When manipulation is made glamorous
With series of this type, there is a cultural risk: the glorification of manipulation as a virtue can normalize toxic behavior in relationships. I started watching this project because of Lu Si, whom I find very charming and pleasant (she was especially natural in "Hidden Love" ).
The series begins with themes of personal ambition, inner conflict, social differences within a family context, lies, and manipulation — all topics that are perfect for a vivid psychological drama. However, all of this loses its impact completely when romance, pretty visuals, costumes, and the very refined image of Lu Si become the central focus of the plot.
From a psychological standpoint — I’m sorry, but I cannot accept such a manipulative woman as a heroine with “remarkable qualities,” someone the viewer is supposed to root for in her “romantic pursuits.” Because of this, the series, especially in the second half, loses its original purpose: to portray the psychological dimension of events without taking sides. The author clearly chose to support the couple’s reconciliation on supposedly “right grounds,” but I’m sorry — such people always remain the same. Place them in another story, and they would be the villains.
As for the male lead — it’s the same story, just without Lu Si’s charm. He tries too hard to look like a sexy, mature man and seems intent on proving he can create the “ideal couple” with Lu Si better than Chen Zheyuan (that’s the impression I got, sorry).
I know many people enjoy this series, who love clever or manipulative heroines — like the one here, or the one in The Prisoner of Beauty, which I also plan to comment on later.
The series begins with themes of personal ambition, inner conflict, social differences within a family context, lies, and manipulation — all topics that are perfect for a vivid psychological drama. However, all of this loses its impact completely when romance, pretty visuals, costumes, and the very refined image of Lu Si become the central focus of the plot.
From a psychological standpoint — I’m sorry, but I cannot accept such a manipulative woman as a heroine with “remarkable qualities,” someone the viewer is supposed to root for in her “romantic pursuits.” Because of this, the series, especially in the second half, loses its original purpose: to portray the psychological dimension of events without taking sides. The author clearly chose to support the couple’s reconciliation on supposedly “right grounds,” but I’m sorry — such people always remain the same. Place them in another story, and they would be the villains.
As for the male lead — it’s the same story, just without Lu Si’s charm. He tries too hard to look like a sexy, mature man and seems intent on proving he can create the “ideal couple” with Lu Si better than Chen Zheyuan (that’s the impression I got, sorry).
I know many people enjoy this series, who love clever or manipulative heroines — like the one here, or the one in The Prisoner of Beauty, which I also plan to comment on later.
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