Reviews

Does ML deserve second chance in this romance drama?

Lately I am in the mood to binge vertically shot Chinese dramas. This drama appeared on my Youtube dashboard & I gave it a go after quickly perusing the comments.

What I liked:
1) Acting - I was impressed by her acting. She managed to show different sides of Wen Yan: firm, vulnerable and strong. I will definitely check out her other works.
2) Visuals - Chen Mu Ye is very pretty. Wang Yi Ran is handsome. Both of them give this "high society" beauty & elegance.
3) Plot - Depsite the plot holes, this drama was light & easy to follow.

What I disliked:
1) Relationship - I notice other C dramas with 'husband neglecting wife for years' theme and this drama is the one with least suffering. While I am ok that the neglect only happened for 1 year, I still think ML is undeserving of FL because is he mistaking guilt for love?
2) Romance - The kissing scenes played around angles rather than real, lingering kisses. Wish there were proper grovelling & more affectionate scenes too.

Favourite scene
When Wen Yan was hospitalised after an assault

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Came for Esther Yu, Took Ding Yuxi Home

In my 20+ years of watching Asian dramas, I haven’t gotten so addicted to a show like I do with this one. I watched this first on Netflix (no expectation, just to fall asleep with), it was so good that I had to get Viki subscription to watch the rest immediately, and now I’m rewatching on YT premium. They made this so enjoyable that rewatching isn’t a problem because it’s beautiful and fast paced. Hardly no fillers so I don’t mind watching over and over again, I’m so inlove with the cast & how they portray each characters! The chemistry overflows even without kissing, it blew my mind. Esther & Yuxi’s acting were superb! The supporting actors are just amazing!
Thanks so much to the producers and all the staff, you guys did an amazing job!!! The ending is ok, I don’t mind open ending, and I totally get the message! Thank you for gifting us with their show The Shining Stars, it’s delightful and very fun to watch. Especially the escape room!

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The series is really about stupid characters wanting to get rich

Watched the Train to Busan and Kingdom, thought it would be at least good but this was so so bad.
The writers were probably having a competition to see who could write the worst and stupidest character because there was not one decent character in the series. The smartest character in the series was probably the old lady that got a scratch on her back ( she kept an eye on her symptoms, gathered information and laid low ) other than her the rest are complete idiots.
Yoon Sae Bom is one of the worst characters I've seen in a long time, if she was in charge of finding a cure and keeping the ,,infected,, isolated from the healthy people in the general population most people would be infected in a few days. If she did not have ,,plot armor,, she would die in ep. 3.
There is no tension, characters keep their backs to open doors, they never keep their guard up, look worried that an ,,infected,, might be behind a corner, getting sick is even seen as a solution to fixing problems. Characters are more concerned with getting rich rather than keeping themselves safe.
As an action series it fails so hard, the main characters do not act as trained professionals, the ,,stunts,, are too obvious, they try to make scenes dramatic but they look silly.
There is no romance, the main leads are very cute but have no chemistry, their ,,love story,, never develops but we are told they love each other . Watch ,, Containment,, made in 2016 if you want to see a couple that has so much chemistry when they never even touch each other, that is how it is done but even that series is not great.
Would have been a lot better as a movie ( a mediocre movie ), I regret watching all of it, should have dropped it after ep 3 but had the morbid curiosity to see how bad the series really was.

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Sometimes more is worse

Yin and War's talent and dedication to delivering a complete, well-produced and high quality series is undeniable. They are some of the best BL actors today and the commitment they put into this is evident (since they themselves financed this series).

Technically speaking, Jack & Joker is a spectacle. It has beautiful photography, impressive and realistic settings, the characterization of the characters is a highlight, the performances are all top-notch and the fight scenes are impeccably choreographed.

And when it comes to chemistry, there is nothing to comment on. Here they give a lesson.

But the script, unfortunately, does not work. I like the initial plot of the story being about a thief with a thousand faces who helps the poorest and a boy with a heart of gold who is forced to collect debts.

Unfortunately, the series starts to invent unnecessary plots that take away much of the shine that the first episodes have. Another point is the excess of poorly developed characters.

Save is an example of this. At no point does the series show his relationship with Jack to the point where we believe they are best friends (which is why all the betrayal seems out of place). He has no story, no development and in the end he gains an importance that feels misplace.

