It was just a matter of time really so no one should be surprised. But yes, America is doing its own version of HANA YORI DANGO. And they’re calling it… are we ready for this? … BETWEEN BOYS AND FRIENDS.
More information on the cast here.
I know incredulity is a natural reaction for a fan of the Asian versions of the drama. I love the Japanese version the best though the Taiwanese one is special because it started my fascination for Asian pop culture. As they say, let’s keep an open mind though based on the track record of how Hollywood mangles such products like INFERNAL AFFAIRS, MY SASSY GIRL and IL MARE, I don’t think anyone can blame me for being wary.
Let’s ask Domyoji Tsukasa what he thinks.
“Uso?! They actually dare to remake ore-sama?!”
How about Dao Ming Si?
“Get ready for that red card, commoner.”
I don’t know anyone in the American cast but my first reaction was: When was Domyoji all about the muscles? It was always about the curls!
Let’s take a look at the Asian versions of the iconic Domyoji, including one who got the perm horribly wrong.
I suppose, America was not contented with Gossip Girl.
P.S. Just a clarification. That American thing? It’s NOT a remake of BOYS OVER FLOWERS. BOF was a remake itself. Granted that the literal translation of HANA YORI DANGO is “boys over flowers” but the original material was a shojo manga serialized from 1992 to 2003, which was made into a movie in 1995. TV Asahi produced the anime in 1997. The first one to do a live drama adaptation was Taiwan in 2001 through METEOR GARDEN. Japan’s TBS did its own adaptation in 2005 with HANA YORI DANGO. Korea’s BOF was aired in 2009. Just sayin’.
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orange jasmine purple yam 
AHAHAHA!!! Seriously?!? Between Boys and Friends!?!?!? *facepalm*
A lot of fans are already really bitter over this American remake. I think it is really funny how defensive they are over their “original” Korean version when it is not even the original. O_O””
Anyways, at this point I don’t really care. >_> I’m not expecting much from it. And we already have the 3 other versions to watch! I think it is actually cool that they have a diverse cast for F4. The only thing I was shocked was at who they cast for Hanazawa Rui. He definitely does not match up to Oguri Shun. Oh, and why is the heroine’s name Zoey? T__T
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I’m really clueless about the cast lol I am kind of mixed over the, well, mixed cast. But Domyoji hasn’t looked like a hunk as he does now hahaha
I’m also amused at how they’re branding this as a remake of BOF. ok granted that it’s kind of a translation of HYD but we all know the origins. I’m actually curious how they’d do this but I don’t have my hopes up. I just hope they don’t turn it into the male version of Gossip Girl.
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There’s only one Domyoji in my mind. No one beats Matsujun….
That cast just looks so wrong, wrong, wrong to my eyes too. And you can see they’ll be changing a lot of details – so why they are calling it a HYD remake, I’m not sure at all. Plus: The title! I love the original title, with its hidden meaning. Honestly, what’s left? It seems like this remake will be for people who’ve never watched Hana Yori Dango and never will, since everything will be filtered down to the max. And most of those who watched Hana Yori Dango won’t touch this remake with a 10-foot pole.
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the thing with taking original materials from Asia is the cultural clash with how the West does it. take for example INFERNAL AFFAIRS. it had Buddhism and the concept of eternal hell at its core, something that was lost in the Scorsese version. of course I’m not saying that when they adapt, they should not make adjustments according to their own culture but at the heart of these original works are the threads of culture from where they come from. so what’s the point of adaptations, right, if you’re not going to acknowledge the philosophy behind the material?
same thing with HANA YORI DANGO. there’s subtlety and social culture behind it but I’m afraid the American version will just turn it into a flesh romp lol
thanks for reading and commenting!
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No honestly, I almost died laughing because of the title. Is it just me or “Between Boys and Friends” sounded like some sort of Yaoi manga >_<
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Lol now that you mentioned it…. Wonder if those Americans realized that or it was deliberate!
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Japanesse drama version is the best, I love matsujun. He makes me obsessed.
We just can wait and see (and bubling) but we all know the remake won’t better than original.
Bdw, really? Korean says they’d the original?
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