Shut Up Flower Boy Band (2012, South Korea)
Title: 닥치고 꽃미남밴드 / Dakchigo Kkotminam Band
Also known as: Shut Up Flower Boy Band
Genre: Youth, romance, drama
Episodes: 16
Broadcast network: tvN
Broadcast period: 2012-Jan-30 to 2012-Mar-20
Eye Candy is a six member underground rock band led by Byung Hee. When the group transfers into the prestigious Jungsang High School, they find their rival, Strawberry Fields. This is a story about the two rock bands and how they deal with friendship, relationships, and their passion for music. Source: DramaWiki
The cast:
- Lee Min Ki: Joo Byung Hee, leader, vocalist
- Sung Joon: Kwon Ji Hyuk, right-hand man, guitarist
- L: Lee Hyun Soo, second guitarist
- Lee Hyun Jae: Jang Do Il, drummer
- Yoo Min Kyu: Kim Ha Jin, bassist
- Kim Min Seok: Seo Kyung Jong, keyboardist
- Jo Bo Ah: Im Su Ah
- Kim Ye Rim: Kim Ye Rim
- Jung Eui Chul: Yoo Seung Hoon
- Kim Jung Min: Bang Woo Kyung
Overall Score:
Character Development:
Plot Development:
Acting:
Soundtrack:
[SPOILERS BELOW!] This is a recap and analysis of episode 1
Soon after the introduction the scene quickly shift from the dark basement-room to a club, where the band is preparing a small concert. We get introduced to Woo Kyung who is assigned the job of selling tickets as well as doing sound-checks backstage. As the concert starts, the band experiences some technical difficulties caused by Woo Kyung's clumsy friend. Music starts to play through the speakers outdoors, causing a disturbance in the streets of Seoul. A passerby calls the police and the performance gets abruptly cancelled.The group splits up to escape and as the scene ends we get to see the first of Byung Hee's many cary antics as he and Ji Hyuk decide to jump from the railing above the crowd in order to escape the police.
The following morning we see Ji Hyuk sleeping on a bench, as a girl (our main lead, So Ah) walks by, checks on him and leaves a small bottle of Banana Milk for him to drink. Ji Hyuk exchanges a half-asleep look with her before he dozes of anew only to be awaken by his fellow band mates - minus Byun Hee and Do Il.
They jokingly tease him and ask about Byung Hee's whereabouts as he apparently disappeared right after the concert. After that they decide to head off to school. At the same time Do Il wakes up at an billiard pool bar, and recieves a phone call from his mom who swears and tells him to go to school. He replies that he should probably go to school and lazily gets up. He meets up with the others on their way to school and they talk about last night's concert. Ji Hyuk suggests that they should buy a new drum kit with the money they earned, but the suggestion is quickly turned down by Kyung Jong who reveals that they don't have any money as the person who was supposed to give it to them, gave it to Byung Hee's mom instead.
Speaking about Byung Hee, we find out that he spent the night at a girl's place. Seeing as he was in his underwear, the producers left it free for our imagination to think out what the whacky leader had been up to after the concert. The girl freaks out as her dad knocks on the door. Byung Hee on the other hand doesn't seem bothered at all. He is awfully calm and even takes his time to meditate. After a few seconds the door is pushed open and the dad and Byung Hee exchange looks. That's where the terror starts to rise as Byung Hee recognises the man to be Shil Ba, a teacher from their school.
Shil Ba tries to grab Byung Hee but is held back by his daughther. Byung Hee is quick to his feet and manages to escape by jumping out the window, dressed in only his underwear and a tank-top. The girl throws him the rest of his clothes - minus the pants, for comedy purposes. He sends her a quick charming air kiss and runs away. As he runs down the street he bumps into the others. They are surprised to see him but he leaves no room for explanations as he grabs Kyung Jong's bike and tells them to run. They shoot him a puzzled look but realize in the last second what he was refering to as Shil Ba appears behind the corner. Without hesitation, they spring out into the open street and Shil Ba shouts and runs after them.
