Blossom

Pure period Cdrama goodness

Given a second chance by fate, Dou Zhao decides to take her destiny in her own hands in order to avoid doom and live a decent life. She crosses path with Song Mo, a young general blinded by rage and revenge. Alone they can't overturn their downfall, by maybe together ?

So good and gorgeous. A rare case of a drama carried mostly by its direction. I mean yeah it's made by Zeng Qing Jie, an awesome director who did wonders with short formats, but wow, I'm still impressed. It's doing what every other drama is trying to do lately on love, country loyalty, revenge, second chances, destiny, etc. with limited means but waaay more talent and flair. The writing is solid but not ground-breaking or very deep, it's well-trodden waters, the actors are good but no acting gods either, it's the brilliant direction that completely transcends everything. There's no catch, the show is straight up good from start to finish, and totally deserving of the hype.

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Worth watching

The first few episodes were riveting but it slowed down for me towards the middle where the step mother’s multiple schemes against Dou Zhou became tiresome and repetitive. I stopped and watched something else for a few days and when I went back. Itl picked up for me again.

I didn’t think there was good chemistry between the 2 main leads initially but it was better later on. It could be because the performance of the male lead could be better in the first half of the drama. It’s his first main role so can’t be too hard on him because he got better in the 2nd half. I liked the characters the 2 main leads portrayed. Dou Zhao is a strong and intelligent woman who built wealth with her own abilities despite being shunned by her father and step mother. She is a good match for Song Mo who is upright, honest, loyal and great with martial arts.

The drama has some fresh elements but its shocking how Song MO’s father could be so vicious towards his own biological children with his first wife just because he bears a grudge towards her and her family. SPOILER: Thankfully it was a good ending for the 2 protagonists though I wasn’t sure until the very end….

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After the first ep I thought "Fated Hearts" would have been a good title for it..

Blossom's spin on rebooting life and navigating the hazards inside and outside the household initially feels like it's mixed together from other dramas that aired before & after. It does not have the ruthlessness of SOKP, the actors of LLTG, or the charm of TPR. What it does have is decent production values and plenty of actors that you (or at least I) haven't already seen ten times.
However, you also have leads that aren't fully leads material and have so-so chemistry*. One million filler-ish plots of the household villains scheming (usually against the FL), or court scheming of a really flat and boring nature. You have to endure a murky actor like Li Xin Ze for hours upon hours, despite his character being as irrelevant as it gets. Sometimes it's a contender for the worst-dressed FL award. The OST is barely even present.

I thought the first episode was great (the past/original future as a hook), and through the first quarter of the show it kept progressing the overall main plot as well as letting the leads have some meaningful interaction. After that it felt like the C team took over in the writing department. They managed a streak: Every single episode from 09 to 18 contains some huge plot holes or has at least one big scene that is total nonsense. Things that could be resolved in an episode are dragged out endlessly, and the same villains keep getting away with things. The more boring and more minor villains even get more attention than the big bads. The 26 hours contain at most 9 hours of meaningful content.

The ML's look from the opening episode? Criminally underused. They have two(!) sets of *real twins* – but do barely anything with them. The FL gets a whole handbook of the future in the first episode – but that too just becomes part of the wasted potential in the writing department.

In the end, it was very difficult to finish Blossom. At least the ending is fleshed out enough and doesn't just fade out to the credits when the (usual) palace plot concludes.


*: Supposedly they had great chemistry when promoting the show. 🤷‍♂️

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A blooming flower among thorns

Blossom came out of nowhere and took the spotlight of one of the best historical dramas of 2024. The acting, story and cinematography is top notch. Biggest win for this drama is that everyone gets a good conclusion AND it has a GOOD ENDING!!!

The chemistry between the main leads are not spectacular but good still. The romance between them is quite nice. I wouldn't say it is low on romance, but is not in abundance which for me I think is just enough for the story its trying to tell. But still some romance scenes could have been given more time and not edited so much/skipped over so fast. ML character is quite nice and FL is likable and actually smart, she doesn't go around doing stupid things randomly unlike many other dramas. And what's best is that even though a lot of times ML does end up saving her, she's not helpless all the time, she actually saves ML multiple times or gets out of problematic situations by herself.

The drama kept me engaged until around the last third section, without spoiling I found myself skipping over scenes and questioning the sudden change of personality for some characters, it began to drag a bit until the last 2-3 episodes where it picked back up its pace and led to a good conclusion. Though tbf they did feel quite underwhelming.

