'Boys Over Flowers' to 'Coffee Prince': 5 Korean dramas with remakes across Asia

There are times when you wish you could erase your memory, just so you can watch your favourite drama once again. The thrill as Jan-di kicks Jun-pyo in the stomach for being such a jerk in Boys Over Flowers, or the shock when Han-gyeol realises Eun-chan’s true identity in Coffee Prince, these are all experiences we would like to experience once more, with no prior memory. So here are some of your favourite K-dramas with one or more remakes. Maybe your favourite K-drama itself could be a remake of another drama. So check out these remakes and originals. You might even end up finding them better than the Korean versions you love so much.

Boys Over Flowers

First on the list is the famous Boys Over Flowers, starring the Hallyu star Lee Min-ho (The Heirs fame) and Koo Hye-sun (known for Blood). A cultural phenomenon, the drama is based on the Japanese manga of the same name, which was adapted multiple times in various forms, including dramas and films. Telling the story of the F4 and the girl who took a stand against them, attracting the attention of the leader of the gang, Boys Over Flowers has four official drama remakes, excluding the Korean version. They are the following:

Meteor Garden (2001) - Taiwanese version | Hana Yori Dango (2005)- Japanese version (The second male lead- Shun Oguri later went on to act in Godzilla vs. Kong) | Meteor Garden (2018)- Chinese version | F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers (2021)- Thai version.

Each version is quite popular, with the latest version, F4 Thailand, gaining international popularity. Coincidentally, the main actor in each version has become a famous figure in their industry. With unofficial remakes in multiple other languages (including Hindi) as well, be sure to check out the other versions of this masterpiece.

You’re Beautiful

A drama that is believed to have overtaken the popularity of Winter Sonata in Japan, You’re Beautiful is a 2009 K-drama starring Park Shin-hye(The Heirs fame) and Jang Keun-suk (known for Love Rain and The Case of Itaewon Homicide) in the lead roles. The story of a young girl who impersonates her twin brother and takes his place in a boy band as a new member while he undergoes plastic surgery, this is a romantic gender bender drama with a load of second-lead and even third-lead syndrome. Min-yeo (Park Shin-hye) slowly starts falling for Tae-kyung (Jang Keun-suk), the cold and arrogant leader of the band.

This drama has two remakes: A Taiwanese version: Fabulous Boys (2013), and a Japanese version: Ikemen desu ne (2011). One of the main leads of the original version makes a cameo in each of these versions.

Princess Hours

Princess Hours is yet another drama that contributed to the Korean Wave back in its time. This 2006 drama tells the story of Chae-kyong, portrayed by Yoon Eun-hye (Coffee Prince fame). In a parallel universe where Korea is still under a monarchy, she is betrothed to the Crown Prince Lee-shin, portrayed by Ju Ji-hoon(known for The Kingdom). Although initially they both hate each other's company, they gradually fall in love. The drama shows Chae-kyong’s life as she learns the royal family's customs and slowly wins the people's hearts.

A hit across Asia, the drama was remade in Thai as Princess Hours Thailand. A much more Westernised version, be sure to check this one out, especially if you want to see the Crown Prince being unconsciously dragged into his wife’s clumsiness, and actually enjoying it.

Playful Kiss

This Korean drama received international popularity and earned a cult following, although its ratings were low in the country. The story of clumsy and carefree Ha-ni, who falls for and persistently pursues her polar opposite, the studious and perfectionist Seung-jo, this drama is based on the popular Japanese manga Itazura na Kiss. With tropes like ‘She fell first, he fell harder’ and ‘Forced cohabitation’, this is a fun rom-com to enjoy. But even if you did not love this drama, there are many other versions of it, which are said to be much better than the Korean one, listed below:

Itazura na Kiss (1996) - Japanese; It Started with a Kiss (2005) and They Kiss Again (2007) - Taiwanese; Mischievous Kiss (2013) and Mischievous Kiss (2015)- Japanese; Kiss Me (2015)- Thai; Miss in Kiss (2016)- Taiwanese are the other remakes of this drama. Other than this, many movies and even an anime have been released based on the original manga. Be sure to check out other versions of this drama, especially the older Taiwanese version. One of them will surely suit your taste.

Coffee Prince

Last on the list is Coffee Prince, starring Gong Yoo (Train to Busan fame) and Yoon Eun-hye (from Princess Hours). Released in 2007, Coffee Prince is the story of Eun-Chan, who dresses as a boy to work in a coffee shop that employs only boys. However, this plan fails when she and her boss fall for each other. However, since her boss is unaware of her true identity, he starts questioning his sexuality.

This hit drama that catapulted Gong Yoo to fame was remade in Thai, Filipino, Malay, and Chinese. Although the original version is arguably the best, you can try the other versions if you want something more.

If you wish that you were not finished with that interesting series, or wish it were a bit longer, check if they have any remakes. You will end up with something you know you’ll love, and yet, in an entirely new way. So check out these dramas from across Asia. Maybe you will find the other industries just as entertaining.

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