(Side note: I have seen all the other 4 live adaptions. [Tw, J, K, C] and the anime)

The pace starts off really fast. I enjoyed the first episode but then the pace sort of stays fast with little reprieve. Normally I would like this but here they seemed to jump from one pivotal moment to the next, introducing new characters and situations without proper ebb and flow. I wish they would have slowed it down a bit because it felt so choppy and rushed, making it a bit hard to connect to the characters.

One thing I like is how the bullying is portrayed in this version. I love the setup of the old stadium and how they included social media. The stadium provides an excellent visual while the social media bits gave the story an updated feel. This may be one of my favorite things they did with this version that felt superior in comparison to other adaptions.

As for the ML, perhaps they felt they couldn't get away with some of the original material because this version of the ML’s character is really watered down as far as his arrogance and almost devilish superiority complex. While I feel Thyme is certainly emotionally damaged by his mother, one big problem for me is that the FL doesn’t really hate the ML in this version. That strong intolerance for his behavior is an important element of their relationship arch. Even though the bullying is more present here than in the Chinese version, at least in that version the ML did some cruel things to the FL that made her hate him specifically, not so much F4 as a whole (forced kiss, hitting her in the face with the box of food...) Even the bullying Gorya received as directed by Thyme isn’t all that harsh in comparison to other adaptions.

For me, this lack of dislike from the FL to the ML is actually a big flaw in this version because it’s a major reason that despite his character’s constant efforts to show the FL that he likes her, she continues to fight her feelings for the ML even when the 2ML is already out of the picture and it’s abundantly clear that she does actually like him. I just didn’t feel that level of dislike from Gorya that would cause her so much apprehension towards Thyme.

However, instead, there are things he does mid-relationship that were quite aggressive. Perhaps these things would have fit better with his character at the beginning of the story but mid and later in the story just made me feel like their relationship could be an abusive one. Maybe it was Bright's acting that left me feeling that way but I don't remember feeling that way in the other versions.

As for the rest of the F4. I like them. I didn’t find anything not to like exactly but I would have liked to have seen more character development for their characters. Kavin had some development but it felt a bit unfinished. I’m confused why they had him admit to Mona that he liked her, then she wants to show him something (to also confess) and when he doesn’t show up she never went back to talk to him even though he had already admitted his feelings for her. I just find this version of his character’s storyline strange.

Let me say I love Ren. What a great guy. Learning that this is Dew/Jirawat Sutivanichsak’s first leading had me impressed. However, the way his character was adapted left me a little wanting. The manipulation tactics for his character were diminished to a minimal level which is something that makes his character stand out as opposed to a typical 2ML. In that sense, I think they did his character a bit of a disservice.

Additionally, I would have liked to see F4 together more as a group of friends. Hanging out or going out places or in their lounge. That’s definitely something the other versions have above this one.

Another loose end is Thyme’s sister. They sort of glossed over her as a character as well as Lita’s.

This is a tough one to rate. I think it's a good stand-alone drama overall which is why I rated this an 8.5. It's a very visually appealing drama. I like the direction they took with some of the points of the story (Kaning, Hana, even the amnesia was okay), but there were times were this version left me feeling like it really wasn’t the Hana Yori Dango story. They left out so many storylines and moments between the MC that really deepened their relationship and the story overall. I think it would have been better to make this into 2 seasons and spend more time on character development. Again, it’s not a bad drama but it’s definitely lacking in terms of a Hana Yori Dango adaption.

Stand-alone rating 8.5
HYD Adaptation 6

Would Recommend
Possibly Re-watch