Hana Yori Dango Returns (2007, Boys Over Flowers Season 2, Japanese Version) centers around a rich boy, Domyouji, who falls for poor girl, Makino, with plenty of obstacles in their path to love. Domyouji is the leader of the F4 (Flower Four), 4 close friends that are sons of Japan's wealthiest. Hana Yori Dango Returns begins with the yearlong separation of Domyouji and Makino, when Domyouji moves to New York to study business because he lost the bet with his mother at the end of Hana Yori Dango season 1.
I watched the Korean version of Boys Over Flowers (2009, made after Hana Yori Dango Returns) before I watched the Japanese version. Comparisons between the two versions are inevitable.
What I liked about the Hana Yori Dango Returns (season 2) a) F4 synergy and friendship was excellent. The F4 Japanese actors are better than the F4 Korean actors with the exception of the lead male actor where I preferred Lee Min-ho. No real knocks against Japanese male lead Jun Matsumoto, who was compelling and had excellent chemistry with the female lead. Each F4 character had a storyline and mattered. b) female lead Mao Inoue as Makino Tsukushi is spunky and more open about her feelings than the Korean version of this character. I liked the Domyouji and Makino pairing. They spend more time apart than together but the moments they are together work. c) I preferred how Domyouji character was strong though trapped into an engagement he was willing to risk everything to end it. In the Korean version the male lead was willing to marry for the company leaving behind his love, which weakened the character. d) episode 5 where Domyouji and F4 helps Makino's little bro declare his love for the girl that loaned him an eraser was adorable and sweet.
What I did not like a) Makino leaving Domyouji to return to her family when the company was tanking made no sense. Domyouji's evil mother didn't guarantee that anything would improve if she left, but off she went. b) The final episode where Makino misses her graduation and prom but gets an arena of folks watching Domyouji propose to her was silly. I wanted to see her in that red dress too! c) This season drags a bit, the two females, Shigeru during Domyouji's engagement and Umi during Domyouji's amnesia, that vie and manipulate to oust Makino got irritating. Makino flip flops on declaring herself for Domyouji more than I liked.
While Hana Yori Dango Returns was better made and acted than the Korean version, the Korean version has intangibles which makes me prefer it. I plan to check out first version, the Taiwan Meteor Garden (2001) Meteor Rain (2001) and Meteor Garden II (2002).
I watched the Korean version of Boys Over Flowers (2009, made after Hana Yori Dango Returns) before I watched the Japanese version. Comparisons between the two versions are inevitable.
What I liked about the Hana Yori Dango Returns (season 2) a) F4 synergy and friendship was excellent. The F4 Japanese actors are better than the F4 Korean actors with the exception of the lead male actor where I preferred Lee Min-ho. No real knocks against Japanese male lead Jun Matsumoto, who was compelling and had excellent chemistry with the female lead. Each F4 character had a storyline and mattered. b) female lead Mao Inoue as Makino Tsukushi is spunky and more open about her feelings than the Korean version of this character. I liked the Domyouji and Makino pairing. They spend more time apart than together but the moments they are together work. c) I preferred how Domyouji character was strong though trapped into an engagement he was willing to risk everything to end it. In the Korean version the male lead was willing to marry for the company leaving behind his love, which weakened the character. d) episode 5 where Domyouji and F4 helps Makino's little bro declare his love for the girl that loaned him an eraser was adorable and sweet.
What I did not like a) Makino leaving Domyouji to return to her family when the company was tanking made no sense. Domyouji's evil mother didn't guarantee that anything would improve if she left, but off she went. b) The final episode where Makino misses her graduation and prom but gets an arena of folks watching Domyouji propose to her was silly. I wanted to see her in that red dress too! c) This season drags a bit, the two females, Shigeru during Domyouji's engagement and Umi during Domyouji's amnesia, that vie and manipulate to oust Makino got irritating. Makino flip flops on declaring herself for Domyouji more than I liked.
While Hana Yori Dango Returns was better made and acted than the Korean version, the Korean version has intangibles which makes me prefer it. I plan to check out first version, the Taiwan Meteor Garden (2001) Meteor Rain (2001) and Meteor Garden II (2002).