หัวใจรักสี่ดวงดาว, known internationally as F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers, is a Thai romantic-drama television series and the sixth live-action adaptation of the classic Japanese manga Boys over Flowers (花より男子).
It stars Tu Tontawan as Gorya, a girl who works at a flower shop. When she lands a spot at a prestigious school, she's horrified to find out that a clique of bullies called F4 lords over campus.
Their leader Thyme (Bright Vachirawit) is drawn to Gorya, but his bullying repels her. Instead, she gravitates towards Ren (Dew Jirawat), the kindest member of F4. But maybe Thyme can change for the girl he loves and win her heart... (and if you've ever heard of the source material or its many adaptations, you know he will).
Win Metawin (as F4 member Kavin), Nani Hirunkit (as F4 member M.J.), Prim Chanikarn (as Gorya's best friend Kaning), and Fah Yongwaree (as Ren's first love/childhood friend Mira) also star.
Tropes in F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers:
- Abhorrent Admirer: A non-physical example. Thyme is handsome, but his growing affections towards Gorya are unwelcome because he's a bully.
- Accidental Kiss: Between Thyme and Gorya.
- The first one happens when Gorya runs to interrupt Thyme and Ren's fighting. She accidentally falls on top of Thyme and their lips touch. Some eagle-eyed fans have noticed that Thyme appears to giggle in response, even though he tries to act upset about the accidental kiss.
- The second one happens when Gorya is sleeping on Thyme's lap. He leans closer towards her and she does too, making their lips touch.
- Adaptational Angst Upgrade: In the source material and its many adaptations, the bullying arc was mostly taken lightly and was only included to establish the female lead being the only brave student to stand up against F4, specifically its leader. In this version, the story was presented in a darker, more serious, and more realistic tone, showing tons of
Tear Jerker moments from the vulnerable characters. - Adaptational Location Change: The original manga was set in Japan (naturally). This version is set in Thailand (naturally).
- Adaptational Nice Guy: Thyme is a bully like his original counterpart, but he's a lot kinder and more respectful to his love interest and isn't an attempted rapist.
- All Love Is Unrequited: Thyme likes Gorya, who likes Ren, who likes Mira...
- The Beautiful Elite: F4. Their group name means Flower Four, because the four members are all very handsome, each like a different flower. They're also some of the richest people in school.
- The Bro Code: Somewhat downplayed. Thyme and Gorya develop a closer relationship while Ren is away, and after he returns, he starts to show interest in Gorya despite being aware of his best friend's infatuation with her. To be fair, however, Gorya liked Ren first. If you are familiar with the series' source material, then you would know this trope will have many ups and downs between the two F4 members.
- Chronic Hero Syndrome: According to Gawao, Gorya feels the need to be everyone's hero. Gorya yelling out an entire soliloquy on the rooftop about inequality, after walking in on F4 bullying someone, is evidence of this (though her anger is far from unjustified, of course).
- Composite Character: Makiko Endo and Sakurako Sanjo from the manga are composited into one character. She's named Hana in this version. Like Makiko, she is the shy timid girl who becomes the first friend that the Makino equivalent note makes at the her new school after protecting her from F4, which in turn gets herself targeted. However, like with Sakurako, this is revealed to be an act, as she ultimately betrays her to get revenge against the Domyoji equivalent, Thyme, with whom she is secretly in love.
- The Fake Cutie: Kavin is a lovely, sweet-looking Pretty Boy. Kaning remarks that he looks like a prince. But Gorya says that he just looks innocent, but is a notorious playboy at school. A quick cut to a scene of him leaving a hotel after a threesome with two women proves it.
- Four-Temperament Ensemble: F4, duh.
- Girl Posse: Gorya is the bullying target of the school's three mean girls.
- Ladykiller in Love: Girls regularly swoon over Thyme, but Gorya, who can't stand him, is the girl who captures his attention.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: Truth in Television for Thailand. Thai people are often called by their nicknames.
- Penny Among Diamonds: Gorya comes from a working-class family, but is able to attend a prestigious school for the elite, thanks to her scholarship.
- Single Woman Seeks Good Man: When Gawao remarks that having a handsome face doesn't matter if the guy has a bad attitude, Gorya readily agrees. Although Thyme is handsome, Gorya wants nothing to do with him and falls for Ren instead.
- Token Good Teammate: Ren is the most decent person in the F4 clique.
