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Watch Flourished Peony - Because we need them to release part 2 immediately!

Saturday, 24 May 2025

 

Watch Flourished Peony -cdrama review on Happily Flawed Blog

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. 


Flourished Peony cdrama poster



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.


Prince Ning in Flourished Peony



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?



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Watch the #crdama Blossom- For Li Yun Rui really holding down the male lead role in a period idol drama

Thursday, 22 May 2025

 

Blossom cdrama review on Happily Flawed Blog

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.


Li Yun Rui in the cdrama Blossom


#Cdrama grandmothers( Mu Li Yan) always know how to put everyone in the family straight, nothing gets past them. There was nothing spectacular about this performance, and nothing bad either. She stepped in when needed to protect our heroine and stepped back when the job was done. 



I felt the chemistry between them especially this awkward scene on the boat, if it wasn't there I wouldn't have completed the #cdrama.




I loved your character sir (Xia Zhi Guang), 
but I wanted more for you because you had depth and wisdom. 



Grandma knew you had fallen and weren't going anywhere from this moment lol...
These pining in the trees scenes if done well always win me over.



You really tried to be evil step mother (Alina Zhang)...but sincerely it wasn't enough for me. I need to hate you and understand you at the same time but I felt nothing.


Should-have-been-born-a-man-empress- cause -she-has-a-great-mind(Yumiko Cheng), I was waiting for the meltdown at the end but it never came.




I was not prepared to learn that your powerful backing was a love story too...very juicy...thank you for that (Wang Tong Hui)!




Was also not prepared for this couple (Li Xin Ze and Li Bai Hui) to go out like that.... especially because they had to fight so hard to be together...seems as though they killed them off just to end the story.





Girl (Snow Kong) when you said you believed your love could change him (Yan An), I wanted to shake you into sense and cry with you at the same time. These two were the stand-out performances for me. I just wish we had hints of this twist earlier, it took a while for me to adjust because some of their behaviours and actions were not justified through the story correctly...I do see where they were trying to go though.



Probably one of my faaaavourite scenes at the end...watching him(Tan Kai) after such a great struggle just let go.



Should you watch it? Yes, it is not Love like a Galaxy but it is better than what they have given us in the last two years. These two have chemistry, I promise. Argue with me in the comments if you disagree 😉

Watch it on You tube, IQIYI and Viki. 




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Watch A Dream of Splendor: for the chemistry, political intrigue, heartfelt moments and stunning visuals

Saturday, 3 May 2025

 

A Dream of Splendor cdrama review on Happily Flawed Blog


I intended to write about this drama in 2022, but life got in the way. 

After a second viewing, I’m finally here to share my thoughts. 

Zhao Pan Er (Crystal Liu) is a clever teahouse owner in Qiantang. After discovering that her fiancé (Xu Hai Qiao) has left her for another woman, she embarks on a journey to the capital, Bian Jing. Along the way, she saves her two best friends, who decide to join her on her quest. 

In Bian Jing, Gu Qian Fan (Chen Xiao), a commander in the elite capital security squadron known as the "Living Devil," finds himself framed in a conspiracy involving the imperial court. He crosses paths with Zhao Pan Er, and despite their initial disagreements, they form an alliance. As they work together to uncover the truth, their bond deepens.


What I love about this Chinese period idol drama is:


1. The chemistry between the lead couple is electric; it feels mature and believable, even though in real life a man with an extremely scary nickname, who was abandoned by his biological father in his childhood, and now spends his work day torturing people should be a red flag. Our female lead has a past too; her imperial official father's downfall lowered her status to dancer( same level as a courtesan - but she never served as one), she has to struggle through many trials to return to normal citizen status.  I watched with English subtitles so I know there is a lot lost in translation. I understood that they are mature couple  who accepted that they each have a past, and wanted to live life their way. From some online discussions, there were a few things I missed due to translation...




2. The sisterhood among the three women is supportive and genuine, as they advise, build businesses and live life together. The earlier depression scenes played by Ada Liu made my heart arc for her plight as single mother.  There is jealousy and misunderstandings but they show up when things are important like chosen families do. When Song Yin Zhang (Jelly Lin) goes off with that second man (Sun Zu Jun) I nearly lost it, please learn the lesson the first time around nyabo.



3. You end up rooting for everyone—the leads and the ensemble cast (Dai Xu, Zhang Xiao Qian, Wang Luo Yang, Guan Yeng Peng)—bringing the story together beautifully...They push the series forward. This is one #cdrama where I didn't feel like the forty episodes were dragging and the use of politics to highlight life themes such as family, class and social status was done well. I was engaged all the way through, laughing, blushing, crying , cringing and worrying. It's a good watch!





4. Some scenes are magical, from the first fight scene in the tea house to the the live performance recreation of  famous period paintings you'll be mesmerized.





I watched this on We tv and You tube, but you can watch it on Viki too. 

10/10

What were you thoughts? Share below. 



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