The Forbidden Flower (2023)

Age gap romance done sexy & right!

I started this drama to take a break from complicated ones. After a few eps I was like damn this one's really interesting. At first, the girl pursuing XH from the first time she saw him was a question for many. I grasped it like, as someone who was practically caged and controller all the time, she had to hide her desires and stuff. But when she met XH she liked how XH washed her hair, touched her ear(which was sensitive for her) and she got tempted by it (her dream the following day). I think that's the reason she goes after XH and she knows she may have limited time so she pursues what she likes. Also Considering the age gap I really appreciate how XH handled it. Being a man he resisted all the time. But damn when he's not resisting that's too hot 😜. The only concern I had was why she started ignoring him when from day 1 she knew she may not make it. That's not practical or ethical to make him fall for you and then abandon him in the name of not hurting him by letting him see your true self. But other than it was a wholesome drama. Really like the side story of her mother, even though she's a mother she's still a woman who went through a lot. Also, I guess this one's a HE considering the numerous hints they gave at the last second. Also, the village setting and showing their culture made this drama significant from the rest of the modern C-dramas. I'm not a re-watcher but would definitely re-watch this! 💗

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Not easy review

It is never easy to do a review on one of your favorite actors' dramas, in this case Kido Ma without biases but I will do my best.... I will be unpopular for some, however i like to think I am a minority, so my opinion is mine only and carries little overall weight.... Ok, I still gave it a high score based that I finished the drama, these days trust me, I dropped just as many as I finish so if I finish the drama deserves a higher score.

What worked in this drama? I think the second lead pairing of the mother and the younger guy worked perfectly. I think the acting by the entire cast worked well..... i think the settings being simple helped!

What lost minimal marks - I think the overall engagement the leads had with the viewers i felt lost marks. This is a just a blue lagoon type romance, but to some degree i felt it watching those movies. I didn't feel it with these leads. Usually, a drama leaves me wanting to see more from actors/actresses, wasn't feeling it.... I have seen plenty of Jerry Yan anyway....

Kido Ma, tough one. Obviously, he didn't win the girl. Did it matter for me as I am a fan of his? Not really....
Was she the girl worth fighting for? My answer is for Jerry Yan 'YES', for Kido Ma 'NO'..... Many people don't know this however these dramas are designed to have no conclusion, to open up the door for more dramas, this drama is perfect example of an incomplete ending which I find 90% of dramas fall into....

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This is one of the best series I’ve seen, the casting was phenomenal, both main leads played their roles to perfection, the plot was straight forward and easy to follow, and not at all cliche or generic. The cinematography and the storytelling was also very well done, honestly 10/10 for everyone that worked on this project, I can tell they put their heart and souls into this piece. And the music! God you’ll find yourself unable to wait for the next masterpiece to blast through your screen, and if it’s not blasting the first time you watch this drama, I can guarantee the second time you will be listening to it on the loudest volume possible. (And I say second time because if you watched it once, you’ll definitely watch it again, I found myself skipping back so that I could experience each scene again, again and again. that’s how good this drama is, and the chemistry between the leads! Let’s not start on that or I’ll never finish writing this review!) Each song was carefully selected so that it fits each scene, characters and setting perfectly. For example I can’t stop thinking about the scene in Ep 1, the first scene where we actually meet Xiao Han whilst He Ran is searching for the mysterious man who left an impression on her. Grasshopper from Half Time Of Heart is playing in the background and it’s honestly the most fitting song for Xiao Hans character. Liao has truly outdone himself playing him, and I could say the same for all the actors and actresses, Xu Ruo for example is so easy to love and you just can’t help but root for her. I can say without an ounce of doubt, if you do watch this you’ll enjoy it. I’m glad I came across it. :)

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Sweet. Romantic. Steamy.

Given the steamy trailers, this drama is surprisingly sweet and full of warmth and charm. The gorgeous coastal scenery and the laidback beach vibe are like a vacation getaway for us the audience. The OSTs are great—some slow and sultry, others fun and upbeat. The actors are all knocking it out of the park. The visuals are top-tier. It’s a pretty drama to watch with its stunning cinematography, stunning native costumes, and stunning people. Jerry Yan’s undeniable sex appeal has us swooning, but his character Xiao Han’s calm demeanor, sincerity and gentleness are what moves our heart. Actress Xu Ruohan’s unwavering confidence in the face of such a seasoned, handsome man and her mastery of the playful character, He Ran, are truly admirable. She’s young, but she’s holding her own well. She unabashedly pursues that gorgeous man. And, the sensible, responsible ML tries to push her away, but he finds himself smiling constantly, involuntarily, at her antics as if he just can’t help succumbing to her charms. We, the audience, can’t either! Their chemistry is both adorable and smoking hot. Really enjoying this! Just disappointed the drama’s final edit deleted some of the hottest and best scenes (ep 9 for example). You can find them if you search hard though.

