cfy

A different cup of tea.

A rather unusual story line where the main theme is that of dominant and liberal female values clashing with the more pedestrian male-centric society in ancient China. The main family's females decide and make choices while males play second fiddle. The ultimate display of power is not merely from martial prowess but the possession of a historically, bestowed gift.

The story line is intriguing, confusing, engaging and definitely stretches the credibility of ancient Chinese values. As a thriller it succeeds, as a romance it barely stirs the heart strings and as a travelogue into the tea-scape of China, it is fabulous.

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Flawed but Under Rated.

This wasn't on my radar. It dropped into my FYP on Tik-Tok. Out of curiosity, because it was Song ZE, I watched the first episode. In the first 24 hours, I did 20 episodes.

The ML, Ethan Juan, is totally IT. He fitted the role of a broken wing bird incredibly well. This is one CDdrama where the ML actually shone for his acting merits and not for his big eyes, flawless plastic job and posing. He carried his role of total commitment to art beyond personal and emotional needs incredibly well. Especially of his relationship with Elise. He was fine until Ep 35. But then its not his fault but that of script for putting him into an impossible situation with his second sudden disability.

I don't think anyone could carry the FL role better than SJE She was ditzy. She was innocent, naive and petulant as required. She is adorable and literally melted her way into his heart. Its not a slow burn romance. Its melting butter to caramelised his heart. Her expressions are priceless and spot on. When she announces, "I am back", its heartwarming. She matured nicely in her role from being in a crush to a shared romance in delightful sequences. A lowly apprentice in art to a responsible partner in life.

My first exposure to Augusta XH. I am impressed by her. Especially in the initial episodes. Again her later parts is impaired by the later script.

Most of the supporting casts played decent roles. Especially Nina, Uncle Feng and the mentor Mr Huang. Nina deserved a more prominent part and she was sorely missed until her reappearance. The shenanigans of Victor was so irrelevant. Obviously he can't sing. Whoever is doing the dubbing did an incredibly bad job. Whose bad idea was it to introduce that bicycle shop girl into the plot? Was it to make it to 40 episodes? Blu got a little irritating. Equal honours with Boris. The evolution of Xiaoyu was psychopathic. She deserves a better script.

The OST is emotionally numbing. For any foodie, the food sequences would be delightful, especially those of the street food.

I really enjoyed the series, reveling in the developing roles of the ML and FL until Ep 30. As the script evolved beyond Ep 30, the plot holes got bigger culminating in the final episode 40. Overall it was entertaining. Of course this will be compared to "Dating in the Kitchen". DITK would is a better drama but here SJE and EJ shined brighter.

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The times and values are conservative but the Story is liberal

I started watching this for YangZi. Then I was hooked by the intricacies of the ancient ink making industry.

Its an easy going drama of a family business with its own politics and business rivals competing for supremacy. The malevolence seems more dramatic than sinister. The Eight Branch of the century old Li Ink family is expelled after an incident that will only be fully revealed in the last 2 episodes. The initial intense competition for top ink maker was between the Li and Luo families to be the Imperial Tribute Ink. Within the first 5 episodes, this dynamic changed with the rapid decline of the Li Family due to a series of misfortunes and the near demise of the Luo Family when they fell from favour in the Capital.

Into this vacuum enters the Tian Family, who were stragglers within the Huizhou Ink community. Through a series of cunning schemes and devious plots, they rose to be top dog, and top villains, headed by Tian BenChang.

On the outside the previously favored granddaughter of the disgraced Eight Branch, Li Zhen, decides to pursue her passion and heritage. She becomes the apprentice of her Grandfather, the fallen Ink master of Li Ink who had to swear never to make another ink piece again in penance.

Essentially this is the story of Li Zhen (Yang Zi) and the rejuvenation of Li Ink against all odds. It is also a chronicle of family values, the Huizhou ink industry and relationships. Beyond the impossible romance between two lovebirds, there are many other more noteworthy relationships; mothers and daughters, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings, childhood friends, business partners etc.

Yang Zi did not disappoint neither was this drama her high point. She was best at her relationships with her Grandparents and most poignant at their demise. She was often inspiring when faced with challenges. I enjoyed her interactions with her mother most.

The MLs, both friends and foes, are at best, insipid. Luo WQ (EH) was more operatic than dramatic.

The settings, especially the shots around Huizhou, are magnificent. I also learned about isinglass.

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Flawed but entertaining

There is potential in the story but somehow the interpretation, or execution, falls short. Whether it is the action parts, the romance parts or the subterfuge, the script is very stilted. The story progresses predictably. The sets feels more gaudy than grand. The setting is ancient China but the story line wouldn't be amiss for 2026. There is the usual court intrigues and maneuvering but these seem more corporate than imperial.

