Blossom

Enthralled From Beginning Until the End!

From the very first episode until the end, "Blossom" kept my eyes glued to the screen. Every single second, and scene was captivating. Every single character in this drama played their part well, and was very important to get this drama skyrocketing to it's current popularity.

Meng Zi Yi has been working really hard as a supporting actress for many years, and I've seen her in a plethora of dramas. I'm very happy to see her main role in "Blossom" do so incredibly well! It has been a long time coming for her, I'm really happy that she got the breakthrough she has so long worked for. Meng portroyed Dou Zhao very naturally and I love the power she gives to the character. Dou Zhao was given a second chance of life, and she did not waste a single drop of knowledge in her second life. She fought hard and well to protect Song Mo and the people she loves and cares for. Despite many enemies wanting her dead, she was able to weave her way out even without Song Mo. She's not your average mistress in distress FL, she's a heroine in this drama. She's, as Song Mo stated, the strategist and reinforcement of his life. She would do anything to protect Song Mo, and vice versa!

Moving on to Li Yun Rui. I've only seen him in "Love Like The Galaxy," and boy was he annoying in that drama for me. However, he redeemed himself in "Blossom" and has become an actor that I won't skip on his next project, that's only if the synopsis is good. lol I digress. Li Yun Rui embodied Song Mo very well. He showcased what Song Mo is all about - justice and love. He will always fight for justice, and is not afraid to tell the emperor how disappointed he is when justice is not served. And also put two princes in their place. LOL Of course, he would protect Dou Zhao as much as he can. Li Yun Rui's ability to act with micro expression can be quite comedic in a good way. There are definitely moments where he needs to work on his acting just a tad bit. But overall, everything he did was very natural and I didn't notice anything off at the very least. Song Mo's life is quite depressing because he was hated by his father for secret reasons. I like that the drama makes you question the stupidity of the elders and everyone involved but then when the truth comes out - it all makes sense. I almost dropped this drama because I thought the father was being ridculous for absolute no reason. LMAO But all is well, you just have to keep watching to know and understand everything!

"Blossom" feels like it follows the life of both Dou Zhao and Song Mo from their 2nd life meeting, courtship, marriage, kids, and life onwards. I really enjoyed watching every moment of this drama, except for maybe some political parts but I digress. There was barely any angst between the main leads, which indiciates that not every drama needs ANGST! *cough* Even without angst, it still kept the audience engaged. There are many dramas I've watched this year that fell short mid way or even towards the end. However, "Blossom" was the opposite. Even the last 4 episodes kept me on my toes, I was screaming, engaged, did not blink, oh my god, the battle was phenomennal and intense!

I like that the drama included a gun and a clock. Both of which you don't see often in Ming Dynasty dramas, it was a nice touch that I couldn't help but notice. :]

"Blossom" was about Dou Zhao and Song Mo's fight to protect the righteousness of the throne. People either want them dead or want them on their side.

I would definitely recommend this drama if you like a wholesome marriage between leads, smart heroine, and strong yet resilient hero, amazing plot, and great screenwriting and directory.

Read More

Very satisfying to watch

I decided to watch it as I've heard some good reviews about the first few episodes, and it definitely blows my expectation. I can't really tell that this was a lower budget production at first as it got great cinematography and overall good story & acting.

Pros
- Zhaomo
They are hands down my favorite couple in dramaland now. They are the standard and I just love their relationship so much. The romance development is amazing, the pace is just right and I really could believe in every stages of their relationship. I really love their married life as well, it's so much more intimate than what is shown in other dramas imo.

- Great cinematography
Director is the biggest asset in this drama, he have clear direction and is a good storyteller. While I love the main characters, I also love to see side characters have their own memorable shot, so I really like this director's style. I am definitely looking forward to see his future works.

- Solid script
Script is solid overall. Characters are well written and have their own highlight, story have a clear direction, plenty of good dialogues throughout, and I like the resolution as well. There are some plot holes here and there, but it's quite minimal and still within acceptable level to me.

- Good acting
The acting here is overall pretty good and nothing bothers me, everyone fits their role quite well.

