The Forbidden Flower (2023)

A drama I will remember forever

If you're in the mood to watch a drama that portrays a beautiful and pure love between a silent man and a passionate woman then you're in the right place. Maybe I'm a little biased towards Jerry Yan, but I have to say that the two main leads had amazing chemistry. I laughed and cried throughout these 24 episodes, and I can't be more appreciative that I found it. If you do decide to go down this road, I recommend you read a brief intro to what to expect because it contains a pretty heavy theme, so beware of this. I'm the type to not go for stories like these cause I'm so sensitive, but the love between the two characters was so precious. I loved this story so much that I just had to write a review to convince others to watch it too. You truly won't regret it.

If only I could go back to watch this drama for the first time again...<3

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The story may be iffy at times but the execution is gorgeous

This was just so pretty, from the scenery to the colours, lighting... And OST making me ad an extra or maybe even two star just for being a pleasure fore the ear and eye.

The story itself has some issues, I am not going to lie not so much for the age gap as the main leads are indeed consenting adults, and not in a type of power relation where one part is dependent on the other.

The female lead, young as she may be is smart, forward, and is going in to this with her eyes wide open. It is easy to see that she and the male lead connect on several levels. She does of course have some issues but they are more about other stuff than age. However the way they style her most of the time does make her look a bit to innocent and child like, something that did bother me.

The male lead has an awful headband most of the time reminding me of 80s rock,I personally love 80's rock but the look was just bad. that sad, aside from the head band the guy did indeed show some great aesthetics and was indeed shot in slow motion from a bunch of very flattering angles. His character was kind, pretty passive, and seamed to try to hold back most of the dram a. And as long as he holds back we the viewers are offered a lot of build up, gazes, slow mo stuff... And fluff, colourful lighting and stem or fluff making the frame look all dreamy... steamy...

The second male lead is probably one of the most oblivious characters in all of dramaland, I honestly think they made him stupid and childlike to show us that the female lead was a better match to the old guy than the guy her own age. Other than that he was just in the way and slightly annoying.

The female leads mom shows us yet again that controlling your grown up child is a bad idea, she is in desperate need of therapy and did not really add anything good to the plot at all , not even good drama and flavour, just flavourless spice that burns your mouth but gives you nothing.

The rest of the characters range from ok I see you are there to wtf, just don't.

There is a really cute cat, a bunch of fish some of dramalands most amazing umbrella scenes with not only black and yellow umbrellas but also leaf umbrella and painted umbrella. Besides naming the drama "The Forbidden flower" the drama incorporates a whole range of interesting flowers, both on canvas and out in fields. Making both animals , umbrellas and flowers an in-separate good part of the plot, more interesting than most of the supporting characters.

All in all a good watch with plenty of steam, but it is definitely not for everyone, and while there are a few boring episodes some odd editing choices (censorship?) here and there it is overall highly binge able and a decent drama to watch if not for the plot than for the beauty of cinematography and OST,

P.s there are quite a few flashbacks and montages that look a bit like an 80s romance intro/power-balad video.

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A drama I will NEVER forget...

I usually don't bother with reviews but I had to write one for this drama. I started watching it on impulse after finding out about Jerry Yan starring in it. However, both the actor AND the actress stole the show. I admit the story wasn't the best, a little cliché, but charming nonetheless.

Jerry Yan is like fine wine and the Xu Ruo Han is also very pretty. Both had undeniable chemistry and did their characters Xiao Zhan and He Ran justice. Their intimate scenes gave me so many butterflies T-T

Now...my favorite part...the OSTs! Honestly, I loved all the soundtracks SO SO much, and they matched the context of every scene perfectly! It also featured "Lucid Dream " (English Ver.) from the drama While You Were Sleeping!!

If you're thinking about whether to watch it or not, I'd say please give it a try! There was just something about this drama...I don't think I'll ever forget it.

