This drama takes a realistic approach. In fact, some parts are so realistic that you want to look away.
Wild Bloom tells the story of a young woman who navigates through the cutthroat world to build a successful steel business. It begins with three friends working together at a junkyard; some of them have better hairstyles than others…
Seriously, how can he even see where he’s going?
Now, except for the scene where the female lead Xu Banxia (Zhao Liying) decides to trust a stranger who shows up at her door and gives him money, then recruits him right away, the plot has been carried out logically so far.
You may think that it is impossible for Zhao Liying to pull off the role of a bada** businesswoman due to her cute-sy looks, but I am happy to report that both her styling and acting are just right for this drama.
Granted, she still appears relatively young and fragile. Whenever she walks into a business meeting, you find yourself fearing for her life with all the manipulative and predatory business people around, but a few things contribute to her character’s believability:
Minimal screen filter. No more flawless skin that blinds you. We can take the poverty and hardship depicted in the drama more seriously now that the characters don’t always look like they go to a spa every weekend.
No polished hairstyles or clothing, just the usual things people would wear in the 90s. The girl’s hair definitely looks like it needs conditioner. And goodness, those flare jeans are not flattering, but she wears them anyway.
And of course, the acting. Zhao Liying isn’t the type of actress who can turn bad writing into something good with sheer charisma; but you give her a good script, and she delivers.
You can tell that the drama will be putting Xu Banxia through extreme hardship to achieve her dream, so heartbreak is probably imminent. Not the kind of heartbreak where a character dies and then is resurrected in the next episode, mind you, real obstacles and long-lasting consequences.
So far, Wild Bloom has all the elements of a quality production: authenticity, a clear direction, and decent acting. All we have to do now is hope for a good ending. And maybe… don’t let the female lead’s two friends stab her in the back?