News bites: January 28, 2009 (Boys Before Flowers edition)

74 January 28, 2009February 8, 2009

News bites: January 28, 2009 (Boys Before Flowers edition)

by javabeans

Gu Hye-sun, Lee Shi-young

There’s kind of a glut of Boys Before Flowers news these days, isn’t there?

On one hand, I don’t want to wear myself out and get BBF fatigue before the series is even half over, yet on the other hand, I AM interested. So my compromise: here’s a round-up of the latest news, with a spoilery bit at the very end (it’s a tiny, almost-not-even-a-spoiler type of spoiler):

Lead actress Gu Hye-sun was recently in a minor accident: On the 28th, she was filming a diving scene and hit her head on the bottom of the pool, which wasn’t as deep as anticipated. It wasn’t a serious blow, but she was taken to the hospital for a CT scan and hospitalized on the doctor’s recommendation while waiting for test results. She is expected to return to filming on the 29th. [E Daily, All That News]
By the way, although they’ve all been minor instances, this follows car accidents involving fellow castmates Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Joon, and even Lee Min-ho’s manager. [Daily Surprise]
New actress Lee Shi-young (who plays Min-ji) debuted this past weekend on MBC’s variety show We Got Married as partner to Shinhwa’s Jun Jin. The Jun Jin/Lee Shi-young couple joins a few new pairings (Kim Shin-young/Shin Sung-rok and Jung Hyung-don/Tae Yeon) in an attempt to revitalize the flagging program. [Max Movie]
On the show, Lee is described as showing a quirky charm, which the program’s rep explains is not a fabricated “concept” but “just her true nature.” [Joy News]

Wanna see what F4 looked like as students? I kind of think Kim Hyun-joong would have been just as handsome (or more) without having his eyelids done, but otherwise, it looks like everyone else is sporting their natural features.[Sports Khan]
It seems we aren’t the only ones to pick up on Kim Joon’s resemblance to a certain A-list actor: he’s starting to be called “the younger Jang Dong-gun.” [Break News]
He’s also receiving more endorsement offers. Not as many, perhaps, as his more prominent co-stars, but he’s currently busy considering the increased CF opportunities. [Newsen]
Some fans are dissatisfied with the way Gu Hye-sun has been styled and dressed in the drama (the actress apparently does her own hair and makeup). They find her super-red lips against her naturally white skin and her trademark circle lenses exaggerated and unattractive. Lest you think they’re hating on the girl for not being pretty enough, it’s really more the opposite, since Gu is usually known for her beauty; she got her start as an uljjang, which by definition highlights her pretty face. [Star News]

You know you’re a phenomenon when you’ve been famous for a month and already you’ve got a lookalike. One particular internet shopping mall owner is making news because of a resemblance to Lee Min-ho‘s character, and the Gu Jun-pyo Doppelganger will make his appearance on the January 31 episode of SBS’s variety program Star King. I see a mild similarity, but frankly, wearing the character’s trademark curly hairstyle and distinctive clothing would give resemblances to a lot of people. [Kuki News]
Meanwhile, the BBF Force is so strong that even the embarrassingly misused (and overused) soundtrack is skyrocketing in popularity. According to music portal service KTF Dosirak, three of the songs on the OST have entered into the Top 10 of all different kinds of online music charts: SS501‘s “내 머리가 나빠서” (Because I’m Dumb), T-MAX‘s “Paradise,” and Someday‘s “알고 있나요” (Do You Know?), although Shinee‘s “Stand By Me” and Ashily‘s “Lucky” are also popular. Frankly, if I never hear any of those songs again — outside of the drama OR within it — I would not complain. [Segye]

Now, what about F4’s fancy WHEELS?