Overall, this is a well made drama with just a few minor set backs that can be overlooked. I recommend. ദ്ദി( °ᗜᵔ) *.✧

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Worth watching

I decided to watch Blossom due to the way it was so hyped.
Indeed, the first half of the show is solid. It is pacient in developing the world, its stories, its characters.
There are very solid episodes that transcend genres, mixing comedy with keen political commentary. These are gems.
Halfway, around the wedding of the main couple, the show takes a dowturn, never to fully recover its ancient grace.
The main couple, thus far being presented as knowledgeable, devolve into infantile caricatures. I found it absurd how Dou Zhao in particular, due to her retaining her memories of a previous life, would act so coy regarding married life. This mischaracterization linearizes these complex characters, lowering the overall bar of quality, making it resemble any other drama of puerile female lead and emotionally unaware male lead.
Where stereotypes were being challenged, they are now being enacted.

For me, the great culprit was how Duo Zhao was characterized in the middle section of the drama. Ji Yong says it best: Duo was righteous, all knowing, a Deus Ex Machina, never truly being in a spot of true conflict. Some characters point out her almighty attitude, and the irony is they are correct.
What was primarily portrayed as an engaging, curious mind, became a stifling know-it-all, with very little empathy shown.

Song Mo is hesitantly characterized, also suffering from the comparison with the actress that portrays Zhuo: she's the better one, acting wise. Still, some of the more poignant scenes in the later episodes belong to him.

It's a shame, this sense of frustration. By all means, it's a good drama, but somewhere on the middle part it loses its footing, it meanders, and fails to recover.

Very worthy of a first watch, I think its rewatch value is very low.

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Dark horse drama turn into a ...

The director plus the acting crew didn't expect the drama blossom would flare better. Topping the chart . Both the ML were low traffic actors. The director were darned good with his visual filmography and story telling were pretty awesome. The scene from the first episode where both the ML was shot by the arrow both fall into the abyss, It was differently done.
The film setting was set-up during ming dynasty. The costume was posh and stylish.
The story of the Rebirth was done so well. The audience understood the reason for them to be reborn again, It wasn't like other drama where they left the audience hanging in the air.

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Blossom is such a beautiful show like literally. Every frame was so pretty and it felt visually distinctive from the other shows I've watched. Every moment of the show was also utilized. Everything that was included felt like it was important to the overall narrative or at least interesting in some way. I loved how they contrasted characters' fates and actions in their first life to the current life. (Dou Ming dying and having a miscarriage instead of Dou Zhao, Song Han having the fate of Song Mo from the first life)

One of the highlights of the show was Wang Yingxue and Dou Ming's relationship. Yingxue is a terrible person and she's hurt lots of people even Ming herself but you can also tell that Ming is her most important person (Yingxue killed one of her loyal servants but lost her mind when Ming died, tried marrying Dou Zhao to a bad family but eventually let Ming marry into the family instead to make her happy).

Dou Zhao is such an older sister. She has so much love for her friends and she's so dependable. Never once doubted that she'd find a way out of any situation for those she cared about. She truly deserved her happy ending with everyone she cared about and a loving husband.

I did feel like the last half of the show was weaker than the first (after the marriage). The last half didn't engage me as much as the first half. It also felt like both Dou Zhao and Song Mo took a back seat in the action and the side characters played a larger role. Which could be good or bad depending on how someone likes a story to be told/how much you like Dou Zhao and Song Mo. For me, I didn't like it as much since I liked seeing Dou Zhao and Song Mo taking a direct role in the action and moving the story along.

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A match up I didn't know I needed.

I tend to write reviews for shows that have left an impact. Whether good or bad and if bad... It has to be bad that I need to vent and not review 😂. This falls on the yes!! Wow!! My heart!!.

Where do I even begin!!!! Each episode got me hooked , well somewhere between episode 27-31, kind of dulled a bit but had it's moments. When Starting the show I honestly didn't expect anything, I was bored had no shows, to watch especially cdramas. For some odd reason this year has been a bleak one for the cdrama land. So this coming up at the end of the year and leaving some wonderful memories was epic for me.

Yin rui yin rui where do I begin??? He gets the girl finally and not as sml but the ml!!! He looked awesome, natural he understood his role and executed it whole heartedly. I wanted him to have the bad guy vibe aura cause that's where he would shine immensely but his devoted side as a husband was also effortlessly done.and his fight scenes, I can say we're the best. Maybe cause of the camera angles but when he unsheathed the two swords every time , had me feeling some type of way (blush) anyway he did a great job on this and hoping he gets more main roles.

Dou Zhao!! A very beautiful actress and she nailed her part. Strong, resilient, smart and a proactive fl. Having come back with her memories I was hoping she would execute her part well, of trying to set e rippling effect and not being annoyed while watching and she obileterated the role. Her character arc was lovely to watch.

Monk/ yuan tong.. mehn his character had me feeling two types of emotions, disappointment when I thought he had allowed himself to be swayed by the traitor .phewks it was just a master plan by the emperor himself so there's that. He had a presence and he nailed it.

The supporting ones, the emperor, I actually felt sad for him, lost his only best friend, was betrayed by his wife and son, he had allowed, his thoughts of family over justice to crowd him that led to him straying away but he got his path and I felt really sad for him.