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Age Gap x2

If you’re going to take issue with the age gaps of both couples. The main couple and the secondary couple . This series isn’t for you. Westerners are hog wild about the age gap relationships now because women have finally gain some power and are starting to date younger men. Now the media is all in an uproar about men grooming little girls to be child brides so women shouldn’t do it too. Women can’t date younger men. Even if the women looks significantly younger than her age. The casting is interesting because ML was 46 and FL was 25 while the 2ndML was 30 to the 2ndFL was 45. Proving a 21 age gap when it’s a man to the 15 age gap when it’s a woman. Now that the elephant in the room is talked about. I will say this. Don’t take your western POV into this Asian series because social norms aren’t universal. Spare me your judgmental self if you’re going to watch a series that wasn’t made for westerners.

The story was very different and interesting as you watch along. Since the acting is superb. Even if some aspects of it seems like it’s cliche. It isn’t.

First off He Wan is a very willful young woman who has been shelter by her mom who has a very traumatic life. She was married off to a famous artist to be nothing more than a trophy wife. This man is weak willed so he kills himself after he was diagnosed with leukemia. That husband is a self prick. He only care about his art and seemed to have left his wife to raise a daughter on her own while he focuses on his art. The he just offs himself and leaves his wife to raise his daughter with no afterthought. The fact that this women had to sell all his art to support herself and her daughter shows how resilient she is. Then she builds a successful business by herself by being the brand herself. She fakes a persona of being the organic queen so she binges on fried chicken and booze in private. It just shoes that imposter syndrome is real. She has to be this perfect women to be the face of her company.

The male lead. I don’t understand what is his attraction that the FL is gaga over him. Perhaps it’s because he is a good looking guy nearing 50. Maybe she’s looking for a daddy figure since hers killed himself. Maybe it’s because she sheltered by her mom after she’s diagnosed with leukemia like her dad. Maybe she knows her life is shortened so why not do whatever she wants. The fact that the ML had a slew of women who are after him is something I don’t see other than his looks. I mean he doesn’t seem to be sociable as he is curt with people. He doesn’t seem to have any money or ambition. He takes care of plants and does odd job landscaping. I don’t get the barber shop as he’s never cut anyone else’s hair except the FL in episode 1. Yet he has women chasing after him.

The chemistry and dynamic between the main couple is really good. The FL is the aggressor and a jealous fiend. I love how she told the ex-GF’s sister off with so much gumption.

I fell for the 2ndML. I almost always do. I want this dude so bad. His voice is sexy AF. The way he eats up the 2nd FL in those kisses. 🔥🔥🔥 Whenever he cries. I feel it in my loins.

The mom being the 2nd FL really has me giggling and doing double takes. Like how I detest her in the beginning. Then she softened me up after she is spotted gouging on the fried chicken and booze. All the while making the 2nd ML fall for her. But when she was there for her daughter during her relapse. I was like. Protect this woman at all cost 2nd ML.

What can I say? I loved this series. I am now back to straight series after gorging on BLs since Covid. BLs have lost their mojo with me this year.

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Sensuality meets spiritual intimacy in Forbidden Flower

A serendipitous encounter in a hair salon, a young woman hears a voice that draws her. A mature man hears a voice that draws him. They don't know each other's faces, but their hearts recognize each other at the first instant.

Youth is determined to seek its happiness, maturity resists in its fear that its soul may be swept away. Eventually this love bursts out strong, with her co-experiencing every precious moment together 'til the moment she leaves him because she is ill and doesn't want to drag him with her. But when fate is determined to bring two people together, it won't stop before bringing them together again. And it all starts again, he forgets that she left him and soaks in every second with her, she forgets that she decided to leave, unable to stop her desire to be with him. And once again her illness separates them. She leaves him abruptly, without warning, and leaves behind the memory of her frail figure, her gentle face, her fragrance, and her voice that speaks his name with awe - Xiao Han. Another half year of separation pain, a torment that is on the verge of being unbearable for both of them. And meeting again, and starting all over again. And the two's decision to stay together until the end, and the hope that she'll beat cancer a second time.

Fate also has a fingers in another story. A forty-something woman who lost her husband to leukemia lives only for her daughter, forgetting that she is a woman. Until a young man stops his gaze on her and challenges her. And here, as in the previous story, youth recognizes no boundaries and adulthood is afraid to dive into its feelings. And here separation, even before their love happens, and here longing.

