Don't take sugar brown as a ridiculous plot color.
In recent weeks, Chinese social media platforms have been abuzz with criticism directed towards romantic dramas, with netizens expressing dissatisfaction at outdated values, a lack of realism in portrayals of gender equality and the over-emphasis on CP (Celebrity Pairings).
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8 October 2023
The criticism began after several users shared their disappointment about the plotlines of certain romantic dramas. These viewers expressed that while they once enjoyed sweet love dramas, they now find them too unrealistic and simplistic. They noted the trend towards promoting marriage and childbirth in these shows and lamented the absence of sweet romance in their plots.
One Weibo user complained about dramas that portrayed female independence negatively by suggesting that a woman's success was dependent on male help. Another pointed out that the scripts were often written by individuals with little professional experience, resulting in poorly developed storylines and characters that lack depth.
Moreover, some netizens expressed frustration over the obsession with CP pairs in these dramas, where fans are more excited about the relationship between two characters than the plot itself. This trend has led to a shift of focus from the drama's main narrative, causing disappointment among viewers.
A group of netizens also criticized the over-promotion of marriage and childbirth in these dramas, stating that it was more important for dramas to add sweet romance and depth to their stories rather than focusing solely on such societal pressures.
The criticism extends beyond just viewers, with some criticizing the lack of professionalism among scriptwriters. Critics argue that these writers are inexperienced and often unable to develop engaging storylines over a long series of sixty episodes.
One user shared an amusing observation about the tendency for dramas to air during tea breaks as casual conversation topics, indicating the widespread interest in this subject among viewers.
Despite these criticisms, some netizens defended romantic dramas and expressed their love for sweet love stories. They argue that while there may be issues with certain plots, not all dramas are the same and many still manage to provide entertaining, well-written narratives.
In response to this backlash, some viewers have called on scriptwriters to pay attention to these criticisms and avoid unnecessary love plotlines in their upcoming drama "Tale of an Ordinary Person's Ascension". They hope that the show will provide a more balanced portrayal of gender equality and romance.
This conversation highlights the evolving taste of Chinese audiences towards romantic dramas. While once they were content with typical love stories, now viewers are looking for more depth, realism, and balance in their narratives. The criticism suggests that the entertainment industry needs to adapt to these changing expectations to keep their audience engaged and satisfied.