Reviews

"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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Premise was there to be really good

Premise was there for this to be a really good and original series...but too bad it felt like a lot was left out, not letting this live up to it's potential.

Story: A triad daughter, Angie, who's badass and down to earth is fangirling over a movie star. When her arranged marriage is brought up, she runs away from home, and takes a job as an undercover bodyguard for a female star at same company as her idol. Those two actors are in a fake relationship, so Angie crosses paths with and gets close to her idol, the actress is harbouring a secret, and what will happen when the fiancé for the arranged marriage arrives to fulfill the arrangement?

So...I felt like I didn't really have time to get to know the characters properly. Especially Xu Yihang (ML). Jasper Liu plays his character well, but the character itself seems a bit underdeveloped.
FL's fiancé Kim Eddie ("Fatty") seems like an interesting character, but we don't get much time with him. The actor did well though.
Euginie Liu as the FL portrays her character well.

I felt kind of sorry this wasn't longer, and that it wasn't renewed for season 2.
There was a good mix of romance and action, a bit of suspense, and it was done with a certain charm and elements of amusement/non-seriousness to lighten the mood.

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More than blue indeed...

This is a story of love, loss, pain, coping, secrets, playfulness, happiness, pain, and some more pain.

As we follow several stories of loss and dare I say obsession. All done really well, making me feel a whole bunch of emotions and even shedding a tear or two.

I love pretty much all of the leads in this drama, they have som much character, depth and exhibit not only a wide range of emotions the dynamics and the flow of the story is done really well. Even though they jump back and fourth in space and time... realism and fantasies I found myself consumed by the story and not the least bit confused.

There are a few slightly annoying side characters, but their screen time is limited enough to no take a way from the powerfulness of the story.

A story that was so much more than just the colour and depth of the ocean blue... That had me hooked, pulled in and before I knew it 10 episodes had passed...

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Enthralled From Beginning Until the End!

From the very first episode until the end, "Blossom" kept my eyes glued to the screen. Every single second, and scene was captivating. Every single character in this drama played their part well, and was very important to get this drama skyrocketing to it's current popularity.

Meng Zi Yi has been working really hard as a supporting actress for many years, and I've seen her in a plethora of dramas. I'm very happy to see her main role in "Blossom" do so incredibly well! It has been a long time coming for her, I'm really happy that she got the breakthrough she has so long worked for. Meng portroyed Dou Zhao very naturally and I love the power she gives to the character. Dou Zhao was given a second chance of life, and she did not waste a single drop of knowledge in her second life. She fought hard and well to protect Song Mo and the people she loves and cares for. Despite many enemies wanting her dead, she was able to weave her way out even without Song Mo. She's not your average mistress in distress FL, she's a heroine in this drama. She's, as Song Mo stated, the strategist and reinforcement of his life. She would do anything to protect Song Mo, and vice versa!

Moving on to Li Yun Rui. I've only seen him in "Love Like The Galaxy," and boy was he annoying in that drama for me. However, he redeemed himself in "Blossom" and has become an actor that I won't skip on his next project, that's only if the synopsis is good. lol I digress. Li Yun Rui embodied Song Mo very well. He showcased what Song Mo is all about - justice and love. He will always fight for justice, and is not afraid to tell the emperor how disappointed he is when justice is not served. And also put two princes in their place. LOL Of course, he would protect Dou Zhao as much as he can. Li Yun Rui's ability to act with micro expression can be quite comedic in a good way. There are definitely moments where he needs to work on his acting just a tad bit. But overall, everything he did was very natural and I didn't notice anything off at the very least. Song Mo's life is quite depressing because he was hated by his father for secret reasons. I like that the drama makes you question the stupidity of the elders and everyone involved but then when the truth comes out - it all makes sense. I almost dropped this drama because I thought the father was being ridculous for absolute no reason. LMAO But all is well, you just have to keep watching to know and understand everything!

"Blossom" feels like it follows the life of both Dou Zhao and Song Mo from their 2nd life meeting, courtship, marriage, kids, and life onwards. I really enjoyed watching every moment of this drama, except for maybe some political parts but I digress. There was barely any angst between the main leads, which indiciates that not every drama needs ANGST! *cough* Even without angst, it still kept the audience engaged. There are many dramas I've watched this year that fell short mid way or even towards the end. However, "Blossom" was the opposite. Even the last 4 episodes kept me on my toes, I was screaming, engaged, did not blink, oh my god, the battle was phenomennal and intense!

I like that the drama included a gun and a clock. Both of which you don't see often in Ming Dynasty dramas, it was a nice touch that I couldn't help but notice. :]

"Blossom" was about Dou Zhao and Song Mo's fight to protect the righteousness of the throne. People either want them dead or want them on their side.

I would definitely recommend this drama if you like a wholesome marriage between leads, smart heroine, and strong yet resilient hero, amazing plot, and great screenwriting and directory.

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what’s not to love

I am biased but finally confirming there are 2 sets of twins on the show have really cemented this show for me. I’d love to see a spinoff of adventures with Song Mo and then Lu twins and see adventures of Dou Zhao and the Su twins with Mr. Chen as well lol. even though this drama had many episodes cut it is not as noticeable as some. I also read online the WebNovel and as confusing as the translation was, I’m glad it is somewhat different in many areas. in terms of star power, again biased, I already had high hopes for Li Yunrui it’s Jian Yong that surprised me and made me want to look into j]him as an actor more. I loved seeing familiar faces and discovering new faces. can we all agree that Ming and Ansu are absolutely stunning. I have 2 more eps to go but can say for sure this is on my rewatch list. and maybe if we’re lucky like they have with some before, they’ll release the full series as a special. if you’re in the fence, don’t be. the story is great, cast, great, scenes, lighting, ost awesome. did I mention the leads are also singing here. A+ hands down.

