Blossom (2024)

BEST 2024 costume drama!

So Satisfying all the way through!!!!

Li Yun Rui & Meng Zi Yi Underrated for YEARS finally gets their big break!

Li Yun Rui - Always the supporting role. He was ML3 in Love like Galaxy. Supporting characters in many.
Meng Zi Yi - I always thought she looks goddess like and can act well enough for idol dramas, yet she never gets roles like Dilraba.
The pairing imo is fantastic. Both tall and beautiful, chemistry brewing.

The plot is NOTHING special as it's about 2nd chance in life trying to change fate. But unlike the ###s drams before, this is done right with a powerful 1st episode. On a cold snowy night, enters ML w/ silver hair saving the FL from a crashing carriage. Their eyes meet and the scene gives off that that same "A Familiar Stranger" vibe. (Same Director). Ep ends with them falling through the shattered glass into the abyss. Then time freezes as she slowly floats back up passing ML signals the reverse in timeline. The visuals are incredible, the best 1st episode ever! Can other directors just learn from this one?

The next 5 episodes ML/FL hardly have any interactions as they are building up the storyline. Ep 8 on the chemistry is on fire! Of course, if you are impatient and just want the leads face smooching then stick with your short dramas. This is a beautifully paced slow burn romance properly done (IMO) and I am loving every episode w/o skipping any scenes.

The not so perfect:
1. Blossom .... Y Y Y Y Blossom? Why can't they translate the title closer to the Chinese title?
2. ML, bad (General's) hair. umm his face is long, and you just up dewed another 3" of extra dry fake hair
3. Typical one-dimensional bad stepmother, bad uncle, bad dad, supporting actors but MOST of them had a glimpse of turnaround.
4. Insta fall from ep 1. ML/FL needed a bit more scenes ep 2-6.

For the first time 34 episodes felt so short.
All Top notch:
1. Director
2. Story telling
3. Visuals, creativity
4. CPs!
5. Casting
6. Characters. There are several characters switch between good and evil & the actors pulled it off!
7. Satisfying Ending. No botched up ending with quick killing of the entire cast. No ending ending. No Rushed Ending.

LOVE LOVE LOVE I shall rewatch whenever there's a C-drama dry spell. (This year was a long dry spell)

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A Must-Watch Drama That Redefines C-Drama Storytelling

As a fan of this director’s mini-dramas and familiar with the leads, I had this show vaguely on my radar, but wow—what a ride! This drama breaks away from tradition and delivers everything I’ve ever wished for in a C-drama. From the exquisite directing to the engaging characters, it’s a masterpiece through and through.

Directing and Cinematography:
The directing is stunning, with shots crafted with clear intention. There’s an artistry in how unspoken emotions are conveyed visually, creating a narrative that feels almost poetic. Every frame tells a story, and the attention to detail elevates the entire viewing experience, no additional voice narrating is necessary.

The Plot:
We start with a bold twist—our leads are at the end of their lives, poisoned and let down by the world. They connect on a profound, kindred level, only to die together. And then, just when you think it’s over, the story rewinds. The female lead wakes up in her childhood body, armed with memories of her past life. This familiar premise is brought to life in a refreshing way.
From the very first episode, you’re hooked. Unlike many dramas that rush through backstory in a few minutes, this one dedicates almost an entire episode to immersing us in the leads’ tragic past. By the time their deaths hit, you’re already emotionally invested. This makes their “redo” all the more meaningful—you want them to rewrite their fates.

The Characters:
-The Male Lead: He’s a brilliantly written character— just irresistible. Unlike the FL he did not keep his memories from his past life. A badass fighter unafraid to make difficult choices, he’s captivating from start to finish. Watching him fall in love with the FL and become a devoted husband was pure joy.
-The Female Lead: She’s smart, strategic, and compassionate—a true standout. It’s no wonder the ML (and others) are drawn to her. She is a badass queen!
Their chemistry is electric, and their relationship is everything I’ve ever wanted in a drama. They get married out of love (not duty!) in the middle of the series, and their relationship is free of miscommunication or unnecessary drama. They’re a true power couple and absolute #CoupleGoals.
-Ji Yong (3rd Favorite Character): A complex and fascinating character, Ji Yong is cunning, intelligent, and emotionally detached—but not evil. His ambition is understandable, and despite (appearing) to be on the opposite side of our leads, he’s impossible for me to hate. Knowing he gets a second chance also with his memories intact makes his journey even more compelling. Also, when his true intentions were revealed it made him the most interesting character in the show for me.

