K-Drama 
On the life of one woman who managed to rise like an eagle carving out a path for herself and the women around her . . .
This is a beautiful, insightful story about the fate of women historically - still relevant to the fate of women today .
Wonderfully acted, with 'stories of the episode' as well as multi episode story archs, each woman is introduced memorably and you remember her story long after the episode ends. Running through the perils of losing your parents, being vulnerable to others, bad marriages, the patriarchy and more. . . Our main character, Shen Jialan / Xu Lanxiang, navigates each woman's plight and pitfall with grace and a fierceness that is new for the actress San Songyun, and she wears it well.
If you were hoping for a love romance story, the romance plot takes a distinct backseat all the way through. Lin Jinqi has troubled political waters to navigate, and he often cannot help save or protect Shen Jialan the way she deserves. Marriage did not protect Shen Jialan from having to find her own way and fight her own battles.
I'd have rated this higher but the last 25% or so wasn't a cohesive plot - just a set of epilogues with lots of time skips. I'd have highly preferred if it'd just ended around episode 42.
This is a beautiful, insightful story about the fate of women historically - still relevant to the fate of women today .
Wonderfully acted, with 'stories of the episode' as well as multi episode story archs, each woman is introduced memorably and you remember her story long after the episode ends. Running through the perils of losing your parents, being vulnerable to others, bad marriages, the patriarchy and more. . . Our main character, Shen Jialan / Xu Lanxiang, navigates each woman's plight and pitfall with grace and a fierceness that is new for the actress San Songyun, and she wears it well.
If you were hoping for a love romance story, the romance plot takes a distinct backseat all the way through. Lin Jinqi has troubled political waters to navigate, and he often cannot help save or protect Shen Jialan the way she deserves. Marriage did not protect Shen Jialan from having to find her own way and fight her own battles.
I'd have rated this higher but the last 25% or so wasn't a cohesive plot - just a set of epilogues with lots of time skips. I'd have highly preferred if it'd just ended around episode 42.
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