Famous Quotes from Boys Over Flowers
The 2009 K-drama Boys Over Flowers was a huge hit around the world. It was a big part of the Korean Wave and got millions of people into K-dramas. The show made its actors, like Lee Min-ho, very famous.
The story is based on a popular Japanese manga called Hana Yori Dango . Even though there are other versions, the 2009 Korean show is the one most people remember. The lines from the show are still popular today because they are so dramatic and heartfelt.
The show's quotes talk about big ideas. They show the conflict between the rich kids and the normal kids. They also explore first love, friendship, and the strength of a girl who won't give up.
Gu Jun-pyo's Best Quotes
Gu Jun-pyo is the leader of the F4 , a group of rich and powerful boys. At first, he is a mean bully who uses his words to scare people. But as the show goes on, his words show how he changes.
He falls for a girl named Geum Jan-di , and he doesn't know how to handle it. His lines are often a funny mix of being clueless and very emotional.
Funny Things Jun-pyo Says
Gu Jun-pyo is famous for messing up common sayings. This shows how isolated he is from normal life . Because he grew up rich and alone, he doesn't understand everyday culture.
Jan-di makes fun of him for getting every saying wrong. His mistakes show he doesn't get the "common sense" world she comes from. This makes their connection even more important.
| Jun-pyo's Mixed-Up Sayings | ||
|---|---|---|
| What Gu Jun-pyo Said | What He Probably Meant | The Real Meaning |
| “How can a tiny and skinny person have such a loud voice? Did you eat a train’s heart?” | "You have a lot of guts." | He says this after Jan-di stands up to him. He's confused but also impressed by her. |
| “Does she have an ancestor who died on a date?” | "Why is she so bad at dating?" | He's frustrated because Jan-di seems to have bad luck in social situations. |
| "A dragonfly can't be compared to a snail." | "Don't compare things that are on different levels." | He uses this to say he's better than others. But the strange comparison just shows how out of touch he is. |
How He Declares His Love
When Jun-pyo isn't messing up his words, he is very direct and possessive. He doesn't ask for love, he demands it.
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“You dummy. It's yours.... There's only one in the world, so if you lose this one, I'll really kill you.”
- Context: He says this when he gives Jan-di a special necklace. It shows he can be loving and threatening at the same time. It’s like he’s a sweet but spoiled kid .
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“I'm so busy that I don't even rememeber that you didn't call me for 3 days and 13 hours!”
- Context: He tries to act like he doesn't care about Jan-di. But he reveals that he's been counting the minutes since she last called.
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“What's so hard about love? You simply grab the other's hand and refuse to let go.”
- Context: This is his simple and forceful idea of love. He believes in holding on and never giving up . This is very different from his friend Ji-hu's gentle approach.
His Vulnerable Side
Underneath all the anger, Jun-pyo is very lonely. His best lines show how much he's hurting. He knows his world can cause a lot of pain.
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“I can't promise her anything now.... Being the son of someone like that, being a member of that kind of family, I hate it enough myself so how must she feel?”
- Context: He admits to his sister that his rich life is more like a prison . It's a rare moment where he shows he understands how his status hurts the people he loves.
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“I'd thought that it might be better to send her to you [Ji-hu].... But still, I can't do it.”
- Context: He tells his best friend, Ji-hu, that he might be a better and safer choice for Jan-di. But his own love for her is too strong to let her go.
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“Just let me stay like this for five minutes…then I'll get up.”
- Context: He says this to Jan-di when he is exhausted from fighting with his family. He’s asking for a moment of comfort, showing he’s completely vulnerable with her.
His Views on Power and Money
At first, Jun-pyo only believes in power. This early quote shows his cold attitude.
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“If everything can be settled by the word 'sorry,' then why would law and police exist?”
- Context: This is how he justifies bullying people. He thinks apologies are weak. He believes only power and money can solve problems.
People sometimes get confused about a drowning scene and a marriage proposal. They are two different key moments for his character.
- The First Drowning: Early in the show, Jun-pyo falls into a pool and can't swim. Jan-di saves him. This is the first time he is helpless, and it forces them to be close.
- The "Marriage" Quote: This famous line happens when he rejects his arranged marriage. He stands up to his fiancée and his family.
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“There's already someone I love. She's the first in my life and for the rest of my life, she'll be the only one. You still want to marry me?”
- Context: This is a turning point for him. He finally chooses love over his family's money and power. He speaks with the simple honesty he learned from Jan-di.
Geum Jan-di's Strongest Quotes
Geum Jan-di is the hero of the story. Her name means "grass," and she's a normal girl in a rich kids' school. Her words are her best weapon .
The "Common Weed" Idea
Jan-di gets her strength from being a "commoner." She sees it as a sign of being tough .
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"It's okay, I'm strong as a weed, after all.”
