In The Name of Blossom: Spoiler-Free Mini Review
- Jul 10
- 3 min read
Updated: 15 hours ago
Title: | In the Name of Blossom (Season 2) (2025) |
Platform: | Viki, Youtube, WeTV, iflix |
MDL & Douban Rating: | 8.3 & 7.0 |
Genre: | Period Idol Romance |
Episode Count: | 24 |
Parental Guidance Rating: | PG-13: More intense than Flourished Peony w/ battles depictions, violence, some torture, and domestic violence. Still in the TV-14 realm. |
Starring: | Yang Zi as He Wei Fang/ Mu Dan (FL) (Lost You Forever) Li Xian as Jian Chang Yang (ML) (Meet Yourself) Miles Wei as Liu Chang/Zi Shu (2ML) (Love Beyond the Grave) Zhang Ya Qin as Li You Zhen (FL) (Ancient Love Song) |
RBTS Rating: | 4.5/5 Stars  |
Cast From Left to Right: #YangZi, #LiXian, #MilesWei, #ZhangYaQin, #TuSongYan
Synopsis:
He Wei Fang, the gifted proprietor of Chang’an’s thriving Fangyuan Garden, earns renown when she orchestrates a stunning peony display for foreign envoys. After uncovering the truth behind her mother’s death, she turns from commerce to compassion, opening clinics and teaching trades. Together with Jiang Chang Yang, she aids the emperor during a time of political unrest and helps suppress Prince Ning’s rebellion, all while nurturing a powerful love that withstands hardship. @MDL
Stay tuned for my full review!
Spoiler-Free Mini Review:
Though In the Name of Blossom is titled Season 2 of Flourished Peony, it's really just part two. The drama was split and given two different name due to Chinese Censorship laws that at the time of airing prohibited dramas from exceeding 40 episodes, forcing many productions to air their dramas in different seasons. The law also stated these different "seasons" could not air within the same calendar year. Hence, the name change lol. Love me some loopholes.
This "season" didn't have as tight of storytelling as the last, but watching it still felt like eating candy. In the Name of Blossom really focused on political intrigue and JCY’s (ML) sphere, but somehow made JCY feel like a secondary character. The visuals were still incredible, as were the costumes. This show has the best armor I've seen in a drama, and the sets were lush.
It really tripped up by going full force Mary sue by essentially making Mudan a miracle worker. The slow burn continues here with the one wick candle but adds the irritation of every time a character lights said romance candle, another character blows it out. The hot cold relationship was SO repetitive and out of character for both parties. The noble idiot trope was introduced and there was way more angst and misunderstandings this season. There were a few times I felt like I was in the Godfather screaming “Look how they massacred my boy” because the characters did not act according to their nature (looking at you, Mudan!) which was established in Flourished Peony.
Although I didn't love some story elements, this is so worth watching. It did eventually deliver. I'd be curious to know what I'd think of the drama as a whole if I watched it for the first time all at once.
Story=3.5 (SO many misunderstandings), Acting=5 (no crumbs, everyone cleaned the floor), Production Quality=5 (There was a mid CGI boat scene but everything else made up for it. Espc the battle), Rewatch Value=5 (I will obv rewatch lol), Ending=5 (Everything wrapped up with a bow), Enjoyability=4 (the misunderstandings and repetition took away some of the shine, but honestly none of it dragged)
Trailer:
Director: #DingZiGuang (Meet Yourself, Go Ahead)
Screenwriter: #ZhangYuanAng (The First Shot, Immortal Samsara)
Comments