
This review may contain spoilers
To the Marriage of True Minds....and the Comedy of Wits
The tone of Perfect Match is a mix of comedy with heartwarming moments. Its use of exaggerated humor is typical of satire that aims to make a statement about social problems. From the first day of its release, the labels of "misogynistic" male leads and words such as "sociopath" as in one review were tagged on Perfect Match. The negative comments were to the extreme that either these viewers misunderstood the satirical tone of the drama or were too quick to judge without watching more than a few episodes. Be aware that there are negative reviews that were posted after only 4 episodes were released and deceptively marked as 36 episodes watched. Allow me to clear up some incorrect information in the reviews:None of the ML cheated on their wives
None of the ML deliberately did anything to hurt his wife or any of the sisters.
Perfect Match tells the story of a widow, Madam Li, who desires perfect matches for her five daughters. The overall tone of the drama makes it interesting so even if one couple might not be as great for you, the drama will still hold your interest. Each couple has its time as the main couple in the drama. The drama has great pacing as it moves its focus from one daugther to the next.
The drama begins with the sisters and Madam Li moving into Bianjing. The second sister, Fuhui is already married at the start of the drama. Her match appears as an immature character, Fan Lianghan, who she describes as too soft-hearted to the point he gives away his money to women who cry to him about their woes. At first, he appears to be ridiculously immature, but his character gains some maturity in a manner he retains his role as comic relief while showing some maturity and wisdom...in rare times :) After the first few episodes, I came to find him adorable, to be honest. I like him!
The focus of the first 10 episodes is on the third sister Kang Ning and her perfect match Chai An. This match is my favorite! Both Chai An and Kang Ning are brilliant strategists and it was entertaining to see them outsmart each other. I was disappointed when I saw less of them after ep 10 when the other stories became the focus. However, I was happy to see them in each sister's story.
Others prefer the next couple. The eldest daughter, Shouhua, is matched with a top-ranking scholar, Du Yang Xi. I didn't enjoy the eldest sister's CP much because the chemistry was bland. However, some have stated it was their favorite, so it is a matter of preference. Du Yang Xi's backstory was interesting, and the introduction of Shen Huishao as magistrate in the court scenes made for a nice transition into the fourth sister's CP.
By the 20th episode, the drama switches its focus to the fourth sister, Haode, and her perfect match, Shen Huishao. Her character growth is interesting as she becomes educated in the laws to help her husband solve cases. But what makes it even more interesting, is the way Haode melts the barriers Shen Huishao set up against falling in love and taking a wife.
The drama's next focus is the youngest and 5th daughter, Leshan, around ep 28. Her "perfect match" is Yang Xian. I have mixed feelings about her story. With her personality, it was not surprising to see Leshan fight back against the bullies in the Yang family. I admire her spirit and courage but her aggressive behavior toward Yang Xian made me uncomfortable in the early part of their story. I knew it was temporary as this drama tends to exaggerate for humor. But it was too much and I didn't find it funny after a while. I found myself feeling bad for Yang Xian. I appreciated her intelligence in standing up to the Yang family for both herself and her husband. It was for this reason, Yang Xian fell in love with her more every day. But even more lovely, was watching Madam Li give Yang Xian the motherly love he lacked in his own home.
Perfect Match is entertaining. I enjoyed the lively family dynamics of Madam Li and her daughters. Their devotion and love for each other is heartwarming. Each of the sisters has unique strengths and characteristics. Madam Li as the mother is depicted as an ambitious mother exaggeratedly at times but at other times there is no doubt that her deepest desire is not for the wealth and status she wants for her daughters but rather for their happiness. The perfect match for her daughters would be a man who would cherish them.
But Perfect Match is not only about the marriages of Madam Li's five daughters. There is an underlying theme of gender and societal expectations. It portrays the treatment of women in the Song Dynasty. Madame Li as a widow lost property and status when her husband died. The court cases address some of the prejudices against women at the time. Each daughter's story depicts the challenges of defying predestined futures. The romance endures misunderstandings and conflicting circumstances. The use of humor and the battle of wits makes this drama a warm bundle of charm.
