meoware

I thoroughly enjoyed this series with its ups and downs; it was an emotional rollercoaster ride that concluded beautifully. The plot, unlike many revenge stories, accurately portrays the complexity of human nature and highlights how some "villains" in the series are often victims of their circumstances. The team involved with the series did an amazing job despite having little to no promotion. Wen Zhen Rong's portrayal of Ruan Xi Wen was absolutely outstanding. Every time she entered a scene, she lit up the screen; her micro-mannerisms and presence were absolutely captivating.

CDL proved her naysayers wrong with this series and her acting. Wishing great success and more opportunities for the cast and staff involved. Shout-out to the art director, costume designer and production designer. They absolutely made made a statement with the scenes with their minute yet careful and deliberate details!

Thank you!

She is so sweet!

I, for one, am glad to see you posting. It's important to challenge the status quo and engage in open, respectful discussions on difficult topics. I welcome differing opinions, provided they are approached from an objective perspective. I know I have my limits and personally stop engaging with people when I realize they're arguing in bad faith or resort to leaning on logical fallacies. Anyways, welcome!

Why Jeon Yeo Been, why?! ༼;´༎ຶ ۝ ༎ຶ༽

Jeon Yeo Been is like the queen of melodramas. She keeps taking projects that make me weep like a kitten.

Sorry to hear about your carpal tunnel!

I acknowledge that I misinterpreted your original post, as it didn’t make sense to me at the time. I appreciate your thoughts, but I believe there’s a conflation of two separate topics here. On one hand, you critique feminism as a movement, suggesting it has "gone too far." On the other, you discuss broader societal issues related to gender roles and expectations. While extremism can exist in any movement, feminism, at its core, strives for egalitarianism and advocates for dismantling systemic barriers that limit opportunities for women and marginalized groups.

Patriarchy harms men as well, particularly through double standards regarding sexual assault, forced isolation, or preventing them from being able to express pain or discomfort when they require support. Your feelings about the changes in women’s roles today reflect a personal perspective, but they don’t negate the fundamental goals of feminism, which have historical roots in movements for equality and justice.

For those unfamiliar with Chinese history, the feminist movement in China has a rich legacy that emerged from the anti-imperialist movement at the end of the Qing Dynasty, culminating in the May Fourth Movement of 1919. This movement advocated for social and political reform, including women's education and rights, and laid the groundwork for subsequent feminist efforts throughout the 20th century.

In 1949, it’s important to note that the establishment of the People’s Republic of China marked a significant step toward gender equality. The Basic Law emphasized the abolition of the feudal system that had oppressed women and asserted their equal rights alongside men in various aspects of life. I could elaborate further, but I’ll stop here with the history lesson.

You also suggest that certain forms of sexism can be appropriate, but this perspective risks endorsing a gender hierarchy and can lead to a slippery slope where inequality is justified based on gender. With that in mind, I believe constructive criticism can be valuable, but it should focus on specific issues rather than dismissing the core philosophy or movement.

Even if one prefers not to use the term "feminism," that's fine; call it what you want. Ultimately, we can all agree on the importance of having the ability to make individual choices free from oppression or judgment based on socially constructed rules or laws. That's the crux of my point!

Feminism and egalitarianism are NOT mutually exclusive; feminism is fundamentally rooted in the pursuit of equality and advocates for women's rights to create a more equitable society FOR ALL. Dismissing feminism with blanket statements and "whataboutism" oversimplifies a complex issue and overlooks the critical importance of intersectionality, which acknowledges that different women face unique challenges based on their backgrounds. It's not lost on me that extremism can exist in any movement. However, on the subject of The Glory, the themes explored in this series reflect the legitimate struggles women encounter.

I don't see how advocating for women's autonomy and empowerment is wrong, especially when the actions of a few are used to undermine the entire movement. Since you're bringing modern-day challenges up, attributing societal issues solely to feminism ignores the complexities of systemic problems, such as the repercussions of policies like China's one-child policy, which have led to significant gender imbalances and various social challenges. This perspective creates a false equivalence and fails to recognize the need for comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of inequality and empower all individuals, regardless of gender.

Using a single movement as a scapegoat isn't the answer, IMHO. If we really want to get into the thick of it, we must also consider how globalization, social media, and external factors like COVID-19 and the global economy have negatively impacted people's ability to socialize and connect, which in turn affects relationships and reproduction. China is not the only country facing these challenges; many nations around the world are grappling with similar issues. Addressing these complexities requires a nuanced understanding that goes beyond blaming one group or movement.

I appreciate your perspective. However, I would like to clarify that the issue you are referencing is not feminism itself, but rather misandry, which refers to the dislike or prejudice against men. This is not representative of feminism at all, which is fundamentally about gender equality and equal access to opportunities and rights for all genders. Understanding the distinction is important.

I don’t believe @bibi ever suggested that the FL is without flaws or accountability for her actions. She is clearly grappling with deep-seated trauma and is beginning to mirror her mother’s former self, which was marked by rage and hatred. This complexity makes her a tragic character. I feel she has a long way to go in rebuilding her trust and relationship with the ML, given how fractured it has become. Perhaps she will have a redemption arc with him, only time will tell. The saying goes that you either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain, and this aptly describes her current journey. However, her story is not yet complete; we still have several episodes to see how it unfolds.

Bibi's comments highlight a concerning trend where some users resort to ad-hominem attacks on actors and actresses, focusing on their appearances rather than providing constructive criticism. Numerous comments on this page label users who attempt to discuss historical and cultural context as "femcels" or dismiss certain episodes as feminist nonsense. This behavior not only undermines meaningful discourse but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes.

As I mentioned in another comment, I’m not particularly pleased with the FL’s downward spiral, but human emotions and trauma responses are complex even in real-life. I’m uncertain how the writers will resolve the loose ends, and there are indeed some plot holes that need addressing. This constitutes constructive criticism, while some individuals are merely resorting to low-level ad-hominem attacks.

The unfortunate reality is that I've encountered similar illogical criticism directed at "Flourished Peony," which is also set during the Tang Dynasty. Many people overlook the fact that the Tang Dynasty was considered a "golden era" for women's autonomy, during which women had the opportunity to run their own businesses and engage in various aspects of public life in ancient China.

However, by the mid-Song Dynasty, the rise of neo-Confucianism redefined societal norms. This philosophical shift imposed stricter gender roles and reinforced patriarchal structures that limited women's ability to run businesses or seek official positions, as they had done during the Tang Dynasty. That’s not to say they had no rights at all, but the Song Dynasty emphasized domestic duties (aka baby factories), even as women were still able to partake in artistic endeavors.

We need Lee Jae Wook in more historical dramas or as an assassin. After watching Kill Bok Soon, I am convinced he would make a kick ass assassin or undercover agent. He looks so badass wielding blades or pistols.

I understand people may be disappointed that there may be plot holes, and that's totally acceptable. However, there's a difference between legitimate critiques versus dismissive comments that undermine the deeper themes and social commentary the series presents. Like I understand one can be annoyed with why it's taking so long for FL to warm up and trust ML. That's a legitimate frustration and sentiment I share. However, it doesn't take away from the merits of the overarching story at least not yet anyways... lol

I cannot take people who criticize the series by hurling insults like "feminist shit," as if we should feel ashamed of that term. The truth is that most of the world, including ancient China, operates within a patriarchal system that adversely affects both men and women. Take, for instance, Zhuang Shi Yang, who easily discarded his only male heir. The heir was viewed merely as a disposable tool, and when he no longer served his purpose, he was cast aside like refuse. This treatment pushed Zhuang Yu Chi further into the depths of toxic masculinity, rendering him unable to provide for his family and clan after being banned from the examinations over cheating which his own parents put so much pressure on him and his sister contributed to. Some villains are shaped by circumstances beyond their control.

I just want to say thank you for highlighting this topic. Chinese drama and literature are incredibly nuanced; if they aren't political or reflective of societal issues, then the audience is missing the point.

Does anyone know when Our Movie is expected to be released?

People are complaining just to complain at this point and are willfully ignoring historical and cultural contexts. If you're looking for romance, FULL STOP!

Romance is NOT the main theme of this series. Don't disappoint yourselves. There's the door; take it and don't look back!

Bear in mind that revenge plots and political intrigues are common in this era of Ancient China. If you're looking for morally gray main characters, this may be for you, but keep in mind that you can't take everything too seriously, especially considering this is a loose adaptation or interpretation of a novel. Mileage may vary...

I agree with you wholeheartedly. People who complain about the FL are also ignoring historical and cultural nuances because this story takes place in Ancient China around the Tang or Song dynasties. It is not surprising that a 17-year-old could potentially outsmart a 30-year-old, particularly in the intricate dynamics of a harem. Life expectancy during this period was significantly shorter than today, often leading to a more accelerated maturation because they're forced to deal with a lot of complex relationships and hardships of that era.

The harem was not merely a domestic space; it was a microcosm of power struggles. Everyone was scheming to survive, as one could easily fall out of rank. Noble families frequently maintained harems to ensure the continuation of their lineage, fostering a culture of intrigue, where plotting and scheming were essential for women's daily struggles and their families' survival.

A bit off-topic, but Wen Zheng Rong is an absolutely amazing actress. I loved her mother-daughter relationship with CDL in this series. She also portrayed the first and only female emperor, Wu Zetian, in a documentary available on YouTube, which, although brief, highlights four remarkable women from Chinese history.

Since you work in the medical field, you should understand that, from a psychological standpoint, experiencing trauma can lead to complex emotional responses, such as compartmentalization, which is common in PTSD. A person who has witnessed or committed acts of violence may become desensitized to those experiences, allowing them to act without immediate emotional distress in life-threatening situations. However, when faced with a similar threat, the resurfacing of past traumas can trigger intense feelings of fear and anxiety. This back-and-forth shows just how complicated human emotions can be, especially for someone who’s around 17 or 18 years old.

Another real-world example is survivors of SA. You may have heard of individuals who exhibit promiscuous behavior after experiencing such trauma. This behavior isn’t a reflection of enjoyment or desire, but rather, it can be a coping mechanism rooted in survival. Many survivors may engage in risky sexual behavior as a way to reclaim a sense of control over their bodies or to cope with the emotional aftermath of their trauma. Human emotions and trauma responses are very complicated and multifaceted. These points aren't a matter of opinion, they are supported by years of scientific research. Studies have shown that trauma can alter brain functionality, particularly in areas like the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, which are involved in emotional regulation and decision-making.

You make an excellent point, and those who complain are not only out of touch with reality, but they’re also overlooking the fact that her character has endured significant hardships and trauma throughout her life and may be experiencing PTSD. These reactions are realistic. Not everything in life is sunshine and rainbows, even when a child is involved.

Have you ever witnessed someone being murdered or dying in front of you? I have, and it’s traumatizing. That’s a completely valid reaction, regardless of your relationship with the person or your feelings about them, whether they are a stranger or not.

Thanks for all of LXY's updates, I super appreciate everything that you do!