Palace Politics and Villains:
Though I’m not usually a fan of palace politics, the intrigue here kept me hooked. The villains are as twisted as they come, showcasing the theme, “No one can mess up your life like your family.” It’s painfully relatable and well-executed. Also, the showdown in ep.31 in the court kept me at the edge of my seat. And the finale is everything I expected it to be.

The Beautiful Happy Ending:
What truly cemented this drama as a favourite was the beautiful and uplifting ending. Despite the bleakness of their situation and the overwhelming odds against them, our leads stand together against the world, showing how love can transcend hate and bring light even in the darkest times. Their unwavering commitment to each other and their shared goal of a better future made the finale deeply satisfying. It’s rare to see such an authentic portrayal of love’s power, and it left me with a sense of hope and joy that I’ll carry with me for a long time.

Final Thoughts:
This drama came out of nowhere and completely swept me off my feet. The beautifully crafted story, unforgettable characters, and emotionally resonant themes make it my favorite drama of 2024. If you’re looking for a C-drama that delivers heart, depth, and an unforgettable journey, this is it.

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I'M GLAD I FOUND THIS GEM

I started watching this without any expectations, just out of curiosity and interest after seeing the trailer but this drama has truly captivated me and made me addicted to watching every episode.

This drama has a GREAT STORYLINE, BEAUTIFUL CINEMATOGRAPHY, the calmness and elegant storytelling, soft color grading, aesthetically pleasing camera angles, good choice of music, and even the strength of each character is very satisfying. What stands out the most is the smart female character who doesn't just wait to be protected by the male lead but can also protect him in return, a truly well-written character.

The male lead is absolutely captivating. The expressions he shows make you both want to protect him and be protected by him at the same time. And the couple in this drama is so adorable, their chemistry is sizzling! His jealousy and His wide smile when he's proud of Dou Zhou is damn cute, He not only respects her choice but even expands her capacity to choose, He is the greenest green frorest. They’ve already given me butterflies, their relationship before and after fujin furen era. And I can't wait to see what actions they'll take to solve the problems in the future.

The story gets crazier and crazier, with a plot that keeps getting better and not a single scene wasted. The way the director showcases each character's development is excellent. DZ's coolness when she's angry is truly mesmerizing; her brilliance in handling problems never disappointed.

Surprisingly, this drama was directed by someone who usually works on mini-dramas, and this is his first full-length series. Hopefully, none of the characters will experience a downgrade. Please continue to develop their characters even further, making them grow stronger and more compelling as the story progresses and hope the drama will continue to maintain this excellent editing quality too.

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Justice is served

When you play a game of cards, the result is never 100% guaranteed. It can be predicted based on the moves the players make but it is never really absolute. It can change in the blink of an eye. One is expecting something and at the very last minute, the perceived unexpected happens and why? To show that a person’s life path can be challenging and though? If one climbs a mountain, through treacherous terrain, temperamental weather and conquering altitude sickness hoping to enjoy a spectacular view at the top and instead of a wonderful happy scenario see a cemetery, what is the point in climbing it in the first place?

It’s almost as if the production teams have felt the need to silently motivate the audience to keep going, keep watching the drama, building up the expectations that it would be worth it, fans would like it, and then delivering them tomb stones.

Blossom’s production team, fortunately delivered their unspoken promise that the view from the top of the mountain would be incredible. It was more than that, it was absolute perfection as the ending seemed crafted in the stars. Song Mo and Dou Zhao would truly be able to live happily together after going through the pits of hell with one another and for one another.

The deliverance of their wedding fairly early in the drama has allowed viewers to experience their marriage life for a significant number of episodes, something the majority of dramas tend to neglect in favour of unnecessary fill-ups that devalue the quality of the visual storyline and annoy viewers. Story quality over number of episodes worked extremely well as the 34 episodes perhaps minus one or two that could be condensed in the later stages of the drama were just right to tell a good story from beginning to end without dragging it to 40 episodes with boring material that would add nothing to the plot.

