Thoughts on potential on-coming plot developments in K-Hanadan (not spoilery, just speculative)

[dangermousie]

So, if the speculations on soompi/preview text is correct, the whole Junpei/kidnapping/beating thing is coming up in the next couple of eps.

I am sure I am going to enjoy it a lot, but I am struck by how different the context is in this version and the manga/all other versions.

In the manga (and MG, J-Hanadan, anime etc), of course, it's remarkable that Domyouji agrees to go into what he knows is a trap and then to be unresistant to being beaten within an inch of his life because otherwise Makino will get hurt. But what really makes it so awesome (to me) is the fact that he is doing it for someone who is not his girlfriend (and never was), and someone who, in fact, emphatically told him she wants nothing to do with him. He is doing it all for a girl who doesn't care for him (he thinks, anyway). I also love that while Makino is grateful, it doesn't make her fall into his arms: why should it? You can't love out of obligation.

But this isn't the case in K-Hanadan. I have no idea if Jun Pyo and Jandi will have yet another one of their fights before this whole incident, but the fact remains that in this version, Jun Pyo and Jandi are already dating. In fact, when Jun Pyo will do whatever it is he does, it will be for a girl who is not only his gf, but someone who clearly reciprocates his romantic feelings, smoochies and all. Not to mention that since they lessened his violent and uncontrolled tendencies considerably in this version, it is less impressive that he is able to control himself in this situation. Now, it's still awesome that he is willing to sacrifice himself for her, of course. But the whole scene has a completely different tint, you know?

Oddly enough, it doesn't bother me, probably because somewhere in ep 8 I realized that K-Hanadan isn't really a Hanadan adaptation as much as a fun, quirky, adorable kdrama which has a lot of elements inspired by the manga in it. It's not a faithful adaptation like Meteor Garden, nor is it faithful to the spirit in a lot of ways (even if not to the letter) the way J-Hanadan was. So I am free to enjoy it without comparisons, really.

Side note: if the Junpei thing does happen and (pure speculation) his Mom finds out he landed in the hospital because of Jandi, no wonder she is going to push even harder to break them up. Not only is Jandi unsuitable, but protecting her landed Mama Darth's precious heir in the emergency room (I am sure she will conveniently ignore that the reason Junpei was after Jun Pyo had nothing to do with Jandi and everything with Jun Pyo's pre-Jandi antics).

And because I don't like to have posts without pics, here are the BFFs:





You know, not only does the glasses/ponytail thing make Ji Hoo even prettier, but his already strong resemblance to Bae Yong Joon becomes absolutely freaky.

Comments

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

You know, not only does the glasses/ponytail thing make Ji Hoo even prettier, but his already strong resemblance to Bae Yong Joon becomes absolutely freaky.
At least he doesn't look like his own ohmma or an elderly ahjumma :D

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

LOLOLOL

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

As much as I am all for smoochies, I agree with you - I think for me the part of the Meteor Garden's appeal is that almost until the end DMS wasn't sure that Shinkai loves him, this makes him more endearing and also I personally favour the "falling in love" parts in dramas.

I am half-glad half/missing all the fights Shinaki and DMS had, there seems to be no violence in "BOF"

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they apparently toned down violence on purpose. Oh well. It's quite a different story overall, so I am OK with it.

I like the falling in love parts, but prefer the OTP-against-the-world parts, so this is making me giddy.

[boycottbananas.livejournal.com]

You make a very good point, even if I haven't watched this yet. 8D;;

And you're right, he does look like Bae Yong Joon! Or as I like to call him, Kang-sama. XD

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

You can never have too many BYJ lookalikes :)

[animeshon.livejournal.com]

It will be interesting to see how they handle it when they are already dating. I totally agree with you, one of the things that really made that part for me in the j-drama was the fact that Makino hated Tsukasa at that point and yet he still sacrificed himself for her, and while I don't think she fell for him because of it, I think it helped him convince her of his sincerity.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I don't think she fell for him because of it, I think it helped him convince her of his sincerity.

