Meet your Korean F4
by javabeans
What horrible timing following Choi Jin-shil’s shocking death, because now it’s hard to get that excited about news I/we have been waiting forever to hear, which is the announcement of the “F4” guys in the Korean Hana Yori Dango, aka Boys Before Flowers.
Although it was floated around that the casting would comprise mostly pop idol stars, it turns out (for the better, imo), that we’re split half-half between idols and actors (the two rising actors at least have a decent amount of experience — for their age, I mean).
- First is F4 leader in the Tsukasa role, aka actor Lee Min-ho (above left).
- Kim Hyun-joong, idol singer of pop boy band SS501, takes on the role of Rui.
- Kim Bum (!!!), at above right, is most recently of East of Eden and the biggest surprise for me — and a pleasant one at that, since he’s proved he can act. He’s Soujiro.
- And, finally, Kim Joon is the least-known of the F4 boys, as Akira.
Lee Min-ho takes the lead as “Doumyouji Tsukasa,” renamed for the drama as “Gu Jun-pyo”:
Lee Min-ho, born in 1987, has a decent amount of work behind him, having done several TV shows and a couple films, including I Don’t Know Either, Run! Mackerel, Public Enemy Returns, and the recent Our School E.T.
A least they gave Doumyouji to a “real” actor instead of the crossover newbie in his acting debut. Not that that’s bad (we all have to start somewhere?) but considering that he’s the most crucial F4 role, he’d damn well better know how to act.
Kim Hyun-joong takes the character of “Hanazawa Rui,” renamed “Yoon Ji-hoo”:
Kim Hyun-joong, a 1986-er of boy band SS501, is currently paired with Hwang Bo on variety show We Got Married, and was the first name to be floated around earlier this summer. He’s taking over the role following Oguri Shun’s excellent portrayal — that’ll be an uphill climb, particularly given that the boy doesn’t have a lot of acting experience. It appears he was cast because he fits the image; we’ll see if his skills measure up.
Kim Bum is cast in the “Nishikada Soujiro” role, renamed “So Yi-jung”:
I’m a bit disappointed that Kim Bum, the young’un of the bunch (a 1989-er), is being used in a lesser capacity here, although since the series is set for 24 episodes, hopefully Soujiro’s and Akira’s roles are given more attention than as mere sidemen for Tsukasa and Rui. I also hope he’s given a chance to expand on his recently demonstrated melo acting skills. Hey, at least Soujiro was given a bit of a “deeper” story line than Akira in the J-version, yeah? What I’m saying is: You’ve got this budding “serious” actor, so don’t waste him.
Kim Joon as “Mimasaka Akira,” aka “Song Woo-bin”:
As the guy I’m least familiar with (as in, not at all), this is the best pic I could get; Kim Joon (full real name Kim Hyung-joon, a 1985-er) is the guy on the right. And when I say “newb,” I mean this is his acting debut. He is, however, a member of the newish pop boy band T-Max.
Via Joy News
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Tags: Boys Before Flowers, Hana Yori Dango, Kim Bum, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Joon, Lee Min-ho
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1 Annie
October 1, 2008 at 6:19 PM
The only person worthy of fan girling about is Kim Bum. I honestly rather see him lead this drama this these other newbies. I haven't heard of the other two, but I'm not looking forward to seeing kim hyun joong. Hopefully this doesn't fail like Goong S did. Now that they cast the males, wonder who they'll cast for the female lead.
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mystery gurl
September 18, 2010 at 6:52 AM
i am fan of your kim bum. .
maybe we will see each other. . . oveEeErz!
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2 cc
October 1, 2008 at 6:20 PM
OMG, I'm soo excited for this drama!
I'll watch this for Kim Bum! <333
He was so good in East of Eden~
I wonder who'll play Makino?
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3 lovehate
October 1, 2008 at 6:23 PM
i'm kindda perplexed... excited to HYD news.. but sad by CJS death....
anyway, i'm liking the cast!! they are all new to me, except SS501 HJ, it's still scheduled for KBS's 2009 drama line right?
but where's the female lead? i'm more eager to see who will play her..
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4 ktb
October 1, 2008 at 6:25 PM
The Japanese version was the first J-dorama I actually watched, and I enjoyed it very much. It had a great manga-ish (word?) sensibility that I enjoyed....
