I'm watching the J-drama and I felt a little curious about the original manga, however I was majorly disappointed with it, the drama is so much better (Hanazawa Rui just rocks my world when played by über sexy Oguri Shun), the drawing style felt odd and I think that the producers did a pretty good job by omitting some events and changing some other facts.

Oh and the couple Matsumoto Jun/Inoue Mao is one of the best in the history of J-dramas ( )

I finally get why I like shonen more than shoujo. Nope, it's not because I'm not girly. It's because of all the cliché in shoujo. Let me point out some of them in Boys Over Flowers:

1. Female MC is poor, hardworking, headstrong, selfless and sometimes silly.

2. Male MC is rich, despicable and full of himself. He is good at sports and can play a musical instrument.

3. Female MC’s family is in a financial crisis. She works part-time and strives to take care of her younger sibling.

4. Serious issues like bullying, violence and attempt to rape are treated lightly.

5. Male MC has a lot of fan girls, but eyes none.

6. Backstories to explain (unsuccessfully) male MC’s bad behavior

7. Situations that show female MC’s benevolence (she's kind to a fault)

8. Both MCs hate each other at first sight, then fall in love later on.

9. Female MC is not exactly pretty, but so many guys fall for her because of her good nature. (I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, just pointing out the cliché)

10. There is a pretty and innocent looking girl, who is evil.

11. Male MC’s family doesn’t want him dating a poor girl.

12. Female MC is threatened to stay out of male MC’s life.

13. Everyone who hates female MC in the beginning realizes their mistake, becomes her friend and helps her out in her bad times.

14. Extreme possessiveness and jealousy are misrepresented as love.

15. Male MC turns a new leaf and becomes a better person because of female MC.

The only redeeming quality in the manga was Tsukushi's never give up attitude. If she didn't have that, this manga would be way worse than Twilight. Hmmm, maybe Twilight is based on bad shoujo.

Initially, although I hated the series, I thought of reading it till the end only to lecture the people who recommend the Korean drama to me. Halfway through the story, there was this je ne sais quoi that kept me interested. I still wouldn't recommend it. ( )

"Tsukushi" means weed. When it gets stepped on or kicked, it stills springs back. It is very strong. That's the personality of Tsukushi Makino, a middle class student in an expensive private school Eitoku Academy. She's unlike those pampered plants that can only survive in green houses, like the Flowery Foursome (F4). F4 are the richest and most powerful guys in the academy. No one messes with them--until they met Tsukushi.

I like how the mangaka became playful with layouts and scenes. The art style shows the time when it was made, it's old school but pleasant (published in 90s).

The Taiwanese tv drama Meteor Garden became a hit in the Philippines some years ago. Then came the Japanese live action and the Korean version. It was all adapted from this manga.

P.S. I bet those people who rated this as 1 star were those who really don't read a lot of mangas lol /justsaying ( )

This manga is one I picked up because I loved the show adaption of it (I LOVE the Korean version, but the Japanese version was great as well). ( )

Hana Yori Dango is classic shoujo manga and a favorite of mine. When it comes to this first volume, give it a chance. The artwork gets better as volumes come along and the storyline gets more fleshed out. Hana Yori Dango has a good mix of romance, humor, and interesting characters. Also has an anime, but the manga is better, in my opinion. ( )