| Notice This television series is a loosely-based, unofficial and/or unlicensed adaptation of Boys Over Flowers. It is not officially connected to the franchise and should not be considered to be. |
Boys Before Friends is an American web series loosely-based on the Japanese manga, Boys Over Flowers by Yoko Kamio. The production team stated later on that the series is an "original work," likely due to copyright reasons. It was created and written by Kel and Eriden Williams.[1] The web series was first announced in mid-2013[2] and began airing on December 26 of the same year.[3]
The series was plagued with production issues, including financial and casting. Notably, the lead actors were changed mid-way through. Boys Before Friends abruptly ended at six episodes and one special, though it was originally planned for sixteen. The series received a lot of criticism from fans, mostly aimed at the production values.
The story follows the strong-willed heroine, Zoey Taylor (Tsukushi Makino) after she transfers to Ellison University. The school is controlled by Liam Montgomery (Tsukasa Domyoji), leader of the powerful clique called the F4.
Premise[]
Ellison University is a school for the rich and elite, meaning only the best of the best. However, once a year they hold auditions open to "common people" for scholarships. Zoey Taylor (Claude Racine; Dawn Morrow), an aspiring dancer, auditions and gets accepted into the college. Once there though she finds that her dream college is not as perfect as it seemed. The college is ruled by four rich kids, Liam Montgomery (Joseph Almani), Oliver Young (Trenton L. Culkin), Noah McCallister (Jason S. Mordeno), and Chase Carlton (Erik Thomas), who call themselves the F4. Initially, Zoey stays away from them, but eventually stands up to them for her new friend, Aubrey Fairchild (Renae Leniece). Zoey is relentlessly bullied, until she fights back with the help of good friends, Piper Davis (Jackie Aviera) and Chloe James (Suteara Vaughn).[4][5]
Cast and characters[]
Claude Racine, Dawn Morrow, and Rose Guess as Zoey Taylor (Tsukushi Makino)
- A talented dancer, who wins a scholarship for Ellison University. Her dream is to become a professional choreographer. She is a headstrong, middle-class girl, and always fights for what is right. Zoey is the first person to stand up to the F4.
Joseph Almani and Kevin Markovic as Liam Montgomery (Tsukasa Domyoji)
- The F4's leader, whose grandfather built Ellison University. He is extremely talented and the school's star basketball player. Liam becomes smitten with Zoey after she stands up to him, but does not how to express himself.
Trenton L. Culkin as Oliver Young (Rui Hanazawa)
- A music genius and only sweet member of the F4. His family is "music royalty" with a huge amass of Grammys. He becomes good friends with Zoey.
Jason S. Mordeno as Noah McCallister (Akira Mimasaka)
- An "uber-rich" playboy at Ellison. There are rumors that he has connections with the mafia. He is also an exceptionally good fighter. Noah develops an attraction to Zoey's older friend, Chloe.
Erik Thomas as Chase Carlton (Sojiro Nishikado)
- The number one artist out with a hit album. He is a smooth talking playboy, whose parents own an electronics firm. Chase pursues Zoey's friend, Piper.
| Character | Actor | Counterpart | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aubrey Fairchild | Renae Leniece | Makiko Endo Sakurako Sanjo |
Zoey's new friend |
| Brian Taylor | Michael Milford | Haruo Makino | Zoey's father |
| Brock | Shane R. Kennedy | F4 henchman | |
| Chloe James | Suteara Vaughn | Sachiyo Sengoku | Zoey's mentor |
| Chris | Dominic Elliott-Spencer | Kimoto | Ex-victim, turned F4 henchman |
| Derek | Matt Poeschl | F4 henchman | |
| Fiona Jensen | Mikayla S. Campbell | Shigeru Okawahara | |
| Jade Jones | Amanda Paddock | ||
| Jessica | Janina Sanchez | Minako Yamano | Mean Girl lackey |
| Krissy | Tiffany Daniels | Yuriko Asai | Mean Girl leader |
| Nikki | Alexia Quinn | Erika Ayuhara | Mean Girl lackey |
| Piper Davis | Jackie Aviera | Yuki Matsuoka | Zoey's best friend |
| Riley Jensen | Andrew Klasnic | Junpei Oribe | Zoey's model friend |
| Roger[8] | Paul S. Tracey | Teaching assistant |
Staff[]
- Original work: Boys Over Flowers by Yoko Kamio (unofficial)
- Director: Kel Williams
- Writers: Kel Williams, Eriden Williams
- Director of photography: Sean Talbott
- Second camera operator: Alex Laber
- Editors: Plaban Bagchi, Prerna Siddharth
- Make-up: Taschi Lynell
- Hair: Audrey Janelle
- Wardrobe: Renae Leniece, Cassidy Miller
- Set photography: Krista Walls
- Music: Jackie Averia, Kel Williams, Eriden Williams
- Production assistants: Jacob Omar, Cristalin Solis, Peter Scale
