Boys Before Flowers: Episode 7

256 January 26, 2009January 24, 2016

by javabeans

And it only took three weeks: This episode finally managed to topple the Monday-Tuesday behemoth East of Eden from its top ratings perch into second place, beating it by 2%.

There was perhaps one main cringey moment in Episode 7, but for the most part I really enjoyed it. That said:

GAHHHH!

CURSE YOU, CLIFFHANGER!!

SONG OF THE DAY

Wheesung – “별이 지다” (Falling star) [ Download ]

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EPISODE 7 RECAP

Following their fallout, Jan-di tries to find Jun-pyo at school, and finally comes upon him as he exits school; he spots her and pauses for a moment. She gives him a tentative smile — but he turns away and leaves in his chauffeured car.

Jan-di chases, calling for him to stop, then grabs her bicycle to pedal furiously to his mansion.

She’s so fast (and superhuman?) that Jan-di arrives at the mansion just as Jun-pyo’s car does. He tries to push past her, but she insists on saying her piece, even if he doesn’t want to hear it.

Jan-di blocks his way inside, prompting him to run the other way. She ends up chasing him around his front yard, which is pretty cute.

Jun-pyo manages to slip into the driver’s seat of the car and drive off, leaving Jan-di shouting after him. (He can’t be SO mad if he can still find satisfaction in sticking out his tongue at her, methinks.)

Just then, a sleek white sports car pulls up, the window rolls down, and a glamorous woman (the gorgeous Kim Hyun-joo) tells her, “Get in.” Dumbfounded, Jan-di gapes, but the woman tells her to hurry: “You’re trying to catch that guy, right?”

Jan-di rides shotgun as the white car weaves in and out of traffic, tailing Jun-pyo. He tries to shake off his pursuer, but she maneuvers her car with smooth control and forces her way in front.

Finally, she cuts Jun-pyo off, making him pull over suddenly and stop.

Jun-pyo emerges from his car, ready to give the woman hell, but she grabs a wooden kendo sword (because we all carry those around?) and starts toward him purposefully. And because PD Jeon cannot leave a perfectly good moment as it is, he ruins this by having her leap into a CARTWHEEL AND BACKFLIP before she uses the wooden sword to hit Jun-pyo, taking him to task for his rudeness: “Who taught you to treat women like that?”

Jun-pyo protests, “Sis, you don’t even know what you’re talking about,” but he does quiet down and defer to her and her big wooden stick. This is Gu Jun-hee, just arrived from America, who takes an immediate liking to Jan-di.

Jun-hee apologizes to Jan-di on behalf of her rude younger brother, then tells Jun-pyo to drive safely and meet them back at home, ignoring his insistence that Jan-di is banned from their house.

Jun-pyo refuses to join everyone for dinner (which he later regrets when he’s dying of hunger), leaving F2 and Jan-di to fill Jun-hee in on news.

Jun-hee asks if the other two agree with Jun-pyo’s intent to kick Ji-hoo out of F4. Woo-bin doesn’t, and Yi-jung starts to qualify his answer (he’s a little more sympathetic to Jun-pyo), but Jun-hee cuts him off, figuring that it’s clear that Jun-pyo’s the only one pushing the breakup of F4. She urges Jan-di to eat up to prepare her strength “to fight that idiot.” (FYI, Jun-hee does beat up on her brother several times, but she does it with some affection — and exasperation — so it doesn’t come off mean-spirited.)

When Jun-hee drops Jan-di off at home, Jan-di wonders why Big Sis is being so nice to her. Jun-hee replies that their mother always said that people like them had no use for friends. With such an upbringing, the fact that Jun-pyo was even able to find friends in F4 was nothing short of a “miracle.” This reminder at their broken friendship makes Jan-di apologize for causing the rift.

Jun-hee isn’t too worried, though, and thanks Jan-di: “You opened the door to turning that kid more into a human being.” After all, friendship will help get him there, but love is even more essential.

At Ji-hoo’s request, Jun-pyo meets him in what I suppose is Ji-hoo’s private movie theater, where he’s watching The Three Musketeers. By way of conversation, Ji-hoo asks, “Do you remember how many times we’ve seen this movie together? Must be at least ten times.”

Jun-pyo seems to relax a tiny bit when Ji-hoo says, “I’m sorry. I don’t expect you to stop being angry just because of an apology. But…”

Jun-pyo: “But?” Ji-hoo: “Leave Jan-di alone.”

Jun-pyo seems like he may have wanted to reconcile (given the right approach), but mentioning Jan-di is exactly the wrong thing to say. Jun-pyo hardens: “And if I don’t?” Ji-hoo: “I’ll protect her.”

At that, Jun-pyo angrily gets up to leave, clenching his fist. Without looking at Ji-hoo, he says, “It’s eleven times. If you’d remembered we were friends who’d seen that movie together eleven times, maybe this wouldn’t have happened.” (Oh, snap.)

So Jun-pyo’s plan to evict his best friend remains intact: He’s in the middle of intimidating the school headmaster into expelling Jan-di and Ji-hoo when Jun-hee bursts in. If he fires the teacher, after all, she can hire the next.

Grabbing Jun-pyo by the ear, she forces him out of the room, then tells him, the F4 guys, and Jan-di to follow.

Back at home, Jun-hee makes her proposal: Jun-pyo and Ji-hoo can work out their spat through an organized athletic competition. (Because sporting wins heal wounded hearts?) This way, they’ll both have to acknowledge the winner and abide by the outcome, putting a clear end to the fight. If Jun-pyo wins, he gets to expel Ji-hoo and Jan-di. Ji-hoo, then, is fighting to keep them both in school (and himself in F4).

To make it fair, they will choose randomly from ten possible sporting categories, some in which the guys are trained and some in which they are not. Best of three wins, and participants must agree to respect the outcome.

(As a plot device, I don’t mind the competition, but who else thinks it’s hilarious that they’d agree to settle a love triangle via sports? It’s almost as ridiculous as deciding a faux monarchy via sports — I’m lookin’ at you, Goong S.)

Jun-pyo protests, but he’s outnumbered by everyone else (who have been convinced by Jun-hee ahead of time). Jan-di, Ji-hoo, and Jun-pyo each pick a different ball from the lottery-style machine, and the first test is revealed (Jun-pyo’s pick): Horseback riding.

This is Ji-hoo’s area of expertise, and he is heavily favored to win. Knowing he’s at a disadvantage, Jun-pyo pushes himself to train for the event in the two days preceding the competition. Ji-hoo, meanwhile, picks out his horse but doesn’t train. (Reluctant, or just confident?)