The story’s introduction was an epic masterpiece with Song Mo in a lengthy white/greyish hair, saving Dou Zhou and an orphan child from harm. His softness, empathy and kindness were as riveting as the fated arrow that later pierced through them, binding their life stories together. It was so unexpected and mind-blowing that made one thirsty for more and throughout its run, it did not disappoint overall. As they are pierced by the arrow, they fall through a large mirror, they travel back in time, waking up when they were children to start their lives again.

Song Mo is a strong man, a powerfully humble, righteous male lead with an unquestionable sense of justice and loyalty that has been betrayed by a number of people, particularly by his father, a duke who despised him in favour of his younger brother, an illegitimate love child whom he wanted to be his legal heir. To achieve that, he had no qualms in hurting Song Mo as much as he could, parading his public disdain for the son that took a beating for him in front of the army. But the father as wicked as he might have been was a known enemy. Song Han, the apparently soft studious brother, however, plotted Song Mo’s destruction without openly going against him. As it is often said, the worse kind of enemy is the one that is not seen and often the most dangerous one is a family member. The most intriguing characteristic of Song Mo is how, in spite of everything that he has endured from his father and paternal relatives his heart has remained pure and his honour has remained intact, shown by his commitment to justice and his determination to uncover the mastermind of his maternal uncle demise.

Dou Zhao is a phenomenal strategist who, contrary to Song Mo remembers everything from her previous life, working tirelessly to correct the mistakes that had been previously done and that have led to their demise. In the present, with the red line of fate intertwined with Song Mo’s, they embark on a journey of mutual assistance, trust and love that transforms them in allies and converts them into a loving husband and wife, together against the world, literally transcended time and space. Through her decisive actions Dou Zhao is able to achieve her goals and preventing her past from repeating itself. Despite not being able to prevent her mother’s death or her best friend from becoming her step-mother, Dou Zhao is able to move in with her grandmother, to grow up in peace, establishing profitable business ventures which gave her financial independence. She was also able to choose whom she married, accepting Song Mo marriage proposal and becoming his wife, instead of marrying Wei Ting Yu as she had in her past life and being poisoned by him and her sister due to their love for one another.

Blossom is full of twists and turns with various demises as the story progresses including Dou Zhao’s sister Dou Ming and Wei Ting Yu who not also marry one another in the present but also end up dying tragically and her step-mother who ends up living life paying for her sins, amongst other characters like Song Mo’s father, to mention a few.

It almost seems like whenever a supporting character’s arch has finished its purpose in the story, the person dies. Thus death serves both as an ending, often tragic and as a beginning to another uncovered plot, going on and on until the very end with existing personas i.e. Ansu, Dou Zhou’s childhood friend who is granted the title of princess by the emperor and a marriage with Song Han. She appears early in the story, then goes on with her life for a number of episodes without being seen on screen until the moment when she takes centre stage, second only to the male leads to propel the storyline forward as Dou Zhou’s sister-in-law, albeit higher-ranked. In her love for Song Mo, she stands by him, ignoring his distorted mind and sordid nature. A man who had no qualms in hurting another for the simple purpose of proving his physical superiority had a black heart and a corrupted soul, a consequence of his inferiority complex towards Song Mo. In the end, Ansu serves justice by ending her husband’s life, showing that there is love but at the other end of the spectrum there is hate and their combo is both fire and ice.

Yuan Tong / Ji Yong was an interesting character. In the first life he was a monk, in the second, a game-changer strategic healer mastermind that strived for power to implement the changes in the empire that he believed to be needed, and aimed for Song Mo’s death to be with Dou Zhao, whom he admired and loved to the ends of the earth, whom he saw as an equal, as the perfect match for him. Yuan Tong was kind and light. In contrast, Ji Yong was kind, conniving and grey. The first one wanted peace, and aimed for good; the second wanted peace and aimed for war, due to the perception that revolution was necessary and it could only be obtained by force. In the end he got what he wanted career wise, becoming the chief grand secretary of the new dynasty but he did not get love which has never been his primary focus anyway.

