It's unavoidable these days that some people try to attract attention and spark debate by expressing opinions that differ from common perceptions, often without thoroughly analyzing or speaking reasonably. Lady Chun is clearly portrayed by the author as a non-typical concubine in the harem. This character is meant to be genuinely innocent, yet some insist on dissecting and analyzing details from the drama to argue that Lady Chun actually has ulterior motives and schemes.
Honestly, I think Tan Songyun's portrayal of Lady Chun in the drama was quite standard. As a young actress of her generation at that time, I believe Tan Songyun is a solid performer, though not an exceptionally talented genius. From her later roles, it's evident that she consistently delivers reliable performances without taking on drastically different roles.
After watching "The Legend of Zhen Huan" numerous times, one can somewhat sense that Tan Songyun's portrayal of Lady Chun feels a bit lacking in depth. It’s likely that both the director and writers felt the same. Consequently, in several crucial scenes between her and Zhen Huan, the camera frequently cuts to other characters' reactions while Lady Chun is speaking.
One representative scene is when the concubines are chatting, and Zhen Huan comments that Lady Chun has gained weight. The reactions of the Empress and Consort Hua can be seen, and even Consort Hua, who generally dislikes both Zhen Huan and Lady Chun, smiles. These scenes aim to highlight Lady Chun's authenticity and innocence. However, some argue that Tan Songyun’s performance didn't fully capture the essence of this moment, making it a point of contention for some viewers.
But think about it—Consort Hua genuinely laughed, and Zhen Huan is perceptive enough to distinguish whether Lady Chun is genuinely simple or pretending to be so. What Zhen Huan said was amusing, but it had to be genuinely funny for a straightforward character like Consort Hua to laugh. Thus, from a storyline perspective, Lady Chun is indeed simple. However, why did the director and writers not notice the slight discrepancy between the performance and the storyline? Perhaps they didn't anticipate the show would be rewatched so many times and analyzed so thoroughly. Some statistics suggest the average person in China has watched the series about eight times, turning many into experts on the subject.
Regarding Tan Songyun, she was a very young actress when she played Lady Chun, and her subsequent roles have consistently exhibited a grounded acting style. Like many actors, she naturally incorporates her understanding of the character into her performance. Perhaps at that time, she simply followed the director’s instructions without overthinking her role.
In the grand scheme of "The Legend of Zhen Huan," Lady Chun is a crucial figure in Zhen Huan’s character development but not a central character throughout the story. Therefore, she wasn't given as much depth or complexity. If it were up to me, I would have directed her key scenes with more intensity and youthful energy. When Zhen Huan comments on her eating habits, she should have reacted more vividly—perhaps getting upset while laughing, displaying the spontaneous nature of a teenage girl. Instead, she seemed restrained and shy, not fully expressing her emotions. Given her background and upbringing, I don't believe she would be as mature as depicted. She should have been portrayed as more lively and quirky.
Considering these points, it’s not just Lady Chun; many characters in the series seem underdeveloped. But this is understandable, as no one anticipated the show would be dissected and analyzed so extensively after its release. If the producers had known, they might have extended the series beyond 76 episodes.
As for whether Lady Chun is genuinely simple or pretending to be, I think the variety of characters in the story, each with different personalities, is essential. Why couldn't there be someone like Lady Chun? It would be strange if such a character didn't exist. The plot requires an innocent concubine—young and lovable—who enters the palace at a tender age and experiences fleeting beauty and youth. Through encountering such a person, the protagonist Zhen Huan learns the harsh realities of the harem. This makes perfect sense. Therefore, questioning whether Lady Chun is pretending to be innocent is unnecessary. It’s more peculiar to think she was never there to influence Zhen Huan's life. Don’t you think so?
