Worth every percent of HYPE
Just watch the first episode, I bet anyone and everyone will love it and want to watch more. It’s truly the most perfect pilot in recent years. (Silver haired SungMo I am on my knees for you) The show and story doesn’t disappoint, it gets better & better. Every shot feels thought out and crafted with love & dedication, hats off to the director and cinematographer! Nothing felt lacking, from the acting/cast, to story, philosophy, costumes, set, AND OH, THE DIALOGUES ARE SO BEAUTIFUL.My only teeny-tiny criticism is that they tried to make some villains have a “nice” ending but I could not care less. They were horrible people and deserved to die, let’s not add a layer of sympathy to them at the end.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The Best of 2024!!!
This year wasn't the best year of cdramas but the end of the year has brought us amazing costume dramas such as Fangs of Fortune and Love Game in Eastern Fantasy but all of these dramas didn't end as well as Blossom did.Blossom is honestly the entire package. The plot was nothing new but Blossom definitely executed it the best way. This drama honestly gives me the vibe of Love Like the Galaxy but in my opinion, this drama was a better version if Ling Buyi and Niaoniao communicated better 😂 This drama though filled with politics and schemes managed to give us such a sweet married life of Song Mo and Duo Zhao.
I am honestly in love with how they are together. Once they decided to be together, they never parted or doubted each other once. Duo Zhao was honestly such a heroine just like Song Mo says. I'm really really obsessed with the part of the plot where Duo Zhao helps Song Mo through everything especially the pivotal times that made him who he was in the first life.
She saved him from jail, and talked him out of rebelling when the emperor closed his Uncle's case. It was that river moment when Song Mo was about to give up his twin blades of loyalty and fillial peity when he decided to rebel in the first life, but because Duo Zhao was in his 2nd life, she was able to convince him not to continue.
The next one is when his mother passed away. The symbolism of him reaching for the spear that he used in his first life after being abandoned by his father was so powerful. Instead of being able to reach it, Duo Zhao saved him and turned him back in the right direction. Song Mo is such a pitiful but strong character. Him and Duo Zhao are such a perfect match and I really just loved them in this drama.
I also can't get enough of how many of the characters changed in the 2nd life. My favorites is Duo Ming and Chen Jia. Duo Ming didn't grow up with her mother in the 2nd life hence she didn't turn out badly. I actually cried for her when she died. Although she changed and her husband loved her, he was still useless. Chen Jia was hard to trust at first since he played such a pivotal role in the rebellion in the last life, but he was so cute with Duo Zhao's cousin haha. I was actually do touched when he killed the eunuch in the end and fought side by side with Song Mo.
In conclusion, this drama is the perfect mix of romance, friendships, and political drama. The rewatch value is definitely a 10! My top pick for this year!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A clean, cohesive, well-thought-out, and deeply moving drama to close 2024 in CDrama land!
Initially drawn in by curiosity, I didn’t know much about the show—the cast, premise, or genre—I just simply dove in headfirst without expectations. Episode after episode, arc after arc, the story unfolded into a beautifully executed tale of rebirth, second chances, the enduring power of love, and how love, rooted in the unity of two souls, can overcome all.Dou Zhao and Song Mo are hands down my favorite couple of the year—a love story so fluid, consistent, and strong that it feels like it’ll stay with me forever. The “here comes my reinforcement” moment was everything to me—it perfectly sums up Song Mo’s trust and admiration for Dou Zhao as his equal and his partner for life. Dou Zhao is that badass female lead you root for from beginning to end, with her unwavering strength and intelligence shining in every scene. What makes their story even more unforgettable is how every challenge they face together feels unique, yet each one reinforces the trust and love they share. Their bond isn’t just about destiny giving them a second chance; it’s about two people building a life together, grounded in mutual respect and the kind of partnership that grows stronger with every step. They’re the kind of couple I’ll think about every time I crave a story that’s honest, empowering, and even something that will reignite one's hope for love.
Overall, the emotional depth and storytelling finesse left me in awe, and I’m beyond thrilled with the ending—especially after a string of open-ended or sad conclusions in other recent CDramas.
Was this review helpful to you?
