Meteor Garden (2018) User Reviews

As good as Boys Over Flowers

[magnoliacream · 9/10 · 2 February 2021]

Boys Over Flowers (Korean version) is one of my most favorite drama series of all time. I watched Meteor Garden due to Netflix recommendation and got the pleasantest surprise - I fell in love with it too, though I couldn't help comparing the two adaptations of the Japanese series Hana Yori Dango. Lee Min Ho of BOF and Dylan Wang of MG are equally gorgeous, talented and swoon-worthy. The female leads are both grating at first but grow on you as the dramas progress. The OST of BOF is superior to that of MG but after falling in love with Ai Cun Zai (Love Exists), I now consider the soundtrack of MG as not too far behind that of BOF.

BOF has more violence as well as scenes I rather not re-watch like when Gu Jun-pyo lost his memories and almost fell prey to the conniving Yumi. However, while MG is less painful to watch than BOF, I cried harder with MG. I also laughed harder. The bickerings between Daoming Si and Shancai are more amusing and titillating. Mix in the teasing from F3 and you'd just howl with laughter. Shancai's parents are also hilarious.

MG is a bit draggier than BOF. MG can probably shed off at least 3 episodes by dropping some side stories, removing repetitive flashbacks and making the characters move faster; I couldn't help mentally hurrying Shancai up the driveway of the Daomings' London residence.

The more I watch MG, the more impressed I am with Dylan Wang, a newcomer who was able to effectively portray the angst and passion of a young man deeply in love but clueless about how to treat his lady-love. Daoming Si's piercing gaze whenever he looks at Shancai would make any female heart flutter before melting.

Aside from the riveting love story, friendship is another key element of the series - acceptance of each other's absurdities and flaws, encouragement of each other's endeavors and forgiveness of each other's mistakes are so heart-warming, you'd just want to be part of that world. Thus, you might not be able to help yourself from watching it over and over.

Loved Almost Every Minute of It

[vas-16359 · 8/10 · 20 October 2018]

First I think it's funny how many say this is a copy of "Boys Over Flowers" when the original Meteor Garden they are both based on came out in 2001. Not to mention all on screen adaptations are based on the same book so it's going to be the same in many ways.

Now onto the remake of 2018. I loved this show. Granted I watched this prior to the other versions. In this version there was more character development and relationship building then in previous installments. I enjoyed the softer more likable F-4. Yes Shanchi was also a softer version and I would have liked to see a little more of the toughnesd it wasn't enough to ruin the show as a whole for me.

Here are the things I didn't care for. The side stories tend to be longer than neccessary. The flashbacks probably could have been cut back a bit. The push/pull back and forth of the relationship either by the leads or due to maternal interference got tedious by the end.

The ending is where the show lost 2 stars from me though. The last 2 episodes had way to many flashbacks and very little substance. Then they made the whole thing confusing and weird. They skipped what it was I really wanted to see (after they get the approval/wedding planning ect) and went to a weird sequence where frankly I had no idea what was going on. They rushed the wedding in a weird way. The entire ending was rushed after such a long drawn out series. It left a lot to be desired for me.

Overall, I really liked this drama. It was entertaining and interestingly developed until the final act.

Great show

[mz-gigglz18 · 9/10 · 24 July 2018]

I'm not one to watch something like this but I was hooked by the first episode. Romance and Comedy all in one. The cast is great and the storyline is great. Ready for more episodes!

Great Remake & Fun Journey!

[leslie-wagner-pmp · 10/10 · 15 July 2018]

This story was originally done in 2001 based off a Japanese Manga. I loved watching this and the version of the 2009 hit, 'Boys over Flowers'. The casting is fantastic in both! I adore the 'manga' like reactions and the storyline is very drama / romance with hilarity thrown into the mix. I can't get enough. It's a perfect Netflix add but I need MORE!

