Boys Before Flowers: Episode 15

259 February 23, 2009January 24, 2016

by javabeans

Monday episodes no longer even faze me. Yeah, the first half sucked, and while the second half was better, I’ve accepted that Mondays are just here to advance enough story to get us to the (hopefully) better Tuesdays. If I tried to make too much sense of it, I’d just wind up nursing a big(ger) fat(ter) headache.

SONG OF THE DAY

Panic – “기다리다” (Wait). This is the song Kim Hyun-joong sings in an early scene; Panic is the former group of songwriter-rocker Lee Juck. [ Download ] [ Alternate link ]

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EPISODE 15 RECAP

While sightseeing, Jan-di and Ji-hoo stop for snacks. Unfortunately, Ji-hoo can’t find his wallet, so Jan-di offers to pay, and when she accepts a pastry from the merchant, she leaves her wallet behind on the counter in plain sight. Folks, Idiot Jan-di is back! (Drinking-game followers, take a drink.)

As for Ji-hoo’s wallet, well, Ming took it. Because stranding someone without money in a foreign country is what all good friends do. Ming sneaks a photo of himself with Ji-hoo into Ji-hoo’s wallet, to be discovered later.

Jan-di discovers the loss of her wallet a bit later when she tries to buy a paper fortune at a shrine. Ji-hoo tells her to wait, and dashes off to save the day. But instead of searching for her wallet, which may contain important things other than cash, he… plays streetside minstrel? (Logic fail = take another drink.)

Ji-hoo borrows a guitar from a street performer, then starts to sing “기다리다” (Wait) (posted above). After a few bars of Kim Hyun-joong’s performance (it appears he’s singing live), we fade in with a new, acoustic version of SS501’s “Because I’m Dumb” — and I am SO annoyed that they intruded upon a perfectly good performance. You have an idol singer in your cast, finally give him the chance to show his skills, and then cover it up with a recorded track?

Mr. PD, maybe you’re proud to have gotten a new song to insert into the limited rotation, but as always, WORST TIMING EVER. (Drinkers: Cheers! I’m not sure which rule this violates, except my level of irritation tells me there are at least a half-dozen at work here.)

Money pours in from the sizable crowd and people applaud. Jan-di, who has wandered by, looks on in admiration. Ji-hoo smiles: “This should be enough, don’t you think?”

On the way back to Ming’s house (but what about the wallet?), Jan-di has trouble walking properly again (drink up) and her ankle rolls over as her heel snaps. She tries to stumble along in the broken heel, then decides to take the shoes off. Ji-hoo kneels in front of her and offers to carry her.

As she climbs on his back, Jan-di thanks Ji-hoo, at the same moment that he thanks her, too — this is the first time he’s ever earned money on his own: “There are a lot of things I’m doing for the first time because of you. So thanks.”

They enter the gate, not noticing the big black car lurking right in front. Maybe they’ve gotten so used to their dates being followed that they’re inured to the sight by now?

Inside the car, Mr. Jung asks Jun-pyo whether he should start driving; Jun-pyo answers, “Stay a little longer,” which turns into three hours. It’s only when the lights inside finally go dark that Jun-pyo allows Mr. Jung to head back.

This next morning scene severely tried my patience, and was only mitigated (marginally) by how gleefully Ming snickers at Jan-di. Still groggy, Jan-di stumbles into the bathroom and sits down on the toilet. Ji-hoo walks in — the door was unlocked — and covers his surprise, then walks out. When the reality of the situation sinks in, Jan-di shrieks, then locks herself in the bedroom to sob in humiliation.

I get that it’s embarrassing… but shouldn’t she have more grit than that? An initial freakout is understandable, but wallowing in bed all morning makes her into a silly, dramatic brat and I want to shoot her. (Character inconsistency — take a sip?) Gu Hye-sun’s acting does the scene no favors, either.

Seeing that Jan-di won’t come out, Ji-hoo leaves her alone while he steps out. When she comes down to breakfast, she finds a note that reads, “Memory erased.”

Ji-hoo browses the shopping center for some shoes, and buys the pair that Jan-di had eyed. (If there was more than one pair, why the hell were Jun-pyo and Jae-kyung fighting over the shoes? Ahh, my head hurts. Also: chug!)

Then, they’re at the airport. Jan-di sees that Ji-hoo has booked first-class tickets and, fearing the expense, offers to downgrade to economy. With a deadpan expression, Ji-hoo replies that his legs are too long to suffer economy, putting an end to that argument.

Jun-pyo sits through a business meeting when Mr. Jung brings him a document with a note stuck to it reading, “6 pm departure to Seoul.” Jun-pyo signs the note and hands the papers back to Mr. Jung, pretending this was mere business procedure. This is actually one of the few moments I really liked in this episode — the little detail to show how Jun-pyo is covering his actions to escape Madam Kang’s eagle eye.

With two hours left before Jan-di’s flight, next he’s stuck in a meeting with the heads of JK Group, although he’s so preoccupied with the passing time that he’s completely checked out of the conversation. Mr. Jung interrupts with an “urgent” overseas business call, which gives Jun-pyo an excuse to rise early.

He arrives at the airport just in time to see Ji-hoo kneeling before Jan-di to replace her broken heels with the new shoes he bought her, telling her, “I wanted to buy you something with the first money I earned on my own.”

(If Jan-di could barely walk in those shoes the other night, why is she still wearing them? Does she only travel with one pair of heels? DRINK.)

Jun-pyo sees this and seethes. At Ji-hoo’s question, “Why are you here?,” Jun-pyo retorts, “What about you, what are you doing?”

