This Thriving Land

A Giant in Acting and Cinematography for the genre

Acting wise, I think most actors here are picked for their acting skills rather than looks alone. Rarely seen a cast so complete with great actors. Yang Mi surprises me but I am happy she has a breakthrough. She looks more beautiful here than in all those Xianxia dramas she was in. Ou Hao is new to me. I almost can’t believe that such fine actor exists. Raw. Tan. Simpleton facial features but with a beautiful smile and dimples. Bulky yet not gym- like muscular. So real. As for cinematography, you have to watch it to love it. So authentic.

Storyline. The drama didn’t hesitate to tell the story as how they imagine life to be like in the day. Not everyone ends up with a good ending. Even though it was unfair eg Susu’s case, that’s how we think would be the story for her. The only part I didn’t like was NiWei coming back as a Japanese traitor. Too typical and predictable. He should just be written off as a bandit and end up being rounded up since he kind of supported what his dad was doing. He was old enough to understand unlike this little brother who ended up growing into a good person. The older actors especially the mum in law is of another level. Her every movement, voice , accent, actions are so well done. She deserves an award. The father is a well known actor. So no surprises. But the father in law was a pleasant surprise . He started as a selfish greedy person but as the drama unfolds he is pretty endearing. His death was so emotional. I even look up the actor profile to check his past works. Small eyes with gigantic expressions. The farming story he told before dying is a classic.

It’s so scary to see how they lived so poorly. Yet it’s heartwarming at the same time to see them happy when the land is doing well. Things we take for granted like safe home, clean food and water, machines to help our chores were non existent. How the entire family agree or disagree over little things like buying a cow is priceless. Like their lifeline. Makes me want to visit and stay in one of these farms. They should use the set for eco tourism.

Overall super well done. Deserve many awards including one for Yang Mi. Such great acting overall.

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DRAMA OF THE YEAR - SO REAL

I believe this should be the top Drama of 2025........it was so real ...... tells and shows us about the country / farmers and how they lived being on the land back than, take my hat off to the producers and actors for showing us how they survived through famine / floods /wars and how the whole village supported each other ........ will re-watch again and again.
To the main actors Xiuxiu & Dajiao brilliant performance from these two, they portrayed the characters so real I loved that Dajiao put on some weight for this drama he looks so good and also the other actors fantastic portrayal of the times give it 20/20.

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