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One of the Amazing Dramas i watched till now !!

I found out Those who had bad reviews on this Drama .... On the main Leads Age gap i don't think its necessary ... Because the Male lead looks quite young ..... Usually he doesn't seem like 40's .... Actually he looks so young .... Nd quite looks handsome frm his previous dramas ... This drama is actually quite unique and very intersting frm the begining when i started watching it.... Both are compatible actually ....His side looks are damn gorgeous in this drama.... ❤❤ Really love it .... In My P.O.V we don't focus on their real age but pay attention to the work they done .... Nd i don't think its a quite big deal about age etc ... He is suitable and worthy on this character... ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

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From the very first scene, you’d know you’re in for a very different cdrama vibes and within ten minutes, you’d be treated with a very artistic visuals and auditory feels. This will continue throughout the drama and will only get better in every episode.

The best thing about the drama is no doubt the chemistry between the two leads. They absolutely sell the “forbidden” love really well. Like most forbidden love stories, it is usually all-consuming flames and you see that with how Jerry Yan and Xu RuoHan interpreted their roles. Whenever they look at each other, tease each other, small touches and especially intimate scenes, there was no awkwardness at all and you definitely would believe you are seeing Xiao Han and He Ran.

All the casts delivered their acts perfectly - most notable is He Ran mom/Qiu JiaRong - Huang Yi. In the drama, I think she had to give the most range of emotions - protective mother and anxiety-driven widow to a woman who is on the verge of finding a new dreamy love.

As for the cons, editing has its goofs but the most obvious flaws are its lack of characterization and underdeveloped storylines. Han Yu and Xiao Han suffered here the most. Han Yu was sidelined as nothing as comic relief until the very last episode while you will keep waiting for Xiao Han to get this big background story but nothing was ever explained properly. Instead we get side characters from him that came in and out without real impact like QuanQuan and QinZao. I should not compare drama with the book but if they did not plan for QuanQuan storyline to be same as her(his in book) then maybe they should have done away with her suddenly appearing and disappearing in the story. As for Qin Zao - maybe they were tried of ex-lovers appearing to bring complications so they chose to make her sister to Xiao Han’s ex instead but her appearance was again a problem as it did not add any depth to Xiao Han’s character. I prefer drama Xiao Han(obviously kinder and more responsible than book) but at least book Xiao Han, I knew him more and I know by the end, he had grown as a character and as a man.

Overall it is a great and definitely memorable drama. Directors deserved kudos for art and feelings translated to film medium. Music scoring a top tier. Lastly, a big salute to all actors!

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Wonderful!
I just don't give it a 10 because of the ending. ( lt's not exactly a sad ending... )
Despite some nonsensical parts...

lt has a very beautiful story around gardening and an ML with an unimaginable character and personality.

ML is one of the most wonderful personality MLs that ever appeared in dramas. Kind, patient, compassionate, loyal, faithful, sweet, passionate, warm ( and hot), SUPER responsible, gentle, humble, noble, committed and generous...
A personality quite similar to ML from hotel del luna

FL despite having some flaws was also had a wonderful and courageous personality...

I believe that this is one of the few dramas where there were two main protagonists with the most indescribably passionate and wonderful personalities.

Really a shame the ending was sooooo dry...

The drama makes us really want to be a better person!!!!

The music is also beautiful...

[ SPOlLER ]

The only flaw is the ending where she comes back was so short.
It took away almost all the emotion it should have.

[SPOlLER END]

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Usual story but the songs are awesome

It is a love story totally love story and has some emotional scene. They were the songs of the drama and the acting of Jerry yan which hold the story .
I really not understand the female character part as she knew that she was ill then why she forced him to love . I didn't know that she was already ill before meet him or after .
If she was already ill before meet him so it would be better to have one sided love . And if she was ill after meet him so she should tell him but she just left him because she didn't want him to be sad but then why she came to him and spend some days with him and asked for his forgiveness and then after spending a night she left him . Then after one year she came to him and said him that she didn't like if some other woman said his name and she tried to stay beside him , actually what she wants that not clear she wants him or it is better to leave him .
At the end he knew about her illness and accepted her .
Yes ,story has sad ending . Story could be better. I watched this drama because of the male lead and the songs.

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You don't come by something like this everyday❤

Binged it within 2days, and now I'm a whole mood.🥹 The drama got me exactly where it wanted me to be, from the opening sequence to the ending, it has been such a visceral, bittersweet experience and a celebration about the soft underbelly of humans, about basic desire, about life. It was naive and simple most of the time, and was deep for the exact same reason. I really applaud the entire cast and crew for doing this project.
It didn't always make sense, but it didn't have to, either. Such is life. Sometimes you realise when you are overly critical of stories and character dynamics it is actually your own prejudice speaking, that you think only your moral standards are valid and noone else's. It is not easy to unlearn that, and to just lie back and listen to the story that the other side has so generously decided to share with you, faults, fragmented and all. It is very freeing and that's what this drama was to me~ it broadened my scope in lots of ways than not.
It was 99% vibes, 1% plot story with tenderhornysad feelings and with amazing kaleidoscopic camera language, don’t miss it!

