For those netizens waiting to catch the American version of "Boys Over Flowers," the wait is over. The American version, titled "Boys Before Friends," can now be seen on Viki.com and we're curious to know if it appeals to our readers or if they would rather re-watch the Korean version or the Taiwanese or one of the Japanese versions instead.
"Boys Over Flowers," often described as the gateway kdrama, is based on the Japanese manga "Hana Yori Dango," the best selling shojo manga or girl comic. The story has been adapted into a Japanese feature film, the Taiwanese "Meteor Garden" dramas, Korea's "Boys Over Flowers" and the Japanese "Hana Yori Dango" series. All were successful and launched multiple acting careers. For example, the Taiwanese version made stars of Jerry Yan and Vic Zhou, while the Korean version made international celebrities of Lee Min Ho and Kim Bum. Fans were excited to see what an American company would make of the story and who would star in it.
While Wilkin Media, the producers of "Boys Before Friends," adapted the classic kdrama for American audiences, some things have been changed in translation.
Instead of a prestigious high school, the story is set at an exclusive university that for one day a year holds open auditions. Instead of Geum Jan Di, we have Zoey, a dance student on a scholarship. She doesn't live at home with parents who are dazzled by the idea of wealth, but instead has a roommate. And while Geum Jan Di is plucky and unfazed by the school's hierarchy, at the same time she's a little intimidated by being out of her social class. Zoey, being American, assumes that she has a right to be there. She's talented and in America the notion that you can be who you want to be is a birthright.
Unlike Geum Jan Di's almost instant encounter with F4, it takes Zoey a while at the school to learn about the spoiled rich kids, which is understandable as it is a bigger campus. Of course, she will confront them and their leader will fall in love with her much the same way, Gun Jun Pyo fell for Geum Jan Di. But as it takes place in America it won't be as big a social divide to overcome.
Another difference is that Zoey has a strong group of girlfriends to provide social support so she is not taking on the school's bullies alone.
It may be too soon to tell how this series will shape up but so far the drama's actors seem to have been cast by the same agency that unfortunately found the inexperienced American actors used in the opening episodes of "The Heirs."
Check it out and let us know what you think. So far every national version had something to recommend it. How does the American version rate?