Perfect Match has a happy ending. However, the final episode would have been better if they had not added more problems to Leshan and Yang Xian's reunion that dragged into episode 36. I hoped they would have given us more of the couples' married life. I especially wanted to see more of Chai An and Kang Ning. I wanted much more than just flashbacks of each couple. But even with my disappointments, I will rewatch Perfect Match. It is still a 10 for me because I came to love the characters and found myself rewatching episodes while I waited for more to air. The plot was interesting and the family dynamic and tone of the drama is unique. The overall feel to Perfect Match will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. I will miss watching these characters daily.
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The best Multi-Leads Chinese Drama Ever!
This is my first time writing a full review here on MDL, and this drama absolutely deserves it. First of all, I started watching it right in the middle of its hate train because—what do you mean it’s getting so much hate when I genuinely enjoyed the first few episodes? It’s one of the very few dramas where I actually liked the opening episodes. It’s not boring, it’s not dull—it’s a romcom, and they did it so right!Pacing
Right from the first arc, they introduced us to the Li sisters and established the tone of the story. The backstory of the Li family—why there are only daughters and why they have a single mom—was explained well, with no glaring loopholes. Then, just a few episodes in, the two leads got married. I was shocked. Like, why did they get married so fast? Is the angst coming? But I was even more surprised when the focus suddenly shifted to the 1st sister. That’s when I started piecing everything together—this drama isn’t just about one couple; it has multiple storylines between different leads. Since I didn’t check the plot beforehand, I was confused at first, but honestly? It made me so happy! I was excited to see how the rest of the sisters’ stories would unfold. Overall, the pacing was great—every lead had enough screentime, and everyone felt equal.
Storylines & Character Dynamics
Each couple had their own unique storyline:
1st couple – The noble introverts
2nd couple – The chaotic duo
3rd couple – The scheming masterminds
4th couple – The cold husband and cutie wife + amnesia plot
5th couple – Enemies-to-lovers
Brother’s story – Childhood lovers
This variety in plots made each couple stand out, which is why I never felt like there was a main couple. Instead, it truly felt like a story about a whole family, where everyone was equally important.
The Li Family – Best Family in C-Drama?
Speaking of family, I love the Li family. Honestly, they might be the best family I’ve seen in a C-drama. The bond between the sisters, their mother’s strength, and even their relationships with their in-laws felt heartwarming and genuine.
Production, Acting & Overall Experience
The acting was fantastic—I could feel my blood boiling whenever the villains appeared, but I also found myself giggling at all the sweet moments. The comedic timing was on point, the production quality was solid, and the entire ambiance of the drama was just chef’s kiss.
Rewatch Value? 100%!
I would rewatch this over and over again, just to catch all the subtle interactions between the leads and appreciate the details I might have missed the first time.
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
If you love romcoms with strong family dynamics, engaging storylines, and well-developed characters, then this drama is a must-watch.
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Not Going To Be For Everyone
Although I enjoyed the show overall, there were a lot of aspects where production fell short.I believe that this show originally was going to be 40 or more episodes long, but once they were done with editing and going through the censorship board it was cut down to 36 episodes. This was extremely noticeable for those who didn't even know the context of depleted episode count. There were many times it felt disjointed or unfinished. There were whole plots left dangling or completely unfinished. And though the actors worked their asses off, writing & editing stick out like a sore thumb on this one. As they failed the show don't tell rules of film making.
I think my biggest issue came a little past the halfway point with the climax of the 1st daughter and her husband's story. I was really enjoying their screentime and dynamic only for them to pull the rug out from under them completely, and never really put it to rights before moving on to the next storyline block.
4 of the 5(6 really but will touch on that later) Li sisters get to take on a leading role in their story with their husbands/future husbands for roughly 7-9 episodes each focused on a couple's love story. I wont be fully spoiling the finer details of storylines but some spoilers will occur simply because context is needed.
The show first kicks off with a short intro into 2nd daughter's dynamic with her husband of about 2 years, and setting up the Li family business and the personalities of the 6 sisters & mother. It then immediately goes into the 3rd daughters love story with her future husband, the cousin of 2nd sister's husband. The 2nd couple act as supporting characters mainly through this storyline as they are both related to the 3rd couple. I called the 2nd couple "The Double Agent Couple" because he was constantly asking/telling his wife about what goes on with the men & the husband was able to listen in on the sisters' conversations because he was already a member of the family. The 3rd couple I referred to as "The Scheming Couple" - the couple that schemes together, stays together.
