Boys Over Flowers Review: The Classic K-drama That Defines High School Romance

Title: Boys Over Flowers

Episodes: 25

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama

Main Cast: Koo Hye-sun, Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Bum, Kim Joon, Kim So-eun

Streaming Platform: Viki, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video

Image Credit: Wikipedia

What happens when an ordinary girl crosses paths with the richest and most powerful boys in school? Boys Over Flowers is a classic K-drama filled with unforgettable romance, intense rivalry, and high-stakes drama. Set in a prestigious high school, it tells the story of love, friendship, and standing up to injustice with enough twists and tears to keep you hooked.

“Boys Over Flowers” is a South Korean television series aired on KBS2 from January 5, 2009, to March 31, 2009. Written by Yoon Ji-ryun and directed by Jeon Ki-sang, this classic romance drama is available to watch on Viki and other streaming platforms.

Plot Summary 

Geum Jan-di, whose family runs a dry cleaning business, goes for a delivery at the prestigious Shinhwa High School. She saves a student from committing suicide who was bullied by F4, a popular group of rich and handsome boys. 

The next day, Jan-di shines in the newspaper due to her heroic achievement, which lands her a scholarship to attend Shinhwa High School. But commoner Jan-di fails to adjust to the wealthy students and soon becomes the target of bullying when she stands against F4. 

F4 is led by Gu Jun-pyo, heir of South Korea's largest company, Shinhwa Group, and the other members of F4 are Yoon Ji-hoon, a musical genius and grandson of former president, So Yi-jung, a skilled potter whose family owns the nation's biggest art museum, and Song Woo-bin, a charismatic guy whose family runs a huge construction company. 

Initially, Jun-pyo starts bullying Jan-di out of amusement, but ends up falling for her. Ji-hoon lends a helping hand to Jan-di, who is frustrated by Ju-pyo's bullying. Jan-di starts developing feelings for Ji-hoon, but soon realizes he loves his childhood friend and famous supermodel, Min Seo-hyun. 

When Seo-hyun decides to leave the country, Jan-di convinces Ji-hoon to follow her. Jun-pyo asks Jan-di for a date, and she reluctantly goes there due to Jun-pyo's stubbornness. After spending some time with him, she begins to see his good side and builds a strong bond with him. 

When Ji-hoon comes back, Jan-di starts getting distracted, which makes Jun-pyo insecure, but later Ji-hoon gives up on Jan-di for his friend's sake, and Jan-di also realizes her love for Jun-pyo. After getting involved with F4, Chu Ga-eul, Jan-di's best friend, falls for Yi-jung, who initially disapproves of her feelings but eventually falls for her. 

Jun-pyo's mother, businesswoman Kang Hee-soo, discovers her son's relationship and tries to separate them by every possible means while Gu Jun-hee, Jun-pyo's elder sister, stands on her brother's side. Despite numerous hardships and obstacles, Jun-pyo and Jan-di keep loving each other relentlessly. 

My Thoughts 

The classic storyline of the show covers the typical rich boy and poor girl trope with a hate-to-love relationship. The cinematography of the show is grand, showcasing the lives of wealthy families and their privileged children. The setup of every location, from school to island trips, is suitable for the drama's luxurious theme. 

The cast of the show gave commendable performances, but special shout-outs to Koo Hye-sun, Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Bum, and Kim Joon for portraying such legendary characters. The love triangle between Jun-pyo, Jan-di, and Ji-hoon is interesting and worth watching, while the sweet chemistry between Yi-jung and Ga-eul is adorable. 

The strong friendship between F4 and their genuine care for Jan-di displayed the great bond they shared. Also, I loved the characters of Seo-hyun, Jun-hee, and Jae-Kyung; they were so kind and considerate toward Jan-di. My favorite scene is when Jan-di kicks Jun-pyo in front of F4 after being frustrated by his bullying. It is SO hilarious and entertaining. 

The show is packed with a variety of genres like romance, comedy, and a lot of melodrama. I enjoyed the romance, comedy, and friendship parts of the drama, but some parts are over-the-top and too cheesy. 

I couldn't stand Hee-soo's character, who did all sorts of things to make Jan-di and Jun-pyo suffer. Also, after being betrayed by her friend once, how did Jan-di again fall into the trap of that model Jae-ha? Why was that competition held between Jun-pyo and Ji-hoon when Ji-hoon was going to give up on Jan-di anyway? 

On top of all this, how can students adore and worship F4 when they almost caused a student to commit suicide? Are they trying to promote bullying? Anyway, it's a drama, and anything can happen in it. But such a theme seems outdated in today's world. 

Despite its slow-paced nature and familiar plot, the show is a must-watch classic with a charming cast and satisfying ending.

Boys Over Flowers is more than just a high school romance; it’s a cultural phenomenon that shaped K-drama history. With its mix of heartbreak, glamour, and iconic moments, it remains a must-watch for anyone who loves dramatic, passionate storytelling. Perfect for binge-watching or rewatching when you need that nostalgic K-drama fix.

Have you watched Boys Over Flowers? Share your favorite character and scene in the comments section below. Please feel free to drop any suggestions or topics you want me to cover.

If you love watching classic high school romance, check out my review of True Beauty.

My Rating: 6/10