Ji-hoo: “Do you think you have the right to ask that?”
Jun-pyo: “Yoon Ji-hoo!”
Ji-hoo:”I stepped back as a friend — I gave up because she was my friend’s girlfriend. I gave you a chance up till the end. I’m not going to hold back anymore.”

Jun-pyo punches Ji-hoo.

As always, Jan-di waits for someone to get punched before bursting out, “Stop!” She asks Jun-pyo, “Why did you come? Do you have something to say?”

Jun-pyo can’t respond (anything he says won’t make sense unless he backtracks on his Big Decision), and can only stare in frustration. Jan-di ignores the tears falling from her eyes and says firmly, “All right. I’m going.”

She and Ji-hoo walk off together, and Jun-pyo sinks to the ground.

Mr. Jung rushes in carrying Jun-pyo’s own gift (the shoes), and finds Jun-pyo on the ground. He helps Jun-pyo up, and the two walk off together. It’s fatherly, but also kind of weird. I blame the editing.

They leave the shoes behind on the chair… where Jae-kyung just HAPPENS to come by. WUT THE HELL. (Empty the rest of the bottle.)

Curious, Jae-kyung opens the box, recognizing the very shoes she’d wanted for herself.

On one hand, it’s like Jun-pyo is giving Jae-kyung a present indirectly, but on the other hand, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing — don’t Jun-pyo and Ji-hoo know you’re not supposed to give a girlfriend shoes? It’s bad luck! (The adage goes, if you give a lover shoes, they’ll run away from you. Maybe we should be glad Jan-di never got Jun-pyo’s shoes.)

And now, we’re out of Macau. Thankfully, this is the point where the episode starts to get better.

Back at home, Jan-di’s listlessness causes her to make constant mistakes. She’s so distracted that Ga-eul offers to take over when Master sends Jan-di on a delivery, but he insists that Jan-di go.

The delivery takes her to Cranky Grandpa’s busy clinic, which is crowded with (seemingly middle-to-lower-class) patients. Grandpa gruffly directs her to help out, so she goes around fetching drinks and babysitting. After everyone leaves, she gives Gramps the food, then hesitantly asks how he knows Master and what exactly he does for a living. He IS a real doctor, right?

Just then, a really bad actress stumbles in clutching her pregnant belly and crying in pain.

Jan-di assists Doctor-President-Fisherman-Grandpa as the woman gives birth. The experience introduces a new possibility to her life, and Jan-di returns to school filled with newfound direction and optimism.

Ji-hoo, fresh from a new haircut, drops by to see Jan-di, immediately clocking her good mood. She recounts helping with the pregnant woman, explaining that the experience made her feel something she had never felt before — “It’s the first time I didn’t think of Jun-pyo, or swimming” — and now she’s determined to be a doctor.

A bit sheepishly, Jan-di figures that people will sneer that a dummy like her wants to be a doctor.

Ji-hoo: “Do you know how hard it is to find something that you’d want to do despite being called crazy for it? What does it matter what people think? When have you cared about things like that? If you want to, just do it.”

Jan-di’s mood plummets when sees Jun-pyo on television talking to reporters about Shinhwa Group. Jun-hee happens to look out her car window and she passes, and spots Jan-di on the sidewalk. She greets her with a friendly smile and takes her back to her house for a chat.

Jun-hee has a general idea of what happened between Jan-di and Jun-pyo, and asks about Macau. Jan-di puts on a bright face, saying that she’s glad she went, so she could make a clean break with Jun-pyo.

Jun-hee’s disappointed: “I hoped you could stay with Jun-pyo. It’s too bad.”

Jan-di’s false bravado collapses when she walks past the doors to Jun-pyo’s bedroom, which are ajar. Stepping inside, she looks around and remembers the times she’d spent with Jun-pyo here.

The telescope brings to mind the star-moon necklace, given to her with Jun-pyo’s promise to never let her go. This sets off her tears.

Jun-hee passes by and comforts her, telling her to let it all out. Jan-di sobs that she’d lied earlier: “I’m not okay. I went to see Jun-pyo because I missed him, but I can’t believe he changed so completely.”

Jun-hee thanks Jan-di for being honest — at least knowing that Jan-di still cares means there’s hope. Jun-hee advises, “Jun-pyo will come back, so don’t give up on him. Trust me, and give him one more chance. Can you do that?”

Jan-di confides that she was hurt most not because of Jun-pyo’s cold treatment of her — but rather, because “I never got to tell him I was thankful to him, or that I like him, and I can’t tell him that now.”

Jun-hee’s not the only one who believes Jun-pyo isn’t over Jan-di; Yi-jung seeks out Ga-eul to give her an invitation to Jun-pyo’s birthday party, asking her to bring Jan-di along. He wants to confirm a hunch.

Ga-eul isn’t keen on the idea, because if something goes wrong, Jan-di will be the one hurt. Yi-jung reasons, “If Jun-pyo dumping Jan-di is all an act, that’s good.” On the other hand, even if it’s not an act, Jan-di needs to face it — it’s better she forget him cleanly rather than letting him linger in her thoughts.

Yi-jung presents Ga-eul with a stack of gifts: “If you’re going out to battle, you need weapons.”

In addition to Ga-eul, Mr. Jung also comes by to ask Jan-di to attend the party. He bears an invitation, not from Jun-pyo but from Madam Kang herself.

At the party, Jan-di explains to Ji-hoo that she only came because she didn’t want to run away, but now she wonders if she shouldn’t have come after all. The guys urge her to stay a while

It must be noted that Ji-hoo’s not the only F4 guy with a new hairstyle: Woo-bin and Yi-jung have also changed their looks and now sport upswept styles. But while Ji-hoo’s takes a little getting used to, at least the change works for Woo-bin and Yi-jung.

