For some reason, Pinoys are getting the meteor fever once again. This phenomenal Taiwanese series is remembered to be a major hit back in 2003 when it first made its way to Philippine television. People who are now in their 20s were once preteens who could not get enough of Meteor Garden back then. I remember seeing everyone buy F4 cards and placing them at the back of their IDs and kissing it. People would have panic attacks when the show is about to go on and they’re still not in front of a TV. It has been around 11 years and everyone becomes their old jitty selves when they hear the theme song come on today. Everyone’s eyes are glued to their TVs and then to their phones to start tweeting, making F4 trend around the Philippines and even worldwide.
Now what are the reasons behind this F4 fever? Who’d have thought it would still have the same effect on Filipinos as it used to around 11 years ago? What is it about Meteor Garden that gets everyone hooked?
1.) Nostalgia. We can’t underestimate the effect of familiarity when it comes to watching the show. Even the introduction of this article focused on what is remembered back then. There is the certain feeling that people get then that they still feel now every time they watch the show. They remember the scenes that made them feel butterflies in their stomachs and watch out for them as the show is going on.
2.) Love/Hate Relationship. People are a sucker for a nice love/hate relationship stories. There’s something enticing about a cat-dog couple and how they eventually find a way to fall for each other. Now I know that this type of story has gone on to the typical and cliché’ category in the past few years but there’s a certain way on how you use this love/hate formula and not make it seem so typical to the audience.
3.) San Cai’s simplistic beauty. The female lead of the story is not like the female leads of other stories who has unattainable beauty. She was simple and the way that she can have four of the most popular men in school give her attention is something that people want to feel for themselves. Her beauty is simple yet when you get her dolled up, she shines above the rest. That is something that never fails in getting people hooked.
4.) Mysterious and Bad Boy Types. Good turned bad is one thing, but bad turned good is another. There’s just something about a bad boy who, when dug in deep, shows you that he has a heart. There’s something cute about a bad boy who becomes a softie around a girl. There’s something enticing about a show in which you are left wondering if you could ever be as special as the girl who could soften the hearts of four bad boys.
