Why Why Love 换换爱

Two years after "Devil Beside You" (恶魔在身边), the same Production Team has once again gathered these three idols of the young generation to cast in the new series "Why Why Love" (换换爱). Started airing in Taiwan since 3 June 2007, this series has hit No. 1 in Taiwan recently. With better story line, improved acting skills and many meaningful messages conveyed besides romance are all the highlights.

The Lucky-Draw Coupon Stall

The story begins when Tong Jia Di (童嘉蒂) meets the Huo Brothers at a Charity Carnival organized by the Huo's Departmental Store. Jia Di is working part-time with her best friend Jiang Xiao Nan (江小南) at one of the stalls, selling lucky-draw coupons. By paying the amount stated on the coupon, one can exchange services written on the coupon such as manicure, hair styling, massage etc. Thanks to the mischievous Xiao Nan, Jia Di owes the younger brother Huo Da (霍达) a 7-day service of Angel & Master. And the elder brother Huo Yan (霍彦) gets the coupon of love.

Angel & Master Coupon - 7-day service

Coupon of Love

To work and earn money is the motto of Tong Jia Di. From a single-parent family, she has no choice but to work hard and pay the debt her father left behind. She never dare to day-dream about love, as she has no time for it, until her 20th birthday...

Rainie Yang (杨丞琳) as Tong Jia Di (童嘉蒂)

After wishing for clearing off her family's debt as soon as possible, and also to stay healthy for the whole year in order to work for more money, she gives her 3rd wish to Xiao Nan. Again, the mischievous Xiao Nan wishes for Jia Di to get the phone number of the 10th guy passing in front of them. And guess who...

Motorcycle Racing
Abunai ne~~ @@|"

"Blue" is slightly ahead = Guy #10

Ended up in the Hospital...
Muahahaha...sorry, just can't control myself
XD

Huo Da is the second son of the Director of Huo's Departmental Store, Huo Zhen Hao (霍振浩). He hates his dad & elder brother, because his own mum died of depression due to his dad's love affair. (That's right, Huo Da & Huo Yan has different mother.) Since his mum passed away, he has been the most bad-tempered and rebellious person as he can be.

Mike He (贺军翔) as Huo Da (霍达)

As he is on wheel chair due to the accident, Huo Da exchanges the Angel & Master coupon with Jia Di to be his maid + nurse for 1 week. Within the 1 week, like a jigsaw puzzle, he starts to put pieces of his gentleness together, under the influence of Jia Di. This part seems a bit like "Full House" (浪漫满屋), but I really like the way they quarrel, extremely funny! LOL

Huo Da throwing pop-corns all over the floor
Pity Jia Di as the maid

Manual Tumble Dry!
At least he starts to help, good work Bao Dao Ah Xin (宝岛阿信)~~

Totally opposite from his younger brother, Huo Yan is a gentleman inside out. He is the General Manager of the Huo's Departmental Store, and bears a heavy burden and responsibility for the company. From his childhood memory, he was "sold" by his mum to the Huo's Family. Since then, he hates his mother of abandoning him, and focuses his energy in doing everything in excellence to adapt to his new family. He is Jia Di's "Guy #10", and he is happy to be in her company.

Kingone /Wang Chuan Yi (王传一) as Huo Yan (霍彦)

Prince charming is always in time to rescue our poor Cinderella

Yang Yan Shu (杨妍书) is the childhood friend of both Huo Da & Huo Yan. As a manager at Huo's Departmental Store, she is the best helper for Huo Yan in the company. She admires Huo Yan since young, but Huo Da is the one having feelings for her. So, she kind of freak out when Jia Di becomes the center of attention for both the Huo Brothers.

Judy as Yang Yan Shu (杨妍书)

Jiang Xiao Nan is Jia Di's best pal. She plays an important role in intertwining Jia Di's fate with the Huo Brothers. After all, if not because of her brilliant ideas, Jia Di will never have cross path with Huo Yan & Huo Da.

Chen Yan Xi (陈妍希) as Jiang Xiao Nan (江小南)

This is one of my favorite scenes:
The dialogs are so funny, and touching~~

Drunken Jia Di on Huo Da's back

Huo Da: I wanna tell you a secret. Bao Dao Ah Xin! Jia Di! Shoujou Obasan! You are very cute. I mean, by not caring about your 'cup', accepting your market-Obasan style, and ignoring the fly on your face, you are really very cute.

(You, who worries about your friends;
You, who seriously bargains for lower price;
You, who helps me to copy lecture notes;
You, who makes me sushi;
You, who picks up NT$1;
You, who plants Mr. Sweet Potato Leaf;
You, who makes funny faces;
You, who sings me the 'smiley' song)

Really, very cute!

Ending Theme - Que Yang (缺氧) by Rainie Yang (杨丞琳):

Hana yori Dango 2 Returns

After a year of the 1st season's finale, Hana yori Dango 2 Returns with full glamor in January 2007, spanning 11 episodes on TBS until March 2007. Besides the original cast from the 1st season, the list of Guests for this new season is remarkable and full of surprises.