Party time, in name if not in spirit. Jun-pyo sits stoically while his mother presides, beaming in pride. Madam Kang welcomes everyone to the party, and brings Jun-pyo onstage for the presentation of the cake.

It’s at this point, when he blows out the candles, that he finally looks over and sees Jan-di sitting at the F4 table. They lock eyes for a prolonged beat, and then he turns away.

Ji-hoo clocks her hurt reaction, and asks if she’s okay. She isn’t, and uneasily starts to excuse herself, saying that it was a mistake to come. Before she can leave, the whole table looks up in surprise at Madam Kang’s approach. In a suspiciously cheerful tone, she thanks Jan-di for coming, then requests a piano performance of her: “In the spirit of things, could I ask you for a favor in congratulating Jun-pyo on his birthday?” I do not follow this logic — drink for me — and neither do Woo-bin nor Yi-jung, who wonder worriedly whether Jan-di can play the piano.

Ji-hoo steps in to take her home, but Jan-di stands and faces Madam Kang: “Yes, I will. You invited me, so I should at least sing for my supper.” (She literally says, “earn my dinner.”)

At Madam Kang’s introduction of Jan-di, Jun-pyo looks at her in surprise. Jan-di starts to play. She’s not good, but she’s not bad either.

In Episode 13, I posted two versions of “사랑밖에 난 몰라” (“I Only Know Love”), which Jan-di played on the piano with Ji-hoo. Here’s a third version by Horan (of Clazziquai) and Dave Koz. [ Download ]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

(In case you didn’t know, Gu Hye-sun is actually a strong singer — she almost debuted as a singer instead of actress. In this scene, she sings in a wavering voice because, for one, Jan-di isn’t supposed to be a great singer, and two, emotion threatens to choke her up at several key points in the lyrics.)

Here’s what she sings (the ellipses mark her long breaks):

The moment you come to my side,
I love that look in your eye.
Yesterday I cried, but because of you today,
I’ll be happy tomorrow.

It’s not your face…… or style
but your soft love that I needed
to forget the past.
Without you, I can’t do anything anymore……
I only know love.

After she finishes, Jan-di gets an enthusiastic response — and a standing ovation from Woo-bin — and again locks eyes with Jun-pyo. Oh yeah, and Ji-hoo throws long (blank) stares in Jan-di’s direction. (Drinky!)

On the other hand, Madam Kang is perhaps disappointed Jan-di didn’t outright suck, and says in her bitchy-pleasant manner that she’d asked too much of the student. She apologizes on behalf of Jan-di, who ruined the mood and should have known her limits.

And now, she makes the Big Announcement of the evening — the introduction of Jun-pyo’s fiancée. Everyone is completely shocked (including the couple themselves), while Jae-kyung is literally carried into the room, kicking and shouting.

Not only is the announcement a shock, so is Jae-kyung and Jun-pyo’s realization that they’ve met before.

Jan-di’s group convenes outside in the hall, which is where Madam Kang finds them to gloat. She addresses Jan-di triumphantly: “Do you understand now? The wife to the next head of Shinhwa Group has to be at least at that level.”

Jun-pyo joins them, demanding first to know what his mother is doing, then asking Jan-di why she bothered to come. Hurt and angry, Jan-di retorts that she has nothing to say to him.

And then, Jae-kyung joins the group — what, is nobody left inside? — to ask Jun-pyo’s mother if she’s truly serious about the engagement. Madam Kang replies that the parents have already discussed the matter; both sides are pleased with the match.

Jun-pyo cuts in to address Jan-di: “I have something to say to you, so don’t argue and follow.” He grabs her by the wrist and drags her away, grumbling all the while about how she should have suspected his witchy mother was up to something when she invited him… not realizing that he grabbed the wrong wrist.

Meanwhile, Jan-di (and the others) watch in puzzlement as Jun-pyo grabs Jae-kyung’s wrist by accident and pulls her away. Madam Kang may be our villain here, but I just love the wonderfully bitchy shrug she tosses at Jan-di, as if to say, See? You’re toast.

Witch-Mom tells her, “You must have realized by now that you should give up your empty hopes and fantasies.”

For what it’s worth, it actually is kinda funny when Jun-pyo yanks Jae-kyung along, muttering the whole time that he’s dragging the wrong girl behind him, addressing her as though she’s Jan-di.

Finally, Jae-kyung shouts at him, and he realizes his mistake. And then promptly blames it on her for letting herself be dragged along.

Jun-pyo tells Jae-kyung to stop following him and starts to walk off. Incredulous, Jae-kyung chases after him and jumps on his back, insisting he apologize to her. (He calls her a crazy monkey, lol.)

She bites his ear — unorthodox but effective, just like her — then falls to the ground. This is probably supposed to Mean Something because Jae-kyung teases him for blushing, suggesting that he’s attracted to her.

She asks for money to take a taxi home. He doesn’t have any, so she demands to use his cell phone, and gropes around his pockets to find it.

As Jun-pyo tries to shove her aside, her team of bodyguards swoops in to her “rescue.” Not realizing that they’re her people (or not caring), Jun-pyo reacts as he always does by fighting. They restrain him quickly, much to Jae-kyung’s amusement.

Ji-hoo takes Jan-di home in solemn quiet. Ji-hoo asks if she was very shocked, and she answers (not at all convincingly) that she doesn’t care if Jun-pyo gets engaged.

Ji-hoo defends Jun-pyo by guessing that he probably didn’t know about the engagement. Despite their rift, it seems Ji-hoo has faith that Jun-pyo would have told them if it were true. But Jan-di doesn’t believe it — she saw Jae-kyung in Macau, which means they probably did know each other.

