The Blossoming Love (2025)

? The Romance Was On But Went Off In The Middle ?

Question: are you here for pure romance and justice? Then you can watch from EP 1 to 28 and exit as soon as possible, but if you are not bent on the pure romance and justice then this review is not for you.. And you will have no problem watching to the end.

The series is masterful from ep 1 to 28, the chemistry is second to none and the FL was on a different level that you can't help forgetting the existence of time when watching her on the screen. Those episodes are the ones I saved on my device which I can rewach many times without getting bored...

#Importance notice 🔔

I gave any reviews with no bias and under this review, you get the most honest answer to whatever your curiosity on the romance Arc. And how the writer wants to manipulate and fed the audience with Lies while showing the opposite. You can check my bio to get a clear picture on how I write critiques on fiction with my standards and respect in relationship...

NOTE: this review is solely on the Romance Arc and the injustice done to the ML which is helpful to those who came for pure romance and justice. Other than that and the dramatic illogical ending, every other Aspect of the show are super good which you can judge from my star rating 🌟

#Quick info:

。First half of the show ::: FL and ML got more screen time (With A decisive FL)

。Sec. half of the show ::: FL and SML got more screen time (With An Indecisive FL)

。Throughout the show ::: Obsessive, Manipulative, Simpin, Stalker and Annorying Evil SML (With a manipulated Love Triangle)

。Marriage ::: SML and FL got married in Ep 30 in a forced marriage by the Evil SML which the FL shows no resistance to it.

。Star crossed and Fated Love Arc ::: The writer claimed this is a star crossed lovers and fated lovers Arc between the ML and FL. But is a lie, this is about the Evil SML and FL. They have been companions for generations of years in ambiguity.

。Injustice ::: The biggest injustice was done to the ML in this drama, all his heroic work and credit was given to the Evil-SML who was suddenly whitewashed from all his evil.. He was a last minute made up Artificial-Hero. An evil villain that is above consequences and retribution.... The writers force-feeded manipulated lies towards the audience...

。Ending EP 39 40 is not a Plot-Twist but Lies ::: A Dramatic ending with no existence of logics. What happened with the sudden Artificial-Hero (Evil SML) is not a plot Twist, is an utterly force-feeded manipulated lies against the audience, making us look stupid....... Waited for his deadly punishments for his evil, but the writer sudden made him a "misunderstood hero and misguided lover" in the last minutes.... Story for the kids 👎


⚠️____ EP 29 to 40 reviews specifically____⚠️

#Any Love Triangle?:

. FL's only realistic Feelings are only when she is with SML and her sympathy and care for him (she is comfortable with all intimate and ambiguous interactions with SML).... But Her interactions with ML seems fake and unrealistically forced,. No matter how they forced it on the screen, It looks absolutely Fake.
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. Even though the writer want to deceive us with no love triangle, but in reality this drama is a love triangle and the Relationship with FL and ML feels cheated due to FL's ambiguous interactions with SML... The atmospheric tension for romance became different whenever she's with SML

. This show is a good definition of (say the opposite and does the opposite)
On the way, Every thing the writer want to prove to the audience on the screen was totally lies... (force-feeding us with "white" when the real intension is "black") the illicit action and ambiguous interactions of the FL and SML says otherwise.
Especially in how the show portrayed the Evil-SML toxic behavior. Here's a clearer and more straightforward review:

#The Second Male Lead’s Dangerous Psycho Obsession:

. The SML wasn’t just a psycho jerk; his actions were dangerous and toxic. He committed terrible crimes including many evil deeds against the male lead (ML), who was a true Hero and supposed to be the true love interest of the female lead (FL).
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He does every stupid things out of jealousy and his obsessive love for FL, even though the serie wants to prove otherwise while whitewashing him, but his actions and emotions proved the opposite. And only kids will fall for those manipulated fed lies by the Writer.

. Instead of showing all his evil actions as unacceptable, the series tried to frame them as "Misunderstood Hero and misguided lover," in the guise of doing his Benevolent duty which was very misleading and contradicting from his evil actions.
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By doing this, the show made it seem like stalking, manipulation, lies, deception, framing and obsession could somehow be excused as Heroism and misguided love or Some made up last minute Artificial-Hero.

