The Rose

The Rose (薔薇之戀) is a drama broadcasted in 2003, based on family and love (unrequited love, in particular). It stars Ella as Zheng Bai He, Jerry Huang Zhi Wei as Han Jin, Joe Cheng as Han Kui, Joelle Lu as Han Fu Rong, Hebe as Xiao Feng, and Selina Ren as Zhuang Zhe Qin and Da Ya Man. The "summary" DramaWiki gave is as follows:

A stone with an ugly outward appearance and doesn't catch the eye: would people be able to see the glittering gem that's hidden inside?

Being looked down on by people for a long time and treated coldly with indifference, it will gradually turn rusty and lose its brilliance. Or, maybe after experiencing all these hardships, its luster and beauty will be highlighted even more?

Since I find it lacking in some aspects, I'll try to elaborate more on the plot without spoiling it. Basically, Bai He is a girl supposedly lacking in the looks department who is going through a day of misfortune when her grandmother dies. She finds out that her real mother is alive and she is none other than the big movie star, Han Li. She moves in along with three other half-siblings (all of whom are related in halves as well) who are all rather pretty but rather cold and a bit harsh. As the drama continues, various secrets are revealed and romance blossoms. Everywhere. If you want a more revealing synopsis, there's one on the DramaWiki site.

I actually found it very cute and funny, but with meaning at the same time. At first, it dragged a bit, but I started to really get into it by the seventh episode and a couple more later, I was obsessed. However, I do want to point out that no matter how many times Bai He was said to be fat, they have got to be kidding. It just made me wonder what would have happened if I stepped in there. haha... I would be called 很大很大的肉包. Even so, watching it, I have learned a lot more Chinese and it's really deep. I mean, it has to be, since it has a total of 26 episodes (and I watched it all in under four days). I watched them on MySoju and you can get the OST here.

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose

- The Rose, Bette Midland -