When I first came across Asian dramas a few years back, I was pretty amazed to find out that there are so many shows where the lead girl pretends to be a guy. And some of these dramas even have remakes. I couldn't understand why this was such a popular trope...especially when they all have the same story line? Girl gets caught up in some situation and has to disguise herself as a boy...she meets a couple of guys, becomes friends and they fall for her.
Initially, the concept didn't capture my interest and I stayed away from these dramas for a long time. But later on, I ended up watching most of these shows one by one...and I was surprised as to how much I enjoyed them. The best thing was that despite having the same basic plot line...these dramas managed to be unique and entertaining.
You're beautiful - This was my second 'girl disguised as guy' drama ( first was Hana Kimi J-version ) and my reason for watching this drama was JKS. I saw Love Rain, liked his acting and wanted to see another drama of him and found it hilarious. I know many people had second lead syndrome, but I had first and third lead syndrome here. PSH was too cutesy for my liking...but maybe that was the idea 😕...so it still worked.
Coffee Prince - So I had seen Goong, and found YEH a decent actress. But I didn't see what the big deal was about her, until I saw Coffee Prince. It was nice drama but what really made it work for me YEH's effortless acting. She really managed to pull off the mannerisms of a boy and I could actually believe that she could get mistaken for a guy at first glance. Liked both the male lead characters too.
Sungkyunkwan Scandal - After watching YRB and CF, I didn't expect to like this one too...but ended up liking it as well. I loved how light and breezy this one was...loved the Jalgeum Quartet...especially Yeorim and Goel-oh. The Innocent Man was my first SJK drama and I was so surprised to see him in this character. And I had major second lead syndrome here. I was so distracted by YAI, that I couldn't even focus on anything else when he was onscreen.😆 YC's character was boring. I adore PMY and she was very much likable here too.
Hana Kami J-Version ( 2007 ) - My first Asian gender bender. There are some things only J-dramas can pull off...the same things would actually look weird or cringe worthy in k-dramas. This drama had me in fits. It had the craziest and funniest characters. I loved all the guys so much, I wanted them all to be my friends. And after making me laugh so hard...I couldn't believe that this drama made me cry buckets in the end.😆
To The Beautiful You (Hana Kimi K version) - I couldn't watch it. Gave up after two episodes. It just wasn't as interesting or a fun as the J version. I couldn't tell any of the guys apart ( I know Minho and Lee Hyun Woo)...but they couldn't really capture Sano and Nakatsu. Sulli was just too pretty to be a guy...and too girly to even be a tomboy.
Secret Garden - I am not really an SC fan. I liked some things, hated some things...so this drama doesn't really have my heart. But the leads switch bodies, so it qualifies as a gender bender and one of the things I liked about this show was how awesome Ha Ji Won and Hyun Bin were, when Joo Won and Ra Im switched bodies.
What's your favorite gender bender? I know Hana Kimi has a T-version and You're beautiful has J and T versions, but I didn't watch any of those. I have heard about Painter of the wind, a sageuk drama. Any other good gender bender dramas that I missed?
UPDT
Forgot to add Bromance earlier. How was it?
Not watching Come back Mister since it's ongoing, but it also has some gender bending themes, I think.
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