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The one thing I ask you not to do!
(If you’re not a romantic you can skip on by this review)This is a drama with really well written characters and a talented cast. The leads are adorable with a great friendship. The villain origin story of the ex husband was perfectly constructed. I was loving it, but towards the end I discovered that the writers are actually my biggest haters! They wrote a plot that I fear every time I watch a historical drama: the dreaded multi-wives. The leads(while not both in love yet) had a sweet, touching tiny wedding. The significance of a small wedding is purposefully shown. Then, just *3* days after the leads’ wedding ML is “forced”(didn’t try at all did ya, buddy?) to take another wife, in the lavish way that was previously avoided. I won’t go into detail about how it seemed out of character for him but, I mean, they couldn’t have at least made it a month later?! It totally diminished the leads’ own wedding. Whatever, ML doesn’t care about wife #2 but I sure do. As far as I can tell that plot isn’t very important to the story, so it must just exist to upset me? Call me petty but I’m taking away 3 whole stars for this, because I can
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A strong FL who empowers
He found her interesting and she found him mysterious.They admired each other work ethics
He tried not to meddle to much in her life but you can see he cares and don’t want to see her hurt
From friends to business partners, their relationship blossomed into something a little more.
The only thing that kept bothering me is that he was keeping his true feelings for her to himself and she was doubting how he actually feels about her and that bothered her a lot.
But I don’t think it would have hurt if Mu Dan said she likes him first after all she is very outspoken.
So don't expect any romance or kissing between them.
On the positive side, the series shows a strong FL who cares and empowers.
I won't even start with the other characters, you will just have to watch for yourself.
The ending??? Ummmm, I wasn't pleased but I read that there will be a season 2 so, I will wait and I hope we can see where they tied up some loose ends and GIVE US SOMETHING between the leads.
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Good Acting but Boring Story
The actors’ performances were excellent—no doubt about that. However, the story didn’t really support their acting. It started off strong, but as it got closer to the ending, it became dull. The ending was also a bit disappointing—just a marriage as a concubine and no kissing scene. There wasn’t enough romance between the two main leads.Was this review helpful to you?
Good Cast and Crew
The casting for 'Flourished Peony' is excellent, though the filming quality can be uneven. The pacing of the narrative occasionally falters, creating moments of disengagement. However, the series boasts truly captivating visuals, particularly the stunning display of flowers throughout the seasons. This visual spectacle, coupled with the exquisite costumes that perfectly complement each character, elevates the production.A significant strength lies in its portrayal of female empowerment. The female protagonist serves as an inspiring role model, demonstrating the importance of self-reliance and hard work. Her journey emphasizes the necessity for women to break free from dependence and forge their own paths. The title, 'Flourished Peony,' aptly reflects the themes of growth, resilience, and blossoming into one's full potential
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The Peony that will bloom despite the worse conditions
Infuriating exes, in-laws, families that care more about reputation than their own children, and patriarchy. What more can a woman ask for in the historical times in the Tang dynasty? This is an underrated drama and on a whim after starting two other CDramas that didn't really take hold with their storylines I decided to give this a try. I initially thought this would be boring but after three episodes in, you want this FL to kick her husband and in laws to the curb and blow it all up as she leaves.I'm glad I did because the themes of fighting for how you want to live your life, female kinship, and courage are woven into the confines of what a woman is allowed or expected to do in a strict Confucian patriarchal period. Marriage is typically required for a woman survive and she is seen as a piece of property. She is expected to endure intolerable situations even with exes and families that take domestic abuse to a whole another level.
You have the ex husband of the FL who I will call the "Flip Flopper" and another ex husband of one of the FL's good friends whose nickname shall be a curse word that I won't post here. Watching it will make the steam come of your ears and leave you with some empathy for why the FL doesn't want to remarry. The relationship the FL develops with the ML is one where he doesn't treat her like a damsel and offers a contrast to her "Flip Flopper" ex.
May this Peony thrive despite it all.
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Season 2
The story is awesome and concept is new. I love the music and background scenario. But acting of some cast is sort of weak and dull. The romantic chemistry between FL and ML is weak. The drama could have been completed and wrapped up beautifully, if the story was written short and good. There was no need to make season two. The previous drama, Lost You Forever also had 2 seasons with the same actress, which didn't go well with the audience. It's better to make one season only. Hope the storywriter and the director keep these points in mind.Thanks. ❤
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APPARENTLY THIS IS PART 1
First episode of this drama isn't catching, especially when unwanted wife (He Wei Fang/Yang Zhi) tries to navigate life as a good daughter-in-law persona in front of her in-law toxic household. Scorning husband to unloved wife with pushy mother in-law and ambitious father in-law isn't great to watch. But it gets better when Jiang Chang Yang (Li Xian) visiting the Liu family accompanying County Princess who were childhood girlfriend of WeiFang's husband Liu Chang and maintaining contact after Princess's recent widow status. He Wei Fang took advantage the situation and circumstances to be free from the zealous overbearing Liu family by getting a divorce publicly. He Wei Fang, the daughter of a merchant with the help of Jiang Chang Yang, who infamously known as the most corrupt in whole country, a divorced from a marriage where only benefits were exchanged. Liu Chang has 2nd thought about divorcing He Wei Fang, he's a weak minded man, an ambitious man seeking recognition and honor without working hard to earn them. His parent push him to top position with any cost, the Princess placed him to officialdom in the name of love but no one really care to ask him what he really wanted. Realize that all has conditions, he fells like a dog and start to appreciates more of his ex-wife who he hadn't been treated her fairly. But that's all where jealousy from Princess knowing that her beloved-fiancee is still pining over his ex.He Wei Fang determined to leave, faking her own death falling into the cliff just to get away from her unhappy marriage and gone to Chang'An. Where she then survived from many ordeals to start anew. He Wei Fang relied on her superb skills in cultivating rare peonies and her extraordinary business acumen to form a combination of craftsmen and investors with Jiang Chang Yang. She started her business cultivating peonies and led a group of women who had a rough life to jointly run a flower shop and build a brand. While Jiang Chang is a money hungry corrupt official, people freely gave in to him because of his close relation to Emperor - not just he's wealthy he's also the right hand of Emperor so people hope to gain endless benefits by association. As creditor/debtor & landlord/tenant, these two entangle in deeply friendship not just about business but also in personal level. Understanding developed in both ends as they bond through hurdles in their respective life, knowing what's good for each other, joint hand to achieve goals and aim subjective purposes in teamwork.