The last season ended with Makino Tsukushi (牧野つくし) confessing her love to Do-myo-ji Tsukasa (道明寺司), before he left for New York to continue his studies. During his stay in New York, something awful occurred, which totally changed Tsukasa's attitudes towards his responsibility as being the heir of the Domyoji Finance Group. He stopped contacting Tsukushi, cutting off his feelings for her and putting all his effort into the company instead.

Matsumoto Jun (松本潤) as Do-myo-ji Tsukasa (道明寺司)

Missing Tsukasa very badly, Tsukushi is encouraged by the F4, especially Hanazawa Rui (花沢類) to go to New York. Fortunately, Tsukushi's father won the 1st prize in Bingo at his company's dinner, a 2-way ticket to New York. So, off she goes to find her love in New York.

Tsukushi's family staring at the prize unbelievingly

Inoue Mao- (井上真央) as Makino Tsukushi (牧野つくし)

Although Tsukushi meets Tsukasa again, he is cold at her and is always busy with his job. Even the other members of the F4 cannot help much, as Tsukasa does not reveal what is troubling him. Disappointedly, they head back to Japan. During the time when Tsukushi is feeling down, Tsukasa's sister, Do-myo-ji Tsubaki (道明寺椿) shows up and gives her the usual support, which Tsukushi needed most.

Do-myo-ji Tsubaki (道明寺椿) treating Tsukushi on Sushi to cheer her up

Shortly, Tsukasa is ordered back to Japan by his mother, Do-myo-ji Kaede (道明寺楓). She organizes a special birthday party for Tsukasa and announces his engagement to O-kawahara Shigeru (大河原滋), the daughter of an Oil Tycoon.

Tsukasa's mother announces his engagement with Shigeru on his birthday party

The surprised Tsukasa confronting his mother

Kato- Natsuki (加藤夏希) as O-kawahara Shigeru (大河原滋)

The other F4 members are amused by Shigeru's innocent personality

For the sake of the Domyoji Finance Group, Tsukasa accepts the arrangement from his mother and starts dating Shigeru. At the same time, Rui begins to express his feelings towards Tsukushi. Well, it's getting a little love complex from here on, but true love won't be defeated that easily right?

Oguri Shun (小栗旬) as Hanazawa Rui (花沢類)

In order to force Tsukasa to marry Shigeru, Kaede plays a few nasty tricks, including retrenching Tsukushi's dad. Losing her home, Tsukushi moves to a very old flat with her brother, while her parents move to the seaside and work in the fishery industry. However, thanks to Tsukasa, an "up roaring" accident happened at the old flat causing Tsukushi to lose her home once again. She is then invited by Tsubaki to stay at the Do-myo-ji residence, whereby she insists on working as a maid in return.

Tsukushi as a maid at the Do-myo-ji residence

The house chore at the Do-myo-ji residence is managed by Tama (玉), a very old lady who has been working for the Do-myo-ji family over 60 years. Mischievously, she instructed Tsukushi to be the private servant of Tsukasa, which overwhelmed Tsukasa with joy.

Sasaki Sumie (佐々木すみ江) as Tama (玉)

Tsukasa is overjoyed to have Tsukushi as his private servant

Tsukushi's best pal since childhood, Matsuoka Yu-ki (松岡優紀) is also facing love problem. She is in love with Nishikado So-jiro- (西門総二郎), one of the F4 members. But he still cannot forget his first love, Hinata Sara (日向更).

Matsuda Shouta (松田翔太) as Nishikado So-jiro- (西門総二郎) Nishihara Aki (西原亜希) as Matsuoka Yu-ki (松岡優紀)

Kanjiya Shihori (貫地谷しほり) as Hinata Sara (日向更)

Tsukushi and Yu-ki visits Mimasaka Akira's (美作あきら) house one day and finds it extremely cute!

Nishimura Tomomi (西村知美) as Akira's Mum

Akira's Twin Sisters
Abe Tsuyoshi (阿部力) as Mimasaka Akira (美作あきら)

I was surprised to see Ikuta Toma (生田斗真) and Toda Erika (戸田恵梨香) as the guest actor & actress in this season. Toma starring only in episode 1, while Erika in episode 10 & 11. Of course, they are the bad guys...

Ikuta Toma (生田斗真) as Oribe Junpei (織部順平)
His latest cast as Nakatsu Shuichi (中津秀一) in "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e" is hilarious!

Toda Erika (戸田恵梨香) as Nakashima Umi (中島海)
Familiar? Catch her in Death Note the Movie.　

Full of surprises ne~~ No wonder Hana yori Dango 2 has even higher viewer ratings than the 1st season.

Kissing at the Ebisu Garden Place (恵比寿ガーデンプレス )Tokei Hiroba (時計広場)

The opening theme song is again from Arashi (嵐) - "Love So Sweet":

Utada Hikaru's "Flavor of Life" is so sad but beautiful:

Hana yori Dango 花より男子

Hana yori Dango (団子) is a Japanese proverb, which means "Dumpling rather than Flower", in other words, it is more practical to choose food over flower. But the author altered the title to Hana yori Dango (男子) ~~"Boys rather than Flower".