Referring to the airport scene when Ji-hoo had hinted that he would have pursued Jan-di, Ji-hoo now says, “About what I said to Jun-pyo in Macau…” Jan-di reassures him, “I know. You only said that because you were angry at him.”

That’s not what he means at all, and he takes a long pause to think, then responds, “You’re right.” He leaves her with wise words: “Sometimes what you see isn’t real. You need faith to see some things.”

After she gets out of the car, he sighs to himself, “Yoon Ji-hoo, what the heck are you doing?”

At home, Ji-hoo looks at the bag Jan-di left behind in his car (bottoms up!), and dials Jun-pyo on his phone. Just at that moment, his phone starts to ring, and he peers outside to see Jun-pyo standing there, phone to his ear.

COMMENTS

The first part of this episode had me seriously scratching my head. So many irrelevant moments, weird plot jumps (they HAVE to lose both wallets to get Ji-hoo to perform?), that even the small shining moments — Jun-pyo’s contained pain, for instance — were suffocated by the rest. For instance, Lee Min-ho’s quiet portrayal while watching from his car was a GREAT beat and conveyed with nice nuance… only, sadly, I couldn’t care that much because of all the other chaff that surrounded it. His breakdown at the airport was also acted well — but then I cringed through his exchange with Mr. Jung, which should have been a lovely moment but instead made me uncomfortable. Mr. Jeon PD, you should take the words of advice of your own characters and let the good stuff in your drama thrive — by CUTTING OUT THE WEEDS.

Normally, I would argue that ratings and quality are linked only tenuously together; you can’t say they don’t reflect on each other at all, but it’s too simple to say that they’re directly correlative.

But in this case, I’m tempted to say that the high ratings have actually adversely affected the quality of the drama, if only because it can be seen as positive reinforcement of bad behavior. As in, the drama director can point to high ratings and defend his work saying he’s doing something right, when I think perhaps the drama is a success mostly in spite of his instincts which threaten to derail it on every level.

I mean, honestly. He’s going to drive us all to drink.

259

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51 jassarah

February 23, 2009 at 9:25 PM

As always, thanks for the super fast turnaround and insightful comments. For the sake of my (now overtaxed and confizzled) brain, I've decided to *stop thinking* during Monday episodes. Glaring, glaring plot inconsistencies and incongruous editing--what gibberish is this which you speak of? The brain will be back on and ready to go for Tuesday's episode.

On the upside, it's good to know that Goo Hye Sun can sing and it's nice to be reminded that Kim Hyun Joong isn't only an uljjang.

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52 Suzy

February 23, 2009 at 9:29 PM

Hey did we make it through a whole episode without Almost Paradise? Is that why today's episode was surprisingly less annoying to me?
Haha, wouldn't it have been funny if they played Almost Paradise when Jun Pyo threw a punch at Ji Hoo.... or when Jandi's shoe broke... no no when Jihoon saw Jandi on the toilet!!!!! Almost Paaraaaadise! That would have been awesome! BAHA!
Oh god, I sound like I've been playing the drinking game but it's just this darn addicting show that's killing my brain cells.

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53 annieee

February 23, 2009 at 9:30 PM

hahaha, lovely recaps dramabeans! thank you so much. i was laughing out loud as i was reading along. i might have taken to the drinking game too, but unfortunately, im not yet of legal age. : )
i also cringed when the music director had to stop kim hyun joong's singing to cue in the overplayed ending theme song. i really dont have any idea what they were thinking. but, i am looking forward to ep. 16. from the preview, it looks like jan di and jun pyo will reconcile for a moment (lee min ho with straight hair!!!).

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54 stargazer377

February 23, 2009 at 9:36 PM

anyone else hate the dress Jan-di wore at Jun-pyo's birthday party? as well as the outfit she wore to the airport?
why are Kim Hyun-joong's blank stares back?! he was doing so well!!!

btw, javabeans, LOVE Horan's version of the song!

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Sakshi3631

November 21, 2023 at 7:21 AM

I hate Jan di's entire wardrobe. I am a commoner and don't own any branded stuff but still, I am not colour blind. JD's character has been portrayed very shabbily here

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55 Stephanie

February 23, 2009 at 9:36 PM

All of a sudden i realized this episode that Han Chae Young hasn't been
around in a loongggg time, i'm guessing that relationship's not coming back
haha like han chae young's mom in My Sassy Girl Chunhyang

but i've been waiting all day for your recap
and i love reading your opinions because they crack me uppp
thankssss

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56 flooooo

February 23, 2009 at 9:40 PM

I am totally drunk..I was a good student so I followed your directive..just drink when you said to.....

it seems that each episode I repeat myself: LMH is really good in his scene conveying all the emotions nicely but JH is so emotionless than even the marionette man can convey more feelings than him!
anyway for me the real scene that stand out of all is when JD played piano and said what she wanted to say to JP. it make my heart stopped. LMH and GHS played the scene really convincing and full of tense love sadness ..all floating around with the only voice of GHS ..the scene was really nice done if only PD leave JH outside the scene should have been better but ...I drink! :p

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57 Aaannie

February 23, 2009 at 9:45 PM

i hope you're going to keep referencing the drinking game in the next recap because i'm gonna have a smirnoff ice ready tomorrow when i read it!

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58 glalam

February 23, 2009 at 9:48 PM

This episode for me was so sad...first JP and then JD.
I am not ashamed to admit it...I cried. Watching them in pain...my tears just came out...LOL

Inspite of its obvious flaws, I did not hate this episode as much as I hated other Monday episodes.
I can't wait for tomorrow. As always I hope Tuesday's episode doesn't disappoint.

