This drama is only 9 episodes long, but it took me weeks to finish because of its plodding, contrived plot and character 180s.
For a story centered around character growth, especially for the male lead, he undergoes very little actual growth and has even fewer redeeming qualities. His "sympathetic" backstory does little to excuse his controlling, arrogant, and childish personality. He consistently behaves immaturely and violently - [tw] he even sends goonies out to rape the female lead when she calls him out for bullying. He is never confronted about these incidents and does not show any remorse for them. His feelings for her and his frankly pathetic behavior towards her in response are examples of what not to look for in a partner.
The female lead, Makino, herself is a solid character, and none of the other F4 are as bad as their leader. But they are not enough to save this train wreck of a drama.
¿Te ha parecido útil esta reseña?
Hana Yori Dango is a timeless story with all of the classic cliches. While the story is slightly unbelievable, and can be frustrating at times, I still love it. I actually liked the story line in Hana Yori Dango better than that of Boys Over Flowers. I liked the fact that they spent less time on the love triangle between Tsukushi, Domyouji, and Rui and focused on other things. It got a little tedious in Boys Over Flowers and I was very pleased to see that Hana Yori Dango handled it differently. Basically I really liked the story, though it was, for the most part, predictable (simply because I already know the plot), the pacing was nice, and I liked the vibe.
I loved the acting. As much as I love Lee Min Ho as Jun Pyo, I completely fell for Matsumoto Jun as Domyouji. His character felt a little more appealing in Hana Yori Dango. MatsuJun can pull of spoiled-rich-boy like no other and I loved seeing his internal conflict and development. He was such an angry, funny, and occasionally charming character. I also really liked Oguri Shun's portrayal of Rui! Kim Hyun Joong's performance as Ji Hoo can't quite compare. Oguri Shun made the character more likable. Though Sojiro and Akira were both more minor characters I liked them as well. I felt more of a connection to them in Hana Yori Dango than in Boys Over Flowers. Overall, I felt as if the cast really pulled off the whole high-schooler vibe, which is sometimes hard to do in dramas.
As for Makino, Inoue Mao was fabulous. She was pretty without being too pretty, smart without being a genius, and awkward without being to awkward. Basically she was a nice balanced character. I remember getting a lot of 2nd hand embarrassment while watching Gu Hye Seon as Jan Di in Boys Over Flowers. This wasn't so much the case in Hana Yori Dango. There were certainly embarrassing moments, but I wasn't constantly cringing. Basically I think I really prefer Inoue Mao over Gu Hye Seon. I just liked her in the role so much more.
The music was really catchy, but not overplayed. I loved Arashi's contributions to the soundtrack as well as the other songs. The OST fit the drama really well.
When it comes to comparing Hana Yori Dango and Boys Over Flowers, I can't really do it. Hana Yori Dango is probably the better drama, and I think I like it more than BOF, but they're both their own pieces of work with their own styles. BOF was my first drama ever, so I owe a lot to it. It will always have a special place in my heart. But I adored Hana Yori Dango. It had such a different feeling to it and I loved it. But honestly, I love both dramas in their own ways.
Overall, I immensely enjoyed Hana Yori Dango and will be starting season two immediately. The finale of season one was definitely satisfying, but a perfect set up for a second season. I can't wait to see what it brings!
¿Te ha parecido útil esta reseña?
DIdn't care for it
I found the characters to be unlikeable, the actors weren't very attractive, I found the acting to be WAY over the top, there was no chemistry, and where the Korean BOF was too long, this one was too short, in that I didn't think it was developed that well. This was one that I watched and forgot to review, a couple of years went by, and I watched it again, it was that forgettable. It has not aged well either.As in BOF, I could NEVER understand why the FL fell in love with the ML. That was just a toxic relationship all the way around.
¿Te ha parecido útil esta reseña?
