The Forbidden Flower (2023)

Passionate Romance

Gosh, this was such a beautiful love story. So much passion between He Ran and Xiao Han. Their chemistry was so natural and they always looked so intimate, I felt I shouldn't be watching them.

Stuff I liked:

1. Chemistry between the leads - HR was an innocent/cute looking seductress. I loved how she broke down XH's walls. Speaking of XH, watching that man try to hold back from going after HR in the 'courting' period of their relationship was getting me so hot and bothered. It was so intense. You could just feel the lust lingering in the air between the two. I'm off to scour the internet for the deleted scenes right after this review.

2. Locations - Loved the location where this was filmed. Specifically XH's salon residence and his hometown. Getting a small glimpse of the Qiang people and their customs was a huge delight! The salon residence too was such a pretty spot, it all looked so homey and cozy and relaxing. I got lots of healing watching the beautiful scenery.

3. OST - The music was superb. That is all.

Few things i didn't like about this were:

1. HR breaking up/ghosting XH and then getting back with him again only to then do it all over again. Like girl, be consistent with your decision.

2. HR undermining Hu Yun's feelings for her to try to play them down as nothing. I dont like when people do this. Just tell the guy you don't love him in the same way, don't say what he feels for you isn't love... you don't know his heart.

3. Even I want to crucify myself for saying this, but there were just so many slow motion shots of Jerry Yan. Honest to Christ, the man is a work of art to be admired endlessly but i just kept laughing everytime the OST would all of a sudden pick up and we see Jerry Yan in various lighting and angles all in one scene.

Overall, really good show with sad ending, imo. People say the ending credits are canon but I don't think so. I'm not one for sad endings but really, it's the journey that matters not the goal and that's definitely my takeaway from this drama. The love journey between HR and XH matters more than how it ended.

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The premise of the drama itself was really interesting so I watched it immediately and finished watching within just two days. I usually can't finish long dramas especially when it feels dragged out and boring. But Forbidden Flower is so good, there are many good points, of course there are also some points that I feel it's lacking.

The set designs were especially captivating, there's a certain charm to the male lead's run down and simple house, you would say it's crude but at the same time, it feels like a home. In contrast to the wealthy village where the female lead and other characters live in, which seems so Idk fake? Cinematography is also just chef's kiss. The characters are also very charming, I find He Ran (the female lead) very lovable. Her pursuit of the male lead made me admire her, their chemistry was also off the charts for me. The male lead is a quiet man but I could see how he found her endearing. I wish his character was more fleshed out though. In comparison to the FL, his background story doesn't seem to make much sense for me because I got the impression that he was an alcoholic, super enigmatic and closed off. Maybe it's just not that tragic for me lol, the way they built up the story made me think it was something so sad, but maybe they made it that way to foreshadow because his past plays a part, though minimal. Besides that, I do think their character design (outfits and styling), were appropriate, though I don’t really appreciate the repeat of the exact same outfits, idk what they were trying to do with that. As for the second couple, I don't really think they were necessary lol, they feel like a filler episode for me, maybe it wouldn't give that impression if the guy was introduced earlier on and he wasn't related to so many people. There couldn't be so much coincidence, but then again he was also kinda like a plot device? Idk I feel like with sonmany characters already introduced, they could just do what he's needed for the plot. The ending was just not it for me, I won't elaborate.

All in all, I would still rewatch it, the story and chemistry of the main leads were the selling points for me. Many scenes were really just wow, how could you not fall in love at that point?

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Bittersweet to the Very End

God knows how much I love this drama and how big a place it holds in my heart. I quite literally spent 2 whole days doing absolutely nothing but watch this drama. I pine after it still and it’s been a month. I don’t think I can ever get over this drama and that’s gotta be something because I’ve never felt this way about ANY drama.

Plot-wise, it’s nothing too extraordinary, dense or complicated. It’s a simple plot yet it’s executed extremely well. Every single scene was made so beautiful that it was a shame to skip anything at all. I’m a big skipper and to say I skipped no scene in this drama, not one! Everything was so aesthetically appealing, Xu Ruohan and Jerry Yan included! Both of together just made me want to cry because I know they made me feel single. The two’s chemistry and acting was so on point that they looked like they were actually in love with each other.

This is a note to the people who were frustrated with Xu Ruohan’s character: keep in mind that she was sheltered, spoiled, knew nothing of the world and was hardly 20. We can’t expect complete maturity from someone who hardly knew what she was thinking either. Her character was portrayed exactly as she needed to be — naive and self-centered but also immature and a young girl so helplessly in love that she’d do anything for the man she loved. Her character is real and perhaps that’s why so many people reject her but it’s also why I love her. She is who she needs to be and was portrayed beautifully. Props to Xu Ruohan for bringing her role to life :)

And OH MY GOD DO NOT GET ME STARTED ON JERRY YAN. That man’s character made me want to cry. He was so unbelievably perfect and was everything, I REPEAT, EVERYTHING he needed to be. A bad-boy older man who has a gentle heart? I could not stop myself from swooning over that man! He also portrayed his character perfectly, it almost felt like he WAS his character. His acting when it came to romance scenes and pining over Xu Ruohan had me kicking my legs in the air. To see him on the screen was so exhilarating.

