Drama Update: Meteor Shower (Chinese Hana Yori Dango)

Now what is this that I hear of another adaptation coming out?  Apparently, a new mainland Chinese version (not to be mistaken with the Taiwan version) will be coming out soon.  Filming has begun in Xiamen and the drama is due to air on Hunan TV (Hunan Tai) in August. It is said that the drama will be called Meteor Shower.  However, instead of the typical romantic idol drama format, statements have been made about changing the plot for the Chinese version and turning it into an "inspirational drama."  This was foreseeable since the Chinese government had banned Meteor Garden due to the "bad themes" promoting a love for money.  

Many fans are disappointed in the casting, complaining that the producers should have chosen more well-known actors to compete in this contest to be the best.  The only slightly well known figures to be casted for the main five characters, are Yu Hao Ming playing Duan Yulei (Hanazawa Rui) and Wei Chen playing Ye Shuo (Mimasaka Akira).  Joining these two will be Zhang Han, playing Yun Hai (Domyouji Tsukasa), Zhu Zixiao playing Ximen Ruiqian (Nishikado Sojirou), and Zheng Shuang playing Chu Yuxun (Makino Tsukushi).  Apparently Hangeng, the Chinese member of the Korean idol boy band Super Junior, was one of the top picks to be part of the F4 but turned down the offer to focus on promoting Super Junior's 3rd album. 

This Chinese production has brought along quite a bit of controversy.  Apparently, Group 8 Media, which produced the Korean Boys Over Flowers purchased rights the the Hana Yori Dango franchise.  With this contract in place, no new adaptations are supposed to begin production in the following two years.  However, Meteor Shower has not only already started filming, they have begun their slew of press releases.  Korean fans are, of course, furious.  In return the producers of the Chinese adaptation states that they are not basing the drama on the manga, but will instead be producing a "completely different story."  They have even changed the name of the boy idols, converting from "F4" to "H4."

Do we want to watch this?  The Chinese dramas that I have watched thus far have been rather good and well done, lacking the over-the-top factor I find appears often in Taiwan dramas.  However, I am slightly worried about the plot changes in store.  I guess I will watch it to see how it differs from the rest. The music trailer is officially out.  Hope you enjoy!


Pictures of the Chinese F4:

The new table of each different portrayal of the main five characters:

Music Trailer for Meteor Shower :





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To my surprise, there is a much older version of Hana Yori Dango pre-dating all of this craze.  The first live-action movie Hana Yori Dango (Japanese) was actually made in 1995, directed by Yasuyuki Kusuda, starring Uchida Yuki as Makino Tsukushi, Shosuke Tanihara as Domyouji Tsukasa, Naohito Fujiki as Hanazawa Rui, Koichi Hashizume as Mimasaka Akira, and Kensaku Saeki as Nishikado Sojirou.  Naohito Fujiki also made a cameo appearance in the Hana Yori Dango Final.  Does anybody know where I can watch this?

Von Dutch Madness

Today, my friend, (insert name), was wearing a Von Dutch T-shirt.  What is with this Von Dutch craziness?  According to her, I am entirely overreacting but this is an extremely puzzling situation.  I have always thought of Von Dutch as this old brand that is fading out of the spotlight.  As a young child, I had some recollection of the brand but thought that it was an older 90s tradition.  However, as I watch videos of my favorite Korean artists online, I am noticing this surging Von Dutch fad.  Super Junior, SS501, and many, many more are all sporting the looks-like-squirted-out-mustard-shaped-lettered logo, may it be on T-shirts or even plain caps, though they look very svelte atop the heads of our beloved idols.  Not only in Korea, this brand is also surging in the US.  While I have yet to see a wide donning of Von Dutch apparel, Lindsay Lohan has recently (depends on how you define "recently") become one of the promoters of the brand.

What is Von Dutch?  This question has been buzzing around my cranium ever since this new sighting this morning.  I decided to look it up but my Wikipedia search proved to be largely unfruitful, only naming Kenny Howard as the inspiration.  More importantly, why is it catching on in Korea?  How can such simple apparel be such a standout hit?  Anybody with any news, please share!

Super Junior - It's You

Super Junior has come out with what SM Company is calling a "Version C" of the Sorry Sorry album. In addition to the original playlist, four new songs are being added:

2. "그녀는 위험해 (She Wants It)"
3. "너라고 (It's You)"
4. "사랑이 죽는 병 (Love Disease)"
5. "첫번째 이야기 (Love U More)"

This new addition is proving to be a great addition to the album. Wheesung wrote the lyrics for Love Disease while Love U More is the product of our very own Sungmin and Ryewook. My favorite, however, is the new song It's You. The new video for it is infinitely better than that of Sorry Sorry. Most of the guys look much better too, with better hair cuts, especially Hankyung/Hangeng and Heechul. I also really like Hangeng's jacket. Overall, the wardrobes were well put together. They have posted both a purely drama version and a purely dance version, as well as a combined finished product. Check them out!

