Must watch drama
Meet yourself is one my favourite dramas.The story and pacing is good.All characters are very lovable.There are no misunderstandings and confusion.It really is realistic and heart warming drama.
At first I thought how I gonna finish 40 episodes (Max no episodes i usually watch is 24) but when I completed each episode I wanted more and more.I felt sad that episodes are running over and wished there should be another 40 episodes.
It is a must watch drama.for every episode I felt like Iam living in the drama.The chemistry between leads is realistic and lovable.Each character has its uniqueness.Its a wonderful and must watch drama.I hope you will feel the drama as I felt.
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Good general drama
The overall high level story from start to finish is very engaging. Just about anyone from any country can relate to the day in and day out highs and lows that is portrayed in this drama. But as with anything now in 2023 you can see many subtle undercurrents about things in general. Some of the other reviews made comments about this being a China promotional drama to draw tourists back to China. Not sure how accurate that really is but from a drama story stand point it truly stands out because it actually feels like a story about every day people meeting, becoming friends and helping each other while also trying to find their way without the current stress that society has pressured people into believing they have to do certain things in order to consider yourself successful.There are truly many very heart felt natural moments through out the episodes and all of the actors and characters have meaningful parts thru out. While you can say there's a FL and ML to the drama this has to be one of the few dramas where many characters had pretty good supporting side stories to the main story. The main story and side stories were all very well entwined with each other kudos for pulling that off since that's usually very rare to have happen in most dramas.
The OST was very nice and mellow but towards the end it got repetitive but still nice.
Totally amazing that I actually watched a cdrama that didn't have someone either stealing, killing, getting revenge. While they did manage to have someone die of cancer which seems almost mandatory these days. At least this time it was more to set the whole rest of the story instead of drawing out a bad ending. Lots of Chinese idioms and culture with very positive outlooks in general.
Will probably rewatch again a year or so from now to compare 2022/2023 to how the future is for China. Don't see how it's getting straight 10's except for trying to push towards a high rating to get more people to watch. Sort of feels more contrived to push certain themes and views to foreign viewers.
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This review may contain spoilers
slice-of-life drama: Like novels such as Before the Coffee Gets Cold
slice-of-life drama: Like novels such as Before the Coffee Gets Cold and The Miracles of the Namiya General Store...I’m really enjoying watching this series little by little in the evenings — it’s perfect to breathe, relax, and fall asleep to. A true slice-of-life drama, almost literary in the way its dialogues and ideas unfold.
Here, there isn’t really one central character, but rather a whole atmosphere that feels incredibly cohesive and human. There’s no huge dramatic goal driving the story. The beginning (ep1) was actually quite hard for me because I usually don’t enjoy this kind of subject matter, but as the series progresses, it feels like we go through therapy alongside the characters, slowly changing our thoughts and moving away from sadness little by little.
The male lead feels very natural and not idealized at all — which is rare for male characters in dramas, since they’re often written like perfect princes. The relationships also feel realistic and grounded.
This is exactly the kind of drama China knows how to do so well — one of its real specialties and unique strengths, alongside wuxia and xianxia.
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Peaceful but uneventful
A very nice slice-of-life show that was mostly refreshing because of the FL's personality; I always love watching dramas where the female lead is really practical, down-to-earth, and genuinely good at what she does.I did, however, find it really hard to get into and stay invested in the overall plot. I cared about the main character and her healing journey, but I didn't care about the side characters at all and didn't connect to the location enough to be invested in the plot about improving tourism in the area.
This is ultimately just a peaceful and calming watch, and I know lots of people will enjoy it for that, but I think it was just too slow for me.
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A cosy show with low angst and a lot of heart!
I was taken aback by what this show might be when episode 1 was so bleak!Slow-paced shows are some of my favorites. I love when it’s set in a small town and there is an eclectic bunch of cast.
This show served that in large buckets! it was just so cosy.
But even for me, this show moved at a snail’s pace, at times.
It’s not a show I could binge-watch, but it has such an unknown magical quality that with each episode I watched, it was like going home to see familiar people.
It’s one of those shows that heals you when you didn’t even know you needed healing.
And by gosh, the acting was incredible.
It felt so genuine, like I was peeking into their lives, instead of watching them acting out scenes. I was particularly impressed by both the leads, who did a fantastic job of carrying that slow-paced storyline.
Also loved that the show didn’t need to tie everything in a neat bow by the end, that not all people who you were rooting to become couples actually got together.
That was a brave move.
I would definitely recommend it if you’re in the right mood for this slow-paced, slice of life drama. It has very little angst but so much sweet heart at it’s center.