- Context: This is her main motto. A weed might get stepped on, but it always grows back . She uses this idea to feel proud of where she comes from.
Standing Up to F4
Jan-di is the only student who dares to challenge the F4. She is not afraid to say what she thinks.
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“The moment I see your face, it feels like bugs are crawling all over my body.”
- Context: She says this to Gu Jun-pyo in front of everyone. Her open disgust is what first gets his attention. It's the start of her "war" against him.
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“Yeah, I’m a woman. Can’t a commoner be a woman too? My family, my looks and my brains suck, I know. Even if you didn't point it out so clearly, I already know. Got it, punk?”
- Context: She shouts this at her bullies. She takes their insults and throws them right back. She refuses to let them make her feel ashamed .
Fighting Jun-pyo's Mom
Jan-di saves her most powerful words for Jun-pyo's mother, Madam Kang. Madam Kang tries to use money to break her spirit.
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“I hope you will change your thinking that commoners’ pride can be bought with money. People’s hearts can’t be bought either. You don’t know that, do you? But he knows that now.”
- Context: She tells Madam Kang that money isn't the most powerful thing in the world. She argues that feelings and pride matter more .
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“I haven't lost to you, and I am not running away either. You're the worst person I've ever met. I'm leaving because I don't wish to connect the ones I love to you. I'm just sorry that I can't save the one person I love the most from you.”
- Context: Near the end, she agrees to leave Jun-pyo. It seems like she is giving up, but her words show she is still proud and full of love .
Her Softer Side
While Jan-di acts tough, her private thoughts show she can be unsure of herself. She often wonders if she really belongs in Jun-pyo's world.
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“I like you. No matter how hard I try not to like you, no matter how hard I try to erase you… my efforts are so fruitless to the extent that I get angered by it.”
- Context: She admits her true feelings for Jun-pyo in a tearful confession. She can't control how she feels, and it frustrates her.
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“This time I realized that you and I are from different worlds. We met as though in a dream, but now it’s time for us to return to our own worlds.”
- Context: In private, she sometimes believes that she and Jun-pyo can't be together. She thinks their love is just a fantasy. This leads her to push him away at times.
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“You're not afraid of anything in this world... but when you see a bug... You're a lonely but affectionate person.... Say it… my name."
- Context: She says this to Jun-pyo when he has amnesia. She proves her love is real by reminding him of his secret fears and his hidden kindness . These are things only she would know.
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“My soulmate… JiHoo Sunbae… Thank you.”
- Context: In the final episode, she thanks Ji-hu for always being there for her. This confirms their special bond as soulmates , even though she chooses Jun-pyo as her partner.
Yoon Ji-hu's Kindest Quotes
Yoon Ji-hu is the quiet musician of the F4. He is like a guardian angel for Jan-di. His lines are often gentle and a little sad because he loves her too.
The "Good Shoes" Quote
One of the most famous lines in the show is often linked to Ji-hu. But he wasn't the one who said it.
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The Quote: “Good shoes take you to good places.”
- The Speaker: This was said by his first love, Min Seo-hyun, to Geum Jan-di.
- The Meaning: It's interesting that people remember this as Ji-hu's quote. He spends the entire show trying to live by her kind wisdom. He selflessly helps Jan-di find her own "good places."
The "White Cloth" and "Fireman"
Two key ideas describe Ji-hu's role: the handkerchief and the fireman. He is the person who is always there to help. He is the calm after the storm .
- The Handkerchief: Jan-di first calls him a "white cloth" or handkerchief. He is a symbol of comfort who wipes away her tears.
- “The most beautiful encounters are those with handkerchiefs. They wipe away your sweat when you're tired, and your tears when you're sad.”
- The Fireman: Later, Ji-hu accepts this role and promises to be her firefighter. He will always be there to rescue her from the "fires" that Jun-pyo often starts.
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Jan-di: “It’s strange. Whenever the emergency bell rings in my heart, you always appear.”
- Ji-hu: “Then let me be... Geum Jan Di’s honourable firefighter.”
His Quiet Wisdom
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“I don't know when it started either. But now, I can't be without you.”
- Context: His simple and heartbreaking confession of love to Jan-di. He says it too late.
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“If the person you love is suffering because of you, can you let her go?”
- Context: This question shows his selfless view of love. He would rather let someone go than see them get hurt.
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“I stepped back as a friend. I gave up because she was my friend's girlfriend. I gave you a chance up till the end. I'm not going to hold back anymore.”
- Context: He tells Jun-pyo that he is finally going to fight for Jan-di. His loyalty to his friend is what held him back for so long.
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“There’s no such thing as Jun Pyo’s world or Jandi’s world. Just like you and I are of the same world.”
- Context: He says this to comfort Jan-di. He shows that he understands her fears about being from a "different world" better than anyone else.