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"I would rather live freely for ten days than live against my own will for 10 years."

These words were spoken by Zhou Zi Shu in Word of Honor (2021), which happens to be one of my all time favorite Chinese dramas. I wonder what he would have had to say to He Ran had they ever met.

Though coming from two completely different spheres of dramaland, I think this sentence captures the essence of The Forbidden Flower/Summer Flower/Xia Hua, which follows the rich and talented daughter of a late renowned painter, He Ran, who despite having everything, has gone through several dark days.

Still reeling from the after effects of a deadly illness, 20 year old He Ran is sheltered and cut off from the outside world by her overbearing and overprotective mother, Mrs. Qiu, who has assigned a nanny to watch over her for 24/7.
While managing to sneak out and enjoy bits of a free life, she is enticed by the voice of a stranger at a Hair Salon, whom she only knows by his assigned No. 33. It's unbelievable, but He Ran finds an excuse to escape her gloomy existence - find No.33 again.
Xiao Han, the owner of the said voice, is a man years past his youthful days, but that does not stop He Ran from pursuing him.

She cautiously probes for information about him from what she could gather within the first two episodes, before beginning a full blown onslaught to realize her vision. This part in particular was hilarious and slightly disconcerting to watch. Xiao Han, the object of her attentions yeets himself away from his own home to escape her shenanigans.

–-------
I want to rate this drama a 7, but I invested too much time into this to end it in such an unholy manner.

Now… I will begin by writing down a few observations/random details/caveats first from what I gathered:

1.This is an age-gap drama based on an already existing novel 'He Stands in the Gorgeous Summer Flowers (他站在夏花绚烂里) by Tai Hou Gui Lai.
I 'google translate' read 90% of the novel and I 100% prefer the drama. There are some quite distinct changes in characterization and the live adaptation adds real depth to the two dimensional versions I read about. Or maybe things got lost in translation.
I've noticed that contemporary Chinese dramas often surpass their novel counterparts and this drama is no exception.

2. And judging by the number of watchers it has, I think the age-gap tag scared away most of the viewers. And I'm 100% sure that this drama is a success partly because Jerry Yan looks like he did 20 years ago - not to mention that he has almost the exact same hairstyle from his Dao Ming Si days. Both Xu Ruo Han and Jerry Yan just fit together so well into their characters and I barely noticed that there was an age gap between them. Age-gap doesn't matter to me as long as the characters are brought to life.

3. I highly suspect that multiple script changes or scenes were shot. There are times that scenes black out and cut off jarringly. Some of the dialogues were never mentioned, yet we later hear the characters speak about it. There are certain scenes from the trailer which are never shown. And the additional behind the scenes footage (aside from the intimate ones) sort of solidifies the point.
The opening scene itself seems to have selected a different shot instead of the one which we see in EP8. (There is a minor flashback.)
Moreover, this is definitely "NOT" an S-Class drama from my assumptions. It had only 30 minutes per episode.
–--------
The warm fuzzies:

● The Scenery: the whole drama is a visual feast. Every scene is shot beautifully. It's worth watching it just for that alone. Plenty of money seems to have been spent on camera and lighting and location and flowers and painting.

● The Cast: Every single actor played their part to a tee. I loved how Xu Ruo Han in particular portrayed two different sides of He Ran - the one when she is not genuinely interested in something and the other side of her which she reveals to Xiao Han alone.
Xiao Han, a man content with being isolated and loves the peace and quiet of the plants, was a joy to watch. I loved how he looked like he was regretting every decision he made after meeting He Ran during the first 8 episodes. We slowly see him give up and just give in to her demands and by the 10th episode, we are aware of why he shelters himself from everyone. Jerry Yan absolutely served justice to his character.

Their chemistry together was just too sweet and easy on the eyes. I did not find the age gap annoying.

The mother was another well acted character - - atleast I think so. If she was meant to depict a broken yet muddled woman, she definitely did the part well. Supporting characters such as Pan Zi and even Han Yu showed the contrast between He Ran and her 'hidden friends'.

● The Soundtrack: My favorite is "The One'' by Vivian Loh. Had the opening scene begun with Lucid Dream, I don't think I would've been pulled in as intensely as I had.
Plus, there were several songs played throughout that just makes certain scenes indelible. Summer by Nicki Lee is one of my newfound favorite songs, thanks to this drama.
Some other favorites:
● Heartbeat by Vivian Loh.
● Mine by Vivian Loh.


