On December 27th, "Blossoms Shanghai" made a big splash as soon as it was released! However, despite its high viewership, the drama received lower-than-expected reviews, with many one or two-star ratings and negative comments. In terms of overall impression, the drama boasts exquisite costume and makeup design, visually appealing cinematography, and a tight pace. There shouldn't have been so many negative reviews.

So, what exactly led to the poor reception of this drama? Fragmented storytelling is usually employed in movies because of their shorter duration, allowing viewers to maintain a sense of immersion throughout. Audiences can remember each fragment and piece them together to form a complete story, enhancing their viewing experience.

However, television dramas are different. They are longer in duration and not watched in the enclosed environment of a cinema, making it difficult for viewers to stay fully immersed throughout the entire series. Hence, viewers prefer a more conventional narrative approach, a straightforward storytelling style. This, in turn, leads to a significant number of viewers criticizing the drama for being disconnected from reality. The portrayal of 1990s Shanghai in "Blossoms Shanghai" does not match the audience's impression of that era at all.

Of course, the Shanghai people are familiar with is the Shanghai of ordinary people, whereas the Shanghai depicted in "Blossoms Shanghai" belongs to the upper echelons of society. Nevertheless, this greatly affects the audience's perception, frequently breaking the immersion while watching the series. Although it is known to be set in the 1990s, viewers often find themselves subconsciously mistaking it for the Shanghai of the Republican era.

Another mismatch is between the actors and the overall drama. While the performances of these actors are commendable, it is challenging to fully integrate them into their respective roles and the broader historical setting. Additionally, with the characters having extensive dialogue, some actors' lack of skill in delivering lines becomes evident. In short, certain actors in the drama feel distinctly disconnected from the overall production, resulting in a clear separation between the drama itself and their respective roles.

These are the reasons behind "Blossoms Shanghai" falling short of expectations in terms of its reputation. However, overall, "Blossoms Shanghai" can still be considered a good television drama. Once viewers become accustomed to its narrative style and background, the story itself is enjoyable.

The costumes, makeup, props, cinematography, and editing are all impressive, giving the drama a cinematic quality. Furthermore, with the presence of numerous A-list stars and their intense performances, witnessing their interactions on screen is truly satisfying.