From aspiring to be like Pleasant Goat in personal conduct, to emulating Lazy Goat in work ethic, and learning from Yu Zecheng in handling affairs, white-collar workers seem particularly fond of seeking "workplace idols" from TV dramas. Recently, some sharp-eyed professionals in Hangzhou have discovered a new "workplace idol"—Chun'er.
Who is Chun'er? The protagonist of the recently popular TV drama The Sky's Brightest Star. Originally just an "ordinary servant" (eunuch) in the imperial palace, he rose to become a "favorite" by Empress Dowager Cixi's side through his exceptional talents and communication skills.
Xiao Lin, who works at an IT company in Binjiang, and several colleagues are fans of Chun'er.In their view, Chun'er's job—where "serving the emperor is like walking on thin ice"—mirrors the pressures of modern white-collar work. "Yu Zecheng merely outlined workplace principles, but Chun'er demonstrates practical methods step by step, making it far more useful."
Right from the series' opening, Chun'er personally illustrates why mastering multiple skills is crucial for office professionals.Before entering the palace, Chun'er had already mastered culinary arts and opera singing. Once inside, she thrived in the imperial kitchen, quickly earning recognition. She then joined the court opera troupe, showcasing her talents on stage and winning the Empress Dowager Cixi's praise—laying the foundation for her future "career."
Xiao Lin remarked that the workplace operates much the same way. Just last week, the supervisor burst into the office demanding to know who could fix the fax machine. As everyone exchanged bewildered glances, a recent college graduate stepped forward and repaired it. The supervisor immediately took notice, later commending him twice in front of the general manager.
"I joined the company half a year before that graduate, yet those six months felt wasted. In the supervisor's eyes, the graduate now holds higher standing than me. How crucial it is to master practical skills!" Regretting his lack of expertise, Xiao Lin ordered three books on computer and printer repair online yesterday morning. "This is the subtle nature of the workplace—small matters can have major consequences. Chun'er is truly formidable."
Xiao Wu, who worked at a foreign trade company in the western part of the city, also followed Chun'er's approach to improve his relationship with his supervisor.
When Chun'er first joined the company, he faced passive-aggressive treatment from his "immediate supervisor" who disliked him. Xiao Wu encountered the same situation. At first, Xiao Wu responded with coldness, refusing to initiate communication, which only worsened his relationship with the supervisor.But Chun'er was far more astute. He repeatedly sought opportunities and topics to engage his "supervisor," persistently reaching out despite the initial coldness. Witnessing this, Xiao Wu had an epiphany and began mimicking Chun'er's approach—discussing the weather, exchanging fashion tips, buying fruit for the office... Gradually, his supervisor's demeanor softened into a smile.
"Throughout history, effective approaches to handling situations remain universal. I'm rooting for Chun'er."
Don't become cynical and manipulative because of this
Veteran HR manager Old Chen strongly supports the "Chun'er approach": The workplace is an extremely complex environment with many unwritten rules. Only by mastering these rules can employees achieve harmonious coexistence. Learning from Yu Zecheng or Chun'er shows that employees want to actively adapt to the workplace.
However, Old Chen also pointed out that idolizing "workplace icons" isn't entirely positive. At the very least, it reveals that many white-collar workers feel lost and fearful, dreading workplace social interactions and hoping to cut corners by following a ready-made example step by step.
He cautions that emulating such "workplace idols" must not lead to blind imitation, causing individuals to lose their integrity and sincerity while becoming overly calculating and manipulative.