‘The Tale of Rose’: Ep. 1 Run-down

It seems like Liu Yifei has found her niche and she’s doing well with it.

The Tale of Rose is a story about the life of a young woman whose name can loosely be translated as “Rose”.

Here’s what happens in episode 1

EPISODE 1 RECAP

A couple is registering to marry. The woman seems very happy but the guy looks like he is about to vomit. Mysterious music plays in the background. For a while there, I thought a murder was going to happen.

No murder, though. Only a public spectacle. The guy Shihui refuses to go through with the registration, making the woman — Zhizhi — furious. Apparently, they have been dating for seven years already and Zhizhi was so ready to leap into the next phase. Or ready to get it over with? I really can’t tell. What is this gorgeous woman doing with a guy who can’t even open his mouth to speak probably?

Anyway, she deserves way better than this Shihui guy.

Their friends are waiting outside. All of them are so surprised to witness the scene as the guy runs out of the building, chased after by Zhizhi.

All the girls know what’s up and they start to beat up this wimpy guy who dared to humiliate their friend Zhizhi. Now now, you should never beat someone up just because they humiliate your friend on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Or… should you?

Anyway, let’s hear Shihui’s explanation. Why did he do that to Zhizhi?

As one of his male friends — Huang Zhenhua — helps him get away from the angry mob, Shihui explains. The issue is: he is in love with someone else. Who? Huang Zhenhua’s sister, Huang Yimei. About ten years younger than him and still finishing up her college degree.

You know what? Beat this guy up. I’ve heard enough.

Oh no, he has more to say.

Because Zhenhua asks him to help Yimei on her first day of work in their company, Shihui has the opportunity to get to know her better and he watches her from afar a lot. Punch him in the face in right now, Zhenhua.

Zhenhua doesn’t punch him in the face. Pooh. He only kicks Shihui out of the car and tries to explain to him that he’s being a CREEP.

But Shihui doesn’t listen. He insists that Yimei likes him back.

Let’s get to know Yimei (Liu Yifei) a little. She’s one of those cool tomboys who roller-skates to school and work and has lots of friends. She is kind and treats all of her friends well, girls and guys alike.

So some guys, more than just some, mistake her generous nature for affection. And this creep Shihui seems to be one of them.

Zhenhua runs home to warn his sister Yimei about what just happened and tells her to stay home from work the next day. But Yimei is defiant. She hasn’t done anything wrong.

Zhizhi comes to their house and causes a ruckus that night. The next day, she also comes to Yimei’s workplace with the intention of exposing the story and humiliating Yimei.

But you know what, the power is communication is strong, especially when you’re two mature, reasonable women who have a certain amount of self-respect.

Yimei treats Zhizhi to some dessert, explains to her that she didn’t do anything to lead her former boyfriend on, and asks Zhizhi if she is sure she still wants that creepy stalker back.

Zhizhi mulls on this. She realizes that her main reason for marrying Shihui is that she is old and does not want to waste any more time to have a family. How old is she? Almost 30. Girl, that is not old. You’re still at the age where most people would question their career choice.

On the same day, Shihui tries to woo Yimei by bringing her roses AT HER SCHOOL. She turns him down politely. When he goes home, he tries to make up with Zhizhi. This guy is shameless, and not even in a hot-Yehua kind of way, it’s just weird and gross.

She dumps him though and moves out.

COMMENTS

Well, this drama certainly takes a realistic approach. It’s a slice-of-life but with somewhat a direction and you can tell that it does not shy away from traumas, particularly women-oriented ones. And I’m not just talking about having a creep who’s ten years older than you embarrass you in front of your college friends. Though, that by itself is certainly traumatizing.

Definitely don’t expect a fluffy love story with dashing CEOs who would give up their jobs for you. Even though there is a lot of comedy, the realism hits hard when it is there. I would not recommend this as a romantic popcorn watch, but as a more serious deep dive into a woman’s life in this culture. Emphasis on “this culture” — you may be able to relate to this female lead or you may not be. She is only one woman in millions and her unique experience is not meant to be a total representation of all women.

Like most of Liu Yife’s recent dramas, the acting here is solid from the main to the minor characters. Everyone is natural in their role and at no point does it feel like it’s just acting. At least not yet. There are some overly dramatic scenes here and there but so far, they are not distracting yet. More good news: no intense screen filter and no unnecessary slo-mo.