To be honest it's a sweet slow pace drama enjoy every moment not just the main story.
First of all i am not a professional at this. So , I'm just gonna share my personal thoughts.It is slow paced sweet drama . Every moment of this drama strengthen the main story or the bond between the main leads. It really creates moments which can be felt from depth. Happiness, sadness, comedy and romance are balanced in perfect harmony. It lets you feel every moment with different feelings. While watching this drama it lets you to get connected to all the characters which was really enjoyable.
OST in this drama is really soothing and very pleasant to ears. It's OST alone can make you feel at ease. If you have an average patience level with an interest in romance dramas i recommend this to you.
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A Quiety Beautiful Drama.
It's such a rare gem that might be overlooked because of how low key the drama is. The conflicts are realistic if not understated, but it made us connect with it easier. A story about healing, opening yourself to new people and surroundings, heightened with such beautiful landscape.Story:
the premise is quite straightforward and simple, and you can even find it in your typical Hallmark holiday and romance movies, but with much more heart and brilliant execution. A city girl come to the sleepy little town to heal herself from the hustle and bustle, even resigned her well paid job, planning to stay for 3 months. There she finds new connections, and even a potential romance, but most of all, she found herself, and what she wanted to do in life. The strength of this drama comes from its mundane story telling, where every characters have their time to shine. Everyone has their own story to tell, and it interwoven beautifully.
Cast & Characters:
Like I said above, there's a story for each characters, even the side characters have their own, well, character arcs. I never really follow Liu Yifei before, and I had thought that her acting was rather stiff in earlier episodes, but as it progresses, I think it was something intentional to show how she hide her broken heart by putting on a facade. The scene where she cried in Xie Zhiyao's arm in his car when she was drunk was a masterpiece, and no one can tell me otherwise. Li Xian on the other hand really embodies Xie Zhiyao from the get go. His sunshiny smile was so captivating, and he can be commanding when needed to show his charisma. I can't mention every supporting characters because it will make this review very long, but I need to mention the child actors. They are soooo good. The best ones I see so far in my not really short (K, C, J) drama watching.
Music:
10/10. I have the soundtrack on my youtube playlist right away, especially 去有风的地方 (Go Somewhere Windy) - 郁可唯 (Yisa Yu), 日日 (Days) - 陈粒 (Chen Li), and 摇篮谣 (The Cradling Ballad) - 斯斯与帆 (Sisi Yufan). The songs can transport you back to the village and make you feel like lounging around to feel the wind caress you.
The things I wish was better was the pace. There were times where they linger too long on a scene. Just because I love the serenity doesn't mean that I want to meander, especially when the scene was not that interesting. That was why I can't give the drama a perfect 10. But overall, I'll watch it again for sure.
PS: this is my first review here, and "Meet Yourself" made me do it.
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Beautiful Drama ?
This is my first time reviewing a drama I couldn't stop myself from appreciating this drama....I am very happy to see Li Xian again... it is very heart warming story and beautifully executed. It is longest yet beautiful drama without any misunderstandings nor break ups... loved the chemistry between LX and CL.Every characters were given equal screen time and the relationship between them is portrayed very beautifully.... Friendship, sisterhood and brotherhood were the best..I recommend to watch the drama....
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I want to go to where the wind is!
I cannot begin to describe how much I love this show. If you haven't watched it - just turn it on now. Stop hesitating!It begins with Xu Hongdou leaving behind her job in Beijing to travel to Dali, Yunnan because of a personal tragedy she faced. She goes to stay in a homestay in Yunmiao, a village off the beaten path. In the homestay there are other lost souls who have all gathered in this beautiful dreamlike home because they too are running away from reality or from their troubles. You have the beautiful Nana who works in the cafe and harbours a secret, Da Mai, the uninspired writer, Ma Qiu Shan the businessman turned wannabe monk, Teacher Hu / Hu You Yu the wandering unsuccessful musician.
Over three months these guests to the yard grow closer and open up about their struggles and challenges and the most magical thing is they all leave healed - better versions of themselves. Not in some tropey or cliche way - in a way that is close to reality. Healed by time, friendship and self determination.
And of course there is the romance between Hongdou and Xie Zhi Yao played by two of the most popular actors in China right now. Li Xian is perfectly cast as Xie Zhi Yao. The handsome, rough round the edges boy next door with a smile that lights up rooms. Their relationship wasn't hurried. It blossomed - and that's the best kind. It was clear that Xie Zhi Yao was attracted to Hongdou from the start but the screenwriters let them get to know each other better and form a friendship before they grew into a relationship. It was a mature relationship with a strong foundation.
