Boys Over Flowers (Korean: 꽃보다 남자; Hanja: 꽃보다 男子; RR: Kkotboda Namja; MR: Kkotpoda Namja) is a 2009 South Korean television series starring Koo Hye-sun, Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Bum, Kim Joon, and Kim So-eun. Based on the Japanese manga series Boys Over Flowers (花より男子, Hana Yori Dango) written and illustrated by Yoko Kamio. The series tells a story of a working-class girl who gets tangled up in the lives of a group of wealthy young men in her elite high school. It aired for 25 episodes on KBS2 from January 5 to March 31, 2009.It is often regarded as a pioneer in Korean high school series, as well as to have helped the proliferation of the "Korean Wave". The series earned high viewership ratings in South Korea, and became a cultural phenomenon throughout Asia. Lee Min-ho's role as the leader of F4 completely contrasted his role in Mackerel Run, which earned him overseas popularity.