Yang Zhi's character as He Wei Fang is flawless, with her dimpled-smiles she delivers acting with great personality. She didn't use her usual annoying child-voice like many in her dramas. Her character is a smart adult woman who's been through a lot in life, her wisdom comes from her hard struggles. I like her acting in this drama. Li Xian is compatible with Yang Zhi, very easy going and being a 'corrupt' official is his forte - he takes it like a champ. I think they both are best CP. I like He Wei Fang character, when she's in trouble - she didn't run to Jiang Chang Yang for help. His support of her all advise and tease while she made all decisions and actions. OMG...what a hairstyle! So big so tall...not to mention all the accessories hair piece and thick heavy make-up, the make-up so caked-up like you see 'Peking Opera'. This drama adapted from a novel, not precisely scripted but both novel and drama equally good so I can recommend to anyone to read the novel as well as watch the drama. In my opinion this drama can end on ep 30, the last 2 episodes can cramp in, it's soft ending as NO firework.
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Here for the plot of the show
I am completely sold on this show. The first few episodes convinced me that the show has a lot to offer. I mainly like how the plot progresses. I've been watching historical dramas these days and more often, female leads are often described as smart, wise, and independent yet I often saw how impulsive they may get and the male leads are more than willing to do the saving. Flourished Peony is different. The fl here bravely navigates the unknowns and the difficult times of her life. The male lead helped her a few times but those situations needed his authority. I'm excited for the upcoming episodes. I hope this show will remain its greatness till the end.Was this review helpful to you?
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I’ve watched a "power" drama that is actually a misery marathon of eating bitterness
I’ve survived watching the FL being beaten, humiliated, undocumented and harassed by another "waste of space" ex-husband while the Male Lead stands around like a statue for 32 episodes at approximately 45 minutes each.Here is the honest truth: This show is a slow-burn slog of pure misery.
The Problem is the writers think "suffering = character depth." They’ve spent 32 episodes proving she can survive, but almost zero time showing her actually winning.
There is literally no payoff as we continually watch her struggling against those who face no consequences. Also like everybody else, I am a fan of the ML and FL from their time together in Gogo squid but we never get to see the Male Lead show any level of basic human empathy for her bruises and suffering and he remains a "cold strategist" for a massive chunk of the entire show.
The "misery porn" is why my fatigue has set in so early for this drama. Most people recommend Flourished Peony as an "empowerment" story, but they fail to mention that the writers use prolonged victimisation as their only way to create drama.
It is straight-up sadistic from a Western storytelling perspective. To me, it’s pretty demented and perverse. A complete waste of time; to the writers, it’s "character building." You are seeing the ugly side of a genre that fetishises the martyr complex..
it feels pretty disgusting that this show prioritises the virtue of suffering over the logic of survival.
The FL spends most of her time at the graveyard, burying her friends who are systematically killed one by one throughout the drama. Her mercy for these evil doers is not a virtue. It’s just plain stupid.
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For me ,it is a dull story.
Flourished Peony revolves around a girl who is forced to marry a man against her will. Her mother is ill, and the medicine needed for her treatment is controlled by the boy’s family. They agree to provide the medicine only if she marries the boy and transfers her mother’s property to them after the marriage. She agrees to the marriage, determined to make it work.However, she later discovers that the boy’s family has no intention of helping her mother. Realizing their deceit, she begins to look for a way to get a divorce. Initially, the boy dislikes her, but as he observes her hard work and determination, he starts to soften and eventually develops feelings for her.
Despite his efforts, the girl remains resolute in her decision to divorce him. She never reciprocates his feelings and consistently rejects his advances. Parallel to this, she focuses entirely on building her peony business.
I found the roles of Li You Zhen and the male lead to be underdeveloped and unjustified. Overall, I didn’t enjoy the story much.
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Exciting couple Zang Yi and Li Xian
I was attracted to this couple since theirFirst episodes Go Squid. They are amazing when they play couple in a drama. The storyline is strong and the characters are well builted. Can’t stop loving them as their story continues <3
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awesome .
this is a very nice and heavily casted drama.yang zi always delivered.2025 indeed is a good year for our yang zi.li Xian and wei miles are both good on their respective roles.wei miles acting is superb.hope his character will not be forgotten in the remaining episodes.yang zis acting is flawless,cant wait for more episodes.Was this review helpful to you?
