Blooming (2023)

Interesting story, mediocre execution.

This is a light-hearted xianxa with lots of funny moments, limited angst and overall good acting. The story idea was interesting and different from a lot of other dramas, but the execution was rather conventional and uninspired. The quality of the script changes (drops) throughout the thirty episodes:
The first half is quite entertaining with an interesting story. The next ten episodes feel like several scriptwriters each wanted to pull the drama in different directions and the logic and coherence between what is said one moment and 2hat happens the next goes completely out of the window.
For instance, in one scene we are told the ML/FL needed to hurry back to their sect using their flying skills, only to see them frolicking through the woods without a care in the world and obviously in no hurry at all.
In another scene the ML is supposed to have lost all his magic skills, yet he can still fly…
The last five episodes were dreadfully boring and brim-ful of fillers.
The ending was kind of ok, I’ve seen a lot worse in other xianxia, but I didn’t find it emotionally engaging. Maybe after being so bored by the previous episodes I’ve lost all empathy for the main couple.
The acting by the main cast was quite good and the only reason why I managed to finish this. This type of role seems to suit Alen Feng much more that the stiff characters he usually plays.

Read More

Lighthearted and Entertaining

I read a lot of people complaining that this drama is very low budget. They complained about how bad the CGI, clothes, even how bad the hair styles are.

I started watching just to see how bad it would be. To be honest, I don't know what those people are on about. I enjoy watching the drama unfold. It's funny, well acted and seriously the CGI wasn't that bad. It's not like every drama can be high budget. Can't we just enjoy the acting and plot?

Blooming has the same vibes as Jiu Liu Overload (with Bai Lu and Allen Fang was 2ML). It's a lighthearted drama to make you smile/laugh. Some scenes are silly and exaggerated, to make you laugh. As long as we know it's a comedy then we won't take things so seriously. If you are looking for a heavier storyline then this is definitely not for you.

Read More