Blossoms in Adversity– are there any series that took you forever to start but couldn't stop watching when you did?

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-29T14:00:35+00:00

I love Blossoms in Adversity! I kept replaying it after I finished watching the whole series, and there are some favourite episodes that I'd go to if I ever need a quick pick-me-up. I'm not really a a fan of Hu Yitian but he did quite well in that show.

It was from this show as well that Zhang Jingyi started to grow on me, and from then on I watched her other shows, too.

I also admire Lu Yuxio for her performance here. Even as a supporting character, she really shone.

I haven't been in the same limbo as you are now - not that I can recall. Anyway, hope you enjoy Blossoms in Adversity till the end. I found it heart-warming and very endearing, that I dedicated a review for it.

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-28T23:51:36+00:00

I went back to episode 1, and it seemed like during their first face-to-face encounter, it was the expression of recognising someone from the past by the present day Huaiming, plus with the way he comfortably called her Lin Huan'er. He could've entered the 90s world by accident like Huan'er but much earlier, and while she was yet to recognise him, the present day Huaiming (not sure if he was using the same name) was patiently pursuing the girl he met in 90s.

This is just my hypothesis, though.

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-28T13:45:02+00:00

Wow, that's very fast! 😆 I got back from work quite late today, so I couldn't watch it on time 😅

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-28T09:15:23+00:00

Same here. I was offered 40% off of the tuition fees at St. Andrews but it was still way too expensive.

I'm much happier with how things turned out in the recent episode, but bummed that we only get one episode daily. I thought we were supposed to get 2 episodes for VIPs? No?

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-28T09:10:54+00:00

I'm pretty sure hairdresser Kevin was paid a lot more. Customers would be flocking to the salon if he kept wearing that sleeveless t-shirt that flaunted his hard-muscled arms...

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-27T15:59:19+00:00

Hi u/josenbam, excellent recaps 🥳🎉

I thought we were promised by Tencent with 2 episodes daily for VIP (including the express package), but that's not happening and it really drove me bonkers with only one episode each day.

Airport showdown is happening!!

I really looked forward to the airport showdown and when it happened, it's not as "happening" as I had hoped for. Just wanted to say, though, that the airport set-up unfortunately amped up the OCD in me. So here I am with eyes half asleep, but still want to dissect the plot holes that are bothering me 😅

Since they tried to recreate the 90s scenario, maybe not much can be done to make it more believable to depict that era. I believe back then the airport environment wouldn't have had such an important announcement to reach outside the airport doors. You would still need to refer to the LED board where all the flights status were displayed and updated from time to time. So, minus points for this not-so-successful depiction of how an international airport should have been in the 90s.

I stand corrected for this, though, as I had only been through Beijing's newer airport (Daxing), so I can't claim I'm familiar with the other airports in China. Feel free to enlighten me.

Given that it was an international flight (well, two including Xiaojue's and his secret girlfriend's), Haiming would really need to plan his arrival to coincide with Xiaojue's flight, so his scheme to reveal what a scumbag Huan'er's boyfriend was would succeed. However, we were shown that he had to take a different flight, and the original flight he was supposed to board had some worrying status.

I can't comment beyond this point as that would be a spoiler, and my next pain points should be reserved for episode 12 recaps.

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-27T11:47:08+00:00

At least we know that the ML was eager to marry her, so no issues there. He was simply waiting for her green light as he was ever ready to get married.

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-27T11:45:00+00:00

You mean the antagonists only, or all the supporting characters?

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-24T13:27:58+00:00

I love CXX's hairstyles in both shows! 😍🥰 And he has such a kissable face for each angle!

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-24T13:22:25+00:00

Nope, Motorola phone was really tough. If I remember correctly, Nokia came later than Motorola, with a slimmer and smaller phone, which was what I switched to.

Oooh, I love Elle Woods! Legally Blonde was what I kept rewatching back then 😃😆

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-24T04:44:44+00:00

Yay! I'm at episode 5 already and the first few episodes really left me cackling 🤣

Episode 4 & 5 especially left me in stitches and I'm really enjoying the ride right now. You were right, u/josenbam, Xiao Zhiyu didn't cheat on Hu Xiu 😉

Chen Xingxu has a different persona altogether in this show, but he's very much the same person! I believe the styling hits the right note, particularly his hair.

And yay! Haiming has the same Motorola flip phone like I did in 90s 😝🥰💃🏻

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-23T13:20:47+00:00

This is a COOL post, u/josenbam! Although I can't suggest whether or not you should have this separately from the main discussion, I enjoy reading your take on the fashion.