Overall, Blossom was a breath of fresh air without the recycled plotlines.

The leads did not meet up, fell in love, broke up and got back together at the very end or close enough to it as per usual troupe. They met, they became allies, they fell in love, got married, went through hell together, stayed lovingly together and had a daughter whom they saw grow up. There was no love-triangle at all as both Song Mo and Dou Zhao only had eyes for each other and they did not want to be with anyone else, nor did they tolerate any interference in their relationship. Kudos to them for remaining unfazed by whatever life threw at them, for supporting one another, for caring for one another and for portraying what a strong, solid, loving relationship ought to be like and for the happy end-game.

Ji Yong, while mentally in-love with Dou Zhao was more concerned with his professional goals than in actively pursuing her like many second male leads, but wait, the character could not be really considered one in the first place. Ji Yong was more like a chess player, where people like Prince Qing and Song Han were his pawns and like disposable pawns, they ended up paying the price for their misdeeds and justice was served, proving that, despite having the resources to achieve what they wanted to accomplish, those matter nothing in a battle between darkness and light, wrong and right, war and peace, hate and love.

In the end love should win and karma should be served. That is what happened here. Love won and karma was served without the possibility of redemption but then love and redemption is another story.

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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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Strong FL and ML with a Happy Ending story

Read carefully before you start watching:

- If you don’t like a strong FL, then don’t watch. The FL is capable and can stand alongside the ML. If a strong, independent FL who refuses to be bound by society’s rules triggers or threatens you, it’s best to skip this one.

- If you like Mary Sue characters, then don’t watch. The FL is capable but not flawless- she still has her moments of vulnerability and powerlessness.

- If you’re not into political intrigue, then don’t watch because the main plot revolves around it.

- If you like instant karma and want to see the FL and ML take out villains immediately or always want them to die, then don’t watch. In this drama, the FL and ML's main goal is to bring the villains to justice, expose their crimes, and make sure their wrongdoings are recorded in history. Whether they die or not in the end isn’t very important for them.

- If you prefer harmonious family dynamics, then don’t watch, as it could trigger past traumas for you.

- If you’re looking for an ideal, wise emperor, then don’t watch. The emperor in this drama is portrayed more realistically, just like actual historical Chinese emperors, none of them were perfect.

- If you’re only watching for lovey-dovey moments or hot kissing scenes, this drama might not be for you, as not every episode focuses on romance.

- If you’re a die-hard fan of the novel and can’t handle changes to the storyline, then don’t watch, as there are significant changes.

- If you hate the FL and ML or find them to look ugly, then don't watch.

It's not worth forcing yourself to watch something you're not into just to leave a low rating or trashy comments on this page.

But if none of the above apply to you, then you’ve found a great drama for 2024!
This is an A-grade project with an S+ result.

- The storytelling is captivating, even though some parts could have been executed better. But overall, it keeps you hooked and curious about what will happen next.
This drama tells you that:
- You can always try to change your life for the better.
- Don’t waste your time trying to change a rotten person - it’s not worth it, and you might end up paying with your life.
- As long as you have a moral sense and want to have a better life, you will get a second chance.
- Karma doesn't always hit instantly. Living with guilt and atoning for your sins can be more painful than death itself.
- Sometimes, there's always another story of the villains.

- The visuals and camera direction are excellent. No weird lighting, odd camera movement or scene transition, fake CGI and jarring backgrounds. The makeup and filters are not overdone (except for Miao Ansu’s character, whose makeup is a bit too white for me).

- The costumes are so beautiful, and the craftsmanship is beyond the project level. Kudos to the costume designer!

- The fight scenes are awesome, and they’re done without using stunts or too many slow-mo effects. It really convinced me that the ML (Li Yun Rui) knows martial arts, though he indeed did train for six months for his role in Fengshen. Kudos to the art director!

- They also use real horses, and I could say a drama will be good if they put in the effort to use real props. A lot of dramas these days try to show the leads are great at riding but end up using fake horses with obvious, poorly done editing.