#The Female Lead’s Poor Boundaries:

. From Ep 1 to 28: The FL was able to set a clear boundaries with the obsessive psycho by not sending any wrong signals to him. Making the first half of the serie outstanding and super fantastic with the leads-focus and electrifying chemistry ⚡

. From EP 29 to EP-40: The FL fell from the ladder and character inconsistency. Her response to the SML’s actions made things worse. Instead of setting clear boundaries or condemning his actions, she often sympathized with him and even supported him.
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For example, in episode 36, she allowed the SML to romance her face while she seems to be enjoying his romance. She also transferred half of her powers to him only just to heal his injuries (she can't afford to see him hurt), even when he had killed and hurt the ML and caused his immense suffering multiple times throughout 10,000 years.
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Her every decisions to help and care for the Evil SML, despite his terrible actions, felt unrealistic for some one who keep advocating how much she love the ML in her speech but does the opposite in her emotions and actions. Which begs the authencitic of her commitment in a relationship with ML

. Her grief and deep emotional cry-out in EP 40, when the Evil-SML dies in his Hypocritical Noble-Sacrifice, she showed a deep emotional connection to him, even though he had caused so much harm to ML who she claimed she love. This portrayal made her look indecisive and even confused about what she truly wanted, she didn't grieve this way when SML killed ML, in fact, she didn't grieve at all but still help SML and even married him.
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I don't want to talk about EP 29 30 where she shows no resistance against the forced marriage with SML after the ML died, they even had the audacity to call it "Marriage Funeral"... Oh yes! They are Officially married couple for completing the last bow in the Chinese marriage culture.

# Redemption Without Accountability and Injustice towards the ML

. One of the biggest flaws on the drama was how it handled the SML’s redemption. Throughout the serie, he was clearly the most veil evil villain, but at the last minutes, the story suddenly later tried to whitewash and present him as a "Noble misunderstood hero and misguided lover".
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He then Suddenly became An undercover hero sacrificing everyone including ML to save the world Oh! that's normal isn't? Yet another manipulated fed lies by the Writer while portraying the opposite.

. Instead of giving real consequences or regret for his evil actions, the SML’s redemption came from one dramatic, sacrificial Hypocritical Noble-Act that was supposed to make up for every evil things he had done.
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Such a Hypocritical Noble-Act of dying to save the FL and the world despite all his evil actions is an utterly nonsense and garbage move by the Writer. Logics was no where to be found...

. This ignored all the pain he have caused to the world, especially to the ML, who had suffered for 10,000 years because of him . The show failed to hold him accountable for his actions, making it seem like forgiveness didn’t require any real change or apology, just so he is a last minutes made up "Artificial Hero" and so be it. Every reason is justified.
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The injustice done to ML who is the real example of "Hero" was defeating and there was no retribution towards the master evil who have killed him multiple times through different reincarnational circles, only for the purpose of jealousy and his obsession towards the FL which the writer wants to blush to fool everyone by proving the otherwise.

#Confusing Love and Relationship Loyalty

The FL’s feelings were inconsistent and confusing throughout the 2nd half of series and At the same time, her affection for the ML only seemed clear when he was still "Xie Xue Chen(XXC)", making her love feel conditional and selective, debunking any true-meaning of reincarnated and fated love Arc. This left me unsure of who she truly loved, creating frustration instead of emotional depth.
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Ironically but the FL couldn't accept all the versions of the ML but she can accept SML in every form. Which is enough to prove she didn't truely love ML deeply the way she advocate it, is just the writer forcing things the opposite way.
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The biggest plot mess at the End and the dramatic illogical Ending will be highly remembered, the writer is the most laziest of all time.
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Overall FL's only realistic feelings on the screen are her sympathy with SML and the ambiguous Intimate interactions between them which she enjoys.. At this point who cares if she ended up together with ML, which is almost none because there was only 5 minutes happy ending after all this nonsense..

# Problematic Messaging and Conclusion

To sum up things, The 2nd half of the serie couldn't tell a satisfying or meaningful love storytelling. It did not provide justice for the characters, especially the ML, and sent troubling messages about love and forgiveness.
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By excusing harmful behavior and justifying all the evil actions of the SML and his unhealthy manipulated-relationships while at the same time misleading and denying the true-meaning of what is showing to the audience, the show missed the chance to tell a powerful and positive love storytelling.
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In the end, the series did not only just failed in romance Arc but also damaging in its portrayal of relationships and personal accountability. Which left me frustrating with psychological disorder. Justice for the ML!!! ⚖️ ⚖️

Tips ::: you might want to read the extended spoilers...
Direct-Links to important extended (spoilers) under this review comment area 🤗🤗
1) https://kisskh.at/profile/Jenny.park/review/422832#comment-20419488
2) https://kisskh.at/profile/Jenny.park/review/422832#comment-20412406

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was mostly a 10/10, but sigh….

was mostly a 10/10, but sigh the plot went downhill after ep 30. I’ll separate my reviews in parts I think

1) first off, in general
- I think the coloring, scenery and cinematography was good and beautiful
- I loved the costume and I really like the hairstyle on FL
- I loved the music
- everyone’s acting was good
- CGi was good to me and fighting scenes too

2) eps 1-29 :

I was hooked at their first encounter. I liked their fighting scene too
Cold ML, that will fall hard and soften, more bubbly flirty FL. Totally my type.
The development and the interactions between the leads was very good to me. How she was following him, flirting with him, him wanting to go way. Them slowly falling for each other. I think their chemistry was very good, their dynamic was also perfect