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59 Mai

February 23, 2009 at 9:48 PM

I agree this episode was really random at times... You know I never liked that scene where Junpyo grabs the wrong girl. I mean how do you take the wrong girl? But anyways, I'm more excited for tomorrows episode, so I really don't have much to say about this one... You've pretty much said it all.. But one more thing, Hyun Joong's improving quite a bit and his new hairstyle is totally hot. =) Love your reviews.. =D

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60 jinkzz

February 23, 2009 at 9:50 PM

thanks for the recap javabeans.

i agree with you...they should just let ji hoo continue singing instead of using recorded track... really loved GJP's airport breakdown scene and Jan Di's piano and singing scene.

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61 Whatis

February 23, 2009 at 9:56 PM

Great Performance by Lee Min Ho, as always. I don't know what I would do without him. This isn't meant to be fan girly in any way. When I watch Lee Min Ho, I feel like I'm actually watching something real. The other people... I just want to complain and complain and complain.

On the bright side, the piano scene by Jan Di was pretty damn good. I didn't know she can sing. And I really love the song!

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62

February 23, 2009 at 9:57 PM

Ah Monday episode, you've worked you magic once again... Anyway, thanks for the recap, Javabeans - I always look forward to reading you insights into dramas I enjoy. Thinking of joining the drinking game, actually - especially on Mondays. This episode was full of "What the HECK?!?!?!?!" moments for me, more than usual, actually.

At the same time, I've been really enjoying how they are weaving the stories from the manga - I'm a fan of the original manga, and as such have read the hole thing, so I have the whole added bonus of having little "ooh, look, they're using THAT storyline here!" moments here and there - and I'm really enjoying the way they are taking details from all over in the original timeline and weaving them in a different point in the story here. I also happen to love the little changes they make to the manga stories (like having Jan Di actually knowing how to play the piano, which doesn't happen in the manga - or, I believe, in the Japanese series). I may not appreciate some of the actual delivery of some of my most beloved parts, but I do like the way they include little details I really enjoyed in the manga. All in all, I'm glad they are keeping close to the original material (the fact that the plot blackholes annoy me to no end as well as everyone else is a matter to be discussed later...)

However, I do agree that the drama is at its strongest when it deals with the drama, rather than the comedy. It somehow seems to be because thay tend to - in this case, unfortunately - stick too close to the manga when it comes to comedy. I know, it seems like I'm contradicting myself, but I'm actually not. One of the reasons I enjoy reading manga (and manhwa) in general and why I enjoyed this one in particular is that, besides really liking the drawing style, I like the over-the-top comedy and deformeds you get in them. At the same time, I don't think they translate too well to live-action (which is one of the reasons I tend to like the tawianese versons of mangas much more than the Japanese - they usually stick toooo close to the original exagerated style, while Taiwanese versions tend to be more tame). This is just me, but this is one of the reasons I started out watching Jdrama, moved on to Cdrama and after discovering Kdrama, that's where I decided to stay for good - although I do some touring sometimes... :P

But I digress... Thanks for the always highly entertaining recap!!

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63 kimchikay

February 23, 2009 at 10:00 PM

having just gotten a root canal...im stocked on my painkillers so this episode was very entertaining to watch since i didnt wince from pain from some of the bad acting lol......OVERALL though this episode was not THAT bad......some moments were cute and the intensity of exchanges and glances between Jandi and Joon Pyo were excellent....

i loved the scene where Jandi was standing in JoonPyo's room crying on his unnie's shoulder...that was very well done by Hye Sun and balances out the awful crying scene at the beginning of the episode when JiHoo catches her in the batheroom

Joon Pyo's breakdown in the airport was amazing...he's such a great actor (not just a pretty boy!)..he makes this drama worthwhile and doesnt help he looks so great doing what he does.

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64 jo

February 23, 2009 at 10:01 PM

I thought I was the only one cringing. I try to defend BOF by telling myself that Im too old to watch it and maybe if I were a 13 years old id be a happy customer.

If this drama wasnt BOF (and doesn't command loyalty from its old viewers and maybe having a great junpyo) I would have to say it sucks big time. What a shame, with such a promising storyline.

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65 Ranting.......

February 23, 2009 at 10:03 PM

I loved the bathroom scenes, even though some are annoyed with it.... I like that even though Jandi is tough but girly and silly at the same time. And how Jihoo just acted like he has nothing to do with it. He went "You didn't lock the door!!! kekeke OMG...Jihoo has the most noticable transformation with his new haircut. I'm loving it, it makes him look younger and more like Rui in the magna. I agree about not so happy with Jihoo's performance being cut off; the beginning of that song was good, even though KHJ was the one who sang bc I'm stupid instead of his band members.

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66 pvskater

February 23, 2009 at 10:04 PM

i also wanted to point out the fact that the shoes jihoo bought for jandi were over $2500...as we saw earlier in ep 13/14. he points out he wanted to buy jandi something for the money he made "with his own hands"...did jihoo really manage more than $2000 from a nonformal guitar performance?
talk about another glass of drink lol

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67 ella

February 23, 2009 at 10:05 PM

uggh... i can't believe i'm still reading about this stupid drama. oh well, reading about it is so much better than actually watching it...

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68 Akiddo

February 23, 2009 at 10:08 PM

BoF is so addictive...arghhhh....

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69 funniebones

February 23, 2009 at 10:14 PM

I have been looking forward to your recap all throughout class, all throughout work and it's so nice to come home and tada! your BBF recap, snazzy commentary and drinking game instructions!