On the day of the race, everyone heads out — Jun-hee, Jan-di, F4, and their Shinhwa classmates — to the equestrian center. The race starts inside the arena, then heads outdoors.

After a lap indoors, Ji-hoo is leading as they approach a forking of the trail, one side marked safe and the other indicating danger. As he cannot catch up to Ji-hoo on the safe trail, Jun-pyo heads off on the other one, urging his horse up steep, hilly ground even when the horse balks, and ignores his trainer’s warning not to push too hard.

Back inside the arena, everyone waits for the racers, fully expecting to see Ji-hoo leading. Unexpectedly, Jun-pyo gallops in first.

Ji-hoo takes the loss gracefully enough, treating Jan-di with calm good humor when she comes up to him afterward. She pets his horse — which is named Rui — and feeds it a treat affectionately. Ji-hoo offers to take Jan-di on a ride, and leads her on the horse outdoors.

I know it’s supposed to be sweet/fun that Ji-hoo’s horse is named Rui, but that just opens up a whole world of inappropriate double entendres, yunnowhatimean? Maybe I should’ve kept that to myself.

On the other hand, Jun-pyo may have won, but his horse has suffered for it. Hearing that his horse won’t ever race again, he’s overwhelmed with guilt for being so aggressive with the animal.

Jun-hee tells him, “You may have won this game, but you lost the battle, little bro. I really hope you learned something from today” — because if he didn’t, the horse will have suffered for nothing.

The second competition tilts the advantage the other way, because now Jun-pyo is the clear favorite: racecars.

It’s not merely that Jun-pyo is a good racer, but Ji-hoo struggles even to drive, haunted by memories of the car crash that killed his parents. He suffers nightmares of that night and has difficulty just getting behind the wheel.

Knowing that victory is nearly within reach puts Jun-pyo in a fantastic mood. Yi-jung and Woo-bin feel uneasy about the obvious imbalance of skills, but Jun-pyo doesn’t even feel this is unfair, since Ji-hoo picked this challenge. Plus, Jun-hee stipulated that they must abide by the contest parameters no matter what the tasks turn out to be.

Jan-di learns of Ji-hoo’s disadvantage from the Jin-Sun-Mi trio, who tell her to pack her bags because there’s no way Ji-hoo will win this battle. Jan-di assures them that it ain’t over till it’s over: “I have faith in Ji-hoo.” (At this point, I wonder if the drama has slipped up in achieving the right balance, because I have to side with Miranda — and siding with a Mean Girl can’t be right — who calls her out for lacking principles. She reminds Jan-di that not long ago, she was talking to Jun-pyo about trust and faith (regarding the hotel photos), and now she’s blabbering about believing in Ji-hoo. Girl does seem fickle.)

Fearing for Ji-hoo’s safety, Jan-di drops by the racetrack where Ji-hoo is watching Jun-pyo zoom around the course below. Hesitantly, she asks how he got his driver’s license, and he explains that Seo-hyun had taught him. He’d hated it, but embarrassment over failing pushed him to learn how to drive enough to get a license.

Jan-di cautiously suggests that Ji-hoo not participate in the race — it’s not like she wanted to go to that school in the first place. Ji-hoo says firmly, “I don’t know if I can win, but I’m going to do my best.”

Seeing that Jan-di has brought him some rice porridge from the restaurant, he asks to try it. Down below, Jun-pyo glances up to see Jan-di and Ji-hoo looking chummy together and suddenly swerves, his car spinning out of control. At the sound of screeching tires, they look over in alarm — but I dunno, there’s something about Ji-hoo’s smirk as he continues calmly eating his porridge that makes me want to smack him.

Afterward, Jun-pyo fumes. He kicks one racing coach/crew member, hits another, and throws his helmet at a third, saying, “What the hell’s wrong with the car?” (I guess they’re too scared to answer, “The driver.”)

The day of the race, Woo-bin tries one last time to persuade Jun-pyo to give up, while Yi-jung does the same with Ji-hoo. Both are unsuccessful, so the best they can do is tell the competitors to be careful.

Ga-eul worriedly asks Ji-hoo if he’s going to be all right, hoping he has some kind of secret weapon up his sleeve. At that moment, Jun-pyo walks in, and the two shoot daggers at each other. Ji-hoo tells Ga-eul that he does, in fact, have a secret weapon — and then bends down affectionately to embrace Jan-di.

Jan-di resists a little at his unexpected hug, but he tells her to play along — this may be a cheap tactic but it’s all he’s got. Jun-pyo watches incredulously as Ji-hoo places a kiss on Jan-di’s forehead.

Ji-hoo walks off, thinking, “Jun-pyo, I’m sorry. I want to protect her, even if it’s like this.”

With that scene playing in his head, Jun-pyo takes to the track, trailing Ji-hoo at first. Amazing at how Ji-hoo’s debilitating fear of driving is miraculously cured! He’s even leading for the first half of the race.

But Jun-pyo’s mind involuntarily flashes back to the kiss, and in that second of distraction, he veers off course and skids, allowing Ji-hoo to zoom ahead to the finish line.

If Jun-pyo lost the first test of sportsmanship, surely Ji-hoo loses this round?

Now, the third test. A bit expectedly (for us), Jan-di’s selection turns out to be swimming — which practically guarantees a Ji-hoo win. Flustered and panicked, Jun-pyo refuses to participate. Unfortunately, Jun-hee reminds him, if he forfeits, Ji-hoo wins.

Yi-jung speaks up — if this issue is decided because of a forfeit, nobody will feel satisfied. Therefore, he’d like to offer himself to take Jun-pyo’s place in the last challenge, if everyone consents. Yi-jung finds it difficult to forgive Ji-hoo’s actions, too, and this is his way of making the last game fairer. Jun-hee accepts his proposal, saying that she’s okay with it if everyone else is. Jun-pyo immediately agrees, as does Woo-bin.

But Jan-di speaks up too — if Yi-jung gets to take Jun-pyo’s place, then she wants to take Ji-hoo’s. Jun-hee warns that she’ll be given no handicap going against a guy and Jun-pyo argues that she should stay out of it, but Jan-di says this involves her life too. She feels she should participate in determining her own fate.

Jun-hee agrees to the suggestion — then they can make it two-on-two: Yi-jung against Jan-di, Woo-bin against Ji-hoo.

So, they start training.

When their kooky restaurant boss (who’s always babbling about spirits and aliens) has a dream about the race, Jan-di and Ga-eul eagerly ask about the outcome, grasping at straws for good news. He describes: “Approaching the finish line, you’re almost neck in neck. Then, at the moment when a hand is reaching out… everything went dark.” (This may be a throwaway bit, or it may mean something, it’s hard to say just yet.)

