I almost didn't watch this one because of this poster. Its giving 50 Shades of Grey and that is not my vibe... saw it while scrolling on Instagram and kept swiping but the persuasive #cdrama community was raving about it as the next hit so I gave in...

Xiao Qiao  (Song Zu Er), a clever girl from the Qiao family, marries Wei Shao (Liu Yu Ning), the master of the Wei family, as part of a family alliance. Despite the bad blood between their clans, the two start off wary of each other, constantly testing boundaries in both humorous and tense ways. Over time, they begin to appreciate each other's unique quirks and talents. Through various ups and downs, they learn to work as a team, tackling family drama and larger issues to bring some peace to their world. It’s a story of partnership built through trial, error, and a little chaos.

2. Our supporting cast

The story drew us in from the beginning, I was thoroughly engrossed. This is the second time I am writing about a drama just after its finished airing. While I enjoyed the supporting roles, many of them felt one-dimensional, and I wished for more depth. Qiao Man's personal  maids (Hu Xiao Ting, Li Xue Qin and Cola Yao) played their parts, but it would have been nice to have more backstory for them. I wanted to see the challenges they faced while helping their mistress manage the household. How were they accepted so easily? They were a nice mix of ages and experiences for some good storytelling.... another missed opportunity. 

The generals (Wang Cheng Si and Wu Hao Chen), who were both loyal and humorous by Lord Wei's side, could have shared more about the stories behind their loyalty. With some characters, there was an attempt to provide depth, but it seemed to fizzle out towards the end. Wei Yan's (Liu Duan Duan) entrance was filled with enticing mystery as the elusive, clever Casanova, only for him to transition into a pining lost soul and then return as a warrior. The same energy that marked his entrance was needed throughout his character arc.

3. Our villains

I will say the same thing I say every time. We don't have to like our villains, but we must appreciate and understand what has shaped them into who they are. They need to push the story forward in a way that makes sense. However, as we moved toward the later episodes, the depth of the villains' actions and behaviors seemed lacking to me. Lady Zhu( Cui Yi) is the mean unaccepting mother-in-law who always fumbles in crucial moments and ends up annoying us instead...lol.  Su E Huang's (Xuan Lu) obsession with the Wei clan should have been focused on her struggle to fulfill her destiny as an empress. Qiao Yue (Feng Hui) may not have been our favorite character, but it doesn't make strategic political sense for him to turn against the Wei clan. Chen Pang (Du Yu Ming) could have been a more convincing main villain, but he just disappeared from the story. And let's not even discuss Li Yan (Ji Xiao Bing). They all had a lot of potential, but the script ultimately let them down.

Is it worth your time? Yes, consider this a #cdrama fix that you can binge-watch without much thinking. Is it our summer hit? It had all the right elements but sadly its a no from me,  but time will tell...I am now a fan of the the lead and supporting actors so I will be looking out for their upcoming dramas, but we will forget this one and move on to the next one easily.  What were your thoughts? Tell me in the comments

I watched it on You tube, Viki and WeTV

I just finished episode 32  and I need atleast fifteen more episodes...I am feeling lost and empty right now. Can you relate?

Set in the Tang Dynasty, the story follows He Wei Fang (Yang Zi), a merchant's daughter skilled in cultivating rare peonies. With the help of the infamous flower envoy Jiang Chang Yang (Li Xian) in Chang'an, she escapes a marriage of convenience and starts her own business growing peonies. Together, they establish a flower shop that empowers women with difficult pasts and creates a thriving brand. 

As He Wei Fang witnesses the struggles of the poor, she works to transform the industry to benefit the community, all while assisting Jiang Chang Yang in his mission to serve the country. Their bond deepens into a secret love. Its endearing how their love grows, its a mature safe one.

I highly recommend this drama for three reasons.

First, I really appreciate the entire cast. Everyone contributes effectively to bringing the story together, making it a strong ensemble. From the Liu family social climbing ways, to the Flower Guild refusing to allow female members, they really all draw us into this world. I wish the political intrigue had been more developed, and that we had a better understanding of the royal family. We are introduced to the emperor (Jeremy Qu) and one of his consorts, but there isn't enough opportunity to see how they resolve their romantic conflicts and dramas. 

Secondly, I realized that the actor who plays my favorite character in "Go Ahead," Tu Song Yan, is also portraying Prince Ning! Talk about range! This is why we need a part 2; there was no character arc or conclusion for the Prince. His character poses a threat to the crown and the kingdom's stability, but the last time we see him, he shows up at the Flower Envoy’s house to gift him a concubine.

Lastly I appreciated the strong female characters and beautiful costumes in the drama. It portrays women who are striving for their loved ones, whether they are portrayed as good or evil. All of them are pushing boundaries. While they don’t always succeed, their determination is evident. I think the show handled the theme of domestic violence well. Shao Yun does an exceptional job of portraying her character's torment. Sheng Yi  desires a better life, but her husband and her family have destroyed her self-esteem. Mu Dan and the Princess You Zhen (Zhang Ya Qin) are worthy opponents; perhaps they could have been friends if they weren’t both connected to the same man. This loyalty to the man that tells her MULTIPLE times he does not want her, ends being You Zhen's downfall...if only she had focused on her talents..

Please go watch this drama cause I really need us to put pressure on them to release a season 2! 

