Main Cast: Xu Lu, Chen Du Ling, Zhang Yu Kian, Dylan Kuo
Background
Women Walk the Line is a new Chinese drama following the story of childhood best friends Yuan Ge (played Chen Du Ling) and Gu Qiao (played by Xu Lu) who left their small town to study in Shanghai. However, their paths and personalities began to diverge as they entered life after graduation. Yuan Ge began to focus solely on her career as a marketing/brand developer and never invested in her love life. Although Yuan Ge has an incredibly successful career and is acknowledged as a top businesswoman, it has taken a toll on her health as learns that her stressful career may have negatively impacted her ability to have children. However Yuan Ge is the opposite. She has never worked since graduating and planned on returning to her hometown to marry her college sweetheart who comes from a wealthy and well-established family.
Everything seemed to be going to Gu Qiao’s plan until her wedding ceremony. After learning that her fiancé was cheating on her with a designer store sales attendant, Gu Qiao confronts him in front of the audience and ends up running out of the wedding. Being the ultimate best friend, Yuan Ge runs alongside Gu Qiao and brings her to Shanghai while Gu Qiao decides her next steps.
After clubbing one night, Gu Qiao ends up dancing with Xiong Qiming (played by Dylan Kuo) and is invited to his hotel room. Although Gu Qiao goes to the hotel, she never makes it to Qiming’s room after she realizes that her fiancé never truly loved her and wants to file for a divorce. She decides to continue to live with Yuan Ge and in an attempt to gain independence she begins working as a sales attendant at a luxury spa.
Thoughts
Gu Qiao and Yuan Ge are honestly friendship goals. Not only are they both beautiful and have impeccable fashion styles, but they both genuinely care about one another and are willing to do anything for each other’s happiness and success. One of my favorite scenes is when Yuan Ge secretly sent one of her employees to the Gu Qiao’s spa to be her first customer.
Also, I really enjoy this drama because it has 2 strong female roles. Despite all of the external pressure Gu Qiao and Yuan Ge face, whether it be from their family or societal norms, both women remain firm and stay true to themselves as they accomplish their goals. It’s also refreshing to see a drama portray women as strong, successful, and independent characters who play a larger role than just a love interest.
It’s also exciting to watch Gu Qiao grow and evolve throughout the drama. Despite working in a position that she is overqualified for, Gu Qiao embraces the challenge. She uses her previous experiences of living in luxury to her benefit as she relates to her high-maintenance customers and is determined to succeed and climb up the ladder.
Overall, Women Walk the Line is a great drama that highlights the societal pressures that women face and their efforts to overcome these obstacles while still finding time for themselves and their friends.