I've been trying to watch the Japanese Hanadan so I can try to make sense of everyone's comparisons, I believe in things standing on their own...but really, part of me wants to know what's going to happen next!

So here I am joining the bandwagon in comparison.

I really feel as though Makino's seemingly bad luck ridden life made her endearing...while with Jan-di, all I think is, you stupid girl, where is your spunkiness, where's that tough weed in you?!?! But when it does come out, I am pleasantly surprised, I suppose.... With Yuki, I felt like all she did was make googly eyes at Soujiroh...And I see with Ga-eul, although she's really crushing on Yi-yung, I see some defiance there, and it really makes me want to root for her...and along with everyone else that they'll somehow get together in this one. I really do want him to work for her, though. I do agree that definitely, Jun-pyo, in comparison to Tsukasa can fit into the adult's clothes instead of play pretend in them.

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70 Super Noona

February 23, 2009 at 10:16 PM

GJP cried...... Earnestly he brought me to tears!
Pick the wrong girl hand.... Wow! What the heck!!!!!
I love your recapsssss..... I will see you tomorrow once again!

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71 Aye

February 23, 2009 at 10:23 PM

I just thought of something. Why wasn't Jun-pyo's sister at his birthday party? She's obviously in the country since the day (or a few days, whatever) before, she was just chatting with Jan-di at Jun-pyo's house.

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72 hanamichi-san

February 23, 2009 at 10:23 PM

who here felt so happy like a proud parent or a supportive gf the first time GJP lead the shinwa meeting??? the whole time i had a serious case of girly giggles. OMG baby look at how much you've grown! hehe (^_^)

haven't seen this episode. looks predictable enough even without the recaps. i think the PD rushes the storyline. they should've let the plot develop 1st.. like jandi's discovery of her supposed "calling"/ accidental passion for medicine. so people won't be like, "what?!... yeah riiiiiiiight.. (>_<)

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73 hanneebuff

February 23, 2009 at 10:27 PM

monday episodes really suck but i'm looking forward to tonight's epi, most especially because i want to see yi jung and ga eul together.

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74 Victoria

February 23, 2009 at 10:27 PM

My only regret is discovering this site so late. I discovered you during your coverage of "The Painter of the Wind."

I'm sure you hear this a lot but thanks for posting so thorough recaps because sometimes I get a faulty link on on part of the episode and there's nothing I can do. Your recap definitely fills in those gaps.

For this episode, I love the fact that the writers gave JanDi a dream she wants to achieve in life. I think it makes the character more realistic and more lovable. She's not just going to be another poor girl marrying a rich man with no real job. Instead, if she really strives for being a doctor, that makes her an even stronger admirable character that Madam Kang will later come to accept.

As for the mis-grabbing of hands..I didn't like it in the Japanese version and I still don't like it here. Sigh. But I guess it's needed for the story to go on. Jae-kyung is hot and has good chemistry with Jun Pyo but COME ON..is her personality more acceptable than JanDi? Aside from family background...JanDi is the more presentable one. Imagine having to carry a screaming girl into a room for an engagement announcement. How is she more suitable to be Shinhwa's leader's future wife? *Scratches head* I know her parents can help further the company but really..I would cringe if I were doing the matchmaking. But ..I can't help but admit...she will no doubt grow on me.

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75 ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

February 23, 2009 at 10:28 PM

ohmyGOSH.
im sure the fiancee is a decent person, but if joonpyo likes her at all, i will hate him for all eternity. i cant bear to see someone ruin what's between him and jandi. he's breaking jandi's heart..it's not a crack, it's ripping it in two. even his mistakes just mess everything up.
still, i know he's hurt too. that scene with jandi singing...that broke MY heart. the words were aimed at joonpyo so perfectly it hurt to hear it.
every single extra scene to fill in the time annoys me. i know the whole story might be rushed, but i MUST know what happens to them (jandi and joonpyo). EVERYTHING in the way of their love annoys me...mrs. kang, fiancee, even jihoo sometimes.
i CAN NOT wait for tomorrow. if you watch the preview the fiancee talks to jandi and says joonpyo...joonpyo...i think he did something to her (KISS?!).
that would break my heart. i cant bear to see that girl ruin joonpyo and jandi's (first) love.

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76 Debbie

February 23, 2009 at 10:30 PM

Did anyone catch that quick wink Ji Hoo gave Jan Di right after he offered his arm for Jan Di to hold at Jun Pyo's b-day party? So cute and I'm not a Ji Hoo fan! And I thought it was funny when Jan Di slapped a pic of Jun Pyo when she was in his room... It is really small moments like those that make me like BBF very much.

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77 anon

February 23, 2009 at 10:34 PM

haha i love this series, and i love ji hoo (:
hes so nice and sweet to jandi
haha it sucks that he didnt like her in the beginning, they get along really well
thanks for the recaps javabeans, always look forward to them weekly !

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78 anon

February 23, 2009 at 10:35 PM

and i gotta leave another comment
you know that ming guy, god he pisses me off ._.
hes definitely jealous of jandi for jihoo's attention
and i think hes gay LOL

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79 kriza_09

February 23, 2009 at 10:38 PM

@16: actually, i like it better that jandi actually played the piano... a few episodes ago, i was thinking of how they would make that scene... coz in my opinion, Jandi's character is kind of different from Sanchai's or Makino's... though she is still very determined and strong, she doesn't just lash out her feeling in public... different from the previous versions, Jandi's character in this version is really good at keeping her feeling inside... although she doesn't like Junpyo's mother for looking down on poor people, i believe Jandi wouldn't make a scene like that at a party in front of a lot of people... if she wants to confront Junpyo's mom, then she would talk to her privately in a direct but polite way.

ps: seriously, so we're done with the ming guy now??? >"<

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80 lyn

February 23, 2009 at 10:42 PM

The camera shook during the airport scene. It was extremely annoying and tortuous to watch. I had to fast-forward through most of it.

