TV series scores on feminist, laymen issues
BEIJING: A new TV series starring Ma Yili and Chen Daoming is winning a huge number of fans in China, where feminist issues usually score high marks.
Scriptwriter Qin Wen is not surprised.
Figured Qin: “I believe the secrets of its success lie in capturing modern life in China through several ordinary people’s lives on one hand, and the great influence of book writer Isabel Nee Yeh- su on the other.”
Adapted from popular Hong Kong writer Isabel Nee Yehsu’s novel The First Half of My Life, the 42- episode TV drama of the same title is a surprising hit amid fierce TV competition during the summer holiday.
Also starring Mei Ting and Yuan Quan, the drama focuses on the inspirational story of a housewife-turned- career woman.
In the drama, lead actress Ma Yili stars as Luo Zijun, a simpleminded and dubious housewife.
However, her carefree life encounters misfortune after an unexpected divorce.
With the help of her best friend Tang Jin, she makes changes
I believe the secrets of its success lie in capturing modern life in China through several ordinary people’s lives. Qin Wen, scriptwriter
and makes it in life.
Its high ratings is attributed to its emphasis on the importance of independence for ladies.
However, fans of the book have lampooned the TV version for veering too far from the plot.
Nee is famed for writing books with strong female characters who are independent both financially and in spirit, with unorthodox views on marriage.
In the drama, Luo Zijun falls in love with her best friend Tang Jin’s ex-boyfriend.
Although Luo did not directly cause Tang and He to break up, many viewers complain that the love relationship between Luo and He is unreasonable and far from reality.
In the drama, the mistress Ling Ling, played by Wu Yue, has given a new meaning to the definition of “home wrecker”.
“The first time I saw her, I did not think she would be a threat to my family as she is so common in daily life,” Luo said during a monologue in the drama.
Indeed, Ling Ling does not seem like a typical mistress. She is neither young, beautiful nor wealthy.
“Her poor family background and seemingly kind personality makes men easily feel a tender pity for her,” said producer Huang Lan.
“In such a fast-paced society, men are faced with huge pressures every day. The truth is that many cheating men are not obsessed with young pretty ladies, rather a female who knows what he wants,” Huang added.
“Therefore, the mistress image I have shaped is easy to sympathise with for some targeted groups.”
To some extent, Ma’s acting reminds viewers of her own marital crisis in 2014.
Her husband Wen Zhang, a major film and TV star in China, was photographed by the paparazzi dating another woman.
Instead of dealing with the problem behind closed doors, Wen took advantage of Sina Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, to apologise to Ma in public.
The open nature of his response resonated with online users, provoking a wave of anger online.
But Ma finally chose to forgive Wen and posted: “Being in love is easy, but being married is not. It is to be cherished.” That set off a debate online. “No matter in the virtual TV drama or real life, Ma sets an example by showing me the significance of being an independent woman,” said online user Zhang Xiaoping on Weibo.