The supporting cast were absolute stars. Each had wonderful character development stories. Xie Xiao Chun, Xie Xiao Xia, even Ah Nai - it was such a joy to witness the growth of their characters. I felt that the magic of this little village in Dali is that nobody stays the same - everyone grows and becomes better versions of themselves, helped along by the people around them.
Even the village doesn't stay the same. It evolves and grows with the time. In a way, as i think of it now, the village represents the people and the people represent the village. They both grow in parallel.
Finally, I must not leave out the little children - Tuo Tuo, Xiao Hulu, Hu Zi and Guo Bao. Their presence was like the sprinkles on top of an already absolutely perfect sundae. They added such joy, and sometimes strong emotions of sadness, to the show. Their presence really amplified the mood of each scene. If an event was happy, it was doubly happy with the children there; if the scene was sad, it was doubly sad with the children. Such a masterstroke to include the little ones in the show.
Honestly, I cannot think of a show that has excelled at almost everything. I literally cannot find a single thing to fault. And that is so rare when now I see to find it easy to find faults with the hurried scriptwriting.
Absolutely wonderful. An instant classic. I am re-watching it from the beginning because I am not ready to leave Yunmiao yet.
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TRULY WONDERFUL! Watch it now!
This was my first taste of CDramas and wow the bar has been set extremely high.It took me a while to get used to the pace, and at 40 episodes long it's much longer than the usual Kdrama. PLEASE stick with it though and you'll be rewarded with a truly wholesome, healing, wonderful story all wrapped up in the most beautiful scenery and people. Oh, and the food is incredible!
The cinematography and soundtrack are stunning as well.
Liu Yi Fei was a brilliant lead as was Li Xian. The supporting cast was great too. Some subplots felt like they dragged on, but I think, due to the length of the show, they paid off in the end.
So sit back, relax and enjoy this 40-episode therapy session!
I'm going to try Go Ahead next.
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Like Sitting Beneath a Tree on a Sunny Afternoon
Meet Yourself begins with grief, but it never uses grief to manipulate the audience. Xu Hong Dou loses her best friend, resigns from the hospitality job she dedicated a decade of her life to, and travels to Yun Miao Village near Dali, a destination they had once planned to visit together. Some viewers may find the first episode difficult because of how heavy it feels. Interestingly, the drama never relies on lengthy flashbacks or exaggerated tragedy to make us mourn. Instead, it quietly reminds us that life should not be postponed until "someday." As someone who also feels trapped in the endless cycle of work, that message struck home. There is nothing wrong with chasing success, but it also asks a simple question. What is the point of working so hard if we never allow ourselves to enjoy the life we are building before it is too late?What follows feels like going on a long vacation yourself. Imagine sitting beneath the shade of a tree with someone who enjoys silence just as much as you do. Nobody feels pressured to fill the quiet. Somehow, simply sharing the same space becomes comforting enough. That is exactly how Meet Yourself made me feel. I deliberately watched it slowly because every episode felt like something to savor instead of binge. It made me smile, occasionally brought me to tears, yet never resorted to dramatic emotional whiplash. The pacing is calm and steady, the conflicts feel grounded, and every character is given room to breathe. Rather than chasing huge plot twists, the drama finds beauty in ordinary days, reminding us that even simple stories can carry remarkable depth.
One detail I especially loved was Hong Dou's decision to document everything she experienced in Yun Miao Village. Every place she visited, every meal she ate, every memory she made became something she was living for both herself and the friend who never got the chance. It was heartbreaking, yet incredibly inspiring. There was something liberating about watching someone set aside the noise of the world and spend three months simply experiencing life. Then reality kicked in and I remembered Hong Dou had ten years of savings while I am... broke.
The village itself quickly became one of my favorite characters. What starts as a guesthouse filled with strangers slowly transforms into a community where everyone knows and cares for one another. The friendships Hong Dou builds with Damai, Na Na, the locals, and the other guests became just as important as the romance.
Damai was the character I resonated with the most. We are both writers, introverts, and socially awkward people. Watching her spend an entire day socializing only to immediately bury herself under the blanket afterward felt painfully relatable. Work has forced me to become a functioning introvert, but my social battery still sends me invoices after every gathering. One line from Damai stayed with me long after I finished the drama: "We're often trapped in all kinds of judgments from others. But actually we need to understand this. When the flood rushes toward you, you feeling overwhelmed is not your fault."
That quote comforted me because it never tries to invalidate fear with empty optimism. It simply acknowledges that being overwhelmed is a natural response when life crashes into you like a flood. Eventually, the water recedes, or perhaps we simply learn how to swim. Either way, the script chooses compassion over forced positivity, and that felt refreshingly honest.
