Every once in a while, a good crying session is necessary. As tears roll down my cheeks, I can physically feel my brain relax as stress leaves my body. The endorphins afterwards leave me in a refreshed and zen-like state. In our current society, men crying is often looked down upon as there's an unspoken expectation of being emotionally strong and stoic. This is an idea that I do not subscribe to, and as such, I have decided to note down pieces of media that have caused me to enter such crying sessions.
My most recent session was caused by Episode 30 of Empresses in the Palace. This is a historical (fictional) Chinese drama that tells the story of a group of concubines that fight for favor and glory in the Imperial Palace. Episode 30 features our main character Zhen Huan waking up after suffering a miscarriage. She is surrounded by her maids, a few other concubines, and the Emperor and Empress. As Zhen Huan wakes up and realizes she lost her unborn child, her emotions explode as she grieves.
This scene resonated with me for several reasons. First, the natural connection between a mother and her child are some of the strongest bonds that exist, and it's obviously extremely devastating when you unwillingly lose your unborn child. Second, even though the Emperor is is the most powerful man in the kingdom, he too cannot offer anything to help other than to grieve with our main character. Third, the show's perfect execution allowed me to immerse myself and share tears with Zhen Huan. Over the previous thirty episodes, viewers are shown numerous examples of Zhen Huan's caring and innocent personality. Nevertheless, she ends up being caught up in the schemes and betrayals of the Imperial Harem and suffers a tragic loss.
To end off, Empresses in the Palace is an extraordinary show. Although I was hesitant to watch it when I heard what it was about, I'm glad I decided to give this show a shot. Aside from its deep storyline, well written characters, and excellent acting, the show also doesn't assume that viewers are dumb, this allowing those watching the show to immerse themselves into the strategy and tactics of the Imperial Harem. Finally, this show also provides me an opportunity to improve my Chinese and learn more about Chinese history.
