LayarHijau.com — After facing criticism for supposedly only being able to “widen her eyes” while crying in The Demon Hunter’s Romance, young actress Song Zuer has now made a powerful comeback in her latest historical drama The Prisoner of Beauty, co-starring Liu Yuning.
Warning: This article contains spoilers.
The drama immediately caught the public’s attention when it premiered yesterday. Within just 10 minutes of its release, The Prisoner of Beauty soared to the top of online popularity charts. Although there were some negative remarks about Liu Yuning’s appearance in historical costume, the performances of both leads—especially Song Zuer—have been widely praised. Three of Song Zuer’s crying scenes moved viewers to tears and served as solid proof of her emotional growth as an actress.
1. Slapping Wei Shao and Breaking Down in Tears
The drama tells the story of a long-standing feud between the Qiao and Wei families. Xiao Qiao (played by Song Zuer), the granddaughter of Qiao Gui (Jin Shijie), is sent to marry Wei Shao (Liu Yuning) as part of a peace agreement between the two families. However, she is treated coldly by the Wei family, who still harbor resentment over a tragic event that occurred 14 years earlier.
When Wei Shao misunderstands and accuses Xiao Qiao of eloping with Liu Yan (Ji Xiaobing), he orders her execution as a sacrificial offering. In an effort to save the city from Liu Yan’s plan to burn it down with sulfur, Xiao Qiao sneaks into a warehouse and sets it on fire first. Just as she’s about to be caught, she is rescued by Wei Shao.
Once she’s safe, Xiao Qiao slaps Wei Shao in anger before falling to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. The combination of anger, fear, relief, and sorrow in this scene stirred deep emotions in viewers, according to Upmedia.
2. Heartbreaking Tears After Learning of Her Grandfather’s Death
Qiao Gui is the person Xiao Qiao loves most. After surviving the ordeal, she is devastated to learn that her grandfather has passed away. Trapped in the city, she wasn’t able to say her final goodbye. In a touching scene, Xiao Qiao cries under the moonlight, expressing her grief and regret. This moment has been widely praised and is considered far more mature than her crying scenes in The Demon Hunter’s Romance.
3. An Emotional Farewell with Her Cousin He Hongshan
Xiao Qiao’s older cousin, Da Qiao (played by He Hongshan), was originally arranged to marry Wei Shao. However, since Da Qiao had fallen in love with someone else, Xiao Qiao willingly took her place to ensure her cousin’s happiness. In a moving midnight farewell, the two cousins embrace and cry together, realizing they’ll be separated for a long time. The softness and sincerity of this scene reveal a depth in Song Zuer’s performance that is hard to ignore.
The Prisoner of Beauty offers not only a dramatic tale of love and vengeance but also a significant leap in Song Zuer’s acting career. Through these three poignant crying scenes, she silenced past criticism and cemented her status as one of the most promising young actresses in the Chinese drama industry.
