These are my miscellaneous affiliate links.
Namecheap - domain registrations
Swagbucks - earn Amazon gift certificates & Paypal money, among other things

Warning: Not really spoilery unless you are unfamiliar with the storyline
I’ve been a big fan of the whole Hana Yori Dango storyline since watching the Taiwanese version, Meteor Garden. It’s still one of my favorite dramas. That being said, I decided to watch Boys Over Flowers and I really enjoyed it. There were parts I really liked and parts I didn’t, and some changes to the original storyline that I liked.

Firstly, I really like the actors they cast for F4. In fact, I loved Lee Min Ho as the lead and thought he may have done a better job than Jerry Yan in MG. Mostly, I loved the extended storyline for Yi Jung in BOF, and Kim Bum was SO CUTE. The Yi Jung & Ga Eul storyline was my favorite part of BOF. I know, in the Taiwanese version they used the storyline for the related drama Meteor Rain so they didn’t completely ignore it. Anyhow, I only wished that they had actually given Woo Bin a storyline, especially since all the other members of F4 did. My only complaint with the casting really, is the actress who played Jan Di. But more on that under the cut.

Plug: Fan of Boys Over Flowers? Join the fanlisting!

1. F4 bond. I was not feeling this in most of BOF. There were a lot of times when I wondered if they were actually really good friends. They didn’t seem to hang out together a lot, while in MG, I definitely remember them hanging out together a lot. It just bothered me a lot in BOF. They had a few good moments though.
2. Swimming. I liked the swimming aspect of Jan Di. I felt it gave her a little more personality. People need interests, even if they are poor and not so bright. I also liked that it came to be a part of the storyline because Jun Pyo couldn’t swim and that she ended up not being to swim ever again as a result of protecting Jun Pyo.
3. Jan Di. I don’t know if it’s the actress who played Jan Di or just her character - or maybe both, but after around episode 11, she really started to annoy me. Why doesn’t she ever fight for Jun Pyo and their love? All she does is look sad and mopey and lean on Ji Hoo. Seriously? What happened to strong, fighter Jan Di? I loved her in the very beginning - the ice cream scene was so good, throwing the money and all. And then the kick scene. So awesome! But after she falls in love with Jun Pyo, she is just PATHETIC. Jun Pyo.. you deserved better. I’m pretty sure I didn’t feel this way about MG although it’s been a while.
4. The model/kidnapper plot. I hated it in BOF. It wasn’t well-done at all. In MG though, it was a really good storyline and you actually felt sympathetic towards the kidnapper. Also, I didn’t believe for a second that model boy actually liked her, while in MG I did. The whole “taking the hit for him” part was a lot better in MG when that was the reason model boy calls off his guys - because this has gotten to him. It was a lot more powerful.
5. Piano scene. I mention this ’cause in MG, it was such a great scene. Banging on the keys and then BAM, playing a nice tune while telling evil mommy off. In BOF, I know, it was different timing and was for a sad effect, but still. MG piano scene wins.
6. Confrontation with the mother. In MG, Shan Cai stands up to his mother in their showdown and I applaud her. In BOF, all Jan Di does is stand there and take it and then get all sad again. Seriously? Again, where did your strong side go?!!
7. Arranged marriage. I didn’t like Jae Kyung at all, even if she redeemed herself in the end. I also didn’t like how she saves Jan Di when they first meet. Since when does Jan Di always need saving?! Mostly what I didn’t like was that she KNEW Jun Pyo and Jan Di were in love with each other but her selfishness came first. When she said that those two were the most precious people to her, I wanted to smack her. If you really cared about them, you’d want them to be happy! Jun Pyo got on his KNEES to beg her, and she refused! I liked in MG that the fiancee girl gives up even though she does love Dao Ming Si, too, and tells Shan Cai that he’s still in love with her - and then continues to support the two as their friend.
8. Amnesia. I hated that MG II gave Dao Ming Si amnesia for 20 episodes. So unnecessary. And depressing. I liked that the amnesia storyline in BOF was short, but still, at the end?! To top it all off, YUMI. Wins most evil character in BOF award. She was so manipulative. I confess, I skipped all her scenes but read a recap instead. I did, however, like the eventual Jan Di and Jun Pyo confrontation at the pool party. It was so intense!

1. Waking Up in Vegas - Katy Perry » I actually had this song stuck in my head for the last week. It’s not a particularly original song, but I really like it. I also think Bones fans should watch the video because I saw it and was like HEYYYY! I got a big kick out of that, haha.
2. The Wind Blows - The All-American Rejects » I haven’t really heard anything on AAR’s latest album except “Gives You Hell” which is catchy but getting overplayed on the radio. I love this song a lot more, and I think I’ll have to check out the rest of the album. After all, I did love their Move Along album.
3. Candy - Paolo Nutini » I saw blurbs about Paolo Nutini in three different magazines a couple weeks ago and I finally saw a bunch of his music videos while I was on vacation.
4. Please Don’t Stop the Rain - James Morrison » I heard this playing in Nordstroms and I looked it up - it’s been stuck in my head as well.
5. Hearts on Fire - Cut Copy » I LOVE THIS SONG. It’s not new but it’s electropop or synthpop or something of that nature.

I’m feeling a summer television post coming up.. maybe once more series start? I plan to watch ABC Family’s 10 Things I Hate About You only to see if it even comes anywhere remotely close to the film. Which I love, is amazing, and didn’t need to be turned into a television series in the first place. I doubt it, though, but I can’t legitimately complain about it until I see it. Plus, the cast of the series doesn’t even come close to the talent of the original cast. They were amazing. Come on, ABC Family, I’m sure you could have created another high school-set drama without using the storyline from a film…

And while I’m sharing, Sarah Dessen’s new book Along for the Ride comes out on June 16th (just a few more days!) and I am really excited! I rarely ever read teen fiction these days, but I love Sarah Dessen’s novels. I never have time for a lot of reading during the school year so I plan to do some serious reading this summer. I especially intend to finally get through Pride & Prejudice. For some reason, I have the hardest time getting through novels from that era. However, I’ve seen the 2005 film (with Keira Knightley) so many times that I am in love with the story. So when I’m reading the novel, I’m like, HEY I remember that in the film!

Before I forget, the reason I wanted to post in the first place: the trailer for The Time Traveler’s Wife is finally out! I’ve been looking forward to this film for at least a year, because the casting is excellent - Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana as the two main characters! I love them both, and they are both so versatile! The trailer is beautiful, and I hope the film is, too. I read the book it’s adapted from, by Audrey Niffenegger, a couple years ago and maybe I should re-read it before seeing the film. Anyhow, the film finally has a release date: August 14th!

Ever since I bought The Killers’s most recent album, Day & Age, my favorite track has been “A Dustland Fairytale.” The words are so pretty, and it just has such a nostalgic feel to it. I’m thrilled that the band has just released a music video for it! It’s a really lovely video, and it fits the song perfectly! I also happened to watch their performance on the Dave Letterman show and Brandon Flowers, you are beauty. I would love to see them live because they perform so well! They’re also just such a consistently amazing band - Hot Fuss is still one of my favorite albums of all time.

EDIT: A new layout is up! It’s really simple, and admittedly, very Livejournal-esque. Please let me know if any of the colors are too bright or clashy.