7 K-Dramas And Films That Use "Flower" In Their Titles
From bud to bloom, flowers are often seen as a metaphor for life, a confession of love, and a caress of hope. Their fragrance radiates happiness, drawing one into its healing embrace. From cherry blossoms to camellias, edelweiss, delphiniums, and orchids, each have had a significant role in K-dramas. The language of flowers plays a key role in the narrative, depicting the many emotions of love, passion, grief, agony, and even destruction.
Since spring is in the air, what could be more perfect than to revisit seven K-drama and films, which weave in the word flower in their title?
“Boys Over Flowers”
This show achieved a cult-like status amongst K-drama fans and was one of the key players in spurring the Hallyu wave beyond Korean shores. “Boys Over Flowers” also catapulted its leading man Lee Min Ho to matinée idol status, making him the ultimate poster boy of cool.
The F4 is headlined by Gu Jun Pyo (Lee Min Ho), the arrogant rich heir to the illustrious Shinhwa Group of Industries. Along with him is Ji Hoo (Kim Hyun Joong), Woo Bin (Kim Joon), and Yi Jung (Kim Bum), who all have nobility status at the super elite Shinhwa High School. But the arrival of Geum Jan Di (Ku Hye Sun), the daughter of a dry cleaner, irks Jun Pyo endlessly. Jan Di does not care for Jun Pyo’s reputation, nor is she taken in with his wealth and status. Though she is bullied and mocked by the F4 and their groupies at school, it’s not long until Jan Di’s feisty and spunky spirit makes her a favorite amongst the F4. It’s the push and pull between Jun Pyo’s feelings for Jan Di which form the core of the story as he realizes his love for her. However, winning her over is tougher than he has anticipated.
The classic “rich boy, poor girl” love story, “Boys Over Flowers” remains one of those frequently visited dramas even after 14 years since it first aired in 2009. A show that initiated many into K-drama land, it also found its way into popular culture with the fashion, dialogues, and scenes being parodied by fans. Also adding to its many credits is the incredible OST, which became a hit as well.
Start watching “Boys Over Flowers”:
“Flower of Evil”
Sometimes the ones closest to you end up betraying you the most. Detective Cha Ji Won (Moon Chae Won) has a perfect family. She is happily married to Baek Hee Sung (Lee Joon Gi), and the two have a daughter. But everything changes when an investigation leads Ji Won to probe and suspect her husband, who in all likelihood is a serial killer in disguise. Will Hee Sung’s mysterious and dark past destroy the lives of those around him?
“Flower of Evil’ is a taut suspense drama which keep you hooked and riveted with its compelling narrative. Hee Sung is a complex character with several layers to him and is brilliantly portrayed by Lee Joon Gi. Emoting through his eyes, Lee Joon Gi is not one to give into histrionics, which makes him a natural performer. And Moon Chae Won keeps up the momentum as Ji Won, a woman who is caught in a duel between her personal and professional life.
Start watching “Flower of Evil”:
“A Frozen Flower”
A king, unable to birth an heir to the throne, requests his lover to impregnate his wife – can it get any more scandalous than this? The King (Joo Jin Mo) is married to Queen Han Ik Bi (Song Ji Hyo) of the Yuan Dynasty. The two have no children and are constantly under pressure to produce a crown prince. While the King is in love with his military commander Hong Rim (Jo In Sung), he asks his lover to get his wife, the Queen, pregnant. However, the King’s best laid plans go awry when the Queen and his military commander fall in love. All is fair in love and war, and a bloody resolution could well be the only solution and the fate of those involved.
“A Frozen Flower,” loosely based on the reign of King Gongmin of the Goryeo Dynasty, does not completely adhere to historical facts and uses cinematic liberties to fictionalize people and events. It made headlines for its bold theme and explicit scenes. The film highlights several socio-political issues, from the status of women in medieval Korean society to the topic of homosexuality in royal courts. “A Frozen Flower” has several plot twists and weaves in suspense and drama, and the stars of the film are in sync with the turmoil of their characters, giving well-nuanced performances.
