Completed
Mangatard
9 people found this review helpful
Apr 17, 2013
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
Since I had seen Hana Kimi (as a J-drama) 6 years ago, I sort of knew what the story was about and I was very curious to see how a Korean version would be.

I was very pleasantly surprised! Not only did it feel like I was watching a new story, it was very up to date. With that I mean it felt realistic and fun to watch. (Even though Sulli is obviously a beautiful girl and not a boy). The characters really grow on you and I really liked how the side-stories were told.

Sometimes it did feel like a Samsung commercial but whatevs, it didn't distract me too much from the story.

I really recommend watching this if you are a fan of romantic dramas like Heartstrings, Boys Over Flowers and You're Beautiful.

And it has Minho in it. ASDFGHJKL *u*

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Completed
1004_blue
5 people found this review helpful
Mar 12, 2015
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 5.5
Honestly... this was the second drama I ever watched, a long time ago. I rewatched a few bits of it recently (I need some Minho in my life...) And for a new drama-watcher, it's a good one to get on your feet and start taking notes of typical k-drama tropes.

There are a few problems I noticed while I rewatched, and a few of them were things I noticed when I watched it the first time.

I hadn't read Hana Kimi before (after I watched the show I went and read the manga... I recommend it), so I can't say that I was biased before hand. But I'll admit, the story was good if a bit slow at first. You can't help but feel bad for our honorary second lead Eun Gyeol, but Lee Hyun Woo managed to pull off that awkward bowl-cut-looking hair.

Speaking of bowl cuts... as beautiful as Sulli is, I didn't understand the casting. I honestly thought Eun Hye made a better boy in Coffee Prince. Sulli can act well, but maybe it was the hair... or the lips... or maybe the poor wardrobe stylist, but I didn't understand how those boys went for as long as they did without figuring out that Jae Hee was a girl. I can't bring myself to critique the god-given glory that is Choi Minho. Jezuz... that smile.

Overall, a light fluffy drama that's good for people just getting into K-dramas. I would also recommend the original manga and Japanese live-action as well.

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Completed
kori
5 people found this review helpful
Dec 12, 2013
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
I think I'll be bit biased considering I already read the manga, and I love gender benders, but here we are. This is the first version I watched of the Hana Kimi drama adaptations, so I was constantly comparing it to the manga while watching it, but all in all, I liked it.

Alright, the story is nothing new, considering what it is, but the writers seemed to really take away quite a few things. There wasn't much interaction between dorms, and it felt like it lacked more sports involvement.

The romance was typical, but during the drama I was somewhat annoyed with Jae Hee. She was almost TOO obsessed with Tae Joon, to the point that not only it was painful for me to watch Eun Gyeol, but where it almost seemed a little too odd that nobody caught on to how weird it was.

I tend to end up loving the supporting characters more than the mains, and this was no exception. I was supporting Eun Gyeol a lot, and watching as she flat out ignored him was pretty terrible. I had hoped there would be more tension with him, and he got more of a chance, but she seemed far too focused on Tae Joon.

The characters were fun (though I'm disappointed to find that Kayashima doesn't exist), and most of the actors did a good job. At some points the two leads seemed stiff, but I just kinda brushed it off. Yong Min made me laugh; I loved Seong Ri; and somehow Han Na was more likable near the end, but really really annoying in the entire first half.

Something I didn't like was that I could not keep the characters straight. Some of their names were mentioned, and their faces would be there, but it would be a while before they reappeared, or their names would later be brought up again and I would be lost. Or maybe I just should pay more attention. I was kind of disappointed that the doctor--Min Woo, was it?--didn't get as big of a role as in the manga, but eh.

The music was good, and I liked it. It was pretty fitting as well.

I personally would rewatch it, because it was just fun (aside from the painful Eun Gyeol parts when he's ignored). Then again, I'll be watching the the versions as well, so...

My suggestion: read the manga.