The actually story tugged on my heartstrings more than once and I honestly don’t think this review can be complete without at least one spoiler. I can’t figure out whether I want this drama to end happily or not so in MY mind, Xu Ruohan got therapy and lived happily with Jerry Yan for however long she lived but the ending was so ambiguous that there was no end. Most people lean towards the fact that she did, in fact, pass on when she and him were in the snow but I know my mind didn’t like that ending (I fell asleep sobbing that day).

I typically don’t finish sad dramas because of their endings, Youth of May and Uncontrollably Fond being some of the ones I just dropped before the end came and left the battle field almost unscathed, but this drama, I watched to the end. It only felt right. It deserves so much more attention because OH MY GOD. This wasn’t a drama, it was an experience.

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Slow and beautiful

This is one of those dramas that has left me with a lasting impression. It is slow paced, lovely, sad, and has a very fitting soundtrack. The overall feel I would say is "sensual" and soft; from the lightning to the music and the looks and dialogue.

The acting is good, especially both of the main leads, the cinematography is beautiful, and the locations are scenic and nice.

Brief synopsis as per my memory:
The female protagonist has an illness that makes her mum overly protective of her. On an outing from her house, she gets smitten by a male hairdresser's voice when he washed her hair. She seeks him out again, and although he is hesitant, they do start to form a bond and a relationship.


Warning:
If you like conclusive endings, this is not for you.
I saw in discussions for this series on Viki to watch it til the end of the credits, but Viki kept cutting me off, so I wasn't able to do that.

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Ending part Episode 24

The drama is great aside from slow pace of the series and some unusual cut editing they aired. The main leads was awesome. And I have some few complain and it's all about the last episode which kinda messed/mixed up.
After I re-watched the drama, mostly at ending part (Ep.24), I think it is the sad ending. The female lead, He-Ran died at the snow and lake scene. Others who've watched it thinks she recovered when she went to America for treatment with her mother but it did not happen. Because at the lake scene part, He-Ran told Xiao Han that she's not leaving and wanted to stay with Xiao Han's side 'til the end. The two lay down on the snow, He-Ran told Xiao Han about the things that he promised to her were all fulfilled and she really love him. After that He-Ran said that she feels a bit tired and wanted to sleep for awhile, I think that's the signal that she was about to pass away that's why Xiao Han cried after that.

Now there's a scene after the credit roll, that they've met again after a year. For what I think, it is Xiao Han's memories of her that she will be forever alive in his heart and mind, and his last woman as he promised.

But there's a contradiction to the story. The mother said, she will do what her daughter He-Ran request that she should start a new life BUT only if she will go for a treatment in America with her and recovered. And in 1year, the mother reunited with her love interest and agrees to start living with him. And the people around them acting like nothing happen about He-Ran. Like what the hell happen and which is which is real? it confuse me. hahhaah

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I want a follow up to these people and their lives I am very invested in their characters.

This is a very stylish drama the cinematography is quite adventurous and the warm pallet is pleasing. Throughout the drama the music is prominent. Beautiful words and tunes are very evocative and set the mood especially as the sadder details are revealed. Often the actors are shot in close-up with just the music as their internal reaction to the earlier scene is processed.
The two main actors are mesmerising. The young female He Ran, played by Xu Ruo Han, whilst having her hair washed meets the ML Xiao Han, played by Jerry Yan, and is immediately attracted to him and his deep sexy voice. Thus begins her persistent pursuit of him.
There is more social taboo in their culture around great age differences so even though they become lovers the relationship has many secrets.
I fell for the charismatic Xiao Han, his calmness, deep voice and hidden talents married up with a rocking physique.
The female leads character at times was annoying, however, her actions were in keeping with a young adult that has been secluded away and cossetted and controlled by her fearful mother.
Her mother is a strong, yet damaged character and the offer of a relationship with her much younger coworker is charged with expectation.
The pairings work because of the directing, writing and all the many talented people who finalised and edited the story.
Spoiler: watch the credits for the conclusion.
I want a follow up to these people and their lives I am very invested in their characters.

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The chemistry is through the roof!

I started watching this drama after being recommended to check it out and I was instantly hooked.

This really is a drama straight away goes into the main couples romance. There is quite a big age gap between FL and ML and I'm not gonna deny that it is really noticable. Not only is the FL playful and bold with her flirting, but ther were a few moments where I felt that if FL would have been older, she wouldn't have acted as immature. Whats lacking in the storyline is nonetheless covered by the chemistry between the leads and it is sizzling with passion. There are ALOT of montages where nothing happens in general in the drama (like the main leads just walking around in different clothes) and some plotlines are really inconsistent regarding timing and reality. The whole drama consists probably around 50% of just watching long edited montages of the main actors without any plot and just music, flowers or staring into some corner.