- No fake princess hugs from the ML here.
It really annoys me when a perfectly romantic princess hug in some dramas turns out to be using a prop, leading to awkward moments for the FL, who might constantly worry that she’s too heavy for the ML to lift, even though most of them weigh less than 50kg.
But in this drama, our strong ML lifts the FL with ease.

- The chemistry between the leads feels very natural and real. Even a small eye movement or just the two of them standing together is enough to show their chemistry.

- Lastly, the drama ends with a Happy Ending, the kind everyone wants but often gets betrayed by the scriptwriters.

- Of course, like any drama, it’s not totally perfect. There are some small details that are missed, and a few scenes could have been cut better. But given the budget, this drama truly deserves the attention it’s getting.

During a live broadcast, the actors also mentioned that they filmed late into the night, often until 2-3 a.m., while co-director Guo Feng worked until 5 a.m. and still managed to smile happily. Can’t add the co-director to the list of the crew, but I hope people will recognize his work in the future.

This is a drama created by a dedicated team focused on providing the best viewing experience for the audience, not on selling the director’s big name or the lead actors. They just worked hard to make it happen. A big applause for them!

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Best of 2024

Y'all this one is for the romance girlies.
Can officially say with my whole chest that this was the best period drama of the 14 that I watched this year. Probably the best Cdrama of 2024, at least of the 23 that I watched.
From start to finish cinematography, lighting, direction, action, acting, musical score, story/writing were top tier. The added little extra bit of running comedy with the slaps will forever live rent free in my head. I promise you, if you are someone who enjoys period dramas and romance you wont regret starting this one. The only spoiler I will give in this is the answer to the most common question I get from binge watchers who wait until the end of show to start watching.
Sad Ending, Open Ending, Happy for Now, Happy Ending, or Happily Ever After?



Happily Ever After, Five year flashforward for Epilogue after satisfying conclusion to other storylines . Plus extra bonus scene at the end of the credits.

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I watch this for high-quality romance, storytelling, production, and HAPPY ENDING.

No drama works without tropes. Most use at least one or two familiar templates, such as revenge, slow-burn romance, rebellion, or palace intrigue. This drama is no exception. However, it excels through its high-quality production and compelling storytelling for romance and palace politics. I especially love how it leans toward realism and sociological storytelling, and also allows us to process the emotions it evokes in a less dramatic yet still touching and moving way.

I love every aspect of this drama.

Music: The opening theme is my favorite. Its gentle, warm melody touches my heart — melancholic yet intense — evoking both a romantic sense and the struggle to protect loved ones. I never skip the opening.

Production: The production quality is undeniably top-notch. The portrayal of natural, societal, and cultural elements feels poetic and harmonious, enhanced by thoughtful color tones and lighting.

Setting: It seems they filmed in various new locations, as I didn’t notice many of the “overused and familiar buildings” often seen in C-drama productions. This choice adds freshness and richness to the setting.

Costumes, Accessories, and Decor: The attention to cultural details is remarkable. Every character, from commoners and merchants to military figures, nobles, and royalty, reflects the era’s social hierarchy through meticulously designed outfits and accessories.

Storytelling Technique: I appreciate how effectively they use non-linear narratives. The transitions between past and present events are smooth and meaningful, with no unnecessary fillers. Flashbacks provide crucial clues and fresh perspectives, enriching the story. Additionally, the inclusion of “what-if” scenarios and the known alternative endings create a sense of hope for a happy conclusion. This hope makes the comedic and lighthearted moments more enjoyable and emotionally rewarding, as I know they won't be useless in the end.

Characterization: The FL and ML steal my heart because I like them instantly from the beginning. Shou Gu/ Dou Zhou is a tough, smart, pragmatic, adaptive, sociable, and efficient woman. She is also knowledgeable and resourceful. Her career as a businesswoman and a house manager makes sense. We know clearly how she climbs the ladder of success. Song Mo is a strong and loyal military man with firm integrity. He is the hero, the leader, and the backbone of the dynasty. He is ruthless sometimes, but he is also calm. He is not the type of man who would turn weak and stupid because of love. I love how they are already soulmates from the beginning, and their wedding and life as husband and wife are a big part of the story. It makes the romance more beautiful and affectionate. They also cooperate and communicate well, showing us how a healthy relationship should be.

