You can say they are one dimensional and kinda cartoony. These characters are not deep nor well developed at all. Their youthful looks and clear inexperience with acting actually helps with the portrayal of these seemingly innocent and naive characters. It is clear that this version of Meteor Garden is marketed towards that age group. I compare the feeling of watching this version to falling in love when you are in your early teens. Yet, curiosity and awe at how this version looks and feels kept me going. The story line was familiar but not at the same time. Despite all of the noticeable changes, I was addicted by the first episode. His rocky start with Shan Cai is very "Pride and Prejudice-ques" in that, it stemmed from misunderstanding and poor communication on both sides rather than bullying. He is still arrogant and hot tempered but not really a bully per say. Why does it look so different? Third being DMS is actually quite the gentleman in this version. which left me asking, whether this was truly Hana Dango. Two being the noticeable absence of bullying and flaunting of wealth (due to China censorship). One being the iconic F4 banner in the locker symbolizing F4's desire to challenge you to a poker match. It was clear from the very first episode that there were going to be many changes made to the origin story in this new remake. Japanese Hana Yori Dango became my ultimate favorite adaptation. I grew up watching the original Meteor Garden.ģ. I have watched all licensed live versions of this story (Taiwan, Japan, Korea and now this China remake).Ģ. This review may contain spoilers Before I begin this review.ġ. ~~ Adapted from the manga “Hana Yori Dango” (花より男子) by Kamio Yoko (神尾葉子). She also begins to see the good in the boys, which paves the way for friendship and an eventual romance.
#LAGU KOREA METEOR GARDEN SERIES#
She remains defiant even after becoming a target of a series of pranks intended to torment her and just when she's about to give up, Hua Ze Lei always seems to show up to lend her a helping hand.Įventually, the four boys begin to acknowledge Shan Cai's unyielding personality that is like her namesake which is that of a weed that can never be brought down. She immediately clashes with her classmates especially Dao Ming Si who is spoiled, arrogant and a bully. Due to a turn of events, she gets accepted into a school that only accepts the upper class elites. Shan Cai is an 18-year-old girl from a family that's barely able to make ends meet. An ordinary girl is admitted to the most prestigious school in the country where she encounters F4, an exclusive group comprised of the four wealthiest and handsomest boys in the school - Dao Ming Si, Hua Ze Lei, Xi Men and Mei Zuo.