Sweet, but still suspensful

[loojo · 10/10 · 19 August 2018]

Having watched the 2001 original taiwanese version and being a HUGE fan of Boys over flowers I went into watching this series thinking it wouldn't be able to live up to it's successors. Despite being almost carbon copies of the previous two versions, this version stood up very well against them. Firstly, the actors are so attractive. Daoming Si and Huaze Lei are my favourites and the fact that I can't pick who I prefer between the two establishes the fact that the casting was done EXTREMELY well. Even the main character Shancai was sweet and innocent but still likeable. She definitely has that "naive" look I think the main character needs. The plot moved well and there were plenty of cute and romantic moments but a decent amount of tearjerking scenes to make this series not overly sugary and unrealistic. Lastly. THE SOUNDTRACK IS SO DAMN GOOD, I'm listening to it right now hehe. If you guys haven't started watching it yet I highly recommend to start! You won't regret it! :)

So Cheesy, but cannot stop watching it

[BeatriceC92 · 10/10 · 10 August 2018]

To be honest, I was never into chinese tv show before. Well, it was before Meteor Garden. This chinese drama is sweet, full of twist and turns and fun to watch. In fact, you get attached to all these characters. They are sweet, fun and cool. And believe me, i am so hook on it :)

LOVE IT

[ayhumie · 10/10 · 2 August 2018]

I really love this new version. i know nothing can top the original meteor garden but it's the cutest version of hyd, so fresh and modern. they stick with the plot of the manga but with less violence and less bullying which is the best part of mg 2018, they even stated at the beginning that the F4 respect woman, and this F4 is popular because they're really smart and talented, not only because they're rich and handsome. and it makes them more lovable. i think it's even better than the korean version

Weird ending

[izonme · 6/10 · 5 July 2020]

Really loved the cast and the story, which was very compelling. Then we have the last two episodes where Zhuang does a dance routine and then, while wearing her short-shorts dance costume, officiates their wedding. Wth? I wondered if Shancai had actually died or was in a coma and this was her brain fulfilling her dream as she passed on. So disappointed in the ending. Much happier with "Boys Over Flowers" which this was taken from.

Never thought I would be interested - WRONG!

[broc816 · 10/10 · 28 July 2018]

It is great to get hooked on something that makes the hours into minutes and you can't get to the next episode fast enough, hoping they don't run out soon!

Could be trimmed down

[cg-81575 · 6/10 · 2 May 2019]

While the show is often funny, and I really like the main character, there are multiple unnecessary plot lines and characters. However, it is worth it to at least try the show. The casting is good, and the influence of the original manga is nice.

Last 2 episodes

[boston-80105 · 10/10 · 1 January 2019]

Ok..so this was an accidental find for me. I wanted to watch Crazy Rich Asians and netflix kept popping up this movie recommendation. After the 5th time I gave in and figured while I wait for my movie to arrive I will kill time with this movie....Boy, was I in for a surprise!! I was hooked but proper after the first episode. (I am in my 40s, professional, white woman...so not quite the target audience..?) By the time my original intended dvd arrived it could not have possibly lived up to Meteor Garden. Now I tell all my close friends, siblings, and of course hubby that they must watch the show" as Romeo and Juliet won't hold a candle to this story. (Btw, fantastic cast and talent/ chemistry.) As for the last 2 episodes and the critics who don't get it. It's a dream/ brain chaos as Shancai is passing out. So do not take it literally! The question is how far back is reality and what part is her mind playing tricks on her. Keep in mind she is under considetable body stress (hunger, cold etc) and sleep deprivation. So I can't wait for season 2 to see if evil mom really gave in or not and what else the future holds for them. I tried to watch boys over flowers or whatever that show is called but found that one grotesque. (parodical mixed with sadistic in a very unnatural overacted way....) Kuddos to NETFLIX for their interpretation!!! I absolutely love Meteor Garden. I am addicted, looking up "learn chinese" videos on youtube, looking up chinese number meanings (and names) on google etc. I NEED SEASON 2!!!!