● The Characters: they are the reason I stuck till the very end, regardless of how depressing or happy it was going to be.

Han Yu was one character who made me laugh everytime he came on screen. Not because he was purposefully being oblivious to He Ran's dismissal of his friendship and companionship, but he was also the only one who even bothered to worry whenever He Ran showed signs off sickness.
Xiao Han has several fans, so I'll skip right down to He Ran, whom I absolutely adore. And I feel a bit guilty speaking for her instead of against her.

Several people mentioned how she loves selfishly. Was she selfish? Yes, definitely. But, she loved selflessly too. She put in 100% effort into her relationship, sacrificing everything once she understood that it was worth it.
Her comparing herself to other women and making dangerous promises ticked off several viewers, but I understood where she was coming from. She just wasn't able to wrap her mind around how Xiao Han must've had other women in his life and wondered whether she was meant to be forgotten just like them.

(I once asked my friends who were in a relationship how they could be with their person, knowing he must've liked someone else before them. Someone gave me the exact same answer as Xiao Han's.)

He Ran seems to have the same fear - that she too will be like one of his experiences. If anyone noticed, she is the assertive one in their relationship. She is well aware that she isn't a 'nice' guy.

She just doesn't want to be forgotten like the many people who had crossed Xiao Han's life. Ultimately, we all wish to be remembered by someone in some way.

And as much as I appreciate her character, several times she comes off as unreasonably and dangerously possessive. She barely lets anyone breathe on Xiao Han - there are episodes where we see her push limits and just go bonkers.

Her pursuit of Xiao Han is itself comedic. Xiao Han considers his temporary attraction to her as something he wouldn't obsess over, and He Ran's stalking tendencies is what he deems to be the antics of a young girl who is blinded by her crush. It isn't after a long time, that he finally concludes that she isn't kidding.
Well, He Ran was lucky that it was Xiao Han. And vice versa. Or else this drama would've turned into a crime thriller.

–---------------

Now….. somethings make me want to rate this a 6.5 - 7. I settled on 9 [rerated it an 8 when I realized that there were too many filler episodes past EP13] because the drama seems to have been made with serious dedication and effort worthy of a longer drama. Both from the cast and crew. Plus, this is the only time a contemporary setting which is not centered around youth managed to keep me hooked.

● I was unfortunately not invested in He Ran's mom's and Yuan Qi's relationship.
I liked their individual scenes, but I simply did not care to watch their scenes as a couple. More than half of the drama after EP13 focused on them.

● The handling of He Ran's illness. For someone who is cocooned by her mom, it irked me how casually everyone except Han Yu and his aunt were regarding her health. (It was understandable why He Ran had resolved to 'living in the moment'.)
Both of them were more concerned than anyone whenever she appeared weak.
It's mentioned in the first two episodes about her 'follow up' check ups, but then we barely hear about it. Shouldn't it have been stressed on more?

And after Episode 18 or 19, I could not make sense of what was happening. Her diagnosis and prognosis were more positive than negative, then what about her treatment? Shouldn't it be more serious?
It's evident that some things were portrayed more for cinematic value rather than reality.
It might be able to get brushed off in a book, but in an onscreen adaptation with significant changes, it's hard to pass by.

● Last, but never the least. The ENDING. The last time an ending pissed me off so much was Word of Honor.
I could literally see the director teetering over whether to wrap up the drama by staying true to the source novel or to choose happiness over everything. (I've pinned an additional comment on my thoughts about the ending to my review.)

Well, he is a winner, cause I can see four different versions.

With all these complaints, this happens to be the first contemporary Chinese drama after Legally Romance (2022) that I've been patient enough to keep up with in spite of my complaints.

Nevertheless, this drama is one of the most beautiful and romantic ones I've seen to date.
The Queen of the Night blooms very rarely, but it is for this very reason that it's remembered. And maybe that's the same charm 'The Forbidden Flower' exudes.

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recommend this one steamy romance, unusually quite mature cdrama

was long time I seen drama which could arouse mine emotions as much as this one. I would give it even 9,5 if it wasnt melodrama. I dont think I will rewatch this one often since aint masochist.

This drama got young Female lead pursuing older male lead. She is pursuing her first love feverishly and straightforwardly as if there is not going be tomorrow. And maybe there aint one.

Whole drama got alot of artistry and flowers in it

plot - FL is rich young woman 20y which was long time sick and now once she recovered she is being kept captive in house by her mother which for fear of health her daughter locked her in golden cage.
FL manages to flee cage time from time to explore world... and once she visits hair salon to wash her hairs. She fell in love with older man which was her hairstylist [ML]... her next exploring got new target.
TO Find him.

genre -romance,melodrama

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