Best Drama of 2024 for Me
I'll echo what many other reviewers have said: This is the best drama I've watched in 2024. It was my first Chinese drama with over 100 Kdramas under my belt and I was truly blown away. The wardrobe and sets are amazing as is the cinematography. At times I felt like I was in a dream. It's so incredibly beautiful. I appreciated that the story was intricate and didn't have any of the annoying miscommunication in between the characters. It's an emotionally mature story and what a story at that! As soon as it ended I wanted to watch it again.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I was though it will be something which I can’t stop to watching buuut ın the end nırının
It has a good start. Fantastic , you are wondering what happened. Strong FL, smart, rich amazing woman . She is full of revenge. also twins are amazing. they cab fight. Amazing. ML is strong, believe s equality. they are always together. very supportive each other. they talk everything. they are shy also very sweet. but after 25 episode you can’t find the our couple. they don’t have screen time. I am sick of the watching old guys . they talk talk talk. where is the our couple. because of this I just watched couple screen time and finish 5 episodes less than 30 minutes. After 25 episodes They decide to began ML’s brother story. I didn’t understand his love story and I am not interested at all. I just searched couple screen time. I am little bit sad.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
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….
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
A do-over that managed to be different yet samey
Do-over seems to be the A-plot du jour nowadays. Contemporary, costume, Korean, Chinese, everybody is doing it.This one starts a bit differently. Both leads are in a dark and troubling place in their lives. You'd think given their backstories it would be unlikely for them to be friends, let alone lovers. Well, stay tuned because the writer pulled a rabbit out of the hat with this one.
I'm not going to spoil it for you so let's just say both went back in time but only the FL retained the memory of her past life. She sets out to protect herself by not repeating her mistakes and tries her best to be independent. At first, she kept running into obstacles which pushes her back onto the same path but over time, she realised that she can influence events and bit by bit, her destiny and those around her began to change.
This is where the show shone the brightest. The first half of this show is clever and engaging. Our leads are given room to flex their acting muscles. They have good chemistry and we can ship them easily. Their growth and changing fortunes is very gratifying to watch. It was fun to watch their mating dance and navigate the various challenges but most importantly, falling hard for each other over time. Swoon!
It pains me to say this but as soon as they are official, the writer took a vacation. The pace dropped off; plots milled around the watercooler as well. Lots of things are happening but it falls under two categories. 1) We swoon while watching our OTP play house. 2) We groan while we are spoon-fed tropey palace intrigue shenanigans.
Not only are the antagonist not doing much hiding in shadows, they talk endlessly about their nefarious plots. I would have no problem if they were clever and devilish, but it all comes down to who should be king, who is backstabbing whom and when is the best time to act. The antagonist waited, the protagonist waited and we waited.
The pace did pick up in the last few eps. At one stage, I though they were going to hit us with the Angst Train but after 1 or 2 eps, everyone just went home. Yes, they literally went back to their estate and got some R&R. It was surreal especially after the torture scene!
The pace changed again towards the end, it is a bit unsettling to be honest. It is dramatic at times and impactful in the Final Confrontation way but I can’t help but feel the scenes are on rails.
That is awkward as the show have many positives up to the halfway mark but then the pacing, storytelling and character developments lost momentum. The game of thrones stuff is predictable and tropey. It is still very watchable but I missed that spark of originality at the beginning of the series.
The last ep is mostly fan service. All the loose threads are tied up with pink bows. The show cruises to a HEA ending as expected. It is sweet and wholesome. I can’t complain. The positives do outweigh the negatives. Peace.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
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 ..
Was this review helpful to you?
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
Was this review helpful to you?
Blossoming well, with the right care
A snowy night. A fated encounter. A book of records. An arrow shot.And then, young Dou Zhao woke up from a dream that seemingly foretold her entire life. The book of records and the new birthmark she got seemed to tell her not to take this lightly.
Will things be different this time?
.
.
.
It’s yet another rebirth themed story. But with well paced exposition and pacing of the story introducing the characters and background, I quickly immersed into the story. Dou Zhao quickly got into my favourite female characters list, with her wisdom, emotional maturity and capability. I like that her outlook in life which, influenced by her grandmother, went beyond palace politics and family entanglement. Even if that was hard to do with her family lineage, Dou Zhao always tried her best to protect and to live her life well.
