(may contain spoilers)
Douban rating: 8.1
Director: Yen Yi-wen
Starring: Hsieh Ying-xuan, Cheryl Yang, Annie Chen, Vicky Tseng, Hsueh Shih-ling
Douban Comments: “Taiwanese are so skilled at making this type of show now – it’s like second nature to them. Especially with the perfect casting, talented actors who deliver great performances, and such amazing directors, they just can’t go wrong. Even though it’s the same group of actresses, I never get tired of watching them. Cheryl Yang and Hsieh Ying-xuan have such strong “big sister vibes” and are perfect for roles like ’guiding lights and safe harbors in life.‘”
“I initially thought this was a show catering to the male director‘s fantasies, so I was really surprised to find out that the director is a woman. This was a drama I had been looking forward to for a long time, and the acting is excellent – especially Cheryl Yang, who is absolutely captivating.
But the storyline feels so male-centric. All these incredible actresses, including award winners, are made to pour everything into loving a mediocre-looking man. Sure, things like this happen a lot in real life, but do we really need to relive it in a drama? The show clearly knew what the audience wanted to see and even used it as a selling point early on, but it still ended up prioritizing male fantasy and wrapped things up half-heartedly.”
“Loving her doesn’t mean loving every part of her – it means loving the parts of her that attract you and then trying to accept the parts that aren’t so perfect. When it comes to creating female characters, Taiwanese dramas are truly on another level. They boldly showcase women’s beauty and flaws, their bright sides and their dark sides. They don’t shy away from topics like being overly focused on romance, marriage, or competition between women. Yet, compared to those so-called ‘female-centered’ stories, these portrayals feel more vibrant, sharper, and deeply moving. Every issue and perspective is seamlessly conveyed through the storytelling.”
“The portrayal of female friendship is quite good – the four women support each other deeply, and their bond truly shines. But I still feel the show is filled with a ‘love men’ mindset. The director seems to believe that women ultimately all need romantic love. Cheryl Yang’s character is a total love addict, which made me really uncomfortable. Director Yen Yi-wen’s values still seem tied to the idea that a woman’s life isn’t complete without marriage and children – just like in The Making of an Ordinary Woman, and now again in this series. Can’t a strong woman just stay strong all the way through?”
“7/10. Honestly, I wasn’t very satisfied with the storyline. I was hoping for a compelling drama about love and rivalry among women in the entertainment industry, but it ended up with too many cliché and over-the-top romantic subplots. The character of Shih Ai-ma was also written in a really unlikable way. She could have been an ambitious, complex woman, but instead she was reduced to a stereotypical villain who only does things that make others look down on her.
Episode 6 was by far the best – it focused entirely on the dynamic between Cheryl Yang and Hsieh Ying-xuan, and their scenes together were gripping. Their bond took center stage, and for once the story truly revolved around their relationship. It’s a shame that only this one episode really delivered on that promise. Still, the director’s visual style and the performances by the actresses were genuinely excellent.”
