A well-written mix of happiness, angst, sorrow, joy and excitement portrayed magically!
I once dropped this show after watching 3 episodes. They were too deep and sad for my mental state back then and I decided to stop. But I'm just so glad, months later, I gave this show another go. Best decision ever! This has to be one of my favourite shows. This show has made me wanting a WFH set-up in a beautiful airbnb in a peaceful environment so much!What I like the most about this show is that ALL the leads have a brilliant background and story. Yes, you heard it right. You do not feel any imbalance in how they handle the multiple characters. Enough and more time is spent on the struggles, achievements and daily life of all the characters instead of being focused on only Hong Dou and Zhi Yao.
I also like how they've shown a broken yet extremely independent and sensible woman in the form of Hong Dou. She prioritises her mental health, is willing to work on herself when things are not right but overcomes it all (with the help of our wonderful characters) to get back on her feet. She does not let others guide her future and is a force to reckon with. Whether it be her family, or love, nothing gets in the way of her dreams, and that is just aspirational. What is even more amazing about this is that she does all of this without stepping on others, she considers everyone's feelings, acknowledges them and talks it out peacefully, commendable!
I also like the character of Chairman Xie. He is a self-aware and brilliant guy who knows exactly what he wants and gives his all to achieve the same. Although his character is too good to be true and very philanthropist-y for my liking, kudos to him for being like that and staying at it throughout the show. His commitment to his goal and community is commendable and it makes me look out for my own Chairman Xie.
My favourite characters though have to be of Na Na and Da Mai. They have developed beautifully over the show, given their best performances and worked magic on the screen. The bond between the two is also magical and something I aspire for. But having said that, all the actors including the village aunties and uncles, have brilliantly depicted their roles and the acting in this show is very top-notch by everyone.
What amazes me to this date is just how calm, composed and peaceful Xu Hong Dou sounds. The tranquility that sets whenever she's talking is no joke. So gentle and so sweet. It's like she could say 1000 mean things to me, and I would still be focused only on just how tranquil and gentle she sounds. I've never heard any actor portray a character like that and usually I find it very annoying but Hong Dou's tone matched the entire show and it's concept so well that it was a brilliant touch!
What I didn't like about the show is the little Chinese propaganda flowing throughout, but personally, I've learnt to overcome the same after having watched countless Chinese shows. At some point it also feels like a tourism documentary but I don't find any problem with that because the show has otherwise delivered on every single front so what's the problem with a little advertisement. I've been to Yunnan, Kunming and Dali and hands down the beauty of these places needs to be shared with everyone.
If you're looking for a feel-good, deep, and absolutely BRILLIANT show, then don't think twice. THIS IS IT. I can't recommend this show enough to everyone. What an amazing 35 hours of my life. Cheers! 🌸
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Friends
This has to be one of my favorite dramas. Everything about it touched my heart.Every villager, from the innocent little children to the beautiful wise grannies became friends that made me laugh, frustrated me, made me want to defend and protect them - and brought me to tears.
Every cast member was perfectly chosen and the story was brilliantly developed. Each character was given time so that you learned about them empathized with them, cheered them on, and wept with and for them. I can’t say there wasn’t a character that annoyed or bothered me due to tropey storylines. You’re able to watch them struggle and overcome things while being supported by each other. There was no backstabbing or crazy childhood friend being goaded by an overly controlling mother trying to force an arranged marriage.
The Ml and FL had sparks flying off the screen the whole drama. It was a joy to watch them draw closer and build up a solid, mature friendship before they committed to each other.
I just have to say that the ML’s granny had to be my favorite. She loves hard, fights back, teaches and protects her family and friends without reserve. The actress that portrayed her made me want to get to know her. This was a beautiful way to portray healthy familial love.
Some people might give this drama a low score because it takes so long for the leads to become a couple, but I think that’s one of the great things about this drama.
If anyone notices the FL’s obsession with time represented by the clock in the intro, at the hotel, her need to always know what time it was - even to rent one of the children’s wrist watch, and the comment made by the clock repairman at the beginning which basically said if one gear breaks the whole clock shuts down. After a few days the FL stopped obsessing with time As her heart and mind began to unwind from all the pressure she put on herself because of work, that is when her healing began. Then eventually she was able to remove her self from the clocks mechanism and realize that life is what we make of it, while strict adherence to her former jobs regulations, the importance of recognizing that rules and time can be their own prison. And, it is much better to let life roll on and do what you can to the best of your ability.
The friends she made in this little village were more understanding and loving group. Every quirky character was portrayed beautifully.
Needless to say, this one deserves rewatching. I feel like I missed a lot and want to go back to see them all again.