When ML fell, he fell hard. He would do anything for her.
- After she was imprisoned in that cold prison and they wanted to kill her, hated her. He defended her, went against the other, claiming she was one of Snow city people (one of his people). She was ready to die for him, but no he was gonna save her at all cost. And he did, he took out the demoniac power in her and make her gain spiritual power back. Even the people in snow city, accepted her back
- I have to say, I really loved ML smile and how he looked at her❤️
- She hurt him many times (even if it was intentional or she wasn’t herself). He was never mad at her, he never gave up on her, he knew she wasn’t like that. After she forgot all emotions, he did everything to get her emotions back. It was a bit reversed here it was funny, now it was her who wanted to go away and him not letting her go. Even without her emotions, her heart didn’t forget him, that was good how she had some heartache because of him.
- when she died, that made me so emotional. When he was climbing the stairs, I honestly started crying. He loved her so bad, was ready to do everything to get her back. And then, he sacrificed himself for her, I also cried here. Even the divine dude cry, that was something
FL too, she was ready to die for him and how she literally died for him, giving him the talisman from SMl because she wanted him to live… another heartbreaking moment

In general, their love story really touched me. How much they loved each other, how much they wanted to protect and do anything for each other, even sacrificing their life for each other. I was really feeling their love for each other. They also understood each other. She understood his duty and how important it was for him to protect the world. She wanted to continu protecting the world for him after he died. That episode when Sang Qi when to get her in snow city, he went back to save the village instead of saving FL right away. She understood. Like him, knew what she wanted

At the beginning I liked the friendship with SML even if later on I hated this guy… No one can make me like him

Bao was so cute, I loved every interaction with FL

Never really dislike the SFL and I liked the development and how they formed a friendship. We didn’t get much, but I like the little love story with Fu Lang

I think the story was flowing nicely and well writing, I think the plot was engaging for the most part, maybe a bit more slow in snow city, but still enjoyed it.
There was really good other parts to me, like :
- How they went with FL being the caos pearl, that episode where they revealed this and the flashbacks, I really loved that episode, think it was well written
- the time travel was well done
- how it was ML all along, when we saw it was him that went back in the past to meet FL when she was a kid and he was her ge ge all along. How it was actually her who saved his life too in the past
- Sang Qi : I liked his story later on, I truly felt bad for him when we learned what happened. the betrayal and the misunderstanding… a tragic love story. She ended her life because she thought he was dead and didn’t wanna be forced to marry someone else. When he learned she never betrayed him… Then he sacrificed himself for FL, he was like a father to her even if he did hurt her more than once, can’t deny that. I liked this ending for him
- Fu Lang parents : I liked how they showed a bit their story and spend some screentime on them. They were bickering and all that, but in the end, truly loved each other. Their last few moments make me emotional and cry a bit, another tragic love story…
- the other couple in the forest : that was seriously such a depressing story. Her, reliving the same day forever ? him, her shadow accompanying her all the time, but never being able to see each other. How she never knew he actually loved her. A misunderstanding from the past that will not be solve… how they introduced the the dude and how you can go there and make a wish, how it all link to later on when he went there to save FL.

3) ZM and pearl (past life)

That was definitely too long…

There was some cute moments between the leads, but don’t think it was well written to really feel their story. Screentime wasted on more useless things too

Interesting how ZM personality was

I like the little time on second couple, tragic end. How they were also like fated and meet again/fell in love in their second life. How what they wished for the other came true.

Probably exaggerating😅😅 but too much importance on FL and SML story that I honestly didn’t give a damn about, could have cut some moments of that. I’m the last 10 eps, felt more like FL and SML story than FL and ML

Only thing that I think was somehow interesting in this was how everything was fake, the fake memories regarding ZM actions in the book of fate and in ZM + everyone memories. Also FL going over there and crashing out killing all of them after ZM imprisonment was cool😎 and then giving like f**k you to SML was satisfying

Will finish the last arc another day, the most disappointing part of the drama…

4) last arc in the present + ending :
Weeks later ahaha should I finally finish this review 😂 what did I even wanted to say, gonna go in general, it’s far in my mind

They changed the sypnosis, wish it was this one since the beginning, it was misleading… it was something like « she uses the power of love to blah blah blah… after ML comes back as the demon Lord » this is not what happened. This was something that really disappointed me : they really separated past and present. Mu Xuan Ling and Pearl never became one, just like both version of ML (even if maybe they did at the very end…). I thought this would be about both of them like merge, being both and loving both of the other lead version. But no, after XXC died and his soul got back to ZM, she was like he his dead, etc… I thought she would go to the demon world to help him, fight for him because in the end he is still XXC and both of the version her 2 self loved, but that never happened. Don’t know if I am being clear😂😂 I was excited about demon ML, but that was disappointing in the end. Didn’t like how they went with the plot in the last few episodes and the sparks and love for the romance between the leads I was loving was mostly gone

SML was still annoying as hell. When she saved him by giving him half her power🙄🙄 I know why she did it, but just no girl. He’s still the one who did all that in the past and literally caused your death and the death of the person you love. it’s also like she could somehow recognized/accept him as NXY and TMS, but not XXC and ZM? Why again making the SML have some kind of hero dead, rolling my eyes… Cdramas writers have been doing this lately when the SML doesn’t deserve it.

