Ah Bao (Hu Ge) wasn’t always a multimillionaire, the kind of businessman whom everyone in 1990s Shanghai wanted. The pilot of the show about him, Blossoms Shanghai, flashes back occasionally a younger, eager version of him. Back then, his Uncle Ye (You Benchang) had to teach him about how many suits / wallets he needed. Flashing forward to the 90s, a man threatens his life, a mystery that the show solves because life moves on. He still has that contentious business relationship with Ling Zi (Ma Yili) owner of Huanghe Road’s Tokyo Nights restaurant. The same goes for Miss Wang (Tang Yan), Ah Bao’s liaison, acting increasingly frazzled in her work for him. And life tests his loyalties as a huge new restaurant opens – The Grand Lisbon – where the Golden Phoenix used to be.

These are just three main characters in the show’s first three episodes that are coming to The Criterion Channel. The pilot, in particular, is reminiscent of creator / director Wong Kar Wai’s recent work like The Grandmaster (I know about the controversy, I don’t know how and when I can bring it up). I make that comparison because that film contextualizes China during the 1930s, and Wong does the same for the 1990s. Thankfully, it’s the right amount of contextualization, as Uncle Ye represents China’s past imparting its lessons for younger generations. It helps that Uncle Ye is a badass and the writing in Blossoms Shanghai gives him agency outside of his mentorship. Blossoms Shanghai also has a lot of scene stealing moments for him.

Aside from contextualizing recent history for a potentially younger viewership, Blossoms Shanghai so far mixes storytelling elements well. Yes, there are moments when Ah Bao’s narration sounds like he’s explaining how he gets into certain dicey situations. You know, just like the meme. As expected, there are moments of great dialogue here especially between Ah Bao and Ling Zi, meeting up even if he’s technically ‘hiding’. Their relationship has them in perpetual literal debt with each other, watching each other for mismanaged expenses, like Ling Zi’s bracelets. Bao invests money on Ling’ business while she keeps a tab open, a web of debts that always seem normal.

Anything goes, I suppose, in China’s transition from Communism to hyper capitalism, but let’s return to Ling Zi. Ling’s a refreshing presence in Blossoms Shanghai, like Maggie Cheung’s cheekiness in In The Mood for love but realer. She’s the opposite of The Grand Lisbon’s owner Li Li (Xin Zhilei), reminiscent of Wong’s elegant sultry femmes. Although even as she seems more like the kind of woman in Wong’s films, her presence still feels welcome. After all, who else can attract people like Mr. Fan (Dong Yong), a clothing manufacturer? She, by the way, wants Fan to make deals with Mr. Wei (Ryan Zheng), a man Li Li want to crown as part of Shanghai’s new elite. All she needs is for Bao to come over for a meal or a deal. Her addition adds tension to an intriguing volatile fictional world, which, it itself, shows the promise of this show.

Blossoms Shanghai‘s first three episodes are available to stream on The Criterion Channel.