Final episode

[marrodriguezfmr · 6 September 2018]

I really liked this show I think it is an innocent love story and it contains some comedy couldn't stop watching it.However, I was truly disappointed with the last episode,I expected a very romantic ending in which Si and Shacai would finally be able to marry and live happily...

Dylan Wang Excels

[geewhiz46 · 7/10 · 12 June 2022]

This was a good series that could have been so much better. It was let down once again by a poor FL who was unbelievable in her role. She relies on her small stature to get roles - it makes the heroes look so tall and masculine. She is not a good actress - all she does is pop her eyes in surprise when she is about to be kissed. Of course as most Korean heroines have to wait thirty years for one I guess it must be a surprise to them. The story was entertaining - another rich guy poor gal romance which encountered all the usual obstacles of selfish hateful parentage and the presence of a male rival to keep the romance bubbling. It all began to fall apart when the two girls who hated the FL began to stir the pot. It beggared belief that these two would be invited on a holiday and once there put the FL and the ML in serious life threatening danger. Their punishment - clean the house? Not only but also these two were also invited the the final festivities - it was stupid. Then we had a lot of time wasting - five hours of it - with some girlfriend of one of the ML's pals.

Then there was the usual trope of the hero having to sacrifice his girlfriend for the sake of the business it was inevitable - as was their final reconciliation. His mother had the usual head transplant and was rehabbed which led to the final ruination of what could have been an excellent series - the wedding - only the writers know what that was all about. Utter nonsense - One wonders what gets into the writers heads these days. It only leaves me time to heap praise on Dylan Wang - he is a very good actor with a great stage presence - without him this would have sunk without trace. The only problem is the lack of kisses in this series - it is a love story for goodness sake and there was not one genuine passionate kiss between them - it beggars belief - but I have noticed this omission in other Dylan Wan series - he really needs to up his romantic interactions if he wants to remain a romantic hero.

Great start, but half way through becomes absurd with a billion flashbacks.

[armalis · 5/10 · 21 November 2019]

Casting for this show is great. I don't know which of the main actors is more adorable and their acting is fantastic. Doming Sci... Just wow! There is a bit where he is broken hearted and drunk that is Oscar worthy. Also Shazai looking for the necklace... Amazing acting all around.

After trying to watch a few shows from China, etc. and giving up after a few episodes I finally thought I found the one I could enjoy until the end. I loved it, until half way through where I almost felt like someone else was put in charge an the show and direction fell apart. The downfall begins with Caina.

For some reason they decided to give... I think it was five episodes - it felt like forever! - to this side character and her struggle deciding between a much older man (gross) she had a one night stand with and one of the F4 boys. For five episodes I suffered through a billon flashbacks, scenes of her getting drunk, and just absurd behaviors, while all the while I wanted to get back to the two adorable leads. Why? Why go on such a long, uninteresting tangent? Why on Earth should we, the audience, care about a character we barely met? At least if they showed the story from the point of the F4 boy that could have make sense, since the show is about Shanzai and the F4. If they had to do this, they could have done everything within a single, well-plotted episode. However, I would cut the entire section of the plot and burn the evidence. It was terrible. I'm not saying the actors were bad, just that that tangent had no purpose to the overall story.

After that, the show began killing me with flashbacks. I feel that if they removed all the flashbacks they could have cut the show by ten episodes. It's like the creators decided on fifty episodes and then had no ideas after a while. One of the first things I was taught in film was to use flashbacks sparingly. Even the length of the flashbacks! I think half of an episode became a flashback at some point. If used, flashbacks should be a few seconds of the character thinking back at crucial moments in the plot, not entire scene sequences.

After Caina, the plot mostly lost sense and cohesion. I liked that they stretch the reality of the show. It was well done in the beginning. Then it went completely absurd. Culminating in a bizarre wedding scene sequence I could not comprehend. What happened? Was it a dream? Was she kidnapped by 4F? Was it induced by drugs? Did they even get married?

