Season of Remakes

Very nice source and pictures at Pop Seoul but… why why why another F4?! Well, at least from the story synopsis, they did make some changes to the storyline. Watching the exact same version 3 times over, wouldn’t be much fun. Promo poster says “Third Time is the Charm! Korean F4 set to take over Asia!” or something like that. But seriously, does anyone think that this version is going to make a huge difference other than fans of K-dramas or the new F4 boys? This story is already so done to death. The actress playing Jan Di (Korean version of Makino) is a familiar (sweet) face from Pure 19.

Koo Hye Sun is a fresh- faced beauty, with a history of playing tenacious characters who hang on in times of hardship, but she’s a total miscast for Makino. Makino, plain, tough, pragmatic, outspoken with a soft spot for sensitive people. Koo Hye Sun has a brilliant, sympathetic smile that I really *heart* but I don’t see Makino flashing this kind of smile. I think Makino’s casting killed it for me.

As for Domyouji, well, I’m glad they went ahead with the full curls, although he didn’t carry the look as naturally as Matsujun does, his height is a bonus. Hanazawa Rui…GET OVER with casting kids with brown floppy fringes, puppy dog eyes and a hazy smile. That doesn’t MAKE a Hanazawa Rui.

He has a pretty smile though. It’d better if they had left his black hair alone.
This photo almost makes me think he could be Hanazawa.

Hanazawa has devolved into a quintessential “guardian angel”, protective “Prince Charming”, characterized by “introversion”, “a gentle smile” and “wistful expression”. They’ve distilled Hanazawa down into a few main functions, and lost his essence. Hanazawa isn’t always nice – he’s just laid back, but can be mean, cold and have a temper that’s formidable when awakened. He’s supportive to Makino only because she’s special – he can be selective and selfish when it comes to people. Most importantly, he didn’t start off by being nice. I can imagine marble-faced Hanazawa staring impassively into people’s faces just to get them to leave him in peace. It wasn’t always sunshine, wistfulness and puppy dog eyes.

How MANY times must they reproduce it? So now, just clobber together 4 popular idols, a poor girl, an elite school and give them an impeccable wardrobe and ta-da!~ you have a ready made Shoujoland for your high school fantasies!

At least they got the height and proportions right.

Its official… there are gaps in my memory. I conveniently left out Hachikuro just now, must have been overexcited by Pop Seoul’s information. Anyway, we have the Taiwanese remake of Hachikuro too, which I think broadcasted sometime ago too. It casts popular Joe Cheng as Mayama and Eddie Peng (of Yang Warriors) as Morita, Janine Chang (The Hospital) as Yamada, lead role goes to Ito Chiaki.

Talk about ugly. Is there any reason why she’s playing Hagu besides being 1. Short and 2. Japanese?

Ito Chiaki appeared to have been in some girlband by Avex Trax, but I guess it didn’t work out. She’s short alright (153cm), right for Hagu, but miles off from Aoi Yu. Even though I didn’t think Aoi Yu made a truly convincing Hagu, she looks way fresher and cuter. Ito’s (obviously fake) hair sits badly on her head. Eddie Peng ah, looks cute for Morita. I like his round-eyed childish face, which brings out Morita’s young and carefree side. I think he bears more physical resemblence to Morita than Hiroki Narimiya. I’ve been gripping about Japanese castings for Mayama and Yamada and I think I like the Taiwanese change. Joe Cheng is tall and Janine in contrast is suitably petite. The straight fringe cut doesn’t quite suit her oval Chinese face though. Previous Yamadas had more well-defined facial structures.

One thing mentioned by another blogger resonated with me. She said she “didn’t want to watch Hua Ben, Zhu Ben, Shan Ben” but rather Takemoto, Morita and Hagu as they are. I’m sure its a sentiment that fans of Hachikuro can relate to. Half-assed Chinese adaptations of names are a big turnoff for Taiwan idol dramas. It makes the producers appear ‘poser’ when they cannot accurately recreate the ‘Japaneseness’ through language, tone of voice, social behavior, despite trying to retain as much of the original as possible. Then, it makes them look uncreative.