- Executive producers: Willkinn Media, S.D.G. Group, Lisa Song, V. Adelson, MFA Group, Mykie Milford
Production[]
A project to produce an American adaptation of Boys Over Flowers was announced through a Kickstarter campaign in mid-2013.[2] It was helmed by WillKinn Media (formerly Wazego Collective). The campaign raised $1,252 of their goal of $100,000.[9] The producers stated that they wanted to "stay true" to the original manga and "do something different and unique to USA television."[10] The production had the working title of Between Boys & Friends.[11] On September 23, 2013, it was announced that Joseph Almani, Trenton Culkin, Napoleon Tavale, and Jason S. Mordeno, would be portraying the F4.[12] Riley Rae Baker was cast to play the female lead.[13] Baker was replaced by Claude Racine, who was then replaced by Dawn Morrow.[14] Tavale was replaced by Erik Thomas.[15]
Filming was slated to begin on October 12, 2013 in Los Angeles.[16] The date was later pushed to November 7.[17] It was originally planned for them to film sixteen episodes.[10] After the first episode was produced and released, the production experienced delays for the following two episodes. Furthermore, Morrow and Almani were suddenly let go.[15] They were replaced by Kevin Markovic and Rose Guess.[18] Boys Before Friends was subsequently halted, but the producers later hoped to continue it in the future.[19] They attempted to crowfund the series on Fund Anything, reaching $996 of their $100,000 goal.[20] On February 22, 2014, WillKinn Media filed a lawsuit against three of the actors for blackmail, libel, extortion and defamation.[21]
Reception[]
Prior to airing, the casting of older actors received criticism from Japanese internet users.[22] Additionally, many American viewers thought it was unrealistic for the setting to be changed to college instead of high school.[23] Further criticism was leveled at the show's editing, lighting, characterization, and acting.[24]
Promotional images[]
Notes[]
- The production never confirmed if they obtained the copyright to do Boys Over Flowers, but it is unlikely that they did.
- The project is similar to Meteor Shower in some respects. Both productions intended on obtaining the copyright to remake Boys Over Flowers, but were unable to for different reasons.
References[]
- ↑ http://www.bbfseries.com/About.html (Archive)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/4919513.html
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3174316/episodes?season=1&ref_=tt_eps_sn_1
- ↑ http://www.bbfseries.com/about.html
- ↑ Episode 1, Boys Before Friends
- ↑ http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2013/09/23-1/cast-of-american-boys-over-flowers-remake-introduced
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3174316/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast
- ↑ http://internationalfangirl.blogspot.com/2014/01/recap-boys-before-friends-episode-1.html
- ↑ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1861805373/boys-over-flowers-american-series-version
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 https://mydramalist.com/article/2013/09/21/boys-over-flowers-american-remake-ask-your-questions
- ↑ http://internationalfangirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-many-faces-of-boys-over-flowers_25.html
- ↑ https://omonatheydidnt.livejournal.com/11841638.html
- ↑ https://mydramalist.com/article/2013/09/22/mdl-exclusive-boys-before-flowers-american-remake-cast-picks
- ↑ http://internationalfangirl.blogspot.com/2013/12/boys-before-friends-final-leading-lady.html
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 http://internationalfangirl.blogspot.com/2014/01/boys-before-friends-cast-overhaul.html
- ↑ https://japantoday.com/category/entertainment/american-casting-for-hana-yori-dango-boys-over-flowers-tv-series-receives-harsh-japanese-criticism
- ↑ http://www.bbfseries.com/index.html
- ↑ http://internationalfangirl.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-latest-leads-of-boys-before-friends.html
- ↑ http://bbfseries.com/
- ↑ http://fundanything.com/en/campaigns/boys-before-friends
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/345yuo/anyone_remember_boys_before_friends/
- ↑ https://soranews24.com/2013/10/08/american-casting-for-hana-yori-dango-boys-over-flowers-tv-series-receives-harsh-japanese-criticism/
- ↑ http://readbyheather.blogspot.com/2013/12/boys-before-friends-episode-one.html
- ↑ http://www.charmedlass.com/2014/01/boys-before-friends-episode-1.html
See also[]
| Unlicensed adaptations | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Further reading[]
- OhSoEnthusiastic (March 20, 2020). The Failure of Boys Before Friends. Mydramalist.
