heart Cannot Be Hidden

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300 ThuyLynniie

May 9, 2010 at 4:21 PM

Ugh, what's the song at the end of this episode when they were reminiscing what they did that day????
I looked through the ENTIRE OST and it's DRIVING ME NUTS that I don't know!! AHHHHHHHHHH

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