“Boys Before Flowers,” aka the Korean Hana Yori Dango
I’m a little late to this info, but this news gets me excited. And apprehensive. But excited!
So the Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango has been made into an anime series, a Taiwanese drama (Meteor Garden), and a Japanese dorama. The Japanese versions are already popular in Korea, but now a kdrama adaptation of the drama has been announced, with the tagline that “Third time’s the charm!” But really, when every version has enjoyed immense popularity throughout Asia (and the world), the tagline is a bit misapplied, methinks.
The production team behind the series is none other than Group Eight, who did Fantasy Couple and Goong S, and says they were selected by the copyright holder Kamio Yoko (the original manga writer) and Japanese publishing house Shueisha based on the strength of those prior drama series.
I could go into a whole long post about why I really dug Hana Yori Dango, but OH LOOKY HERE you mean I already did? I just love when I do my own work for myself. (Btw, that link doesn’t have any substantial spoilers, but there are screencaps and I mention, in a vague way, some of the larger plot elements.)
So the immediate question on everyone’s mind becomes the casting, particularly the fearsome foursome “F4″ who rule the school as quasi-celebrities, and the Doumyouji character in particular, its hard-hearted (and -headed) leader. A Group Eight rep explains, “Rather than casting based on popularity alone, we’re going for actors in the Korean F4 who fit the original characters best,” and intends to scour talent from already famous stars to unknowns in search of the most suitable F4 candidates.
I actually think going with unknowns can be a good move, because a super-popular series casting super-popular actors can overshadow what’s already a compelling, time-tested story. (But, might I suggest: Choi Shiwon would make a great Doumyouji, wouldn’t he? He’s got the right mix of popularity and freshness, and if he can manage the character’s mix of brutish assholery and thick-headed charm, he might just be perfect.)
Still, I think the big concern ought to be how to make the Korean version a series in its own, and yet remain true enough to the original story to please its existing (sizable) fan base. Also, how do you top the excellence of the Japanese version, made so recently? The dorama version was superlative in its adaptation, its casting, its music, its lighting, its production. Every aspect of the series was handled with great care, and it was rewarded with large success. Furthermore, the current Wikipedia news (so take with a grain of salt, obvs) indicates the Japanese series is planning to wrap things up with Hana Yori Dango: The Movie, to be released in the summer of 2008. Group Eight is certainly no stranger to expensive, gorgeous-looking sets with Goong S, but they’ve got their work cut out for them.
The series is set for a 24-episode run and, for now, aims for an airdate in the latter half of 2008. Dude. I am so there.
(And now all this Hanadan talk makes me want to rewatch the drama. Weekend marathon!)
Via My Daily
SONG OF THE DAY
Anamu & Maki - “ひとつだけ” (hitotsu dake / only one). Neither the song nor the group have anything to do with Hana Yori Dango; merely an excuse to post a Japanese song. [ zShare download ]
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Tags: Boys Before Flowers, Hana Yori Dango, manhwa adaptations, remakes
First, haha. 8D
WHOA. I’m super-de-duper psyched! And I’m just curious: What does Hana Yori Dango translate into in Korean? Because the Taiwanese version was known as Hua Yang Shao Nian Shao Nu. ^^
interesting……thanks!
Do you mean the phonetic Korean title? Or the meaning? The title in Korean basically means “hana yori dango,” or “boys before flowers,” and is pronounced “kkot boda namja” (꽃보다 남자).
wow i am effin psyched yay!!!!
I can’t wait. Watching Meteor Garden was fun, but when the Japanese dorama came out…WHOA. I enthusiastically anticipated each episode release. I agree that the dorama was done with great care, paying attention to details and selecting such great leads.
Choi Shiwon would be fantastic for the part of Doumyouji. The role he played in “18 vs. 29″ is similar to Doumyouji’s character, and I personally think he pulled it off great. Plus, he’s such a cutie. His smile makes me go ga-ga.
I’ve read the manga, watched the anime, watched the taiwanese (albeit cheesy) drama and the Japanese (also cheesy but great enjoyable) drama.
I will watch it again
Hua Yang Shao Nian Shao Nu is the Taiwanese version of Hana Kimi…
HAHA I just thought of another pun for the title. In Korean, there’s an added layer (though unintended, since they had nothing to do with the titling) because pretty boys are called “kkot-minam” or, loosely, “flower boys.” So the title kkot boda namja can be extrapolated to suggest that we want MEN before we want PRETTY BOYS, lol.
Too bad that’s not an intended interpretation. Ha!
i don’t remember you being so excited anticipating a series in awhile! makes me a little excited too….if just by your description alone…maybe i should go rewatch the dorama again….i felt like i watched it ages ago :/
oooooohhhhhhhhh
i love the dorama hana yori dango…… soooo much……….
so who will play Makino….. do u have any idea….
I still play the Meteor Garden series once in a while..
aahh…what a youthful series.
I look forward to your recaps! hehe ^^
i have only watched the taiwanese version. the first time i watched it, i became a total taiwanese F4 fanatic. but watching it again…it didnt have the same magic. funny that. but Jerry Yan and Vic Zhou were such eye candy.
casting and writing the Korean screenplay will be of absolute utmost importance. the story is already solid enough. but giving it that magic kdramas are famous for is the trick.
oh dear, i think i may regret asking this, but where can i DL episodes& subs for the japanese version?
so incredibly excited!!! i’m really glad the focus is on less of the hugely popular actors. i’ve noticed that a lot of japanese doramas cast solely on the star’s popularity, attracting fangirls worldwide. one of the reasons i prefer korean dramas more!
So far, the manga is still by far my favorite form of Hana Yori Dango. But maybe throwing in some hot Korean boys will change my mind. Usually does. XD
Best news all month.
Seriously.
YAY!!
I kind of can’t wait. Koreans do drama best. It’ll be cool how they mix that more traditional family sense into the story (like his mother and her acceptance from his mother, ect).
So excited >;3
I’m really stunned about this, because I always thought HanaDan was, at heart, a Korean Cinderella story. You have the poor plucky heroine, a chaebol, an evil mom, one plastic surgery-obsessed rival, etc. Above all, it’s a screwball romantic comedy, and that is the core of good Korean rom-com.