The music, although being quite repetitive, is really good (in my opinion) with a oldschool tropical song that is fantastic (It's the band Grasshopper and the song is called Half Heart or 半點心) and a few ballad songs that are dramatic and where the lyrics goes well with the plotline.

It is quite obvious how all the other characters have been written around the romantic main lead. Towards the latter part of the drama, the melodrama really takes of and everything gets more tangled than it needs to be. In the last few episodes, we start to see more scenes about the FLs mother and the story suddenly starts to shift towards her love story with a younger man in comparison to her daughter (the FL) who has a romance with an older man.

Regarding the open ending, there is an extra scene after the final credits that can be interpreted in different ways.
Honestly, I did not like the ending and feel like it is muddy and unclear.

SPOILER!!
Towards the end, FL who has been slightly sickly suddenly deteriorates and has a health obstacle that leaves the viewer with an open ending. The FL who has had jealous tendencies throughout the story comes off as extremely incompassionate towards her lover when she selfishly declares that he cannot move on if she passes away. The post-credit scene in my opinion is just an imagination or them meeting in the afterlife. Some viewers have expressed that they will interpret the ending as happy because it is just so sad if not.

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THE MUSIC SCORE IS PERFECT!

Jerry and Ruohan does NOT have any chemistry. they're awkward to the point that I find it cringy. If I can post screenshots here, I would to prove it. Ruohan can't handle this daring role, then she shouldn't have been hired for the role. Its an age of youth and an age of passion. I just can't see from her character that she wants to fight to live. It could have been Ruohan's chance to prove how good of an actress she is but its an ultimate fail. She played it TOO SAFE. Does she know how to be a 20yr old who has everything except for maybe a long life? Has she ever chased what she can't have? I WANT TO LIVE AND I'LL MAKE THE MOST OF IT WHILE IT LASTS. Ruohan does not understand the role of Ran. Dare to be bold when given the chance to be paired with a more experienced actor.
Jerry plainly awkward. Why??? When I've seen him play other roles so well.

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A confused happy heart

The gradual unfolding of the love story of the 2 leads provided time for character development. The pace was slow but the beautiful ost filled in any gaps and kept the story moving.

The ending was ambiguous. I choose to be positive. Xiao Han was willing to wait how ever long He Ran needed. So many things pointed to a possible good outcome. The symbolism with the two fish and the special plant opening and the 2 cups with toothbrushes implied waiting and then that they would be together. The abundant fields of pink flowers implied that when all other blooms were dormant, these would bloom late. Xiao Han was pensive but then again he had a quiet considering personality.

Others may see the ending in a sadder perspective. I, however, choose to see that year separation as a time of healing. The slow smile and the embrace in the fields of flowers indicates that their love was meant to last.

There is a mention of a season 2. Frankly, I would prefer it be more focused on He Ran's mother and Zhang's relationship. This romantic melodrama didn't really strike me as "a slice of life" genre. But, their relationship seems to be conflicted yet passionate. It has room for development.

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I will start with the ending.... because what was that 😭🤣 I really would have preferred something a little more clear, though I think that it was a sequence. Like he imagined her, she died but she never left his side metaphorically...? I don't know.

Anyway, I watched "Count Your Lucky Stars" and really wasn't a big Jerry Yan fan, but I have to admit that he was really good in this show. He looked super handsome, the long hair suits him well (minus the extra volume though....), and his styling was much better in this show. I thought it was almost comical how he almost doesn't really talk but overall I enjoyed his calm demeanor.

He Ran was a cute girl, but she could be a meanie when she was jealous lmao. I also think that her pursuing Xiao Han was quite.... intense and intolerable at times, she seemed super obsessive and almost stalkerish at times. But the actress did a really great job playing the character. She is youthful and absolutely stunning, conveyed emotions very well and had great chemistry with Jerry Yan! Loved that a lot.

Another thing that was STUNNING was the music as well as the beautiful cinematography. Just for that, the drama is already worth watching. Just stunning to watch in general. The wedding scene in the last episode was also just mesmerizing and beautiful, wow. The actress looked soso pretty in the traditonal costume and the whole ceremony was just filmed so nicely.

I skipped all of the mom's story and love-plot because I didn't care, I also HEAVILY disliked Han Yu. He was so delusional, I don't know why he bothered He Ran all the time. If someone showed disinterest THAT obviously to me, I would just call it a day. He just never read the room....

Overall, this was a surprisingly SPICY (??? omg) show, the acting was great from the leads, but the ending was only so-so for me. Highlights were the female lead's acting, the OST, and the cinematography.

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