- Good ending
Honestly I was so worried it's gonna end so badly since I don't like the major plot development after their marriage (especially for episode 27-32), but I'm glad it ends on good note and overall still makes sense to me. Some of the storyline could be better though (Songhan x Ansu, Jiyong, Empress x Emperor)... but it's a pretty good ending considering other dramas that I have watched in recent years, so I'm very satisfied overall.

Cons
- Uneven quality for both directing and script
The directing -- some episodes in latter half was not as good as the beginning, the dip in quality is more noticeable since the beginning was really good imo. Thankfully it got redeemed on the last few episodes.

The script also suffer from this as some characters or arc are not that well written, in particular Songhan x Ansu, Jiyong, and Empress x Emperor storyline could be better. I'm not sure if it's because they run out of budget or the censorship cuts few episodes, but I really wish Blossom have few more episodes to develop the latter half better as the plot was too jam packed towards the end.

- Action scenes feel lacking in last episode
Action scenes in the beginning was really good and it's what caught my attention the most... but unfortunately the last battle leaves more to be desired. Again I'm not sure if it's because of budget or time constraint, but I wish the last battle is grander.

Overall I'm very satisfied with the series. I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for something perfect because it's not... but if you're looking for something fun with amazing leads, good cinematography, compelling characters, and good ending, then please try to watch it.
Please note that my rating is slightly higher as I really enjoyed watching it and the ending makes me feels like it's worth the express fee that I paid.

Read More

Karma does exist

Blossom has amazing cinematography and story telling. It focuses on both the leads equally at the beginning and then towards the end it focuses more on the ML since we conclude and move on from FL's revenge - not really a revenge though she just wants to live well with her loved ones. FL is smart but ML is implusive which kinda annoyed me at the beginning since most of FL's problems were caused by ML's impulsiveness and emotional behaviour.

This drama really shows that karma does exist , few of the characters who had wronged the FL in the past got their karma in this timeline even though they aren't really evil now, which kinda makes you feel bad for them but not at the same time.

Rewatch value is low for this one since I felt like there were just too many problems that it felt overwhelming at times.

Read More

Absolutely Beautiful Visuals, but Not Very Interesting Everything Else

8.00
(without the visuals, it would be a 7.50)

I came in, hearing a lot of things about this drama. For me, it's difficult to reach past the 30 episode mark. Only for very good dramas to reach past that. So I had cautious hope for this drama. But, result is, I couldn't even get to the 20th episode.

How I knew I couldn't want this drama any more: Watching 20 minutes felt like a marathon. I was bored to death and falling asleep. It simply couldn't compete with other more interesting dramas

Story:
Pros:
-the first half was nice
-the romance was fine. Their flirting and working together was cool.
-there were a few scenes and dialogues that were funny or meaningful
-I like Dou Zhao's character.

Cons:
-Her love interest, ml, wasn't nearly as interesting. He had some good scenes, but he felt more like a side character than ~the~ Male Lead
-it got slow after they got married (but at least they got a love marriage)
-their romance didn't make much sense to me
-though, I wish we got to see Dou Zhao get strong just a tad. When we got to her second life, she was already the smarted, richest and whatever in the land.

Acting/Casting:
-I don't know about what others say, but I don't think Li Yun Rui's acting was any good. The voice actor was really good though.
-Meng Zi Yi's acting was better. Not fantastic, but decent.
-chemistry was ok
update: chemistry: I saw some clips from future episodes. Their _ was pretty good, but I wish they hadn't saved all that in the end.

Music:
-pretty good

Rewatch:
-I'll watch clips just for fun, but no

-the visuals are amazing. I wouldn't even had made it past the 5th ish episode if not for the beautiful visuals. If you want to watch this drama JUST because of the visuals, I wouldn't blame you.