I am so excited…and I really do see Choi Si Won in it but if he’s in it then they would need guys with a similar age to make up f4 and I don’t want a total newbie cast >.> don’t know—
dramabeans, thank you for the link to your blog about the japanese Hana Yori dango! i didnt realize that you wrote about it.. and i think ill watch it again.. that blog was mostly for season 1 no? how about season 2? i havent watched it because many said that it sucked.. was not as good as season 1.. ill do what you recommend me about season 2. ^^
anyways. thanks for the heads up.
who do you like as the lead girl? ^^
I am so excited about this! i remember thinking to myself when watching the TW and Japanese versions, “i wish the koreans would make one too, it would be so interesting to see their take on it”…and now it finally happened! YAY! I am more of a kdrama fan than dorama so this is pretty exciting…
and i agree with you Javabeans, Siwon would be perfect for the role..when he acts serious he seems like such an a*hole but once his smiles, he makes you melt into a puddle like in 18 vs. 29
another kdrama to look forward to. YES!
ohmigod. this just made my day. please please please, don’t mess it up. i’ve only watched the jdorama version. i vote for casting new faces. Siwon is not a bad choice. i don’t think they have to worry about rating slumps for this one.
jaime, as for Hanadan 2, I liked it. Not as much as I liked Season 1, but it was enjoyable. S1 was over the top and totally fantastical, but it was gleeful in its excess, so I didn’t mind even though it veers on camp sometimes. S2 seemed like a lot of treading water — find ways to keep the couple apart even though they’ve already realized they’re meant for each other — and so it was fun but repetitive. I suppose that’s why they go into Soujiro’s story more (I wished there were more Akira), which is fine because DAYUM somewhere between S1 and 2 he got seriously hot.
As for the lead girl, it’s hard to say… It should be someone young and fresh — the characters are supposed to be 17-18 — but a lot of young Korean actresses trade on the cutesy, girly image, and Makino’s supposed to be resilient and tough. I actually think Moon Geun Young would be great but she’s probably too big a star for this kind of trendy drama. Lee Yeon Hee is a good actress, except she doesn’t seem tough at all. Park Min Young (from I Am Sam)? Park Shin Hye might work actually, but I lost all faith in her acting from Goong S. It’s difficult, because I think the class of trendy/popular actresses with some experience are on the old side (Gu Hye Sun, Han Hyo Joo, Han Ye Seul, Yoon Eun Hye) for the main lead, but they might be in the right age range for the older roles, like the older sister.
ohhhhhhhhhhh! i agree - apprehensively excited is the best description. please please please don’t screw this up korea. no weird re-writes or weird characterizations please. and how do you do the names? still the same but korean-ized somehow?
looks like the lead girl casting will be much anticipated. i agree she should be young and fresh. i imagine a younger lee ji ah. tough but cool and not your typical korean girl if you are to attract the F4. unconventional but with a girl-next-door appeal. ah! my imagination is running away with me…
I wondered when there’d be a Korean version! Yay!
HYD2 did bore me a little with the repetitive storyline. I actually didn’t watch the last two episodes but vowed to go back eventually. Maybe I should do that now?!
I agree that Choi Si Won would make a good choice, but I’d hate to see him with such bad hair lol.
I can’t believe that there’s going to be a Korean version…LOL. I love the Japanese version and the Taiwan one, I have yet to finish. I hope they put some of their own style into it and don’t try and copy the other versions. Also, about Choi Si Won, I actually think he would suit the Rui character, more cold and stand-offish but with a cute image that comes out when he warms up. For Doumyouji, I think they need a more quirky personality and maybe less conventionally good-looking because I think he’s a character of extremes which makes him comical and I don’t see Si Won playing that kind of role…but I could be wrong. LOL.
Hmm…do you think a Hana Kimi is next on the cards, if this one goes well? ^-^
oh man…so much hana!!! hehe…the taiwanese one made me into an F4 follower
also got me into dramas…as in asian dramas. loving dramas at all came from my mom who as a child had me watch novelas~ no longer limited to Spanish dramas, i absolutely love Hana Yori Dango. i became a HUGE Inoue Mao and Oguri Shun fan…of course we cannot forget Matsumoto Jun!!!! thus, leading me to find japanese music…now i am an Arashi, NEWS, and KAT-TUN fan…hehe. Oguri Shun is a great actor but he himself has stated to not wanting to be a pivotal main actor, rather a supporting actor like in イケメン♂パラダイス aka Ikemen Paradise or Hanazakari no Kimitachi e…i loved him in this drama. this drama is much better than the Hana Kimi (taiwan version)! the actress Maki as well.
@aneh1028,
Most likely Korean names. Lately, KBS has been producing many manga and manhwa adaptations (i.e. becoming the Korean version of TV Asahi) lately, and they’ve rebranded the work into Korean-friendly names and settings. It only makes sense to do that, just as Meteor Garden and the Thai version of HanaDan did.
I think Park Shin Hye would be wonderful in the Makino part. She’s the right age; she’s worked with Group Eight; plus, if you’ve seen her in her daily drama, she definitely has the right spunk for the part.
I think almost all of the cast should be some newbies. It would definitely give the storyline some freshness and generate new interest. I think for the female lead, instead of sticking to the conventional very girly, pretty and cute beauty, they should cast someone who seems tomboyish which is what I feel when I think about the character. As for F4 I think its time for some fresh faces. And more importantly than looks, at least try to find someone who can act.
After watching the Japanese version, I have to say I was hooked. Matsujun and Oguri Shun are rather famous so there wasn’t much curiosity to their style of acting (in reality Matsujun is rather like his character, very extravagant and often sharp tongued) and Oguri Shun has played quite a few roles. However, I must say that Soujiro played by Matsuda Shouta really got my attention. He was a newbie that shot to fame after this role. In fact, I was often more interested in his storyline in S2 than the leads. Of course, being a complete hottie totally helped!
i’m super excited, i just hope that HYD is just as good when they do it, cause it would suck really bad if they mess it up….. awww i can’t wait to see who they cast for F4 and Makino
thanks javabeans! do you know when they plan to broadcast it? i hope its good as the orignal…but i’m sure won’t top it. i really wanna know teh cast!
I don’t know if the korean version will be able to top the japanese version because it was borderline amazing (my favorite japanese drama to date)! But, they can try! and I think Choi Si Won would make a pretty good Domyouji, and I wouldn’t mind seeing him in another drama
But, one question that comes to mind is if he could pull of the childish part of Domyouji’s character; where he makes puns that don’t make sense because of his bad english or something xD those were so funny in the japanese version!
wahh. thanks dramabeans. you are the best!
ill watch HanaDan2 just because you said its fun, but it seems like that ill be having a hard time finishing it..? Maybe, also because each episode of Jdorama can stand by itself. i mean, an episode is a complete story by itself. it drove me crazy when there’s a new theme or one big event on each episode, and there’s no smooth transition in between (maybe its just this and HanaKimi?). ehh. nevertheless, it will be a treat this spring break. hehe
btw, thanks for that write up about HanaDan1 because i missed all those points. i mean, if you didnt point it out, then i would have never seen its “artsy” beauty.. thats why ill watch it again too. ^^
then, you made me change my mind about the main lead actress. you have a great point there! i was actually pulling for YEH, but now that you mentioned it.. anyone will do as long as they execute it well! so, i dont really care anymore on who it will be because ill be watching it for the F4 boys, not the girl. hehe. ^^
omg so happy! but i’ll go crazy if they cast yoon eun hye, no offense, i like her, but they should pick someone new and fresh like they said they were going to do.
