Biggest disappointment

Before I began my review I will say yes I have seen Meteor Garden (2018), so throughout my viewing I did compare it to that version a lot, but I will refrain from doing so in this review.

My mom is always telling me I over hype shows to her even when all I say is, “wow this is great! The cinematography is amazing.” Just a few sentences at most, BUT this drama is the definition of overhyped. It is supposed to be a popular drama of k-drama history - an iconic drama. This was an utter let down - it was like the complete opposite in my opinion of that.

Story: I don’t really have that much to say about the story only b/c I haven’t read the manga, so I’m not sure what came from there and what came from BOF. I will say though the story PLOT is good, but how it was executed wasn’t. Jandi and Joonpyo didn’t have much chemistry. She didn’t like him the whole time and then randomly she “did” (I put quotes b/c I still don’t even understand how she liked him randomly). And we’re supposed to believe a high school senior can run a business REALLY?! Another thing was the time inconsistency - one minute she was a sophomore then a junior - then a senior for what seemed like more than a year.

Characters: I have so much to say about the characters (NOT the actors). Jandi annoyed me from the very beginning. She was introduced to us by saving someone about to commit suicide, but even at that momemt she was too dumb to read the room and tried getting the boy to pay for his dry cleaning - like wtf. It just went downhill from there - She lied CONSTANTLY, even over the smallest of things when there was no point in not telling Joonpyo or Jihoo the truth. There was more she did, but to not spoil the show for those who still want to watch I’ll stay silent.
Joonpyo & Jihoo: Joonpyo I feel did go through character development, but something was off IDK. I liked Jihoo's side story with his grandfather.
Woobin & Yijung: The only saving graces from the characters. They were the only reason I continued watching the drama (a little for Jihoo).

Acting: I liked the acting. I believe the actors did a good job with what they were given. It was interesting seeing familiar faces, but younger such as, Kim Bum, Lee Minho, Moonbin (played young Yijung).

Music: Another saving grace was the OSTs of the drama. I loved almost all of them.

Rewatch: I would never. Unless one of my friends wanted to go through and analyze what was wrong with it - I wouldn’t watch again.

Overall this is probably one of the worst K-dramas I’ve seen in my life.
*small MG blurb* I do think Meteor Garden made this storyline better by extending the amount of episodes and aging everyone up to make it make more sense, but I do like the character backgrounds here more.
Ex: Woobin is mafia son, that was cool, but MG had Meizuo as just another rich kid .

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