The Perfected Rendition of Boys over Flowers
Once again, the Thais remade another famous drama series and perfected it. Out of all the dramas I watched, this is truly a masterpiece. I'm so sorry, this review is going to be really long but this show is really that good and I can't help myself!!
In the making of this drama, the director said that they spent over a year getting the storyline and script ready for these 16 episodes and you can truly feel the effort in every episode. Having watched all versions of Boys over Flowers (Japanese, Korean, Chinese), this is topped the charts by a large margin. It retains every unique feature of the show that makes it 'Boys over Flowers' and makes it better. From the first episodes, the series is filled with surprises regardless whether you have watched other versions of it.
Each character, regardless main or side casts, has their own backstory and played an important role in contributing to this masterpiece. Visually, the cast is perfect. Everyone fits their role, and added charisma to each character they are playing. For Bright, he has a boyish yet mature look that screams Thyme. For Thyme, I really liked the character development in this version. It is well-paced and fleshed out which makes you understand his every action. A hot-headed, cold-hearted bully, you get to understand how his family turned him into what he is, and his conflicted emotions as a boy that is eager to prove himself yet is also uncomfortable with how he is acting. Along the way, Thyme develops and grows into who he really is thanks to the support of his friends and Gorya. Furthermore, what awes me is the development of his character. Despite the drastic change in becoming a better person, you can also feel that this is the way he is and the directors managed to let his personality remain the same till the end, creating a link from the old and new him. Furthermore, when i mean that the character is much more fleshed out, I feel that Thyme is more 'humanised' in this version for the audience to empathise and grow together with this character. In this version, Thyme is more defined and has more sides to him then just being in love with Gorya. He not only shows that he have changed for Gorya, but he changed more for himself, and this is reflected in all his actions and scene and not just in front of Gorya. You can tell it is deeply ingrained in him and it is also his conscious effort to keep improving himself. In this version, the relationship he has fostered with F4 and Gorya feels much more real and stronger compared to the other versions. Moving on to Gorya, Tu really really suits the role. At first glance, she seems like an average student. Not too pretty, not standing out. However, Gorya's looks and personality will charm you in and it makes you understand why she is so loved by many. In this version, Gorya makes sure she draws the line and doesn't lead someone on when she isn't interested. She sticks by her actions and doesn't waver. She also values those she values as friends and her storyline doesn't just revolve over Thyme. She is herself, steadfast and strong. Furthermore, I really liked how in this version she fitted into the F4 group. It feels like she isn't just Thyme's girlfriend but outside of Thyme, she is also recognised and treated like a sister by the F4.
I can't stress anymore how well the casting was done for this drama. When Dew/Ren appears on screen, it just feels so calm, soothing and serene. Ren is quiet, yet he is observant and kind. You understand why people like Thyme and Gorya gravitate towards him. Once again, in this Thai version, everyone's feeling is respected. When Gorya has feelings for Ren at the beginning, Thyme respected her feelings and did not dismiss them. Similarly, for Ren, he respects the feelings Gorya and Thyme towards one another. In other versions, Ren's feelings for Gorya are very blurred. He always feels like he is threatening to break the bro code and feels like the SML that secretly loves the FL till the end despite her being your best friend's partner. However, for this version. Ren is like a rock that is stable, and trustworthy. He is like the brother you can lean on. He understands Gorya and Thyme, and supports them in their decisions. You can feel that he supports Gorya in every way as a brother who really fights for her happiness with Thyme by allowing her to understand how she really feels. For Kavin/Win, I really liked how his character played out. It is much more logical (the part about his first love) and Win really did well in portraying the flirty yet warm side of Kavin. From the beginning, his relationship with Kaning starts off right, with him treating her as not just another girl but the best friend of Gorya, his friend's partner. I am very impressed with this version of MJ. In the other versions, MJ always felt to me like a shadow of the F4. He doesn't have a strong presence or storyline and always felt to me as a redundant guy just to fill a place in the 'Flower 4'. However, MJ shined in this version. He has a unique charisma and stands out on his own. His strong support for his friends and his love for those around him makes him a very valuable character. Furthermore, I liked the added computing skills of his that allowed him to play a stronger role in the different parts of the show. MJ becomes a strong warm addition that is greatly lacking in previous versions.
