Flourished Peony

I find the female main character to be a bit fragmented. When she interacts with others, she often comes off as overly optimistic. She reassures those around her that everything will be fine in the future and that success in her career will lead to better days. While I appreciate her positivity, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by these repeated affirmations. It makes me wonder: why is she so confident? It's like I have a special insight, knowing that she's the main character who is destined to succeed. However, the tone of her dialogue feels a bit off; she seems a little too soft, which can take away some excitement from the plot. Additionally, her success doesn't appear to come from her hard work or intelligence but rather from the good conscience of the male protagonist.

YZ's facial expressions are a bit stiff. I feel unemotional when she acts, but when she cries, it feels like overacting. I recall my memories of other dramas she has been in.

The most issue is the makeup makes them look so old especially the female lead her looks already no so pretty tbh and the makeup made her look more ugly, tang dynasty makeup doesn't fit all people i always have problems with this style, okay the costumes of this dynasty are good but the makeup omg i hate it so much.

People will say the makeup isn't really important as long as the story or acting is good but naah good costumes and makeup attract watchers that's what this drama ignored, and speaking of acting well i have watched both leads in other dramas i can tell in this drama they did nothing, they didn't fit the characters and there is no chemistry at all looks like everyone acted in separate ways, especially the female lead lack emotions i couldn't feel what she wanted to express, the male lead is so so, the sml is better, well i couldn't enjoy this drama, really tiktok edits sometimes fools me.

The film boasts an impressive texture from start to finish, captivating viewers with its striking visuals. Each scene is enriched by a beautifully crafted setting that immerses the audience in the enchanting world of Flourished Peony, where vibrant flowers bloom and stunning landscapes unfold. However, despite these aesthetic strengths, Yang Zi's performance falls short of the emotional depth the drama requires. Her portrayal lacks the nuance and expressiveness needed to fully engage the audience, particularly due to her technologically enhanced appearance, which seems to restrict her range of facial expressions. Furthermore, the storyline feels predictable and dull, lacking the originality to elevate the drama beyond visual allure.

Modern issues are incorporated into costume dramas in a way that can feel like they're simply shouting for slogans. The plot revolves around Yang Zi's familiar portrayal of the heroine, but it often falls into predictability with the stereotypical storyline. While the makeup and visual presentation are undeniably appealing, the story is monotonous.

Yang Zi's performances have become quite formulaic. Despite the time that has passed, she hasn't demonstrated significant growth in her acting skills, and her approach now feels exaggerated at times. Her expressions can leave the audience unsure if she's laughing or crying. Li Xian delivers solid acting, but even his talent isn't enough to lift the overall production.

The costumes in the drama are great, which is a positive aspect. However, for a drama to be considered truly good, the plot, story, and characters should also be equally compelling. Unfortunately, it seems that many costume dramas nowadays focus heavily on looking visually appealing, while the actual content feels superficial. At first, I barely recognized Yang Zi. She used to have a round face, but now her face appears slim and oval-shaped. I might have thought she was someone else entirely. She seems quite different from her earlier self. Additionally, the plot comes across as somewhat forced and unnatural. To establish the heroine's character, the story includes numerous contrived situations. While these early hardships are meant to showcase her strength and intelligence, they often feel like they are just there for show rather than being genuinely impactful.