Looking forward to seeing what the K-drama version will be like, but as you pointed out, my sense of anticipation was doused by the shock of Choi Jin Shil's apparent suicide. Condolences to her family...(poor kids).
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5 Sevenses
October 1, 2008 at 6:29 PM
It's about time. Is the show still set to air in December? Also, where's Makino, who is one of the most important parts of the show?
(I don't mean to sound rude, I'm just genuinely curious. Also cannot find it in self to be fangirly atm.)
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6
October 1, 2008 at 6:29 PM
AHHHH! KIM BUM!
Kim Bum is the only one I'm familiar with and I can't wait to see him act as one of the F4 boys! XD
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7 yay!
October 1, 2008 at 6:30 PM
AHHHH! KIM BUM!
Kim Bum is the only one I'm familiar with and I can't wait to see him act as one of the F4 boys! XD
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8 lovin it
October 1, 2008 at 6:36 PM
ooooooooh excited! t
but was realllllly hoping for siwon!
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9 omg
October 1, 2008 at 6:37 PM
omg i love the cast!! soo goodd!!! yayayyaayayaaya (so much better than what i expected..!!)
uhm but im guessing that the main girl lead is not chosen yet.... -_-;;
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10 ym
October 1, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Ki Bum..I love him in east of eden...Great young actor..Anyways its vital for them to choose the right female lead. i wonder who will it be, i hope it will the girl who act in Who are you. She is very suitable for this role.
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11 KTX
October 1, 2008 at 6:41 PM
I'm looking forward to this drama! T-Max sounds like a tampon brand hehee
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12 haj
October 1, 2008 at 6:45 PM
kim joon- on the right
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/odestinyo/12165948913_60800050.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/odestinyo/hj1.jpg
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13 belleza
October 1, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Well it looks like the Kim Hyun Joong rumor was probably true. They probably intended to cast him as Tsukasa, but they realized that the role was a big burden for an idol. He'd be fine as Rui. Pretty and well . . . pretty. :D
"I’m a bit disappointed that Kim Bum, the young’un of the bunch (a 1989-er), is being used in a lesser capacity here, "
Yup, this is a bad, bad move. I'd imagine most Netizens are grousing why he isn't playing the lead role. Given his performance in East of Eden -- and truly I didn't think he was yet capable of it -- he could muster the demons to properly play Tsukasa. (Also the more intense he got, the more he resembled Jo In Sung in not just his eyes but the volatility and the sensitivity and the "there-ness" of his beautiful, frayed soul. And you need all that to play a definitive Tsukasa.) Also, EofE is going to be a major Hallyu property, and so you would imagine that Kim Bum would be the ideal candidate to promote the show.
"Hey, at least Soujiro was given a bit of a “deeper” story line than Akira in the J-version, yeah? "
I think most people were surprised how much of the Soujiro-Yuki storyline was used in HanaDan actually. It's a very minor storyline in the comic. Akira/Soujiro really are just color characters, unless they want to give each person something more substantial.
I've never seen Lee Min Ho in any show, so I have no idea. But if they cast LMH and PHJ, I think you really, really gotta look at Park Min Young as Makino now. She's worked with both actors and she can still play a high school character. You'll also need somebody with a strong personality to carry the show, since it's very likely the actress playing Makino will do most of the heavy lifting.
This is a sad day. Why couldn't they have waited another week to announce? Korea has to bury a queen. :(
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14 freyadee
October 1, 2008 at 7:04 PM
well if you think about it the first meteor garden cast are practically newbies. And even tho they can't really act, it's still entertaining. I still can't see another rui besides Shun Oguri... but I guess I can give KHJ a chance... and i've never really heard of kibum... maybe it's time for me to go search for his dramas.
but the guy who plays domyouji doesn't cut it for me... maybe his acting might make a difference.
Oh the pressure's on... another remake.. and it's gonna be deadly.
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15 xmerokox
October 1, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Personally I'm not familiar with anybody's acting skills, but I am still excited about this since I want to see how the Korean version will turn out and have it's own character. I loved, LOVED the Jdrama so I have high expectations..
