LayarHijau.com -- The highly anticipated drama featuring Yang Zi, Flourished Peony, is set to pair her with Li Xian.
The drama has apparently already gone through an initial screening, and some insiders from China's entertainment industry who attended have shared their first impressions.
They noted that Li Xian's role in this drama is quite limited, making up only about one-third of the entire show.
Additionally, some sources mentioned that the drama might be split into two seasons due to its lengthy storyline. If this is true, there could be a year-long gap between the first and second seasons. They expressed concerns that Flourished Peony might face a similar fate as Lost You Forever, which also starred Yang Zi.
According to Upmedia, the drama is set to air soon and will compete with Moonlight Mystique, featuring Bai Lu and Ao Ruipeng.
Insiders who watched the screening of Flourished Peony mentioned that Yang Zi's acting is stable and impressive. However, Li Xian’s role only takes up one-third of the drama.
Flourished Peony will be one of the dramas focusing on female businesswomen in ancient times, a theme that seems to be trending right now. Other dramas with similar themes include The Story of Pearl Girl and Brocade Odyssey. These two aired back-to-back, leading some to believe that audiences might be growing weary of this theme.
The ratings for The Story of Pearl Girl and Brocade Odyssey on Douban and other platforms didn’t meet expectations. If Flourished Peony airs after Brocade Odyssey, there are concerns that its popularity might also face challenges.
Flourished Peony is adapted from Yi Qianzhong's novel titled National Beauty. What sets this novel apart from others with similar themes is its element of reincarnation. The title refers to the Peony title held by the main character, He Weifang (He Mudan), who wins a contest held by the Tang Dynasty.
He Mudan is the only daughter of the legitimate wife of the He family, a well-known merchant family in the capital. Due to her frequent illnesses, she is married off to Liu Chang based on a superstition that marriage will cure her ailments.
Unfortunately, He Mudan dies from a severe illness, and her soul is replaced by that of a modern woman. This woman, inhabiting He Mudan's body, has a special talent for growing Peonies.
She aspires to become a successful businesswoman by cultivating Peonies and creating a Peony garden. From the beginning until her divorce from Liu Chang, she encounters Jiang Changyang (played by Li Xian).
Initially, they are just acquaintances, but Jiang Changyang often helps Mudan, both directly and indirectly, in small and large matters.
After developing their relationship and getting married, He Mudan’s life shifts from merely building a business to also supporting her husband in politics and state affairs.
According to industry insiders who watched the screening, if fans are hoping for a romantic dynamic like in Go Go Squid, they might be disappointed. They noted that the interaction between the two main characters is minimal, with no clear emotional development.
Moreover, it’s rumored that the drama will be split into two seasons. According to government regulations, dramas in China with two seasons must have a year-long break between airings. Lost You Forever faced a similar situation.
Season 1 gained high ratings, but Season 2 suffered a drop in ratings and faced criticism from fans and viewers. There’s concern that *Flourished Peony* might experience the same fate.
However, Layar Hijau is currently reading the novel Flourished Peony. While it’s not confirmed whether this drama version will include the reincarnation element, it is undeniably a romantic drama.
The insider information stating that Li Xian's role is only one-third of the drama is somewhat doubtful. His character, Jiang Changyang, indeed has a smaller role at the beginning of the novel, but he starts appearing more frequently as the story progresses. His role is nearly as significant as that of He Mudan, the leading female character.
Their romance is also quite evident, with a positive development in their relationship. We see the love story of two inexperienced individuals.
This adds a sense of innocence to their romance, making their relationship charming. However, as time passes, this innocence transforms, as both characters are quite intelligent.
The challenges they face include He Mudan being a young widow who has suffered physical and emotional abuse from her scoundrel ex-husband.
He Mudan’s close cousin, Li Xing, has loved her since childhood and is pursuing her affection. However, due to Mudan's status as a widow from a merchant family, which is considered socially inferior, Li Xing's parents do not approve of their relationship.
This leaves Mudan feeling bitter, humiliated, and reluctant to remarry due to her disappointment, compounded by rumors of her being infertile.
Jiang Changyang, on the other hand, has a noble status and holds a high position. He is also the eldest son expected to carry on his family's legacy. This social status difference poses a barrier between them.
So, it seems the insider information may not be entirely accurate. Additionally, according to sources, the drama team intends to split this story into two different dramas, not just two seasons. The goal is to ensure a shorter gap between airings, ideally not exceeding one year.
According to MyDramaList, the first drama titled Flourished Peony will focus on the first half of the novel, highlighting Mudan's efforts to build her plant business.
The second drama, titled Splendid Youth, will focus on He Mudan's married life with Jiang Changyang, including their family's efforts to navigate political turmoil within the kingdom.