Hope is another character who appears and disappears from the series and who always has different motivations each time we see him.

Nang is another character who adds nothing to the story. She has an air of mystery and power surrounding her presence and it seems like she will have some importance in the story, but in the end nothing happens.

Rosé is another character who is only there to create drama between the main couple and fill up screen time.

But what really bothers me is how the series wastes the potential of Tattoo and Aran being a couple. All the elements were there, but they never go anywhere.

I really like Jack and Joker's relationship, especially in the first episodes, but all of this ends up being affected by the plot.

The Four Horsemen game is one of the worst decisions the series makes. I like the social criticism present there, but it makes the story too fantasy-like. And that's when things lose their way.

Joker's robberies become lazy and full of script conveniences. The pace of the series becomes tiresome. I hate Boss's plans (one minute he wants the necklace, then he wants the ring, then he wants to win a game, then he wants Jack to marry Rosé).

It's plot on top of plot on top of plot and the series forgets to develop the characters and what they're feeling. This whole ring thing is so cheesy and honestly takes away a lot from the quality of the series.

The final plot twist kind of invalidates all these episodes and makes us question what the purpose of all this bullshit that Boss created was.

Honestly, it's a very long and somewhat tiresome series. I love Yin and War and in terms of acting and chemistry, they delivered everything.

But the script ended up being bloated with so much narrative and plot when a simple story with good development and well-crafted characters would have worked better.

And despite all this, it is still a BL with exceptional quality and great actors. I just wish for a more thought-out script.

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"Everything will be okay"

Parangal (Award) was the sequel to Jollibee’s Date from 2017. This was a nice continuation to the original short film/commercial about a boy having a Valentine’s date with his mother.

Joey addresses the audience at his high school graduation, a day of awards for him. It is also a day he has been looking forward to so that he could pay tribute to his mother, the person who sacrificed to get him to this point. In Date, he followed his deceased father’s instructions to give his mother a nice Valentine’s Day. And while Joey was committed to stepping up to help his mother, his mother, as single mothers do, took on the role of mother and father to make sure her son graduated.

Parangal may have only been a creative commercial for Jollibee but it was also a reminder to remember the cost of parenthood when things get tough. Joey’s biggest gift was not an award, but the love of a mother dedicated to giving him a chance to succeed in the world. The mother was awarded a hard working son who also knew how to express gratitude. Gifts far greater than the price of a bucket of chicken.

22 December 2024

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Awww it's a cute dependable drama ❤️

I didn't expect this to be a ground breaking drama, the expectations are more like it sticks to popular themes in the past that made some of the comedic historical KDramas successful. The theme is usually about a young woman entering a school undercover as a man, her love interest is one of the male students who goes from enemy to friend to lover. Of course there are other male students who are potential suitors. They usually are a feast on the eyes and a reverse harem occurs. Hilarity ensues with the confusion of why she sometimes "acts" different and is over the top with her macho behavior at times. Throw in a public bathing situation she has to deal with along with all those rock hard bare chests and six packs she has to see. There might be heated arguments on forums with comments split between the 1ML, 2ML, 3ML, 4ML? camps on who is the best for her and how gorgeous that particular actor is. The acting is pretty solid and the characters didn't get on my nerves. The FL isn't too girly to be completely unbelievable as a young man and she seemed to be likeable enough.

Watching this drama so far for me feels like when you want to be in a comfort zone where you want something dependable that will deliver. I just want to watch it and be entertained, nothing too deep or thought provoking but it is fun, campy, and may get some good laughs out of you. It's like on a cold day, when you turn to your favorite warm non alcoholic (LOL) drink of choice you know will do the job and will keep the cold chills at bay. Or perhaps it's that warm soft blanket or throw on your sofa that is your go to when you aren't feeling well or you just want to laze around in comfort.

The first half of ep 1 I was so-so and didn't pay close attention to it but it started to pick up steam for me towards the last half that got me laughing. The second episode continued with the pace and was just as good. It's going to be a bit of a wait for the next episode. I started this before it completed so I can't complain too much that I'm left hanging for close to a week before the next one.