The 3rd couple(Li Kang Ning & Chai An) have an Elizabeth & Mister Darcy chemistry with a healthy dose of Tom and Jerry thrown in for laughs. They can scheme against each other, but the second someone else tries to play with them the kid gloves are off. It's harmless pranks, pushing each other in business, and testing each other's limits. The chemistry between Lu Yu Xiao and Wang Xing Yue is great and continues to hold strong even when they take a backseat in the other sibling's storylines.
After 3rd get their happily ever after, the story shifts it's focus to the 1st daughter and her new husband(Li Shou Hua & Du Yang Xi). I call them the Scholarly Couple, because he places 3rd in the Imperial Exam & had she been a man she would have been the top scholar of a generation. All is well and good kicking off with a snub from the husband due to a misunderstanding prior to marriage. As they start to let their walls down and communicate it gets even better....and then the other shoe drops and the previous mature communication completely breaks down and the "self sacrifice" "I'll make you hate me so you can live." tropes come into play. This isn't the first case of abusive tactics used within the show, but it is the first time that draws blood from one of the siblings. In episode 17 to push her away he starts to act like a complete asshole and goes to whip their servant who the girls treat more like family. Shou Hua steps in front of the girl to protect her from the blow that Du Yang Xi is throwing down. He ends on striking his wife with a whip so hard it breaks open her layers of clothing and leaves a open bloody gash on her shoulder of about 6 to seven inches long. We NEVER get a full apology for this behavior. Shou Hua just all of a sudden "knows" that he is treating her like shit to "protect her". They divorce and eventually reconcile, but that scene is maybe 5 minutes and then no second wedding no show of what he did to win her back...nope...he just sort of knelt for a second and then all was forgiven...ick. I could never see him the same way after that. Because we didn't get to see him repent for hurting his wife both physically and emotionally I just never got over my ick.
Right at the tail end of 1st daughters story we get introduced to the future 4th brother-in-law. 4th couple(Li Hao De & Shen Hui Zhao) have the best storyline of all the siblings imo. Somewhat tied with 3rd couple. I refer to them as the "Justice/Truth Above All Else Couple" a Judge and his clerk fall in love. When given the opportunity to lie and be believed Hao De still tells the whole truth. Shen Hui Zhao goes from very strict black and white logic to letting emotions help guide him more. Hao De worms her way into everyone's heart and breaks down any emotional wall that someone puts in front of her. They can't help but love her, and her husband is no expectation. They have amazing chemistry together. It comes from trust, understanding, and faith in one another. When he goes to push her away he is honest about why he feels like he needs to protect her from his line of work. He doesn't ever strike her or fully leave her in the dark about his plans. The one time he does sort of leave her out of his plans it feels more like she's upset that he went off to play with others and left her out of the fun. Would really love to see the two actors Ke Ying and Liang Yong Qi get to play leading roles together in another drama in the future. They were natural and playful. Seriously some give him a leading role already.
The 5th daughter and her husband are a true enemies to lovers trope. Li Le Shan and Yang Xian hate each other on sight...they are the "Fire & Gasoline Couple" they only add to each other's flames, and violence is always the answer for these two. Yang Xian, played by Winwin, has the most character development of any other character in the entire show. He goes from a spoiled rich kid who wants to piss off his father by bringing a merchant woman home as a wife in episode 3 to a self-made hardworking and determined man ready to win his wife's love again in episode 35/36. He has the most complicated family dynamic that showcases the stark difference between a conniving noble household constantly seeking power and the more modest and loving merchant household the Li girls were raised in. You will love Le Shan the second she shows up on screen ready to castrate a man for daring to look at her sisters. She is the most like their mother. She will thrown hands first before trying to talk it out. She matures over time and knows when to use her words and patience over her club/rod. Even though Huangyang Tian Tian is the youngest member of the main cast she acts circles around almost everyone. Winwin, who is 10 years her senior in age,(the couple never kiss in their story as she was actually a minor during the filming so put your pitch forks down), holds his own. This is only his 3rd production, but he already has a good grasp on conveying subtle internal emotions of his character with his facial expressions. I think I thought that his character would be a secret martial arts/scholar just because Winwin himself is skilled in fight choreography due to his classical dance training. They have to repeatedly state he isn't a good fighter or a good scholar.