It's you



It's You (Dance Version)



It's You (Drama Version)

Super Junior's Third Album is Officially Out!

Extremely sorry sorry (Haha) about the late posting. Super Junior's new CD has officially been released. I have found that while the title song "Sorry Sorry" is slightly annoying at first to listen, it grows on you surprisingly quickly. Overall, I believe the CD is OK, but nowhere reaches the level of musical skill and creativity of the previous albums. The choreography is horrendous, far from reaching my expectations (read previous blog entries). However, I have realized that the choreography looks much better live, appearing less clunky an awkward. On that note, I believe that Yesung looks great with his new look for this album, though I still can't get over the extremely short and unstylish haircuts (Hangeng and Eunhyuk) that many of the other guys are sporting.

Support Super Junior! While I'm not sure I completely love this album (what is SM thinking?), I can tell that the guys put in a lot of work.

For all those interested, the complete album:

Super Junior vol.3 - SORRY SORRY

Sorry Sorry!

Super Junior's new title song "Sorry Sorry" has been released and is the hottest new thing online. Thousands of CDs have already been pre-ordered, both in stores and online. The questions is: Do we like their new style? Many comments have complained about the lack of individual voice quality, claiming that it is now hard to tell the difference between the singers. Others have complained that the song is too similar to other songs that have been produced in the past in both the US and by SM Company.

Personally, I think the song is ok. My main complaint is that it lacks much of a tune, and is extremely repetitive. The entire seems to be basically the same heavy beat in the background, with the band members basically singing monotone. What is up with that? Personally, I feel that it has lost all of its Asian characteristics present in Super Junior's previous songs, and has over-Westernized. Where is the creativity? In the past, I loved Super Junior's songs because of their willingness to work with different styles and combine them in a way that works out in the end. Rarely do you see a band who's songs range so much, genre-wise, from "U" to "Don't Don" to "Miracle" to "Twins: Knock Out." The band has been able to produce a great variety of songs in the past that have all become part of the group's identity. This song totally lacks the creativity that I originally admired the group for. It is too heavy on the beat and becomes extremely boring, after all we hear is this monotone blurb.

Also, what is up with the new hairstyles? From the pictures already released, I am not at all pleased with the new images the group members have for the new CD. What have you done to their hair? SM Company, give us back our beloved Super Junior!

However, contrary to what it may seem, I am still a strong supporter of Super Junior. While this title song is not phenomenal, they definitely have the talent and the looks to pull of this CD. I'm psyched to hear the rest of the CD. Super Junior, Fighting! Jia You! Gambatte!

In particular, I can't wait for the music video. The group has quite a few extremely talented dancers. My favorite is Eunhyuk. I love his movements and the grace apparent in all of his motions. However, lets not forget Donghae, Hangeng, and Shindong! Everybody has looked amazing in the past and I'm really anticipating some awesome choreography. What has set Super Junior apart from many other groups is their ability to bring unique and amazing choreography, time after time after time. If anybody has any info on the upcoming music video, please share!

For anybody who hasn't listened to it yet...

Super Junior's "Sorry Sorry":

Super Junior Comeback!

After over a year of inactivity, Super Junior, the boy band produced by SM Company, is making its comeback with its third album "Sorry Sorry." With the group's new album, they have once again, changed their look. The new album is said to have a "urban funky" feel. Personally, I am extremely psyched for their new album. The playlist goes as follows:

01. Sorry Sorry
02. 니가 좋은 이유 (Why I Like You)
03. 마주치지말자 (Let’s Not)
04. 앤젤라 (Angela)
05. Reset
06. Monster
07. What If
08. 이별, 넌쉽니 (Heartquake)
09. Club No.1
10. Happy Together
11. 죽어있는것 (Dead at Heart)
12. Shining Star

To help with the choreography, SM company has brought in Nick Bass and Trent Dickens. Footage has been posted of Donghae and Eunhyuk dancing with them to Justin Timberlake's "My Love" have been posted on Youtube.




Also posted is a cooler video of the four dancing to Ne-Yo's "Because of You." The moves in this video are amazing. This is definitely worth checking out.



Both the teaser images and the teaser video have already been released for their new album. The album is set to come out March 12th. However, SM company has announced that a preview of the title song, "Sorry Sorry" will be release March 9th, at 10 am in Korea, on sites such as Melon, Dosirak, Cyworld, Seongong, and Soribada. If anybody can find the specific URL for this release, it would be greatly appreciated!


Teaser Video of the new album: