I can think of another similar example, though it's a Kdrama: The Red Sleeve.
I have to go back and watch again. Maybe the acting was too good that I thought they had romantic feelings the whole time. At least she kissed him voluntarily right?
I somewhat think Lanxiang does not need love in her life. She share common interests with scholar Han Liang but…
Sometimes people become traumatized. And sometimes, you have to find love with the right person. She didn't have this choice as she was forced into marriage. I am not sure about others but for me, it took a lot of meeting many people to narrow down to the right person. I thought I would never marry, that's how tough it was.
Yeah I noticed that as well. It was a long list too LOL. I kept waiting for her to mention him but nope. I am…
Yes, definitely intentional! Maybe they'll change their minds at the end. But I doubt it. He's just part of the bigger scheme. But yeh, either way, it's her choice. Sometimes, love comes in many forms.
No he and she love each other. My guess is that they will in next life too. but he isnt her sole responsibility…
I am Chinese descent and follow parents/kids tradition because I was raised this way. I am very fortunate that my husband is my choice. Kids of course became first priority. But sharing our daily lives is also a joy.
He is my responsibility as he is my family. And the most important thing to us is that we consider each other family and caring for each other as we age. This is the way it was taught to me, the Chinese way - maybe there are other Chinese perspectives but I was not raised like that.
I think it's telling that she listed the changing seasons as part of her joys. But not him.
I somewhat think Lanxiang does not need love in her life. She share common interests with scholar Han Liang but…
Exactly. She is who is. Scholar Han realizes earlier and saved himself from a loveless marriage! And sometimes, we don't have romantic for another person regardless. I think he and LQ liked her in a romantic way. But she doesn't have feelings like theirs. Her focus has always been self-reliance and her debt to her parents. After what she's been through, I don't blame her.
This is the first time I see a drama that says it like it is: the FL, forced into a marriage, doesn't need to love the ML. She's grateful to him, accepts him as a partner, but doesn't necessarily find joys in life with him. When she listed the things that she lives for: her parents, her daughter, the simple joys of nature. She didn't list him. While this contradicts conventional love stories, IRL, most women don't fall in love in forced marriages. If she's lucky, the guy is nice and she can enjoy an amicable and easy life. But marriage can be tough and carries responsibilities, not joys. It doesn't make the drama less than what it is. I do applaud this drama for having the authenticity to say it like it is sometimes. Realistically, can you see both them sitting together talking about things that interest her like operas, poetry, etc ... sharing common talks? I don't see it between this couple.
In episode 42 end, when she said, I live for my parents, my kid, then she started explaining the blossoms, the…
Feminist perspective - never living for a man. Although he doesn't share her interest in life like operas, etc, he does support her goals. From the beginning to 42, she maintains her dignity, her prejudices, her independence as an individual. Her goal has always been herself, not any man.
It's her choice or rather the writer's. But I feel it's a little harsh towards ML. But it is what it is ... it's how she feels.
She highlighted all the things that bring her joys in life - he's not one of them. It's the first time I see this in Chinese drama. I guess it's a force marriage after all.
In response to Avenuex (whom I don't follow because her views are often narrowed), I wrote 2 responses. She has some valid points but her main criticisms were off:
On the first wife analysis: "You missed the point and main theme of this drama/story: good always wins against evil. As always, I find that you pursue your own narrative - maybe you didn't watch the entire drama to know how analyze. Basically, the story is about how women should fight injustice inflicted on them. The first wife - yeh she was abused by the system- but she didn't do the righteous thing: she cheated on the Lin's family (not just adultery!): she abuses poor families to earn money so she can escape with her cousin. There's evil in her actions. She depended on the man - her cousin and lover- when she should have depended on herself by doing the right thing and asking for divorce. I agree it's a one dimensional portrayal of a woman - Chinese dramas are not praising her qualities and made her a scapegoat. But I agree with the writer. Bad qualities attributed to women should not be praised. What the writer tries to say is Chinese buddhist principle: bad deeds get bad karma in the same life. Surely you don't expect Chinese government to approve of what she was doing?"