The next scene we see they're at their high school. That looks anything but in order. The students are running down the corridors, some are playing around with brooms while others are entering the classrooms through the window. The classroom is in complete chaos and our main characters are casually chilling. But the carefree time will soon come to an end as we find out that their wreck-of-a-school is closing down due to redevelopment plans. Because of that all the students will be transfered to another High School. At the same time the school principal also tells the teachers that the police have called and reported some students caused a rucus at a local club and Shil Ba doesn't hesitate for even a second to take on the role of the guy who will help discipline the troublemakers. He gathers the entire group and starts to question them one after the other what they did last night. While the others are trying their luck with made up stories, Ji Hyuk fearlessly admits that they went out last night. Shil Ba isn't satisfied with that short reply though. He tells them that he will get a full confession from them, and starts to hit them with a stick. Ji Hyuk intervenes. and shows off his fearlessness once again when he tells Shil Ba to stop. Instead, Shil Ba and Ji Hyuk engage in a one-on-one almost playful fight only to be interrupted by another teacher.
After the meeting with Shil Ba, Eye Candy is back to their goofy laid-back selves again. They discuss the future and the fact that they'll transfere schools when Byung Hee suddenly suggests that they should 'quit school'. His words are met by faint laughter and they comment that they should discuss this after lunch as he is known for having a change of mind when he's full. They head back to their classroom and open the envelops with the transfere information. Turns out they all got transfered to the same school. The group is happy by the good news, especially since the new High School is rumoured to be full of pretty girls. But their joyful moment is quickly disrupted by some spiteful comments by a group of delinquents and our main character envolve themselves in a brutal fight once again.
After that we shift into an entirely new location. A top class High School and we meet our main female lead Su Ah again. She encounters a fellow classmate in the corridors who seems worried about her since he didn't see her in class. She replies that "something complicated came up" but quickly reasures him that it's been resolved. As the matter has been resolved, they switch to a more delightful chitchat about the guy's, Seung Hoon's birthday that's coming up. Su Ah asks him what he wishes as a birthday present. He doesn't reply and instead just tells her that he has written a song and that she should anticipate it. Two of his friends show up and tell them about the news that some "thugs" will fransfere to their school soon. Seung Hoon doesn't hide his annoyance at the news and we're getting some forshadowing that the two groups definitely will clash in the near future.
After the chitchat, Su Ah meets up with a friend who teases her about her "boyfriend's" upcoming bithday. Su Ah flushes and changes the subject. She is struggling to find a good birthday present for Seung Hoon since he "has everything" he wants. Her friend suggests that she should go to Paradise, a dream place for musicians and see if she can find something there.
In the meantime Seung Hoon is picked up by his older sister who tells him that she's heard rumours about how Su Ah's father's company is going through a rough time. Seung Hoon is surprised that she seems worried about Su Ah's situation and questions if it was something their father "set up". His sister tells her that she simply sincerely cares about her younger brother's well-being. Seung Hoon brushes her off by commenting how she should take care of her trainees, in her music company instead of worrying about him.
The next scene we see is Eye Candy goofing around and singing to Infinite's "Be Mine" (very funny since Hyun Soo who's played by L, is a member of Infinite) at a karaoke box also known as Noraebang in Korea. Suddenly Byung Hee brings up the topic of quitting school once again. Showing more determination than ever about his decision. The group gets split opinions about the topic, some are very skeptical about it while some agree with Byung Hee. However the subject is quickly pushed aside as the group as Byung Hee looks up pictures of their new High School and realises that the girls are indeed very pretty. Ji Hyuk jokingly reminds him of what he said just a couple of minutes ago but Byung Hee tells him that all ne needs is a "muse", a woman that will serve as inspiration for his new songs. Seeing as that their current neighbourhood is lacking, he agrees to transfering schools, finally leaving the topic of quitting once and for all. Ha Jin notices a pretty singer on the TV-screen and comments that Byung Hee's muse must be just as pretty as the singer is a "Goddess" in his eyes. After Ha Jin's little fanboy moment, they head off to Paraside, to finally get that drum kit they wanted.
While at Paradise, Byung Hee tries to persuit the owner to give him the Drum kit, seeing how it would be sad to let such a talented dummer like Do Il to play on low-quality drums. The owners reply hints that this isn't the first time Byung Hee has acted out such a weird request. Byung Hee's childish whining only added to the comedy feel of the scene. The comedy is almost instantly shut down in the next second when Byung Hee spots Su Ah. After saving her from a falling guitarr Byung Hee is dead set that she is in fact the one. She is his new muse. He offers to help her look for a good guitar and doesn't miss the chance to add in some flirting. Ji Hyuk shows up to see what's going on and notices the school badge on Su Ah's jacket. He doesn't show too much interest in her though as he is came there to bring Byung Hee back to the drum-sets. As he pulls him off, Byung Hee shouts to Su Ah how he'll br right back.