The Story: Well what I can say about the story, you got hot guys, you got an awesome lead who stands up for what she belives in, beautful acting, and beautiful chemistry between the two main characters, do I need to say more? I told myself I would only watch three episodes during the night, at the time it was about 11 p.m. at night and I finshed the first season at 7 a.m. in the morning, not getting any sleep at all. The story itself is your genral rich guy, poor girl drama, but what I love about this drama is that it adds more storylines then just the typical rich guy, poor girl kind of storyline.
The love story itself was very addicating and fun to watch. You got the main protagonist Makino who does not have a lot of friends and isn't intrested in finding love at all, but when of her only friends gets bullied by the rich and popular Domyouji she decideds to stand up against him which is something that has never happend to him before, you could Domyouji is always used to getting whar he wants and getting his way, but when Makino comes ino his life you start to see a more gentler and nicer side of Domyouji that you come to fangirl and love.
The Acting/Cast: The acting in Hana Yori Dango is superb and the chemistry between each character feels so real that you know the whole cast got along very. The chemisty between Matsumoto Jun and Iinoue Mao felt absolutely real, the chemistry they brought on screen and maybe even off screen had been just beautiful to witness and I hope someday they all will come back together.
Music: The music in this series can get very addicting, I have about all the songs that play during the show on my Iphone and play them daily. If your in a very good mood you can listen to a lot of the fun and upbeat music but when your sad and depressing mood you can listen to a lot of the slow and downbeat music.
Rewatch Value: Well I have already have rewatched this drama about three to four times so the rewatch value for me is very high.
Overall: Overall I would recommened this sereies to just about anyone, if your in the mood for lots of comedy, romance, and beautiful chemistry I highly would recommend this series. So go watch it now beacuse you have no idea on what your missing out.
¿Te ha parecido útil esta reseña?
Apart from that, the cast was good. They are all good actors. The direction of the show was pretty good and the writing seems to be excellent. It is a no-nonsense show except for the T.O.J. plot which was so boring and that is the only place where the show felt dragged.
At least I can say that it is much better than Boys Before Flowers (Korean version) even though there is zero glamour in this version. Overall, it is a good show with a good rewatch value. I haven't yet seen the second part but I might give it a try in the future.
¿Te ha parecido útil esta reseña?
This is the second dorama I watched years ago -mind you, the second first Episode. After my first experience with Japanese dramas, I was excited to watch more, and after a lot of research, I decided for HYD. I barely finished Ep. 1... I disliked Doumyouji tremendously, although I did like Makino. And I have to admit, I thought the guys were very plain (they were supposed to be the most handsome of the school). So I drop it.
Then, I became a fan of Arashi. This dorama was mentioned once in a while. I started to like MatsuJun. I liked Oguri Shun a little bit. I read the manga then, and WOW, it became the shoujo manga I hate the most. But anyway, i just had to watch this, so here I am.
*This was good:
- The actresses: from Makino to Tsubaki. Makino (Inoue Mao) is a tough girl, she barely cries and she can stand up for justice. She is cute without being too cute; she is strong, she can kick ass whenever it is needed. It is not wonder why Doumyouji loves her.
- The setting: no wonder it is one of the most expensive doramas in Japan. Doumyouji’s mansion O_O, the mother’s office, the school… everything is so vast, clean and bright! But not only the buildings and rooms are beautiful; the streets are as well. It was Christmas’ time I guess, because all the lights in the street are amazing, plus the trees and the sidewalks all covered with yellowish leaves… Japan is so beautiful.
- The OST: I liked “Planetarium” by Ai Otsuka. It suited all the occasions so well. And although I am not really a fan of Arashi’s song, the opening “Wish” was fun and young-ish, and it went excellent with the presentation. It has an anime style that goes well with the dorama.
- Soujiro and Akira: I’ve read many times “Oh Doumyouji”… “Oh Hanazawa Rui”. Well, in my case was “Oh Soujiro and Akira”. Not because they are handsome (although Matsuda Shota is attractive in a very period Japanese style) but because they were so nice and easy going. In my mind, they were like Takenaga and Ranmaru (from YNSH), because the first one was more serious and the heir of a house of tea, and the second one because he liked to hang out with older, married women. They provided comic situations, they were just two sidekicks but very likable… from episode 3. Very good friends to Doumyouji (no idea why) and they helped him and Makino several times.