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Dou Zhao

First of all, it was a good series. I watched it with pleasure. However, as always, there were a lot of errors, in other words, logical errors. It is very difficult to connect a topic. I felt this in this series. However, the series is good, especially the costumes were well chosen, the make-up was successful, the image is beautiful, the direction is very good, the action was also like that. I liked it. However, the CAST was not. No one should take offense. If we start with the leading roles, I would ask where they found these two. I did not find them suitable. I did not find them compatible. Although they acted well and did not make it clear, the visual did not please me. Meng Zi Yi showed his experience and took the lead in acting. He crushed the person opposite him. I appreciate Meng Zi Yi as an actor. But he is not my star actor. If I were to make a series, I would put this actor opposite a star actor. He is an actor of such roles. He suits him very well. But he is not my leading role. Li Yun Rui is a very beautiful child. His face is clean. He is tall. Thin. He looks frail. But he seems to have more or less pulled off being a general. But he grinned a lot in some games. He stayed low. He seems to have some problems. But is it in his speech? In his image? In his stance? In his mouth structure? I couldn't figure it out. But there is something. The actor who played the emperor suited his role. I liked it. He didn't become an empress, I didn't like it. He didn't become an old princess, I didn't like it. I didn't like the young actor who played the role of Song Han at all. He needs to earn some more bread. He wasn't suitable for the role either. Alina Zhang suited her role but she played all the parts with a grin. A different type. It didn't work. The role of Wei Ting Yu didn't work. I didn't like it. There is zero harmony with the partner that suited her. It didn't work. In other words, the person who did the CAST was terrible. Song Han and An Su didn't work either. There is zero harmony. Chen Jia and Zhang Ru didn't work. They were like opposite types. There is zero harmony. I liked the actor who played the character Ji Yong. He suited his role. The ones who played the characters Dou Shi Shu and Dou sHİ Yung were suitable. Grandma is like that. Princes don't say I'm a prince either. They were like couch grass. I didn't like it at all. Let me give you an example so that you can see what I didn't like; Song Han, for example, was a snot-nosed child, meaning he was a satellite of his father who didn't understand anything. His father was trying to steal things. He's such a passive character. Suddenly he turned into someone who knew kung fu, hit what he threw, made strategies, and led soldiers. You could say something like this. He hid himself. His father and older brother taught him. When? When he was little. You didn't see it. He learned it at some point. He didn't reveal it. If that was the case, why can't the audience see it? Suddenly, the man becomes the first in literature and the first in martial arts. He kills people. He uses a sword. Super, too. He challenges his brother. He shoots arrows and hits the bull's eye. I mean, I was surprised. Then he fooled our naive girl. He even made her fall in love with him. He was a coward who didn't understand anything and was in his own way. His older brother and sister-in-law, who knew this, supported him. They waited until they rebelled. It didn't happen once and for all. Such things can be forgiven, they are not things that can be eaten, swallowed, or waited for. Can we say let's wait and see for rebellion? I watched such nonsense in some parts of the beautiful series. I didn't like the cast. But I liked the series in general and especially its costumes.

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A truly beautiful story

"Snowfall" tells the story of a blind girl named Mi Lan, who is abused by her mother and lives her life basically trapped all the time. She then saves Zhi Heng, making him indebted to her.

The relationship of Mi Lan and Zhi Heng is very intriguing, because we can't quite classify what they are to each other. It's beyond a romance, Zhi Heng gave Mi Lan a second chance to live, he saved from an abusive mother and from the darkness, gave her a purpose, a family... and that's so much more than the love between man and woman.
That was one of the reasons the drama really stuck with me, the development was really beautiful.

The drama is way better than I expected. The chemistry between Gao Wei Guang and Ouyang Nana is amazing.
There was several fun moments and I liked how the vampire creature was portrayed, it reminded of the movie "Interview With A Vampire", specially about the beauty, the seduction, the mystery around the vampire. I just didn't like the ending, I was hoping for a happy ending, they deserved that, but overall, I was a great drama.

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The drama really lie to me.. that it was a good revenge story

"We All Lie" is a revenge story. Su Li is the main character, a famous writer that basically has the perfect life, but everything changes when she discover that her husband is cheating with her friend. Her rage can't be controlled, so Su Li makes a revenge plan, to make the people who hurt her suffer the same way.

Su Li's plan seemed fun, but since the moment she gets Shu Heng arrested, the drama quality drops completely. Wei De's character is unnecessary and doesn't add anything to the story, it was kind of ridiculous to put a love interest for her so suddenly, when she just lost her baby and with her ex-husband in jail, even that Wei De was planned by Ying Ying.

Subjects don't last one episode, Shu Heng found out too soon about Su Li's revenge plan, I wanted to see her fooling him for much longer, that took the fun out of it.
No comments to the scene that Ying Ying's plan was discover by everyone and she lost her mind and try to stab Su Li with a scissors! HAHAHAHA'

I always loved a good revenge story, but the drama development is flaw, is too rushed, they couldn't really appreciate the story line. The revenge is over so fast, we barely have time to enjoy it.
In conclusion, "We All Lie" was a drama that had some good moments, but lost the change to be better.

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