Though I loved the Korean
"Boys Over Flowers" when it came out, I
recognize now that other than it's flashy, money-laden story-line amidst
a recession and its adorable cast, it wasn't the amazing drama I
thought it was. Highly popular with a great following and some
particularly memorable scenes, Boys Over Flowers is great fun to watch,
but doesn't hit me as realistic or relatable. At least, not in the same
way that I have been following tvN's
"Flower Boy Ramyun Shop" and my newest favorite,
"Shut Up! Flower Boy Band."
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| Korean "Boys Over Flowers": My first introduction to the F4 |
Upon hearing the drama titles, I seriously came in
thinking, "It'll be an easy, predictable storyline, easy eye-candy," but
I actually came out more touched than I imagined.
First of all, both dramas were highly thoughtful and well-written; there
are plays on words, consistent, reasonable jokes, and there are very
few extraneous scenes/lines. The side characters are not used as just
props to further the leads' storylines, but their personalities are also explored, enough so that everyone ends up learning something. Then you have
the cast themselves, who, some despite acting for the first time, are
endearing and believable.
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| tvN's "Flower Boy Ramen Shop": I craved ramen every time I watched this drama :/ |
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| The F4 of "Flower Boy Ramen Shop" |
Just looking at the cover picture for
"Flower Boy
Ramyun Shop" and you would assume that there
will be pretty boys and fun scenarios. What I didn't expect was the
serious laughter, or the pure spunk. You have Yang Eun Bi, a spunky
ex-volleyball player studying to be a teacher. She obtains an intern
position at a ritzy high school, where one finds out about Cha Chi Soo,
a.k.a. "Chwa." She had asked him on a date and mistook him to be
several years older than her, but it turns out, he's actually the son of
a conglomerate corporation, AND a high schooler. Then her father passes
away, leaves her his home, and his highly prized ramen shop... or so she
thinks. Turns out, her dad had actually given his shop over a man he had
raised since young, and he had also given that young man his daughter
for marriage. Distraught about not having a place to live, Eun Bi
decides to become living partners with this young man... and then Chi
Soo starts realizing he has feelings for "Intern" and proposes to
move in with her and said 'fiance'... hi-jinks and highly squeal-able
moments are unpredictable in this drama, as the storyline actually
presents a fresh and heart-warming story about doing what society
expects, over doing what makes one happy.
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| "Shut Up! Flower Boy Band" |
Following
"Flower Boy Ramen Shop" in tvN's Flower Boy franchise is
"Shut Up! Flower Boy Band." I was only originally interested in this drama because I heard Korean boy band's Myungsoo/L from Infinite was casted as one of the band members, but then I saw the posters of the handsome cast and then started to really anticipate its release. Though the tacky and blunt title made me want to roll my eyes, I was extremely glad that I stay tuned, because it turned out to be my favorite K-drama thus far. SUFBB turned out to be edgy, intense, hot, heart-trending and heart-warming all at the same time. If you don't know what happens at
the end of Episode 2, I'm telling you that that this is a SPOILER.
You
have a high school band comprising of six members, known to the
community as crazy, delinquent fighters with amazing stage presence (in
the few illegal concerts that they throw). In the first two episodes, one learns about the band members, their broken families and see their interactions within the community. Just as I start thinking there's
way too many members in the band,
tragedy strikes, and the charismatic band leader dies. I won't actually reveal how,
but it's outrageous and tear-inducing. Then his best friend is forced into the
leadership position and the band/friendship picks itself together to
"get his (last) song out into the world." They enter a competition, and
are also being prompted to change schools. Through the competition, they
find themselves at an opportunity for fame, and though their popularity
skyrockets, their friendship starts shattering. This drama was very
unpredictable, always having me at the edge of my seat, wondering what
happens next. When you think this group of highly handsome friends have
reached rock bottom, think again, because the director intends to show the true angst of being a downtrodden teenager, and
he presents it well.
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| The Eye-Candy band lying on the pavement after a fight. |
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| The remaining five members of Eye-Candy |
I absolutely love the cast, because not only are they lookers, but they are quite decent actors as well. Considering that most of the cast comprised of youthful rookie actors, that says a lot about the sincerity inputted. They weren't afraid to cry, and because I saw the special Behind the Scenes episode, I discovered that some of those tears were actually in reflection to the actors' reality.
My only cast issues with this drama are with two female characters, Jo Bo Ah and Kim Yerim. Though I account for the fact that both are debuting actresses, their acting was too weak in comparison to the boys. Yes, Bo Ah was supposed to play
the rich-but-nice girl princess type, but her emotions weren't conveyed
as strongly or sincerely as I liked. I got the, "Yes, I know I'm pretty
and cute" doe-eyed vibe from the actress, but I would've preferred it
if she acted more unconscious and even indifferent about how others
viewed her. Still, she gradually grew on me when situations got rough, and I guess her pretty looks and girl-next-door personality does
seem to fit the character. Then you have Kim Yerim, who has a very different, sophisticated and almost eerie voice that I actually enjoyed hearing in the drama. However, other then performing musically, she doesn't know what to do with her hands. They are often awkward and held listlessly to her side, as if she lacks confidence off stage.
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| The boys having a serious discussion about their futures. |
Though the drama had romance, the central
story is actually about the boys and their friendship with each other. The soundtrack is also commendable, with songs catchy to the point of being played repeatedly on my iTunes. The tracks are as follows:
"Not in Love" was hypnotic,
"Jaywalking" was brassy and addicting,
"Wake Up" has an alluring intro and awesome guitar riffs,
"Love U Like U" was cute and awkward, and
"How Come" was reflective. The songs are reminiscent of being young, needing to be free to love, fail, and given second chances. Every
episode was valuable, every scene integral, and the cinematography was
beautifully hazy and enigmatic. It emphasized how being a teenager is not different from living
in a haze, floating through what seems unimportant and falling hardest at the rough patches. It's also the age where anything is possible, so long as you take time to discover who you are and want you want.
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The Power of Bromance
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