Metaphorical Expressions in Female-Led Films: A Case Study of The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful

Yinuo Zhong

doi:10.54254/2753-7048/2025.LD28365

Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public MediaOpen access

Metaphorical Expressions in Female-Led Films: A Case Study of The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful

Research Article

Open Access

Metaphorical Expressions in Female-Led Films: A Case Study of The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful

Yinuo Zhong ^1*

¹ Affiliated School of Hangzhou Normal University

^*Corresponding author: wuyadi@hsdfz.cn

Published on 23 October 2025

LNEP Vol.128

ISSN (Print): 2753-7056

ISSN (Online): 2753-7048

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-449-6

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-450-2

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Abstract

With the increasing number of films featuring female leads, it has become essential to explore the content that such films aim to convey. Therefore, this thesis focuses on analyzing the metaphorical expressions in female-led films, with the film The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful as the primary case study. This thesis conducts an analysis from multiple perspectives, including the production background of The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful, its overall imagery style and themes, the use of color and elements, and the metaphorical techniques embedded in the characters’ fates. It integrates the analysis of relevant shots, the application of props, and the scriptwriting in the film to achieve the goal of exploring the function of metaphorical expressions in female-led films. Through a series of research, we find that The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful—whether in terms of character settings, background settings, or the artistic design of subtle shots—showcases the current situation and predicaments faced by women under patriarchal oppression in contemporary society. The film boldly breaks the traditional society’s idealized expectations of female images and portrays multiple female characters who are deeply calculating and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. The film incorporates many elements of traditional Chinese culture, skillfully combining tradition with modernity, and transforming various traditional cultural elements into symbolic signs that shape characters’ images and foreshadow the plot’s development.

Keywords:

Metaphor, female character, cinematic technology.

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References

[1]. Tian, J. X. (2023). A study on the role of costumes in shaping film characters. West Leather, 45(24), 150–152.

[2]. Cao, Y. (2022). A preliminary study on the expression of "three-generation mother-daughter" relationships in cross-strait films: Taking Spring Tide and The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful as examples. Journal of Hubei Industrial Polytechnic, 35(01), 49–52, 75.

[3]. Jing, F. (2020). Image narrative and meaning expression in The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful. Film Literature, (20), 109–114.

[4]. Li, M. Y. (2021). The construction of a folkloric meaning world: On the new trend of folkloric creation in recent Taiwan regional films. Film Literature, (12), 69–75.

[5]. Qiu, D. D. (2019). Feasible approaches to integrating traditional rap art into film creation from the perspective of narrative function: An analysis with The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful as an example. Masterpieces Review, (08), 104-106.

[6]. Cui, J. (2017). A brief analysis of prop art in films. Journalism & Communication, (01), 39–40.

[7]. Dai, X. Q. (2018). The examination of female bodies in the film The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful. Film Literature, (24), 124–126.

[8]. Li, Y. N., & Xing, H. Y. (2020). An interpretation of female images under alienated maternal love in The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful. Voice & Screen World, (15), 51–52.

[9]. Jin, M. (2019). Polyphonic Narrative, Reconstruction of Motherhood, and Body Politics: The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful from the Perspective of Feminism. New Film, (03), 80-83.

[10]. Li, P. F. (2018). A Discussion on the Role of Subtext in Character Portrayal in Film and Television Works: Taking the Taiwanese Film The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful as an Example. Journal of News Research, 9(17), 111-113+115.

References

[1]. Tian, J. X. (2023). A study on the role of costumes in shaping film characters. West Leather, 45(24), 150–152.

[3]. Jing, F. (2020). Image narrative and meaning expression in The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful. Film Literature, (20), 109–114.

[4]. Li, M. Y. (2021). The construction of a folkloric meaning world: On the new trend of folkloric creation in recent Taiwan regional films. Film Literature, (12), 69–75.

[6]. Cui, J. (2017). A brief analysis of prop art in films. Journalism & Communication, (01), 39–40.

[7]. Dai, X. Q. (2018). The examination of female bodies in the film The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful. Film Literature, (24), 124–126.

[8]. Li, Y. N., & Xing, H. Y. (2020). An interpretation of female images under alienated maternal love in The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful. Voice & Screen World, (15), 51–52.

[9]. Jin, M. (2019). Polyphonic Narrative, Reconstruction of Motherhood, and Body Politics: The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful from the Perspective of Feminism. New Film, (03), 80-83.

Cite this article

Zhong,Y. (2025). Metaphorical Expressions in Female-Led Films: A Case Study of The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,128,61-66.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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Volume title: Proceedings of ICILLP 2025 Symposium: Property Law and Blockchain Applications in International Law and Legal Policy

ISBN: 978-1-80590-449-6(Print) / 978-1-80590-450-2(Online)

Editor: Renuka Thakore

Conference website: https://2025.icillp.org/London.html

Conference date: 21 November 2025

Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media

Volume number: Vol.128

ISSN: 2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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