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Completed
Goliath1357
12 people found this review helpful
Oct 5, 2012
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
TTBY was a cotton candy drama (fluffy, light, sweet and cute). It didn't feature a lot of character development or growth and the situations and reactions were sometimes illogical and unrealistic. The acting was actually good all around, the actors each personified their characters well. I loved the music, although a bit repetitive, really fit the drama.
The Japanese version will always be my favorite due to the humor and Nakatsu but it wasn't without flaws. I loved the Zuo Yi Quan/Sano character in the Taiwanese version but the Rui Xi/Ashiya and Xiu Yi/Nakatsu characters could be very annonying at times. Compared to the Japanese and Taiwanese dramas, TTBY shared some elements with both while still maintaining it's own identity.
I enjoyed this drama for what it was. TTBY wasn't amazing or unique but it was fun and easy to get through.

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Completed
Nana87
14 people found this review helpful
Oct 6, 2012
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
Ok first of all if you are expecting to watch something similar to the manga don't even bother watching it.

The drama itself wasn't bad, but as an adaptation of the manga it just didn't deliver. The only thing that is similar to the manga is the cross-dressing, high jumping, all boys school, and i think that's about it. There were many things missing that is what makes Hana-kimi what it is, (gay doctor, dorm leaders, Kayashima(ability to see ghost), Nakao(kid following Namba)....ugh just too many things.

Japanese Vs Korean Version

When it comes to watching dramas I usually watch Korean(about 98% lol). But If I compare both versions I would definitely have to say the Japanese version is better. Makes me sad because I had high hopes for the Korean version. I really wasn't expecting them to make the same drama all over again, but like I said many things were just left out.

Anyways I don't think it was a bad drama overall, but yeah for hardcore Hana-Kimi fans it just didn't make it.

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Completed
i_am_andi
6 people found this review helpful
Oct 8, 2012
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 3.0
I haven't watch the other version of this drama so I really couldn't compare and I would not want to compare. I will base my judgement on the categories above.
7 for the story because its to high-schoolish (my term). If I were a teenager, I may score it an 8 or 9 for the story. I think its written and meant for teenagers.
7 for acting/cast because they've given justice to the character. special mention to lee hyun woo...I like him in this drama...specially his character...he's pretty cool.
10 for music because I like the songs.
3 I'd be honest to say its not the kind of story you wanna watch again and again
Overall 7 because, in fairness, its pretty good..I had fun watching it..though some scenes are corny at times because its not really for my age..but if you want to reminisce high-school..you may want to consider watching this. **wink**

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Completed
jayajikjik
7 people found this review helpful
Jun 4, 2013
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
I guess I'm a little biased because I love Choi Min Ho and SHINee but putting that aside, it's hard for a drama that was based off of a manga to be bad (when it comes to plot line at least). I love this drama because it's not to fast or too slow and character development is really lovely throughout the series. On top of that I feel that ALL of the actors are good and have a place in the show which I often don't feel in most dramas. Each of the characters are very important to the show and they all have definite purpose. I would definitely recommend this drama to all kpop/ drama fans especially. The music is absolutely fantastic! I would have to say that was my favorite part of the drama!

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Completed
saka_xd
10 people found this review helpful
Oct 5, 2012
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
For people who have read the original story and enjoyed the first adaptation of Hana Kimi (Japanese), then this would be disappointing. They changed some minor character's personalities and traits and added some of there own to add more drama, or so I think. If you were expecting it to be funny like the first Hana Kimi, then you would also be disappointed because this drama lacks that kind of humor. This version also changed minor minor events, that make the main characters seem superficial, like making the main guy, played by Minho, to be a celebrity and making the girl, played by Sullie, have a more fangirl-like reason to dress up as a boy.
Without comparing to the original, I thought that the actors and actresses were decent. I really liked who they picked for the girl role and thought she played her part very well. Also the main male role was also very well played. I wouldn't say that the rest of the cast was mediocre, but because they changed some of the personality traits, like the guy who is supposed to play the Korean version of Nakatsu, I got annoyed with them at times. All in all, the show was made into a good drama, but it's not something that I would deem as very great either.

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Completed
coffwalk Yun
3 people found this review helpful
Feb 13, 2020
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 7.5
It was really cute and funny, but it's not something I really loved. I know better dramas in this genre, so... I can't say it was masterpiece. But it is nice, that's it. So if you want drama, where story line has typical cliche like main point, you can try this. This is really innocent and cool and also you will see the Minho. That's probably why I watched it.

To The Beautiful You was one of the first dramas I ever watched so I have good opinion. It was really nice how I said before.