Read More

Oozing chemistry, great plot ,definitely a 10/10

This is my 2nd time adding a review strangely dramas that have blossom in it attract me (blossom in adversity)
Will keep it short,simple everyone has to give this drama a try 1st ep all about past well e
real fun starts from ep 3 but enjoyed all episodes till now watching ep 11 and this drama has the potential to make me stick to it till the end
I find all actors giving their best and the CHEMISTRY yeah that's what is just amazing it couldn't be described in words you have to watch it
These and some of the things like the visuals ,the setup ,cgi not used that much but how it is used is superb yeah one of the most important thing storyline pace it is perfect for 34 episodes well i am waiting for their fake marriage 😚🤭🤭ohhh and the princess treatment 😩😩😩😩🔥🔥🔥
That was alk thanks for reading

Read More

The Dark Horse of The Year

"Blossom" shows that a great story and solid execution can outshine big budgets and famous actors. This drama, though simple on the surface, stands out as one of the best of the year.

It's such a heartfelt story, pulling you into its world with raw emotions and thoughtful storytelling. The casts, while not A-lister, delivers powerful performances that feel genuine and natural. Their chemistry brings the characters to life in a way that’s truly captivating.

What makes "Blossom" special is its direction and script. Every scene feels purposeful, and the pacing keeps you hooked from start to finish.

"Blossom" proves you don’t need flashy effects or big names to make something unforgettable. It’s a hidden gem that deserves all the praise, truly the dark horse of the year.

Read More

Extremely unsatisfactory romance. Dragged for no reason.

This could have become the best cdrama of 2024 but it missed the mark...BY A LOT
1) the pacing is bad. The double had similar vibes but great pacing compared to this one. Cdramas are forcing people to drop stop watching by making it more than 20 episodes 15 would be perfect for a thriller and "Reset" is a good example of that.

2) Do the male leads have a good chemistry? Guess I will never know because they haven't explored that properly. This is definitely not for romance lovers. It seemed like an unfulfilled fantasy.

3) There's too many side characters. I have watched 60 eps cdramas as well and when I say there are too many side characters and side stories, it means its very messy.

Overall, it disappointed me and I am dropping it

Read More

Excellent historical series, with a great CL.

PLOT: The FL, daughter of a minister, married to a moron who cheats on her, unloved by her family, leaves her husband, meets the ML (poisoned general, helping the Qing prince to access the throne and betrayed by him). They are both killed. She wakes up as a teenager and tries to “put things right”: death of her mother, hostility from her stepmother, corruption from her uncle, etc. The ML also has a dysfunctional family and lives with his loving general uncle. Later, they marry and try to survive plots, succession conflicts at Court, etc.

+++ Excellent actors (all). I'm delighted to see Li Yun Rui in his second lead role (he deserves it).
+++ Very beautiful cinematography: sets, costumes, framing, lighting, fight scenes. Everything is perfect.
+++ Excellent OST
+++ Dynamic realization, without downtime. Very catchy start, full of mystery, suspense.

### Some lengths in the 2nd part. A few clichés (poisoned ML, succession struggle, etc.). The “2nd chance” part is not exploited enough.

=> Excellent historical series, with a great CL.
******************************************************
PLOT: La FL, fille d'1 ministre, mariée à un crétin qui la trompe, mal aimée par sa famille, quitte son mari, rencontre le ML (général empoisonné, aidant le prince Qing à accéder au trône et trahi par lui) et ils sont tués ts les 2. Elle se réveille ado et tente de "redresser" les choses : mort de sa mère, hostilité de sa belle-mère, corruption de son oncle, etc. Le ML a également 1 famille dysfonctionnelle et se réfugie près de son oncle général. Plus tard, ils se marient et tentent de survivre aux complots, conflits de succession à la Cour, etc.

+++ Excellents acteurs (tous). Je suis ravie de voir Li Yun Rui dans son 2e main lead rôle (il le mérite bien).
+++ Très belle cinématographie : décors, costumes, cadrages, lumières, scènes de fight. Tout est parfait.
+++ Excellentes OST
+++ Réalis° dynamique, sans temps mort. Début très accrocheur, plein de mystère, de suspense.

### Qq longueurs dans la 2e partie. Qq clichés (ML empoisonné, lutte de succession, etc.). La partie "2e chance" n'est pas assez exploitée.

=> Excellente série historique, avec un great CL.

Read More

A TRUE MASTERPIECE!!!

