Cioran

A warning for the “innocent” and sensitive viewers:
Many Chinese mini-series carry a heavy, almost claustrophobic, sadomasochistic vibe and follow a rather old-fashioned approach to portraying male-female relationships — and that’s precisely where their charm and emotional pull lie. You won’t find warm, empathetic characters here. Some viewers will find this alluring; others might be completely put off.
The title Once Upon a Dream already hints at what we’re dealing with — unspoken, hidden, even shameful desires. Our “virtuous” female lead is having erotic dreams about the male lead. The cage scene (which was actually quite beautiful) can come off as romantic and tempting, but only because it unfolds safely on screen.
To me, these kinds of dramas create a relatively safe space, even while exploring dangerous temptations and allowing for guilt-free fantasy. These obsessive, possessive male leads with their attractive faces are seductive because they’re fictional. That doesn’t mean we’d want to date someone like that — or even bump into them — in real life.
That said, in this drama, the male lead doesn’t seem one-dimensional, and the female lead isn’t just a helpless victim either. Let’s see how the story unfolds — and who’s really hunting whom...

He could desperately try to earn her forgiveness, but still be unable to forgive himself for what he did to her. In the current situation, it’s she who’s practically begging for his apology. Either way, FL is at a disadvantage here. Honestly, I’d almost prefer if the couple broke up over some ridiculous misunderstanding rather than under such serious circumstances. Especially since he had already humiliated her before by unjustly firing her from the lab. I really don’t understand why a light-hearted comedy needs to resort to such extreme measures just to create conflict between the lovers.

The series seemed to have potential—not for a sweet romance, but for something darker and slightly twisted. There were hints of this in the dialogue and scenes like the male lead traces his finger seductively over the female lead’s wounded back and pointedly warns her that he is no gentleman. It ends with the ML, after the marriage, dutifully serving tea to the woman like a devoted housewife, while she focuses almost entirely on building a female alliance and seeking revenge. Maybe some viewers are satisfied with how the plot developed, but I count myself among the disappointed ones.

In The Double, the lead actors delivered much stronger performances. They managed to convey the depth of their emotions simply by looking at each other.

I think that the writer intended this to be a romance, but one of the last-minute variety. A similar thing happened in The Double. For several episodes, the main couple slowly but steadily develops their feelings for each other, and eventually, there’s a love confession and union. However, while The Double managed to make the romantic relationship feel completely believable, thanks in part to the excellent performances of the leads, here something didn’t work, judging by most viewers’ reactions. Some people don’t even want a happy ending anymore. For me, their marriage will probably remain a marriage of convenience until the end of the series—a kind of mutual exchange of favors. The writer portrays women in a modern way, but when it comes to love, he turned out to be a traditionalist. He deprived us of romantic moments. It seems that the love confession will happen in the 27th episode, but for me, it’s already too late.

She is blinded by the lust for bloody revenge, and he is blinded by his love for her. This makes them both incapable of making rational decisions.

I value your nuanced perspective; it made me reflect. And thank you for being willing to share such a different point of view. It seems to me that you’re simply a deeply engaged viewer of this drama. However, I admit that I remain a more shallow viewer here and don’t feel emotionally connected to the FL character.
I watch Chinese costume dramas mainly because I want to “take refuge in not thinking.” I started this series hoping for a romance that would be “passionate” by Chinese standards. There’s a lack of romantic excitement in my life, so I look for it on the screen. My hopes were disappointed, which probably also affects my more negative attitude toward the characters in this drama.

Maybe, however, we should allow others to express their own feelings and freely interpret the motivations and behavior of the characters. For some, the heroine will be a clear-cut villain, while for others, a complex personality. There is no single correct interpretation of a fictional series. When it comes to art, there is no absolute truth. Your observations are interesting. However, some people don’t feel the need to analyze everything in detail and are simply looking for enjoyable entertainment, not psychological depth.
I enjoy reading the discussions here because viewers’ opinions and interpretations are so diverse. To me, the FL is too unwavering, almost caricature-like in her impulsiveness and exaggeration. However, I understand that someone else might perceive her entirely differently and see something completely different in her. I just don’t understand why anyone would try so hard to prove others wrong. Such fierce defense of fictional characters is beyond me. But that’s just my humble opinion.