Classic annoying 5 min happy ending that gives nothing. Honestly when she said « who are you » (I think that’s what she said, it’s been a while), I rolled my eyes again, it shouldn’t matter, but showing again how they really separate the characters. This could have been at the middle of the episode, I can agree it was still a beautiful scene under the tree and the come back to the tree blossoming and then could have giving us an aftermath… like them living happily, a wedding, I don’t know anything!!!!! Most writers have 0 imagination and don’t wanna give what watchers actually want

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Do you really want to live forever?

I was surprised by how completely The Blossoming Love (千朵桃花一世开) managed to hook me in the opening episode. Expecting yet another run-of-the-mill xianxia, I ate up newbie Sun Zhenni's provocative portrayal of Mu Xuanling, the Saintess of the Dark Realm and seductress nonpareil. For once, a morally ambiguous lead female character who knows what she wants and will break all the rules to get it. While there is no question that she saves Xie Xuechen, the leader of the Immortal Alliance, we don't know why and what her real motives are.

What stands out the most about this drama is the undeniable chemistry between the leads Vin Zhang and Sun Zhenni, which really is a "must- have" for me to want to watch this genre. Sun Zhenni knows how to look at a man like she really wants him. She could give a master class not only in flirting but her irresistible expressions; the way her eyes sparkle, her deep searching gazes, the way she conveys passion, joy, distress and anger. This was so refreshing coming right off of Blossom where Meng Ziyi's uninspired wide-eyed dead duck stare made me want to write-off romance dramas for good.

This is a intricate story with complex characters and multiple timelines that come to a full circle over four arcs. It opens in the third arc in terms of time sequence, where Xie Xuechen, Mu Xuanling and the mysterious Nan Xuyue seem to be bound by a past affinity that will shape not only their futures, but that of the universe. While it is predictable that they have other identities, the drama opens with the most interesting version of each of them. Xuanling's flirtatious teasing of Xuechen thrilled and delighted me as much as her her ambivalent affection for Sang Qi moved but worried me. Xuechen is also not your typical righteous hero, he is capable of subterfuge and is disarmingly candid about his growing affection for Xuanling. I enjoyed his bromance with the enigmatic Xuyue and hoped Xuanling would not complicate the friendship and trust between them. It is a fantastic arc where no one is that powerful so in every conflict, the stakes feel heavy and real. Unfortunately, the subsequent arcs pale by comparison.

The backstories are told in extended flashbacks about characters that are not as interesting. I could not get invested in either Zhao Ming or A'chu, who are boring and two dimensional. Despite the dark and sexy vibe of the Demon Lord and the leads' charisma and screen presence, I never came to really care for their other personas. I found myself more moved by the side stories of the master and mistress of Bixiao Palace and that of Lord Qianguang and his forgetful lover. While the later arcs are where Wang Duo's laudable talent for complexity is on full on display, Tian Ming's single-minded obsession with fate and his efforts to force the Chaos Pearl to yield to his will goes on for a bit too long. Nonetheless I was pleased to see that in the end, he finally finds his answer to the two questions that plagued him endlessly; "What is love?" and "Do you really want to live forever?"

The biggest problem with this narrative is that the plot is overly ambitious, it literally tries to take on the universe! While it opens strongly in the best, most addictive arc, the non-linear telling of the story is confusing and the multiple time loops of cause and effect are difficult to keep track of. That said, apart from some inevitable logic bugs, the story largely hangs together if you don't look overly hard at it. And while the ending is somewhat anti-climatic, I enjoyed the message that we should not just accept fate. I rate it 7.5/10.0 overall but I think the first ~25+ episodes are worth between 8.0 and 8.5.

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An Unexpected Gem: Timeloops and Heartbreaks that Will Leave You Speechless

I just finished watching The Blossoming Love, and I have to say, it absolutely blew me away! This is the first xianxia drama I've seen in a long time, especially after being overwhelmed with wuxia and historical dramas. The last xianxia I watched was Love Rebellion, but honestly, it didn't quite hit the mark. However, The Blossoming Love is on a whole other level.

I’ll be honest—I wasn’t initially a fan of either the male lead (ML) or the female lead (FL), but their performances here are truly outstanding. Not just them, but the supporting cast was equally impressive. Two characters who really caught my attention were the second male lead and the adorable little treasure sniffer, A Bao. Their acting was so on point—when they were sad, I cried with them; when they had their hearts broken, I felt it too.

As for the story, the time loop plot was absolutely PERFECT, with some mind-blowing twists I didn’t see coming. I did feel like some of the side stories about the supporting characters were a bit too much and didn’t always tie into the main plot. If those parts were trimmed down, the drama could’ve been shorter and had a more focused on the main storyline.

