My Take On 花より男子 Hana Yori Dango Triology

Want to know how chain reaction work? Read this…

After I got addicted to Boys Over Flowers (Korean drama), I went looking for its online manga. Then after I completed the manga, I thought why not watch the Japanese version of Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers) since it’s only 20 episodes + 1 film in total. So yes I’ve watched the Japanese version hmm like 2 weeks ago. Kekeke

Tsk… I don’t think I will watch Meteor Garden, Taiwanese version and the first one to adapt HYD into TV drama because there are a total of 50 episodes!!! (siao meh) But then do you know they also have Hana Yori Dango anime? That’s 51 episodes. Each episode probably wouldn’t run for an hour long. *tempting* This anime is going to be hard to find since it was released in 1996-1997.

There are 3 parts to the Hana Yori Dango (Jap series) hence sometimes it’s called trilogy:
Hana Yori Dango (2005) – 9 episodes (TV drama)
Hana Yori Dango Returns (2007) – 11 episodes (TV drama)
Hana Yori Dango Final (2008) – Film

Let’s refer to Hana Yori Dango (HYD) as the Japanese series and Boys Over Flowers (BOF) as the Korean series.

Now here’s what I think after watching HYD trilogy (contain spoilers, so proceed only if you have watched or don’t plan to watch but are interested to read what I wrote hahaha)…

Just before watching HYD, I read comments after comments left by those that have watched the series online. Many said they like HYD over BOF. With that I start watching with an open mind. My preference?

I prefer BOF over HYD. Why? In some scenarios HYD lacks the tension that you feel presence in BOF. I somehow think HYD is more of a happy-go-lucky series… not too serious and less dramatic. Also HYD storyline is almost say 60% following the manga story. And because I’ve read the manga beforehand, I kinda know what’s gonna happen next. So in actual you can like BOF or you can like HYD more. All depends how your brain perceived it. As for HYD Final (movie), it’s just mediocre. If you want to see ‘ahem’ happy ending then you should watch it.

BOF storyline actually followed HYD by a lot (in the sense that how certain situations are arranged not according to the manga but according to HYD and some extra scenes that can only be found at HYD is at BOF). So I don’t understand why some people say BOF’s story is the most similar to the manga. Are you confused yet? Haha anyway they are not important unless you’re a HYD, BOF or MG fanatic.

Next is my reviews on the actors, actresses and their characters (comparing with BOF of course).

Main actress
Makino Tsukushi (HYD) vs Geum Jan Di (BOF)
While Jan Di sulks more and her expression are sometimes hard to read (even I’m confused sometimes what she’s thinking and whether she likes Jun Pyo or not). Tsukushi on the other hand is more cheerful and reading her facial is a breeze.

Cast: Inoue Mao as Makino Tsukushi, Ku Hye Sun as Geum Jan Di

F4
F4 leader:
Domyoji Tsukasa (HYD) vs Gu Jun Pyo (BOF)
Well I gotta say Gu Jun Pyo win hands down. He’s tall, dark and handsome. Couple with a dorky smile, infectious laugh and hot bod, there’s no way Tsukasa can compete with him. One thing I like about Tsukasa is his curly hair. They seems ‘real’ unlike Jun Pyo very fakey curly hair (especially from the back). Hey but Min Ho looks really good in curly hair too. Oh another thing I like about Tsukasa’s character is that I can feel him progressing from being a REALLY bad boy to becoming a lovable and caring person because they have a few scenes with Tsukasa bashing others like a mad dog. In terms of getting into character, Min Ho win.

Cast: Matsumoto Jun as Domyoji Tsukasa, Lee Min Ho as Gu Jun Pyo

Hanazawa Rui (HYD) vs Yoon Ji Hoo (BOF)
For this 2 white knights characters (well they wore almost white all the time), Hanazawa Rui is the better and interesting one. Love the way he calls out to Makino… MAAA-KI-NO.

Cast: Oguri Shun as Hanazawa Rui, Kim Hyun Joong as Yoon Ji Hoo

Nishikado Sōjirō (HYD) vs So Yi Jung (BOF)
One is a skilled tea ceremony master while the other is a skilled potter. They are equally good. I like both their characters.

Cast: Matsuda Shota as Nishikado Sōjirō, Kim Beom as So Yi Jung

Mimasaka Akira (HYD) vs Song Woo Bin (BOF)
Another I like ’em both characters. Unfortunately Woo Bin has very less scenes in BOF. If and only if they add more essence of Woo Bin in the drama. At least in HYD, I know Akira’s family background and how helpful he is to the F4.

Cast: Abe Tsuyoshi as Mimasaka Akira, Kim Jun as Song Woo Bin

F4 group overall
Both groups are equally strong. I know most will say BOF’s F4 is more good-looking. Ok I do agree with that. But HYD’s F4 is not bad either. They may have taken a little backward steps in terms of looks but they made up for it in their charisma and acting.

Btw, the handphone that Tsukasa gave Tsukushi has the ringtone of ‘The Imperial March’ from Star Wars and he saved his name as ‘Almighty Me’ as contact name. Hahaha Childish and cute.

FYI, Hana Yori Dango and Hana Yori Dango Returns covers the story of Boys Over Flowers (Korean drama). So do not expect season 2 of BOF.

Ok that’s it. This isn’t really a long post right? Lame post maybe. Haha

So you’re asking, is Hana Yori Dango worth watching? Yes. It’s not the best series out there but an interesting one.

My favorite HYD songs:
1. Planetarium by Otsuka Ai (HYD)
2. Flavor of Life by Utada Hikaru (HYD Returns)
Remember to check em’ out at Youtube. I love Flavor of Life the most.

Photos from wiki.