While we are here discussing my needs... in part 2 let's hope they graciously gave us the following:

1. The leads totally spill their hearts out and professing their love for each other!  
2. The political drama needs to wrap up with a jaw-dropping showdown between the prince and the emperor! We need more fighting scenes with  Jiang Chang Yang too...
3.  And let's not forget the emperor! We need some comedic scenes of him awkwardly trying to resolve his relationship issues with his consorts—it’s like a reality show waiting to happen.

            What about you? share yours in the comments. What do you need from part 2?

I’m here because of AvenueX, and I must say, she’s never steered me wrong with her recommendations!

The story follows Dou Zhao (Meng Zi Yi), who faces quite a tough journey. After losing her mother at a young age and being left by her husband, she finds herself feeling disillusioned about love and family. But then, she gets a surprising twist when she’s reborn as a her younger self! Seeing this as a second chance, she decides to take action to stop her stepmother from claiming the family inheritance. 

As Dou Zhao works to combat the negative rumors spread by her stepmother, she crosses paths with Song Mo (Li Yun Rui), a nobleman in disguise. He’s on a quest to uncover the secrets behind his family's downfall. Together, they decide to get married and form a partnership, hoping their union will help them navigate through family scandals and political troubles around them. 

We are going to do something different this time . I am going share my random simple  thoughts and I would like you to join me by sharing yours in the comment section. Those thoughts you quietly think to yourself as you watch. Here goes....

SPOILER ALERT

It was at this moment that I decided to stay and finish the drama. I first came across Li Yun Rui in Love like the Galaxy where he did a great job in a supporting role, so I was curious to see how he would fair as as the male lead ...and he surely delivered. 

 Silver #cdrama fox.

It’s my birthday month, which means it’s a time for reflection for me. I’ve decided to take a look at some famous quotes and share my opinions on them. Just remember, these are only my thoughts though...ready? Let's go...

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” — John Wooden 

This is always a delicate balance in your professional life more than personal. Building character is extremely important for your mental health. However, be prepared for some people with weak characters who may try to undermine you. Some will do it subtly, while others will be outright aggressive. Be aware of this.

“Once in a while, I catch myself wondering whether I would have found the courage to write if I had not started when I was too young to know what was good for me.” — Ama Ata Aidoo 

When you are young, everything feels possible. Fairy tales can happen—becoming a princess or a  global ballerina superstar can happen tomorrow. The innocence of childhood allows you to pursue dreams that adulthood might stifle. You need that head start before your self- doubt muscles get develop.  

“If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” — J.K. Rowling, *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

One of the things I loved about Harry Potter is good prevailed over evil. Simple good not exceptional good, just simple good. Harry Potter is made special by the actions of his mother. Her love and sacrifice for him.  He who must not be named with all his power and skill cannot overcome this.  Deep down I would like to continue to believe that this is true.

"Together, we must say no to hatred, no to revenge, and no to violence, particularly that violence which is perpetrated in the name of a religion or of God himself. God is peace, God is salaam." — Pope Francis

This statement is all the more important because in this world there are people who revel in hatred and violence, even though they call themselves Christians. History shows us repeatedly that simply reading the bible, singing hymns, praying and going to church does not make someone a good person. We all have work to do.

“When it comes to doing my job, I keep my ego in my handbag.” — Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala 

I resonate with this quote deeply. I enjoy what I do. I find purpose in my work, which makes me happy to be there, so I don’t need my ego. However, some people may need their ego; it's part of their job description.

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on." — Robert Frost 

This hits hard, especially when you’ve experienced grief. You may wish for the world to stop, but it keeps moving forward.

"My sisters, my daughters, my friends; find your voice." — President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf 

In a world where male colleagues sometimes mansplain, talk over you, or question your experience, it's essential to find your voice and strategically (not stupidly) use it.

"You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated." — Maya Angelou 

I’m sorry, Ms. Angelou, but sometimes I do feel defeated. While I will get up to face life again, there are moments when I just need to lay down, cry and come up with a plan.

“To have courage for whatever comes in life — everything lies in that.” — Saint Teresa of Ávila 

So true. In this life, courage is always needed. whether its to face betrayal from a loved one or go to the dentist, you will need courage ..

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul — and sings the tunes without the words — and never stops at all.” — Emily Dickinson 

Sometimes it’s a whisper, sometimes it’s loud. At times, I get frustrated with its persistence, but where would we be without hope?

“I have chosen to no longer be apologetic for my femaleness and my femininity. And I want to be respected in all of my femaleness because I deserve to be.” — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 

Growing into who you are as a woman is vital to play all the roles you have in life. You need to know who you are to understand what you  can and cannot do. You need to comfortably grow into this knowing. 

“A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it’s in hot water.” — Eleanor Roosevelt 

I wish there were another way, but it’s true. For many of us, we are shaped by the women who raised us, and to honor them, we continue to carry their legacy forward.

Now, over to you: Which quote do you agree or disagree with? Do you have one of your own? Share below!

May this year be filled with strength and resilience, allowing  you to embrace every challenge that comes your way. 

May God grant you the wisdom to pursue your passions and the courage to step outside of your  comfort zone.

 May you find balance in my busy life, nurturing your family, your ambitions and your well-being.

May God help you to cultivate meaningful connections with those around you, fostering relationships that uplift and inspire. 

May you be a beacon of positivity and support in your community, empowering others on  their paths.

In Jesus' name, amen.