………..omg….omg…omg….omg!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SO GOING TO WATCH THIS! i wonder who is going to be cast for this drama heheheheh!! hope it ll be good. Have really really high expectation!!!! ohohohoho!
haha it also makes me wanna rewatch..
the 3 asian countries im most interested in all make a hana yori dango
even though meteor garden wasnt that great
but the japanese one just completely awesome, but how would the names be translated so that they sound aliike?
hmm i hope the korean version will have a really great cast especially for f4 and more especially makino (and kinda yuki [makino’s best friend).. i wonder who’s going to play her.. lots of the young korean actresses (that can act passably) are more cutesy i think.. but choi si won would be a great choice if he manages to pull the roll off well
urgh.. i hope they don’t mess up by putting in random eyecandy that cant act -.-
i think relatively new actors/actresses would be ok..if they’ve got either genius talent.. or just an extra xP
woot-woot… can’t wait for this one…. I love HYD - both series… love it so much, I’ve got original DVDs of both. I actually watched it first before I did Meteor Garden - which made me wonder why the taiwanese version was such a big hit… Anyway, I hope the Korean version would not disappoint…
One of the best news i read so far!!!!!^^
Thought it was just a rumor when I read the news a few days ago, but since it’s true, I’m worried. And reading here that the people behind Goong S are handling this, now I’m scared.
Hanadan is one of my favorite series (manga, anime, j-drama) of all-time, and if they pull crap like they did with Goong S, there will be blood…
I’m not up-to-date on which young stars are hot these days, but as you said, I think Park Minyoung could pull off Tsukushi..she’s got the tough look, but could she pull off being a poor girl?
Tsukasa is my favorite character, but no one comes to mind…If this were made years ago, I would say Won Bin, but he’s obviously too old now and is MIA, so..
If Jang Geunsuk isn’t too busy, I think he’d make a good Soujiro or Akira..
Rui…hmm. I didn’t like Oguri in the part, so I hope for the Korean version, they pick someone who really captures the softness of the character…
Sorry for the long post. I’m a Hanadan freak XD;;
ghir: and if they pull crap like they did with Goong S, there will be blood…and if they pull crap like they did with Goong S, there will be blood…
I can totally see Daniel Day Lewis playing Doumyouji. If they cast Ellen Page as Makino, this would be the greatest Korean drama ever.
I heard about this a few days ago, and I am excited but nervous about it. The Japanese version is AMAZINGLY WELL DONE, and I doubt that the Korean version would be able to top how good the Japanese version was. I bet it will be better than the Taiwanese one though.
I really wonder who will play Makino???????? I just hope they do some really casting. It would be cool to have a talented unknown cast though
http://www.stoo.com/news/html/000/855/444.html
I was browsing around on search engines, and I thought this was a pretty interesting article about who netizens are voting for to be cast as F4. I could see Jung Il Woo and/or Jang Geun Suk cast as part of F4, but I’m not so sure about Jo In Sung or Kang Dong Won. This drama doesn’t exactly seem like something they’d usually do.
No real concrete information as to who’s going to be playing who, but it’s still fun to speculate! I just hope that the girl will be someone more bearable than Ella. I tried to watch the Taiwan version of HYD, but half an episode with Ella’s (overly!) over-exaggerated acting and I couldn’t watch any further. Not even the hot boys could keep me watching! The Japanese version I liked, but my only issue is that I’m not a huge fan of Matsumoto Jun. (Oguri Shun kept me hooked!) Needless to say, I’m really looking forward to this Korean version. I can’t wait to see who’ll be cast!
omg the 1st female lead that popped up in my mind is BAE SEUL GI lol she can look so soft and tough at the same time. Hehe, she can be such a bully at times too. Choi Shi Won is definitely a great pick for the cast. Omg i just cant wait to see who will be cast in the F4 roles. I have watched the Taiwanese drama, which i’ve never completed the drama. It was addicting at 1st then it started to be so cheesy and draggy. I have watched some episodes of the japanese dorama but same thing, never finished it cuz i simply got hooked on other dramas. So im looking forward to the korean version since i like korean drama alot more than japanese.
i think TOP from big bang should be Doumyouji!!! like the chaemooshin character he played.. and and maybe DBSK’s hero for hanazawa rui hahahaha.. and maybe moon geung young for shan1 cai4 / makino!
I’m not too thrilled about this version. The japanese version would have to be my all time favorite. It must have been the cast they had. When i look at the potential actors and actresses they have in mind, they don’t really fit the part. I mean, a lot of them are too old for the role, hana yori dango and meteor garden, their cast was a lot younger than the potential candidates for the korean version.
choi shiwon!
“No real concrete information as to who’s going to be playing who, but it’s still fun to speculate! I just hope that the girl will be someone more bearable than Ella. I tried to watch the Taiwan version of HYD, but half an episode with Ella’s (overly!) over-exaggerated acting and I couldn’t watch any further.”
@g35733: The actress who did the Taiwanese version of HYD was Barbie Hsu, And i agree with u about Jo in sung, i love him but he’s too old for this role :-X
Why, loads of comments. Tells how huge a fanbase HYD has.
Basically, I’m jumping up in anticipation and yet crying in despair at the same time. WHY WHY remake perfection? MatsuJun and Inoue Mao had it perfect as their character last time, and the series, especially HYD1 was beautifully executed, and not dragged/tightened plot so that non-manga fans can get it but enough trueness that manga fans ALSO loved it. I’m an avid fan of the dorama and the manga (NOT Meteor Garden. God, no. Couldn’t Barbie act better?! She didn’t look at all tough. I swear, a scene where Tsukushi is supposed to be screaming she just looks and acts the nice/quiet girl-next-door.)
However, a great story can be told to a bigger audience. Maybe I’ll fall in love again. I agree with you on getting new stars, UNLESS the star they find fits the image well. Inoue Mao was a newbie. HYD was her first series and she shot to stardom through it. She fitted it to the T. But if left it the hand of an unexperienced actor/actress, it’ll be just like killing Domyouji or Tsukushi…Tsukushi is going to be hard to cast. She needs to have lots of charisma and charm, and yet NOT be pretty. Charming and charismatic, yes, but she shouldn’t be as pretty as some of the bigger Korean stars–either that, or they need to tone down on their clothes/makeup, and dress more plainly. Because she’s a blunt, raw sort of girl. And they need to be completely into their character. They won’t be looking cute (in Goong, for example, YEH was supposed to be arguing with Shin but she looked glamorous every time. There needs to be more of a raw appeal.) but tom-boyish. I wonder if there’s any that can pull Tsukushi off while not over-acting? They need to be comedic but also dramatic (for the crying scenes…) and yet still believable and still be charming….(God, now that I look back, I realize what a brilliant job Inoue Mao did. Can’t imagine how any Korean star is going to pull this off.) Perhaps YEH? She threw herself into Coffee Prince, after all…I don’t think she’s TOO old. She has a baby-enough face.