Na Na's story also resonated with me in a very personal way. Like her, I create content for a living. It is surprisingly easy to become the target of strangers hiding behind screens. Even reading hostile comments can leave you anxious, so I could only imagine the nightmare of having your personal information exposed, strangers calling your phone, and people showing up at your doorstep. The drama captured that fear remarkably well. What moved me most was not simply her trauma, but the unwavering trust her friends showed once they learned the truth. They stood beside her without hesitation. Having people who choose to believe you instead of the rumors is a rare blessing. Watching Na Na slowly reclaim her courage and step back into the world became one of the drama's most rewarding journeys.
Then there is Xie Zhi Yao, arguably the busiest man in Yun Miao Village. After leaving behind a successful corporate career, he returns home determined to revitalize his hometown through sustainable tourism. Whether it is investing in the guesthouse, building a horse ranch, opening businesses, or helping every villager solve their problems, everyone seems to have "Call A'Yao" permanently saved in their mental speed dial. Despite carrying so much responsibility, he never loses his warmth or humility.
His relationship with Hong Dou is easily one of the most natural romances I have seen. It is the definition of a slow burn, not because the writers artificially delayed it, but because two emotionally mature adults naturally took their time. Everyone leaned on Zhi Yao whenever they needed help, yet Hong Dou became the person he leaned on in return. He trusted her with his worries, while she found someone who quietly listened to her grief without trying to erase it. They supported one another not by solving every problem, but by simply being present. Their chemistry never relied on grand romantic gestures. Instead, it grew through conversations, shared meals, comfortable silences, and countless little moments.
Their biggest obstacle was also wonderfully realistic. Hong Dou would eventually return to Beijing while Zhi Yao could not abandon the village he had devoted everything to. When his friends suggested convincing her to stay, his response completely won me over: "Since it's impossible for me to go with her, what right do I have to ask her to stay for me? Why do men take it for granted that women should make more sacrifices and compromises for love, while men only need to offer a verbal promise: I'll treat you well forever."
That single line speaks volumes about his character. Love, to him, is not asking someone else to sacrifice what you cannot. Instead, he chooses to find ways to bridge the distance himself, even joking that he could use his grandmother's savings for his future marriage to frequently visit Hong Dou. Green flag? More like an entire bamboo forest.
His confession later became one of my favorite confessions in any drama. It was not dramatic or desperate. It simply laid his heart bare, expressing gratitude for meeting her while wishing her happiness regardless of the outcome. There was no pressure, no expectation, and no emotional bargaining. Just sincere love spoken against the backdrop of the sea, the breeze, and the evening sunset. I cried because it felt so genuine. Zhi Yao's understanding of love is beautiful. Loving someone does not always mean possessing them. Sometimes it means cheering for them as they walk toward the life they truly want. Hong Dou's simple "thank you" in response somehow made the moment even more perfect.
Of course, no discussion about this drama would be complete without mentioning the real MVP, Granny Xie. Wu Yan Shu absolutely steals every scene she appears in. She is wise, endlessly supportive, hilariously mischievous, and surprisingly ready to grab whatever object is nearby to discipline her grandsons when necessary. Seeing her rush over with a toy sword to defend Hong Dou was both hilarious and oddly heroic. She became everyone's emotional anchor while simultaneously serving as the couple's biggest wingwoman. Gangster granny deserves her own fan club.
The performances across the board were excellent. Liu Yi Fei perfectly captured Hong Dou's quiet resilience. There is something incredibly soothing about her gentle voice that made every conversation feel comforting. Li Xian effortlessly embodied the dependable village heartthrob without making the character feel idealized or larger than life. He remained charming because he always felt human. Ma Meng Wei and Hu Bing Qing were wonderful as Damai and Na Na, while Dong Qing and Tu Song Yan also delivered memorable performances. Even the four neighborhood children completely stole my heart whenever they appeared.
Visually, the drama understands that sometimes less is more. The cinematography itself is fairly straightforward, but Yun Miao Village hardly needs embellishment. The scenery speaks for itself. Every frame invites you to slow down and breathe. The soundtrack deserves equal praise because every song perfectly complements the atmosphere. I even found myself searching for the OST after finishing the drama. The calm acoustic tracks made peaceful moments even warmer, while the playful romantic songs added so much charm to Hong Dou and Zhi Yao's flirtatious scenes.