The whole series is heavily saturated with a sense of subtle eroticism, longing, love, the search for the other, the struggle with the self and an intoxicating sadness. Incredibly well chosen music that immerses you in a gentle sadness, very well shot shots that convey the intimacy of each moment.

Lots of eroticism, lots of intimacy, no vulgarity.
I warn you not to expect too much from the end though. The ending will write itself.

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Você se sente flutuando

Fazia tempo que eu não dava nota máxima num drama, mas me senti obrigada a fazer isto, pois este título não merece menos do que todas as estrelas disponíveis. É difícil encontrar uma obra que te encante em basicamente todos os aspectos, há sempre algo que pode não agradar muito, pode ser um dos protagonistas, pode ser a pobreza de detalhes, pode ser uma trilha sonora cansativa, mas aqui não há nada disso. Temos o conjunto completo de satisfações.
Vou separar por tópicos pra ficar mais fácil:

---Cinematografia, fotografia:
Parece até que queriam pintar um quadro em forma de drama. Os cenários são maravilhosos, cada quadro parece uma pintura, é lindo de ver. As cartelas de cores usadas são muito lindas, trazem uma sensação de nostalgia e romance. A fotografia é relmente um detalhe que não vai passar despercebido por ninguém, enche nossos olhos e a gente se sente relaxado assistindo. Pra quem acaha que fotografia não importa muito, este drama te deixa nocauteado provando o contrário a todo instante. É magíco.

---Trilha sonora:
Uma das primeiras coisas que chamam a nossa atenção é com certeza a trilha sonora. Atípica, com muitas músicas em inglês,
um gênero musical de chill out em cenas que harmonizam perfeitamente. Há também uma premissa vintage, retrô musical, que se encaixa muito bem em cenas iluminadas pelo sol saudades pelo frescor do mar. Há também algo mais sensual, combinando muito bem com cenas onde há certa tensão sexual entre o casal. Parece que as músicas dançam com a cena, ou é a cena que dança com a música, você nunca saberá porque estará totalmente submerso. É incrível.

---Química entre o casal:
O casal tem muitas diferenças, em idade, estilo de vida, entre outras. Contudo, são duas almas de artistas que se encontram e se harmonizam, se conhecem devagar, se encantam. A construção deles não é muito apressada e nem muito devagar, é no tempo certo. Uma coisa que eu amo de ver, porém é difícil de encontrar, é quando as interações entre o casal são mais sensíveis, mergulhando em camadas, sem se resumir apenas a fatos e superfícies. E é gratificante ver que essa maravilha acontece aqui. Há muitas cenas com trocas de olhares, diálogos pertinentes, tensão sexual. Claro, pessoas maduras agindo com maturidade, até que enfim né? kkkkk. Eu me apaixonei demais por esse casal, tem um monte de cenas lindas entre eles, beijos de verdade, mais intimidade que o de costume (nos dramas). Já é um dos meus preferidos dos dramas.

---Enredo:
Como já mencionei, é tudo no tempo certo. Não será difícil que a gente se sinta ansioso por um fato que deve acontecer, mas após os acontecimentos é que entendemos a necessidade do tempo ter sido diferente. A trama não te deixa confusa, a narrativa é leve e fácil de acompanhar, um enorme potencial para maratona. A história é delicada, floral, calorosa como o verão, fresca como uma brisa, sem negligenciar seu drama necessário, nem dispensar algumas doses de humor.
O final me pareceu algo aberto a interpretações, ou não. Mas, pra variar, foi lindo.

