"Drama of the Year"
This drama is one of those rare dramas where every cast member gives their all in their performances. From the very first episode you can see that this drama was created with love and care. It has everything, emotion, love, heartbreak, familial relation, drama, classism, a bit of suspense, thrill..... it has got everything in a nice proportion where it won't be overwhelming for you.It has got good performances by all the actors, cinematography is amazing with those beautiful shots and the screenplay with the OST is just brilliant. Till episode 20 this is the drama of the year for me
Was this review helpful to you?
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
The enduring farming village
This is in many ways a richly-produced picture into life in a small farming village int he 1920s-1930s - filled with an varied assortment of characters not unlike a Dickensian novel. Brought to life by a wonderful cast, this drama was almost one of my favorites of the year until the halfway mark. The story then takes some unusual steps after that, introducing politics in a very preachy way with a lot of over-the-top dramatic moments as well in the individual storylines.Still, this is worth checking out if you want to explore this time period in a slightly different way (i.e. not your typical Republican era drama) and to see Yang Mi portray a very different kind of character. She and Ou Hao share great onscreen chemistry, and their story really does carry the entire drama, even with its faults.
Was this review helpful to you?
A powerful drama highlighting social issues
Real talk when I first heard about this show I wasn’t exactly hyped. I’m a big Yang Mi fan so just seeing her vibe with Ou Hao was enough to get me to tune in. I wasn’t expecting some deep character arcs or stuff that hardcore drama nerds geek out over. I just wanted a chill realistic vibe set in that time period ya know? My expectations were lowkey but man I was shook once I started watching. Some scenes dragged a bit so I skipped ‘em but it didn’t mess with the story since the dialogue wasn’t make-or-break.Yo I was all in for how they showed the two sisters Xiu Xiu and Su Su. Hit me right in the feels ‘cause I got some tension with one of my own sisters. Also like I dropped in a comment somewhere the show dives into social and legal stuff which was super moving and hit home hard.
Little by little I got hooked ‘cause the depth felt so real. Haven’t read the novel so no clue how it stacks up but cinematography script and character designs? Straight-up felt like real life
Totally recommend it if you’re down for a heavy emotional drama with family vibes and a touch of romance. This show was my summer buddy in August :)
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
It's not for the weak hearted
One thing about this drama, it keeps the emotions so genuine. The characters stay consistent, nothing feels overproduced or fake. Aside from DaJiao, everyone could honestly be people we run into in daily life, maybe even little reflections of people we already know. He’s the only one who feels like a “dreamy male lead,” the kind you can tell was written by a woman. And honestly, that contrast is what keeps you hooked, reality everywhere, and then him.He’s not the typical conventionally handsome type, at least not by Asian beauty standards. But the more you see his actions, his way of treating people, his quiet strength, you just can’t help but fall for him. His kindness and maturity almost feel overwhelming at times, like he’s too good to be true.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Chinese history 1927 to 1980 from a farmer’s POV
I was introduced to this drama by different friends. The “old theatre bones” (老戏骨) is an endearing term for experienced stage actors and they literally stole the show. In particular are the parents of both the male and female leads. Even the way they speak their lines and the color of their vocal tone is enough to bring you to tears.Those of us who do not know much of China’s tumultuous history will find this drama illuminating. I wonder if non Chinese speaking audience will relate to this show as much as Chinese speakers. Some parts of the plot is a little formulaic/tropish, but the overall storyline is engaging. I could not stop watching and developed a new found respect for farmers and their love of the land.
Definitely worth your time.
Was this review helpful to you?
More Than Entertainment, It’s Life Itself
This Thriving Land is a rare gem that carries its audience back to the roots of agrarian life. From the very first episode, it felt incredibly authentic, painting not only a story of individuals but of an entire community bound together by the soil that sustains them. This is not a show built for quick thrills; it is a reflective and mature piece of storytelling.What I loved most is that every character felt significant. It wasn’t a drama where two leads dominate while everyone else fades into the background. Instead, each villager was given depth, their own voice, their own triumphs and tragedies. Together, their stories created a rich, interwoven narrative of resilience, struggle, and collective hope. Watching their lives unfold, their joys, sorrows, hardships, and bonds, was like living alongside them, deeply anchored to the land that was both their burden and their salvation.
The performances were uniformly excellent, capturing the heart of the village with their honesty and emotional nuance. The entire ensemble of villagers felt alive, each actor breathing truth into their role, making the village feel less like a backdrop and more like a living character of its own.
The drama captures the four seasons of the countryside with poetic beauty—the planting of seeds, the golden harvest, the snow-covered fields—each image grounding the story in a vivid, sensory reality. The production team deserves credit for balancing visual artistry with narrative honesty, allowing viewers to be transported into the rhythm of rural life.
More than just a drama, This Thriving Land is an ode to endurance, community, and the human spirit’s connection to the earth. It reminds us of where we come from and why our roots matter. It is slow yet steady, tender yet powerful, and above all, profoundly human.
This is a story that matures with its audience. It is not a glossy romance or an escapist fantasy; it is a deeply emotional journey that asks you to listen, feel, and remember. In the end, watching it felt like living an entire lifetime, sharing laughter, sorrow, love, and loss, until the very last breath.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Uma obra impecável. O roteiro é simples e emocionante. O choque de realidade é fabuloso e a mensagem contida no roteiro toca os sentimentos mais profundos. As atuações são primorosas. A direção conduziu com mão de ouro, não há lentidão e nem correria nos capítulos e a edição é espetacular. O figurino condiz com o período mostrado e, muito bem retratado nas diferentes classes sociais daquela época. A trilha sonora é agradável. Esse drama é uma verdadeira joia dramática.Eu sou fã do trabalho da atriz Yang Mi, mas, nesse drama, a atuação dela superou todas as expectativas.
Was this review helpful to you?
