Synopsis
The Tale of Rose (2024) is a Chinese urban romance drama adapted from Yi Shu's 1981 novel of the same name. Directed by Wang Jun, it stars Liu Yifei and Tong Dawei. The series follows Huang Yimei's journey through love, marriage, and self-discovery over more than twenty years.
Overview
The Tale of Rose is a 2024 Chinese urban romance drama directed by Wang Jun, with a screenplay by Li Xiao and Wang Si. The series is adapted from the 1981 novel of the same name by Hong Kong author Yi Shu. It stars Liu Yifei and Tong Dawei in the leading roles, with Lin Xun as a special guest lead, Wan Qian as co-lead, Lin Yi and Peng Guanying in special appearances, Wallace Huo in a special starring role, and Zhu Zhu among the cast.
The series premiered on June 8, 2024 at 7:30 PM on CCTV-8 during prime time, with simultaneous streaming on Tencent Video. On its premiere night, it ranked first in viewership among同期 programs, with the rating climbing from 0.5% to 1.92%, breaking multiple viewership records. The series maintained high ratings and popularity through June 18, 2024, and concluded on June 26, 2024.
Plot
Born into a literary family, Huang Yimei (Liu Yifei) grew up surrounded by love and care, and from a young age showed remarkable artistic talent. Upon entering the workplace, she was quickly recognized for her abilities and fell in love with her business partner, Zhuang Guodong. However, this first love ultimately ended due to differences in personality and values, leaving Huang Yimei with a deep emotional wound.
Later, Huang Yimei married Fang Xiewen (Lin Gengxin), a man from a rural background with a gentle personality. But married life was not as she had imagined. Fang Xiewen's controlling nature and deep-seated insecurities gradually drove the marriage toward collapse. In a pivotal turning point, when Fang Xiewen sabotaged a job opportunity for Yimei, she finally found the courage to file for divorce, taking an important step toward self-awakening.
After her divorce, Huang Yimei met Fu Jiaming (Wallace Huo), her soulmate, and the two shared a genuine but brief romance. At the same time, the now-successful Zhuang Guodong reappeared in her life, weaving together old love and new feelings.
Through Huang Yimei's life journey spanning more than twenty years, the series portrays her growth and transformation in love, career, and family. As the original novel states: "The people we love are not necessarily the people we marry and have children with" — this theme runs throughout the series' profound exploration of the contradictions between love and life choices.
Cast
| Role | Actor | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Huang Yimei (Rosie) | Liu Yifei | Female lead, from a literary family, independent and strong |
| Huang Zhenhua | Tong Dawei | Huang Yimei's older brother |
| Fang Xiewen | Lin Gengxin | Huang Yimei's second husband, from a rural background |
| Su Gengsheng | Wan Qian | Huang Yimei's best friend and workplace colleague |
| He Xi | Lin Yi | Younger generation character |
| Zhuang Guodong | Peng Guanying | Huang Yimei's first love, business partner |
| Fu Jiaming | Wallace Huo | Huang Yimei's soulmate |
| Guan Zhizhi | Lan Yingying | Guest appearance |
| Su's Mother | Yan Qingyu | Su Gengsheng's mother |
Broadcast Data
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Premiere Viewership | Started at 0.5%, reached 1.92% |
| Premiere Night Ranking | #1 among同期 programs |
| Broadcast Platforms | CCTV-8, Tencent Video |
| Premiere Date | June 8, 2024 |
| Finale Date | June 26, 2024 |
| Episodes | 38 |
| Runtime per Episode | Approximately 45 minutes |
| Douban Rating | 7.4 |
Cultural Impact
The Tale of Rose attracted significant attention from the moment it premiered. Liu Yifei's return to television generated enormous buzz, and Yi Shu's original novel had a broad and devoted readership. The series deeply portrayed the emotional lives and life choices of urban women, sparking widespread social discussion about modern women's independence and views on marriage and relationships.
Through Huang Yimei's journey — from the sweetness of first love to the difficulties of marriage, and finally to self-awakening after divorce — the series showcases the courage and wisdom of contemporary women facing love and life choices. Liu Yifei's portrayal of Huang Yimei received widespread acclaim from viewers, successfully creating a multidimensional and authentic image of a modern woman.
The series was also recognized as one of the highest-rated Chinese domestic dramas of 2024, ranking highly on multiple year-end review lists. Its adaptation of Yi Shu's novel preserved the core spirit of the original while injecting contemporary social relevance.
References
- Douban: The Tale of Rose
- Baidu Baike: 玫瑰的故事
- Wikipedia: The Tale of Rose
- Time Weekly: Behind the Popularity of The Tale of Rose: Liu Yifei's Third Collaboration with Tencent Video
- China News: Discussion on Workplace Dramas in Chinese Television
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