Needless to say, I think I will stay away from Chinese shows for a while and stick to Korean. They have an excellent sense of timing and well-thought out plots.

It's such a shame, because this show had tremendous potential. I do hope to see the actors again, hopefully in a better plotted storyline.

The soundtrack is fantastic. I purchased a copy though I do not speak more than a couple of words of the language. It's a perfect blend of soft pop with a few edges.

Best Show Ever !!!

[apixielife · 10/10 · 11 August 2018]

I am one of the few that do not normally watch anything with subtitles. Yet, I to was hooked hard after just the first two episodes. The cast is phenominal, it all clicks beautifully. There is drama, comedy, happiness and sadness, I await my wed-fri fix. Sat-Tues I rewatch episode after episode. I know it states 48 episodes only, though I do hope so much they will make more. I tried Boys to flowers but shut it off after 20 min, to violent. The writter/s for Meteor Garden 2018 should take a bow!!:) Top notch show, I cannot stop raving about how fantastic it is. Grab some popcorn, some tissues and binge watch this soon to be epic classic.

Best version!

[gtrann · 9/10 · 18 August 2018]

I have read the manga and watched all the versions, including the anime. And this version is by far the best live action representation of the original story. Albeit they don't always get all the little good stuff in, like most movies and tv shows compared to the original book. But with the capture of the characters' personalities, they did a fantastic with the cast! The Caina and Meizuo story of course was a total waste of time, but I guess they wanted a opportunity for all F4 members to have their side stories. Anyways definitely give this one a shot!

Emotional roller coaster

[leahcubed · 10/10 · 27 January 2020]

This is the newest (Chinese) rendition of story that has been told a couple of times. In 2001 this was aired, under the same title, but with 27 episodes. It is also a retelling of a Japanese Manga "Boys Over Flowers." Reading the review on those I am actually glad I started with this because a consistent comment is that this telling in 49 episodes (45 minutes per episode) allowed for telling some side stories and greater character development which which were two of the things I really liked. In this version, Shen Yue plays the female lead, Dong Shang Cai. I loved her spunky nature. Those that had watched other versions did not like this element they felt that rather than responding to injustice she played it more like she had a chip on her shoulder. But I will say more about that in a minute. She works hard and finds herself in an elite university that has a boy group called F4 which is made up of the handsomest, wealthiest and most talented boys in the school. Of course, Shang Cai has a run in with them and, most particularly, their leader, Dao Ming Si (Dylan Wang). He is basically an arrogant bully and Shang Cai basically has no problem standing up to him because she doesn't hero worship people. That and her spunky nature, sets it up so these two main characters will have a lot to learn from each other. You begin to understand why he is the way he is and that just because someone appears to have everything does not mean that they do. His friends - the remaining three of F4 - Hua Ze Lei (Darren Chen), Yan Ximen (Caesar Wu), and Feng Meizuo (Connor Leong) were also arrogant and seemingly spoiled on the surface but as you got to know each of them you realized there was so much more to each. I loved Hua Ze Lei he was one of my favorites. He was there when he needed to be and not when he shouldn't be for all of the characters. I both loved and hated this movie deeply. I loved it because it was a well developed, beautiful story. The romantic story was wonderful but the relationship between the boys was equally moving. We all want friends like that. The way they all came to like her because they could see how happy she made their friend was one of my favorite parts. There are a lot of sad parts and I do not typically like anything that makes me feel sad. That was the part that I did not like. I cried, along with the characters, multiple times. But, in this case, the story was so good and ended so well I was willing to forgive it. You definitely have to understand the culture to get why they do certain things and I don't think you need to understand it up front but you do have to approach certain parts with a level of curiosity and seek out the answers if you don't understand. If you have immersed yourself you will likely get it but if you know little then you will not get certain things. I personally grew up in poverty and can tell you that some of the elements in this movie still exist within the culture I am most familiar with, the American culture. There was certain people that were sort of off limits because of their wealth and social standing. Much more subtle but definitely there. So I could identify with that. I know I will watch this again in the future (and not too distant) as I know I would gain even more if I watched it again. Grab some tissues if you are a crier and saddle up for a bit of an emotional roller coaster. You will be glad you did.

