daolive74 Geum Jan Di is a poor but strong willed girl who gets the opportunity of a lifetime to be enrolled into the elite Shin Hwa high school. There she encounters the legendary F4, the four sons of the top Korean families. All rich, handsome, and arrogant, the leader Goo Joon Pyo has a particular nasty side. Geum Jan Di can't stand the injustice and the rivalry begins. The outcome blossoms into respect, understanding, and yes . . . love. Unfortunately (for them) or fortunately (for us) a love triangle develops and you can't help but fall under the spell of Boys Over Flowers.I have found that Korean Dramas have little foul language and sex scenes so this is completely appropriate for teens. I don't speak Korean but follow the subtitles. It's really not that bad! Summary of Characters: Geum Jan Di - played by Koo Hye-Sun. In the beginning her character's physical portrayal came out way too cartoonish at times for my taste. Luckily, a few episodes in she stops. Koo Hye-Sun really does a great job of making you root for Geum Jan Di. She has a lot of obstacles but tries to smile and get through the rough spots. Goo Joon Pyo - played by Lee Min-Ho. Completely arrogant and childish, yet he pulls at your heart. He goes through rough spots in his life too. Lee Min-Ho does a great job in this role, I haven't seen him do anything poorly.Yoon Ji Hoo - played by Kim Hyun-Joong. Ahhhh perfection! OK, I fell for this guy hook, line, and sinker. Strong silent type that is caring and affectionate. Did I mention a smile that warms your insides? So Yi Jung - played by Kim Bum. Pottery making ladies man! If you don't break into a smile when Kim Bum does his one-sided smirk into a full blown smile, something is wrong with you! Totally adorable! Song Woo Bin - played by Kim Joon. Underworld connections ladies man! I really wanted to see more of this character developed. He blurts out English phrases and has a tough guy image. He is a caring, loyal, and protective guy to his friends.I love this show! It takes you on a full range of emotions. Great job showing that all people have issues, rich or poor. Everyone needs love whether it be through romance or friendship. Definitely suggest this as a must see drama!

fprefect-685-281084 Boys Over Flowers (2009, Korean Version) centers around a rich boy, Jun Pyo, who falls for poor girl, Jan Di, with plenty of obstacles in their path to love. Jun Pyo is the leader of the F4 (Flower Four), 4 rich close friends that are widely popular in the richest high school in Korea. What I liked about the Boys Over Flowers: a) this was first kdrama I ever watched and it will always have a special place in my heart. I was dismayed after the 1st episode with the overacting of Jan Di's family but was hooked by episode 2. b) F4 friendship worked and I loved how they became protective and caring of Jan Di. I watched the Japanese version after I watched the Korean version. Comparisons between the two versions are inevitable. 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. However, the Korean F4 members have intangibles that captivated me. F4 lead Jun Pyo was charming, caring, and loyal under the sneering veneer. Lee Min- ho, in his first male lead part, carried the show and has only improved in subsequent roles (Personal Taste, City Hunter). Ji Hoo (Kim Hyun Joong) was only initially a viable rival for Jan Di's love until she decides Jun Pyo is the one for her. His acting skills were limited but to his credit he stayed in that range and portrayed a sincere friend to both Jun Pyo and Jan Di. Yi Jung (Kim Bum), pottery master, was adorable and had good chemistry Ga Eul (Jan Di's best friend played by Kim So Eun). His acting skills were immature but his smile took that character far. In comparison, the Japanese character Soujiro was more mature, a truth teller, but completely shied away from romance. Finally Woo Bin (Kim Joon) completely lost the storyline lottery but had charm and chemistry with the others. In comparison, the Japanese character Akira had heart and was the glue of F4. c) female lead Koo Hye Sun as Jan Di had undeniable chemistry with Lee Min-ho and thankfully toned down the physical acting and amped up the emotional acting as the series progressed. Her character was reticent to commit to love but once she did, her continuous sacrifices for love mattered. In comparison the Japanese character Makino was spunkier and more open about her feelings. When Jan Di believed so strongly that Jun Pyo would remember their love that she almost drowned, it was compelling. d) the storyline is expansive (16 episodes, season 1) versus the Japanese version (9 episodes, season 1) but it works where they deviate. I preferred season 1 ending airport scene in the Japanese version (episode 9 Hana Yori Dango) and the season 2 ending beach scene in the Korean version (episode 25). The Japanese movie, an extended epilogue, Hana Yori Dango Returns, ties everything into a nice bow, where I wanted more of an epilogue in the Korean final episode 25. e) evil mom was formidable (aka President Kang played by Lee Hye-young) and could make any character shrink back with a single raised eyebrow.What I did not like about the show a) Jan Di's family made me cringe, the over acting was palpable. b) how many times did they play the theme song Almost Paradise? When they played that song during a fight scene, it was laughable.While the Japanese version, Hana Yori Dango, was better made, better acted, and more concise than the Korean version, Boys Over Flowers has intangibles which makes me prefer it.

lil_biscuit98 This show completely took over my life this week. I had dreams all about this show! It took me forever to fall asleep every night, since I was anxious about Jan Di and Goo Joon Pyo staying together, Yi Jung's anguishing pain, and the love of my life, Ji Hoo, finding happiness. And don't even get me STARTED on the twits of women! (the mother, Jae Kyung,and Eun Jae) I could go on forever about them and their conniving, manipulating ways...... My only disappointments were 1.) Woo Bin had a shockingly small part, 2.) That those stupid women never got slapped! and 3.) All through the series, I could never decide who I wanted Jan Di to end up with, and I still DON'T KNOW!!!! I mean, I LOVE Joon Pyo, but do you GET any better that beautiful, amazing man Ji Hoo??? Honestly, if you have school, work, or any kind of life, I would warn you away, since you won't be able to turn it off! As for me, I'm hooked, and you can't get me off Korean Drama. Now excuse me, while I stare at Ji Hoo....SIGHS!

PeppermintCarnation I love this series!!! i was a little worried at first because I had seen the Japanese version(Hana Yori Dango) and I thought it would not be as good but I was wrong. I think I love this version more than the Japanese. Jandi and Goo Jun Pyo crack me up they are so funny. I love the drama and the comedy this series show. And I am so hook to the music they play in the series. I know them by heart now and I don't even speak Korean. LOl Though occasionally that Paradise song annoys me. I also have a habit of getting upset at Goo Jun Pyo cause he can be really dumb. In the beginning of their series the rich kids treat Jandi very poorly. I have never seen anyone be bullied like that before!