F4 fever is back

CEBU, Philippines - The F4 fever has taken over Philippine television once again via the hit primetime series "Boys Over Flowers" starring the Korean F4. Fueling the TV craze are the swoon-worthy actors: Lee Min Ho as Goo Joon Pyo, Kim Hyun Joong as Yoon Ji Hoo, Kim Bum as So Yi Jung and Kim Joon as Song Woo Bin, who make up the rich and good-looking guys of F4, who torment then endear themselves to their strong-willed, fellow student Jeum Gan Di (played by Koo Hye Sun). To recall, the Taiwanese version "Meteor Garden," the first TV adaptation of what is originally a Japanese manga series, was a huge hit in the Philippines when it was aired over ABS-CBN in 2003. So phenomenal was the series that the Taiwanese F4 members became household names and mounted successful concerts (despite shockingly high ticket prices) in the country. The Kapamilya station renewed the fascination over the F4 by bringing the Korean version "Boys Over Flowers" to the TV screens last May.

Kim Hyun-joong (as Yoon Ji Hoo)

Birthdate: June 6, 1986 (23)

Height: 5’9”

Education: Hanyang Industrial High School

TRIVIA: When he was younger, Kim Hyun-joong did odd jobs to earn for himself and was the ultimate delivery boy—delivering pizza, newspaper, chicken, etcetera. Prior to BOF, pop act-turned-actor was already recognizable as a member of the popular Korean singing group SS501. 

Lee Min-ho (as Goo Joon Pyo)

Birthdate: June 22, 1987 (22)

Height: 6’1”

Schools: Konkuk University

Trivia: The role of the F4 leader Goo Joon Pyo catapulted him to fame, and led to many endorsements including Levi’s Signature, LG Telecom, Samsung, Dunkin Donuts, Pepsi, etc, that his image is practically everywhere in Korea now. He said that although BOF’s Jun Pyo has a rough image, he says he’s “sweet and romantic.”

Kim Bum (as So Yi Jung)

Birthdate: July 7, 1989 (20)

Height: 5’9”

School: Jungang University

Trivia: Portrayed as a playboy in “Boys Over Flowers,” Kim Bum claimed in an interview that he never had a girlfriend. Next to Lee Min-ho, he has the most endorsements and projects after the success of BOF. These include the upcoming drama “Dream,” where he undergoes a major transformation for his role as a struggling martial arts athlete.  

Kim Joon (as Song Woo Bin)

Birthdate: February 2, 1984 (25)

Height: 6’1”

Education: Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Trivia: Model-actor Kim Joon is also a rapper and member of T-MAX, a Korean R&B group. T-Max sang “Paradise,” a single in the “Boys Over Flowers” soundtrack. He is also known as one of the “academically elite stars” in South Korea, majoring in Biochemistry in Hankuk University.