Introduction
The newly popular Blossom is considered a dark horse in the 2024 Chinese dramaland. With the year almost over, Chinese drama fans already have prior dramas as their favorites. Then came Blossom. Initially, it was not hyped up with super promotions and only word-of-mouth of the initial viewers. It doesn’t have any A-list stars with their fandoms that gained huge traffic to this drama. The director is only known for his short dramas, worried the viewers if he could direct a regular-length drama. However, it turns out that Blossom is not disappointing, from beginning to end.
Although getting tired of hearing another Chinese drama with the word ‘blossom’ in its title, initially I was attracted to Blossom when I found out that the leading actress of this drama is Meng Zi Yi. I have loved her since her supporting role as the Dao Addict in Ever Night. Her other drama I like is Royal Rumours in which her character is also a smart female lead. I was even more ecstatic when I saw that the main director is Zeng Qing Jie. He directed many great short dramas worth checking out: The Killer is Also Romantic, A Familiar Stranger, Provoke, and Butterflied Lover.
Drama Info
Drama title: Blossom (Native title: 九重紫 ) aka Jiu Chong Zi
Genres: Historical, Mystery, Romance, Fantasy
Aired: Dec 6, 2024 - Dec 22, 2024
Episodes: 34 | Duration: 45 minutes
Director: Zeng Qing Jie ( 曾庆杰 )
Screenwriter: Jia Bin Bin ( 贾彬彬 )
Adapted from the novel "Jiu Chong Zi" ( 九重紫 ) by Zhi Zhi ( 吱吱 ) - English translation
Where to watch: WeTV, iQiyi, Viki, and Youhug Media
OST:
Theme Song: "Miss You For a Long Time" ( 久念 ) by Xian Zi ( 弦子 )
Interlude: "Reunion" ( 重圆 ) by Li Pei Ling ( 李佩玲 )
Interlude: "Purple Memories" ( 紫忆 ) by Zhang Zi Ning ( 张紫宁 )
Interlude: "Do Not Envy" ( 不羡 ) by Bo Yuan ( 伯远 )
"Zhao Zhao Mo Mo" ( 昭昭墨墨 ) by Li Yun Rui ( 李昀锐 ) and Meng Zi Yi ( 孟子义 )
Trailer:
Synopsis
After losing her mother at a young age, Dou Zhao became deeply disillusioned with love and family due to the upheavals and hardships she faced. To protect herself and her family estate, she contended with her stepmother and chose to live in a remote village, focusing on her studies to become self-reliant. One stormy night, Dou Zhao encountered Song Mo, disguised as a merchant, at the village. Using her wit, she helped him protect the orphaned descendant of Duke Ding Guo, who had been honored for his achievements in quelling bandits. This incident intertwined their fates. Song Mo, born into an official family, was entangled in the mysteries of his family’s downfall. Meanwhile, Dou Zhao faced malicious rumors about an arranged marriage orchestrated by her stepmother. To form an alliance and navigate their difficulties, they decided to marry. Initially suspicious of each other, they gradually became confidants and supported each other through numerous challenges. Unexpectedly, political turmoil loomed, forcing Dou Zhao and Song Mo to confront the crises together. They worked to save their families, uncover the truth behind the switched children at the Duke’s residence, thwart Prince Liao’s rebellion, exonerate loyal ministers, and ensure the nation’s peace. Ultimately, they found true happiness, living a life that was genuinely their own. (source: WeTV)
Characters
Main Characters
Meng Zi ( 孟子义 ) Yi as Dou Zhao
Dou Zhao was born in a family of officials and was the fourth daughter of the Dou family. She experienced her mother’s suicide, her father’s indifference, and being sent to the countryside since childhood. In her previous life, Dou Zhao’s life was not happy. Her father brought his wife home with him, causing her mother to commit suicide. Her father ignored her and eventually, she married the Marquis of Jining. Their marriage was extremely unhappy and she eventually passed away miserably. After being reborn, Dou Zhao returned to the age of twelve. She tried to change her mother’s tragic ending but failed. Despite this, she did not accept her fate but chose to fight back and bravely pursue her ideals and happiness.
Li Yun Rui ( 李昀锐 ) as Song Mo
Song Mo, the eldest son of a British prince, experienced a family tragedy in his previous life. His uncle was framed and executed, his mother was murdered, and his father framed him and made him a national rebel. Meeting Dou Zhao in this life reversed his destiny. He went through hardships with Dou Zhao, revealed the truth about the family’s secrets, stopped the rebellion, and showed loyalty to the country. On the road of love, the two initially had suspicions, but later built a deep trust. Faced with the test of family and power, Song Mo stuck to his love and finally worked together to overcome the difficulties.
Key Supporting Characters
Snow Kong ( 孔雪儿 ) as Miao An Su
Miao An Su is a merchant’s daughter who grew up with Dou Zhao. She has a sincere and kind personality and has business talents. In the drama, Miao An Su is not only Dou Zhao’s childhood friend but also the sixth lady of the Miao family, the eldest daughter of Concubine Miao’s nephew, with a distinguished status. She is beautiful in appearance, thoughtful in thought, and exquisite in appearance. She is a beautiful and independent woman.
Xia Zhi Guang ( 夏之光 ) as Ji Yong
Ji Yong’s previous life was Master Ming Shu, the abbot of Ling Yin Temple in the Southern Song Dynasty, and he had a brief but fateful encounter with Dou Zhao’s previous life. In this life, Ji Yong is Dou Zhao’s cousin, and his biological mother is Dou Zhao’s aunt. Ji Yong and Dou Zhao are fast friends. Ji Yong is very talented and genius and has the ambition to be the Grand Secretary.
Alina Zhang ( 张萌 ) as Wang Ying Xue
Wang Ying Xue is Dou Zhao’s stepmother. She seems to be as close as a sister to Gu Qiu, Du Zhao’s biological mother, but in fact, she has evil intentions. She has long accepted Gu Qiu’s financial assistance calmly, but secretly has an affair with Gu Qiu’s husband, Dou Shi Ying. When Dou Shiying passed the highest the highest ranked of the imperial examinations, she couldn’t wait to enter the family and become a concubine.
Yan An ( 颜安 ) as Song Han
Song Han was the illegitimate son of Duke Song Yi Chun, although he and his elder brother Song Mo were half-brothers, their treatment and personalities were completely different. Song Han was favored by his parents since he was a child. Later, Song Han accidentally discovered that he was not born to his mother, Jiang. After learning about his life secret, Song Han’s mentality gradually became distorted. He was jealous of his brother Song Mo’s talent and status and gradually went to extremes in the family power struggle.
Li Bai Hui ( 李百惠 ) as Dou Ming
Dou Ming is the half-sister of Dou Zhao, Wang Ying Xue’s daughter. In her previous life, Dou Ming indirectly persecuted Dou Zhao, which led to Dou Zhao’s demise. But in her new life, her temperament has undergone tremendous changes and she has become a kind and naive girl.
Other Supporting Characters
People Around Dou Zhao
Dou Zhao’s father
Dou Zhao’s mother
People Around Song Mo
Royal Family
Miscellaneous
Conclusion
I hope you can benefit from the character list described here to familiarize yourself with who is who in this drama. Check out the Blossom episode recaps to enjoy the drama further: Blossom: Recap Part 1 (Episodes 1 to 17) and Blossom: Recap Part 2 (Episodes 18 to 34).
Images credit: The images are taken from official posters (Douban), Weibo, and screenshots.