Jun-pyo drives around in a black Lotus Europa S (at immediate right), a two-seater that goes from 0 to 100 (kmh) in 5.8 seconds and tops out at 241 kmh. It’s priced at 84.2 million won.
Yi-jung drives the Lotus Exige S240 (above, far right), another two-seater with faster acceleration (0 to 100 in 4.2 seconds) and tops out at 250 kmh. It goes for 99 million won.
Woo-bin’s wheels look similar to Yi-jung’s, and belong in the Lotus Elise SC category. (0 to 100 in 4.6 seconds, tops out at 240 kmh, priced at 82.2 million won.)
Meanwhile, car-phobic Ji-hoo gets around on the Massimo Tamburini-designed MV Agusta (the specific model is the F4 R 312), which actually has a higher top speed than the cars at 312 kmh. The price ranges from 30 million to 40 million won, although the priciest model goes for 150 million won. [Hankyung]

And now, for the SPOILERY bit:

(Although it’s not really very revealing…)

The 24-episode series will split its story into two parts. One production rep said, “Although we’re producing 24 episodes, the first 12 will be the story of the characters in high school, while 13 through 24 will show them as university students. We’ll be telling completely different stories [in the second part], similarly to how the Taiwanese and Japanese series did it.”
However, they won’t be totally aping the previous dramas: “We’re not quite sure yet what form it will take, but the story will unfold differently from the Japanese and Taiwanese versions.”

This jump in time corresponds to the entrance of Jun-pyo’s fiancée, played by Lee Min-jung (above), who will make her first appearance in Episode 13. [OSEN]

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51 lynn

January 28, 2009 at 10:43 PM

too many accidents already (3 out of the 5 leads)
i really like gu hye sun (seriously, ever since her nonstop days, i even got mad at ppl who criticized her) but i have to admit that the red lips are a little bit too red (maybe that's her intention to look not too pretty, i dont know)
*SPOILERS (a little bit)* i really (REALLY) hope the 2nd part of this version is not like meteor garden 2 where they made the main guy get amnesia for almost the whole series (in the manga, he got amnesia for only a really short time, even though the manga's way of recovery is a little bit unbelievable)

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52 lynn

January 28, 2009 at 10:49 PM

oh and i agree with "doublelid" (comment #50). i know ppl (my auntS, emphasis on the "S") who have single eyelids since young and the double eyelids just show up when they grow older (even though i think that won't ever happen to me unless i go for plastic surgeries)

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53 j

January 29, 2009 at 3:28 AM

after all that news, all i've got to say is that i don't think kim hyun joong got his eyes done, lol~ the end xP

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54 mahirah

January 29, 2009 at 7:01 AM

i want it to be like the original one. hmm....will see first.

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55 JustALook

January 29, 2009 at 7:55 AM

Glad GHS is doing okay. That accident could have been so tragic.

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56 bethany

January 29, 2009 at 8:00 AM

thats a LOT of press.

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57 poptartsgurl

January 29, 2009 at 9:04 AM

those circle lenses are distracting...it's like a large pool of darkness...
whenever GHS and i think even KHJ are on the screen...I have to focus all my attention away from their eyes...as to not creep myself out.

GHS looks SO much better without the circle lenses... http://www.8hitz.com/pictech3/Koo_Hye_Sun_03.jpg

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58 Shay

January 29, 2009 at 9:24 AM

Episode 8 was great as usual. All the characters performed their roles well and we got to see Woo-bin have some screen time . I wish they showed more of his life, or even a girlfriend for him.

He seems so lonely...in HYD they showed Akira's family in the second season, and even twin sisters which was really cute. Maybe in the end they will pair Lee Min-jung with him. After she gives up on Joon-Pyo!

*cross fingers*

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59 lily

January 29, 2009 at 11:33 AM

@ Robin. Looks like you read my mind!!! I mean this Drama is too obviously rushed!!! and I fail to understand what is soooooooo great about the guys' look( especially with the plastic surgery thing).
I watched Ep 8. And althoughsome parts are funny the script sooooooooooooooo forced and fake!! I was like "WTH is going on??"

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60 Sere

January 29, 2009 at 12:53 PM

What it is with all the Lotus-es? I mean, sure, they're fast and sleek-looking, but jeez, a bit of variation wouldn't hurt. There're plenty of fast cars out there, imho.

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61 Robin

January 29, 2009 at 8:01 PM

@lily
Haha, it looks like we both agree on a lot of things about this drama.
I can't blame it all on the good looks but no real substance problem. Naturally, it's a story that has been done many times, and it's difficult to make it refreshing and compelling. I think I would've like this a lot, well, at least overlook the things that fell short if I didn't know HYD at all. All that aside, there were small gems here and there, and I thoroughly enjoyed LMH's performance and looking forward to seeing him in another drama in the near future.

Pardon for going off topic, but I'm hooked on the jdramas this new season. Voice and Kami no Shizuku (rumored to be adapted into a kdrama as well with BYJ on board) are two that seemed promising to me so far. Great talents, great castings, great deliverances. End rant.

