Korean Drama: Boys Over Flowers

So you've read the famous manga Boys Over Flowers by Yoko Kamio and now you want more, more, MOAR! Well never fear, Asian dramas are here!

Boys Over Flowers, the Korean version of the series, tells the story of Geum Jan Di (Ko Hye Sun), a dry-cleaner's daughter, who one day delivers a uniform to the elite Shinwha High School.

There she witnesses, for the first time, a victim of F4: a group of four boys who are the heirs of the four richest families in South Korea. A victim of F4 or Flower 4 (Flower boys are pretty boys) is left a red card with the group's name in their locker. The students sees the red card and immediately bullies the victim with physical violence. The teachers are practically nonexistent and no one would dare discipline these boys since they are filthy rich.

Geum Jan Di cannot stand the injustice and stands up to the leader of F4, Gu Jun Pyo (played by handsome Lee Min Ho), who is set to inherit Shinwha High and countless companies as the son of the richest family.

After she delivers her famous roundhouse kick, Jun Pyo falls completely in love with her and pursues her. However, Jan Di only has eyes for Yoon Ji Hoo (played by singer Kim Hyun Joong), a violinist and a member of F4.

The other two members are sculpter So Yi Jung (Kim Bum) and mafioso Song Woo Bin (Kim Joon).

Eventually, Geum Jan Di grows to love Jun Pyo, who always messes up idioms, is unusually naive and has an inmense longing for love beneath his cocky exterior.

If I could compare this couple to the American equivalent it would have to be a PG version of Damon and Elena from Vampire Diaries. You know he's a jerk but he's a misunderstood jerk.

If you cannot get enough, there is also the Japanese version Hana Yori Dango (the original Japanese name for the comic book) with Matsumoto Jun (he is amazing) and the Taiwanese version called Meteor Garden with Vic Zhou (MARS) playing Yoon Ji hoo.

The manga and the DVD are available in the New York Public Library.