The OST was great—no complaints there.
The CGI effects? They were just okay, but honestly, as long as the acting and story are fantastic, I’m not too picky.

Overall, The Blossoming Love is a GEM. Huge applause to the entire team for delivering such a wonderful Series!
Good Job, Well Done!

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Came for the romance, was swept away by the story

When I started this drama, I didn’t expect much. I thought it’d be another formulaic tale filled with the usual tropes. But what I got was so much more—a journey that touched my heart in ways I didn’t anticipate.

Plot and Story: Phenomenal

The pacing was brisk, the story captivating, and every twist kept me glued to the screen. The intricate layers of the plot, combined with heartfelt moments and romance, were the soul of this drama. The twists and turns weren’t just entertaining; they were delivered with passion and depth, amplified by the stellar cast and the unforgettable OST.

While the CGI effects weren’t the same as other higher calibre projects, the breathtaking settings more than made up for it. The Dark Abyss, in particular, was a feast for the eyes and added a magical allure to the story’s world-building.

The Leads: Pure Magic

The leads were nothing short of amazing.

The Female Lead (FL): She’s everything you want in a heroine—strong, intelligent, and fiercely loyal. Despite her heartbreaking backstory, she remains sassy and full of life. Watching her chase the ML (a trope I usually struggle with) felt fresh and endearing. Her love and determination broke through his walls, and the journey of their love was beautiful to witness. The actress’s portrayal of Pearl’s transformation—from her divine origins to her life on Earth—was nothing short of spectacular. I first saw her in TTEOTM, and she’s only gotten better.

The Male Lead (ML): VZ wasn’t on my radar before this, but wow, my guy, I see you now. His performance as XXC, the stoic hero bearing humanity’s burdens, was both powerful and heartbreaking. The way he resisted love—only to fall so deeply—was a treat to watch. And let’s talk about his other personas: Emperor ZM—majestic and commanding—and the Demon Lord ZM, his best look by far. Binbin brought all these facets to life with breathtaking skill.

Their chemistry? Absolutely fire. Every interaction between them felt raw and real, pulling me deeper into their story.

Supporting Cast: A Rich Tapestry

The supporting characters added so much depth:

Villains and Antagonists: These weren’t cookie-cutter villains. Their motivations, while flawed, were grounded in relatable emotions. Nan Xu Yue (Tiang Min Shu) stood out as a fascinating antagonist. His love for his friend clashed tragically with his desperate, self-serving actions to save his own love. He’s both pitiable and infuriating—a perfect mix that made him unforgettable. His portrayal of Fate was equally mesmerizing, and even more fascinating. He's the most interesting character for me in this.

Second Leads and Side Stories: The second leads’ love story and other side arcs were heartfelt and added emotional layers. The past lives storyline felt like a drama within a drama, rich with complexity and heartbreak.

The Finale: Bittersweet Perfection

The finale brought everything together beautifully. Watching the trio collaborate was incredibly satisfying. Admittedly, the concept of the universe’s creator becoming the ultimate threat felt wild, but this is fantasy—so we roll with it!

More than anything, the drama’s philosophical undertones left a lasting impression. It posed profound questions: What is right and wrong? What does it mean to be human? What is love in the face of eternity? The line, “As for right and wrong, there are no definite answers. Everything is fate,” encapsulates the essence of the story’s themes. It reminded me that human nature, even when projected onto celestial beings, will always seek to defy fate and embrace emotion.

Final Thoughts

This drama wasn’t just a show—it was an experience, a journey that moved my heart and soul. If you’re craving a fantasy romance with depth, passion, and unforgettable characters, don’t miss this one. It’s a story that will linger with you long after the final scene.

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"No reward comes without a cost"

The Blossoming Love took 10,000 years to flower and at times it felt like it. A beautiful cast and a strong start, began to wilt by the final episodes.

What worked for me:

I’ve had a soft spot for Bin Bin since TMOPB. He may not be the greatest actor but I find his presence comforting. Plus, he’s gorgeous.

Sun Zhen Ni gave a refreshing performance as Mu Xuan Ling.

Wang Duo once again came through as the elegant, but morally ambiguous character who threatens to steal the show.

The first half to two-thirds felt cohesive, and I was actually invested in the story.

Now for what didn’t work for me:

When the drama focused on Zhao Ming, it began to feel repetitive. While I preferred dark Bin Bin (he looked delicious in black and the darker guy-liner), the more childlike Pearl was a step backward.

There were numerous side characters, some worked, some didn’t. I tend to lose interest the further away from the main characters a story goes.

This drama is one of the most blood spitting dramas I've seen in a while. The props department must have shopped at Buckets O' Blood to keep the red fluid flowing. They also might have needed oxygen on hand for some of the long exposition dumps the actors had to spit out as well.