I enjoyed the romance progress between these two for the most part - from strangers to comrades to admiration to couples. Different from other rebirth story themes, Dou Zhao in “the first life” had minimal involvement with Song Mo, our male lead. And the book of records she held only consisted of poems that require Dou Zhao to unravel the meaning. The blossom did well to highlight the exact moment and dialogues between Dou Zhao and Song Mo shared which prevented the latter from heading towards the path of no return as life kept beating him down. Whether the dream that Dou Zhao had of them was their past life or not, Dou Zhao became the guiding light that Song Mo needed in this life.
While I really liked Meng Zi Yi’s and Li Yun Rui’s CP and their chemistry, the after marriage scenes in the middle did felt a little flat, losing the sparkly tension in the beginning. I am alright with innocent secondary school kids cute fluffs, but the whole everyone is preventing me to kiss my wife troupe is a little overused. What I usually look forward to in an idol romance drama funnily felt like unnecessary fillers for me. They still have quite the improvement when it comes to their acting, especially Meng Zi Yi - but it’s good enough to make me believe and root for Dou Zhao’s and Song Mo’s romance.
Some parts of the story were a little choppy. The change of sides and motivation for some of the characters also felt abrupt and too easy, though highlight scenes were given to these supporting characters. What’s fortunate was Director Zeng’s resourceful and the cast’s dedication, from actors & actresses to screenwriter, making this point negligible. And thankfully, the last part of the story picked up the pacing and intrigue we had in the beginning, closing most of the loops and questions.
Speaking of Director Zheng, the cinematography of the Blossom was one of the more one of the more revered ones we have seen in a long while. Though it’s Director Zeng’s first long filmed television series, he utilised his best strength to enhance the visual storytelling of the shots, giving Blossom a fresh look and nice upgrade in the voluminous ancient idol romance genre.
All in all, the Blossom has grown well this winter, with each and everyone’s care. It’s Director Zeng’s first long firm production; it’s Meng Zi Yi and Li Yun Rui’s first leads show; it’s a story which talks about enduring the storms and grow strongly with a little help from others - and they all deliver.
Hope all these will win this cast another collaboration.
~~~~
What flower is this? Fourth Lady seemed to cherish it a lot.
‘Purple wreath (九重紫)’, a type of wildflower. Duke Heir doesn’t have to worry about it, it can endure countless storms and can grow strong independently.
I believe that it can, but I also believe that it will blossom quicker with a little help.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
At the first time I watch not because don't know this drama, but there is comments said it's good. So, I tried to watching.STORY
The first thing I thought is like others drama, who transmigration to the past. And the plots made it progresses and wow it's good.
The story line when DZ transmigration to the child it's make sense when she growth and success in business. She know if stay at home it will not changed, rather than stay in her grandmother's house.
The fate DZ and SM it's not like love at first sight, it's just there is you in a round me. DZ didn't wanna to involve with SM, but she wanna to changed, so SM not revolt and died.
The plots actually not really wide range, just you see in the first before transmigration you will know who is the villains. But, it's really interesting to watch and some cast make it lively in this drama.
CHARACTER
DZ, actually she know what I can do and don't. She know what her limited and strong willingness. She just wanna all people around her is safe and happy. She didn't avoid the problems and solving this with all she can do. And make sense with her weakness is can't do self defense, so she recruiting two maid.
SM, just like general. He so brave and courage, but very strategies. At first he is really brutal and easy to angry but, it's depends of situation. Slowly in the end he can calm and suppress emotions.
CAST
MZY, I know her in some dramas and variety shows. She so pretty and cheerful every time. I think her acting is good and just like how the behind the scenes will be laughable. Because she always make some comments silly, haha.
LYR, I know him in some dramas and keep running. I actually didn't expect he will be the ML, because I saw him in every dramas I watched hehe. But, his acting is good and you can looking forward with his dramas.
OST
I think I love all the OST because I love soft music and it's really made well. There is song who sing the ML and FL too. But, it's not really catching, but you can listening that.
Was this review helpful to you?