Agree with your choice for Domyouji. The guy’s pic is hot. XD Though I wonder if he’d be able to pull of the perm…? Domyouji is also hard. How is he going to pull of violent, rich boy yet have such a stupid, naive, lonely and twisted air to him? I think the actor will probably be prone to act too cool or not violent enough. He’s suppose to be sympathetic, and change as the story goes on, but…he’s definitely not prince charming before, and not quite even after. (Looking back-again-MatsuJun did an awesome job. Did not know how hard these characters were to play until I’m analyzing it…:P)
The script will have to be great also…to make this worthwhile to watch as I’m sure Asia knows the story by heart by now. It’ll have to be fresh and witty while staying true to the story.
All I can say is Group Eight has got their work cut out. (and I’ll be looking for high production values and awesome music as well.
I had seen this news already and it was kind of a shock! I am HUGE fan of the Japanese version (really hated Meteor Garden)! The big issue is definitely the cast. everyone here has pointed out that they should be young actors. But, come to think of it, in HYD the only one playing a character her age was Makino (actress Inoue Mao); of the F4 guys, 3 are at least 4-5 years older than the characters, the exception being Soujiro, played by Matsuda Shota.
Makino’s role is really crucial, of course, because she’s the trigger to the story, the one that causes such a big impact in all their lives. it’s going to be hard finding a suitable young actress!
I had thought that the Korean remake was just a rumor but now i’m soooo looking forward to it!!! I had enjoyed both the Taiwanese & Japanese versions. Hopefully for Group Eight, we can have a feast for our eyes with amazing sets ^^
I have also heard of a rumor that Big Bang’s TOP has been approached to act as Doumyouji. Personally i think that TOP fits the deal. And he’s pretty new as an actor (I am SAM) yet popular among teens these days.
Hmm….i wonder who will be acting as Rui…..i had loved both Vic Chou and Oguri Shun!
Woo, I see this news has gotten lots of other people excited too.
As for the F4 guys — if you’ve done your military service, you’re too old. If a 17-year-old girl would call you ajusshi on the street instead of oppa, you’re too old. If you look at home in a business suit, you’re too old. Jo In Sung? Kang Dong Won? What are they smoking?
I don’t know much about TOP because I don’t follow Big Bang, but eh… He’s the right age and perhaps the right image, but I’m so shallow, and I want to find Doumyouji both adorable and hot. I don’t find TOP either, and if I don’t like Doumyouji, my interest is definitely gonna wane. (Then again, I didn’t care about Choi Shiwon until I saw him in Hyang Dan, and saw how charming he could be.) But I guess at the end of the day this is all just speculation.
OMG! ^.^ I am so excited! I’ve watched Meteor Garden (kind of cheesy and exaggerated) and HYD Season 1 and 2 (absolutely loooved it!). I haven’t been so excited about an upcoming drama since Coffee Prince. I do agree w/ the majority of the comments. The storyline is strong already but the casting AND screenplay is the utmost important. If the writers can’t accurately depict the familar parts (i.e. the conversations at the fire escape w/ Rui and Tsukushi), you’ll just have a 2nd rated drama where the viewers are constantly comparing “the Taiwanese/Japanese did it better.”
My biggest curiosity is who will be cast for Hanazawa Rui? I’ve always been “Team Rui/Tsukushi.”
personally, i like k-dramas better than j-dramas because… the people are prettier. i know! probably biased and mean but that’s what i think.
@ Lenrasoon
Ahh, I’ve just realized that I suddenly referred to Hana Kimi rather than Meteor Garden. Thanks for the correction! How shameful of me, especially since I was completely in love with Meteor Garden when it came out. The second season I wasn’t very into, but I definitely loved F4 and Barbie in MG.
love the jap hyd! one of my all-time favorites!
so looking forward to the korean version!
Barbie was . . . okay in Meteor Garden. But I can’t watch Meteor Garden without comparing it to MARS. It’s like you watch Vic and Barbie in MG, and you feel like it’s a “preparation” for their performance in MARS. You can tell they were in love with each other when they did that show.
Seriously, Japan, when are you going to step up with that MARS adaptation that everybody wants, hmm?
Siwon as domyouji. i have a harder time picturing his as Domyouji than him as Rui (as others want him to be) i think Heechul would be a Domyouji. he’s already got all that same air around him that Domyouji has. i don’t think it’d be that much of at stretch. only thing is… hmm, maybe his face is too feminine? although, Heechul can still pull off hot when he wants, so that wouldn’t be that big a prob
I have never seen Choi Siwon acting, but for now I’ll disagree with that. He just looks so…nice and kind, that it’s impossible to even imagine him being as mean as Domyouji is. I’d go for someone along the lines of Lee Wan, but he probably looks a bit too old for Domyouji. As for Makino, MGY would really do great, or Goo Hye Sun would too. They both have that spunky, strong Makino type of character.
I loved Hana Yori Dango, but isnt the story line getting a bit old? I mean, there is always a cold angry guy, a work hard girl, and the cold cool guy. Know what I mean?
ITS GETTING OLD T____________T
@Jo,
The pro with doing HanaDan is that it’s like a typical Cinderella screwball K-drama. The con with doing HanaDan is that it’s JUST like a typical Cinderella screwball K-drama.
Korean netizens are buzzing but also split, because even ardent HanaDan fans pretty much know the story itself is well-worn K-drama territory. Never mind the money to compete, that’s a given. The real challenge is casting and chemistry.
Questions abound. Do as the Romans do and cast a Kimchi Four of boy band idols, alienating the general female audience (who, yes, in Korea, demand decent acting to go with the face?) Do you go with popular, though older actors (Jo In Sung for Doumyoji?!?), thereby alienating the HanaDan fanbase. Or do you go with talented unknowns and pray this VERY EXPENSIVE show connects on its own terms?
Sarah, I am SO there too!!! ^^
The 3 top newbie actresses that netizens want as the role of Makino are :
Han Hyo Joo, Wondergirl’s Ahn Soo Hee and Girls Generation’s Yoon Ah.
But if I am to recommend any one for the role of Makino, it will be Kara’s Han Seung Yeon. Hey, this girl really looks like a Makino type of girl among the new generation new artists. She is not especially pretty but is cute when she smiles and looks fiercely stubborn at times as well. These factors are so Makino..
whoa! I’m excited! I’ve only watched Meteor Garden (no time for dorama) and this news certainly bring back memories of drooling over F4! I wonder who will the Korean F4 be?