Quotes About F4's Friendship
The friendship between the F4 members is the heart of the show. So Yi-jung and Song Woo-bin are the glue that holds the group together.
So Yi-jung: The Potter
So Yi-jung is the group's player and a talented potter. He doesn't believe in love because of his dad's bad example. His lines are often smooth and thoughtful.
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The Pottery Metaphor: He uses his art to talk about healing and getting stronger.
- “This teacup, it looks really weak, doesn’t it? But it’s actually stronger than it appears.... it needs to withstand 1300 degrees of heat.... in order to become strong... there will be a process you must overcome.”
- Context: He explains to Jan-di that people, like pottery, become stronger after going through hard times .
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On Love and Ga Eul: Jan-di's best friend, Ga Eul, challenges his negative views on love.
- “If it were me, I’d spend the time looking for my soulmate, although I’m not even sure stuff like that exists."
- “One, I don’t mess with nice girls. Two, I don’t mess with foolish girls. Three, I absolutely don’t mess with girls connected with my friends. You know all three apply to you, don’t you?”
- Context: He tries to push Ga Eul away with these rules. But she proves him wrong with her own courage.
Song Woo-bin: The Protector
Song Woo-bin is the group's loyal fighter. He doesn't say a lot, but he is always there to mediate and protect his friends. He is known for his catchphrase ("Yo, yo, yo!") and his loyalty.
The best quote about Woo-bin comes from Jan-di. It perfectly explains his role in the group.
- “WooBin Sunbae, who was forever the backbone and support of F4… I know that you are always one step behind, offering your heart and support… I know that now.”
Boys Over Flowers Quotes by Topic
Quotes About Love
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Passionate Love (Gu Jun-pyo):
- “She's the first in my life and for the rest of my life, she'll be the only one.”
- “What's so hard about love? You simply grab the other's hand and refuse to let go.”
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Gentle Love (Yoon Ji-hu):
- “If the person you love is suffering because of you, can you let her go?”
- “I don't know when it started either. But now, I can't be without you.”
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Doubtful Love (So Yi-jung):
- “I’m not even sure stuff like that [soulmates] exists."
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Brave Love (Ga Eul):
- “Children… when in front of what they really want, they don't hesitate. If they lose it, they know they'll start crying.”
- Context: Ga Eul challenges Yi-jung’s cynical attitude. She argues that love should be simple and honest, like how a child feels.
Quotes About Courage
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Geum Jan-di (The Weed):
- “I'm strong as a weed, after all.”
- “People’s hearts can’t be bought either.”
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Chu Ga Eul (The Friend):
- “Throw away your misconception that all good girls want nice guys.”
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Wise Words (Jun-pyo's Grandma):
- “Just because you were born male, doesn't automatically make you a man. Becoming stronger from losing, yielding even though it is unfair... that's how one becomes a real man.”
Quotes About Friendship
- “I stepped back as a friend. I gave up because she was my friend's girlfriend.” (Yoon Ji-hu)
- “I’d rather get all my ribs broken than let them damage one of your fingers.” (Gu Jun-pyo)
- “WooBin Sunbae, who was forever the backbone and support of F4…” (Geum Jan-di)
Common Questions About the Quotes
What is the most famous quote from Boys Over Flowers?
Lots of lines from the show are famous. But the one that people remember the most is probably this one.
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“Good shoes take you to good places.”
- Note: It’s important to remember that Min Seo-hyun said this to Jan-di. It was not said by Yoon Ji-hu, even though it perfectly fits his character.
What does Yoon Ji-hu's "white cloth" quote mean?
The "white cloth" refers to a handkerchief. Jan-di uses this idea to describe Ji-hu as a gentle and comforting person.
- The Meaning: Ji-hu is the one who is there to wipe away her tears and help her when she's tired.
- The "Fireman" Role: He later calls himself her "honourable firefighter." This means he promises to always be there to rescue her during an emergency.
- Why it Matters: These ideas show his role in the story. He is Jan-di's guardian angel and soulmate. He is the person who helps her heal after her fights with Jun-pyo.
Are there famous quotes in other languages?
Yes. The show was a hit everywhere, so its lines became famous in many languages. For example, it was huge in the Philippines.
The Tagalog version of the show became very popular. Specific lines said by Gu Jun-pyo in Tagalog became memes and common sayings there. This shows how the story connected with people all over the world.
Why We Still Love These Quotes
The quotes from Boys Over Flowers are still loved because they are so romantic and dramatic. The show isn't afraid to be over the top with its feelings. The lines are a reminder of a time when a simple story about a tough girl and a lonely rich boy took over the world.
The dialogue is what drives the whole fantasy. That's why these quotes are not just memorable. They are the reason the show has such a lasting legacy .