F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers (2021)

Rehashed Classic you say? Absolutely not!!

I have watched every single version of this drama, Taiwanese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and now Thai. And the winner is.... Drumroll please... F4:Thailand! I will tell you exactly why! Because the director has taken the Boys over Flowers manga in it's entire beauty, and created a version that is his own, covered all the elements, without too much angst, yet given each characters a phenomenal growth arc. Now that's how I am going to write my review, my feelings about each character and a bit of comparison.... SO please bear with me.

Thyme (Bright Vachirawit): I think I can just keep on talking and talking about Bright. He is a phenomenal actor. As Thyme, he is a force to reckon with. In all the versions that I have seen, it's the character of Thyme that has stood out. Why, you ask? Because, he is cruel, hard, crazy, soft, sweet, hot-tempered and has a personality of his own. His reasons to be what he was before he meets Gorya and his reasons to change after he meets her are very very well etched out. I am not going to say the other versions were bad, but somewhere, they were not convincing enough. And Bright as an actor has such beautiful and myriad expressions! AND his wardrobe!! Lol, full credits given to the person who styled him, because he or she did a fantastic job. How he begins to how he ends, all are expressed through the way he dresses.

Gorya (Tu Tontawan): It took me a while to digest that this was Tu's first ever show. She was just amazing. As the lead of Boys over Flowers, I must say no one has come as close as being the street smart, sassy and self sufficient Makino! And i say this even though I am a huge fan of Shen Yue (who played the same role in the Chinese version Meteor Garden.) Her chemistry with Bright is just perfect (BrightWin fans, kindly don't hate me, I love them too - I am just saying what it is). Their hate to love, enemies to lovers story is probably the most believable one I have seen. They talk, they fight, they spend time together. Once she agrees to be his girl, there is a beautiful change in the way they look at each other. And I love how she herself grows as a person. She is intelligent and knows when to step back. She knows how to answer Thyme's mom without making her lose face. She has such inner strength and beauty, that I was floored. In a world filled with chaos, she chose Thyme, the most chaotic!

Ren (Dew Jirawat): Oh, for unrequited love! I was pleasantly surprised at the casting of Ren. Dew is also a newcomer, and he thrilled me with his easy portrayal of Ren. His unrequited love for Mira and then his unrequited love for Gorya, the ultimate sacrifice that he makes when he goes to bring Gorya back to Thyme, his need to keep Thyme on track, him being a saviour for Gorya, never making her feel less than she was even though he knew what she felt for him, being her ally in the hardest times, being a pillar of strength for every single one of his friends, the growth of Ren is something that is a thing of beauty. He is the one who takes a stand for Gorya at the beginning when he didn't know her and at the end, when he knew her well enough to be sure that if anyone could bring Thyme back, it would be her. His undisputed love and affection for his friends made me somewhat downcast that he did not actually end up with someone. However, the general story arc ensured that I did not suffer from 2nd lead syndrome, because I kept rooting for Gorya and Thyme, unlike in the other versions.

Kavin (Win Metawin): Another character I just cannot stop talking about! Sauve, sophisticated, charming, playboy but loyal, loving and committed once he decides his path. I think we could not have found a better Sojiro. Yes, he is cold. He has suffered a heartbreak. But unlike with the other versions, Kavin's know-it-all, 'I hate everyone, yet I am a playboy' image is so easily chipped away to show the vulnerable and soft inside. A coconut in it's glory. That's what Kavin is. Hard and difficult to reach, but his softly called out endearment for Kaning really can make anyone let down their guard. The way he supports her at her break-up, the way he tells her his story, they way he allows her to see his broken side, the way he helps her with the garlands and flowers, the way he keeps turning up to meet her, is a clear indication that while he may not be expressive about it, but he was falling in love.

MJ (Nani Hirunkit): What can I say? This series gave me a 4th lead syndrome. I cannot, just cannot get over MJ. His sheer presence, his eyes, his unswerving loyalty, his unshakeable faith, him being the first to switch to Team Gorya, his mafia vibes, his skills with computers, there was nothing about MJ that I did not fall in love with. Also a first time actor, his looks and his acting were out of this world. What I also loved about MJ was his bike. He always arrived in such style and with such panache. He even managed to look sexy attending a funeral (rolling my eyes for effect). And his hair? I love me a boy with long hair!! I really want to see him in so many more dramas and want him to play the lead too. He certainly has the looks and the acting chops. Despite his harsh outside, MJ, like his best friend Kavin, is as gooey as chocolate inside. He never fails to look out, not only for his friends, but later also for Gorya. He is the prankster, keeping everyone smiling, yet never forgets the responsibilities that he has on his shoulders.

Plus points:
1. The friendship between the boys of F4. They are loyal, supportive and are mirrors for each other. They just don't show the good things about each other, they never fail to point out flaws either, which makes them excellent friends.
2. Gorya and the F4. When Thyme says that F4 will be Gorya's force, I never expected those words to be literally taken by the boys. Their love, their loyalty and their support of Gorya is so beautiful and unconditional that it made me jealous. To have these kind of pillars holding you up, no way in hell are you gonna falter!
3. Gory's relationship with the girls of F4. Kaning is her best friend and thinks of Gorya first, before she thinks of herself. Gorya has the same kind of feelings. With Mira, there is respect and a faith, that there will be support. With Lita, there is true camaraderie and honesty. She refuses to accept Thyme, until Thyme makes everything clear with Lita, because for her, friendships are more sacred that love itself. With Tia, there is a phenomenal sisterhood, because Tia accepts Gorya as the best choice for Thyme.
4. The fact that Gorya actually wore the necklace that Thyme gave her (how beautiful it was). In the other versions, after the guys put it on for the girls, they did not actually wear it. It remained a symbol. But Gorya wore it, and kept it safe when she was separated from Thyme.
5. Thyme's mom. The fact that we hate her for what she is, and then like her later, is the best way I can express what a phenomenal actor she is.
6. Hana and Talay. They hated Thyme and took revenge on Gorya. But their appearance in the series only served as a foil to strengthen the relationship between Thyme and Gorya. It did not feel out of place. Instead it was so well integrated with the story that it did not stand out as unnecessary.
7. The fact that Thyme apologised. On his knees. I was definitely impressed by that. No other show gave such a character development to the hero, and this made my day!
8. OST. The more I say, the lesser it is. Shooting Star and Who am I by my F4 boys plays on constant loop on my Spotify. And the other songs are just as wonderful. Definitely an OST that gives you goosebumps!
9. Chemistry between the cast. Each and every member of the cast plays they roles so well. There is a natural camaraderie that is pretty visible, be it Gorya's family (Fourth is adorable as her brother in this), Uncle Ga, the maids at Thyme's house... I can keep talking about them.
10. The fact that the women in this series are treated with dignity and respect and have a painful reason for doing what they did and are not made out to be toxic monsters who set out to ruin lives just for the heck of it. (Case in point : My Dear Donovan.. Ughh.. rolling my eyes in terror!)
11. Some of the amazingly hilarious moments in the show. Thyme inviting Gorya to join him in front of the whole school, Thyme and Gory's first 'date', the hospital prank by the boys, Thyme and Glakao's back and fourth, Thyme's spelling and mixed up Thai... loved it all!!

Where I would minus: I don't know. Maybe there were few minor flaws, but for the most part, most issues were dealt with amazingly. At times, it felt a bit over the top, but I think that too added to the charm of the show.

Rewatch value: Definitely! Absolutely! I watched it twice after. Can watch it any time!

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