Boys Over Flowers (2009 TV series)

Boys Over Flowers is a South Korean television drama series broadcast on KBS2 in 2009. It is based on the Japanese manga series Hana Yori Dango written and illustrated by Yoko Kamio. The series is a coming-of-age romantic drama centered around a working-class girl who becomes entangled with the wealthy and powerful group of boys known as F4.

The plot follows Geum Jan-di, a resourceful and independent girl who runs a dry cleaning business with her family. After saving a student from committing suicide at the prestigious Shinhwa High School, she is offered a scholarship to attend the institution. There, she encounters F4, the four wealthiest and most influential boys in the school: Gu Jun-pyo, Yoon Ji-hoo, So Yi-jung, and Song Woo-bin. Led by the arrogant and charismatic Gu Jun-pyo, F4 rules the school and bullies anyone who crosses them.

Geum Jan-di stands up to F4, earning their wrath but also catching the attention of Gu Jun-pyo. The series explores the complex relationships between Jan-di and the members of F4, particularly her budding romance with Gu Jun-pyo and her connection with the sensitive and artistic Yoon Ji-hoo.

Boys Over Flowers deals with themes of social class, wealth, bullying, love, and friendship. It was a major success in South Korea and throughout Asia, contributing significantly to the Korean Wave (Hallyu). The series helped launch the careers of its lead actors, including Lee Min-ho, Ku Hye-sun, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Bum, and Kim Joon. Numerous remakes of the Hana Yori Dango manga have been produced in various countries, but the Korean version remains one of the most popular and influential.