Meteor Garden Fever!!!
Hey 1990's KIDS!!! I bet most of us knew the very famous drama series Meteor Garden right? Did you also hurried home before it aired in the afternoon? Who was your bet that time? Is it Dao Ming Si - Shan Cai love team or were you in favor of Hua Ze Lei - Shan Cai?
A group of four men who were all very very rich happened to met an ordinary girl who hated their group so much because they always bring trouble to the poor girl. No one ever dares to go against them because if they do, they will get bullied.
At first I thought that this drama was originated in Taiwan but after surfing the net, I found out that it was based in a Manga series in Japan entitled "Hana Yori Dango" or "Boys Over Flowers" in English. Due to Meteor Garden's popularity, lots of countries made their own versions of this drama series but the plot was still the same. Here are some of Meteor Garden adaptation that are truly remarkable in Filipino's heart.
Meteor Garden and Meteor Garden II
A Taiwanese version and the first to do a live series of Hana Yori Dango Manga series. It is also the first Asian drama aired on Philippine TV that captures the interest of many Filipinos. The Taiwanese Jerry Yan, Vic Zhou, Vanness Wu, Ken Chu and Barbie Shu portrays the character of Dao Ming Si, Hua Ze Lei, Mei Zuo, Xi Men and Shan Cai respectively received the warmest welcome from the Filipino fans and supported their show from the beginning up to the second part of Meteor Garden. This four men didn't only gain their popularity by starring in that series rather this men also formed a band. Even though their language can't be understandable without translation or subtitle below, I can't stopped my self from listening to their songs and I got hooked to it. And I can still remember some of their song!
Boys Over Flower
The Korean adaptation of Meteor Garden was truly a hit! It was known as Boys Over Flower, where one of the hottest Korean actor in his generation Lee Min Ho was first seen on screen. Lee Min Ho, portrays the character of Go Jun-Pyo (Dao Ming Si), Ku Hye-sun as Geum Jan-di (Shan Cai), Kim Hyun-Joong as Yoon Ji-Hoo (Hua Ze Lei), Kim Bum as So Yi-jung (Xie Men) and Kim Joon as Song Woo-bin (Mei Zuo). This version was also a success! Just like the Meteor Garden, this one left a lot of romantic scenes too. Who wouldn't fall in love with Jun-Pyo who will gave you everything and love you endlessly? What a lucky girl Jan-di is! If I can remember it right, this Korean adaptation merged the part I and part II of the Meteor Garden.
Hana Yori Dango
And finally the first who started this craze was able to made a live action of their very own Hana Yori Dango. My Japanese crush Matsumoto Jun played the role of Doumyouji Tsukasa. He was the Shin Sawada in another Japanese live action series Gokusen. Mao Inoue as Tsukushi Makino (San Chai), Shun Ogurias Rui Hanazawa (Hua Ze Lei), Tsuyoshi Abe as Akira Mimasaka (Mei Zuo) and Shota Matsuda as Sojiro Nishikado (Xi Men). This was aired in GMA 7 and honestly I loose the track of this as my schedule in school was in the afternoon. I am planning to watch the whole episode one of these days and hopefully can share my review once I finish it.
Meteor Garden 2018
And the newest and the most talked about drama series is finally back in track! Chinese had been able to remake their Meteor Garden! I am watching it in the net and they posted 20 episode already but it is not yet finish. It will run until August 28 and with a total of 48 episodes. I am currently on the 8th episode and I can say that it is a great feeling to reminisce the old Meteor Garden. It brings me back to those kilig teenage days of mine!
Although the story is still the same, they've changed some parts like the four boys who were just rich and trouble maker on the original version, became someone who are an asset of their school now. In short, they are not only rich and good looking men but they excel in different fields. Also, it doesn't have violence compared with the first Meteor Garden. This drama made me write this article in Steemit. I am now going crazy again in Meteor Garden!!! After the successful drama of Shen Yue entitiled "A love so beautiful", she is now playing the role of Shan Cai. While the F4 members are Dylan Wang, the new Dao Ming Si, Darren Chen as Hua Ze Lei, Connor Leong as Mei Zuo and Caesar Wu as Xi Men.
I won't be surprised if before this year end or maybe next year Meteor Garden 2018 will be air in Philippine TV. Not only Filipinos but the entire Asia is welcoming this trending and much awaited comeback. I'm sure this will become a history too!
References:
Me and John are watching the latest remake of this. Seems pretty cool, medyo mabilis yun pacing but was still stuck with Azi and Shancai love story, troubles, heartaches, cuteness. But, I like the Taiwanese version. And I still remember, nung nauso sha, college ako and everybody called me Sanchai just because I had long hair and singkit. :-D
That's awesome Mem Jonah! ♥
Yep ang bilis nga po nang pacing tsaka pansin ko less violence yung version nila. Parang di mo nga mararamdaman na binubully ka na pala. Unlike noon may hampasan pa nang silya. But still, nakakakilig mam noh? Ayun 1am na ko nakatulog kanina buti hindi ako na late sa trabaho. HAHAHAH