Wow, seems many people are excited about Korean HYD.
It’s interesting that one story can be make to 3 different versions, from 3 different countries.
After you mentioned it, Javabeans, yes I kinda can see Choi Si Won as Domyouji..and the funny part is, I read this entry in the morning, and then during the day I thought about it, who will fit the other roles, and I did think that probably TOP could pull the role too! Never thought there was someone mentioned it before me!
And I also thought Park Min Young is quite good, and as much as I love Jo In Sung, he’s definitely too old for the role..
Hmmm, I hope they won’t cast any members of Wonder Girls/Girls Generation/other girls group. Or any former casts of “Mackarel Run”. They surely can’t act.
I must be the only one who doesn’t care for this anime/manga/drama. I still don’t get the whole excitement over this. I guess it’s a matter of taste, but still, I don’t get it. :T
jolee- great comment
every1 else- i read ur comments.
–i think if they stick to the perfect/fantastic storyline already, but then korean version won’t be original.
–if the korean version takes the risk and changes the plot/story line around, there’s a risk, a big risk to ruin the drama, but also an opportunity to break the old story for something new.
i love HYD!!@@@
—————as for the characters, it doesn’t matter if the actors for those roles are famous or not, they need to know HOW TO ACT, no just pretty faces that are stiffed and can’t act.
——–JAPANESE VERSION IS BETTER THAN THE TAIWANESE ONE, less draggy and more addicting.
———–RUI IS MY FAV OF ALL TIME!!
Gossip girl i gotta say your so rite..^^ w/ your comment..
YAY!!!…^^
i watch the j-version…which was the S.H.I.T.E…
Shun is so fuckin haute… :9
Taiwanese version was my very first asian drama that i every watch…
i thought to myself…
damn the guys are fione….
i went crazy over Zaizai and Jerry…lols …
i cant wait for this….
i know imma love it…^^
thnx for the post…
i wounder whos gonna play the girl?…
This news makes me really excited because i love romantic comedies and i love Hanadan. I hated meteor garden and couldn’t finish it. I’ve reread the original manga heaps of times. I love HYD1 but i disliked 2 because it was so draggy. But HYD1 was perfect.
I think the Koreans are going to have a hard time finding a talented newbie for Makino. Whilst Inoue Mao was considered a newbie as this was her first lead role, the girl has been acting since she was 5 years old. She was in a television drama called Kid’s War where she played a tomboyish, hot tempered girl who can’t get along with her stepfather’s children. That series had 5 seasons. Inoue Mao was the perfect Makino. She had the right looks i.e. she wasn’t pretty but she was cute when she smiled and she is an excellent actress. The best thing was that she has incredible chemistry with all the leads, especially Matsujun and Oguri Shun.
And i think thats part of what made Hanadan so great. That and the script. It was great. Even though they didn’t make the story exactly like the manga, it was still enjoyable because they made sure to keep the characters the same. No one was forced to act out of character and the new scenes are just as funny as the ones in the manga.
That being said, if they find the right cast for the Korean version, this version will definitely be a hit. Like everyone has been saying, HanaDan has all the elements of a korean drama. As long as they don’t adapt the last third of the manga series (where things got a little TOO melodramatic) then this drama will be awesome. Even after i watch the Hanadan movie (its being filmed atm) I would still watch this.
I can’t wait.
P.S. I am so voting for Choi si won. Doumouji or Rui is fine. Since i saw Hyang Dan, i’ve been wanting to see him in a long romcom and Hanadan is perfect. I’d prefer it if he acts as Doumouji but i can see how he can be Rui. Rui’s smile is very stunning and Choi Si Won actually has the right kind of smile. And yeah, i wouldn’t really want to see him in curls either-> he would look so weird in them.
i’ve been a fan ever since i was introduced to the manga and anime by my friend (who loves all things Japanese) about 8 years ago and have enjoyed watching parts of the taiwanese (beautiful actors, not so beautiful acting) and japanese versions (love the harry potter-esque feel and the actors were great, though sometimes too exaggerated–i get that it’s based on manga but still). as an aside, i like the soujiro actor cuz he looks so cool! plus, liar game was also a fun j dorama (though i’ll admit his acting is…ehh).
a fun past time for korean fans was to cast our own hyd people, my favorite pairings were ha ji won and jo insung/won bin in the lead (when they were all younger). i agree, however, that fresher faces are the way to go and i love your shiwon suggestion and maybe someone like lee eun song or go ara for tsukushi but not quite as beautiful (sohee is cute and apparently acts but does she have “charisma”) since she’s supposed to be a weed. it’ll be harder for this 3rd remake to differentiate itself from the previous versions since it’s basically the same material, but fingers crossed.
is “margaret” the copyright holder? i guess they are trying to squeeze as much money out of hyd as they can, though i guess i’m in the minority when i say that i didn’t like group 8’s previous works since their settings seemed too synthetic and confused (especially in goong s: i’m all for fusion, but they could have combined trad korean with european styles in a more sophisticated manner, like you said about hyd s1, goong s’s sets “veer on camp”–okay, i get that it’s based on a manhwa but still). i like my settings beautiful AND believable.
AHH, totally gettin hyped up now!
Can’t wait for the cast to be revealed, it better not let me down like how Goong S did
Here’s my F4 group imaginomination:
Choi Si Won - for the role of either Doumyouji Tsukasa or Hanazawa Rui (Ogari Shun)
Lee Wan - for the role of Mimasaka Akira (Abe Tsuyoshi)
Lee Jun Ki - for the role of Nishikado Soujiroh (Matsuda Shota)
Jang Geun Suk - for the role of either Doumyouji Tsukasa (Matsumoto Jun) or Hanazawa Rui
Per JavaBeans in post #52: “As for the F4 guys — if you’ve done your military service, you’re too old. If a 17-year-old girl would call you ajusshi on the street instead of oppa, you’re too old. If you look at home in a business suit, you’re too old.” I totally agree with this assessment.
I was fishing around vox and found this post about the HYD movie….
http://jdrama.groups.vox.com/library/post/6a00e398df6d6a000400e398e1a2510004.html
wow! i didn’t expect to see so many comments…i guess a lot of people are excited about this!….which makes me hope that it won’t fall flat on its face.
has anyone talked about the female casting? who would be top candidates for female lead?
I heard everyone’s been commenting about HYD, especially the J-drama (fact of life, soo much better than the T-drama.)
That being said, a lot of people have already mentioned HYD is a Cinderella story. But I think that they’re forgetting the fact that A) Makino isn’t very Cinderella B) Domyouji isn’t very Prince Charming. But that’s the point. That’s what makes it so great….It’s very very comedic, twisting that lil worn-cliche into something new. Koreans better stick to that freshness!! I DO NOT want to see a mopey, like-any-other Cinderella Makino. The characters must must remain themselves.