#66. I was thinking the same thing. Those shoes were expensive. There was so much inconsistency, you have to wonder is it on purpose or the lack of time to edit and film. We all know they film as the show is airing.

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81 peony

February 23, 2009 at 10:43 PM

It's so sad that Monday's are the most anticipated day of the week and the most disappointing all at the same time.

Empress - Yes, those shoes had a price tag of $2550.00 if I remember correctly. I'm not sure what the exchange rate is but no way could he buy those with the money he earned singing. But I think he meant, that he used part of the money he earned himself to buy them for her.

The only two things I liked about this episode is Lee MinHo who is truly a great actor and second, I love the fact that JanDi is given the chance to tell JunPyo (finally!!!) that she loved him. I thought it was sweet and clever how she gets to finally do it and in a way that expressed it to everyone. And shut his mom up.

I think momma is a little threatened by JanDi, why else would she go to great lengths like this?

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82 Lulu

February 23, 2009 at 10:44 PM

I really enjoy this series. So cute and fun. People! just relax and have fun, why so much condemnation??
I love Jihoo's new hair cut. He's SO SO SO PRETTY!!!....LOL...

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83 eray

February 23, 2009 at 10:47 PM

okay so everyone has said it all.. Poor JunPyo; Stupid Jandi, Poor Everyone, yay LMH he rocks our socks, ZOMG! GaEul YiJung DATE! EEEEKKK!!

anyway now that that is out of the way it is time for some much needed WooBin LOVE!
I LOVE his character and they need to give him more to do!!!! He is so cute and supportive and wonderful. His concern for Jandi always comes thru and come on...Who didn't want to hug him for giving Jandi a standing ovation? And my God are his kick ass fight scenes not sexy as hell? and his new hair is the best out of all of them! JiHoo's is really good, YiJungs was eh, but his looked amazing!(Yes a bit shallow but so to are we ALL)

Anyway, I am really hoping that they bring him more into the light on screen. And by god I am an Akira/Yuuki shipper so if YiJung won't hop on board the 'GaEul is awesome' boat then I say bring on the WooBin/ GaEul Love!

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84

February 23, 2009 at 10:49 PM

What was the whole point of the over-the-top bathroom scene?! Just to take up time?

Maybe it was a combination of the actress's bad acting or Jandi's wet noodle personality there, but I cringed while watching her in bed bawling her eyes out. It's like automatic conversion into a dumb/suppose-to-be-cute/embarrassed week girl.

And that Jihoo actor CANNOT act. His method to act surprised is to BULGE his eyes out until they're straining half-way out of their sockets. And yes, I really hate his dead-fish expression that's on all the time.

*bangs head*

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85

February 23, 2009 at 10:51 PM

And LOUBOUTINS DO NOT SNAP in the middle of walking!

How the heck is she affording them anyway?

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86 lovenyc52

February 23, 2009 at 10:56 PM

love your recaps, as usual... i honestly enjoy them more than the episodes themselves.

as a die-hard fan of the japanese hanadan, it is SUPREMELY difficult to not make comparisons, and i have really tried to give jan di a chance...or 20... but i just still can't picture her as the makino character. gu hye sun does the dramatic scenes pretty well (or at least when it's not a result of her own utter stupidity).. but given that her character is really only supposed to be like.. 17 or something, her youthfulness spunk doesn't come off as spunky... just very awkward and annoying. then again, i could just be biased towards inoue mao, who i thought was the perfect makino. period.

HOWEVER. lee min ho just rocks as jun pyo. i can't imagine a better one. and i thought i loved matsujun as domyouji (physically not the part at all, but he played the character pretty well). but min ho just nailed everything about this character.

storyline-wise (plot-holes and character inconsistencies non-withstanding), i am liking this version as well. i like that it incorporates and omits certain things from the manga or other versions to suit it's own timeline and makes this drama stand on its own. and i know some people are saying they don't WANT yi jung and ga eul to get together because yi jung is such a player and it wouldn't make sense, but i am DYING for them to finally get together.. she just needs to make him work for it is all :o) but after 2 japanese movie versions, a jdorama, and a tw drama, it's about damn time yuuki gets her man dammit! :o) plus, kim so eun and kim bum just make the world's cutest couple haha

alright i'm done with my novel now lol.

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87 lovenyc52

February 23, 2009 at 10:58 PM

oh ya i almost forgot. if i were to play the BOF drinking game, i'd stay drunk all week just off the first half of monday's episode.

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88 justpassingby

February 23, 2009 at 11:04 PM

javabeans,
all you've pointed out were actually my sentiments. There were so many holes in this episode. starting with the wallet thing, when ji hoo bought the same shoes which by the by should be an only pair because jae kyung and joon pyo had to fight over it, and when mr.jung helped joon pyo to stand up. Why? was he invalid or even drunk that he couldn't carry himself....well, maybe tonight's episode will be better...

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89 Manna

February 23, 2009 at 11:05 PM

No matter this is Meteor Garden, Hana Yori Dango or Boys Before Flower (I have watched all of them plus the manga and animation), it is not about logic but magic otherwise how come we are so addicted to it? I agreed that this soap is full of flaw and some of them are unforgivable. It really stunned me since they invested so much money on the sets, clothing and all the detail. However I still love the way they elaborate the emotion btw characters and their personality e.g. the relationship between secretary Jang and GJP. It will definitely make this soap better if the director can spend more time on editing.

