Littletad

I’m just going to keep this short as I can. This is one of my top 3 C-dramas ever. My absolute favorite is lighter and princess. But I have to admit that China is still a long way from making its dramas on the same level as K-dramas. From the production, the storytelling, and even the acting itself. There are key differences, and most of them are in South Korea's favor. But once in a while, something like Forbidden Flower comes along. This is my second favorite ever, and a good indicator that C-dramas are approaching their own comfortable dominance in a saturated market.

The story is a little taboo, and I honestly thought it was going to be a problem. Sure, China and South Korea look at age differences in couples differently. Even grooming. But none of that is ever touched in a negative way here. The reason is because the FL pursues the ML based on her faith and judgment. There’s a natural progression that is explained as you watch. Time is different for her. She has an illness that will shorten her life. The moment she sees the ML, she knows what she wants. And how a couple pursues one another is incredibly important in any drama. This one is so amazing because of how natural it is. There is no grooming here, no taking advantage of. He does everything he can to lose her interest in him. He moves from his temporary home, closes/changes his business hours, and even walks in the opposite direction whenever he sees her. But still, she persists. Once he finally SEES her, he gives in. And he finds out that she’s been serious from the very start. It’s hard to explain in a review, but once you watch the progression, it’s so natural and believable that you appreciate the FL’s acting immensely.

But like I said, I’m going to keep it short. The beginning and the middle parts are simply incredible. As stated before, the female lead's acting chops are just on another level. Hell, even the ML can’t keep up in many aspects. But then it happens, the things that naturally drag down all K and C dramas start toward the end. Actors/characters that appeared in the beginning suddenly disappear. The ML’s mother appears for one episode but doesn’t appear at the wedding. His youngest niece doesn’t either. And then there’s an introduction of a character who seemingly looks like she’s going to have a big impact, but instead, she is just a plot device that doesn’t have a clear ending. The ML was married before and his former sister in law visits, determined to get out of debt. Even after both the ML and FL give her all the money they have, she still decides to steal an expensive painting. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen when the FL’s uncle intervenes. But then she just… vanishes. It makes you wonder why they introduced the character to begin with. And this is just one instance. Other characters and plots pop up, but then they have no bearing on the overall story. Such as the FL being able to buy an apartment while staying in a dorm, or the fact that she skips school for months, but then moves right back into the dorm with her same roommates as if nothing happened. These are just a few examples where things just start to make so little sense. Luckily, their relationship remains coherent, even despite their breakup and trivial subplots.

So yes, the dreaded confusion of K and C dramas shines here, but at least it all happens in the end. But then again, the ML doesn’t even find out about the FL’s illness until the second-to-last episode. Yep, I kid you not. That actually happens. It feels as if half the actors dropped the project, or the producers didn’t think they had a complete story to finish. It sucks, because there are many interactions we missed out on. The painful scene we could have seen of the FL’s mother reacting to her death. Her mother visiting the ML and witness just how much this man truly LOVES her daughter. Some of the most heartbreaking scenes happen over the phone and not in person. It’s incredible how much they fumbled in the last stretch. And for the love of god, why does he have Boys Over Flowers hair???

But I’ll stop being negative and finally give my highest rating so far to a C-drama that truly deserves it. But, in all honesty, it’s the FL lead you want to watch. Her acting is the reason this show stands on its own two feet. She is going to make an even bigger impact on the industry, trust me. So I hope you give this drama a chance, even if you’re against age differences in couples or you hate the confusion that all K-dramas suffer from. You won’t regret it.