Changing the plot (to tighten up the story, or to give spice to a well-known story) would be good, but it’s very risky. It must make sense and still be true to the characters. It must seem like something the characters would do. And as Asia knows the characters by heart by now…trust me. They’ll see the discrepancies. Same with the writing. It must be witty, funny, and yet true to the story and characters. HYD j-drama also had something going for it, which was that the manga-ka, Kamio, worked with the cast and the writers to keep it close to the manga (or at least the characters close to the manga.) In fact, I saw a variety show where Inoue Mao and Matsujun showed off the things she drew for them (:P I burst out laughing when Inoue Mao showed Rui’s pic, saying that she requested for Kamio-sensei to draw Rui instead because she was a Rui fan.) But I don’t think Group Eight will have that advantage.
Keeping my finger cross it won’t become too dramatic. HYD first and foremost is a comedy mixed with bits of drama. NOT a tearjerking story. I’m still haunted by the middle/ending of Goong, where Cinderella suddenly started crying every scene. K-dramas are known for tearsjerkers, or romantic comedies suddenly getting too serious at the end. Please please not let that happen. I would’ve loved to see Kim Sam Soon’s people work on this….they got a great mix of comedy and drama, with comedy the upper hand, in that drama. Perfect tone for this, I would think.
hehe i found http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwxUPs2HX84
omg ok dramabeans u have made my life! lol
i cant believe this!
this is soooo exciting!
i wouldnt say i am exactly ‘apprehensively’ excited. i would like to see how koreans can do the story. i dont want to be too worried how well they stick to the plot and all the details. i’d rather see them go crazy and do their own thing with it, than just seeing the same show in another language. it will be reeeallly interesting to see who can play domyounji and makino, and of course the others. would they go all traditional korean? and the music and scenery! o this is soo cooool! thanx! and o the HYD movie is also exciting! when is this korean version supposed to start recording? 24 episodes? does that mean they will combine both seasons? way cool!
@Miki,
Yeah but the Korean Cinderella story usually involves a feisty poor girl and an arrogant chaebol. They fight; they fall in love; family objects; they end up together again in Paris, Prague or in a full house, and then the entire nation of Korea starts saying “aja!” In that way, Hana Yori Dango IS the prototypical K-drama, and this should be a homerun. A solid screenplay for a 24-episode HYD should be pretty easy (you have Meteor Garden as a guide); it’s again, the production and moreover casting that’s the real challenge.
It would be a real coup if they decide to pull a Meteor Garden and move the story to college. THEN, your cast pool seriously opens up!
A Korean HanaDan is, by default, a HALLYU drama. Once the show is in production, the studio can start selling distribution rights to pretty much all of Asia. If the show is actually good, then it’ll be bigger than Goong, and it’ll hold the tent for the next generation of international hit K-dramas. If the show is bad, it’ll be more disastrous than Goong S. It’s like the Olympics of Asian Drama!
@belleza
You are spot on - this is the Olympics of Asian drama! In fact Meteor Garden was one of those landmark dramas that drew people into Asian drama. And if the K-version does it the MG way of having uni as the setting, the casting pool could be much wider. But ultimately it’s the script, casting, chemistry and the production value that will make the trick.
Yay! Sounds interesting and I can’t wait to watch it!!! I’ve just finished Season 1 & 2 of Hana Yori Dango and I truly enjoyed the series!!! You’re right, Season 1 of HYD was infinitely more likable than S2 but I still enjoyed it anyway… I don’t know what to think now about this Korean version, part of me goes “I’m still gonna LOVE the japanese HYD more!”, while the the other part goes, “Yessssssssssss! More HYD!”… I like the Japanese version a LOT more then the Taiwanese…. Sorry guys, I can’t stomach meteor garden, it just won’t go down with me… *choke*
ohhhhh i share everyone’s excitement for this!! i watched the taiwan and japanese versions so far, saw parts of the manga.. i watched Meteor Garden first, and that got me addicted.. but watching the Jdorama made me enjoy it ten times over. so much fun!!
i think CSW (Choi Shi Won) would be perfect for Doumyouji… i think he can very well pull it off… ^^ but he can also pass for a very soft hearted Rui. Hmmm.. But I sorta like JIL for Rui..
For Makino, LYH would be cool… I heard rumors about Ara playing it too…
Hmmm.. Id like to see one of the coffee prince boys in it too… Ahhhh im excited as heck!! I hope the kdrama puts their own spin on things too. I loved the ost of HYD 1 & 2 though.. nice.
I am surprised to see so many comments about this show. It was Hana Yori Dango which started my appreciation into Asian shows. I personally prefer the Japanese version to the Taiwanese, it made more of an impact and was interesting, I liked Makino a lot she displayed a characteristic that very few females were seen to be on screen & that is at all times she was herself, she took risks. Her inner beauty also outshone her outer. Although everyone has been talking about the casting of F4 and Makino, another favourite character for me was Tsukasa mother that woman was classic, casting her is very important as well. The powers that be, better do a good job here as well because that woman was a dragon and a very strong one at that , who did everything possible to destroy that relationship. I am looking forward to seeing the Korean version to HYD hoping that is way way way much better that the Taiwanese version and just as good or better than the Japanese one.
I loved the jdorama, season one was one of my first jdoraman I watched so it will also be a little special to me.
The HYD movie should come out this summer, I think it will deal with the upcoming wedding between Tsukasa and Makino.(Finally)
But let’s see how this version will be like, I was not very fond of the taiwaneese version though.
But this might turn out to be as good as the japanese one.
I liked both japanese and taiwanese version. Cinematically, (err… is that how its called?) for japan i think one of the best jdo i have watched so far. am looking forward to the movie special. although the casting i think was decided on on who’s currently popular in japan , acting is great but i think they fall short in the charisma as the taiwanese F4 who was for me more enigmatic than the hana yori guys of japan. I would expect the korean version to be presenting more than enigmatic young actors rather really talented ones and not be theatrical in their acting and at the same time present a very cool presence on the screen. For me hana yori dango means boys whom would be admired more than beautiful flowers. Because they’re supposedly more than eye candy, they should be enchanting, charismatic and embodies ones’ teen fantasy of a boyfriend. I wouldn’t mind too if the korean version would present a different twist to the manga like the taiwanese did in their version since i think i have had enough of the original story line to watch another version that’s an all out copy. If only this was made prior goong i would think the Rui would be played well by ji hoon and Makino by eun hye and the likes of so ji sub to play the role of domrouji (i haven’t seen him play an ultra rich kid role yet though, has he?) and soujiroh played by lee jun ki and minki to play mimasaka akira. Although the taiwanese came up with the 2nd wave, i find missing out on the soujiro love angle. and the fact it ended still with domrouji and makino together ( i was hoping on the 2nd run as the plot thickened rui (’lei’) and makino (san cai) will end up together they had more chemistry then. I’ll probably wait for the korean way of doing it. Again, I will expect the korean version to present a balance between the technical aspect like how jdo did it and yet come up with its own twist like the taiwanese version.