On her complain about the FL's quietly and conveniently accepting her life: "Maybe you are losing your voice due to barking down the wrong tree! The theme of the story again, given the context of the setting, is for a woman to work with the system and creating a lasting happiness for herself and her family. Nothing wrong with her following her heart. The ML groveled and did everything he possibly could. What else do you want her to do? Scoop up her parents to go off to Guanzhou and live an uncertain life? No power, no family wealth ... to be abused by any random people??? You yourself wouldn't want that either. Feminism is about being smart and caring. Not going against the time and subject other people you love to a bad life just on principle!
You are living in a place that has more freedom than in China. You can say whatever you want."
And for those who asked if I had ever been in China - YES! Many times because my grandfather came from China. I have lived under communism and escaped by boat for my freedom so I know what life is like under communism.
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I am not sure about others but for me, it took a lot of meeting many people to narrow down to the right person. I thought I would never marry, that's how tough it was.
He is my responsibility as he is my family. And the most important thing to us is that we consider each other family and caring for each other as we age. This is the way it was taught to me, the Chinese way - maybe there are other Chinese perspectives but I was not raised like that.
I think it's telling that she listed the changing seasons as part of her joys. But not him.
I think he and LQ liked her in a romantic way. But she doesn't have feelings like theirs. Her focus has always been self-reliance and her debt to her parents. After what she's been through, I don't blame her.
When she listed the things that she lives for: her parents, her daughter, the simple joys of nature.
She didn't list him.
While this contradicts conventional love stories, IRL, most women don't fall in love in forced marriages. If she's lucky, the guy is nice and she can enjoy an amicable and easy life. But marriage can be tough and carries responsibilities, not joys.
It doesn't make the drama less than what it is. I do applaud this drama for having the authenticity to say it like it is sometimes.
Realistically, can you see both them sitting together talking about things that interest her like operas, poetry, etc ... sharing common talks? I don't see it between this couple.
From the beginning to 42, she maintains her dignity, her prejudices, her independence as an individual. Her goal has always been herself, not any man.
It's her choice or rather the writer's. But I feel it's a little harsh towards ML. But it is what it is ... it's how she feels.
She highlighted all the things that bring her joys in life - he's not one of them. It's the first time I see this in Chinese drama. I guess it's a force marriage after all.
On the first wife analysis:
"You missed the point and main theme of this drama/story: good always wins against evil. As always, I find that you pursue your own narrative - maybe you didn't watch the entire drama to know how analyze. Basically, the story is about how women should fight injustice inflicted on them. The first
wife - yeh she was abused by the system- but she didn't do the righteous thing: she cheated on the
Lin's family (not just adultery!): she abuses poor families to earn money so she can escape with her cousin. There's evil in her actions. She depended on the man - her cousin and lover- when she should have depended on herself by doing the right thing and asking for divorce. I agree it's a one dimensional portrayal of a woman - Chinese dramas are not praising her qualities and made her a scapegoat. But I agree with the writer. Bad qualities attributed to women should not be praised. What the writer tries to say is Chinese buddhist principle: bad deeds get bad karma in the same life. Surely you don't expect Chinese government to approve of what she was doing?"
On her complain about the FL's quietly and conveniently accepting her life:
"Maybe you are losing your voice due to barking down the wrong tree! The theme of the story again, given the context of the setting, is for a woman to work with the system and creating a lasting happiness for herself and her family. Nothing wrong with her following her heart. The ML groveled and did everything he possibly could. What else do you want her to do? Scoop up her parents to go off to Guanzhou and live an uncertain life? No power, no family wealth ... to be abused by any random people???
You yourself wouldn't want that either. Feminism is about being smart and caring. Not going against the time and subject other people you love to a bad life just on principle!
You are living in a place that has more freedom than in China. You can say whatever you want."
And for those who asked if I had ever been in China - YES! Many times because my grandfather came from China. I have lived under communism and escaped by boat for my freedom so I know what life is like under communism.
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