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I'm so curious because I've been seeing comparisons between Zhitao and Pingjun! However, I haven't watched The Early Spring, but did Shang Zhitao, like Pingjun here, feel more like a plot device than a fully fleshed-out character? Because I think that's one of the reasons why it's been easier for viewers to, as you said, cheer more for the ML. When the ML is so much more developed, we get more insight into his motivations and inner conflicts, making it easier to understand and empathize with him. Meanwhile, the FL still feels like a bit of a mystery, so it's easier to view her through her relationship with the ML rather than as a character in her own right.

I'm not sure which episode you're on, so I don't want to accidentally spoil anything, but in some of the more recent episodes, after Pingjun goes through what is essentially an ordeal, we don't get to see any of it from her perspective. We don't even get a pivotal moment from her pov. Instead, we see everything through Changxuan's eyes—his reaction when he sees her and finds out what she's done. There's also a moment when her mother asks where she's been. Once Pingjun opens up, I expected her mother to ask how she was doing and feeling, but instead, she seems more concerned about the SML's reaction to the revelation. I'm being vague on purpose in case you're still watching.

Beyond the power imbalance and Pingjun's lower social status, I think the drama's focus on Changxuan, his relationships, and his emotional development also contributes to her helplessness. She often feels more like a narrative tool than a character with a story of her own.

But I agree with you. I don't like helpless female characters either, especially when they seem to exist primarily to serve the plot or support the ML's arc. If you're looking for dramas with stronger female characters who have their own storylines, I'd recommend Are You the One (costume), Flourished Peony (costume), Sunshine of My Life (modern), and Love Between Lines (modern). If you're hoping to see more of Cheng Lei, I agree with the other commenter that Legend of the Female General (costume) is a good watch. Imo, The First Jasmine (costume) and How Dare You!? (transmigration) are also worth checking out. This is my first drama with Xu Ruohan, so I don't have any recommendations for her other works, unfortunately.

(Apologies for how long this ended up being T.T)

Aww hope it was helpful! 🫶🏼 The SA aspect was unexpected for me as well, even though I've read the novel. I thought they’d tone down this side of his character and their dynamic, and while they did to some extent, I don’t think they toned it down enough, personally. Usually, I'd say happy watching, but I don't think it's a particularly happy watch xD But I hope you enjoy the story~

I agree. I’m hoping we don’t get a rushed or gratuitous redemption arc for Changxuan, but I’m not feeling too optimistic about that after seeing the latest previews… I hope I’m wrong. The ML’s redemption doesn’t have to lead to a romance with the FL, but this is a typical idol romance drama, so they definitely will end up together. Whether they both survive until the end is another story. Though tragic, I wasn’t mad about how things ended in the novel.

Yes! Thank you for explaining—that was my intention

However, rape is different from sexual assault, as rape involves penetration, which is why I didn’t use that term. At the same time, I don’t think “forced kissing” fully captures the extent of Changxuan’s actions. I don’t want to downplay or minimize what he did (nor am I implying that anyone else is doing so), so I felt that “sexual assault” was a more appropriate term, since it covers a broader range of nonconsensual sexual acts, not just those involving penetration.

That said, you make a good point about describing his actions in more detail as well. So far, Changxuan has forcibly kissed Pingjun, grabbed her, and tried to tear her clothes off. There hasn’t been any penetration yet.

I agree. But if you're on Reddit, you can check out the Cdrama sub! I really appreciate the community there, the diverse perspectives, and the thoughtful and more nuanced discussions.

Same. Like, with male-centered dramas, I wish there were more female-centered ones where the main character doesn’t end up with anyone. Or, when it comes down to choosing between the toxic but charming and attractive male lead and the more grounded, "typical" second male lead, she actually gets to choose the latter. Off the top of my head, I think Scent of Time, with Zhou Ye and Wang Xingyue, kind of fits this.

It definitely wasn’t a pleasant read, to put it mildly haha. But one thing I appreciated was that imo the author didn't really make excuses for Changxuan’s actions or downplay their severity. He also had to deal with the consequences of his actions. I'm hoping the same for the drama.

The drama has actually already deviated quite a bit from the novel, and based on the clips and previews I’ve seen, it looks like it’ll continue to do so! I can explain if you’re interested. And no one know for sure how it's going to end. I think whether viewers can get behind the romance will largely depend on how they feel about Changxuan’s actions and how the story develops from here.

Ikr? It reminded me of those bodice-ripper/Harlequin romances where the man only starts treating the woman better once she becomes pregnant. Like, why does it take a baby for him to treat her with basic decency...