Ga-eul proposes that they resort to underhanded methods — desperate times, and all — like feeding Yi-jung diarrhea medication secretly, or running him over with a bicycle (which, frankly, is a scene I’d like to see. The bike, I mean, not the diarrhea). Their boss puts his foot down and insists she not do anything dishonorable.

That doesn’t prevent her from dropping by to talk to Yi-jung, however. Yi-jung guesses that Ga-eul came to ask him to throw the race — she argues that the outcome doesn’t affect Yi-jung at all , while Jan-di may be expelled — but he has no intention of doing so. He isn’t going to kill himself over this competition, but he’s not going to purposely lose it, either.

He reminds her that she doesn’t exactly have a right to be so upset at his position: “I warned you that it would be a good idea to stop her.”

Jan-di’s family is appalled to hear that she cheated on Jun-pyo with Ji-hoo and now faces expulsion. She tries to explain her actions, but they’re disappointed in her when she confirms the story.

Her father figures she must take after her mother (who tries to shush him) and that based on his experience, when a man has been hurt by a woman two-timing him, the curious thing is, it always helps when the woman apologizes and says she was wrong. They urge her to apologize to Jun-pyo, and for once, they don’t seem so ridiculously out of line.

As Jan-di walks outside that night, Jun-pyo pulls up in his car. Hearing that she’s on her way to train, he asks, “Do you want to win that badly?”

Jan-di sighs, “We don’t have much of a choice.” Jun-pyo reacts to her phrasing: “We?”

Frustrated, he asks, “Why did it have to be Ji-hoo? If only it wasn’t him…”

Jan-di says his name reproachfully, but he suddenly pulls her to him in a hug. Earnestly, he says:

Jun-pyo: “It’s not too late. It would only take one word, if you said that you like me…”

COMMENTS

Yunno, I’m the first one to admit that this series is flawed. Like, way seriously flawed, yo (yo yo, ma bro).

But for some odd reason, it’s still a drama that I look forward to every Monday and Tuesday, and is one of very few in the past couple years that I’ve been eager to see as soon as possible. (Some — really, really good — dramas sit on my hard drive months and years after downloading, still unwatched.)

It’s just that, if a drama is able to get me upbeat and excited for any reason, I’m happy. The rest? It’s icing, folks. Sweet, glorious icing.

As for this episode specifically:

The thing is, we’re supposed to be rooting for Ji-hoo, because that means F4 remains intact and Jan-di gets to stay at Shinhwa High School. Yet I found myself rooting for Jun-pyo, and wanted Jan-di to root for Jun-pyo secretly too (there may have been a hint of that during the horse race, but if so, it was fleeting).

The problem is, I’m starting to hate Ji-hoo. You may not believe me but I want to like him, I really do. I’m trying to understand his character. But he’s just so… meh.

When he kisses Jan-di in front of Jun-pyo to throw him off his game, he’s doing exactly what Jun-pyo accused him of doing at the end of Episode 6, which is use Jan-di. Not because he cares for her, but for his own purposes. And not only are his purposes selfish, he means to harm his friend to win the race. Jun-pyo didn’t act honorably in the first race, but is stooping to a lower level really the answer, Ji-hoo? I thought you were supposed to be the gallant, noble one.

(That said, I was squeamish about Jun-pyo treating his horse so carelessly, even if he feels bad about it. Jun-pyo was also seen acting out more aggressively in this episode, such as when he hit his racing team out of misplaced frustration.)

I’m not sure if this is a writing problem or an acting one, because it could be either — or both. If Ji-hoo is just written this way, it’s making his character way unlikable. On the other hand, if he’s being written to convey conflicted emotions, those aren’t showing through the acting. From reading through the scripts, it seems that the characters aren’t given much direction on the page (they probably are offscreen), and whatever subtext that emerges is a result of smart acting and directing. Some actors are able to mine moments out of their scenes more effectively than others. Some may just be acting what’s on the page.

For instance, in the movie theater scene, you can see for a moment that Jun-pyo softens toward his friend, then hardens at the mention of Jan-di. If Ji-hoo showed inner conflict in a similar way, I could get behind him — but he’s just so smugly calm all the time. It makes me want to slap that smirk from his face.

I was trying to figure out the appeal of Jun-pyo in this drama, because as much as I’m liking his character, the drama feels unbalanced in his favor and I’m trying not to let it bother me. I don’t think it’s a simple matter of “omg Lee Min-ho is hawt!” because yes, he is, but that’s not what does it for me and it’s a little demeaning to say that the only reason Jun-pyo fans like him is because the actor is good-looking. After all, Kim Hyun-joong is surely beautiful but he doesn’t have the same effect on me.

For me, it’s that Jun-pyo is the only character thus far who is drawn in a complex way AND acted well. Everyone else is one or the other, but not both: Jan-di is acted anywhere from weakly to moderately well (depending on your opinion) but her character is not complex. Ji-hoo is complex but not acted terribly well. Yi-jung and Woo-bin are both acted fairly well but their characters are not complex. Same with Ga-eul. So against this character landscape, when we have one lead who is layered, complicated, and portrayed convincingly, we get: Lee Min-ho mania.

256

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151 alice

January 27, 2009 at 6:14 AM

+i actually wasn't a big fan of the sister. i thought she had too much leverage and there didn't seem to be the emotional depth of character to back it up. she was more like a cartoon for me, then a real person. ionno, i didn't like her tho :/

+i skimmed this episode, so even if ji hoo was really sweet, i missed it all.... ugh i can't even imagine him having real feelings for a person, like love, he's so freakking smug all the time.

+this was the worst episode in my opinion. sports competition??!! come on! and there were just so many moments where i felt it was ridiculous. the cartwheel like you mentioned and jandi chasing minho came off as forced, not cute for me at least. minho this episode, i feel also, let got a little the character. i need feelings. not cartoon acting.

+ i think i was also in a bad mood -___- not in the, let me get lost in a drama mood. i was in my western world, let's be critical and worry about my life and schoolwork and responsibility type of mood. i was heavy with thought... couldn't let it go to escape in a diff world

+the love triangle is like not a triangle. it's like three far removed points that have nothing to do with each other. ji hoo and minho have no love, minho and jandi have no chemistry. i just feel minho acting his role of liking her, her acting not matching up to his, and jihoo not really caring about jandi. they all should just live separately. it's like they are in different worlds, like separate snow globes without the snow, suspended in air, barely touching each other, glass to glass, but never really interacting. i'm a little bitter right now... that would also describe my mood yesterday -__- bc over the weekend, something bad happened -_____-;;

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152 alice

January 27, 2009 at 6:17 AM

i'm like a bad commentator, i just comment A LOT

... and could it be possible that LMH is too good? like maybe he should gel with the other characters more. when jandi and jihoo are together, even though i don't like them together, nor find their moments sweet, and instead feel sickened and nauseous, their acting level is still similar. LMH's doesn't match anyone else's, which is sad..

it's like when your diction level doesn't match in writing....