Hana yori Dango is actually a Japanese Manga dated back since 1992. The Taiwanese drama "Meteor Garden" was later on produced in 2001 based on this manga. It turned out a big hit in Asia, creating a popular idol group called F4 alongside with it. A new Japanese version was then aired on TBS on October till December 2005.

Makino Tsukushi (牧野 つくし) feels really out of place in Eitoku Gakuen (英徳学園), the elevator school for elites, as she herself is from a poor family. The story begins when Tsukushi receives the red note from a group called "F4", abbreviation for "Flower 4", which comprises of four rich and handsome guys, whose wealthy family background enables them to overpower the school.

Inoue Mao- (井上真央) as Makino Tsukushi (牧野 つくし)

Under the order of F4, Tsukushi is bullied by the whole school. With the spirit of the "weed" she is named after, Tsukushi starts to fight back, and declares war with the F4's leader, Do-myo-ji Tsukasa (道明寺司) by giving him a punch in the face.

Matsumoto Jun (松本润) as Do-myo-ji Tsukasa (道明寺司)

Growing up lonely and lacking love from his family, Tsukasa is violent and bad-tempered. Noone has ever dare to challenge him till then. Shocked by Tsukushi's reaction, Tsukasa begins to notice the uniqueness of Tsukushi and falls in love with her. However, having being saved several times when in danger, Tsukushi actually had a crush on Hanazawa Rui (花沢類).

Oguri Shun (小栗旬) as Hanazawa Rui (花沢類)

Rui is the quietest but the most observant among the F4. Most of the time, he will just laze around, reading books as if nothing in the world is of his interest. Nothing but To-do- Shizuka (籐堂静), his childhood friend, working as a model in Paris.

Sada Mayumi (佐田真由美) as To-do- Shizuka (籐堂静)

Tsukushi at Shizuka's Party

Nishikado So-jiro- (西門総二郎) is the heir of the Tea Ceremony family. He is the most outspoken and frank guy in the F4. Kind of a playboy due to a sad memory of his past love (shown in the second season).

Matsuda Sho-ta (松田翔太) as Nishikado So-jiro- (西門総二郎)

The Japanese Tea Ceremony (茶道)

Mimasaka Akira (美作明) is the peacemaker among the F4 whenever they have a fight with each other. He is from a Yakuza family (the Japanese MAFIA). His type of women are normally older ladies, which is later on discovered to be caused by the special behavior (too cute & dreamy) of his mum & sis.　

Abe Tsuyoshi (阿部力) as Mimasaka Akira (美作明)

Matsuoka Yuki (松岡優紀) is Tsukushi's childhood friend. Both of them is working together at a Dango Shop (団子屋) after school. Most of the time, Tsukushi will consult her opinions when she is troubled. Yuki is a good listener and Tsukushi's best friend in lending a helping hand. She falls in love with So-jiro-, shown in the second season.

Nishihara Aki (西原亜希) as Matsuoka Yuki (松岡優紀)

Kato- Takako (加藤貴子) as Sengoku Sachiyo (千石幸代), owner of the Dango Shop

Do-myo-ji Tsubaki (道明寺椿) is Tsukasa's elder sister, who is married to Los Angeles under the arrangement of her mother for the benefits of Do-myo-ji International Finance Group. Having to lose her true love for the sake of the arranged marriage, she whole-heartedly supports Tsukushi & Tsukasa to tackle all challenges set by her mother.

Matsushima Nanako (松島菜々子) as Do-myo-ji Tsubaki (道明寺椿)

Do-myo-ji Kaede (道明寺楓) is Tsukasa's mother, the Director of Domyoji International Finance Group. Busy with her company, she never has time for Tsukasa and neglects him of love and care. She disapproves the love between his son with Tsukushi, as their marriage will not help to strengthen her company status. She is the biggest obstacle that Tsukasa will have to overcome in order to be with Tsukushi. Some sort of a wicked witch in Snow White.

Kaga Mariko (加賀まりこ) as Do-myo-ji Kaede (道明寺楓)

Thumbs up for Hana yori Dango. I could not help myself but keep on pursuing for the next episode once I start to watch this drama. In the beginning, I prefer Rui to Tsukasa as the prince charming for Tsukushi. However, as the drama progresses, Tsukasa is just too cute and I couldn't resist hoping that Tsukushi will choose him.

Romantic Kiss at Sunset

Saturn Necklace

A gift from Tsukasa - Saturn Necklace

Christmas present from Tsukushi

Happy Tsukasa

The opening theme song is "Wish" by Arashi (嵐). The MV is so cute! Very sweet, reminds me of Christmas. Check this out, you'll find Matsumoto Jun (the actor of Do-myo-ji Tsukasa) as one of the singers.

The ending theme "Planetarium" by O-tsuka Ai (大塚愛) is just too beautiful.