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SLOW BURN, FRIENDS TO LOVERS, MOVING
Soul moving, Life changing, & Self healing kind of drama. Calm and peaceful environment. I admire the ML for his love to his town and to make it better for the people's livelihood in the town. The FML is really good at acting. Her role put me into a place to reflect my own life.— actually both the leads made me think and reflective of my life as a whole person. And for that, I can say that it is a great watch and worth watching.Soul moving, Life changing, & Self healing kind of drama. Calm and peaceful environment. I admire the ML for his love to his town and to make it better for the people's livelihood in the town. The FML is really good at acting. Her role put me into a place to reflect my own life.— actually both the leads made me think and reflective of my life as a whole person. And for that, I can say that it is a great watch and worth watching
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Beautiful and warm
LIKEIt's the first episode and I already cry till death heart-breaking scene
When the cat has a name - lol
When a phrase was quoted from Go Ahead.. even sing the theme song..
The real culprit who spread Ah Yuan's diarrhea - hilarious
Slow and calm with natural positive vibes
Omg the whole village how these people spread rumours like nobody’s business lol
When Ah Yao confessed to Hong Dou as a farewell sigh..
Nan Nan’s parents aged overnight cries
Zhi Yuan’s lame jokes
If you want to leave, leave happily. Do not leave when hungry, unhappy
If you have thousands you want ten thousands. If you become Emperor you want to be Immortal
First generations are hardworking farmers but poor. Second generations continue to work hard but have to leave families behind. Third generations trying to change the world so everyone could be together and prosper.
One generation unable to control two generations problems let things be and flow naturally
DISLIKE
All good
MUSIC - personal fav
去有风的地方 Qu You Feng De Di Fang - 郁可唯 Yu Ke Wei
摇篮谣 Yao Lan Yao - 斯斯与帆 Si Si Yu Fan
A Beautiful Smile - 金玟岐 Jin Wen Qi
REWATCH VALUE
Five for now
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Magical and Inspiring
Li Xian is my favorite actor who made me watch this drama. It's the light and comfortable drama I've ever seen. Each character has their own charm and personality to complement each other. This drama isn't just about sweet romance, but also about friendship, family, motivation, and business. I was so attached to this drama, I felt the emotions of every character in it. I will always recommend this drama to my family or friends who are in a sad situation and want to rise up. This drama is magical and inspiring.Was this review helpful to you?
It's beautiful, healing, and delightful. The characters are complex but even ones you may not initially like (such as initially-stern Aunty Feng who later smiles to light up a room, surly old Grandpa Yang who eventually comes around even if still surly), you'll grow to love. My favorites are the children and Granny Xie ("A'Nai" as A'Yao and Hongdou call her). I won't go on and on about everything I liked since many other reviews already covered it.
I also have a special place in my heart for this because the grannies and aunties remind me of my family and family's friends (as you know, in Chinese and other cultures, you address your elders as grandpa/grandma/uncle/auntie even if they're not blood-related). They touched me in ways that other cdramas modern and costume have not; though it's a slow drama, it's because all characters are fleshed out to feel real.
Minus half a point mainly because:
1. A bit draggy, but mainly on storylines about supporting characters I wasn't as invested in like Mr. Ma (the guy who is always meditating in the beginning) and the musician's romance.
2. The English songs used are annoying. Why do modern C-dramas always use English songs?? The non-English songs are good, though I wish they used some of them more (like "Hao Hao De" by Sa Ji was only used like twice despite how good it is, while they used other songs a bit too much).
These are just nitpicks though, which is why I only took off half a point.
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haven't finished yet but def in my top 5
this is SUCH a comfort drama. everything about this couple is a green forest. there's very minimal angst and the chemistry is so good. i love hongdou so much. she's so soft spoken but so intelligent and doesn't take bs from anyone. the music matches perfectly, too. idk why but zhiyao and hongdou's song makes me wanna cry everytime it plays hahahaWas this review helpful to you?
An Incomplete Drama
Question: Are there plans to finish this drama?While I agree wholeheartedly with the praise heaped on this drama (I have watched it 3 times and am now in my 4th),
I am painfully aware of some very serious omissions:
I was truly shocked when episode 40 turned out to be the final episode. The drama was nowhere
near finished at the end of ep40.
1. A'Yao never asked Dou to marry him.
2. Dou never stated she wants to marry A'Yao.
2. In fact, they never got married.
3. In fact, No fewer than 3 times did Dou expressly threaten to divorce A'Yao if he displeased her.
Q: Would they have had children?
Q: If so, what would happen to their relationship under the pressure of raising children?
I do indeed love this show, but it is only a down-payment on a drama, it is not a complete drama.
Question: Are there plans to finish the drama?
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Cozy Slice of Life
I’m not usually a big fan of slice of life dramas, but I love this one. It could be because I’m in my 40s and the themes resonate, but I’m enjoying it.Story: It begins with a sad episode and slowly eases into a cozy story. It isn’t fast paced at all but I find that if I skip anything I miss great moments.
Acting: I love Li Xian and Liu Yifei. It’s easy to believe that they’re just playing themselves sometimes. Li Xian is a bit goofy which is kind of cute. The grannies are often scene stealers.
Obviously we aren’t far in but I think if you’re looking for a good cozy watch with a feel good story this is it. If you want fast paced, this is not it. I will probably rewatch this one if it ends well.
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