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153 Suetoff

January 27, 2009 at 6:19 AM

I must say that I strongly agree with you! I think ONLY Minho feels this character and brings it to him..... Jun-pyo is a package of Hawt Looking Boys with the 5 C's and lack of affection of some sort.

But serious, Jan-di is being ridiculous....Can she recall all the sweet thing that he had done for her or is she acting blur, stupid or ignorant! JAN-DI wake up darling!

Love u & look forward for your episode recap, tomorrow

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154 wynema

January 27, 2009 at 6:23 AM

this k version closely follows meteor garden of taiwan except for some parts which were altered quite badly that made a lovable character look bad. one good example is this sports thing.

in meteor garden, they just played basketball and lei's and shancai's team were losing. lei noticed that dao ming si got jealous whenever he and shancai talked during the game. so nearing the end of the game, he puposely used dao's jealousy to try to win coz he has no other recourse. of course, dao missed the hoops whenever he tried to score.

however, in korean version, the game was more dangerous since they were gonna race. as a result, ji hoo looked bad when he was trying to make jun pyo jealous coz he came across as uncaring of what will happen to his best bud. tsk tsk

i liked ji-hoo's character in meteor garden and hana yori dango. so it suddens me that the guy playing him is not as effective in korean version. maybe it's partly the script and actors fault :(

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155 ina

January 27, 2009 at 6:47 AM

Who'll side with ji hoo? I will since he is my hero since beginning ....when everybody else including the almighty jun pyoo busy torture me.If Jandi turned her back easily, that will be against my conscience....btw this is a manga adaptation so the storyline will follow manga... Don't even question it.

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156 kirara

January 27, 2009 at 6:55 AM

Thanks for the recap... You're so Quick! it was a good episode.. i can't help to say out loud that JI Hoo looked soo cute and handsome riding that horse and taking jan di around.. I swear.. I so wish that it was me!

I'm thinking maybe its starting to look a lot like the other versions now. Except for the fact with the different competitions and stuff because I dont remember a horse racing or a race car scene. However, aren't we suppose to hate Ji Hoo though? i remember that In the Japanese Version Hana Yori dango.. and in the Taiwanese version as well that Rui practically tortures tsukasa by using Makino. Wasn't there like a scene in the Japanese one where they go on dates and stuff?? Or maybe that's going to follow in ep8..

anyways.. i think I got things confused.. but I think the director/producer did his job if we as the viewers practically despise Ji hoo

i can't wait for next episode.. date time! :D

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157 lily

January 27, 2009 at 7:01 AM

Plus Something is bothering me concerning Lee Min Ho's Domyoji.
At first episodes (Episode 2), Jun Pyo plays Rugby. I mean Domyoji is supposed to be a brat lonely person who won't never do what commoners do. I mean What the heck?? Do you really see Domyoji play a team sport and rolls in mud with people he looks down??? The only team of Domyoji is F4!!
At Episode 2 Jun Pyo wear sport uniform when he tried to clean Jan-di noze-bleed and he looks at himself in mirror as if he thinks about his behaviou. Domyoji would not do that!!
DOMYOJI WEAR UNIFORM. Domyoji doesn't respect school laws he respects his laws.
His sister tell he changed but he has not changed at all. He is the same one since Epi1!
I don't know but the more I watch this drama the more he reminds me anyone but Domyoji. He doesn't follow the chracter of Domyoji manga at all!!

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158 Jo II

January 27, 2009 at 7:09 AM

I think the point is that even though the F4 boys are rich, good-looking, Prince-like and show fleeting moments of weakness and emotion, they are flawed creatures. This show is about them changing through their interaction with Jan-Di and finding some meaning to themselves.

Ji-Hoo is being insensitive but he is doing it for a good reason, he just doesn't know how to act and has been so isolated in himself that he doesn't know how to re-act to the situation properly. Plus Jun-Pyo is going through the same change, he's doing everything he can but sacrificing everyone around to do it.

But you may have a point, Java that Lee Min-Ho's acting is better and so the emotional strife that is meant to be bubbling under the surface is only recognisable in him...we will see.

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159 lily

January 27, 2009 at 7:12 AM

Plus Jun Pyo/domyoji is not supposed to be easy going. But I looks at him I see a rich teenage man who discuss who looks normal. He has some flaws but he is not unhuman, not scaring, his scoolmate discuss easily with him, he plays rugby with them, dance with them ect...

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160 lily

January 27, 2009 at 7:24 AM

@ Jo II I understand what you mean
But what change Jan-di made about Jun Pyo and Ji Hoo. About Ji-hoo maybe I can understand. At epi 7 he was more open, relaxed, less stiff.
But Jun Pyo?? What change?

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161 Worlds Within

January 27, 2009 at 7:31 AM

I honestly didn't like JP in this episode, AT ALL. This episode brought out the worst in him. Cheating to win the horse race resulting in Jupiter's suffering and then whining when it came to the swimming race. The majority of people keep saying they couldn't believe that JH used JD to get JP mad before the car race, in a way I'm glad that he did. It wouldn't be fair at all if JP cheated to win the first race, then won the second race because it fell into his level of expertise. The majority of people are also saying that JH's only intention in going through with this whole ordeal is to satisfy his own selfish need, not true. If you truly look at JH and hear what he says, he's doing this because all in all, he feels guilty for kissing JD and feels even worse now that JP is threatening to kick both of them out of school, therefore, he is going to take responsibility in order for JD to not get kicked out. JH hasn't mentioned about saving himself, his main goal so far is to protect JD and help her. Also, I don't think the acting is as bad as everyone thinks it is. I think KHJ is doing a fine job portraying JH because I don't think JH is supposed to be a complex character, a flawed one yes but not complex. The only complex character on the show is JP and LMH is doing an awesome job portraying that. JH is meant to be calm, that's how he has been from the beginning, he has changed a little after he came back from Paris, like JP put it, "he actually seems like a human being now".

In the end if JP keeps this attitude up and doesn't learn the lesson that Jun-hee and JH are desparately trying to teach, I'm not sure if he deserves JD's love or anyone else's.

So, for this episode, I'm still on team JH.

Jihoo ... AZA AZA FIGHTING!!!