Amazing! Episode 3 i was hooked, please season 2

[annamd-90159 · 10/10 · 22 August 2018]

I loved it. Binge watched in a week entire season. Please let their be season 2. I need to see what happens next with shancai, and si....they are an amazing couple. And evil mommy needs a little karma. And id like to see shancai drop her guard more with si. How do we know if and when their would be a new season?

Big sis was a rockstar

[debbiecheryllayne · 7/10 · 25 November 2022]

This was second version of this tale I took in. Four in all now. Love male lead's wardrobe and his portrayal of character was top class. His mates were like cardboard cutouts. Flat and two-dimensional. But what I couldn't resist? Big sis. Every entrance, every wardrobe selection and every performance - she killed it. Just EPIC. Skipped scenes with others but never with her. Could neither resist nor move. Only character I missed when episodes past without a glimpse. Phenomenal!

Pineapple head is worthy of recommendation.

However, if one analyzes the four male leads only the primary lead was outstanding. At times the others were boring and uninteresting. Anytime the clothes you have on are more interesting than you, it is just sad.

Addiction Alert.

[claudiazappala · 10/10 · 18 August 2018]

This remake set the bar to a complete different level from the previous versions. The plot is too sweet, you can't help but fall in love with all of the characters personality. It's basically a timeless yet modern friendship/love story that will make you ask for more at the end of every episode. Let's just say Pride and Prejudice met Dawson's Creek/One Tree Hill/ The O.C (Chinese version of it all, of course). The script does work (they followed the Manga almost to the core), the young cast it's really good and the Main Leads (Shen Yue "A love so Beautiful" and Dylan Wang ) have great chemistry. Last but not least the OST: It's so good you will star singing in Mandarin in no time. I absolutely loved it. P.s It's available on Netflix Global.

Ruined at the very end

[Eri-Carbonara · 7/10 · 22 October 2020]

I really enjoyed the show up to the middle of episode 46. After that, it was a mix of long, boring montages and downright weird dream -like scenes that don't make sense or follow the pace of the rest of the show. My advice is to quit watching while you're ahead unless some sequel emerges- stop watching at 24 minutes of episode 46 (tea shop scene). It's not the most satisfying ending - but it's not the confusing disappointment that follows.

Again

[jegharikkeemail · 10/10 · 20 November 2020]

Now i have seen it again - i belive i have seen it now over 30 times - love it from the beginning to the end.

A decent remake

[gmc-linetta · 7/10 · 15 March 2022]

I watched this film after I had discovered c-drama The Rational Life featuring Dylan Wang on Netflix. In the course I also learned a lot about the Japanese manga and various remakes of the story. I enjoyed the 2018 version Meteor Garden because I found it a reasonably well rounded rom-com with attractive leads, good humour, good music, fashion and story. Looking past various film making techniques "typical" to c-dramas, I would say that in terms of directing and producing this film stands out among countless c-dramas and the lead actor Dylan Wang did a good job in portraying the character rather than just serving as a doll on set.

Are you worried about me ?

[alaningle7 · 5/10 · 17 November 2020]

Poor girl enters elite university and the elite club of four handsome talented rich lads are all enamoured by her. Based on the Japanese manga series boys over flowers, also a Korean tv series. We have the bad boy bullying assaulting and forcing himself on the poor girl even though he really has a heart of gold. I have an issue with it as though parts of it are well acted even though it is way too long the attitude towards women is archaic and misogynistic.

Amazing sooo cute!!

[rosegraham-53369 · 8/10 · 1 August 2018]

I clicked on this without expecting anything, but immediately I was hooked the cast are really great and funny and the friendship they have is so sweet, would Definitely recommend this series!