- Doumyouji’s love. I guess I am like all women, because I thought that Doumyouji was very romantic when he wanted to be. The times when he confessed his love to Makino, but more than anything, the times he proclaimed that of course Makino was the best of women because he chose her. And in front of many people, nonetheless! And because I am a big fan of bickers, I love every time he and Makino had their little discussions. Also, the hugs, because it is rare in a Jdorama to have REAL hugs.
- The symbol of the apple. I thought it was sweet, that it symbolized friendship. I love Japan, and find these little meaningful things is a delight.
*Kind of funny:
- The clothing. It was so bad (the shoes, the jackets... again the shoes). I guess that in Japan, while more rich, more tacky, and it is obvious here. It was so bad I liked it. I think it is part of Japan's charm...their over-the-top fashion sense. Although some guys -well, all except Doumyouji- needed a good haircut. I liked Doumyouji curly black hair; I think MatsuJun looks nice with this kind of style.
- Makino's English accent. In the last episode, Makino is a contestant of Teen Of Japan. There is a challenge where the girls have to give a speech in English. She was very cute; I could understand at least 30% of what she said :D
- When she gets trained by the F4 was also very fun. Specially because it reminded me again of YNSH.
*And the "Huh? People like this?"
- Errr.. Doumyouji. While it is true that from Episode 3 he gets more charming, I will never forget his behavior in the first episodes. I still think he is a punk who likes to punch people for no reason. But worst of all, he sent boys to gang-rape Makino. That is unforgivable! That is the lowest of the low. As my dear Mr Darcy would say: “My good opinion once lost is lost forever.” He is a sadist, not only likes to punch everyone, but he is also a bully to girls (he likes to shove them). Not the nice necklace, nor the sweet words, can make me forget and forgive that.
- Hanazawa Rui. This has to be the worst hairstyle of Oguri Shun. That color and cut were awful. He is a good looking guy, but he doesn't look like it in this dorama. I don't understand how girls can say he is a "knight" who saved Makino over and over again. While it is true that he saved her, he is far from being a knight. Or maybe I have Hanazawa Rui-manga impregnated in my mind. The first time he saved her, he told her "May be I shouldn’t have. What is the big deal? It’s only your virginity, right?". What a "knight", huh. They made him more appealing in the dorama, but I never warmed towards him. I never felt the "love triangle" from his side. He liked Makino, but that's it. He was not "in love" with her. (on the other side, it was a positive thing, cuz I hate love triangles)
- The bullying is terrible. The "Red Card" is the silliest of all, the students are all so fake, and the teachers... what teachers? Seems like this school was all students and no staff.
- Finally, to be honest, the plot is not one of its kind. Rich, spoiled boy falls in love with the poor, pariah girl. Love triangle. Bitch mother-in-law. First kiss after one bumps into the other. Both MC locked inside an elevator. Kidnapping. Dangerous situations for the girl. It was nothing new; it was almost like reading any YA book that are so popular nowadays.
To end my review, I would say that I do not regret watching this. It is, of course, A MUST. It has it funny and romantic situations, but also, a lot of silly ones. The good silly and the bad silly. I am not sure I will watch Season 2... I guess I will eventually, but after the last episode, I did not have the urge to continue.
¿Te ha parecido útil esta reseña?
The female main character is so likable. She isn't the typical shy and cute school girl who get bullied and is then saved by a man. No she is a strong and powerfull woman who stands up for herself even if the whole school is against her. She is very feisty and sassy and even though she comes from a poor family she still holds her chin high in every situation. She is amazing and a great actor.
The male main character is also very great. I love the fact that he is a bad boy who runs the school. The whole storyline is great and the drama focuses on some very important issues.
I have watched it many times over and over because its so AMAZING!
Their romance is so cute and sweet and there is always new and exciting things so it doesn't get boring. I also love how the main character interacts with the other guys from the clique. There is just a great chemistry.
I wasn't disappointed and I don't think I will ever watch as good a drama as this one. The second season was also very good.