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Could have been a lot better with more time

Arashi and Rei - really simple story, not the type of characters I usually enjoy and it was true for this as well. Shoma did a really bad job with his acting but he is handsome and better at the kissing scenes. Takuto was bad as well, better than the actor for Rain in my opinion but the couple has no chemistry . Enjoyed the Japanese version of the show better for this couple, probably because their story is very simple and it works better with the shorter episodes. I give them 2 out of 10, watched them to see Fuma and Kai in the first episodes.

Unfortunately in this version we get very little time to show the friendship between Rei and Kai, Arashi and Fuma. We also lose some fun side characters but Rinka is better than the Thai version, Sky's ex was creepier in the Thai version. They cut a lot of useless fluff and that was great. The sound in this show was a lot better, the editing as well but it had a smaller budget and it showed.

Fuma and Kai- the story needed a better writer to give more depth to both Sky/Kai and Fuma/P'Pai but still a decent story. Asahi did a good job with his acting, he fails when it comes to his ,,womanizer,, persona but I prefer him to P'Pai with some exceptions. In the Thai version when P'Pai and Sky meet there was a certain level of uncertainty, P'Pai seemed more dangerous, like he could hurt Sky but this version lacks this and it's not a good thing in my opinion, some characters are better when they keep you guessing. Reo is the best actor in the series in my opinion, he did a great job with most of the scenes but some scenes lack ,,depth,, because they were not given the time they needed to develop the characters better. Unfortunately this was the character they choose to change the most and Sky looses some of his charm. The couple has chemistry in some scenes but not all unfortunately. Sure, Reo is a bit too old for this role but I will take an older actor any day if he does a good job acting. - I give them 6 out of 10, would have been 7 with two more episodes dedicated to them since time is what they lacked most.

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"A heart that loves, never gets tired"

Homecoming was a part of the Jollibee’s Valentine 2018 series and a follow-up to its immensely popular short film/commercial Crush. Rather than a sequel, it filled out Crush’s story of young love that had a rocky start.

Our nameless college student who delivered Jollibee hamburgers with encouraging notes to the female student he had a crush on in Crush, had to watch his love interest interacting with her boyfriend. As was hinted at in the first short, the boyfriend was very self-involved. The stalkerish good guy was always there to lend a hand or emotional support when she needed it. The beginning of the film showed they ended up together. The vignettes played out the progress of their relationship as she observed his generosity and tenacity.

I liked this short film/commercial better as it showed his actions that won her over and not just leaving her cold hamburgers with anonymous notes everywhere which I didn’t find particularly romantic. I won’t leave a drink unattended in a crowd, I’m certainly not going to eat a hamburger that appeared in my locker or on a bench. Here he stepped up to help her and was attentive to her needs. Jollibee was not forgotten after they became a couple. Even in old age she still loved Jollibee burgers and he was still Johnny on the spot to make sure she always had one on hand. The pragmatist in me wanted to mention she might need to have her cholesterol checked.

Homecoming was a cute follow-up to Crush that helped better explain how this couple based on a real story found their way to each other through a devotion to Jollibee burgers. Homecoming felt less contrived with a less problematic approach to romance than the first short film. As always, beauty and true love are in the eye of the beholder.

22 December 2024

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Not for the Unromantic!

I wanted to write this review after the second episode. This mini/short drama packs a mighty punch.

Let us start with the storyline in the synopsis after a tragic incident, two lovers who lose and find each other on opposite sides of life. In short, they have to find their way back to each other amidst a rollercoaster of emotions. I liked the storyline it drew me in right away mostly because of the acting from the ML and FL from the very beginning. In the very first episode (which I must say are too short) the cinematography and directing are spot-on. In what appears to be a minimal set and low-budget film the directing and special effects feel like a solid-budget film.

One of the things that caught my attention right away was the acting from both leads Dai Gaozheng and Tu Zhiying it was honestly captivating. I have watched many Asian dramas with the top billing stars that could not compare to these two in this short drama. The two leads do their part in telling the story as it should be told, a love story. The chemistry between the leads is electrifying, intense, and passionate, and it works like a charm. You will be drawn in like a spider to a web. The acting is spot-on for this type of drama

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Hm...

I can't decide whether I like this drama or not.

I do love the initial plot of the ML having to take care of his daughter. Watching their relationship grow and their bond get stronger filled me with so much joy (can you tell I used to watch The Return of Superman? LOL). Seeing him also actually take responsibility of his life and work was also great.

