Keep the Marriage as Jade

Keep the Marriage as Jade is an enchanting Chinese drama from 2016, which embeds in its narrative the conventional Chinese wisdom and values entwined in the complexities of modern life. The delicately crafted plot, characterized by real-life dilemmas and emotional encounters, takes you on a cheerfully agonizing ride of emotions, opening the doors to an engaging world of compelling relationships, unconventional affections, and above all, the nuances of marital life.

Set against the backdrop of rapidly modernizing China, the drama artfully ingrains traditional sensibilities while addressing pressing issues of the contemporary world. At the heart of the narrative is the enduring institution of marriage, viewed as sacred as jade in Chinese culture, which serves as the metaphorical underpinning of the harrowing yet hopeful journey endured by the lead characters.

The thought-provoking storyline revolves around two main female characters – Luo Li and Hai Dong, who are struggling to maintain control over their lives amidst personal turmoil. Luo Li, a divorce lawyer, who passionately protects her clients who have been wronged, is trying to deal with her own failed marriage. On the other hand, there is Hai Dong, an architect with an enigmatic personality and a past that continues to haunt him. The exchange between these two characters introduces viewers to the pains, perils, and paradoxes of married life from contrasting perspectives.

Moreover, Keep the Marriage as Jade is not just about showcasing the problems in a relationship, but it articulates the patience, understanding, and compromises necessary for a marriage to work. The show provides dramatic yet realistic insights into how everyone, irrespective of their front, battles their own insecurities, flaws, and fears within a relationship. It rightfully stresses the hard work required to maintain the 'jade' of a marriage in its pristine form.

The top-notch performances of the cast, especially those of Yuanyuan Gao, who plays Luo Li, and Chen Tao, who plays Hai Dong, blend perfectly with the intensity of the reflective narrative and the idyllic aesthetic of the backdrop. The script shines with intricate character development and subtle commentary on societal norms and expectations. It is complemented by exceptional cinematography that enhances the overall narrative imagery, giving audiences a visual treat.

The drama not only caters to a Chinese audience but successfully touches the universal human chords. Our heroes and heroines are not perfect, their lives are not without problems, the situations are painful and forceful, but therein lies the beauty of this drama. Watching this drama feels like reading a heartfelt diary entry, full of raw emotions, but the characters choose to keep moving forward by embracing life’s messiness and their own mistakes.

From amusing romantic moments to heartbreaking emotional downfalls, Keep the Marriage as Jade is an addictively voyeuristic journey into the realities of marital life. Moreover, the show is successful in illustrating that love, when treated with care and understanding, can withstand all trials and tribulations. It challenges the conventional representations of love by questioning the notions of 'perfect love' and ‘undying passion’ usually associated with romantic dramas and presents a more nuanced, realistic portrayal of human relationships.

Keep the Marriage as Jade, with its enthralling storytelling and memorable characters, leaves an indelible impression on the viewers. We can all find a bit of ourselves in the characters as they grapple with love, marriage, friendship, and personal growth. It’s a heart-touching, absolutely riveting drama that calls to every romantic at heart who understands and appreciates the messy, bumpy yet beautiful journey of two people in love—marriage.

In the end, whether one is accustomed to Chinese dramas or new to them, Keep the Marriage as Jade proves to be a must-watch. It's beautiful, melancholic, hopeful, and most importantly, real. It does justice to its title by illustrating that just like jade, a marriage requires work and attention to detail to shine in its fullest glory, and when nurtured well, it becomes a priceless possession that transcends all challenges.