Major spoilers for last little bit...6th daughter is the adoptive daughter of the Li family and former betrothed of 3rd daughter's twin brother Pan'er. We were ROBBED, I tell you, of a deeper dive into Pan'er(Zhe Cong) and Qiong Nu's story. Because surprise bitches baby bro is alive and just a perfect blend of his mama & daddy. Seriously knight in shining armor should be his character description. They were my "A Very Long Engagement Couple". I don't believe their story was majorly cut down in post production editing so I wish the writers would have given us more of them in the script. They had a more interesting story than 2nd couple.
We were also robbed of the final boss 6 brother-in-law alliance team meeting. I found that whenever all the sisters or BiLs were together they had some of the better comedic/storytelling elements. As most of the guys have all worked together before their banter was seriously under utilized.
Overall I give it an 8.5-9 out of 10. If it was going just off of pure production critique I would be closer to a 5 or 6. The cast and chemistry brought up the score A LOT. I can't say with 100% certainty, but it feels like a lot of the budget went into the cast and not other elements of the show. There is more I have to say, but I've been writing for over an hour and need to start my day, so if you finish reading all of this, thank you for your time. If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments below and I'll answer as best and as quickly as I can.
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PM: a jewel produced through the lens of art and aesthetics.
Shakespeare wouldn't feel embarrassed signing this brilliant series. Really Perfect!Many have tried to reduce and drag PM into a small, unfounded discussion about misogyny, when what is really in scene are the dichotomies of human nature, light and darkness. What is most curious about this criticism is that it is an unequivocally matriarchal story in which men, naturally arrogant and oppressive as a reflection of the education and culture of the time, when they get married, they become docile husbands to their wives, all of whom are very strong-willed women. This transformation does not harm the dignity of men, but balances the forces between man and woman.
The series manages to bring together all human virtues, innocence, honor, compassion, generosity, in counterpoint with villainy, misunderstandings, family intrigues, compromising pasts, murders, revenge. I identify, in PM, traces of Shakespeare's comedies and tragedies. But if you ask me how similar these works are, the answer is simple. Shakespeare's work builds plots exploring virtues, human flaws, intrigues and surprising twists, whose stage is the intra-family and palace life, of society in all its shades. Perfect Match has the same atmosphere.
The plot has the merit of, from a single thread (the Li family), weaving an intricate network that begins at home and expands to other layers of society, until reaching the powerful.
The series is a light and very fun comedy, with a dynamic rhythm that unfolds in many twists. Like all comedy, it also has its space for tears, whether in lyrical scenes that address the sensitive side of human beings, or in scenes that bring out the painful side of life.
The PM scenes are constructed with theatrical logic, in small spaces and intimate actions, such as the garden, the rooms, the meals, even palatial and noble environments, is framed in a small spatial perspective, giving the feeling of proximity that we have in the theater. I also highlight the theatrical way of acting of three burlesque characters in particular: Madam Li (Ni Hong Jie), Le Shan (Huangyang Tian Tian) and Fan Liang Han (Huang Cheng Chi), with their facial and body expressions, vocalization, reactions, gestures, temperaments, performed with exaggeration, exacerbation, are theatrical concepts that enrich the characters' dynamics and color the narrative. The scene cuts resemble the curtain closing. This combination takes us into the scene, as a local spectator.
I could not fail to mention the first daughter Shou Hua in the context of the non-negotiable defense of woman's dignity. This character does not seem to be understood in her human greatness, and this incomprehension has made her the target of many unfair criticisms, since what some viewers consider to be resentment, grudge, inability to love is, in fact, the non-negotiable defense of woman's dgnity. Shou Hua has a monastic aura and deserves to be understood as a woman who asserts her dignity at a time when women were nullified and according to the law of the time, they were worth less than men. The ironic detail of this criticism made against Shou Hua is that precisely the women who accuse the series of misogeny are the ones who most criticize this character who gives stature and dignity to women. In my opinion, she is the best-crafted and most beautiful character in the series. It is very rare for series to portray women with this depth and delicacy.
