Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Where to stream: iQIYI; WeTV; Viki
Jin Xiao Bao is the only son and heir to the wealthiest man in the Jiangnan region, known for being a bit of a troublemaker and womanizer. It’s love at first sight for him when he runs into an angelic white-clad beauty in the forest while being attacked by armed men. Jin Xiao rescues the woman and starts pursuing her for marriage, but what he doesn’t know is that she is a very powerful man called Zong Zheng Huai En in disguise for a political mission, which includes targeting Jin Xiao Bao’s family for some crucial documents.
Spanning 12 episodes, the historical drama “Meet You at the Blossom” is based on the novel “Hua Kai You Shi, Tui Mi Wu Sheng” (花开有时, 颓靡无声) by Shui Qian Cheng and stars Wang Yun Kai as the playful Jin Xiao Bao, while actor Li Le plays Zong Zheng Huai En, a member of the royal family who is controlled by a domineering father with a complicated past. The innocent Xiao Bao unwittingly becomes a pawn in an elaborate power struggle, and his growing relationship with the mysterious, secretive Huai En complicates matters further when Huai En begins to reciprocate his love.
Wang Yun Kai is cheery and bratty as Xiao Bao; his onscreen capricious personality makes him seem like he would be perfect for the role of Jin Ling from “Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation,” which was made into the super-hit Chinese series “The Untamed.” Li Le’s character, Zong Zheng Huai En, is quite a divisive presence, marked by a moody demeanor and erratic expressions of affection toward Xiao Bao that can turn dangerously aggressive. At one point, his decisions almost lead to the brutal execution of Xiao Bao’s family. However, the intense push-and-pull of their relationship taps into the ‘opposites attract’ theme, which could resonate with viewers, especially given the less tender nature of love in historical settings.
The first few episodes of “Meet You at the Blossom” are entertaining and comedic in nature, with many of the laughs stemming from Xiao Bao mistaking Huai En for a beautiful woman. However, Li Le rarely looks feminine in the series, but that’s what makes Xiao Bao’s misunderstanding even more hilarious. Another amusing aspect of the series is how most characters acknowledge the blossoming romance between Xiao Bao and Huai En, although Xiao Bao’s family hopes it’s simply a passing passion. As the series progresses, “Meet You at the Blossom” introduces several other supporting characters, who are underexplored and don’t get enough screentime to grow on the viewers. The tone awkwardly shifts from comedic to being tragically dramatic, and this change of tone isn’t smooth.
Since a power tussle is a primary conflict of “Meet You at the Blossom,” so I was expecting a lot more grittier action scenes and was left disappointed on that front. That said, visually, it’s a gorgeous-looking series, with beautiful costumes and colorful sets, including grand mansions and richly decorated interiors.
The climactic episodes of “Meet You at the Blossom” are rushed, chaotic, and feel quite underwhelming. But given that Chinese historical dramas are always censored when it comes to gay romances, the series fills a large void for viewers who’ve been hoping to see a show that doesn’t water down the love story between its male leads.
Rating: 6 on 10. You can stream the series on iQIYI; WeTV; Viki.
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