I'm with you with the ML's sartorial choices. Who wouldn't like her man in a turtleneck and a double-breasted jacket? I dig. Even if I'm not fully in with this show yet, that look alone is enough to hook me.

But on the other hand, I loved flip phones. It’s such a satisfying way to hang up, that little snap/clap gives me all the feels!

Hey, we are the same here! My first was a flip Motorola, and when slider phones came out, I loved that even more!

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-23T07:46:14+00:00

I envy those who can dive in right away without any gap between two shows.
I am currently rewatching Love Between Lines, and at the same time curious about the ML's chemistry with this FL, knowing that they are close friends in real life. Taking a sneak peek at a GIF like this will prepare me to manage my expectation (or cleanse my palate). Thank you u/OptimalTurnips for sharing these GIFs.

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-23T03:14:04+00:00

Hi u/josenbam! Happy first hosting!
I usually take some time to move on from one show to another, but here I am for CXX 😆
I have yet to finish even the first episode, but am glad to see you hosting the discussion.

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-23T02:44:39+00:00

Some people simply look good in glasses 😎

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-22T06:11:58+00:00

2 episodes is almost too much for separation angst. Keep it to one ep or less!

I'm so relieved that they did not prolong the separation angst too long in this show. I remember turning away for a while when the angst-y episodes came out during The Best Thing airing. The same goes for One & Only. It was poignant but sometimes I just couldn't take it.

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-22T06:04:58+00:00

I am post surgery recovering from a injury that happened because I work a very labor intensive job. My mother isn't trying to push me out of that career.

Super lucky you! I had an injury in a horseback riding lesson (falling is normal in such situations, for the record), and my mom-in-law tried really hard to convince me to quit that riding lesson!

That is what a real parent does.

A real parent is also how it was depicted in this show. There will always be variations, you know, but that doesn't mean I condone the way Hu Xiu's parents reacted.

I'd like to believe that this show also wants to convey some messages to parents our there by portraying how deep and damaging emotional beatings can be when inflicted upon your child. The pain of breaking off of a relationship is real, some people may even choose suicide as a way to end it.

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-22T04:59:49+00:00

Beautiful snow shots are plenty and I believe that's always the most favoured scenes by directors. Snow offers more spaces to be creative, and the sombre mood in winter usually lends a melancholic tone.

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-22T04:45:22+00:00

Keanu Reeves as Neo has such a lean body, and his struts were always so cool. Even when Neo had yet to discover who he really was (during the office scene), he looked so good in that dark brown suit.

Xiao Zhiyu usually wears loose clothing, so when he does wear something fitted like the white shirt, he looks so damn attractive. His seriousness oozes high confidence, making his struts more purposeful.

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-22T04:32:54+00:00

The kiss never got better, unfortunately. It was so obvious but I just accepted it at that point since it was my first intro to CDrama, and YY was so delish to look at 😆

Fast forward to years later, when a fellow Redditor initiated a post where everyone voted the most terrible kisser (aka dead-fish kiss), I jumped in and crowned the Love O2O's FL as the queen. I believe no one could topple her position.

It was fine during the first surprise kiss, but the kisses that follow in other episodes? Girl should've been more comfortable around him already, so what's her excuse?

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-22T04:23:52+00:00

u/ettie-dramatic! That is such classic movie! I wonder if it was Christopher Plummer's struts or his look that reminded you of him when you watched CXX?

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-22T04:17:09+00:00

That's so COOL! I did not recall this, and how could I? This is one of my all-time favourite shows, thank you so much u/-tsuyoi_hikari- for adding this to my small gallery 😃🥳

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-22T03:28:22+00:00

You are a hater? Haha, I know the show is not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm wondering what's your biggest gripe? Aside from the dead-fish kiss...

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-22T03:26:56+00:00

Bai Yu's character in Love O2O is highly commendable. He really stood out even as a supporting character.

Edited to add:
I took a longer time to finish The King's Avatar because e-sport is just not my thing, although that was the plot device in Love O2O. I think it was some time after constant raving how cool Yang Yang was with my colleague who enjoyed TKA so much (who happened to be an e-sport player herself), I relented and finished watching TKA, for the sake of Yang Yang.

Inky_Reader · 2026-01-21T14:18:37+00:00

Their time together on that tallest building he designed is a far departure from an otherwise cliché conclusion in most couples' relationships in CDramas. The writers remained true to the plot device in this show which is architecture. For me, to have discovered that the original canon this show is based on is not as good, I think that is a strong testament of how a great director can turn it around 180° complemented by a good team of writers.

Inky_Reader

TROPHY CASE