The BL Chinese drama genre has seen a recent surge in popularity, highlighting homoromantic/homoerotic relationships between men. However, many are left wondering where the representation for Sapphic relationships may be. Fortunately, Couple of Mirrors, a 2021 Chinese drama produced by Huanyu Film, features two diverse female leads, Xu You Yi (played by Zhang Nan) and Yan Wei (played by Sun Yi Han), who find themselves entangled in a dangerous and passionate tale of love and murder in Republican-era China.
The show begins with the lavish book launch party of Xu You Yi, a literary star and socialite who appears to have it all. However, when a murder occurs at her party, her life quickly unravels, exposing the falsehood of her perfect existence. Meanwhile, Yan Wei is a talented photographer with a dark past, keeping to herself and leading a solitary life. However, circumstances lead her to cross paths with Xu You Yi, and the two women find themselves finding solace and safety in each other’s company.
What makes Couple of Mirrors stand out is its morally grey representation of sapphic relationships. Yan Wei’s violent past is balanced with her fierce loyalty and tenderness towards Xu You Yi, who in turn provides her with the love and kindness she has been denied in her early life. The show highlights the emotional intimacy between the two characters, even though physical intimacy is not overtly depicted.
Overall, if you’re looking for a historical costume drama with vintage Sapphic-coded leads and a hint of noir, then Couple of Mirrors is worth a watch. The show balances the yin and yang dynamic of its characters and provides a refreshing representation of Sapphic relationships in Chinese media.
Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
