The movie based on 1867 American punitive expedition against Taiwan Indigenous people, has a White guy as love interest? Why am I not surprised

US Marines attack indigenous people on Taiwan in 1867 expedition. See details here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formosa_Expedition

19th century Taiwan, Qing Imperial gov only controlled Han settlements on the coast, Indigenous people in the hills of interior and east coast lived free from outside control as their ancestors had lived. But their freedom is fast coming to an end as Imperialist powers closed in

Following 1st Opium War, US send fleet to China to force Qing gov sign Treaty of Wanghsia 望廈條約in 1844, which granted US same privileges British Empire gained in Opium War.

US East Coast elite accumulated their wealth by smuggling Opium into China. John Forbes and Warren Delano (FDR’s Grandpa) among them. Opium money funded Harvard, Yale and US Industrialization

US followed up with gunboat policy to Japan and Kingdom of Lewchew (Okinawa) with Commodore Perry in 1852-54.

1867, US merchantman Rover shipwrecked off coast of Taiwan. Previously indigenous Kaolut tribesmen had been killed by foreigners. American sailors of Rover were killed in revenge.

Qing local officials claimed no jurisdiction over Taiwan Indigenous people. US send USS Hartford

1st US punitive expedition against Indigenous people of Taiwan in 1867 ended in failure. Indigenous warriors ambushed US Marines and sailors. They shot and killed 2nd in command, Lieutenant Commander Alexander Slidell MacKenzie of the US Navy

American Consul to Amoy, China, French born Charles William Le Gendre forced Qing gov to intervene. Governor of Fuzhou order Taiwan military governor to provide Le Gendre w 500 Chinese troops to march into Indigenous Paiwan territory...

Back w military threat, Le Gendre met w Indigenous chief Tauketok to sign a treaty where heads of American sailors to be returned and locals promised not to kill shipwrecked American and European sailors as long as latter display red flags and only landing on agreed sites

Back to TV drama in OP, the White love interest of the Indigenous heroine is none other than American Consul Charles Le Gendre who arranged the 1st and led the 2nd 1867 military expedition agst Indigenous people of Taiwan. Sound like Disney Pocahontas on Taiwan? I’m so done.