I also appreciated the ending. It was predictable, but in the best possible way. Rather than showing everyone magically reaching their final destination, the drama simply lets us see the direction each character chooses to walk toward. Hong Dou decides to build a new life in the village after careful consideration, both families finally meet, everyone gathers together, and the story quietly closes with warmth instead of spectacle. It felt less like saying goodbye and more like waving at old friends, knowing they would continue living happily after the credits rolled.
After taking my time and savoring every cozy moment, saying goodbye to Meet Yourself felt bittersweet. It was like finishing a peaceful holiday and reluctantly packing your bags to return home. This drama reminded me that healing rarely arrives with fireworks. More often, it comes through ordinary conversations, shared meals, meaningful friendships, and learning to slow down long enough to truly live. It comforted me, reassured me that I am not alone in my struggles, and gently reminded me that sometimes the life we are searching for only reveals itself after we stop running. If you are looking for a relaxing, heartwarming slice of life that feels like sitting beneath a tree with someone who understands the beauty of silence, Meet Yourself is an easy recommendation.
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This review may contain spoilers
TOURISM PROMOTIONAL DRAMA
In my opinion, this drama was like a Tourism Promotional segment as that's the main story. Very slow and dragging, can fallen asleep watching it, Li Xian was the only one that has sparkle in his eyes - the rest of the actors were boring (Wait... Grandma Xie was sweet and cute) the OST slow too. Beautiful country site, rustic but colorful houses and interior, dilemma of villagers, relationship between people, personal hope and struggle of occupants. If we talk about living quiet and harmonious, this is it, don't expect something hilarious and jolt of character. Liu YiFei as usual delivered her dialog in soft whisper voice (turn up the volume) while Li Xian had smiles more than his other dramas which refreshing. Question: the fact that they had horse barn at the same location of residential/office, reality smell of horse dung is nothing to enjoy to. Lot of eating scenes but only saw them nibble little here and there, busy body aunties (I skipped these scenes), Mr. Ma was between flip his hair/doing tea ceremony & meditation (ugh...I skipped him too), a lot of self-reflection and self discovery on every characters (which means a lot of day dreaming, spacing out, talked within, back flashing memories...skipped!), nothing really jolly.Xu Hong Dou (Liu YiFei), a hard working big-city woman, suddenly hit a bump in her life when her best friend fell ill from cancer and passed away. Distraught and unable to reconcile with her friend's death, Xu met difficulties in continuing her working life in the city. She decided to take a vacation in a China's rural village of Yun Miao, near Dali, in Yunnan Province – to break away from the distressing urban life and to find peace and quiet, she met Xie ZieYao, a president of every businesses in the area including the place she stayed in. As he tried to navigate the businesses, he proposed to Hong Duo to volunteer to improve hospitality service at where she stayed, with Grandma Xie persuasion she finally decided to help out till time for her to move on (3 months stay). Got better in ep 25 onward when the love started to bloom but still many skipping...
Well, I can understand why the Producer drag this drama so boring, how to develop scenes to more lively and interesting? For a simple synopsis drama, 40 episodes is too long stretch to be completed. If I knew better, I should have started this drama from ep 20 (better yet ep 24).
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Amazing
Not your typical CDrama romcom!I must say I have not finished this series yet. I have two more episodes to go, and I really don't want it to end. I adore the characters (grannies, Hulu and Toutou!). The storyline is believable and well written. It is much deeper than the typical rich boss/dumb girl stories that seem to dominate the genre. The chemistry between all the characters is so sweet and believable. The circle of friendship with Dou, Damai and Nana is so sweet.
The music is wonderful. I find myself humming the credit song all day.
The cinematography is STUNNING!
I will be rewatching this series many times, and would love a second season.
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Lazy script and forgettable show with beautiful scenery
I don't get the hype. Yes the scenery (place and people) are beautiful. But that's really all there is to it. One can only conclude that like the female lead character, Liu Yifei has basically decided to phone it in with her career. The script is lazily written (much like the premise of the show) and the producers decide to insert the *same* songs in almost every single scene! This is not your typical OST or sound effects that occur at key junctures. The whole show is like an ultralong MTV with songs every 5 mins or so.The pacing is also unbelievably slow. For the first 10 episodes, you are treated to Hongdou moping around. It is not until well past the halfway point when anyone else knows what she was moping about. And when the romance begins to develop, it does so with suddenness and complete lack of character development. There are also many pointless side stories. While I appreciate well-developed side stories, none of those in this show are remotely interesting and extremely cliched. The lazy young musician with the take-charge cougar. The little brother with the crush on the older sister. Ironically, it is the non-romance stories involving the elderly folks that are far more engaging.