The family is the microorganism that constitutes society, PM shows these entrails with mastery. PM is a precious mosaic of microstories that involve a sophisticated cocktail of successes and mistakes inherent to life that gain dimension and life of their own in the expansion of family ties. These microstories have no other theme than virtues and human miseries. In this complex cocktail, everything related to human behavior is on the screen.
In addition to PM having visual beauty, with photography that offers aesthetic pleasure, its narrative interweaves the best of Chinese literature (present not only in quotations from works, but in the deep and delicate universe of Chinese Poetry, recited throughout the series), painting, philosophy. This artistic conception amplifies the beauty of PM's messages.
PM portrays the daily lives of ordinary people, like us. The seesaw of the characters' human flaws and virtues oscillates, and this gives grace and life to the plot, but at the same time, it leaves open the possibility of everyone redeeming themselves.
Why should we be such strict judges? We all deserve this chance.
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Love, Laughter, and Family Ties
Perfect Match is a drama that truly shines due to its stellar casting. The actresses did an outstanding job in bringing their characters to life, making them not only admirable but also genuinely funny and loveable. The women of the Li family were particularly captivating, each displaying a unique blend of loyalty, intelligence, humor, and diligence. Their strong family bonds were beautifully portrayed, making it easy for viewers to grow attached to each of them. It was refreshing to see such strong female characters who uplifted each other rather than belittling others.The standout performances came from Wang Xing Yue and Lu Yu Xiao. Despite the script not fully utilizing their exceptional acting abilities, they still delivered memorable performances. Winwin also deserves special mention for his portrayal of Yang Xian, showcasing his impressive acting skills. Huangyang Tian Tian, though young, proved to be very promising with her compelling performance.
While the cast delivered exceptional performances, the script itself had notable flaws. At times, it carried misogynistic undertones that could be disappointing; however, the actors’ dedication helped soften these moments, making them less apparent. Another significant letdown was the lack of a preview into Kang Ning and Chai An’s married life, despite them being the supposed main couple. This omission left a sense of incompleteness, especially given the buildup of their relationship throughout the drama. Similarly, Mister She, Madam Li’s son, was a character with great potential, yet he was only present for three episodes. His character could have been explored further, as his presence added another layer to the family dynamic.
Among the various couples in the drama, Hao De and Shen Hui Zhao stood out as the most compelling. Their relationship was well-developed, and their dynamic was beautifully explored. Hao De’s honesty and Shen Hui Zhao’s integrity made their love story believable and heartfelt. The last couple added a humorous element to the show, though their dynamic sometimes leaned into unnecessary violence. Nevertheless, their relationship successfully depicted the wild yet amusing nature of young love.
Leshan was another entertaining character, standing out with her unwavering honesty and upright nature. Her humorous personality added much-needed lighthearted moments to the series. Special mention must go to Fan Liang Han, whose natural comedic timing made him the funniest character in the show.
Beyond the romance and comedy, Perfect Match excelled in its portrayal of family dynamics. From the deep sisterly bonds to the depiction of a devoted single mother willing to do anything for her daughters, the drama captured the essence of familial love. Even the sons-in-law had their own secret alliances, adding an extra layer of warmth and humor and their commitment to their women and the family was also something nice. The drama successfully conveyed the comforting and supportive nature of a true family, making it one of its strongest aspects.
Overall, I would rate Perfect Match an 8.5 out of 10. Despite the script’s imperfections, unnecessary scenes, and missing moments, it remains an enjoyable and well-acted drama. With stronger writing and better utilization of its talented cast, it could have been even more impactful.
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The multiple story lines are a clever approach
This drama was very enjoyable. The acting of the entire cast, I think, was brilliant. This is a must watch.What I found particularly clever is that there were multiple story lines even though the entire theme was around the Li family. I have read that some people were disappointed that their favorite male actors did not have a large amount of screen time through the entire drama. I wasn't disappointed, moreover it made sense given the story lines. Bravo!!