Byung Hee is completely ecstatic as he tells Ji Hyuk that Su Ah is the muse he's been looking and how he can already hear a new song composing itself in his brain. Ji Hyuk doesn't understand why he's so worked up with the whole muse-thing and Byung Hee teasingly replies with "and that's why you don't understand women". Ji Hyuk tells him that they should go to a place so Byung Hee can find "a real muse". Meanwhile Su Ah gets a phone call and we find out that her father is gone. Byung Hee returns to the place where he met Su Ah and finds out, to his disappointment, that she is no longer there.
In the next scene, Eye Candy are standing outside watching people pass by as Byung Hee is searching for his new muse. As time passes by, the others become more impatient and tell Byung Hee that he probably won't find anything at a place like this. Byung Hee then makes an astonishing statment that 'the first girl who crosses the street will be his new muse'. As if through a twist of fate, the next girl crossing the street is none other than Su Ah.
In the next scene, Eye Candy are standing outside watching people pass by as Byung Hee is searching for his new muse. As time passes by, the others become more impatient and tell Byung Hee that he probably won't find anything at a place like this. Byung Hee then makes an astonishing statment that 'the first girl who crosses the street will be his new muse'. As if through a twist of fate, the next girl crossing the street is none other than Su Ah.
She trips on the curb and falls into the arms of Ji Hyuk while Byung Hee stands on the side frozen still. She barely registers them and runs off, while Byung Hee declares that this must be fate. We find out that the reason for Su Ah's distraction is because her father finally called her back. We find out that he's having troubles with his company and because of some borrowed money he is now on the run from loan sharks. He hands Su Ah some money and an adress where she can live for a short while and that he'll come back for her soon. Su Ah isn't at all happy about this sudden information and at first refuses to accept the money, but after a while she gives in and decides that it's for the best.
Meanwhile, Eye Candy have gone back to Ji Hyuk's rooftop house, where Byung Hee is already busy writing a new song. Ji Hyuk looks over the half-finished song and tells Byung Hee that's nice. We find out that there is a reason for Byung Hee's eyeliner-look, as he tells Ji Hyuk that if he doesn't apply eyeliner he can't become "free-spirited" and that it's "the essence" that completes him (this little fact only adds to his already unique personality). We're shown a quick minute of Su Ah walking up the street to Ji Hyuk's house, hinting that the adress she's gotten is pretty close to his place. Do Il gets a phone call from Hyung Soo who tells them that a show at his mother's nightclub has been canceled and that they can hold a gag there tomorrow. To those news Eye Candy shouts out out happiness, making Su Ah turn around looking at her neighbourhood house.
The next day, Eye Candy makes a visit to the hair salon where Woo Kyung works, to get their hair and makeup done for the gag. Kyung Jong questions their actions and wonders if it's really okay that they skip school, to which Hyun Soo replies "What's the point of going to school if it won't help your future?" Woo Kyung grabs Ji Hyuk's arm and pulls him down on the hair to fix his hair. To that, Byung Hee randomly points out that Woo Kyung is Ji Hyuk's muse, to which Woo Kyung shoots him a puzzled look but then springs out into a bright smile as she is happy by the fact that it means she is Ji Hyuk's girlfriend. Ji Hyuk doesn't confirm this as he is too busy shaking his head in embarrassment.
In the meantime, Hyun Soo arrives at his mother's nightclub and overhears the conversation between his parents and the nightclub's owner. The owner is furious over the fact that the parents dared to let his son and his band come here. The parents try to convince the owner that Hyun Soo is not like that, but the owner brushes them asking if 'every person who sings and dances on stage is a singer?' and how they shouldn't ruin the experience of the customers that have paid to come visit the nightclub. Hyun Soo is angered and disappointed by the end of the conversation and heads back to tell the others. Eye Candy is saddened by the news but with the positive free-spirited Byung Hee holding them up, everyone besides Hyun Soo decides to cheer up.