The last third of the drama as they hip-hopped through time began to drag. While waiting on the final episodes I watched other things and read books and completely forgot about the drama until I noticed it in my Currently Watching List which I rarely use. Forgetting a drama is not a good sign for me, despite enjoying the earlier episodes. The drama’s ending was convoluted in a timey-wimey twisted way to try and make all the pieces fit.

Final analysis:
Blossoms of Love was entertaining and pretty to look at. For the most part it kept my attention, and I enjoyed Vin Zhang and Sun Zhen Ni’s chemistry. I would have liked for it to have been shorter and had a more coherent ending. I don’t regret watching it at all, but would be hesitant to recommend to others without some serious caveats.

27 February 2025

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A MASTERPIECE! I'm at awe!

Just finished it and all I have to say is one word: MASTERPIECE!

I literally haven't seen such a good drama in a really long time. Everything is extremely well thought of, the amount of attention to every little detail is INSANE! Zhang Bin Bin , Sun Zhen Ni and Wang Duo did an AMAZING job and so did the director, screenwriter and literally everyone else involved in this! I want to congratulate every single person who contributed into making this magnificent story come to life.

The cinematography is simply breathtaking, it's unreal, that's how beautiful the scenes are. And that's coming from someone who has been watching xianxia and wuxia dramas for quite a while (almost a decade now). My most favorite scene has to be Zhang Bin Bin as Zhao Ming standing at the sacrificial altar just seconds before climbing the ladder to slay the gods. Dark clouds are gathering in the sky. With his hair in a bun and the wind blowing the long strips of cloth hanging from his otherwise form fitting royal but almost general-like costume. Oh my God! He looks like the EPITOME of a god of war. I don't think I've seen a more majestic scene elsewhere! The camera faces his back and the scene feels so solemn and heroic. All in all the director has to get an award for this masterpiece! The actors and scriptwriters as well, they did beyond great!

I loved the main couple, be it MXL- XXC or Zhao Ming with Ah Zhu. I have to admit though that the MXL × XXC couple has a special place in my heart. I loved how the fl teased the ml and was sassy and straightforward even in all her schemes. XXC kept refusing her but ever since the very beginning he unconsciously started being drawn towards her. She was free and unrestrained - the exact opposite of himself. He was unconsciously yearning for the freedom that she represented and at the same time he fell deeply and inextricably in love with her. He gave his all for her, despite him being weighed down by his responsibilities towards the world.

The relationship between Ah Zhu and Si Ming is extremely compelling and profound. Interesting falls short to describe it. They have been together since the beginning of time. They are partners, always together, sharing a profound understanding of each other, unmatched in the whole world. They have always been inseparable. Or at least that's how it used to be... Until Ah Zhu fell from heaven. That's when it all changed. Or wasn't it? If we dig deeper into their story we can see they had long ago developed quite different personalities with almost opposite characteristics. Ah Zhu is seen showing curiosity towards the things that they, unlike the rest of the world, don't possess like a sense of smell or taste. Si Ming on the other hand doesn't share the same enthusiasm. He is despondent and seems to believe that everything is controlled by the rules set up from above, a belief which is strongly reinforced by him being the book of fate that sets the rules for cause and effect for everythingin the world. I am greatly intrigued by the dynamics of their relationship be it in the past or in the present.
I came to really like the 2nd ML's character. He is the perfect example of a grey character. He is not completely bad nor completely good. This is a very strong notion that permeates and sets the tone for the whole story and its development.

Also, the comment NYX/Si Ming made about them being in a painting inside the fan, is him effectively breaking the 4rth wall. He is basically saying their world is controlled by Hao Tian (their world being "the painting") but the place where Hao Tian is, is also controlled the same way (the heaven beyond the heaven, the place outside their world, the place where Hao Tian is, that is "the fan"). Thus he effectively describes the situation as one of us the audience would see it. The "fan" containing the "painting" is basically the drama being controlled by the scriptwriters and us watching it. Just a MASTERPIECE! This is probably the only story I've watched were had the writers wanted to add the leads reincarnating or waking up in the real world, it would actually work and make sense without ruining the story. To reinforce this " breaking the 4rth wall" sentiment it would've been perfect if they added a scene of the actors and the crew filming in the end. This could have been what NYX/ Si Ming had previously glimpsed when he saw the "truth" while fixing the heavens.