Start watching “A Frozen Flower”:
“Flower Boy Ramyun Shop”
A breezy, funny, and quirky rom-com, “Flower Boy Ramyun Shop ” gives you everything you seek in a drama. Yang Eun Bi (Lee Chung Ah) is the daughter of a noodle shop owner. She is studying hard to clear her civil service exam and fulfill her dream to become a teacher. In the interim, she is hired as a tutor at a private school for boys, where she meets Cha Chi Soo (Jung Il Woo), a troublemaking spoiled brat who is also heir to the biggest food conglomerate in South Korea. Cha Chi Soo has the reputation of being a flirt, and when the two encounter each other, there are sparks. But unbeknownst to Eun Bi, he is actually her student. When the death of Eun Bi’s father leads her to running the noodle shop along with Kang Hyuk Choi (Lee Ki Woo), things get awkward with the arrival of a very jealous Chi Soo at the noodle shop.
“Flower Boy Ramyun Shop” ticks all the boxes and promises to drive the blues away. Apart from mouth-watering shots of ramyun being served, things get spiced up as a love triangle begins to brew. And Jung Il Woo is at his charming best as Chi Soo, playing his character to the hilt.
Start watching “Flower Boy Ramyun Shop”:
“Flower Boy Next Door”
Go Dok Mi (Park Shin Hye) leads a no fuss existence. She doesn’t like to mingle with people, instead seeking comfort in the confines of her apartment. Her only guilty pleasure is spying on the handsome doctor across the street. One day, the doctor’s outgoing and rather outspoken cousin Enrique Guem (Yoon Shi Yoon) spots her. Though they start off on the wrong foot, Enrique’s charming nature draws her in. Enrique in his own quirky way helps Dok Mi to overcome her challenges and become a confident version of herself. Meanwhile, Jin Rak (Kim Ji Hoon), Dok Mi’s brusque cartoonist neighbor, is so taken in with her lifestyle that he creates a webtoon called “Flower Boy Next Door” with Dok Mi as the protagonist.
A cute and delightful drama, the strength of “Flower Boy Next Door” lies in its unique plot and the versatility of its characters. Living your best life is the underlying theme of the show and is evocatively brought forth by the actors.
Start watching “Flower Boy Next Door”:
“Flowers for My Life”
This drama is a bittersweet love story between a dying man and a woman who is numb to death. Na Ha Na’s (Kang Hye Jung) father is a funeral director, and she is very matter of fact about death. However, Ha Na is obsessed with money, and while working at the funeral hall, she sets up a plan. Her greedy scheme is to marry a potentially rich man with a short life span and inherit his wealth. She gets a job as a nurse’s aide and scouts a prospective suitor for her plan. Yoon Ho Sang (Cha Tae Hyun) is a poor man who loves money, but has a positive and easy-going attitude towards life. However, Ho Sang is under the guise of a wealthy man when he meets Ha Na. Fate works in strange ways, and despite their vested intentions, the two fall in love. But could they be destined for a happily ever after?
“Flowers For My Life” is a heart-achingly tragic love story. Despite its off-beat theme, the drama packs in romance, humor, and balances it with melodrama. Keep the tissues handy since you can’t stop the tears from rolling down.
“Nokdu Flower”
Two brothers divided by ideology end up on the opposite sides in the Battle of Ugeumchi in 1894. Baek Yi Kang (Jo Jung Suk) is the illegitimate son of a government official who is ostracized for his mother’s low social status. Baek Yi Hyun (Yoon Shi Yoon), the legitimate son, is preparing for the national service exam. When the rebellion breaks out between the Donghak peasants and the combined forces of the Japanese Joseon Army, the brothers are faced with difficult choices. And the arrival of a peddler Song Ja In (Han Ye Ri) further complicates matters between the two half brothers.
“Nokdu Flower” moves away from the usual historical dramas that focus on royalty and palace skirmishes. Instead, it focuses on the plight of the exploited commoners. A well-written and pacy drama, the relationship between the lead protagonists is well brought out by Jo Jung Suk and Yoon Shi Yoon.
Start watching “Nokdu Flower”:
Hey Soompiers, which one of these shows is your favorite “flower” drama? Let us know in the comments below!
Puja Talwar is a Soompi writer with a strong Yoo Tae Oh and Lee Junho bias. A long time K-drama fan, she loves devising alternate scenarios to the narratives. She has interviewed Lee Min Ho, Gong Yoo, Cha Eun Woo, and Ji Chang Wook to name a few. You can follow her on @puja_talwar7 on Instagram.
Currently watching: “Call It Love.”
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