All of this, however, happened before he proposed to her. After the wedding, he keeps the promise he made to her. Besides, she consciously agreed to be a shield for his family. Not selflessly. I understand her distrust and caution. She will probably help him at some point and have her own heroic moment of saving his family. For now, though, he is the more devoted husband or at least her loyal ally.

Yes, they are using each other, they have their own goals, but there is no balance between them. If it weren't for ML's interventions, our brave girl would have been dead long ago. For now, FL is benefiting more from this marriage than ML. He even serves her tea. His family is in even greater danger than before the wedding. And some people here seem to forget that we are talking about fictional characters. Therefore, there's no need to defend the FL character at all costs, as if someone were insulting someone's mother. It's just entertainment, and quite decent at that.

But actually, what terrible thing did Ml do to her? He hides her crimes, saves her from torture, saves her friend, and risks his position for her. As far as I’m concerned, the only serious accusation you could make against Ml is that he doesn’t reveal the truth about his health condition.

I also support women's liberation, but here this emancipatory narrative takes on an almost grotesque character. The screenwriter tries so hard to be a model, exemplary feminist that it simply becomes ridiculous. There's a lack of subtlety and moderation. He definitely overdid it and created overly one-dimensional, cartoonish female and male characters. Besides, only noblewomen can fight for their freedom here. Even today, having money and a high social position makes it easier to achieve independence. This is feminism, but only for the privileged.

I doubt there will be any change in her character or even a slight softening of the FL. The screenwriter is determined to show us how strong, proud, and self-sufficient this character is. I’m afraid that any potential transformation might no longer be believable for the audience, considering how many episodes are left.

For me, that rooftop scene was just meant to show that the FL is equal to men, or even surpasses them in cunning. But we already know that perfectly well. Nothing new. I also don't quite understand her "revenge." Didn't she promise the ML before the wedding that she would consult with him on decisions affecting them both? She was also supposed to protect his family, yet at this point in the plot, she poses the greatest threat to his daughter and mother. He has more to lose than she does. She should understand him better, because for her friend, who is the only person close to her, she was also ready to do anything. So far, the ML hasn't let the FL down after the wedding.

I share these concerns. If it were 40 episodes, I wouldn't be complaining about the pacing and side plots. I doubt they'll manage to wrap it up neatly. Every episode is meant to show us how amazing and brave the FL is, but we already know that well. Because of that, her one-dimensional portrayal as an unyielding warrior is starting to irritate me a bit. I'd also like to see another side of her, perhaps a gentler one.
FL's dream was to find her place, but because she constantly has to fight against the people around her, the writers never give her a moment of peace to deepen her relationships with her new family. FL always has to be alert and ready for the next heroic act. The plot is too dense, and it's starting to feel exhausting.
In Blossom, the balance between intense events and the ordinary lives of the main characters was maintained better, and we had a similar number of episodes.

I feel the same way. So now Fl is going to liberate oppressed noblewomen and promote sisterhood? We even got a lecture about virginity in a modern spirit. OK, but can we finally get a love confession and at least a few romantic scenes? I’m a viewer for whom the romance plot is important. If this series had 40 episodes, I would be more patient.

I'm also starting to sense a sad ending. I saw a scene (most likely from the drama) where our FL enters the imperial palace as the empress. She looked a bit older than before. This would mean that the ML came from the royal family and had passed away. The drama really wants to portray an independent and self-sufficient heroine, which could imply widowhood. I hope they won’t give us the cliché ending where they live together happily for a few years (or maybe even less) until the ML dies.

In one of the scenes, probably from the drama, I saw the FL dressed as an empress. She looked a bit older, which could suggest that the ML had royal lineage and passed away, leading her to take the throne. This would align with the show's theme, which emphasizes the strength of women. It’s possible that the writer intended for the couple to have a few years of happiness before ultimately being separated by his death. However, I really hope that’s not how it ends.

There is no break-up scene.

Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxOpRhWXScs