Blossoms Shanghai is a Chinese drama that will become a classic in the future, with its strong cinematography, storyline, and acting. see the review below!
Drama Details
Title: Blossoms Shanghai (繁花)
Episodes: 30
Release Date: December 27, 2023
Genres: Historical, Business, Romance, Drama
Country: China
Original Network: CCTV, Dragon TV, Tencent Video
Available On: Tencent Video
Synopsis and Plot Summary
Amidst the era of remarkable economic expansion in the 1990s, we delve into the life of A Bao, a resilient self-made millionaire. Join A Bao on his transformative journey, starting as a determined young opportunist with a challenging past, and witness his astounding rise to prosperity in the vibrant city of Shanghai.
Along the way, get to know the four remarkable women who become intertwined with his life, each embodying a different facet of his aspirations: adventure, honor, love, and innocence.
Blossoms Shanghai Chinese Drama Review
This series is destined to become a future classic, thanks to its exceptional cinematography, compelling storyline, strong performances, and well-crafted musical arrangement.
While the initial episodes may seem slow in development, the narrative gains momentum around episode 5, where Hu Ge, with his clever tactics, captivates the audience by turning the tables and triumphing over his adversaries. Hu Ge’s character is akin to Mei Chang Su, donning a Western suit in the 1990s Shanghai setting. Bao Zhong, portrayed as intelligent and scheming as Mei Chang Su, adds a charming and healthy lady’s man persona, exuding undeniable sex appeal.
What sets this show apart is its multi-dimensional characters. Rarely have I encountered a drama where I found myself wishing for the happiness of all three female leads. Even the so-called “villains” exhibit positive qualities that make you root for them, be it Wei Zhong, Qiang Zhong, or Lu Mei Lin. This portrayal reflects the complexity of real life, where individuals are not strictly good or bad.
The music, undoubtedly requiring substantial royalties, enhances the overall mood. I’m hopeful that a dedicated fan might compile all the music scenes into a single video for everyone to enjoy.
Despite expectations based on Wong Kar Wei’s filmography, “Blossoms Shanghai” doesn’t align with the atmospheric style of “In the Mood for Love” or “2046.” Instead, it combines the fast-paced narrative of Wong’s early successful commercial movie, “As Tears Go By” (1988), with the aesthetics and production value of independent films like “In the Mood for Love” and “2046.” To truly savor “Blossoms Shanghai,” it’s advisable to view it as a TV series about business wars in the stock market, commercial trading, Shanghai’s luxurious restaurant street, and the protagonist’s romantic entanglements with three women—all infused with comedic elements, reminiscent of a different director’s touch.
As there’s a movie version in the works, there’s hope that Wong will re-edit the series to capture the atmospheric essence of “In the Mood for Love” or “2046,” fulfilling the expectations of Wong’s original fans. Don’t miss out on watching this show!
Blossoms Shanghai Chinese Drama Cast
Main Role
Hu Ge as A Bao
Ma Yi Li as Ling Zi
Tiffany Tang as Miss Wang
Xin Zhi Lei as Li Li
Support Role
You Ben Chang as Uncle Ye
Zheng Kai as Mr Wei
Chen Long as Tao Tao
Wu Yue as Jin Hua
Papi Jiang as Ling Hong
Huang Jue as Mr. Qiang
Chloe Maayan as Min Min
Sun Qiang as Mr. Xu
Yang Hao Yu as Boss Ma
And More
My Verdict
Overall, Blossoms Shanghai is a pretty good Chinese drama that will become a classic in the future, with its cinematography, storyline, strong acting, and musical arrangement. I recommend this for you to watch. So, for this Blossoms Shanghai Chinese drama review, I would give it a score of 8,3/10.
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