Conflict: While not the strongest aspect of this drama, I still find it highly enjoyable. The internal conflicts might be limited, but the external ones are quite compelling. Revenge is a common theme in C-dramas, but what sets this drama apart is how the FL and ML resist the urge to seek vengeance. Instead, they choose patience and navigate their struggles with integrity. They live righteously while protecting themselves and standing against their enemies. I appreciate how the story shows that fate can be reshaped gradually by making the right decisions, even in seemingly small aspects of life and self. Additionally, I love how this drama takes a more sociological approach to explain the nature of the conflict among parties, families, and individuals. Everyone is under the control of social norms, and it affects how they make decisions and solve problems. The hypocrisy regarding women is interesting: Women are not equal to men and their life is controlled by men/ family, yet men are so dependent on them. Independent woman is frowned upon, yet interesting for greedy men.

This drama has a good message for us. Whether you watch it for the romance or else, you get a high-quality story that won't disappoint you. It doesn't only entertain us, but also gives us a chance to celebrate something in the end.

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Dou Zhao happens to be one of my fav FLs in both book and the drama!

What I like:
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The casting is so good! I was excited to see Meng Zi Yi and Li Yun Ri bring the lead characters to life. They both did a good a job. They fit the role.
Song Mo's uncle was such a impressive character! Nothing at all like his cowardly "father".
Dou Zhao's mother was such a pretty woman! I'm sure sad that she was only on screen for a first few episodes.
So far I love that they haven't added any unnecessary drama that wasn't there in the book between the leads. What I like about them together is that they are my comfort couple. They are so damn nice to each other! The drama has brought that to light for me.
I like the idea about both of them going back in time, even though Song Mo doesn't remember there is a possibility of him remembering it one day. That's not how it happened in books but that's a welcoming change for me.
Dou Ming is so damn adorable! I was willing to let go of my resentment of her from previous life so I did not see that ending for her.
Zhao Zhang Ru has also been a favorite of mine and she gets a lot of screen time which I am very happy about!

What I dislike: (Mostly stuff that has been messed up from the book)
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The Dou family was supposed to have this rich history that's just missing. The currently Dou family was supposed to be so big with a few branches and in-laws. It would have been fun to see Dou Zhao navigate through them on screen, she did it so well in the book! (And she was just a child when she did that! I feel that it is such a missed opportunity)
The entire dynamic between Dou Zhao, her father, Wang Ying Xue, and Dou Ming lacked depth. It is much more satisfying in the books where Dou Zhao is actually the one who has the upper hand throughout their interactions and not once does she suffer because of Wang Ying Xue or Dou Ming's shady tactics. The only time she fails is to save her mother's life.
Since the book is so long with 500+ chapters it is bound to miss a lot of things but because of this I felt that a lot of things were missing in the drama and I had to fill in the gaps with the story that I remembered. I wish there were more episodes, but again a lot of things have to be taken into consideration so can't really blame them.
I'm not a fan of the changes that have been made to the Yuan Tong / Ji Yong character. It was okay in the first few episodes but later he just seems like underutilized character.

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Worth the Hype, Really

Saw this drama release on Youtube but didn't watch it because of the unremarkable name. It wasn't until people went wild that I decided to give it a try. Definitely don't think it was a waste of time.

'Blossom' is a drama adaptation of a web novel with the same name (let me side track for a moment: can we please start having more original content?). In my opinion, making a good adaptation of a written novel has its pitfalls that not many people talk about. Things like script arrangement, storyline fidelity, character development are all impacted when you have to cut a novel down to fit the number of episodes. When it's a smaller novel with a simpler storyline, it's manageable. We've seen successful examples like Hidden Love (143 chapters). Longer novels or those with complex storylines suffer a bit because there is a decision that needs to be made: a) cut material, b) leave it but speed everything up, or c) go off the rails and make the drama 'loosely' adapted. An example of a more successfully adapted drama is Love Like Galaxy which chose to elongate the drama series to have sufficient time for story telling. Blossom like a couple of other dramas this year successfully avoids a lot of those pitfalls.