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16 mimi
October 1, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Kim bum i like him... i'll support him
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17 pabo ceo reom
October 1, 2008 at 7:28 PM
I heard a rumor that Ara (well, Go Ara) was being casted. Is this true?
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18 Shay.
October 1, 2008 at 7:29 PM
Yay, Kim Bum :)
He's wonderful.
The others, I'll just have to wait until the drama starts airing.
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19 Toya
October 1, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Honestly, since I have been watching WGM, I think I'll give Kim Hyun-joong the benefit of the doubt for 2 reasons. For one, his personality doesn't seem like the type to start something and half-ass it, if you have been watching WGM he's one competitive guy. Second, he is part of my favorite couple so I am supporting it out of fan-dom, too. (Fan of WGM not SS501 since I don't listen to Korean music as a norm)
I haven't seen any of the other cast in anything but I agree with Dramabeans that it's a good thing that they gave Tsukasa's role to an actual actor. As much as I may root for Kim Hyun-Joong, the likelihood that he will not be great as an actor the first time around is high, and I would probably not watch it if he was the lead, because that would be asking for too much to drop a newb in as lead. I wouldn't want to sit through 20 odd eps of bad acting or gradual learning curve acting from the actor that is supposed to carry the drama.
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20 Airajuliafor
October 1, 2008 at 7:32 PM
LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS DRAMA...
Honestly, I'm not avery big fan of Kim Hyun-joong, so I'm just plain glad he isn't playin' Domyoji... I guess I'm OK with him as Rui...
Kim Bum's a cutie...
I think Lee Min-ho also played a role in I'm Sam..
Dying of curiosity though on who'll be playing Makino.
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yasmine
July 20, 2015 at 7:06 PM
i am fan of you lee min hoo and of course Kim hyun joo
I LOVE YOU kin hyun joo
My dream to see you Kim hyun joo and take many photos with you
my first korean drama was boys over flowers and from my first division i loved and adore you till my death
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21 Nancy
October 1, 2008 at 7:36 PM
Now, waiting for the girl casts! WHoo! Better be good.
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22 lyn
October 1, 2008 at 7:38 PM
I giggled when I read the news. LOL
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23 Javabeans
October 1, 2008 at 7:40 PM
I could deal with Park Min-young, but I couldn't put up with Go Ara. She's pretty to look at, but she hasn't yet learned to emote -- most of her emotions are on a very constant level, halfway between bland and medium-bland. Granted, she can cry (was pleasantly surprised by her crying in Who Are You), but I'd like to see her figure out how to do "fierce," "intense" and/or "spunky," which she hasn't yet.
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24 iaia-chan
October 1, 2008 at 7:40 PM
woah! we finally know! I was all confused with all the rumors of Hyun Joong playing Hanazawa Rui, then hearing he was gonna play Domyouji....I'm satisfied, I think he fits better playing Hanazawa Rui, I think he'll do great! Hyun Joong Hwaiting!....now I'm real curious at who'll play Makino! I hope it's a really cute girl!....ah I'm so looking forward to it!...this is the first time I'm so interested in a remake!
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25 saryKIM
October 1, 2008 at 7:41 PM
Oh, finally! My excitement is a little... weak, right now, though. Still can't get over CJS news.
But wow, this cast looks HOT. I hope they're able to really bring the characters to life; I worry the most about Kim Hyunjoong. I've never seen him act, and the only thing that seems to have got him his role is his pretty face. Hopefully he'll WOW us with some good acting. Er, I'll lower my expectations to "decent" acting.
Like you, I'm disappointed that Kim Bum has a smaller role in this drama. But hey, at least he's in it. And at least he's Soujiro... I loved Soujiro in the Japanese version. But I think it's partly due to fact that I loved the actor. <3
A lot of people above have wondered about this, but seriously, I wonder who's going to play Makino. She's like, the center of the show. Well, she shares the center with Domyouji, but still, if the actress is weak and can't bring out Makino's strong, compulsive character, this drama will suck, even if the male leads are excellent. HanaDan focuses on HER life, HER struggles, HER rocky love relationships, and if I come to hate the actress in the drama, then that will bring the drama down for me. HOPEFULLY! somebody with great acting skills and great chemistry with the male actor will be cast.
For some reason, if Go Ara were cast, I have this feeling that she'll have a tendency to overact. And I don't really like that.
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