This review may contain spoilers
Only took me a year
It’s been a long journey — almost a year — and I’ve finally finished Tale of Rose. I often thought about it, but just didn’t have the time to complete it because so many other dramas took priority. Tale of Rose was always one I wanted to return to, mainly because I felt it was a story any girl could relate to — the tale of a woman navigating life through the lens of her love stories.
I liked this concept more than most, because it felt like a true reflection of a woman’s life. How many love encounters does a woman experience in her lifetime? The stages she goes through — heartbreak, healing, building new relationships... Are they soulmates, lovers, or just friends? Tale of Rose is the kind of story I can see myself returning to and reflecting on again and again.
I started this series maybe a year ago, and now I’ve finally found the time to finish it. What really pulled me back in was the song that played during her decision to end her first relationship — Zhou Shen’s “Breeze of Dawn.” It’s a sad moment, but the aesthetics and emotional conflict portrayed in that scene, amplified by the song, drew me back in.
Tale of Rose starts with a strong, independent woman — Huang Yi Mei — who lives by her own beliefs. At first, I thought her confidence came from being spoiled, but I later realized it came from how much she valued herself. This line probably sums her up best:
“Many people weigh the pros and cons in a relationship. You are different. It seems you were born with the ability to love. What a precious gift.”
💔 Let’s Talk About Her Love Stories:
First Love:
I don’t remember all the details (since I watched this part about a year ago), but I remember the feeling. That relationship came in like a gust of wind — fast and intense — but ended just as quickly. He was ambitious, wanting both a thriving career and a stable love life. When she visited him in Paris, she realized she would never be his top priority, so she chose herself. I respected that. I liked this guy more than the next one — he pushed her to evolve in a way no one else could have.
Second Love:
I agreed with her brother and dad — I didn’t like him. He didn’t feel genuine, and I had trouble warming up to his character. I wanted to call him a rebound, but I’ll soften it and say he was a “fall back into what’s comfortable.” Eventually, you see it’s his low self-esteem that makes him sensitive to others’ opinions, so he bends over backwards to be liked. He thought marrying her was the finish line — instead, he became obsessive.
Third Love:
Probably my favorite. Their artistic sides, their quirks — it all just clicked. It felt right, like they were on the same wavelength. As the synopsis said, this was her soulmate. That word fits perfectly.
Fourth Love:
This felt like a love born out of peace — peace with herself and her past. She was stronger, braver. I felt that every decision she made was guided by the question: Is this truly life or death? And if it wasn’t, she didn’t stress over it — she simply moved forward, strong and unshaken.
🌹 Why I Love Huang Yi Mei
No matter how hard things get, she always talks it out, and she always shows love. I think about the time she was with her third love, but her ex-husband kept reappearing in her life. Even when her world was crumbling — her boyfriend dying, her ex kidnapping her child — she stayed strong and fought for love.
Crystal did an outstanding job portraying her. Huang Yi Mei’s resilience, independence, and emotional maturity made her one of the strongest female leads I’ve seen.
🌸 The Second Couple
I didn’t expect to love them as much as I did — Su Su and Huang Zhen Hua (her brother and her colleague). Watching their relationship unfold and seeing their character growth was an unexpected joy.
💬 Favorite Lines That Touched Me:
• “I am looking for a job, but it is more important to find a direction for the future instead of just a job.”
• “I’m not very gifted at loving someone, but I’m trying my best to learn.”
• “If the stock market only went up and not down like my weight, everyone would be happy.”
• “Huang Yi Mei tried, observed, and understood what quality meant. She could tolerate inferior products due to her strong tolerance. That doesn’t mean she has no standards.”
• “Do you think I’ve become a worldly woman who only talks about children? No. You’ve become an ordinary woman. I think it’s wonderful.”
• “Manipulation should be used in business, not on people — especially not within your own family.”
• “Huang Yi Mei always represents the truest you, not relying on anyone or any environment.”
• “It’s been a really long time since someone called me by my name. Everyone calls me Xiao Chu’s mom now. I love her very much. I also feel the happiness of being a mother. Still, I want to be myself. I don’t want Huang Yi Mei to be replaced by Xiao Chu’s mom.”
• “As long as we’re living, we’re always creating. Every day is a brand-new beginning. Most people live like products on an assembly line. Only a few live artistically. To do so, you must take the carving knife into your own hands.”
• “Xiao Chu, when you first heard the word ‘divorce,’ you had just turned four. Many advised me not to expose you to the adult world too early. But I chose honesty. I hope you’ll embrace life’s changes like I did. Divorce is the end of a relationship, not a failure in life.”
• “People learn because they want freedom…when you figure out how to learn effectively, you can learn anything you want or need, then you are free. "
• “Don’t dwell on momentary successes or failures. It’s just a moment. It does not define your life. If you feel like you’re in darkness, it only means your future will be brighter than this moment. ”
• “The world in front of me leads me wherever I choose. Henceforth, I ask not for good fortune — I am good fortune. Everything I encounter, I like. Everything is accepted. I completely and totally direct myself.”
🎬 Final Thoughts
This might not be a drama for everyone — it’s slow, reflective, and character-driven. But if you enjoy slice-of-life stories, slow burns, and strong female leads navigating love and self-growth, this might be the one for you.
