I've been watching a LOT of Chinese historical television dramas (cdrama) in the past year, and after picking up on the stereotypical heroes for these shows, I have decided to say the unthinkable: I don't like Mr. Darcy. And I never have.
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Darcy: Li Hong Yi,
"Wulin Heroes" |
I know this is controversial; I adore Jane Austen's novels, and most of the film and TV shows made about them. But I do not understand the allure of the strong, silent, SULLEN, UNCOOPERATIVE, JUDGMENTAL hero that has developed in popular culture as a result. Chinese TV is riddled with this sort of hero, and I do not find it attractive; I find it infuriating. Yes, they silently love the heroine, and are "technically" good men underneath their impassive and cold facade. But dear me, they are MISERABLE to be around! It's their way or the highway. They don't like other people, except for their handful of loyal friends or servants, and the heroine. Nobody is good enough for them. But who wants to be with someone like that? Who wants to spend their time with that sort of person?
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Not Darcy: Zhang Linghe,
"Maiden Holmes"
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I can't help but think of them at family gatherings and parties. Standing beside them, knowing that they hate all these people, and have no interest in being friendly. It would not be fun to do anything with them that involved other people, and that would result in social isolation and diminishing friendships. That, my friends, is a red flag for an abusive partner.
So why am I writing about Darcy in the context of Chinese TV dramas? Because he is EVERYWHERE. It is rare for him to not be the hero of their historical dramedies, so when they actually have a cheerful, outgoing and friendly hero, you really feel the difference. The men that smile, that laugh, that happily spend time with new acquaintances and people in general just elevate the mood on these shows, and make me so much happier when I watch them. I do suspect that the Darcy-hero model is a convenient character for casting handsome yet mediocre actors. If all you have to do is stand around and look pretty, impassive, and annoyed the majority of the time, you don't have to be particularly good as an actor.
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Darcy: Xing Zhao Lin,
"Choice Husband
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I've known for a while that I didn't particularly care about Darcy when watching various versions of Pride and Prejudice. I should infinitely prefer someone like Bingley, even though he isn't particularly bright. Actually, my favorite Austen hero is Henry Tilney from Northanger Abbey. He is smart, funny, cheerful, and understands human frailty. When the heroine behaves foolishly, he scolds her in a reasonable way, then forgives her. He is more realistic as a balanced human being. Yes, he teases her a lot, and she doesn't always understand him, but he is kind and cheerful. Never underestimate the value of cheerfulness in life!
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Not Darcy: Riley Wang,
"Choice Husband"
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This realization was brought home to me while watching clips from a new cdrama series called "Choice Husband" (I have watched a few episodes; I don't actually recommend this one). The two male leads in the love triangle at the center of this story really bring out this contrast; the main hero is everything I have described as typical Darcy, the other is cheerful, affectionate, and a joy to be around. The main hero looks like a cold statue most of the time, but the almost perpetually joyful face of the second male lead made him far more enjoyable to watch. I rooted for him to win in every scene he was in.