However. what makes Blossom stand out from other C-dramas this year was the subtlety of the acting and the characters decision making. The FL who experienced rebirth was not immediately this all powerful character with a golden finger. The ML who was adept in martial arts also wasn't all knowing and has his fatal flaw of impatience and acting out of impulse when it comes to his family. Meng Zi Yi, as an actor, had to walk the fine line of smart but not all powerful and makes mistakes but not dumb. Easy to describe but hard to execute. We've seen countless examples where the FL is almost too OP for the villains or too dumb/naive to be considered the main lead. Meng Zi Yi did a fantastic job portraying a strong FL who has a good noggin on her shoulders. Li Yun Rui, similarly, had to tread the fine line of powerful but human in addition to a fatal flaw of a lot of C-drama MLs: the curse of the stone block. All too many times we've have MLs that portray strong = no facial emotion besides ocassional anger. Li Yun Rui did a stunning job in portraying himself as a ML who was strong yet capable of emotions. In the beginning of the drama, expecially with his encounters with FL, Li Yun Rui showcases an array of emotions: resolve when deciding to take revenge on his uncle's killers, trust in FL, betrayal when he believed FL to have betrayed him, admiration when he slowly gets to know FL, and later being completely smitten. Each emotion was subtly different from each other and cannot be confused with a similar emotion.

That being said, the chemistry between the leads was off the hook. I truly was invested in their romantic development as a couple. It did not seem artificial and there was a palpable tension between them when they become more and more attracted with each other. Both ML and FL were attracted to each other. It wasn't just ML or FL's one sided pursuit of the other. That one scene where ML asks if FL truly wanted to get married to her fiance nearly took me out. Though it was a tropey kabedon, there was nothing forceful about it. FL wasn't some helpless lass trapped by this charismatic man there to force her to love him. I think that's definitely something that I appreciate about Li Yun Rui's portrayal of ML's love for FL. It never felt forceful. While I cannot tell if it was because of his acting or if his features weren't as sharp (like pointy sharp, not intelligent sharp), but Li Yun Rui's Song Mo was a gentle protector. Swoon~

So then here are my nitpicks... I think that the character list was a tiny bit too expansive. Because it was adapted from a 523 chapter novel, there are bound to be arcs and loads of characters. While I can see how they add depth to the story and create the illusion of mini arcs the ML and FL go through to get stronger, I think taking some of these characters out wouldn't have changed much of the main plot line. Examples of minor characters that I'd probably cut out (based on their role in the drama): the Crown Princess (1-2 eps), the Grand Princess (2-4 eps), Zhao Zhang Ru (5-9 eps), Official Mu (eh, this is an iffy one to cut; 2-3 eps). Regardless, I think they've already done a fantastic job at making the script concise and well developed. Another nitpick was the villains' endings... They were all pretty whitewashed. While I could see that the script writers wanted to give the characters a sense of depth, the sudden change in tone when portraying them made their individual demises a bit lackluster. Several characters had revealed or suggested that they fell in love. Others had off screen deaths. It was a little unsatisfactory because the ending was ever so slightly rushed. You can tell it was rushed starting from the moment ML's poison was revealed because at that point, things started to focus less on ML and FL and how they solve things and more about the plot from a narrator's point of view. Going from the characters' personal perspectives to a narrator's perspective definitely saved story telling time but it made the drama less immersive because it makes the characters seem more like storybook characters and not people.

All in all, it was still a fantastic drama. Personally, I might even choose Blossom over 'The Double', 'In Blossom', 'Blossoms in Adversity', 'The Rise of Ning', 'The Princess Royal', and 'The Story of Pearl Girl'.
Don't come after me, it might just be the post-drama emotions, but I really really really loved Li Yun Rui's portrayal of ML. I asked for romance and I got romance. Most importantly, I got the happy ending I didn't get from 'The Double' and 'The Story of Pearl Girl'. I'm tempted to include 'A Journey to Love' but the ending kinda fits with the genre of old-timey, Hong Kong TVB-esque wuxia.

TLDR: Really loved this drama. Worth the time. Other dramas listed above were good watches too. If I had to pick a similar drama I liked that was less political intrigue-y but won't make you cry, it would be 'The Autumn Ballad'.

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