Also I apologize for my English, I don't have a good knowledge in that.

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Dropped 16/16
Aznavour
31 people found this review helpful
Sep 26, 2012
16 of 16 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 3.0
Story 3.0
Acting/Cast 3.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
In short: Looks fantastic, but is bland as hell. In kdramaland, one can forgive over-the-top dramatics or weirdness or-- er, pretty much anything -- but it's impossible to forgive bland.

The leads were never the most interesting members of their respective groups but they're charming enough as themselves in their idol "day jobs." However, as actors in this drama they're both pretty much dead on screen. They're not awful actors, but their limitations are painfully obvious in every scene,

Minho doesn't do much beyond stare into the middle distance and maybe take off his shirt once in a while. Sulli is pretty much playing a piece of cardboard: she just stands there looking astonished a lot, and every now and then has a really overblown crying scene. They have the combined chemistry of wet chalk. I was so embarrassed for them that I finally had to stop watching the show.

Lee Hyun-Woo is apparently the only cast member capable of evoking real humor and emotion. The girl who plays the viperous Han-na is forgettable, and is playing a badly written character besides. Kwanghee is always hilarious, no matter what.

SM has clearly thrown a lot of money into the "look" of this show. From every carefully framed HD shot of Sulli's tear-stained face to the hilariously unreal fantasy dorm rooms, this show looks great. But as with most SM efforts, throwing a lot of money or pretty at something doesn't actually make it... good.

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Completed
phantom_mom
7 people found this review helpful
Nov 9, 2012
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
Honestly I personally enjoyed this version better than the other versions. Choi Minho was too cute and I thought he looked familiar but I totally didn't realize he was from the group Shinee which I like a lot. I thought there were a lot of really cute/sweet scenes and the attraction between the two/three leads was very evident. Kang Tae Joon (Choi Minho) was so cute when he got flustered and was, I thought, a surprisingly good actor. The other boy lead Cha Eun Gyeo was way cute too and I also enjoyed his role. Though there were parts that did fall a little flat and areas where I thought more detail should have been added, over all I enjoyed all of it and I wasn't ever really bored with it at all. I thought it was a bit more serious then the Japanese or Taiwanese versions with not quite as much silliness though it still had its share. Also, it was harder to tell some of the other side characters apart in the Kversion where in the other versions especially the Japanese version the side characters were much more distinctive in their character and appearance, they just kind of got lost in this one. Also, it does tend to stay focused for the most part on the three main characters where the other versions encompassed the side characters more but that is probably what kept me interested as I don't always like to run off on a tangent with side characters to often.

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Completed
rainsgirl
6 people found this review helpful
Oct 20, 2012
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0
Hanakimi Korean version. ^-^

The visuals are amazing! Full of vivid colors and awesome 360 camera shots. LOVE IT!

Storywise: Since I am a big fan of the manga, I love that they followed the big plot lines and even got creative in mashing two characters into one. My only complaint is that:

1.They did not retain the colorful characters. It would have made the school more fun and vibrant.

2. It would have been better if they have followed how Sano from manga discovered He was a SHE. That way I am not confused and wondering why would a guy care about the main lead girl knowing its a guy while I am watching. I keep thinking in my head, ohh i think he knows, but maybe not, then why does he take notice of everything Jae Hee does. specially with the creepy dude!

But all in all I am still happy, specially with the ending! thumbs up to that!

Character:
Minho
In my opinion out of all the Sano's portrayal, Minho's portrayal is the best. He's more athletic, he's excellen in acting Sano's different sides: angsty, raging hormones, protective, competitive. He shows promise and just needs a little more progress in the fiery passion in expressing "love" emotions.

Sulli: She's too tall for my liking that sometimes when shes with the guys she really blends in. :) However her acting is really good except for the shock expressions from confessions. Maki is still good for me.

Hyun Woo: This guy is the reason why I'm watching the show. He is just amazing on his portrayal with his character. He makes me laugh when he's cute, makes me laugh even harder with his crazy antics and his crazy imaginations.

OVERALL:
This drama is still a good watch despite of its flaws. If you are looking for a high school drama and in favor of goofiness and cuteness, then try watching this drama.

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To the Beautiful You (2012) poster

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  • Ranked: #5314
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