The supernatural plotline was a bit meh for me. I really enjoyed the FL making relationships with the other spirits/ghosts (idk the difference sorry), and at times, it was very interesting. But honestly, I was slightly worn out by the end, and I mostly just wanted to see the ML with his kid, but maybe that's just me.

There are a few moments which I will not mention that I just had to suspend belief for (and they were non-supernatural things) and there were other times I just wanted to shout at some of the side characters. And I feel like that only increased as the end of the drama was nearing.

So when I think about my overall experience, as much as I love the main storyline, the last few episodes were just underwhelming and slightly annoying at times, so I have very mixed feelings. But, what I keep coming back to is the relationship between the parents with each other, and with their daughter, and how the parents created their relationship , but especially the ML's with his daughter. And of course knowing the main leads are married in real life also just makes me enjoy it even more. And for that, I think this drama is worth it, and now I think I need to watch more dramas where the main actors are married irl!

<3

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A Masterpiece of Storytelling and Visual Artistry

Blossom is a rare gem in the world of Chinese historical dramas, seamlessly blending a compelling narrative with exceptional cinematography, directing, and scriptwriting. From the first episode to the last, the series captivates with its powerful and rich portrayal of resilience, love, and the triumph of the human spirit against adversity.

Directed by Zeng Qingjie, known for his previous short cdrama works on "A Familiar Stranger", "Butterflied Lover" and "Provoke," Blossom is a visual feast. The meticulous attention to lighting, composition, and color palette creates an immersive atmosphere that transports viewers to the historical setting. The use of natural landscapes and period-accurate set designs enhances the authenticity of the narrative, making each scene a work of art.

At its heart, Blossom is the journey of Dou Zhao, a heroine whose life has been shaped by loss, betrayal, and hardship. The drama beautifully explores her evolution from a powerless young woman to a figure of strength and determination. Played with remarkable depth and nuance, Dou Zhao's character feels both relatable and inspiring. Her sharp intellect and unwavering resolve make her a standout protagonist, and her growth is a joy to watch.

Song Mo, on the other hand, is the perfect counterpart to Dou Zhao. His layered character—equal parts enigmatic and vulnerable—adds depth to the narrative. Their evolving relationship, beginning with mutual suspicion and cultivating into profound trust and partnership, is one of the most rewarding aspects of the show. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, drawing viewers into their world as they navigate political intrigue, family secrets, and their own emotional barriers.

For me, what sets Blossom apart is its meticulous attention to detail. The period-appropriate costumes and breathtaking cinematography transport viewers to a bygone era, while the carefully crafted plot keeps you on the edge of your seat. The subplots, from Dou Zhao’s struggles with her stepmother and the Dou family to Song Mo’s quest for justice, are interwoven seamlessly, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories.

The series also shines in its exploration of themes like loyalty, sacrifice, and the meaning of true partnership. The bond between Dou Zhao and Song Mo transcends mere romance, showcasing a partnership built on mutual respect, shared struggles, and unwavering support. Their journey reminds us that love is not just about passion but about standing by each other through life's trials.

Blossom is not just a drama; it’s an emotional experience. It’s a story of finding hope in despair, strength in vulnerability, and love in the most unexpected places. Whether you're a fan of historical dramas or just looking for a story that will stay with you long after the credits roll, Blossom is an absolute must-watch.

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Very satisfying to watch

I decided to watch it as I've heard some good reviews about the first few episodes, and it definitely blows my expectation. I can't really tell that this was a lower budget production at first as it got great cinematography and overall good story & acting.

Pros
- Zhaomo
They are hands down my favorite couple in dramaland now. They are the standard and I just love their relationship so much. The romance development is amazing, the pace is just right and I really could believe in every stages of their relationship. I really love their married life as well, it's so much more intimate than what is shown in other dramas imo.

- Great cinematography
Director is the biggest asset in this drama, he have clear direction and is a good storyteller. While I love the main characters, I also love to see side characters have their own memorable shot, so I really like this director's style. I am definitely looking forward to see his future works.

- Solid script
Script is solid overall. Characters are well written and have their own highlight, story have a clear direction, plenty of good dialogues throughout, and I like the resolution as well. There are some plot holes here and there, but it's quite minimal and still within acceptable level to me.