I think this review is getting too long but I just want to applaud all the side characters as well! Cindy as Thyme's mum really stole the show for me. Unlike other versions where she is just this big bad crazy evil mother that disregards her child, Roselyn portrayed a mother who really loves her children but used the wrong method. And Cindy really portray this love very well. Furthermore, I also liked the reason that forced Gorya to leave. It depicts how smart Cindy is at controlling people and using people's weaknesses to achieve her goals. The storyline is so good and all the side characters had their own charisma and had significance to the entire show. They were consistent and their presence can be felt throughout the entire 16 episodes. Yes. I'm talking about Thyme's sister Tia. In other versions, the sister appears momentarily. Although she says that she supports Gorya and Thyme's relationship, you don't get to feel much support. However, Tia is different. Tia stands strongly by Thyme and Gorya's side and fights alongside them. You can see that she truly values their relationship and supports them and every way possible.
There is so much more to this version of Boys over Flowers. It is not just about romance, but is a modernised version that uses the opportunity to highlight social issues like bullying and the gap between social classes (Not just the monetary aspect). It also showcases the strong bonds between the characters and the support that you can draw from your friends and family. I cannot stress how much I love this version compared to the others. And I LOVED the Korean and Japanese versions. But for this version, every scene makes me marvel at the details (The message they are trying to bring across, the personality they are trying to show). There are no filler scenes and you can feel the effort and thought that goes into every bit of this drama. Everything and the entire story is so well constructed. They managed to show the disparity between the rich and poor so well without just shoving money in your face. It makes you feel like it is beyond a money issue but it is a whole different world on its own. I'm trying my best to not spoil too much so that everyone can get first-hand experience in this HAHAHAH. BUT WOW.
I really appreciate all the changes that were done to this remake. I have watched many dramas and the remake of many dramas and I have to say this has really topped the charts. I am still so impressed on how they managed to do so much with just 16 episodes. These 16 episodes have been a joy. You know how many dramas start off well and end so shittily that you just feel just frustrated and empty? This drama is consistent till the end and you will enjoy every bit of it till the last second. At the end, you feel satisfied with a smile on your face though and makes you look forward for more. Thank you director, producer, screenwriters, crew, actors and actresses for pulling this work off!! :')
In the making of this drama, the director said that they spent over a year getting the storyline and script ready for these 16 episodes and you can truly feel the effort in every episode. Having watched all versions of Boys over Flowers (Japanese, Korean, Chinese), this is topped the charts by a large margin. It retains every unique feature of the show that makes it 'Boys over Flowers' and makes it better. From the first episodes, the series is filled with surprises regardless whether you have watched other versions of it.
Each character, regardless main or side casts, has their own backstory and played an important role in contributing to this masterpiece. Visually, the cast is perfect. Everyone fits their role, and added charisma to each character they are playing. For Bright, he has a boyish yet mature look that screams Thyme. For Thyme, I really liked the character development in this version. It is well-paced and fleshed out which makes you understand his every action. A hot-headed, cold-hearted bully, you get to understand how his family turned him into what he is, and his conflicted emotions as a boy that is eager to prove himself yet is also uncomfortable with how he is acting. Along the way, Thyme develops and grows into who he really is thanks to the support of his friends and Gorya. Furthermore, what awes me is the development of his character. Despite the drastic change in becoming a better person, you can also feel that this is the way he is and the directors managed to let his personality remain the same till the end, creating a link from the old and new him. Furthermore, when i mean that the character is much more fleshed out, I feel that Thyme is more 'humanised' in this version for the audience to empathise and grow together with this character. In this version, Thyme is more defined and has more sides to him then just being in love with Gorya. He not only shows that he have changed for Gorya, but he changed more for himself, and this is reflected in all his actions and scene and not just in front of Gorya. You can tell it is deeply ingrained in him and it is also his conscious effort to keep improving himself. In this version, the relationship he has fostered with F4 and Gorya feels much more real and stronger compared to the other versions. Moving on to Gorya, Tu really really suits the role. At first glance, she seems like an average student. Not too pretty, not standing out. However, Gorya's looks and personality will charm you in and it makes you understand why she is so loved by many. In this version, Gorya makes sure she draws the line and doesn't lead someone on when she isn't interested. She sticks by her actions and doesn't waver. She also values those she values as friends and her storyline doesn't just revolve over Thyme. She is herself, steadfast and strong. Furthermore, I really liked how in this version she fitted into the F4 group. It feels like she isn't just Thyme's girlfriend but outside of Thyme, she is also recognised and treated like a sister by the F4.