hahahaha I’m a little bit worried about a Korean Hanadan, but, like someone commented up there, it is kind of essentially like a lot of Kdramas. I’m excited. If Siwon was in it, I’d DEFINITELY have to watch it! Now I’m excited!
p.s.
to g35733 ella didnt do HYD she did Hana Kimi…yes she was OA in that series. The one who played Makino in taiwan HYD is Barbie Xsu which for me was just right coz she’s pretty and cute yet looked very effective as a tough POOR girl trying to make it in the up scale university with her mom pushing her to it. …
i dunno about young actresses from korea, but i think Nah Eun Kyeong (ttp://www.hancinema.net/photos/photo12750.jpg) who played as friend to eun hye in goong also present a wacky tough attitude ( am sure not everyone would agree), she isn’t as pretty as eun hye, but i was just thinking that the character of makino being the strong weed was the very charm she had thus domrouji having to fall for her and not because she was pretty and beautiful. HYD anyway was about the 4guys being the most beautiful ones not necessarily makino.
i believe the korean HYD would be able to present more beautiful fresh young actors: face, physique and voice quality fitted in the role, plus with real acting talent where its predecessor had only one or two of these qualities not all.
still, can’t wait!
I really think that having the Korean version is really pushing it. Its like the directors can’t think of any more new drama plots and hence just decided to adapt from the manga. It would be hard to live up to the Japanese version. Some of their characters played by the actors are irreplacable like Hanazawa Rui and Makino.
Next they’ll start having their version of Hana Kimi?
the previews for the Hana Yori Dango Final movie are already out on youtube, and now kdrama HYD!!! thanks for the news, can’t wait to know more details!!
I really hope they pick a good cast to star for the Korean version. Both the Taiwanese and Japanese versions had well known/Popular members to play the roles.
Also, if they are going to do the 24 episodes, I’m thinking they’ll probably combine the 2 seasons like in the Taiwanese version rather than to split it up like the Japanese version. I’ll be a bit disappointed if it gets draggy and boring..
Guess the only thing we can do is wait.
This news got me really excited. I wish it would be as good as the Japanese version or even better. We know that the strength of k-drama is its cinematography and music so I do hope that it will be obvious in the korean version of HYD.
I can’t wait to see who will be casted as F4. I was watching HYD1 a few weeks ago and I thought what if it will have a korean version, who will play Domyouji? It was really funny that during the time I was thinking about that, it was actually becoming a reality. hahaha! I already have a few guys on mind (I was actually casting DBSK but there’s five of them and F4’s only well, 4). I know the producers can find someone who will be capable of portraying the F4 and Tsukushi. I don’t care if they are old or new…we just need someone perfect for their roles.
maybe one of ‘em will play as the brother of makino .. ha ha ha ha
i REALLY hope theyL put YOON EUN HYE as MAKINO… but how will it be?gaaaah..
hmnnnn how about UKNOW YUNHO of DBSK as Doumyouji?? Just a thought….
Omg… i am so psyched about this. So please, whatever info you have on this, can you please post it up and i will look for it everyday.
We know how famous the taiwanese version have become but i still prefer the Jdorama version.
But now that they’re doing the korean version, they must have high expectations. It would be a disappointment if the actor for shun oguri’s/ vic zhou’s character are not as expected. Hopefully, the korean domyouji would be better than jun matsumoto (no offence to him, he was brilliant in it).
anyway, i am looking forward to cast and crew.
this looks like the next best kdrama of 2008
i caNt waiT fOr it!!siwOn miGht bE a caSt!!suju…
Go Ara, she has a pretty face, but her acting is still border line….but I love her face
she’s so pretty
Personally
I hated doumouji
HANAZAWA RUI!ALL THE WAY!! (except for his crooked teeth lol)
I love all versions, and i have complete faith that the korean remake will be just as good. Although, my favorite is the japanese dorama
they should put T.O.P as Doumouji
he’s so sexyy..>^^
Choi Si Won Choi Si Won Choi Si Won Choi Si Won Choi Si Won
IDK about the “too old” thing….
after all, matsumoto is, what, 24?
And MG was shot like they were college students.
Regardless of whether that worked or didn’t work, it is still considered one of the most popular asian dramas, so I don’t think the producers are going to necessarily discard the college idea.
Maybe if they find a really good Domyoji (cuz, c’mon you can have all the other characters fit to a T, but if you don’t got Doumyoji, you got nothing) they will probably plan the rest of the drama around his age…
So, i don’t think we should throw away the possibility that this might be shot in a college setting……
Actually, I think I may even prefer it in a college setting…..
HYD manga has some “adult” stuff (not that it shows anything, but there is lots of sex talk between D and M) and I know the Japanese version had alot of complaints from some net fans that there wasn’t enough “contact” in the series… contact that I would guess would not be deemed so appropriate for a high school series…
My guess is if they want to maintain the sexual tension scences and whatnot, they will probably make it a college-based drama……..
Who knows….either way…..I hope this drama will be subbed by a fast group (LOL) because I won’t be able to wait……..hehe should I just learn korean before then?……………….
My heart nearly stopped beating when I saw this post.
I love HYD. I really love Kdramas…..and I hope that they don’t kill it. I am rooting for the makers of this drama . . .
As for the actors, well my favorite rendition was the Jdrama, I never found Matsumoto Jun to be the definition of hotness BUT he was a good actor, I loved how he depicted the different sides of Domyouji (especially the parts he acted all goofy [think "Hemingyay" XD ])and he grew on me very quickly.
I just hope the guy that plays him is taller AND both agile and strong enough to be able to convincingly seem like he could beat up ten full grown men as was depicted so many times in the Jdrama. lol.
AAAAH! I don’t know if I’m happy or totally worried about this. I once commented when I first got into Kdrama that Hanadan would make a good one since it has all the essential elements of a Kdrama plot, I never would have though they’d actually make one! But still, I worry…I mean, someone commented before that Hanadan is essentially Kdrama ish at heart (and it is, omg the comment about Sakurako and the plastic surgery? I nearly died laughing) but still there’s many MANY things that could go so terribly wrong. Also the group that’s picking it up don’t have such great standing in my books *cough*GOONGS*cough* but then again, fantasy couple was a cute and enjoyable drama so it could go either way (I really hope it goes in a good way). I’ve seen all the drama version of Hanadan (even the old OLD live action movie) so there’s a lot to compare this new version to in my mind, I’ll really have to refrain from doing that though, I hope I can treat this version as something of its own. A lot of people compare the TW version with the Jdrama and end up hating the TWdrama. I, for one, really loved Metero Garden =D.
