A thousand-year-old white snake spirit transforms into a beautiful woman, Bai Suzhen, to repay a debt of gratitude to a kind herbalist, Xu Xian. They marry and run a pharmacy. However, a zealous Buddhist monk, Fahai, reveals her true form, trapping her in Leifeng Pagoda. Xu Xian becomes a monk to save her, and their son eventually passes the imperial exam to liberate her. The Relationship Dynamic: The "devoted monster." This storyline explores whether a relationship built on a secret (supernatural or otherwise) can survive. It champions the idea that love (and a good job) can redeem anyone.
Modern C-dramas often focus on "sweet" love ( tian chong ), but they aren't without their complexities.