Meanwhile Seung Hoon's sister is driving Seung Hoon and his two friends off to play a gig at a bar. Seung Hoon's friend questions the place of choice and asks Seung Hoon why they couldn't have just stayed at a place in their local neighbourhood Kangnam, which is known for being the most luxurious part of Seoul. Seung Hoon replies that he felt tried of the same place and wanted to try out something new.
In the next scene we see Byung Hee's driving off the band to a new location as he's decided that they will play on the street, like free-spirits. They all agree to it while Hyun Soo is shown still sulking in the corner. As they arrive at the set place and start to prepare the instruments, Byung Hee spots Su Ah in the crowd. He goes up to her and hugs her in front of Seung Hoon. Su Ah is struck speechless by the sudden hug but before Byung Hee can say anything he is struck down by a furious and jealous Seung Hoon. Seung Hoon's friends start to mock Eye Candy's apparance and the fact that they want to play on the street. Byung Hee is angered by the fact that Seung Hoon hit him and tells him that he won't let him get away with this. Ji Hyuk stops him from attacking Seung Hoon and tells him that Su Ah isn't his muse, as she's in Ji Hyuk's eyes clearly on Seung Hoon's side. Seung Hoon shows no interest in fighting Byung Hee and instead throws a handful of money at him. This triggers Eye Candy into throwing a fist at the other band but the fight ended even before it started as Seung Hoon's body guards attack Eye Candy.
After the long fight, we see Eye Candy lying in a circle on the ground looking beaten up but satisfied. Byung Hee tells everyone that they should go to their new High School because the thugs are there and so is his muse. Everyone shouts as reply and with that final scene, episode 1 ends.
My Thoughts:
Wow, what a first episode! I'll try to not see this as the first drama I ever watched because I'll just end up spamming about how nostalgic I feel and spoiling stuff. Instead, I'll shove the nostalgia aside and write this as if this is the first time I'm seen this episode. Since this is supposed to be a episode recap where I only discuss and analys one episode at a time.
First off, I love the fact that the main leads in this drama are given such interesting personalties. Usually (in my opinion) then I see a group of friends or a band being done in dramaland they tend to always have one or two characters that are just "there". On the contrary to that, right from the first episode, when Eye Candy is introduced I got the feeling that every member of that band in this drama is important. They've all got that special trait that makes them stand out from one another. Talking about standing out...Byung Hee. Just, Byung Hee. Do I need to say anything else? Wow, this is a first seeing a character like that be done in a drama. If you know any dramas with similar characters to Byung Hee, please tell me, I'll love you forever! (In a non-creepy way, I promise). So yeah, my mindblowing feels about Byung Hee, aside I really like the contrast between him and Ji Hyuk. Ji Hyuk, who is the right-hand man is more serious and cautious, almost as if he is the unofficial leader of the band and Byung hee's guardian. We don't find out much about the "rivals" Seung Hoon and his gang, they all seem like arrogant snobs, however I did sense a little hint that Seung Hoon might not be who we think he is, as in, sure he is an arrogant snob, but at the same time it seem that he's not all that happy with the life he's living. Almost as if he feels restricted by the world. Since he is a musician perhaps he too strives to be a "free-spirited" person like Byung Hee? (Only not as exteme I guess, it wouldn't fit his character). What do you guys think? Perhaps I'm just overanalysing the details xD. Let's move on to our main female lead Su Ah, she is quite cute. Nothing special so far really. I kind of like Woo Kyung a tiny bit more just because she's so loud (and also because I really enjoyed her little fangirly moment over Ji Hyuk, I can totally understand her, Sung Hoon is such a hottie hehe). The concept of the drama is quite ironic, almost hilarious, in my opinion (and it's not at all a bad thing, it's quite refreshing) the fact that it's called "Shut Up Flower Boy Band" kind of made me think they would be more shy, cute guys for some odd reason, but then I look back at the "shut up" part of the title and everything makes sense. They are flower boys but they are raw and rebelish. I really like that. It's an interesting twist to what would've been "normal" romance comedy drama. As a whole I think this episode was a great introduction to the plot and I can't wait to see Eye Candy get their revenge on Seung Hoon's band and/or "take over" (as Hyun Soo put it) their new High School!
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