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There’s virtually nothing happening for the first 4 episodes…
I dropped the drama as it is too slow. The cinematography is good, but the drama is shot like a movie, with no plot happening for the first 4 episodes. There’s a man staying in the lodge who is a comic relief as usual who is quite irritating and pointless as a cast, who does not contribute to the storyline. I dropped it without watching further. I do not understand why the drama has such a high rating, besides the fact that the two leads are good looking and Yunan itself is picturesque. The precipitating factor for the FL to move to Yunan is due to the passing of her good friend, but that is merely a device used by the scriptwriter. Overall too slow for me to continue watching.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A scenic slice-of-life that slowly loses its soul
What I Liked- This was my first Liu Yi Fei drama, so I had no prior performances to compare it to, but I really liked her portrayal of Xu Hong Dou. The nuances she brought to the character, even in the way she spoke, felt incredibly fitting and natural.
- Similarly, I appreciated Li Xian’s interpretation of his role. I don’t have much to reference since the only other drama I’ve seen him in was Go Go Squid! (2019), which I unfortunately dropped. Still, it’s clear he’s a good actor.
- The early episodes captured slowness, stillness, and simplicity beautifully. There were moments when the scenery took center stage—no background music, just the sound of wind rustling through leaves or birds chirping. It grounded the viewer in the moment.
- Emotional scenes weren’t overacted. Instead, they were quiet and restrained, letting raw, adult emotions speak for themselves, often paired with a well-chosen OST.
- The story began with the female lead navigating burnout and grief, but it didn’t stop there. It gave emotional depth to the supporting characters and villagers too. You don’t just root for the leads, you end up caring about the entire community.
- The romance was paced well and felt realistic. Both leads acted their age, transitioning from acquaintances to friends to romantic partners in a way that made sense. I also appreciated how healthy their relationship was. They didn’t hold each other back and respected each other’s priorities.
What I Didn’t Like
- The slow pacing worked—at first. It’s a slice-of-life drama, so that’s expected. But as the series went on, it felt like the writers got complacent. The slowness became a crutch, and the story started to feel aimless. Side plots lacked weight, and character development—especially for the leads—stalled, which was disappointing given the show’s premise.
- The storytelling began to feel a bit too on-the-nose. Characters often sounded preachy, delivering monologues about life and its meaning in moments where natural dialogue would’ve been more effective. It felt like the show was forcing moral lessons onto the audience, rather than letting the characters learn and grow into them.
- The drama also leaned heavily into tourism promotion—clearly aiming to showcase Yunnan, which, to be fair, it did beautifully. The villagers’ stories, especially around improving the local economy to keep the younger generation from leaving, were compelling. But I wish it hadn’t been packaged so overtly as a tourism campaign. The story was already strong on its own.
- After the leads got together, the narrative lost momentum. With no further character development, it felt like the show had nothing left to say, which was frustrating, considering how promising it started.
Honestly, this could’ve been a tight 30-episode series. Instead, it dragged. The emotional weight and quiet power of the early episodes slowly faded, until I eventually couldn’t bring myself to finish it.
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Go aheah & watch this drama you will love it.
After a long time I got to watch such a great dramaAt 1 st I thought it would be boring but I wanted to give it a try because of the male lead (Li xian).
It was a really really great drama the type of drama I was looking for..
There are so many scene that will make your heart flutter.. I personally laughed a lot also did get emotional some time even cried!!
It has the type of setting that I personally want in my life ( I mean living in a small place with a lot of good people who really care for you) .. & the ost those were just great I downloaded all the ost & i listen to them & think about the setup they showed us.
It was such a healing drama. I like their acting, the whole cast are awesome. Also it was the 1 st drama of the female lead that I watch & i became e fan there were no weird character every character did a great job.
The male lead & female lead being together was also great I may not the right way to explain the drama but you should give it a try .
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The Actors make you love this show.
My main complaint for a lot of Chinese dramas is that the characters act so young for their ages or take 20 episodes just to peek on the cheek kiss after some dumb misunderstanding. This is not one of those dramas. It’s about family, friendship, work life, living for a dream or just working for a paycheck . The actors are likable and real in their emtions. Of course the ML and FL are so much fun to watch as their relationship develops —you find yourself rooting for them, the village and the community. No fast forwarding needed as you just sit back and enjoy being part of the friend groupWanting to help each other succeed
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Slice of Life drama with beloved characters
Admittedly I didn't initially like the premise of this story so I came in watching with low expectations. But it was HIGHLY recommended by a friend who shares similar drama preferences so I kept an open mind.Honestly, speaking, I LOVED it. It's everything I want in a comfort-friendship drama. In fact the romance aspect isn't put at the forefront of the story in half of the episodes.
The story had such a slow start for me because I was mainly hoping to see cute romantic scenes. But these don't pick up until around the 16th episode. And quite honestly, the first 8 episodes were basically getting to know all the other characters in the story, so just brace yourself for a slow slow start.
Although I found it slow (and dragging) I found myself starting to care more about the stories of the other characters. And I love when they flesh out the backgrounds of all the "side characters". There's enough background stories to go around. And the friendship they develop working through each of their problems made me want to have my own similar group of friends. I do love all the girls though from Damai, Nana, Xiaochun and Xinxin.
The setting is also amazing and the shots take them beautifully. If there was one takeaway from this drama, it is that their town would be such a nice place to visit on a holiday.
The OST was also quite fitting, including more slow, calm, nostalgic songs.