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162 geekinthepink

January 27, 2009 at 7:33 AM

i simply LOVE your analysis. especially the last paragraph.

this episode was simply frustrating to me. what happened to it's jandi's turn to win junpyo back? it's like neither jandi nor jihoo show any repentence whatsoever for what they have done. granted, junpyo is taking rather extreme measures on them but i hate it that the two of them act so victimized when they are the ones who caused the whole probem. and i have to absolutely agree with you. jihoo is really getting on my nerves, and jandi too, for only looking at him, and for that perpetual pout (which is just about as annoying as jihoo's smirk).

i do hope the next episode is more gratifying!

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163 Jacolian

January 27, 2009 at 7:46 AM

In this episode, I was actually rooting for Ji Hoo for the 1st time. I thought he was sweet and really sincere in trying to protect Jandi.

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164 mahirah

January 27, 2009 at 7:51 AM

i agree with u! it seems like ji hoo's character is totally different from hana yori dango. maybe the acting wasnt convincing enough and also jan di's character was all over the place, it seems not right. however, as for junpyo, hes still like he is. =)

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165 sonam

January 27, 2009 at 7:57 AM

@noona #114
Very insightful comments. Thanks. Yes, Jandi's been reduced to being a trophy girlfriend. In HYD Makino was the star and F4 were just back up. In BBF she's just a silly girl making faces. Can't really blame her or the other 3 F4s. LMH is just so charismatic and he just steals the show. It doesn't help that he towers over them not only in charisma but physically. They should have cast a Rui who was as tall as him.

I like LMH not because he's good looking but because he's doing such a good job. There are so many good looking guys I can't stand to watch like... Daniel Henney.
I really really want to like Jandi because I like GJP and I want to enjoy their love story. Maybe once Jandi starts realizing her feelings for JP and starts getting insecure and vulnerable ....she'll be less annoying. I hope it starts happening soon. It does look like it might happen at Ep 8. I have noticed that in Kdramas Ep 8 is when things start happening.
Thanks as always Dramabeans. Your blog is the only one worth visiting. Soompi forum is so annoying like Jandi.

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166 shu

January 27, 2009 at 8:00 AM

are they undermining the ga jung fans or what. just feeding us one or two scenes every episode. it makes me really sad. anyway, jihoo is like so unadorable, not even favourable. mehhs. jun pyo is so poor thing. i feel like just let them be together, like HELLO? jandi just say you like him, jun pyo happy you two hug play some nice music and i would be oh so happy. but i guess you need to fill up the 24 episodes story with details, but the longer it drags, the more i love jun pyo, the more i hate ji hoo. sighs.

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167 Jacolian

January 27, 2009 at 8:02 AM

Um excuse me. I totally love LMH's character but I have to defend Ji Hoo. I guess the scriptwriters just wanted to add somewhere the part where Jun Pyo is distracted because Ji Hoo kissed Jan Di, because that happens in the manga. And you know, Jun Pyo was so happy abt the car race, even though he knew that Ji Hoo had a problem with it, but Ji Hoo agreed immeatedly when Jun Pyo didn't wanna swim

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168 haezi

January 27, 2009 at 8:03 AM

wow, so many comments.

while i agree with most of your points and especially like your conclusion regarding lee min ho's popularity, it was hard for me to dislike jihoo probably because i was a lettuce couple fan from before this drama and also because his acting has markedly improved since the first few episodes. jihoo does seem to be sorry, though his calm, almost emotionless facade may belie his true emotions...the subtle? sighs, the voiceovers, and the angst behind his parents death all point to the internal struggle he's having. unfortunately, layered acting is not something we can expect from him at this point, though maybe in the future, which is why i put my own interpretation to his smirk during the car scene. i prefer to interpret it as jihoo smiling because he realized jandi's effect on junpyo. perhaps he probably knew that junpyo was fine--just a little shaken up--i imagine jihoo probably has gone at least to watch his friends race before and knew that junpyo would be safe despite the skidding. in contrast, jandi's own concerns probably stem from her hidden albeit growing feelings for junpyo who overbearingly forced his affections on her...it was cute to us because we're junpyo's fans, but if he was less appealing, we would be horrified by his attentions--after all, even the trip to the islands was a sort of abduction...both jandi and her friend were pressured to go and weren't even given the true nature of the trip until after they had arrived at the airplane runway).

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169 Anonymous

January 27, 2009 at 8:04 AM

i had dislike JH since eps 6, when he kissed Jandi. and i also dislike Jandi when she freely give JH kissed her.. bleeh!!!!~

oh no, i cant believe i said that to my GHS. but please, wake up! that bratty JP had lowered his ego and done alot of things for her, why cant she appreciate it a bit??

and 1 more person, i dislike HCY (shizuka, i forgot her name). she is different in this Kversion. isnt she supposed to think JH ONLY as her friend?? but she kissed him!! and suddenly she's going to marry someone else! wth??it make more sense when she marry someone else, IF she didnt kissed JH, because she only feels him as a good friend.

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170 Ally

January 27, 2009 at 8:06 AM

I agree with #146 about how Junpyo got out of the swimming competition even though he had a phobia, I mean Jihoo had one too and he managed to overcome it (quite suddenly but yea). And I really think this whole love triangle thing started because Jandi didn't make herself clear, I mean normal people would tell the guy straight in the face 'I AM NOT YOUR GIRLFRIEND AND WE ARE NOT DATING' but she just kept quiet? Maybe she's afraid she might break Junpyo's feelings cos afterall he was really very nice to her. :/

hahaha and it's really fun reading your comments and all the other comments posted here 8D

running him over with a bicycle (which, frankly, is a scene I’d like to see. The bike, I mean, not the diarrhea).
THIS totally made me laugh but yea I would like to see a scene of that too! (:

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171 Angela

January 27, 2009 at 8:17 AM

For me, my main problem in this episode was Jan Di's seeming lack of remorse... not so much JH's character, or the way he's acted. Personally, I've always rooted for Tsukasa over Rui, and in all variations, I never felt bothered by the competition that took place after the witnessed kiss. JH feels guilty over the position he's placed JD in, and so feels obligated to get her out of the mess he's created, no matter what it takes. JP would do the same thing if their situations were reversed. And in future episodes, I'm sure he'll do much more.

But here's where my problem begins: In the other versions (plus the manga), I always got the sense that Jan Di feels at least a *little* regret over her actions. That, on some level, she realizes that the kiss only happens because JH is emotionally screwed up, and is using her to get over his broken heart. She still might like him a little, but she realizes that what they have isn't exactly "real" and is simply reacting to the friend who comforted and protected her during the red-card fiasco. In this way, she's torn between the two of them--feeling guilt, responsibility, and remorse.