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BRIDGERTON BUT MAKE IT CHINESE!!!
Finally there’s something new and fresh coming from C-drama!!I trully recommend this drama especially to those who watch bridgerton! At first I thought the story would be all about 3rd daughter & the restaurant owner, but i didnt expect this series to have developing stories episode by episode. Totally invested in their dramaa
at first i was hesitant to watch bcs i thought it would be boring to watch drama with historical background ( chinese dynasty etc) but it turns out to be great! it is delivered in such a modern way that for me, is easy to understand. it maybe confusing to understand the chinese background & old ancient culture but after watching this, i am totally interested!!
recommended!!
[add]: deeply in lovee with the 4th daughter storyline!! wish they have more drama together in the future!! props to the male lead too, very good acting!!
also props to the casting director! i think they really did a great job!!
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Overhated materpiece
I was the one of these people who hesitate to start this drama because of the first week's reviews, but i'm glad I watched it, 5 solid story with some side stories, the story is very face paced but not feel rushed. I love son-in-law character developments; tbh they weren't THAT bad at the beginning, people were exaggerating.Was this review helpful to you?
Highly recommend! ?✨
I just finished watching Perfect Match (2025), and I absolutely loved it! This drama had everything I wanted—romance, comedy, family love, and a touch of business intrigue, all set in the beautiful backdrop of the Northern Song Dynasty.The story follows Madam Li and her five daughters as they move to Bianjing to find good husbands while also rebuilding their family business. What I really enjoyed was how each daughter had her own unique personality and love story. They weren’t just waiting for a man to come along—they were strong, smart, and determined in their own ways. Madam Li herself is such a fun character. She has big dreams for her daughters, but at the end of the day, she truly wants them to be happy.
One thing that really stood out to me was the drama’s message about women and their roles in society. Even though it’s a historical drama, it still felt relevant today. The daughters face challenges and prejudices, but they always fight for what they want, whether it’s love or independence.
Visually, the show is stunning! The costumes, the sets, and even the small cultural details made me feel like I was transported back in time. The romance is also very sweet, and I found myself rooting for all the couples. Plus, the humor kept things lighthearted and fun.
Overall, Perfect Match is a must-watch if you love historical C-dramas with strong family bonds, engaging romance, and a bit of humor. It’s heartwarming, beautifully shot, and full of lovable characters. Highly recommend! 😊✨
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This review may contain spoilers
BEST PLOT, BEST STORY, BEST DRAMA!
No need to say much, like the drama name itself, Perfect Match is PERFECT! Every cast potrayed their character so well, and i’m glad each of them played their own character. I love this drama so much that i wish they add more episode without conflict but showing us their life after all the girls are marriedWas this review helpful to you?

We are together in happiness and sorrow.
What I liked about this drama was that the entire family stayed united from start to finish, without any rifts between them. All the sisters ended up with partners who were perfectly suited to them, and unnecessary characters exited the story once their roles were fulfilled. Additionally, subplots were not stretched beyond two episodes, which kept the drama from becoming boring.what i disliked about Some parts were boring, and certain aspects of the plot felt repetitive. main Characters disappearing when another main character's story was in focus made it seem like five different series were running simultaneously instead of one. Additionally, the sudden jumps between scenes made it feel like parts of the story were missing in terms of visualization, highlighting the drama's shortcomings. Despite these issues, I’m giving it a 10 because, in the end, it entertained me thoroughly and is definitely worth watching.
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Warm family time
The excerpt truly summarizes this drama perfectly. It is the exact plot of the drama. Nothing extra happens.This drama is a multi-starrer. I'm sure, every once in while watching those thrilling leads give their all of their love stories, we wonder what happened to the people around them, their friends and family? Like a running joke of where the parents are in all those young adult save the world novels. If you are one of those people, you would love this series. It is centered around romance, but with the context of marriage. There are 5 (and some extra) romance plot lines.