I especially have to mention how DIVINE the costumes are! I LOVE Zhao Ming's royal and majestic look, admittedly the makeup and the costume is my favourite along with the fallen immortal's dark, broody and seductive countenance. XXC's look is classic but still gorgeous. Zhang Bin Bin nails all his characters and brings them to life very vividly, all while making each one very distinct and distinguishable from the rest. Zhang Bin Bin looks are lethal, this man has the looks and acting skills to perfectly portray a seductive demon but can also pull off perfectly the cold unfeeling immortal, simply amazing. Then there is MXL with her beyond PERFECT costume styles! Oh my god I adore those ankle chains especially the one's with bells! All her dresses were super fashionable and exuded an air of seduction and sass which I loved and they really suited her characterMXL. Red is Sun Zhen Ni's colour, it suits her so much. I also loved her makeup especially as MXL and as the Chaos Pearl Supreme Goddesses. Sun Zhen Ni and Zhang Bin Bin are gorgeous in a kind of similar way. They both can easily pull off sassy, seductive and glamorous characters but they can just as easily pull off a more gentle or cold one. Reagrding Wang Duo all I have to say is WOW, firstly his acting is unreal, his portrayal was perfect. You could see his all struggles as well as his detachment. In one moment he seemed cruel, cold and unfeeling and the next, extremely profound, understanding and kind. All this makes sense when you find out he is (the book of) fate... sometimes brutal... and other times compassionate. Wang Duo is handsome and I particularly loved his makeup and costume as Si Ming. His NXY makeup and costume really suited him as well.

In conclusion, all I have to say is that THIS is THE drama of all dramas. The only xianxia that is as good or comes close to it is Ancient Love Poetry and Who Rules the World ( although I think this one is Wuxia). Although I don't usually rewatch, I'll definitely, for sure watch it again in the future! The three main leads are such a perfect combination and their portrayals are excellent. The characters and story have become very dear to me that I'm sad it's ended. I really wish to see these three in another drama together again in the future! The director, scriptwriter and main leads deserve all the awards for this masterpiece! Congratulations!!!

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"The Blossoming Love: A Timeless Romance That Will Steal Your Heart"

Title: A Beautiful Tale of Love and Destiny
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you're looking for a drama that tugs at your heartstrings and immerses you in a world of romance and fantasy, The Blossoming Love is a must-watch. This Chinese drama masterfully weaves a story about love that defies time, fate, and even the boundaries between good and evil.

The Story:
The drama tells the tale of Emperor Zhao Ming (played by Vin Zhang), who sacrifices himself in ancient times to save humanity from a divine catastrophe. His lover, Hun Dun Zhu (Sun Zhen Ni), refuses to let his soul fade into oblivion and preserves a fragment of it, setting the stage for their reincarnated love story.

In the present timeline, Zhao Ming is reborn as Xie Xue Chen, the leader of the Immortal Alliance, while Hun Dun Zhu reincarnates as Mu Xuan Ling, the Holy Maiden of the Dark Domain. They start as enemies on opposite sides of a centuries-old battle but are forced to work together. As they journey side by side, the rivalry turns into understanding, then into a deep, soul-stirring love.

What Makes It Special:

Compelling Characters: Xie Xue Chen and Mu Xuan Ling are written with depth and complexity. You feel their pain, their struggles, and their ultimate growth as they learn to trust and love each other despite their differences.

Visual Masterpiece: The cinematography is breathtaking, with stunning shots of divine realms, historic settings, and intricate costume designs that bring the story to life.

Emotionally Rich: Every episode is packed with emotional highs and lows. From their early antagonism to their gradual realization of their past lives, the drama keeps you hooked.

A Haunting Soundtrack: The music is a perfect match for the story, elevating every emotional moment. The theme song, in particular, stays with you long after the credits roll.


Why You Should Watch It:
The Blossoming Love isn’t just about romance—it’s about resilience, redemption, and the belief that love can overcome any obstacle. The chemistry between Vin Zhang and Sun Zhen Ni is electric, and the supporting cast adds depth and intrigue to the plot.

Where to Watch:
You can stream The Blossoming Love on Youku. International viewers can also find it with English subtitles on platforms like Viki and Apple TV.

Final Thoughts:
This is more than just a drama; it’s an emotional journey. Whether you’re a fan of fantasy, historical settings, or epic love stories, The Blossoming Love delivers on all fronts. It will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the power of love that transcends time.

Highly recommended!

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Blend xianxia with psychtriarty in exploring Iinner demons and beng “demons”

Everybody in the drama have their own inner demons. These range from anger,hatred,anxiety,fears and many others, from their past traumas,past experiences and past mistakes . Many also did psychological projections – blame-shfting to other for their inner demons hence they themselves were also demons.

Through the 2ML, the drama showed the inner demons of the evolution of jealousy. When he met the FL, he was a cripple with his lost divination power and rank of heir to his envious half brother.. He has self-doubt, with low self-worth and self-esteem,the root. The next time he met her again was different. He has rank ,,power,wealth and looks, the same as ML.(casting director deliberately chosen a dreamy,delicate-looking,winsome and willowy graceful actor for 2ML syndrome). However she didn't remember him while she did remember the ML. He was disappointed but that changed when she came back from Dark Abyss with amnesia and lost of love for ML He saw his chance and kept her secret.Ingrained negative thought patterns and behavioral changes gave way to selfishness, egoism and dichotomous thinking. He was way better at protecting her than ML.
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Through ML and FL , drama showed some self-help psychological strategies. When ML's father died, his childhood conditioning of emotional distancing was cracked. Self -reflection and self -questioning led to self-realization that beliefs undermine his core nature of a generous and kind-hearted which was evident in boyhood. Similarly, the FL's reconnection with him brought forth his care and protection in her abused childhood, and that debt of gratitude over time transformed into love. She was essentially a warm-hearted girl during her childhood. Genes can override environmental influences, and gratitude is a powerful, positive force that brings resilience.Her habit of journaling was 1 way of expressing thoughts ,feelings and insecurities. When he read it he understood her better. Her cultivating his spiritual technique which he instilled to cure her, was exploring creativity through artistic expression.