I can't stress anymore how well the casting was done for this drama. When Dew/Ren appears on screen, it just feels so calm, soothing and serene. Ren is quiet, yet he is observant and kind. You understand why people like Thyme and Gorya gravitate towards him. Once again, in this Thai version, everyone's feeling is respected. When Gorya has feelings for Ren at the beginning, Thyme respected her feelings and did not dismiss them. Similarly, for Ren, he respects the feelings Gorya and Thyme towards one another. In other versions, Ren's feelings for Gorya are very blurred. He always feels like he is threatening to break the bro code and feels like the SML that secretly loves the FL till the end despite her being your best friend's partner. However, for this version. Ren is like a rock that is stable, and trustworthy. He is like the brother you can lean on. He understands Gorya and Thyme, and supports them in their decisions. You can feel that he supports Gorya in every way as a brother who really fights for her happiness with Thyme by allowing her to understand how she really feels. For Kavin/Win, I really liked how his character played out. It is much more logical (the part about his first love) and Win really did well in portraying the flirty yet warm side of Kavin. From the beginning, his relationship with Kaning starts off right, with him treating her as not just another girl but the best friend of Gorya, his friend's partner. I am very impressed with this version of MJ. In the other versions, MJ always felt to me like a shadow of the F4. He doesn't have a strong presence or storyline and always felt to me as a redundant guy just to fill a place in the 'Flower 4'. However, MJ shined in this version. He has a unique charisma and stands out on his own. His strong support for his friends and his love for those around him makes him a very valuable character. Furthermore, I liked the added computing skills of his that allowed him to play a stronger role in the different parts of the show. MJ becomes a strong warm addition that is greatly lacking in previous versions.
I think this review is getting too long but I just want to applaud all the side characters as well! Cindy as Thyme's mum really stole the show for me. Unlike other versions where she is just this big bad crazy evil mother that disregards her child, Roselyn portrayed a mother who really loves her children but used the wrong method. And Cindy really portray this love very well. Furthermore, I also liked the reason that forced Gorya to leave. It depicts how smart Cindy is at controlling people and using people's weaknesses to achieve her goals. The storyline is so good and all the side characters had their own charisma and had significance to the entire show. They were consistent and their presence can be felt throughout the entire 16 episodes. Yes. I'm talking about Thyme's sister Tia. In other versions, the sister appears momentarily. Although she says that she supports Gorya and Thyme's relationship, you don't get to feel much support. However, Tia is different. Tia stands strongly by Thyme and Gorya's side and fights alongside them. You can see that she truly values their relationship and supports them and every way possible.
There is so much more to this version of Boys over Flowers. It is not just about romance, but is a modernised version that uses the opportunity to highlight social issues like bullying and the gap between social classes (Not just the monetary aspect). It also showcases the strong bonds between the characters and the support that you can draw from your friends and family. I cannot stress how much I love this version compared to the others. And I LOVED the Korean and Japanese versions. But for this version, every scene makes me marvel at the details (The message they are trying to bring across, the personality they are trying to show). There are no filler scenes and you can feel the effort and thought that goes into every bit of this drama. Everything and the entire story is so well constructed. They managed to show the disparity between the rich and poor so well without just shoving money in your face. It makes you feel like it is beyond a money issue but it is a whole different world on its own. I'm trying my best to not spoil too much so that everyone can get first-hand experience in this HAHAHAH. BUT WOW.
I really appreciate all the changes that were done to this remake. I have watched many dramas and the remake of many dramas and I have to say this has really topped the charts. I am still so impressed on how they managed to do so much with just 16 episodes. These 16 episodes have been a joy. You know how many dramas start off well and end so shittily that you just feel just frustrated and empty? This drama is consistent till the end and you will enjoy every bit of it till the last second. At the end, you feel satisfied with a smile on your face though and makes you look forward for more. Thank you director, producer, screenwriters, crew, actors and actresses for pulling this work off!! :')
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