After getting feedback from my friends that the story is same as Boys over flowers,only with different cast , so I started with this 2018 drama.The Chinese actors have lived up to the image. It is good but it is not Boys over flowers. Arrogance of Min ho is special. The actor here is good but a softy.Dylan Wang has variety of expressions but his hairstyle that of a pineapple is different.His jawline is such he looks more Korean than Chinese.
Shen Yue has the same innocent look as Jan di. I marveled how they found such a similar looking actor! She is too good. OST is good as well,’Say something I am giving up on you’ brings tears to your eyes.Darren Chen as Lei is another softy. His first crush comes to an end abruptly & he is always beside Shen Yue ,our protagonist. He declares bravely that he likes her & pushes Dylan in the right direction. I suddenly remember ‘Jab we met ‘ where there is a line by Shahid Kapoor that says,’ yes I love you, but that is my problem.’This kind of clarity is very rarely seen, not seen in dramas.
The part time jobs that Sancia takes is the cake shop with her friend,who likes Ximen.To earn more she goes to a restaurant where she is helped by Wang Runze,who is known for his role in ..A small thing called first love.He is smitten by her but backs out when Ah Si confronts him.The rivalry between Ah Si & Sancia’s classmate,who asks her to dislike the likes of Ah Si culminates in Sancia being kidnapped & Ah Si rescues her.In Boys over flowers the plan was too detailed. Here it ends quickly & Ah Si only pretends to loss of memory, in BOF Lee min ho is clueless for too long.In Meteor Garden I & II,a 2001 series that I found when I started writing about the Meteor garden, is the first of the series & has a raw star cast. Ah Si is ordinary looking, but his style grows on you.The rival trying to separate Sancia & Ah Si also has a thing for her.If she wasn’t so much into Ah Si he has every wish to make her his own.
Conner Leong as Meizuo has a good solid story.He meets his dream girl, but sacrifices his love for her happiness.She already has a lover,but is afraid of expressing herself.XiMen finds Sancia’s friend in the end & happy.He is into tea making & has an unfinished business with his neighbour.But they agree that now the time is gone & emotions then are a thing of the past.Finding closure in both the subplots was really satisfying.
The meter necklace is the same.Many scenes are mostly the same.But the kick given by Sancia in front of the college is unique.The sister is very supportive & helps her to compete in the cooking competition.Sancia wins a special prize & is applauded by the F4.Finally she makes Sancia to choose between her three grooms,all except Ah Si come in groom’s garb.Ah Si comes in the end when Sancia refuses the others.So all is well in the end.
In the 2001 version,there is a sequel.So when Ah Si’s fiancee is taken care of in the sequel another girl appears.For a long 10-12 episodes,the usual people are absent & why are Ah Si & Yesha together?… because he loses his memory in Barcelona.Around 21st episode Sancia says why is her main role shifted to supporting one….God even we want to know! If it is a sequel how can the main lady remain elsewhere & only shed tears!! They turn to be your frustration too.
Stories of Ximen…him being a successful businessman & his parents proud of his achievement.After graduation he is on the right track. So is Meizuo.His mother is sending him on a date with a suitable girl & he is totally confused.It is fun to watch.He is at a loss when it comes to this girl.Finally he attends her cello performance & accepts that she is the one for him.Yesha is a princess from Bhutan & Ah Si’s mother is very happy with her.She has been always into name,fame,money & titles.So AhSi’s memory loss is working her way.She goes through a fake engagement & a deal to let Sancia work in the firm so Ah Si can see her every day & it may help to recover his memory.He does & then the story ends very fast.The last episode has both of them standing in the church where they should have at the beginning of the season.It is only 13 min long!
There is a fake cousin of Ah Si,who actually is better looking but nowhere in acting who gives Sancia flowers to remember him.Instead of Lei, here this cousin makes her ride a bus & Ah Si runs after her.The cousin has been managed by Ah Si’s mother.
Another pair of friends appear, Ah De & Mei who help Sancia when she loses her wallet.She gets her meteor ring back.The jinx is broken as now both have rings at the same time.
I found the sequel has many loopholes but there is a promise,so why not make it a separate story,it would make more sense.All the characters have matured.The cast members are more at ease.All four boys have longer hair & their acting is smooth.I wonder if I see them again but I would like that very much.Sancia has lost her chubbiness here & is more serious,but then her role demanded.Yesha has an autoimmune disease.Why? Isn’t it more melodramatic? Why has Sancia to be tested again & again?
I liked the pace & the way the story unfolds.It set forth so many versions,that in itself is a huge achievement.Barbie Hsu,Jerry Yan,Vic Chou,Vanness Wu,Ken chu make up the cast.”Can’t help falling in love with you” is hummable.With the ‘love you want’ plays in the background.More sequel …yes…there is meteor rain & also a meteor shower!Feels like too many celestial bodies around,lets stop …take a deep breath & start again. Happy viewing!
Asian Entertainment 