There is much emotional overlays but the results are just superficiality. Everyone cries but the sadness is not evident. Its more melodramatic than drama. There's love and romance scripted but there's no emotional connect. Kissing just meant a meeting of lips. There is much on brotherhood bonds but the interactions feels more like acquaintances.

In the end, it seems all about the sins of the elders being suffered by the children.

This is probably the most emotionless, passionless and stilted drama to date. The script also gets more incredulous, especially the miraculous rejuvenation. The miracles of healing is somewhat incredulous. Even by C Drama standards.

The MLs that is more plasticized than the FL. Tyrant emperor? More like plastic bully. the mothers were more tyrannical than the children. The robes also seem more revealing for males than females.

Li Qin as FYH was the most memorable act. Her graceful demeanor, lithely movements and unruffled calm carried her role better than the cry baby MLs.

There is much action and lots of twists, small and big, but overall the story line was somewhat detached and not as engaging. However there is enough to be entertained.

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Redemption in All Forms.

This series is more aptly named "Love's Redemption".

It's about love in its many forms. Lovers, parental, siblings, unrequited love, infatuations, loyalties and material greed. Sprinkle in fast pace tales of corporate greed, business intrigues, societal differences and there is a tapestry of stories that link up cohesively into a fireworks like finale. The biggest sticking point must be the somewhat incredulous qualification of a three month period of unquestionable devotion in a huge contract from a Russian! And there is also the full head of hair after major brain surgery .......

I admit I watched this for ZLS, and it is a redemption for her from her disastrous "Hidden Love". She morphed through several characterizations with much credibility and ease, beginning from a neglected childhood in the countryside to a struggling newbie maneuvering corporate politics in the big city. She went from deviously scheming affection for matrimonial gains to dealing with deep emotional turmoil and finally culminating into a mature loving partner, mother, daughter and friend. Knowing of her recent personal tribulations, this is truly a monumental work for her. Her only blotch is an incongruously done upper lip job that sticks out unnaturally.

WC literally fitted into the ML as Haoming. It is as if the series was written for him. Just like ZLS, as Xu Yan, he found redemption for his errors to be a better son, partner, colleague and person. But the period when he was abroad seem too fashioned after how a "Westernised" Chinese would behave, unbelievable. Easy love? Keeping a baby? Eyes roll.

I found WP as Qiao Lin as one of the most intriguing character. She comes across as refreshing, earnest and the best sibling, friend and colleague that one could wish for. In some ways, she out shone ZLS, especially with her authenticity in both looks and behaviour.

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Watch this for Yang Zi and Peonies

The biggest reason to watch this drama is Yang Zi. There are more than enough twists and turns in the plot to keep going to the next episode. There's also much confusion as to the relationship between Prince Ning, the Emperor and San Lang. The other members of the cast are good at best with the more outstanding character being Zhu Fu.

Overall the storyline is simplistic, incredulous but entertaining nonetheless. There's enough to ensure that one continues watching Season 2, In the Name of Blossom.

Other than Yang Zi, the peonies are incredibly beautiful.

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Exquisite FL!

The script is good though some of the preoccupations seem overdone. Yes, salt was important in its days but some of the details seem rather incredulous. Salt as snow ......then salt into brine ...salt from the cliffs to salt in the capital....yet there is not much details into the actual salt operations.

There is much emphasis on propriety where even a glimpse of undergarments (not worn) can give rise to a scandal. However the ML and FL chooses to remain unmarried for 5 years and yet spend much time in close proximity.

The FL is a statement in grace. There is no need for grand standing. Her glances are enough to shoot arrows into hearts. Minimal motions required. just a roll of her eyes does more than the usual fluttering antics of lesser beings. Ancy Deng truly impresses with her exquisite grace and elegance. In anger or in tears, her expressions are measured yet conveys the full measure of her emotions. She is the best reason to watch this drama.

The ML struts and poses. He likes to fold his arms akimbo and kicks his friends yet his friends love him. Initially when he was a salt smuggler, he was a trifle irritating. When he morphed into the soldier attempting to earn credits, he had more lipstick than the FL. He only came into his own in the later stages as a favoured imperial official when he sprouted a goatee but still lacks the dignity of high office and age.

Wen ZR as Mdm Yu brings her repertoire as the consummate mother another level up from "Love's Ambition", where she was brilliant as the domineering mother. Every mannerism and every nuance in her speech carries forth another twist.

Cinematography is excellent esp the autumn scenery in Ganlin. Amazing colors and details of the leaves much appreciated. The desert scenes were magnificent. Whoever did costumes had strange taste. I wonder what were the soldiers' head gear made of and where the inspiration came from? And it certainly is a little strange when the soldiers' had more make up than the maids. The ML certainly had more heavily slathered on lipstick as a soldier than the FL in Ganlin.

* to be cont *

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