If you’re looking for a historical drama that doesn’t just rely on grand settings and costumes but also has depth, Blossom is definitely one to add to your watchlist. This 2024 Chinese drama, adapted from Zhi Zhi’s novel, is a beautiful mix of romance, political intrigue, and personal growth, with a pacing that will keep you glued to the screen from start to finish.

The plot centers around Dou Zhao, played by the talented Meng Ziyi, who is given a second chance at life after a tragic betrayal. In her past life, she was wronged by those she trusted, and her life was cut short. But in a twist of fate, she’s reborn with memories of everything that happened, along with a mysterious book, Chronicles of the World, that could help her change her destiny.

Determined not to repeat her mistakes, Dou Zhao sets out to rewrite her future. Along the way, she crosses paths with Song Mo, portrayed by Li Yunrui, a man with his own complex struggles—he’s dealing with his family’s fall from grace and the ruthless politics of the imperial court. As the two work together to navigate a dangerous world, their bond grows, and what starts as a partnership begins to evolve into something deeper and more meaningful.


One of the standout features of Blossom is how the show gives space to every character. While the story obviously focuses on Dou Zhao and Song Mo, the side characters are far from just background filler. Whether it’s a loyal servant or a scheming court official, each person is given their own time to shine and develop, adding richness and complexity to the world. It’s refreshing to see a drama that doesn’t treat its secondary characters as mere afterthoughts—they all matter, and their stories contribute in meaningful ways to the overall plot.

This attention to detail makes the show feel like a living, breathing world, where every character has a purpose and their own path to follow. It’s these little touches that make the show more immersive and satisfying to watch.

What really makes Blossom stand out, though, is the undeniable chemistry between its leads, Dou Zhao and Song Mo. From their very first encounter, there’s an unspoken tension that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. As the show progresses, their relationship grows—moving from mutual respect to a deeper emotional connection. The beauty of their bond is in how it develops naturally over time.

Meng Ziyi and Li Yunrui are electric together. Whether they’re facing enemies together or sharing intimate, quiet moments, their performances feel genuine, and you can’t help but root for them to succeed, both individually and as a couple. Their chemistry is the beating heart of the show, making every scene they share feel intense and emotionally charged.

One of the most impressive things about Blossom is its pacing. It never drags, and it never rushes through the key moments. Each episode is well-structured, ensuring that the story unfolds at just the right speed. Even when the plot shifts between moments of intense action and quieter, emotional scenes, the transition feels natural.

What’s even more remarkable is that there are no filler episodes. The drama gives every character, every moment, and every plot point the space it deserves. You won’t find yourself reaching for your phone or feeling like an episode is dragging—it’s a show that keeps you hooked, episode after episode.

Visually, Blossom is a feast for the eyes. The costumes, sets, and props all show a level of detail that brings the world to life. You can tell that a lot of effort went into making the historical setting feel authentic, and it really pays off. The cinematography beautifully captures both the grandeur of the palace and the more intimate moments between characters.

The music is another highlight. The score doesn’t just play in the background—it enhances the emotional impact of each scene. Whether it’s a moment of loss or triumph, the soundtrack amplifies the feelings you’re meant to experience, making the show even more immersive.

At its heart, Blossom is about second chances and the quest to change one’s fate. It’s a show about personal growth, forgiveness, and the complex nature of love and loyalty. Dou Zhao’s journey is one of empowerment. She is a woman determined to make things right, and her resilience in the face of adversity is inspiring.

Song Mo’s storyline is also one of redemption his arc is just as important as Dou Zhao’s. His struggles with his family’s downfall and his role in the political schemes at court add layers to the story, making it more than just a simple romance.

Blossom isn’t just another historical romance—it’s a drama that succeeds in combining a captivating story with emotional depth and stunning visuals. Its pacing is spot-on, and every character gets a chance to leave an impact, no matter how small their role might seem at first. The leads’ chemistry is electric, and the secondary characters are treated with the respect they deserve.

If you love historical dramas with a good balance of romance, action, and character development, Blossom is a must-watch. It’s a show that will keep you coming back for more, with its engaging plot, lovable characters, and heartfelt moments.