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62 lily

January 30, 2009 at 5:33 AM

You said it Robin!! LOL I am happy I am not the only one who find it a bit rushed and too forced, no comment about the acting (don't care about look). I fail to see the "coherence" in this drama.
You know what attracted me to HYD Japan was the chemistry between the actors. I mean Domyoji even had chemistry with Yuki's annoying boyfriend. Only look at Epi 7 after F4 fought, the way they walk, look at them, smile at each others, care about each other. You feel it . Plus actingwise they are the best. Frankly
Kim Bum can't pull a playboy act off.
"Gangsta man" doesn't act like a teenage playboy who date older women. In HYD it was explained why Akira do that and Abe pull it and he was mature. But in BOF he looks a scared teenage boy.
KHJ although he improved he is always bad and his acts look forced
Lee Min Ho looks like more and more an easy going, sweet "teenage" korean boy. You even compared him to Kim Jae Won in (100 days with arrogent man).
GHS she can't act.
Epi 8 did not impressed me at all. I mean I aws What is happening here? Why This? Why That?
Anyway BOF win for me the prize of the most overrated asian drama in the world(at least MG season made sense).

About these Jdrama I am watching them and I like them. They are well executed. Ikuta Toma (if I ma not wrong) is good in Voice

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63

January 30, 2009 at 2:56 PM

its annoying when some BBF fans criticized GHS as ugly and blah2.. she was an ulljang, which mean, she is pretty. if they knew her before BBF, i'm sure they'll say she's cute and pretty. she just have to be average in this drama, which i'm amazed somehow she managed to look average. i was one of those who thought GHS is not suitable as makino and honestly it was because i thought she's too pretty and soft to be makino. yet, she really amazed me in this drama. i hope, they'll change jandi hairstyle in the 2nd part.

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64 karin

January 30, 2009 at 3:23 PM

i got hooked in this drama starting from eps 5. my heart beat became so fast when Jihoo kissed Jandi. JP&Jandi are so sweet that sometimes i caught myself thinking about them before i went to sleep. and its killing to wait until monday to come. yes, the drama has many flaw. but with all the flaw and many people still get addicted to it is really amazing.

ATLAST!!! this k-version of BBF successfully made me love Domyouji(JP) more than Rui(JH). i cant really enjoy the show when i'm rooting for rui all the way like i did in MG and HYD.

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65 JanDi Forever

February 1, 2009 at 5:10 AM

Gu Hye-sun is PERFECT as she is. The hair, makeup...everything. The longer you look at her, the more beautiful she becomes. And her personality as Jan Di pull it off. PERFECT. Keep up the good work, Gu Hye-sun. Fighting! Be safe always!!!! Im your # 1 fan.

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66 min ho

February 1, 2009 at 1:16 PM

does anyone know how to view lee min ho's cyworld if u live in the u.s.? or can u view a korean cyworld if u make an english cyworld?

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67 connie

February 1, 2009 at 2:55 PM

that was HUGE spoiler. it makes the drama seem more interesting now.

even though people are sick of hearing about BBF, it nevertheless IS a good drama...-_-

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68 clusygal

February 7, 2009 at 3:54 PM

umm thanks for da news............

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69 dae

February 15, 2009 at 7:21 PM

now that's interesting... having to have a split plot in the latter chaps... i hope this time they could play up the rui and makino angle on the latter bec i really was one of the dissappointed ones when MG2 still forced the ending for the ill fated DMS and SC to be together... i just didn't feel it romantic anymore... there was deeper attachement bet ruie an makino on the TW version on the MG2 w/c was eventually killed in the ending .... i would also like to see the love angle bet makino's best friend and the playboy f4 Xi Men... am sorry for the mix up in the name... i honestly could pick up on the characters based on the impact given by the specific version's actor who played them.... right now am waiting for this series to finish so i could watch it in full length... thanks again though drama beans for the recaps...

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70 May

February 21, 2009 at 7:16 PM

"However, they won’t be totally aping the previous dramas"

pshhhhhh whatever. even the lines are the same!

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71 Orchid

March 4, 2009 at 5:53 AM

The so-called "lookalike" does not look like Lee Min-ho (Jun-pyo) at all!

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Boys Before Flowers