- Good acting
The acting here is overall pretty good and nothing bothers me, everyone fits their role quite well.

- Good ending
Honestly I was so worried it's gonna end so badly since I don't like the major plot development after their marriage (especially for episode 27-32), but I'm glad it ends on good note and overall still makes sense to me. Some of the storyline could be better though (Songhan x Ansu, Jiyong, Empress x Emperor)... but it's a pretty good ending considering other dramas that I have watched in recent years, so I'm very satisfied overall.

Cons
- Uneven quality for both directing and script
The directing -- some episodes in latter half was not as good as the beginning, the dip in quality is more noticeable since the beginning was really good imo. Thankfully it got redeemed on the last few episodes.

The script also suffer from this as some characters or arc are not that well written, in particular Songhan x Ansu, Jiyong, and Empress x Emperor storyline could be better. I'm not sure if it's because they run out of budget or the censorship cuts few episodes, but I really wish Blossom have few more episodes to develop the latter half better as the plot was too jam packed towards the end.

- Action scenes feel lacking in last episode
Action scenes in the beginning was really good and it's what caught my attention the most... but unfortunately the last battle leaves more to be desired. Again I'm not sure if it's because of budget or time constraint, but I wish the last battle is grander.

Overall I'm very satisfied with the series. I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for something perfect because it's not... but if you're looking for something fun with amazing leads, good cinematography, compelling characters, and good ending, then please try to watch it.
Please note that my rating is slightly higher as I really enjoyed watching it and the ending makes me feels like it's worth the express fee that I paid.

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“Blossom” is the BEST DRAMA OF 2024 ?

How do I even begin to tell you how good “Blossom” is? From the writing, cinematography, acting, storytelling, visuals, dialogue and chemistry between the leads. Absolute perfection.

From the very first episode, you knew this show was going to be special. By the time we get to the finale, all the issues were resolved and the story came full circle even for side characters.

All the characters had very clear development as well as stayed true to their essence. That’s really hard to do when there’s so much happening and you can’t give each character screen time for the audience to build familiarity with. The ambiguous characters flowed between good and bad, the villains were villains for a reason and the good guys were all for the greater good.

The main characters, Song Mo and Dou Zhao, were dragged into a royal mess and just chess pieces to the royal family. I’m so glad they had each other to navigate and come out of the ordeal unscathed and get their happy ending.

Li Yunrui as Song Mo was the standout performer in this series! He embodied the character and the morality of the character exquisitely. I know his popularity blew up once the show premiered so I’m excited to see him more in lead roles. SM is a top male lead character in this genre moving forward. He is truly a green flag — caring and loving DZ, but never dominating or exerting power over her. He’s so gently when it comes to her whereas he’s fierce as a general.

Meng Ziyi was absolutely fantastic as Dou Zhao and the writing was one of the best written female roles I’ve seen on CDrama. The character itself never strayed from her values and beliefs. DZ was progressive, but also understood traditions. She was strong, but showed vulnerability. She loved deeply and never doubted it. This woman was determined to never let SM stray from his goodness. ✨

SM and DZ were perfect together and I don’t know if another couple can top them for me in CDrama. They demonstrated a relationship that was healthy and equal. They didn’t hide things from each other nor did they assumed what the other person needed — they actually communicated, shared opinions and strategized together. They made promises to each other and kept to them. They didn’t let their own egos overshadow their relationship nor did they let other characters make them doubt each other. All of this is so rare in CDramaland!

I hope Meng Ziyi and Li Yunrui team up again because their chemistry felt so natural and real. You can’t help but root for them.

Some of my favorite scenes were the wedding in ep19 and the reveal of SM’s mother’s death in ep31. Those scenes were so visually beauty and great storytelling. The wedding was particularly wonderful because it felt so grounded by showing the audience details and traditions that you feel as though you’re witnessing a real wedding.

For the last few episodes, I think people are going to want a big battle at the end. However, this show has never been about big action scenes, but rather the characters and their cleverness and strategies. I think how the fighting happened and concluded made the most sense to the story. The show is solid and consistent in its writing.

“Blossom” is a must watch drama and SM and DZ are characters that will be forever iconic in CDramaland.

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