After having watched the Japanese version and loved it so much that I sought out the Korean version - this was the third adaptation of the Hana Yori Dango manga for me. The most addictive qualities of this series are very much present in this version as well. The things that Dao Ming Si say, and his endless longing glances at Shan Cai, are enough to make anyone weak at the knees. However, at the same time it's his love for her that give birth to a couple of truly disturbing scenes. Violence and possessiveness is a part of Si's nature in a shocking way. This wasn't there in the Korean or Japanese versions. It made Meteor Garden hard to watch. Hadn't it been for those scenes I would have had no qualms giving the drama a 9 or 10. Simply for how kick-ass Shan Cai is and the way Si makes my knees wobble. As I see it, HYD is a mash-up of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and her other books. The arrogant Dao Ming Si and the introverted Hua Ze Lei represent the dual aspects of Mr Darcy's personality. Si's domineering mother is Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Don't let the fact that this is from 2001 scare you off. It's a timeless story. Even crazy hair, bad outfits and old cell phones can't distract you from the heart at its core. (Plus, he loses the headband and pineapple-hairdo a couple of episodes in. :) ) My advice is: Watch! But be prepared for a flawed hero that wouldn't work outside of the realm of pure fantasy. The pluses: + Shan Cai's reactions feel more convincing than in any other version of the series, and are full of girl-power + The way that the character are explained and the story plays out makes more sense than in any other version + The music is less imposing and annoying than in the J&K-versions The minuses: - Si's violent and possessive tendencies are on occasion creepy and downright shocking - The sound and other production values leave something to be desired