¿Te ha parecido útil esta reseña?
¿Te ha parecido útil esta reseña?
I just finished rewatching this drama so I can do this review, and it took a lot of effort to sit through it again. It's so hard not to compare the two versions, since I did see the Korean version first, and I didn't want that version to influence how I felt about this version. Maybe it did a little, idk. Anyways, I have so many issues with Hana Yori Dango (story wise). Since I never read the manga, and I never plan to, I don't know if this story is suppose to come off as extremely classist, but that's my biggest issue with this drama. Domyouji is so entitled, I just cannot root for the guy. And he's supposed to be the one everyone roots for, but goodness I hate him. He's very controlling and possessive, and I definitely don't find that romantic. And I swear Makino's feelings for Domyouji are a result of manipulation. Manipulation from his older sister, manipulation from her own freaking family, ugh it makes me so mad!
This is more of a rant than a review lol. I'll start over.
Hana Yori Dango is the story about a "poor" girl who attends a very rich and elite high school. She ends up being target of F4 (a group of 4 rich, entitled popular boys, whose leader is the biggest douchebag). The leader of F4 ends up "falling" for her (*rolling my eyes*). The leader's mother disapproves of their relationship, because the girl is a commoner (*rolling my eyes*).
I can't even continue. Domyouji treats Makino like his freaking property. And I'm sorry, but I find her so stupid for falling for his "charms" (*throws up*). Honestly, I'd just rather Makino end up alone and happy, but whatever. Every woman needs a man *sarcasm*.
The ending was actually nice though. I thought it was really cute and sweet, but it didn't erase the rest of the problematic episodes. I've got a memory like an elephant. I think the reason I just can never be on board with their relationship is because he hired people to rape her. Or to "scare her and make her think they were gonna rape her." I DON'T FREAKING CARE, THAT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE! I will leave my review on this note. Hana Yori Dango had some potential. I think I could have really liked it IF they addressed these problematic issues, but they didn't. Music is on point, I think HYD has one of the best OST's out there. And everyone knows how I rate the rewatch value. Nothing else to say except THIS IS A PROBLEMATIC DRAMA AND I HOPE GIRLS DON'T THINK OF DOMYOUJI AS THE IDEAL MAN.
¿Te ha parecido útil esta reseña?
This review may contain spoilers
We're all too familiar with the story of Hana Yori Dango and how it's been adapted in every country in the world but for me, this adaption in its mother country did the story the most justice. the drama stuck to the original plot with some occasional tweaks which made it much easier for viewers to digest (The red card, bullying scenes etc which were much more brutal in the manga). Anyway, on to the good part, isn't then lead couple just the CUTEST beans together? I was sceptical of Domyouji's actor at first cause I'm a freaking superficial bitxch and thought he wasn't good looking enough to play the innocent bad boy but HOLY HELL was I wrong. His charm won me over by the 5th ep and I was team Domyouji all the way to the last ep, despite always having second lead syndrome in the Taiwanese, Korean and Chinese versions. Like, I give him serious credit for being able to do that.
Female Lead is probably the most irritating one out of all the versions. This girl has her own mind and there is no overacting or cringy moments with her, which was a recurring problem in the Korean remake. she fits the role so well and I really ADORED her and Domyouji in the end.
The side characters complement each other so well and their group dynamic/CHEMISTRY is just the best.
If you're looking for a fun, light-hearted and utterly charming drama, look no further cause I'm telling you, THIS IS IT.
¿Te ha parecido útil esta reseña?
The cast are wonderful! They picked the perfect actors for this story. Although the story is totally unbelievable when you think about it, these thoughts will never cross your mind while you're watching. The actors take these fictional characters from a manga and make them realistic.
The music is great. I love the opening theme the most! The music during the series is very nice and always appropriate for the scene.
This is my first time writing a review and it's all because this series inspired me to write about it's awesomeness! IF YOU LOVE ENTERTAINMENT WATCH HANA YORI DANGO!! ^_^
¿Te ha parecido útil esta reseña?
¿Te ha parecido útil esta reseña?