I’m thinking really hard about who’d be good for the roles and I really have to agree with Siwon as tsukasa (and not just cuz he’s smokin’) I thought he had a really commanding kind of presence in the Super Junior movie and could still be cute and ridiculous (like he is in EHB). I really like Yoon Eun Hye but I don’t really think she’s the best for Tsukushi…well…parts of her are really Eun Chan-like so there’s no doubt she could play someone responsible and dirt poor, maybe my image of her is off. Other than them I kind of like the look of that girl from Epik High’s FAN mv, she also played the sister of the main female lead in Que Sera Sera. I can’t remember her name. Ah! I think maybe Kim Jung Hoon could do a good Rui since he’s something like Yul (yearning for a woman he can’t have) and he’s shown he can have a cruel kind of jerk off side like in Witch Yoo Hee. But he’s a little older than what the aim is isn’t he?
Ah, I’m so excited for this. I can’t wait until they release the cast list. I wonder if I’ll be sad then or really happy. I’m crossing my fingers for a good run!
You know what’s funny. every asian country has to have some kind of F4 boys.
the pretty pretty boys in their drama.
cuz, they also produced a similar one in Indonesia (hella bad… very very bad)
but they did make it, as i think other countries in asia will as well (or already done, we just don’t know that they made it)… haha
omg, i’m so excited. korean actors are so much better looking.
Ahhhh, Hanadan. That awesome awesome dorama. XD
Another whole different version of it? Thank You, God (*on bended knees*). Life isn’t so bad when they make different versions of your fav drama! And yes, I would have loved it if Si Won was casted anywhere in the drama.lol. Doesn’t even have to be Doumyoji.
Yeah, talking abt it makes me wanna watch it all over again. ^_^
im so exyted to c this….
like to YEH in it..
like to see YEH in it
Ohhhhh no…no,no,no…..PLEASE NOOOOOOO
NO YEH!!! I don’t think I’ll watch this if YEH is Makino…i loved her in Cofee Prince…but her Goong character makes me think that she is TOTALLY wrong for this role
ooohhh.. i wonder who will the other F4 be.. lol..
ahhh.. can’t wait.!!! geeezzz..!!!
They should make a Ouran High School Host Club drama… it would totally ROCK!
I was completely thrilled when I heard that S Korea was taking this series on as a drama. I really do think they excel in the drama department over the other countries. Their actors seem to act circles around the rest of the world.
I just hope hope hope that they cast the F4 well. As far as appearances are concerned, I think Meteor Garden had an appealing cast. The F4 did seem tall and fearsome and handsome (even though the only one I felt who could act was Vanness Wu!)
And the Japanese version…I couldn’t get past the first two episodes. The main actress was adorable, yes, but I felt it was way too rushed. Also, I couldn’t get past the appearance of the F4. They seemed way too waifish, girly, and sallow to be the fearsome F4. I know it’s shallow of me, but it was a huge turnoff. They were just too little, and they had bad teeth.
So, from Korea, I have high expectations for actors who not only act well, but also look the part, and I’m also anticipating excellent script writing. I really can’t wait. I love this manga. And I love kdrama!
I seriously hope that this doesn’t happen anytime soon. I mean I love Korean dramas, but Hana Yori Dango is just releasing their movie in June. I agree that Hanadan has elements of the average Korean drama, but then, it makes me think that they’ve done so much of these type of drama’s already that the storyline could get stale. Seriously 24 episodes is too long. I mean Goong got to be too long and repetitive. Imagine 24-hour long episodes, would that mean more Rui sulking, Tsukushi and Domyouji fighting, evil plots by the several antagonists?
In my heartest of hearts, I hope they hold-off on this for at least a year. I mean Hanadan came out way after Meteor Garden was finished. To be sure, Korea will not lack the talent necessary to pull this feat. Though, it will be hard to top the Japanese dorama. Their sets and costumes got the whole jet-setting, rich F4 to a t.
“Also, I couldn’t get past the appearance of the F4. They seemed way too waifish, girly, and sallow to be the fearsome F4. I know it’s shallow of me, but it was a huge turnoff. They were just too little, and they had bad teeth.”
I think you’re comment was funny because they do look like that. You’d think that being rich boys,that they are, they could afford to get some dental insurance. But in retrospect, it is based off the manga that needed the boys as “waifish” and “girly,” it is shoujo after all.
Besides, most guys who wear couture in a day to day basis are somewhat girly anyway. Anywho, what they lacked in appearance, they totally made up through their performance. Domyouji IS Matsujun. It’ll be a hard act to follow because the bar is set so high. Matsujun and Mao have such a rapport with each other, that you forget that he is too short to be playing the part.
unknown cast? WHY? T_T
totally agree w/ you on choi shi won.. *drools* as for the female lead, i think yoon eun hye would be good (c’mon, who doesn’t love her?) and park shin hye & moon geun young are also great candidates =3
all in all, can’t wait for the k-version of hanadan!
I like Kang Dong Won to Play Domyouji…
I can’t even begin to say how much I’m looking forward to this but part of me is dreading being disappointed. I mean, after the fantastic JP version, can they top that? I was really looking forward to It Started with a Kiss 2 but I was really disappointed. There was really no need for that and if they had just made season 1 a bit longer, they could have wrapped they story up just fine. And I understand why they want to pick complete unknowns and I’ll keep my fingers crossed that they get the casting right. I have faith in the company because they did a fantastic job with Goong. But if this is coming out in the latter part of this year, surely they should have started casting by now? Why haven’t we heard anything yet??
i really hope Lee Yeon Hee gets the lead role! I think she’d do a really good job…if she doesn’t end up getting the role i think i’d be bummed =( ..I just hope the director makes picks a great cast for this drama.
Sorry for the long post. I’m a Hanadan freak *.~
ho look me ^^
original DVDs of both. I actually watched it first before I did Meteor Garden - which made me wonder why the taiwanese version was such a big hit… Anyway, I hope the Korean version ^^
ty
ty
^^
Tsukasa is my favorite character, but no one comes to mind…If this were made years ago, I would say Won Bin, but he’s obviously too old now and is MIA, so..
If Jang Geunsuk isn’t too busy, I think he’d make a good Soujiro or Akira..
Rui…hmm. I didn’t like Oguri in the part, so I hope for the Korean version, they pick someone who really captures the softness of the character…
Sorry for the long post. I’m a Hanadan freak
cast especially for f4 and more especially makino (and kinda yuki [makino’s best friend).. i wonder who’s going to play her.. lots of the young korean actresses (that can act passably) are more cutesy i th