Maybe the reason why this show generated such hype is because of a unique malaise afflicting urbanites in Beijing and Shanghai. As a show, it is very forgettable. Certainly I don't recall any episode or scene where I would even want to rewatch.
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Slice of life, love and friendship!
This show is such a gem, if you have seen the Korean show Hometown Cha Cha Cha and enjoyed it then this show might be up your alley.I’ve cried with these characters, I’ve laughed with them, and in the end I’ve come to cherish them.
This show is not just about the two main characters, this is a show about community, value, friendship, family.
As someone who is mainly into shows about cultivation and immortals, I was just very pleasantly surprised at how instant hooked I was when I started Meet Yourself with zero expectations.
Although the show isn’t plot driven, it’s character driven and I think that’s why this show deserves its praises. The show reminded me of a documentary, the look into the lives and relationships of humans who aren’t perfect but at the same time, they’re just trying their best — they’re just like you and me.
I wholeheartedly recommend this show for anyone who just wants to take a break from life, cause this show was such a treat to me after my long days at work. I looked forward to unwinding once I got home and immersed myself into their little village and conversations nestled amongst each other,
If I could give this 12/10 I would.
You won’t regret watching this show.
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A little slow but a very good watch
I really liked this series. I liked and related to all characters. I actually wanted to know their stories. There was a good balance between drama and comedy. While I felt like crying at some moments (the 1st ep as a whole for example), at others I wanted to laugh as well. The couple was cute and real at the same time. Loved how they seemed comfortable around each other. The overall message of the series and the lessons we learn with the characters were really good.But there was a little problem: it was too long! Honestly, the series could easily tell eveyone's stories and be 30 episodes long. If it had to have 40 eps then they should've put more scenes where smth was actually happening, or then some other romance story instead of a lot of meditation and nature contemplation. Don't get me wrong. I loved the series. But it was a little slow at times and it failed to create some cliffhangers and let me wanting to watch more everyday. Furthermore, I think there was some points which were left open and could've been closed:
1) Na Na and Xia Xia's ending could be more clear. Will they get together in the future? Why aren't they together now? Why take so much time, or no time at all, to develop their story? I feel like the series had too much time and could tell their story but it didn't and that disappointed me.
2) Mr. Hu had some family issues and a bad relationship with his dad. Why this matter wasn't talked more deeply like they did with Damai? And why couldn't they show us his happy ending with Manjun? I think it felt a little rushed.
3) I was hoping Xiaochun would talk things out and restart with her ex-husband. Both of them had a lot to learn from the problems that led to their divorce and I wanted to see that evolution from them, especially hers since she's the one we see the most. But the series took too much time to begin talking abt them and just for them not to come back together.
These were the main problems I found while watching. Like I said, it is a 40-ep-long series which means that they had the time to talk about a lot of things but they didn't. This was more clear on the last episode which spent a lot of time on Mr. Hu's singing and the leads watching the sunset together, instead of closing some plots. However, that didn't stop me from actually enjoying the series. Seeing from my ratings that was a very good watch.
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Mature and beautiful and so very relaxing
My favorite dramas are the ones I can watch with minimal eye-rolling and this one definitely fit the bill. Here’s why:—I think this is one of the few dramas I’ve watched where the characters feel real and the adults behave like they’re actual adults.
—The drama tropes are kept to a minimum and the interpersonal drama is realistic and never lasts more than an episode.
—A’Yao and Hongdou are such beautiful people with their respective struggles and strengths and their journey of coming together is so fun to watch. The attraction, the teasing, the PINING. The complete comfort these two have around each other really sells the relationship and the slightest expression had me grinning like a fool. Definitely a solid slow-burn
—The villagers could very easily get lost in the shuffle of side characters. But the aunties and the grannies and uncles and kids were so memorable and though there were moments I would get confused, it was pretty easy to keep them straight. A’Yao’s A’Nai was my favorite and a particular scene with her towards the end made me laugh so very hard.
—Yunnan province’s scenery is so beautiful. The “product” placement definitely did its job. Every scene was gorgeous to watch and the cinematography that made Yunnan look so bright and calming and gentle was such a perfect contrast to Beijing’s dim lighting and dark shadows.
—THE MUSIC oh my gosh. Most, if not all, of the OST immediately joined my spotify playlists and i’ve been listening to 日日 on repeat.
To recap. This is a great palate cleanser drama, a relaxer drama, a drama to watch with a cup of tea and a blanket, a break from the excessive tropes and over the top acting that gets old after a few episodes. I’ve never watched a drama like this before, but I hope more are made like it. This one shot to my favorites list and I hope to rewatch it again in the future.
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