They also really need to work on those songs they played through the show. Most of them are annoying and boring. I really hope that they could put up some nice songs like Meteor Garden I.

I agreed that they should keep Ji hoo live singing part instead of cutting it with the soundtrack (it is not a bad song but it would be nice to let him finishing singing since he sang very well in this scene).

LMH acted very well. He really made us feel GJP's pain and sorrow. I am surprise that he is not only a pretty boy but also quite an actor. I am not crazy about ji hoo and jan di at the beginning as I thought both of them don't know how to act. However I do feel their acting are improving as this soap goes along. They have gradually grown into their roles and I start to like them more and more.

Overall I don't think it is a bad episode as they have a couple of scenes that are quite good -- the airport scene and the piano scene. Again they can do better and hopefully they will take our fans advise to work on the script, editing and songs.

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90 bof*zuyy

February 23, 2009 at 11:07 PM

bring back jan di and jun pyo..without their bickering realtionship feel so bored..miss their fought with each other...

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91

February 23, 2009 at 11:10 PM

I LOVE YOUR COMMENT...hahaha

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92 Kimche

February 23, 2009 at 11:11 PM

Lol at the BBF binge party going on!

This episode was pretty bad, but the good thing about bad BBF episodes is we get snarkier Javabeans recaps, so it's not all a loss.

I think the writer is slowly loosing her grip on the plot lines. This episode ran like a bunch of random scenes meant to continue the twenty-something plot lines going on, but they aren't coming together to make a coherent whole. Hopefully she can pull it together soon.

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93 elise

February 23, 2009 at 11:12 PM

@74 totally agree with the fiancee being 'un-shinhwa wife like'. seriously, kicking and screaming? it was like watching a 5-year old get dragged to the dentist. well anyway, that's just me. i still think jandi carries herself better than her.

thanks for the recaps! :)

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94 ann

February 23, 2009 at 11:12 PM

gu hye sun cannot act cute and pout to save her life. some people actually thinks it's cute?! meeh.
lee min ho is not the greatest. he may be the greatest in this drama but this in no way shows how good he is but mainly how bad everyone are.

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95

February 23, 2009 at 11:15 PM

I seriously think Jandi's Piano scene was just too BEAUTIFUL

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96

February 23, 2009 at 11:16 PM

I love Jandi! She is so cute! I can't believe some people don't find her cute!

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97 51803

February 23, 2009 at 11:22 PM

avid fan of your reviews, but it's my first time posting~

after a decidedly painful first half, i decided to accompany the second half of tonight's episode with some wine and boy am i glad i did! (probably half the reason i'm posting now ^^)
btw your drinking directions were spot on dramabeans!!

except, did anyone else notice how the flashbacks did not correlate with jun pyo's room??
the flashbacks took place in a guest room, but she was getting them from being in his room @_@ if i'm not mistaken, i think it's her first time in his room period>.<

and, although he looks like a mushroom, kim hyun joong looks much better with his new hair! and is it just me, or did he get a tan?? anyways...he looks much more masculine~~ and kim joon's haircut did him a WORLD of good!! now...he just needs to redo his eyebrows ^^ and of course~~ kim bum is looking as cute as he always does ^^

anyways, even the previews for tomorrow's episode looks much better than todays! i will be eagerly anticipating tomorrow's episode (and your review)!

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98 Auntiemame

February 23, 2009 at 11:36 PM

A drink for every inconsistency and illogical event, in this drama, has added too many calories to my diet. From now on, I'm switching to water. And, I will remember to lock the bathroom door, as a consequence of drinking all that water.

As for the PD using the ratings to justify the quality level of this drama, reality is that many viewers will watch because of the "pretty boys" and the cute romances, regardless of how slipshod is the quality of the drama. But, a truly professional person does not merely judge his/her successes, based on other people's views or ratings. Instead, he/she has personal standards against which he/she gauges his/her own work.

Thank you for another on-target review.

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99 susieQ

February 24, 2009 at 12:05 AM

Thanks again for the recaps... they're better than the actual episodes. I thought 15 was just okay. Even though Jaekyung is prettier than Jandi, her voice is just too annoying. I guess the witch mom only cares about the business deal more than who her son is marrying b/c she definitely didn't come across as marriage material with her kicking and screaming into the banquet room. JiHoo is like the perfect boyfriend, but it is so much more exciting watching the tension between Jandi and JunPyo. And when Junpyo fell on the airport floor... all i could think was "ouch!" His skinny rear end must have really hurt!

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100 Heejae

February 24, 2009 at 12:10 AM

*snorts*
Thanks for the recap. The episode itself was...errr -_____-xx
The quality of this drama really just has no excuses. However, we already know that the headaches induced by that fact will...err...never go away.

Just dropping by to say thanks for sitting through the migraine-inducing mania. At this rate, the drinking game will be shot to hell, hmm? ;)

There's such a difference in the levels of acting here that it can be so glaringly obvious. Also, because the Macau scenes were shot prior to the scenes returning to Korea, there is dramatic weight loss on the behalf of all the actors. Production must be seriously busy. The acting is also....a step back. Not on Lee Min Ho's part; he's pretty consistent. However, Gu Hye Sun and Kim Hyun Joong...*whistles*

I may be an odd one out on this one, but I sort of dislike Lee Min Jung's portrayal of Jae Kyung. She can ride the same vein as Gu Hye Sun in feeling too acty-acty at times. The character of Jae Kyung herself is supposed to be a likeable sort of person, but I find that Lee Min Jung sort of kills it for me. Perhaps I'm just biased XD

Thanks again. Try not to get too tipsy ;)

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