K-Drama 
Hypocrisy meets Cowardice in the Schrödinger's Historical
Firstly, I will start by saying I think the acting of all actors/actresses throughout the show was great. Both leads depicted their characters beautifully and the subtlety of emotions can be easily perceived through their performances. The cast, according to me, is perfect for their roles. Additionally, the background music / OST is calming and soulful, and the lyrics are eloquent.
That’s it for the good stuff.
Now, onto the story. The show opens with a very clear disclaimer that it does NOT depict any dynasty and is entirely fictional. They’ve mainly done this to avoid scrutiny around things such as fabrics or technology etc. I would be more understanding of it, if they weren’t constantly making historical references to a very specific part of Chinese history (late Ming dynasty). They show guns and peppers, specific Han clothing from that era, foreigners in port cities. Moreover, they use the names of actual cities instead of making up a fictional place. Since they are not a real historical, they can essentially say anything about a very specific time in China’s history without any criticism. Which is a very convenient cop out.
On the other hand, we’re being given two distinct messages:
A) Feminism is important
B) Accept casual misogyny because… um… history? (Disclaimer: don’t judge us as a historical though!)
If it is a historical and we shouldn’t judge through a modern lens, then it is time they stop pushing a modern agenda of male purity and loyalty. There is NO way regardless of dynasty or period that a woman would get a divorce because her husband wants a concubine. And no way that a close to middle aged man would have no women around him except for a wife he does not get along with. I let it go with the ML’s character since I know the aversion of Chinese dramas to showing ML with any other woman, but they pushed it with almost all side characters to the point where every younger man is pure and monogamous.
If we want to discard all of Chinese history, then I cannot look past the ML forcibly marrying and drugging the FL.
The problem with this show is a very selective set of Wattpad/Booktok dark romance-esque storytelling where you say “boo patriarchy” unless it’s a handsome rich man forcing you, then it’s fine.
I’ve seen a counter argument I’d like to address:
What do you want her to do? Leave? They’re all bound by the patriarchy!
Yes. Since it’s a fictional tale with virtuous men and multiple divorces, not set in any time in actual history, she can do anything! No female character needs to suffer so much since this is not depicting anything real either way.
The problem with historical cdramas is a growing one that will make all historical much worse. Production teams too afraid of getting details wrong, but also wanting to make a historical. A fan base of girls who fail to understand the biggest lie being sold is the loyalty of (far too many) male characters. Preaching feminism constantly, but needing the ML to be a red flag?!
All of these things make this show an average story that I would not watch again.
But, I’m very happy that it is so popular, because the entire cast deserves it.
Also: shoutout to Zhao Xingtang (previously princess Wanning), what an excellent actress!
That’s it for the good stuff.
Now, onto the story. The show opens with a very clear disclaimer that it does NOT depict any dynasty and is entirely fictional. They’ve mainly done this to avoid scrutiny around things such as fabrics or technology etc. I would be more understanding of it, if they weren’t constantly making historical references to a very specific part of Chinese history (late Ming dynasty). They show guns and peppers, specific Han clothing from that era, foreigners in port cities. Moreover, they use the names of actual cities instead of making up a fictional place. Since they are not a real historical, they can essentially say anything about a very specific time in China’s history without any criticism. Which is a very convenient cop out.
On the other hand, we’re being given two distinct messages:
A) Feminism is important
B) Accept casual misogyny because… um… history? (Disclaimer: don’t judge us as a historical though!)
If it is a historical and we shouldn’t judge through a modern lens, then it is time they stop pushing a modern agenda of male purity and loyalty. There is NO way regardless of dynasty or period that a woman would get a divorce because her husband wants a concubine. And no way that a close to middle aged man would have no women around him except for a wife he does not get along with. I let it go with the ML’s character since I know the aversion of Chinese dramas to showing ML with any other woman, but they pushed it with almost all side characters to the point where every younger man is pure and monogamous.
If we want to discard all of Chinese history, then I cannot look past the ML forcibly marrying and drugging the FL.
The problem with this show is a very selective set of Wattpad/Booktok dark romance-esque storytelling where you say “boo patriarchy” unless it’s a handsome rich man forcing you, then it’s fine.
I’ve seen a counter argument I’d like to address:
What do you want her to do? Leave? They’re all bound by the patriarchy!
Yes. Since it’s a fictional tale with virtuous men and multiple divorces, not set in any time in actual history, she can do anything! No female character needs to suffer so much since this is not depicting anything real either way.
The problem with historical cdramas is a growing one that will make all historical much worse. Production teams too afraid of getting details wrong, but also wanting to make a historical. A fan base of girls who fail to understand the biggest lie being sold is the loyalty of (far too many) male characters. Preaching feminism constantly, but needing the ML to be a red flag?!
All of these things make this show an average story that I would not watch again.
But, I’m very happy that it is so popular, because the entire cast deserves it.
Also: shoutout to Zhao Xingtang (previously princess Wanning), what an excellent actress!
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