The romance was actually quite mature. Slow to develop but between two emotionally mature adults who knows how to work through their conflicts together. It's somehow healing to watch versus most other romcoms that show intense arguments and conflicts before the happy ending.
Overall, very nice comforting watch. I like the idea of it, but I don't think I'll find myself rewatching it anytime soon.
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A lighthearted drama about life
"Meet Yourself" is a standout in the realm of Chinese dramas, effortlessly blending heartfelt storytelling with deep social themes. The show captivated me from the start with its realistic portrayal of life, love, and personal growth.The drama is set against the beautiful backdrop of the countryside, which adds a serene and almost therapeutic element to the narrative. However, what truly sets "Meet Yourself" apart is its mature and nuanced exploration of relationships and personal struggles. It delves into themes such as grief, community, the clash between modernity and tradition, and the journey of self-discovery. These elements are handled with such grace and depth that they resonate long after the episode ends.
The romance between the lead characters is one of the most authentic and grounded portrayals I’ve seen in recent dramas. It’s not just about grand gestures or clichéd moments; instead, it’s built on mutual respect, understanding, and personal growth. The chemistry between Liu Yifei and Li Xian feels natural and effortless, making their relationship both believable and deeply moving.
Liu Yifei shines as the female lead, bringing a quiet strength and vulnerability to her role. Her performance is both captivating and understated, perfectly embodying the complexities of her character. Li Xian also delivers a stellar performance, bringing warmth, charm, and depth to his role. His portrayal of a man who is both confident and introspective adds a compelling layer to the drama.
The supporting cast is equally commendable, each adding depth to the story with their unique personalities and subplots. The show does an excellent job of exploring different life perspectives, from the struggles of the younger generation to the wisdom of the older.
In conclusion, "Meet Yourself" is more than just a romance drama; it’s a beautifully crafted story about life, community, and the journey to find peace and happiness. It’s rare to find a drama that balances romance with such meaningful social commentary, but "Meet Yourself" does so flawlessly. This is a must-watch for anyone looking for a drama that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking.
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Awesome Acting and Romance with lots of epic visuals.
I love the way they details each and every natural view.FL lead Acting is wow superb.
This type of drama can give you peace of mind.
This drama carries lots of emotions, hard situation to overcome, epic detailing, awesome cast with superb acting especially FL acting overshadowed everyone.
Many things I like about it.
This drama gave you lots of lessons,
This drama shows you how to uplift your hometown into tourism attraction,
Basically I am from india , my culture is very different but in this drama you feel their culture,
Most important part of this drama is in Acting part , especially FL expression is superb 💕
If you are looking for relax , romance, healing type situation then go for it.
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A beautiful healing story
It’s worth of time, if you’ve a broken heart.The scenery was just beautiful, the atmosphere was perfect that it made me want to go there.
The scenario was alright and sometimes it made me want to cry and sometimes it made me smile and laugh. The actors were really great and the story was also good. I don’t have any negative thoughts about this drama because it helped me heal my mental and made me accept and understand the difficulties of life and how to face them.
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a therapeutic beautiful drama
the pace, the scenery, story, acting, everything was ideal! it takes you from the fast lifetempo of big cities, to a beautiful slow relaxing life in the village. there are good friendship scenses for those value strong friendships and a good love story for those interested in romance. but the story didn't revolve around romance, but around life itself!and I have to just say: I don't know where they found so many cute little actors! the children were adorable and really good at acting! and where did such a cute funny grandma come from?! I loved her!!
the music is also beautiful and calming (except for very few romantic scenes towards the end, when the two main leads finally get together, I think the music could have been better but still isn't bad)
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One Relax Drama
Long time hesitate to watch this, but I'm bored so just decided to watch this drama. Quite happy to watch this drama in the end.This drama tell story about Xu Hong Dou (HD) that just losing her friend & decided to take a break from life & just go to small town in Yunnan to relax. HD had plan to go travel to Yunnan with her friend, but since she died, HD decided to fulfill the promise & just go there. In Yunnan, Yun Miao village, like all small village, the community is closed tied & family related.
So aside from relax, HD also find new friend & new community or you can say new family and also not forget the love of her life.
What I like:
+ Really relax atmosphere. Like all small village, the time worked really slow & can make us feel relax & nothing in life is so important that you need to work your ass around...
+ The maturity of HD & Xie Zhi Yao (ZY). Like we know they love each other, but they don't rush thing & let the time take care of it.
+ The friendship that all the village create for one and each other.
+ The funny Granny Xie. Hoho... One more cute & adorable grandma in dramaland
+ They talk about the important communication between family. Like when Ma Qiu Shan & HD want to start business, they like having talk that whatever happen talk with family is important, not only when you already decided then you announce your decision.
Maybe from all of this the minus is only one. The times sometimes moves so slow... For you who don't like it gonna feel this drama a little bit bored.... Oh and maybe as usual for c-drama, the episode is just d*mn too much, I don't think the episode need this long.
Overall this is one good drama for you to enjoy and learn to relax....
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