But in this episode, I got none of that. Sure, she feels guilty that she may be the cause of F4 breaking up... but it doesn't seem to have anything to do with the stolen kiss, or how she betrayed Jun Pyo. It's like you said: her character isn't complex... but here, it's like she's *supposed* to be. In the other versions, this felt much more real. Now, it's like she's thinking, "finally, my life with JH can begin. LOL." It feels uneven and strange... like they're fighting for their relationship, rather than fighting to stay in school. Hopefully they'll include the awkward date, and this fake-budding relationship will be nipped in the bud.

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172 noella

January 27, 2009 at 8:37 AM

against my head, my heart cant help but like this drama! like a lot of ppl (seems like), i especially enjoy the secondary story between Yi Jung and Ga Eul, their chemistry is great and they are given just the right enough amount of conflict to keep things interesting. too bad they only have fleeting scenes...wish we could petition somewhere for more scenes (and a happy ending) for these two...

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173

January 27, 2009 at 8:42 AM

no offence, but i feel like this whole ji hoo is a man for overcoming his fear of driving sentiment is a result of very very flawed story line. his sudden overcoming his car phobia in a span of two days was pretty damn ridiculous to me. in the first scene, it looked like he couldnt even drive a NORMAL car, and in the next, he's ON PAR with jun pyo in a race car and looking absolutely calm even before jun pyo messed up. this makes no sense to me. and it didnt even look like he did anything to work away this phobia so i have no idea what makes him a man other than this flawed storyline.

at least when it was jun pyo and the water, he protested suitably.

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174 Shrimp

January 27, 2009 at 8:45 AM

One of the things that make me go gaga over this series is the grandiosity of the setting! Every episode gives me this feeling that even the untouchables, the rich and famous, the princes and princesses of the social norms are within reach. It's like imagining yer in a fairyland, waiting for yer prince charming...you know it aint true, yet you still get this feeling of wanting to hold yer solitary moments dear, then laugh and revel in the moment. Everything's a feast in the eyes! totally grand YO! hmmm

I'm enjoying this drama because I see it as another "Korean drama" and not an extension, or a-compare-me-to-other-version-series. I rant over its "own" weak spot and rave over its "own" fine points *im pushing the envelope here*.

Anyway with all the flaws the spotlight is still on for Jun Pyo *I like Lee Min-ho and Love Jun Pyo btw*. Jan Di, her character, for me, is a bit off! I still don't understand wether or not she likes Ji hoo or Jun Pyo or even if she's torn between the two. *she reminds me of Bella Swan, she wants the vampire and doesn't wanna let go of the werewolf* but atleast I can feel that Bella's Ho'ring around coz she liked both *sorry*, but in Jan Di's case, she acts as if there's no conflict at all! ugh i can't really explain it but...ugh!

"I’m not sure if this is a writing problem or an acting one, because it could be either — or both. If Ji-hoo is just written this way, it’s making his character way unlikable."--I think it's both-- The actor is obviously unexperienced; i think he acts according to how he was told to act. Like a robot who's programmed by its creator. Bt it aint his fault, it's but very seldom that one's born to be an actor and obviously again "Kim Hyun-joong" aint one of those who was born with silver -camera- rolling- on his mouth!

Thanks for the great recaps...i'll be visiting yer blog again tom'row for the 8th!

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175 REACTION

January 27, 2009 at 9:24 AM

To the writer of this review: JI HOO wanted to make JUN PYO jealous so that he can win the race to keep JANDI in Shinhwa. It is not completely malicious as you paint it out to be.

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176 Shrimp

January 27, 2009 at 9:32 AM

...and yeah another thing! if only the writer would squeeze this in and Kim Hyun-joong would act this out: If only Ji hoon will provide the viewers a hint that he's smitten by Jan Di, that he's actually falling for her though he may or may not be aware of it ... just a hint that there really is a good cause behind this line "i will protect Jan di"; that a real love triangle is really brewing and not just another i'll-hit-on-my-friend's-girl-because-there's-supposed-to-be-a-conflict-between-us-scene *ugh that was long* haha! ...if only! then i personally wont find it hard to follow where this ji hoon-jan di affair's leading! *real or unreal:check*

btw...About ji hoo's snap!-i -can -race- after- two- days -of -walking -to -and -fro -my room:i think the reason why there's a scenewhere jan di askied how he was able to get a drivers license--it only means that the guy can do anything if he puts his mind and heart to it! i guess it wasn't a miracle after all! hmmm but a lil push in the gut, determination + motivation = i can drive again!====.but as to where his motivation came from...that i didnt see clearly. *must be Jan di yeah *it supposed to be Jandhi* but then again, i didnt see it in Ji hoo's eyes"

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177 ocean

January 27, 2009 at 10:20 AM

Thank you javabeans for the super quick recap!

Totally, completely, wholeheartedly agree with your comment,...
I'm starting to hate Jihoo too..... And am entirely rooting for Junpyo team all the way =\.
(Even though they both played dirty in the competition, I'm much more interested in (and attracted to) Junpyo's imperfection, rather than Jihoo's)

But I'm having a bit of problem warming up to Jandi as well. I'm not sure why, though,...
Probably because of the occasional over-acting? Or because of the lack of chemistry with Junpyo?
It just felt to me that the great scenes of Junpyo vs. Jandi, were "caused" by Junpyo's ability to own the moment, and not so much of Jandi's acting.

I've been trying (very hard) not to compare this version with the previous versions, but it seriously kills me that by now, (in the Korean version), I can't really read what's on Jandi's mind. Whereas in the other versions, it was rather clear who Makino wanted, despite rather subconsciously.
I mean, she was clearly touched by Junpyo's gesture in caledonia, but then turned rather swiftly to Jihoo right after he hugged her. Thing is, I can't sense that she's confused, and I can't sense the feeling towards Junpyo at all. It just seems like she's all for Jihoo now. -___-

Nonetheless, loved this episode lots, mainly because of Junhee (sans the backflip.... ).I really love how Junpyo just can't do anything right around her.
Just like he can't do anything right around Jandi. It's adorable. Heh.

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178 le

January 27, 2009 at 10:31 AM

the scene in the beginning with JD & JP was too cute, gosh i hope they get together soon or at least have more of those interactions.

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179 tokai

January 27, 2009 at 10:44 AM

Did you noticed that the paper Kim Hyun-Joo reads at the breakfast table is the very same old The Wall-Street Journal which Jun Pyo reads in an much earlier episode when Jan-di wakes up in his bed? Just pointing out...

Seems I rewatch to often that I notice the props reusage already... :P

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180 person

January 27, 2009 at 11:05 AM

what you said here...
"The problem is, I’m starting to hate Ji-hoo. You may not believe me but I want to like him, I really do. I’m trying to understand his character. But he’s just so… meh.

thats just how the story is tho. they did that in meteor garden when zaizai played the character. and Ji-hoo did it for both his sake and jandi. so they can BOTH stay in the school.

