A Post-Feminist Reading of Female-Centric TV Dramas in China (2010–Present)

Abstract

In recent years, with the awakening of women's consciousness and the increase of social attention, the Female-centric TV dramas with women's growth as the core content have gradually become an important trend in the development of Chinese film and television dramas. However, such works are often solidified by critical narrative patterns, and there are obvious contradictions in the expression of women's subjectivity. In order to better understand this phenomenon, this article selects several representative Female-centric TV dramas as samples under the framework of post-feminist theory, and critically discusses the shaping of female images in such works by analysing the experience and narrative structure of the characters. The study found that the so-called female autonomy and success rely more on physical management, consumer capital, and emotional relationships, which seems to emphasise women's subjectivity, but in fact solidifies gender stereotypes under the influence of patriarchal structure and the market. This article points out that the Female-centric TV dramas try to respond to the problems faced by women in reality, but their narrative is often presented in the form of self-supervision, dependence on men, and competition with women, falling into the dilemma of post-feminism. In the future, the creation of film and television dramas should get rid of this limitation and explore new female writing directions by improving the narrative style.