This review may contain spoilers
I Will Always Talk About This Ending
If I had to describe this drama in just one word, I would choose *painful*.
Watching this drama hurts—deeply. From the very first episodes, I found myself crying over Han Yan’s life. Through this story, I could truly see how difficult it was for women in the past just to survive. How they were forced to hurt other women simply to feel safe under the so-called “protection” of men.
From the beginning, I knew this story would strongly highlight feminism—but it does so in a balanced way, never excessive. At the end of the day, humans are meant to support one another. Yes, there are many terrible men like Han Yan’s father. But perhaps, at the right time, we may also encounter men like Fu Yun Xi—men who respect people regardless of gender. In that era, Fu Yun Xi feels like an outlier. He believes intelligence isn’t something only sons can inherit; women are just as capable of possessing it.
In my opinion, even though Fu Yun Xi is portrayed as a rather harsh character, he is also deeply responsible. After losing his wife and later his father, he does everything he can to shoulder his role as the head of the family. He even prepares provisions for his family for a future where he might no longer be there. It’s heartbreaking because it feels like none of the characters in this drama are granted a true “happily ever after.”
The writer is cruel—in the most honest way. This story shows that happiness and sorrow always walk side by side. There is no happiness without sadness.
This drama also contains many plot twists, some of which may feel excessive if we imagine them in real life. But perhaps that’s the purpose of drama itself. Through exaggeration, the writer makes the message easier for viewers like me to grasp.
This story reminds us that no human is free from sin. Everyone carries their own sins—and chooses which sins they are willing to bear. This applies even to our main characters. They all have reasons for their actions. In the end, it all depends on perspective.
That said, I still refuse to understand Han Yan’s father’s perspective. What he did is unforgivable, no matter the reason.
This is one of the slowest dramas for me to finish, because watching it feels like reopening wounds. Too painful. Too cruel. Too heartbreaking. It’s a good drama—but definitely not for everyone.
And with an ending like 'that'?
I guarantee I’ll be talking about it forever.
Dear writer, you are truly cruel :’(
Watching this drama hurts—deeply. From the very first episodes, I found myself crying over Han Yan’s life. Through this story, I could truly see how difficult it was for women in the past just to survive. How they were forced to hurt other women simply to feel safe under the so-called “protection” of men.
From the beginning, I knew this story would strongly highlight feminism—but it does so in a balanced way, never excessive. At the end of the day, humans are meant to support one another. Yes, there are many terrible men like Han Yan’s father. But perhaps, at the right time, we may also encounter men like Fu Yun Xi—men who respect people regardless of gender. In that era, Fu Yun Xi feels like an outlier. He believes intelligence isn’t something only sons can inherit; women are just as capable of possessing it.
In my opinion, even though Fu Yun Xi is portrayed as a rather harsh character, he is also deeply responsible. After losing his wife and later his father, he does everything he can to shoulder his role as the head of the family. He even prepares provisions for his family for a future where he might no longer be there. It’s heartbreaking because it feels like none of the characters in this drama are granted a true “happily ever after.”
The writer is cruel—in the most honest way. This story shows that happiness and sorrow always walk side by side. There is no happiness without sadness.
This drama also contains many plot twists, some of which may feel excessive if we imagine them in real life. But perhaps that’s the purpose of drama itself. Through exaggeration, the writer makes the message easier for viewers like me to grasp.
This story reminds us that no human is free from sin. Everyone carries their own sins—and chooses which sins they are willing to bear. This applies even to our main characters. They all have reasons for their actions. In the end, it all depends on perspective.
That said, I still refuse to understand Han Yan’s father’s perspective. What he did is unforgivable, no matter the reason.
This is one of the slowest dramas for me to finish, because watching it feels like reopening wounds. Too painful. Too cruel. Too heartbreaking. It’s a good drama—but definitely not for everyone.
And with an ending like 'that'?
I guarantee I’ll be talking about it forever.
Dear writer, you are truly cruel :’(
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