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181 sub

January 27, 2009 at 11:09 AM

oh wow...the drama and it's frightening that some people are getting so personal with each other........
the power of F4....(or F2?) huh?
ok.....you people mostly are really being mean....
no. 167 and maybe some others before that mentioned this....which i forgot to mention but....
yeah....why is Jihoo the 'evil bastard selfish omg-wanna-kick/kill-him' for distracting Junpyo's attention in a race Junpyo's supposed to be good at, BUT Junpyo is still considered sweety pie kind poor thing when he's so delighted to have a race with Jihoo whom he knows has some issue with driving?
i mean...it's so simple

1. SAFETY/SELFISH issue
Jihoo-problem with driving - Junpyo happy
Junpyo-good at driving but lost attention-Jihoo happy
Junpyo-problem with swimming - Jihoo agreed with the whole replacing thingy

so, it's ok for everyone to only be concern about Junpyo's safety but should not give a damn bout Jihoo's safety? and Jihoo didn't even get a handicap like Junpyo did. so what's with all the hate on Jihoo? really couldn't understand. ok, so Jihoo is evil for being happy over Junpyo's distraction. but is that any worse than Junpyo being happy cuz he know Jihoo's scared of driving?

2. CHEATING issue

Junpyo - Jihoo's good in the sport - so, Junpyo cheated during the horseback riding n did harm to the poor horse.
Jihoo - Junpyo's good at the sport and Jihoo is supposedly 0 in it- so, Jihoo cheated in a way by playing with Junpyo's psychology
Junpyo - not exactly cheated/but yes in a way by getting replacement for the swimming.

they both cheated on each other for own advantage. so what's the big deal really? so, who did more unfair/cheat stuffs to the other?

3. FRIENDSHIP/HUMANITY point of view....

Junpyo knows Jihoo is scared of driving and he's cool with it.
Jihoo knows Junpyo is scared/traumatized by water, and he's cool with the replacement idea.
although we are given the idea of Junpyo the cold blooded creature....but talking about friendship so called......which one of them actually care less about the other one? if you still can't think of the answer........then i dunno what creature you are lah...but most definitely not human.

again, i must say i'm NOT on Jihoo's side. one of the first thing that drew me off the drama was Hyunjoong's bad acting.....in the frst episode......besides Gu Hye Sun's extreme portrayal of Jandi.
But Junpyo's fans/fangirls seem to be overlooking all these very obvious/crystal clear simple human values just to get their Almighty Junpyo on the winning side. sorry to say, but the comments here made it so obvious.
people, do u still hav ur human senses working?

on the other hand yes, i really think pretty much Jandi is the one at fault in this case, cuz she didn't made herself clear....and to think of it, how could she just let Jihoo actually go n drive the car being a car-freak he is? she could've thought of begging on Junpyo at that time. at least that's what i'd expect from the honourable Jandi......not just taking on something she knows she's a star at-swimming. and from the caps posted here, i'm amazed that yes, Jandi doesn't seem all that troubled about what's happening, could it be cuz 'have no fear, Ji hoo's here'? i hope not. cuz that made Jandi seem so weak n hopeless girl, which i don't think is what they're trying to portray on Jandi.

and someone who mentioned about basketball.......that's actually what's in the manga.....there's no such competition of what 'the love triangle trio' is good at. sorry to say, but it's a bit lame of them doing it this way.

i'm not saying that we shouldn't appreciate changes made to the drama, and i'm not saying we should only know to compare it to other versions, but the thing is...this manga has been dramatized twice......so pretty much, there's really nothing to argue about the storyline anymore. i find it quite amusing people are complaining why do so n so did this and that? saying it's ridiculous. stupid. make no sense, n whatever lah.
well, bear in mind that this is an adaptation afterall, and all those parts that you guys have complained are actually parts that really exist in the manga. so go blame the mangaka? and if you say Korean version should be done like a Kdrama, then they need not adapt the story anymore....shouldn't they just do a whole new story with similar 'rich n famous' background? what's the point of bringing a comic to screen only to change the details into a totally kdrama. a bit is fine, but all is....meh...pointless.

and Yijung n Woobin.......tsk tsk tsk....how could they care only about Junpyo but not Jihoo? well, but from the summary here, at least Woobin still got some human heart left for Jihoo, rite? iono. we can only complaint so much, but that's what happened with the real/manga Soujiro n Akira.......care only about Domyouji Tsukasa. i don't remember clearly, but perhaps it's the same in the manga that Akira has a lil more humanity/friendship value in that sense.

yes, yes, probly i was gonna be the next to be thrown rocks here....but i'm just stating my opinion, as everyone else. there's no right or wrong, just differences and inability to accept it. and i'm not saying i'm excluded.

in short.
i'm not impressed with Junpyo, i'm not impressed with Jandi, i'm not impressed with Jihoo, i'm not impressed with the directing, i'm not impressed with the whole thing going on....
i don't even see Yi Jung or Ga Eul.....

you can guess who i'm "impressed" with...hahahahaha...LOL.
yes, i'm being annoying but pls don't vent it on 'him'.
i know i'm just wasting my time, not like it's gonna change anyone's opinion....but well, i feel better now letting out what i see...

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182 potato

January 27, 2009 at 11:10 AM

I thought that in the Japanese and Taiwanese version, Ji hoo purposefully did what he was doing to get Jun pyo and Jan di together when he realized that she actually started liking jun pyo?
Cause I remember that he explained himself later in the other two versions for the reason why he kissed her and stuff...even though he does really like her, but because Junpyo is his best friend and Jandi likes Junpyo, he tests Junpyo to see how much he likes Jandi...well thats what happened in the Taiwanese one... =)
but I have honestly always liked Jihoo of all the f4 dramas! but I love F4 no matter what! heehee Great drama!!!

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183 potato

January 27, 2009 at 11:31 AM

O！ and thanks sooooooooooooooooo much for the recaps!!! You are awesome!!!! =) YAY!!!

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184 so...

January 27, 2009 at 11:44 AM

with all of this relationship drama, and questions about the true intentions of the characters, reading the manga itself pretty much clears up everything about what the actor or director was trying to portray....
I suggest it to those curious individuals

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185 Miki

January 27, 2009 at 12:22 PM

Thank you for the recap. I never have time to finish any series, even if I might race through a recap or the beginning-middle of the series. Not to any fault of the series. I've been unable to catch BBF at all lately, so your recaps are very very much appreciated.

They are also incredibly entertaining.

Off sided comment: The number of comments on this series is hard to believe. Oo Half a day since it's postage and nearly TWO HUNDRED comments on this one episode recap alone? Wow. The ratings are sky-high but the online fever must be reaching just as many if not more viewers. Who said the HYD craze was over and the market had been saturated?