Every parent worries about what would happen to their children when they eventually pass away. Who would accompany them, care about them with sincerity when they are no longer around? Mrs. Li also has the same worries. Truly a tigress raising her children, while single handedly fending off packs of wolves. All of her precious 5 girls are domineering, far from the delicate traditionally feminine, 'demure' behavior that is generally deemed as acceptable then (even now). They're famously called the "The 6 Fierce Li Ladies from Louyang". The drama, essentially follows the Li family's daughters as they find a suitable partner, a perfect match to peacefully live life well.
Each Li lady as her own personality, her own attitude and quirks, and the story follows how they find a groom, marry, and then get settled into family life. There were some concerns about the ML being red flags, and while they arent unfounded, The story gives each one of them a redemption arc of sorts. The drama's idea of a perfect match is that ML and FL have complimentary personalities, so even the borderline red flag behaviors of the ML is kind of directed towards only outsiders, to protect the family (their + Lis). There is an element of FL 'taming' the ML. The FL are written to be extra fierce to make up for the naturally unbalanced misogynistic power gradient due to the nature of the historic setting. An important feature to note, almost all ML have a close female family member influence - a single mother, a dear sister, a grandmother. It was very lowkey tho, idk if it was intentional or to send a message to audience.
Watch this drama if:
1. You like Multi starrer, family drama
2. The brides family doesnt abandon her in any way. As long as their daughter is alive, she is welcome at home. Even if she comes sobbing on her wedding night. Even when shes a widow. Li family doesnt abandon their daughters.
3. Ladies making it big (living well) in a mans world. Fighting against the general ridicule and malicious attacks of people who deem them as a weak spot. They're able to fend them off by themselves, and later with more ease by help of the MLs.
4. Dutiful ML- The MLs stand for and are concerned about their wives family. They willingly actively participate in family meetings and help in major decisions. Its shown that its to get brownie points for their wives, but thats not the whole reason, they are really sincere.
5. Hilarious Li family Husband alliance - little bit of bromance (tiny bit). A support group of sorts.
6. Matraich family
7. Monogamy- MLs swear that in case of death of wife, shall mourn for atleast 3 years before marrying again, (or in one case, even follow to die). Shall not take any other woman while married to wife.
8. Crash course on how not to get bullied and preventing your daughter/ sister from getting bullied/ harassed after marriage.
9. All marriage problems and discord are solved by the interference of the Li family (not unwelcome - only when asked). Li daughters arent spoiled, they are scolded also, for being to harsh on their husband (in one case). All FL, and other ML give advice on how to solve situation without compromising on self's dignity.
Dont watch this drama if:
1. I seriously cant think of a reason.
2. All the usual c drama trigger warnings apply, but no cannon fodder. No side character dies.
3. I may have forgotten since i was watching this while airing.
4. Maybe if you dont like imperfect, borderline red flag (pre - redemption arc) ML. (Every ML becomes better except the 2nd)
5. If you watched this drama for Wang Xing Yue his role is quite little (cameo like) since this is a multi-starrer. I think it was strategically placed to seemed like he is solo ML, so that by the time 3rd couple is settled, we are grasped by Li Family and no longer care about Chai An (played by Wang Xing Yue).
Possible spoilers below. Recommended read at own risk if ur concerned about red flag MLs:
I'll briefly summarise the themes around romance of each Li daughter (by order of birth):
1. Age gap, substitution marriage, poor grounded ML, mature gentle FL. Mature romance. FL 2nd marriage. Older FL. Distant to close bond transformation.
2. this was the most bland and bleh. Ig fool- naive ML (sorry). But he means well at least. (He doesnt grow up)
3. Scheming ML and FL, battle of the wits, scheming to marry each other by tricks, misunderstandings - chemistry, rich- poor gradient.
4. Upright gentle stern (green forest) ML, gentle cute yet quietish FL. Flash Marriage. Aiding other through injury- strengthening bond. Older ML. Distant to close bond transformation.
5. Rich bratty ML (very bratty - red flag, but surprisingly has a turnaround with story arc), Domineering FL (red flag - beats everyone- husband beater). Out of all, has the most 'taming' element. Bride Kidnapping. ML supporting FL against in-laws. FL standing upto in-laws. FL beating up in-laws. FL straightening out ML to inspire him to become better person. ML becoming decent man for FL.
Idk if i missed out on anything 'cause i was watching this while it aired.
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