Hana Yori Dango (2005, Boys Over Flowers, Japanese Version) centers around a rich boy, Domyouji, who falls for poor girl, Makino, with plenty of obstacles in their path to love. Domyouji is the leader of the F4 (Flower Four), 4 close friends that are sons of Japan's wealthiest who are wildly popular in the richest high school in Japan.
I watched the Korean version of Boys Over Flowers (2009, made after Hana Yori Dango) before I watched the Japanese version. Comparisons between the two versions are inevitable.
What I liked about the Hana Yori Dango (season 1) a) F4 synergy and friendship was excellent. The F4 Japanese actors are better than the F4 Korean actors with the exception of the lead male actor where I preferred Lee Min-ho. In Hana Yori Dango the male lead Domyouji is more violent and a bit dumber than the Korean version. b) Each F4 character had a storyline and mattered. Rui is really a viable rival for Makino's love until she decides Domyouji is the one for her. Soujiro, tea master, calls it like he sees it and Akira, gangster son, is the glue of F4. c) female lead Mao Inoue as Makino Tsukushi was spunky and seemed more open about her feelings than the Korean version of this character. I liked the Domyouji and Makino pairing. Their first date which ends in getting stuck in the elevator is adorable. d) Makino's family is more palatable, the Korean version made you cringe. e) storyline is more compact (9 episodes) versus the Korean version (16 episodes) but it works well. The series ending is satisfying and if the second season (Hana Yori Dango Returns (2007)) had not been made, the season could have stood alone.
What I did not like about the show a) the evil mother is so cold and willing to manipulate her son and others. There is no humanity or glimmer of love for her children, everything is about the success of the company, this was off-putting. b) The sweet shop boss's many former love stories just bugged me. c) Makino should have won the Top of Japan contest, she totally ruled in playing with the kids. The other contestant would have had no chance if Makino hadn't invited her to play with the kids too. I realize if she'd won, then there would be no season 2 but still she was the clear winner of that final round.
While Hana Yori Dango was better made, better acted, and more concise than the Korean version, the Korean version has intangibles which makes me prefer it. I plan to check out first version, the Taiwan Meteor Garden (2001) Meteor Rain (2001) and Meteor Garden II (2002).
I watched the Korean version of Boys Over Flowers (2009, made after Hana Yori Dango) before I watched the Japanese version. Comparisons between the two versions are inevitable.
What I liked about the Hana Yori Dango (season 1) a) F4 synergy and friendship was excellent. The F4 Japanese actors are better than the F4 Korean actors with the exception of the lead male actor where I preferred Lee Min-ho. In Hana Yori Dango the male lead Domyouji is more violent and a bit dumber than the Korean version. b) Each F4 character had a storyline and mattered. Rui is really a viable rival for Makino's love until she decides Domyouji is the one for her. Soujiro, tea master, calls it like he sees it and Akira, gangster son, is the glue of F4. c) female lead Mao Inoue as Makino Tsukushi was spunky and seemed more open about her feelings than the Korean version of this character. I liked the Domyouji and Makino pairing. Their first date which ends in getting stuck in the elevator is adorable. d) Makino's family is more palatable, the Korean version made you cringe. e) storyline is more compact (9 episodes) versus the Korean version (16 episodes) but it works well. The series ending is satisfying and if the second season (Hana Yori Dango Returns (2007)) had not been made, the season could have stood alone.
What I did not like about the show a) the evil mother is so cold and willing to manipulate her son and others. There is no humanity or glimmer of love for her children, everything is about the success of the company, this was off-putting. b) The sweet shop boss's many former love stories just bugged me. c) Makino should have won the Top of Japan contest, she totally ruled in playing with the kids. The other contestant would have had no chance if Makino hadn't invited her to play with the kids too. I realize if she'd won, then there would be no season 2 but still she was the clear winner of that final round.
While Hana Yori Dango was better made, better acted, and more concise than the Korean version, the Korean version has intangibles which makes me prefer it. I plan to check out first version, the Taiwan Meteor Garden (2001) Meteor Rain (2001) and Meteor Garden II (2002).