Whether through literature like Bellies or dramas like Les Belles , 2023's romantic narratives shifted away from "perfect" love. Instead, they focused on:
In 2023, Belliez perfected the lost-love trope. His characters frequently encountered ex-girlfriends who had returned after achieving success. However, instead of the usual vengeful plot, Belliez played characters who acknowledged the pain, forgave the leave, but maintained boundaries.
The drama features a prominent third party, Lu Jiaxue (played by Ci Sha), a powerful official who has a dark, obsessive past with the female lead. His pursuit adds a layer of "forced love" tropes common in 2023 C-dramas.
As one popular Belliez meta-writer put it in a 2023 year-end reflection: “We are tired of soulmates. We want roommates —the kind who see you cry over spilled milk and don’t say a word, just hand you a paper towel and pour you a new glass.”
Female leads are increasingly depicted as "not weak," often engaging in schemes and investigations rather than being passive victims.