The fighting between humans and demons and spiritual clans,drama showed its satire of humns being “demons” Spirit clans were animals in the drama. with human forms Humans when they attained spiritual power, killed or caught them to be their slaves They evoked anger,hatred ,anxiety, and fears of the spirit clan towards humans.
Throughour the drama 1man,.the ML, can change social consciouness towartds beings living in the same eco-sysatem. A chain reaction for Change.


(Glad that I am not a meat-eater,domate to animal welfare and going Green. )

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The last 15 episodes put me to sleep....so...slow....

Subjective Gut Rating; 7.75

How should I rate and review this drama when I kept on falling asleep in the last 15 episodes? It wasn’t all The Blossoming Love’s fault. I was tired from work and sleep-deprived from staying up late watching this drama (what a catch 22!). However, it is rare that I would fall asleep watching the same drama 3 nights in a row. And that says something about the second half of The Blossoming Love.

Let’s start with the negative. Despite finding it interesting that the story of the origin from 10,000 years ago is great, the execution puts me to sleep. There are so many dialogs, and some are quite slow. After an exciting first half, the second half drags on and on. It shouldn’t take so many episodes to tell us what happened 10,000 years ago. It also shouldn’t take that long for the present-day timeline to spring into action. For a xianxia drama with power leads and fighters, there’s just too much talking and not enough action.

Other areas I don’t like would be the makeup and some acting performances. Everyone is white as snow and some with uneven makeup. I was hoping for better acting performance for everyone, but what I got was average - from the main leads to the supporting cast. Wang Duo is definitely a scene stealer but even I got a little bored of him in the second half when the pace is slow. Sun Zhen Ni is probably the stand-out for me. I am not sure if the actors are dubbed, I really dislike FL’s voice. It’s too young for such a badass woman. But if it’s her real voice, then I’ll accept it.

There are still areas I like about this drama. Visually, everyone looks great. Despite ugly makeup, the costume department wins! Beautiful and elaborate hairstyles, clothing with layers, patterns, beads, and other accessories to make the costumes amazing for both the male and female main leads.

I actually also really like the first half of the drama. Initially, I did think that the plot of the different sects vying for the ‘throne’ and the demon villain is somewhat common in xianxia dramas. However, the pacing is great. The introduction of the characters, how they met and developed their friendships and romances are nicely written. It was really a very easy binge and the leads are likable and attractive in their own ways. The chemistry of the leads is decent. Who doesn’t like an outgoing, sassy and kickass female lead or the 2ML who is mysterious and a little cunning, yet falls for the FL. I also really like how us viewers found out about the older brother that FL cares about deeply. It all makes sense and it’s a creative way to show us that.

There’s so much to like in the first half. That’s why it was so disappointing when the drama cannot hold my attention in the second half. Unfortunately, from a very subjective point of view, I can’t rate this drama higher than a 7.75 (and not a solid 8).


Completed: 1/31/2025 - Review #538

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Xinxia done right

I’m usually too lazy to write a review but felt compelled to write my first one after reading some biased opinions from people who felt their actor didn’t have enough screen time. There needs to be more honest reviews of the drama itself.

This drama doesn’t have the usual faults of most xinxias - repetitive dialogues, 2 dimensional illogical obsessed 2nd lead, overuse of CGI, dragged out story.

Main couple’s romance was fresh, side characters were likable and didnt seem like useless fillers, and the antagonists were not evil for no reason. They had fleshed out backstories.

Everyone’s acting was captivating. Sun Zhenni was the right amount of perky, cute, and flirty. Zhang Bin Bin had the difficult task of playing an initially cold character, and he became more expressive as his characters evolved.

Especially compelling is Wang Duo’s acting and what he brought to an already interesting character. Sometimes the smallest gesture or expression can speak volumes.

Xinxia is usually not my favorite genre but this story was well written and not just filled with mindless angst driven drivel. Pacing was not slow like many xinxias. It was almost too fast in some parts, where I had to replay to catch what was being said.

This is worth rewatching because it’s not just about romance. The story itself is multi-layered and interesting. But if you want to watch for the romance, I thought it had a good amount of it (multiple kisses, hugging, and flirting) but some people didn’t think so. I would say check it out for yourself and form your own (hopefully unbiased) opinion.

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