I didn’t make any claims about whether the drama is better than the novel in my original comment. Also, could you share the Vietnamese translation or let me know which scene or chapter this is from? I checked both the English translation and the Chinese text, but I haven’t been able to find this detail so far. Does it perhaps happen in one of the side stories? Unless you're referring to Xie Fanshu? The young woman Changxuan mistakenly believed was his daughter with Pingjun?

I’d say give it a try and see how you feel! The drama has a lot going for it in terms of the historical setting, costumes, and set design, and Cheng Lei and Xu Ruohan are both really lovely to watch.

That said, I have mixed feelings about the writing so far. Changxuan is a pretty fleshed-out character, and we get quite a bit of insight into his background, motivations, and inner conflicts, whereas Pingjun feels rather underdeveloped in comparison, imo. At times, she almost feels like a plot device for Changxuan’s growth rather than as a character in her own right, which is a shame because I think she showed a lot of potential early on. But that’s just how I feel about it so far.

Like most Republican era idol romance dramas, their relationship is also pretty toxic, so I’d definitely go in with that expectation. Possible TW: The ML has SA'd the FL at least twice at this point in the story, on top of repeatedly crossing her boundaries earlier on. Other than watching for the overall story, I know a lot of people are watching for their chemistry and Changxuan’s character arc and eventual redemption, and I can understand why people are invested in that. But I think whether you can get behind their romance really depends on how you feel about his actions and how the drama chooses to handle things moving forward. Personally, I have some reservations about that aspect of the story, to put it mildly xD

I do think it’s worth giving a shot for the production quality and the leads’ performances~

This continued pattern of making Changxuan more palatable than his novel counterpart while making Xueting less so than his (at least in the earlier parts of the novel) is interesting, to say the least. As I’ve mentioned before, in the novel, Xueting is imprisoned on false charges, and Changxuan does little to intervene even after discovering the truth, only taking action when Pingjun approaches him. This ultimately leads to her being more or less forced into becoming his mistress. Also, in the novel, Xueting doesn’t have an affair while in Japan. These changes are quite something, especially when they seem to shift the balance of culpability between the two love interests.

I’m glad Pingjun’s mother finally found out what her daughter had undergone during this time. It’s clear that she’s heartbroken over what Pingjun endured, but I wish their conversation had spent more time exploring her feelings about what her daughter went through, rather than focusing more on Xueting’s reaction to the revelation, even if that’s what led to Pingjun opening up to her mother in the first place.

Episode 17 thoughts~

You are correct. In the end, even though Changxuan eventually intended to marry her, they never do.

Yes, the episode just aired today

Pingjun pretending to give in and then attempting suicide to free herself 💔 When openly resisting isn’t an option or proves futile, pretending to give in or even reciprocating affection can become a way for people trapped in these kinds of oppressive, abusive situations to survive and find a way out. Seems like she finally got through to him. I’m really hoping she gets to find happiness from here on out, in whatever form that may be. And I guess this marks the beginning of Changxuan’s redemption arc? I’m curious to see if they can pull it off well.

In the novel, Changxuan also chokes Pingjun, and she makes a sort of suicide attempt as well, but under different circumstances. After Pingjun becomes pregnant, Changxuan softens towards her, and she begins to soften towards him as well. However, when she tries to protect Xueting from arrest and loses their child after being kicked in the stomach by a military officer, Changxuan accuses her of deliberately sacrificing their child for Xueting and chokes her. Desperate to prove she wanted their child, Pingjun tries to jump from the balcony, but Changxuan pulls her back and slaps her before telling her to leave and never return.

I like how they reworked the attempted suicide in the drama. In the novel, it feels more like a desperate reaction to Changxuan’s accusations, whereas here, Pingjun seems to be making a final attempt to reclaim some control over her own life and free herself from this situation.

One more comment xD “So all the beautiful moments these past few days were premeditated.” Her smile after he said that was so satisfying 👏

thoughts on episode 16~

You're welcome~ The drama has actually deviated quite a bit from the novel, and based on the clips and previews I’ve seen, it looks like it will continue to do so. I can explain more if you’re interested. But no one knows for sure whether the drama will have a happy ending. I think whether someone can get behind their romance will largely depend on how they feel about Changxuan’s actions and how the story chooses to move forward from them.

The book does not have a happy ending for them. Changxuan believes Pingjun has died in a ship explosion and eventually marries someone else, Jun Daiti. Although a message that reveals that Pingjun is still alive is sent to him, Daiti intercepts and destroys it, which prevents him from ever learning the truth. Meanwhile, Pingjun is alive but has been taken away by Xueting, who subjects her to years of abuse and rape. Towards the end of the main story, Xueting’s position collapses, and following one final confrontation in which Pingjun stabs him, he lets her go. As Pingjun leaves the city, Changxuan is rushing there to find her, and they actually pass by each other, but never truly reunite.