The Gist: Poor girl Shan Cai (Barbie Hsu) has always been an
outsider in the wealthy university, Ying De, but her life becomes unbearable
when she draws the wrath of F4. Comprised on the sons of Taiwan’s most financially
affluent families, F4 is led by temperamental Dao Ming Si (Jerry Yan), followed
by quiet Hua Ze Lei (Vic Zhou), and playboys Xi Men (Ken Zhu) and Mei Zuo (Van
Ness Wu). As Dao Ming Si attempts to
bend Shan Cai to his will, he becomes impressed by her stamina and strength of
will. Frustrated by her lot, Shan Cai becomes immersed in Hua Ze Lei’s kindness
when he interferes on her behalf. Yet, as Dao Ming Si grows to admire Shan Cai’s
unwavering character, a rift is drawn in F4. Helped by best friend Xia You (Rainie
Yang), Shan Cai tries to sort out her own feelings without hurting anyone else.
Love:
1.Dao Ming Si and Hua Ze Lei
As someone who not only loves the original Hana Yori Dango, but also staunchly loves Matsujun’s Domyouji, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I like Dao Ming Si. His earnestness shines through way more than in other adaptations, constantly giving into his likable side rather than the fiery temper. He was astonishingly open about his feelings, never giving Shan Cai any reason to doubt. I loved this interpretation. Next, I loved this Hua Ze Lei. Oguri Shun’s Hanazawa Rui was lovable, but was always a little off putting to me. Hua Ze Lei doesn’t fight Dao Ming Si for Shan Cai (much), but rather is an amazing support for both of them. His genuine warmth and quietness made me shocked to realize he played the lead in Mars (opposite Barbie Hsu!). Either way both were as good as their Japanese counterparts and much better than the Korean.
2. Affection
If there’s one thing I always go back to in Taiwanese dramas, it’s the physical intimacy their Korean and Japanese parts fail to bring. You don’t have to wait too long for the first intimate moment between Dao Ming Si and Shan Cai. In fact, even her kiss with Hua Ze Lei was incredibly touching. With emotions running wild, it’s nice to get people to kiss like they mean it and on that note, Meteor Garden definitely delivers.
3. Aging Up
Probably my favorite major change in this show was putting the characters in college, instead of high school. The age bump makes their problems more adult and their destinies closer at hand. Also, we can add a little alcohol in the mix, living a little dangerously. It’s nice to put this story in the context of young adults rather than teens, even if most of our characters are still kids at heart.
Meh:
1.The Length
About halfway through this series, I was ready to put the length of this show in the love category. Before Dao Ming Si’s mother steps up, the show adds the length in all the right places. You get a lot of extra time building the relationship between F4 and how Shan Cai fits in with them. If I’d watched this version first, I’d be pissed about how much the Japanese leaves out. Still, the show really starts to wear on when Dao Ming Si is giving his life for Shan Cai and she just won’t confess. Just tell him you love him already!
2.Qing He(Edward Ou)
I can see why every version leaves him out. He adds nothing
to the story and you really just end up feeling bad for the poor fellow. He’s
not as suave as F4 and never ends up fitting in anywhere. It would have been an
easy write out. For that matter, there are just way too many extra guys in
general – the fast food worker, Dao Ming Si’s supposed cousin, and the beach
guy. All too much. It just gets repetitive.
Hate:
1.Fight.Fight.Fight.
Even when things seem to be going smoothly Dao Ming Si and Shan Cai just can’t seem to get along. I understand the growing pains at first, but even when Dao Ming Si is being incredibly sincere, Shan Cai can’t be serious and the whole thing falls apart. This is exemplified later by a scene where Xiao You and Xi Men set up a date for the two of them and despite the incredibly romantic atmosphere, the two break into a screaming match. Obvious the conflict is needed for the show, but I thought the conflict needed to be turned outward way sooner, getting them to sort out how to like each other.
So:
Final Grade: A
I am a Meteor Garden Fanatic since 10 years ago and until now! I feel like 10 years younger because it's aired again on ABS-CBN. The Meteor Garden F4 are still cuties by the way, especially my greatest crush Jerry Yan. Yeheyyyyy!
ReplyDeleteMeteor Garden did not have the big budget and technology of the much later Jap and Korean versions so it should not be judged based on the set and datedness because it came earllier. But for me, the storyline is closer to the manga and the characterization and acting was way better than the Japanese and Korean versions. I hated the Korean version but liked Japanese version even though there were changes of storyline but still taken from the manga. Meteor Garden captured the characters best, imho. I even liked the fact that Qing He was part of it to show that Shancai can have male friends like in the manga. The rape scene was also in the manga and Meteor Garden did not shy away from it and the talk of sex and virginity just like the manga. Yep, the set looked dated and cheap but I care more about the characterization and storyline so Meteor Gardern tops all versions of Hana Yori Dango, even the anime.
ReplyDelete