In the crowded world of historical dramas, Blossom stands out for all the right reasons. It’s visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and packed with memorable characters. From the electric chemistry between the leads to the thoughtful development of every character, it’s a drama that will leave you hooked from the first episode to the last. If you haven’t already, it’s time to dive in and experience *Blossom* for yourself. It’s a love story and a tale of redemption that you won’t soon forget.

Read More

Dou Zhao

First of all, it was a good series. I watched it with pleasure. However, as always, there were a lot of errors, in other words, logical errors. It is very difficult to connect a topic. I felt this in this series. However, the series is good, especially the costumes were well chosen, the make-up was successful, the image is beautiful, the direction is very good, the action was also like that. I liked it. However, the CAST was not. No one should take offense. If we start with the leading roles, I would ask where they found these two. I did not find them suitable. I did not find them compatible. Although they acted well and did not make it clear, the visual did not please me. Meng Zi Yi showed his experience and took the lead in acting. He crushed the person opposite him. I appreciate Meng Zi Yi as an actor. But he is not my star actor. If I were to make a series, I would put this actor opposite a star actor. He is an actor of such roles. He suits him very well. But he is not my leading role. Li Yun Rui is a very beautiful child. His face is clean. He is tall. Thin. He looks frail. But he seems to have more or less pulled off being a general. But he grinned a lot in some games. He stayed low. He seems to have some problems. But is it in his speech? In his image? In his stance? In his mouth structure? I couldn't figure it out. But there is something. The actor who played the emperor suited his role. I liked it. He didn't become an empress, I didn't like it. He didn't become an old princess, I didn't like it. I didn't like the young actor who played the role of Song Han at all. He needs to earn some more bread. He wasn't suitable for the role either. Alina Zhang suited her role but she played all the parts with a grin. A different type. It didn't work. The role of Wei Ting Yu didn't work. I didn't like it. There is zero harmony with the partner that suited her. It didn't work. In other words, the person who did the CAST was terrible. Song Han and An Su didn't work either. There is zero harmony. Chen Jia and Zhang Ru didn't work. They were like opposite types. There is zero harmony. I liked the actor who played the character Ji Yong. He suited his role. The ones who played the characters Dou Shi Shu and Dou sHİ Yung were suitable. Grandma is like that. Princes don't say I'm a prince either. They were like couch grass. I didn't like it at all. Let me give you an example so that you can see what I didn't like; Song Han, for example, was a snot-nosed child, meaning he was a satellite of his father who didn't understand anything. His father was trying to steal things. He's such a passive character. Suddenly he turned into someone who knew kung fu, hit what he threw, made strategies, and led soldiers. You could say something like this. He hid himself. His father and older brother taught him. When? When he was little. You didn't see it. He learned it at some point. He didn't reveal it. If that was the case, why can't the audience see it? Suddenly, the man becomes the first in literature and the first in martial arts. He kills people. He uses a sword. Super, too. He challenges his brother. He shoots arrows and hits the bull's eye. I mean, I was surprised. Then he fooled our naive girl. He even made her fall in love with him. He was a coward who didn't understand anything and was in his own way. His older brother and sister-in-law, who knew this, supported him. They waited until they rebelled. It didn't happen once and for all. Such things can be forgiven, they are not things that can be eaten, swallowed, or waited for. Can we say let's wait and see for rebellion? I watched such nonsense in some parts of the beautiful series. I didn't like the cast. But I liked the series in general and especially its costumes.

Read More

Another Sigh mid way

I was really excited finding out that this drama was on Ntfx because I really the novel. I watched it right away on the first day it was added.
I found that the opening of Blossom was really grand and cinematic. It gave me a high expectation.

Then came the fillers and it became boring.

Well, to be honest, my review is not only intended for this drama specifically, but to almost all C-dramas.

Generally they started great, just like this one. It successfully piqued the viewers curiosity on the first episode, but the filler stories are too much.

Why are many C-dramas filled with conflict between children and step parent? I think it's way too much. Moreover, it existed in the dramas that aired almost at the same period of time, making it really obvious, for example, this drama, the Rise of Ning, the Double, and many more.

I hope there will be improvement in cdramas in term plot and story. It's okay to improvise the novel as long as it doesn't make things become boring.

Read More