---Atuações e outras personagens:
O destaque é com certeza pra quem mais precisava se destacar né, o casal principal. Eles foram ótimos, o Jerry eu sei que atua muito bem e Xu Ruo Han me surpreendeu. Eu a vi em outro drama e ela foi satisfatória, mas neste drama eu a achei incrível. Além de linda e fofa, sua interpretação foi impécável, a personagem parece que foi feita especialmente para ela.
Falando em personagens secundárias, a mãe da He Ran é um destaque positivo também. Há ao menos umas duas cenas com ela que me deixaram bem emocionada. Com o tempo, você a entende mesmo sem concordar com tudo, e personagens assim são necessárias, é o tipo que eu adoro acompanhar.
O rival do Xiao Han passa longe de ser um rival, zero chances kkkk. Honestamente, ele dividiu meus sentimentos, porque às vezes eu o achava um pé no saco sem noção e sem amor próprio, e outras vezes eu estava com pena e pensando se a He Ran não era muito maldosa com ele. Enfim, ambos tem seus pontos. A relação entre ele e a mocinha é de amigos de infância, e talvez ele tenha desenvolvido uma espécie de dever com relação a ela, de querer fazê-la feliz e de achar que é o homem destinado a isso. Mas não é. A gente aprende com ele que nunca é sobre tempo né, e sim sobre a pessoa ser simplesmente A pessoa.

---Conclusão:
Nem vou me prolongar mais. Apenas assistam. Se você está buscando algo em suma romântico, refrescante, gostosinho, uma vibe um tanto retrô, um colírio para os olhos e bálsamo pra sua ansiedade, este é o drama perfeito. É imersivo. Você se sente numa viagem de férias para algum lugar paradisíaco. Absolutamente recomendável.

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Um Grande Amor

Esse drama esta uma delícia, mostra o Amor puro e verdadeiro entre He Ran (Xu Ruo Han) e Xiao Han ( Jerry Yan), eu amo como Ruo Han vem se destacando-se no dramas que aceita fazer, ela é uma das poucas atrizes que não evita contato físico, se tem que fazer, ela vai lá e faz, sortuda, pois seus co-protagonistas são espetaculares, Jerry Yan, meu filho, o tempo não passa pra ti, lindo, gostoso etc etc, Deus sou eu de novo, me nota...
O drama nos mostra o arco dos anos finais da juventude de He Ran ao mundo adulto, ela anseia por viver um grande amor e encontra essa chance com Xiao Han, mais velho, experiente, introspectivo e quebrado emocionalmente pelo passado, mas He Ran trás luz a sua vida e assim começa a sua linda história juntos. A química está linda, aa cenaa perfeitas, a OST maravilhosa, até o presente momento super indico esse drama, vale a pena ver.

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Sensual poem of life

There are some movies you watch and your relationship with finishes with the end. Some movies you want to rewatch and remind yourself the vibes or story or actors. and there are another kind of movies you call masterpieces. I believe I will rewatch it in slow tempo to enjoy those beautiful moments as some amazing poem I read during my life to nurture myself with it's beauty.
Colour palitra, pace, music, landscapes, eye expressions, sensual touch,amazing visuals even choice of clothes... there are a lot of layers where you gather beauty and healing.. on so many layers you touch your life, you come alive, refresh and fall in love with life.
Just give in your senses and enjoy the . It won't disappoint you.

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Sizzling passion

It’s been a while since I’ve written a review on here and after watching many dramas I felt compelled to write one. First of all, I would like to say that this drama was several notches above your typical C-drama. Was the plot perfect? Not at all. In fact I found there were plenty of moments I found my self scratching my head. I mean we all have cell phones now a days.
I know a lot of people will feel creeped out by the age gap. But hey my husband and I have an 18 year difference and have been together for 20 years.
Why I loved this drama:
Jerry. His acting, his passion, the way he conveyed his emotions, had me smiling. He’s sexy too lol.
The FL. I know a lot of people think her too childish but if you think about it, she’s the way a 20 yo would be. You could feel her happiness and her pain. Love her or hate her I found her to be an excellent actress in this drama.
The cinematography has to be one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.
They have very good chemistry
The OST is beautiful. Every song is perfect for the part it is played. I am hoping I can get some of the songs on Apple Music.
Your emotions will go on a rollercoster ride. And unless you read up online, you don’t know how things will end until literally the very last second.
As much as I loved this drama, I don’t know if I could handle to watch it again. I haven’t cried over a drama since Fated to Love You.

Very importantly:

On the very last episode. Make sure to keep watching past the end credits.

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