The Tale of Rose

Huang Yimei grows up in a scholarly, affectionate home and reveals an early gift for the arts. She soon earns recognition in her field and finds a partner in Zhuang Guodong, a romance that flourishes before professional pressures pull them apart. Eager to deepen her knowledge, she returns to school and recalibrates her ambitions, setting the stage for a life shaped by study, work, and creativity. After graduation she marries her senior Fang Xiewen, yet their differing career trajectories strain the marriage beyond repair. Yimei pivots to entrepreneurship, building a name in planning art exhibitions and, along the way, encounters a soulmate in Fu Jiaming. When hard times strike, she confronts loss and redefines what fulfillment means for her. Across universities, galleries and busy studios the narrative paints a nuanced portrait of a modern woman's moral compass and a hopeful resolve ahead.

Directed by Wang Jun, The Tale of Rose premiered in 2024 as a glossy, character driven drama. It brings together veteran producers Yi Shu, Li Xiao and Wang Si who shaped the series around Huang Yimei's artistic ascent and the people who cross her path. Liu Yifei embodies the lead, delivering a poised performance as a woman who balances talent with demanding ambitions. The storytelling leans into the art world and personal stakes, offering a contemporary take on love, work and self reinvention.

Reception has been cautiously positive, with an average rating of 7.4 out of 10 from 16 votes. Critics note the show's measured pace and the way it threads Huang Yimei's private life into public cultural moments, giving viewers a front row seat to an artist's rise. Themes center on resilience, independence, and the tension between creative calling and personal relationships, with strong performances across the ensemble cast and a visually rich portrayal of modern artistic life.