I hope everyone finds a version of Huang Yi Mei within themselves — being brave, loving courageously, being resilient, independent, and full of love. As I mentioned before, this is a series I know I'll return to.
Rating: 8.5/10
I liked this concept more than most, because it felt like a true reflection of a woman’s life. How many love encounters does a woman experience in her lifetime? The stages she goes through — heartbreak, healing, building new relationships... Are they soulmates, lovers, or just friends? Tale of Rose is the kind of story I can see myself returning to and reflecting on again and again.
I started this series maybe a year ago, and now I’ve finally found the time to finish it. What really pulled me back in was the song that played during her decision to end her first relationship — Zhou Shen’s “Breeze of Dawn.” It’s a sad moment, but the aesthetics and emotional conflict portrayed in that scene, amplified by the song, drew me back in.
Tale of Rose starts with a strong, independent woman — Huang Yi Mei — who lives by her own beliefs. At first, I thought her confidence came from being spoiled, but I later realized it came from how much she valued herself. This line probably sums her up best:
“Many people weigh the pros and cons in a relationship. You are different. It seems you were born with the ability to love. What a precious gift.”
💔 Let’s Talk About Her Love Stories:
First Love:
I don’t remember all the details (since I watched this part about a year ago), but I remember the feeling. That relationship came in like a gust of wind — fast and intense — but ended just as quickly. He was ambitious, wanting both a thriving career and a stable love life. When she visited him in Paris, she realized she would never be his top priority, so she chose herself. I respected that. I liked this guy more than the next one — he pushed her to evolve in a way no one else could have.
Second Love:
I agreed with her brother and dad — I didn’t like him. He didn’t feel genuine, and I had trouble warming up to his character. I wanted to call him a rebound, but I’ll soften it and say he was a “fall back into what’s comfortable.” Eventually, you see it’s his low self-esteem that makes him sensitive to others’ opinions, so he bends over backwards to be liked. He thought marrying her was the finish line — instead, he became obsessive.
Third Love:
Probably my favorite. Their artistic sides, their quirks — it all just clicked. It felt right, like they were on the same wavelength. As the synopsis said, this was her soulmate. That word fits perfectly.
Fourth Love:
This felt like a love born out of peace — peace with herself and her past. She was stronger, braver. I felt that every decision she made was guided by the question: Is this truly life or death? And if it wasn’t, she didn’t stress over it — she simply moved forward, strong and unshaken.
🌹 Why I Love Huang Yi Mei
No matter how hard things get, she always talks it out, and she always shows love. I think about the time she was with her third love, but her ex-husband kept reappearing in her life. Even when her world was crumbling — her boyfriend dying, her ex kidnapping her child — she stayed strong and fought for love.
Crystal did an outstanding job portraying her. Huang Yi Mei’s resilience, independence, and emotional maturity made her one of the strongest female leads I’ve seen.
🌸 The Second Couple
I didn’t expect to love them as much as I did — Su Su and Huang Zhen Hua (her brother and her colleague). Watching their relationship unfold and seeing their character growth was an unexpected joy.
💬 Favorite Lines That Touched Me:
• “I am looking for a job, but it is more important to find a direction for the future instead of just a job.”
• “I’m not very gifted at loving someone, but I’m trying my best to learn.”
• “If the stock market only went up and not down like my weight, everyone would be happy.”
• “Huang Yi Mei tried, observed, and understood what quality meant. She could tolerate inferior products due to her strong tolerance. That doesn’t mean she has no standards.”
• “Do you think I’ve become a worldly woman who only talks about children? No. You’ve become an ordinary woman. I think it’s wonderful.”
• “Manipulation should be used in business, not on people — especially not within your own family.”
• “Huang Yi Mei always represents the truest you, not relying on anyone or any environment.”
• “It’s been a really long time since someone called me by my name. Everyone calls me Xiao Chu’s mom now. I love her very much. I also feel the happiness of being a mother. Still, I want to be myself. I don’t want Huang Yi Mei to be replaced by Xiao Chu’s mom.”
• “As long as we’re living, we’re always creating. Every day is a brand-new beginning. Most people live like products on an assembly line. Only a few live artistically. To do so, you must take the carving knife into your own hands.”
• “Xiao Chu, when you first heard the word ‘divorce,’ you had just turned four. Many advised me not to expose you to the adult world too early. But I chose honesty. I hope you’ll embrace life’s changes like I did. Divorce is the end of a relationship, not a failure in life.”
• “People learn because they want freedom…when you figure out how to learn effectively, you can learn anything you want or need, then you are free. "
• “Don’t dwell on momentary successes or failures. It’s just a moment. It does not define your life. If you feel like you’re in darkness, it only means your future will be brighter than this moment. ”
• “The world in front of me leads me wherever I choose. Henceforth, I ask not for good fortune — I am good fortune. Everything I encounter, I like. Everything is accepted. I completely and totally direct myself.”
🎬 Final Thoughts
This might not be a drama for everyone — it’s slow, reflective, and character-driven. But if you enjoy slice-of-life stories, slow burns, and strong female leads navigating love and self-growth, this might be the one for you.
I hope everyone finds a version of Huang Yi Mei within themselves — being brave, loving courageously, being resilient, independent, and full of love. As I mentioned before, this is a series I know I'll return to.
Rating: 8.5/10
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