The miso and Zhou friends nailed their parts, felt sad for ansu, but her ending is worth fitting her role.
Song han just straight out annoyed me, but he got what he deserved.


Production and cinematography.!!!!! Why were the kissing scenes shot like that!! Wanted to see more of my yantang and shuogo chemistry burning fever pitch more than they already were.
The costumes were great and the lighting was also amazing.

Songs.. to be honest didn't leave an impression cause I can't remember one that was great.

Overall a good show, a match up I didn't know I needed!!! Yani tang got one new fan... But would I rewatch it???? Yes maybe after a few years... So take a chance and watch the show ..

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Love it how I ended this year with this drama

My last drama in 2024, i always wait until the series finish aired then i started.. because i never like to have curiousity when waiting next eps..
Actually typicall drama like this is very common.. like the double, kunning palace, royal princess..they have the same theme.. reborn or second chance to change their life.. If you like typicall drama like this, you will enjoyed..
SongMo is the most interesting character in the drama.. he has a deep hatred, revenge for his uncle and mother.. his father reject him and the king he trust disappointed him again and again.. YunRui has a handsome face but he can’t show the cruel face without mercy..his eyes too soft and warm.. actually i really wait how the different his face before and after know DZ but Yun Rui show me the same face.. but i still like him as songmo..
Dou Zhou has memories for her first life. she even has book to tell her what will happen next.. she has fate she will die with songmo but somehow in the middle of the series, she can break the curse between her and songmo. i dont really understand why but it just happen..maybe in the novel has more explanation..
DZ has a really good character. you will never disappointed with her.. she treat songmo really good until songmo can restore his uncle reputation ( something he cannot do in his first life)
in the end of the series will be a little bit draggy but you can still enjoy it..
i dont talk about other character because its too much..because of them, songmo scenes only have small portion..lol

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Marty! We gotta go back... to show those cheating !@#$

Blossom

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Mystery, Historical
Episodes: 34
Streamed on: Viki

Plot Summary:

Our heroine gets cheated on, poisoned, and murdered in the space of a couple of days. Luckily the universe was like “aw hell nah!” and sent her back in time with a cheatsheet to her childhood to live her life out again. With this second chance, she’ll need to avenge her mother, get pre-revenge on everyone that wronged her in her past life, and stop the country from falling into war… maybe finding love along the way.

Characters & Cast:

Main Characters: Ships.
Li Yun Rui ⇒ Song Mo / Yan Tang
Meng Zi Yi ⇒ Dou Zhao / Shou Gu

Villains: Notable actors.
There are so many villains. Most of the cast of the show that isn’t the OTP are villains. Maybe not Granny’s group… though
even some of them turn. Can’t trust no ho’ on these Blossom streets.

Special Mentions
Li Bai Hui ⇒ Dou Ming
Coming from the generation that birthed emo music, the famous saying; “Whores don’t get a second chance” comes to
mind… But man… I wish she did though. 😢

Best of OST:

Ooooh the leads singing! My favourite!
https://youtu.be/mBGnxcC0KiM?si=ThtAeI2IiuH3d0ld

For a historical drama, the OST really sets the mood. This drama’s OST does a good job of that.
https://youtu.be/PV_jzr4UQs8?si=jyc4pfgjzraksgVt

Gripes:

Being filial. This whole requirement. It’s crazy. I mean I get it, but they take it to the extreme. So I guess I don’t really get it. I think if my dad cheated on my mum I’d stop being filial there. Maybe after his actions caused her death. Yeah there too. Maybe after trying to marry my rich ass off for political gain. Yeah there too. Sheesh. Shitty parents shouldn’t get special treatment.

I’m not talking about parents that tried and failed. They deserve respect, but parents that are spiteful and act against you shouldn’t be rewarded for busting a nut that one time. At some point somethings gotta give, and earlier than the point at which it does in this show.

Re-watch:

**Would I watch it again?**
Yeah, it’s a good drama.

**Would I watch it with my brother?**
Yeah. I think this borders on what he’d find a good watch.

**Would I watch it with my kid?**
No. I don’t think this is a drama I’d show my kid.

Final Thoughts:

All’s well that ends well. This was a bumpy and stressful ride. I felt like the couple could have gotten together sooner, and been around each other more. But the drama skirted the edge of having a good balance of romance, angst, politics and action. The juice was worth the squeeze.

Rating:
8.5/10

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Really good

Pro: I love how much romance was in here. I love how they developed earlier than other dramas. The main leads were very good. Love that nothing happens to the elder (cause usually the elder is cut off) I love the story line of the mains. There is a good twist at the end which truly made the story make more sense. At first I was a bit like why would they make these characters do this and that and then it got better. Overall a good watch.

Con: The story got a bit slow or just like huh why? It was not an ultra compelling story line. Characters being villains that was just not too significant.

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