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186 emma

January 27, 2009 at 12:43 PM

omg i like absolutely love you.... thanks so much....i love reading ure reviews...i totally agree with some of ure opinions especially on the good acting opinion...anyways..ure much appreciated thanks again...

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187 lily

January 27, 2009 at 1:16 PM

@ SUB
I LOVE YOU!!!! WHAT YOU SAID IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO RIGHT. You say EVERYTHING. I search what is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo extraordinary with this drama (especially Lee Min Ho portraying). I mean everyone play like your typical korean heroes/heroines.

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188 THANKS

January 27, 2009 at 1:26 PM

woah, people are so into it.

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189 Pups

January 27, 2009 at 1:38 PM

@181: Hahaha... what you said are so true...! And I also know where you are from... the "lah" land, like me!!!

Dramabeans, thanks for the recap. I couldn't watch the videos because Viikii.net is down since last nite, so I really appreciate your prompt review of the drama. Kamsahamida!

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190 Philippa

January 27, 2009 at 1:54 PM

I like the actress they picked to be the sister but that "barbie" girl as teng tang tin or something well lei's first love... The taiwanese woman is a million times better!
Thanks a lot!

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191 elmo

January 27, 2009 at 2:25 PM

ah the sister strikes!!

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192 Robin

January 27, 2009 at 3:17 PM

Yes indeed, sub's comments was exactly what I was thinking as each episode progressed. While I agree Jun Pyo stands out because of good acting, it's not because he's layered and complex, no, he's layered with all the typical Kdrama male-lead qualities. After I watched 100 Days with Mr. Arrogant, Jun Pyo is exactly like the male-lead in that movie, or rather, there aren't much differences between the two. Whereas the original character has a major character shift since meeting Makino, from being a rude immature jerk to learning how to be considerate and gentle. It's interesting though that the story revolves around Domyoji rather than Makino, and I have a feeling it wasn't what they intended, but ended up happening anyway. I really did tried not to compare the two, but everytime I watch his reaction to certain events and to Jan Di reminds me of the difference. It's odd, because I like the deviation of JiHoon from Rui, ignoring the mediocre acting, I like that he has a bit of a cunning/mean streak to him. I'm glad they didn't turn JiHoon into the typical nice guy in every kdrama who doesn't get the girl and remains passive until everyone feels sorry for him.

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193 travp16

January 27, 2009 at 3:20 PM

Jan Di is really pissing me off. I don't like her at all. She tries to com off strong, but it is not convincing. Plus Gu hye-sun's acting is horrible a lot of the time. Basically Jan di is annoying because she is written that way, but Hye Sun takes it to an all new level.

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194 Taz

January 27, 2009 at 3:29 PM

i kinda feel like ji hoo has been through alot more than JP.. but that may just be me. And i also like Ji hoo's character more.. even though he does smirk and do all that stuff. He uses Jan Di to protect her by the way because if He wins than Jan Di wont be expelled either. And Jan Di clearly likes Ji hoo better so isnt that alright? Also, Ji Hoo had a handicap of driving because his parents DIED in a car accident and though he used unfair tactics, he still willed himself to drive for Jan Di and when JP was faced with the dilemma of swimming or giving up he chose to give up and lose Jan Di...

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195 bebo

January 27, 2009 at 3:30 PM

for some reason, i think good of ji hoo. maybe he is trying to teach a lesson towards JP? as in you can't always get what you want. instead you have to earn it because with JP's ways of getting girls is all about money. Cause ji hoo knows what love is all about so maybe he is helping JP out by teaching him a lesson or so. plus he is helping jan di out by figuring out her own feelings? cause when she spend time with ji hoo, she isn't really focused on him fully. i don't know, i feel like ji hoo is helping both of them get together in a way they should.

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196 Naners~

January 27, 2009 at 3:32 PM

It kinda frustrated me that everytime I read comments on episodes of boys over flowers, alot of people bash jandi and say she is annoying and over exaggerates her facial expression. To an extent, this is true. Ive often felt that way while watching her on the show, but we cant blame her for it. She has so much potential as an actress. Ive seen her acting in other dramas before and I think maybe its the pd or the directing thats making her exaggerate. I dont know if its just me but her role here kinda reminds me of her character is nonstop 4.. with the short hairstyle and everything. Her character grew alot on me throughout the show though, and she has her shining moments. I can't image makino being played by another character now besides gu hyesun. When I first saw the blog here that she was chosen to play makino, I was pretty happy with that and I thought she fit the role perfectly. Yeah she is a little older than the real manga character but if age really mattered I cant see go ara or lee yeon hee or lee min young playing jandi. As as good of an actress kim so eun is, I cant see her playing jandi either.. and I wouldnt want her too because she makes a wonderful ga eul. I know everyone is entitled to their own opinions but I wish they would just cut her some slack. and its not her fault that she is indecisive between jihoo and junpyo. thats the way the manga was written. Every character on the show has their flaws. I think jandi gets hit the most because she is the lead character and alot of the people watching the snow are girls and they tend be more favorful to hott guys. but yeah.. i hope the pd's decide to tone it down for jandi because I think she has the potential to be the perfect makino.

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197 janice

January 27, 2009 at 3:54 PM

i agree with you on the amazinness of jun-pyo's portrayal...but im still rooting for ji-hoo!!

you mentioned him as being selfish and not noble..but i think its the short term losses, long term gains approach that ji hoo is going for..ie hurt jun pyo a bit now (car race kiss) in order that jun pyo and jan di can get together later in the story...

i dunno...maybe im stil reeling from oguri shun's rui character!

but thanks for the recap...i look forward to the rest

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198 Yssa

January 27, 2009 at 3:55 PM

Wow, so many comments... that I didn't read all of them. Just wanted to give a side comment about KHJ's acting. Frankly, even though I like him as a person and really liked him on We Got Married, I have to say that he sure isn't the best actor. However, I changed my view on him for the better (well just a bit for now) when I saw him doing the smirk and the scene with the hug/forehead kiss with Jandi. He looks so much more natural when doing the evil, sneaky stuff! Anybody feel the same? Not saying that he is sneaky, but his blank gazes are just soooo well.. blank..boring...repetitive.. At least in We Got Married his blank gazes were accompanied with snarky, witty comments, which made it soo funny.

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199 lily

January 27, 2009 at 3:56 PM

@Robin you absolutely took the word out of my mouth concerning Jun Pyo. And I am happy more and more persons have begun to understand that Jun Pyo portraying doesn't looks like to Domyoji character at all. I think the korean makers counted a lot on the "look department".