Hana Yori Dango Adaptations, IMO
January 29th, 2010 § 8 Comments
Because I was watching (again!) the ending of Boys Over Flowers One More Time in ABS-CBN Primetime, here’s my opinion on the 3 TV adaptation of the manga Hana Yori Dango.
Hana Yori Dango (Japanese version) has the best story ever, Makino and Tsukasa wise. I love the ending for HYD2, and the movie for HYD3 was awesome even though it was kinda outrageous. The point is, all the endings from HYD1 to HYD3 were never bitin.
I also think that they casted the prettiest version of Makino Tsukushi. She’s really pretty and adorable. And though I’m not a fan of Matsumoto Jun (IMO he looks like a louse), I think he played a pretty good Domyouji Tsukasa. He eventually grew on me as the series progressed. Among the F4 for the Japanese version, I had a crush on Hanazawa Rui. He’s not usually what I’d like but he’s the most attractive already in the group. (Napilitan. LOL) The other two, I forgot their names, are obviously irrelevant to me.
Boys Over Flowers (Korean version) has the hottest guys among the adaptations. In order of hotness, I rank Seo Yi Jeong as the most attractive, and then Gu Jun Pyo, Yoon Ji Hoo, Dao Ming Si, and Hwa Ze Lei (the last two from the Taiwan version). They also have the best clothes – probably because they’re the latest. F4 Taiwan looked pretty good to me before. LOL.
The best part of Boys Over Flowers would probably be the Yi Jeong-Ga Eul story, though the ending definitely wasn’t enough. I find Jan Di cute, but oh well, I’m still pro-Makino! HAHA. Song Wu Bin was the most irrelevant but at least I know his name! 
Too bad this is only a one-part story. I’ve already mentioned I didn’t like the ending. NOT ENOUGH. The soundtrack though was AWESOME. I love most of the songs! Unlike in HYD, I only know their intro song “Love so Sweet” by Arashi. 
And *drumroll please* the last but not the least, the original METEOR GARDEN (Taiwan version). I’m sorry but this is still my favorite version ever. I have a soft spot for the show that sparked my all-things-Asian addiction. I’m referring to Meteor Garden 1, okay, just to make it clear. I didn’t like the second one that much. 5 out of 10, at most. I have the biggest crush on Dao Ming Si. I originally liked Hwa Ze Lei, but Ah Si’s character grew on me as he proved his love to San Cai over and over again. And while a lot of my friends were lusting over baggy-clothed Mei Zuo and preppy prince Xi Men, I was busy cutting out photos of my Ah Si and Lei and laminating them so I could look at them over and over again. LOL.
I also like San Cai. She was feisty but she was also really endearing! And the soundtrack marked my first foray into CPop. For the record, I bought the original CD’s of F4 and Meteor Garden OST. And until now, I still have songs from those albums in my playlist. And oh, did I mention that I had a crazy moment before when I had the picture posted above edited to change San Cai’s face to mine? Yes. I have the photo here somewhere. I shall post it one of these days. LOL
I am obviously a fanatic. What do you think?
Hey, random passer-by here (actually, I was just stalking this MG VS HYD VS BOF topic xDD) I also did a massive post on this subject lol
HanaDan is my fave but I know what you mean. Meteor Garden is such a classic.
I disagree w/ you that the Korean cast was the hottest. Yeah, they were nice to look at but I was never in sweats per se (^^;;) The Taiwanese F4 are hot. And if it’s possible, Jun, Shun & Shota-kun are hotter xDDDDDD
Sorry, just my 2cents ^_^
Nice to know I’m not the only one who did a post on this subject. Makes me feel better for being so crazy over the versions!
Ohh. Let’s just agree to disagree as to hotness then. I really couldn’t get myself to like the guys from HYD. Not my type. But yeah. I get what you mean about salivating over the Taiwanese F4. They were SCORCHING!!! And Min Ho looks soooooo much like Jerry Yan, it’s creepy! LOL.
)
No problem, I’m perfectly fine w/ you not thinking that the Japanese F4 are quite as hot because that means there’s one less girl I have to fight over them w/ lol xDD
And don’t worry about being a mad crazy Asian drama fanatic, you are definitely not alone *coughs**looks at self in mirror* It’s all for entertainment isn’t it.. ^_^!
Agreed, MG captured my heart and remains the sole reason I became addicted to Asian dramas. I must say, however, that Jan Di’s hairstyle really annoyed me. I didn’t get over it until half way through the series. In terms of hotness, I still think the Japanese crew, minus Domyouji, were the most attractive. Of course, Jerry Yan is still the cream of the crop, but I don’t feel much for the Korean guys. I liked your post, which I found while googling “which adaptation is the best.” I need a life, clearly.
I think the hottest guys were from the Taiwanese version. :p You know I love MatsuJun but his hair in HYD is really distracting. Nevertheless, I still think he looked hot. I could never accept Shun Oguri playing Hanazawa Rui. Sorry, but I really don’t find him hot (blame it on his Gokusen look) =)) Shota Matsuda (Japanese Xi Men) is cute but his character wasn’t highlighted so he’s kinda ‘forget-able’. Lee Minho is good looking but he’s more of the pretty boy type rather than the expected “maangas” look the male lead is supposed to have. I don’t really find the Korean F4 hot. More like cute. So that leaves with Taiwanese F4. I prefer Jerry Yan’s pineapple hairstyle (because he looked kinda old when they ironed his hair) but he still looks cute with straight hair. Vic Zhou is… need I say more? hahaha (BEST LOOKING/CHARACTERIZATION OF HANAZAWA RUI EVERRRR). Vaness and Ken may have lesser roles but they still have that humongous fandom following for their looks so that’s really something. So yeah, TAIWANESE F4 (in terms of looks).
Barbie Xu is the prettiest San Cai but Inoue Mao as Makino is like the character itself stepping out of the manga. I like Makino and San Cai’s characterization so I’m kinda torn between the two. But Barbie Xu delivered the best acting for me. She can make you cry and feel kilig at the right moments. She carried the Ah Si-San Cai love story. Makino-Tsukasa is a joint effort though I give credit more to MatsuJun’s acting. HE PWNED ALL THE OTHER MALE LEADS.
Meteor Garden has a special place in my heart too but there are parts that I’ve skipped watching because I found it boring and draggy. Boys Over Flowers too. Too teeny-bopper and usual kdrama cliches. Hana Yori Dango is the best story for me.
And about the songs, I KICK YOU! HYD has the best songs EVURRRRRRRR! Sharing them all in plurk after I post this. =))
adik ka tel, napapaspazz tuloy ako nang wala sa oras haha
What you just said, Bam. I get what you’re saying with Shun Oguri’s Gokusen look. Haha.
Are you kidding me? Among the three, Hana Yori Dango- the Japanese adaptation- had the best soundtrack.
Korean cast had the cutest F4 (and the prettiest best friend, Ga Eul) but the Taiwanese had the hottest. Kim Bum is the cutest Soujirou ever.
The Japanese had the best plot. Inoue Mao had the best characterization for Makino Tsukushi as well as Jun Matsumoto for Doumyouji Tsukasa.
Still, I have to say that Barbie Xu played her part very (maybe because she is a good actress). Jerry Yan was also the most dashing Doumyouji in the three adaptations.
I got addicted with Meteor Garden 10 years ago. I got starstruck with Boys over flowers. But… Hana Yori Dango got me helplessly and completely fallin in love. Ohlalalala. ♥
Must be because I’m a bigger fan of KPop than JPop. Let’s just agree to disagree on this one! But agree to the rest!