HYD Cast: Taiwan versus Japan versus Korea

You guys didn’t think I was going to abandon this blog, did you? I haven’t written anything for more than a month, after all. But that’s just because I’ve been keeping tabs on new topics to discuss in here. Alas, I have something new!.. But it’s about something old; old in a sense that the original was made years ago and there’s just this new version today that has brought up the addiction for the series to new heights.

Hana Yori Dango / Boys Over Flowers / Meteor Garden

Hana Yori Dango still remains as one of the most popular manga serials of all time. Since the Asian audience have been pampered with live action versions of the manga, brought out by Taiwan first and Japan second, it was only a matter of time before South Korea brought out a version of their own.

I once made a post comparing Meteor Garden‘s and Hana Yori Dango‘s cast. South Korea has brought out their HYD cast counterparts, though, and there has been a lot of talk on which country has got the best cast for the Boys Over Flowers TV series.

Barbie Hsu, Mao Inoue, and Koo Hye Sun as Makino Tsukushi

Xian Cai versus Makino Tsukushi versus Geum Jan Di

Ladies first. Who among the actresses represented the manga’s heroine the best? Taiwan’s Barbie Hsu played it well, and Korea’s Koo Hye Sun acted a little exaggerated at the beginning of the series. Both progressed in acting out as the willful Makino Tsukushi as the series went on. But it was Japan’s Mao Inoue who really made a lasting impression on the HYD fans. From the beginning of the series till the end, she was constantly the weed known as Makino Tsukushi.

Jerry Yan, Matsumoto Jun, and Lee Min Ho as Domyouji Tsukasa

Dao Ming Si versus Domyouji Tsukasa versus Goo Joon Pyo

As for the arrogant leader of the famous F4, I’ll have to admit that while he’s a very prominent actor, Japan’s Matsumoto Jun is the last of the three. This is mainly due to the physical appearance. Don’t get me wrong, he really did great in his acting. But comparing him to the bigger Taiwanese and Korean Domyouji Tsukasa, he’s been overpowered. Taiwan’s Jerry Yan and Korea’s Lee Min Ho also didn’t lose out on the acting skills so this would leave us to base our verdict on their charm as the male lead of the series. And when it comes to this, I think Lee Min Ho wins — the looks, that air of arrogance, that masculinity, even Domyouji’s stupidity.

Vic Zhou, Oguri Shun, and Kim Hyun Joong as Hanazawa Rui

Hua Ze Lei versus Hanazawa Rui versus Yun Ji Hoo

For the silent bishounen and the third end of the love triangle, all three actors managed to mix well with their role. There’s the silence, the stare, the clipped words, and the awkwardness. All three actors really showed smooth awkwardness. Acting-wise, I also can’t compare them much. There is this line between acting awkward and real awkwardness, though, that can sometimes be seen through the acting. Japan’s Oguri Shun has the advantage here because Boys Over Flowers was a first in acting for Taiwan’s Vic Zhou and Korea’s Kim Hyun Joong. Taking that into consideration, I can only surmise that all three are just about on the same level. I have to say, though, regarding physical appearances, Kim Hyun Joong is the perfect Hanazawa Rui.

Ken Zhu, Shota Matsuda, and Kim Bum as Nishikado Sojirou

Xi Men versus Sojirou Akira versus So Yee Jung

To act as a playboy, you should also have the looks of a playboy. Taiwan’s Ken Zhu was a little mature-looking to be one. His acting was also a little dry. Nothing about him sparked to me as a playboy. Japan’s Shota Matsuda focused more on his tea ceremonies than on his playboy charms. Korea’s Kim Bum, though, is being brought out to be both. His love story with the Korean counterpart of Matsuoki Yuuki is also being built more in the Korean series, so there’ll definitely be some growth to the character. We can conclude then that Korea’s Kim Bum wins the battle over the Sojirou Akiras.

Vannes Wu, Tsuyoshi Abe, and Kim Joon as Mimasaka Akira

Mei Zuo versus Mimasaka Akira versus Song Woo Bin

Now this is hard, mainly because this character doesn’t really have a lot of airtime in the series. How can we deduce who’s the better among the three? I have yet to see Korea’s Kim Joon‘s performance. Japan’s Tsuyoshi Abe didn’t really have that much of an impact. Taiwan’s Vannes Wu, among the three, looks to be the best for the part. He went along with the character’s happy-go-lucky attitude and at times also brought out some maturity. As the Korean version continues on, i might be able to see more of Kim Joon’s performance. But for now, Vannes Wu stays on top of the three.