Exactly. So this is going to be interesting. Especially since I doubt they'd majorly break up because of it (and apparently she gets a fake red tag in this version too, but I wonder why she doesn't just ask JP about it - even if they broke up at that point, they used to date).

[animeshon.livejournal.com]

It does seems a little tricky. Having them date so early on is going to cause a lot of things to seem a little clunky

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

But I don't mind. So far they are making it work :)

[animeshon.livejournal.com]

As long as it works and they make the appropriate changes I have no problem with it. At least it'll really differentiate it from HYD and MG

[salimbol.livejournal.com]

Yes, this is something I've been pondering as well. To me the fact that they're already sure of their feelings for each other gives this an entirely different complexion, and a less interesting one at that. Not to say that I won't enjoy it, of course :-).
Oddly enough, it doesn't bother me, probably because somewhere in ep 8 I realized that K-Hanadan isn't really a Hanadan adaptation as much as a fun, quirky, adorable kdrama which has a lot of elements inspired by the manga in it. It's not a faithful adaptation like Meteor Garden, nor is it faithful to the spirit in a lot of ways (even if not to the letter) the way J-Hanadan was. So I am free to enjoy it without comparisons, really.
This is a good point; I would agree that J-Hanadan was actually pretty faithful to the spirit of the manga in many ways. And I can't say that K-Hanadan is, really. It's probably where my disappointment with the series is coming from. I can enjoy it somewhat if I disconnect myself from my preconceptions and my attachment to the source material ;-). But it makes for an overall less satisfying viewing experience, and I think it will mostly be LMH that will keep me coming back for re-watches.
not only does the glasses/ponytail thing make Ji Hoo even prettier, but his already strong resemblance to Bae Yong Joon becomes absolutely freaky.
I am highly approving of this look! Kang-sama indeed :-). And I loved the bit where he ate Jun-pyo's cookie.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I would agree that J-Hanadan was actually pretty faithful to the spirit of the manga in many ways. And I can't say that K-Hanadan is, really. It's probably where my disappointment with the series is coming from. I can enjoy it somewhat if I disconnect myself from my preconceptions and my attachment to the source material ;-). But it makes for an overall less satisfying viewing experience, and I think it will mostly be LMH that will keep me coming back for re-watches

LMH is by far the best thing about BOF and I am loving the drama overall, so it's saying a lot. But yes, I had to completely divorce myself from 'this is Hanadan' mode in order to love it.

[uisceros.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, I never actually thought of that, being that it will be a totally different scene. I'm not terribly bothered by it either, since it's obvious from the start that Domyoji will do anything for Tsukushi, regardless of being involved with her.

I agree; BBF is it's own entity. I love manga HYD, but each of the adaptions have been unique, and I tend to view them all as seperate, and try not to compare.

And squee! Ji hoo is so adorable! Suddenly, all of a sudden, he actually became Rui (instead of just a pseudo-Rui), and I'm utterly in love with him. The glasses are really hot!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, all of a sudden Ji Hoo got a personality, and an adorable one at that!

And oooh, whatever context they have it in, I want that beatdown so bad!

[uisceros.livejournal.com]

I know! He's suddenly so cute! Makes me feel bad for doubting him to begin with...

Me too! I just read a preview for ep 12, and not only will the Junpei beating occur, but at least part of the ski resort thing will be happening as well!

[syrenstar.livejournal.com]

We know the time jump is coming so I can't help but wonder if instead of the Junpei kidnapping bringing them closer together it's one of the things that drives them apart instead.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

That is an interesting theory and I can so see that - Jun Pei thing will happen in eps 11-12 and the time-jump is 13. I wonder if she'll pull out because it's too dangerous, or he will because of that? Hmmm.

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

Ah! You are so right about the glasses/ponytail making Ji Hoo look even more like BYJ. I was like "TWINS!! TWINS!!" With a bit of an age difference of course :D

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Mmmm...you can never have too much of a BYJ likeness!