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My June 2025 recommendations challenge
Watch this for my June 2025 recommendations challenge by 𝑷𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒍. So happy I can put this into my finished list after such a long time just sitting in my PTW ^^.
As usual, let's start with the story…
Story about the Hu family, centered on Hu Xiang Xiang (XX) and Hu Xiang Jiang (XJ). The story begins with XX trying to escape an arranged marriage set up by her brother-in-law, Xue Jun Shan (JS). Unexpectedly, the groom turns out to be Gu Qing Ming (QM).
Both XX and QM are reluctant to attend the arranged meeting, but they leave quite an impression on each other. From that day on, they often clash, yet with each exchange, their opinions of one another gradually improve. XX comes to admire QM’s sense of responsibility and patriotism, while QM is increasingly charmed by XX’s intelligence and wit.
Meanwhile, XJ’s love life is far less smooth. He has long been in love with a girl named Jin Feng (JF), but she has never returned his feelings and consistently rejects him. On the other hand, XJ also has a childhood fiancée, Xiu Xiu (XiXi), to whom he’s been betrothed since birth. The Hu family already treats XiXi as one of their own, and she even lives with them. XiXi genuinely loves XJ, even though he does not reciprocate her feelings. So how will this love triangle unfold?
As for the Hu family itself—though it’s technically their household, they mostly rely on JS, both financially and supports. JS is not a bad person. Despite his flaws, he sincerely cares for the Hu family and takes his responsibilities seriously.
Everything changes when war breaks out in China, especially in their city, which Japan aggressively targets.
Both QM and JS serve as military officers defending the city on the front lines, while the rest of the Hu family struggles to survive during wartime.
That's pretty much the story without giving the spoiler. Now what I like and don't.
What I liked:
+ It’s not solely focused on the war.
+ Yang Zi and Niu Jun Feng’s acting was pretty good, especially considering how young they were at the time.
+ The development of XX and QM’s relationship — in the end, their bond is built on mutual trust and support.
+ I appreciate that the story didn’t complicate things with disapproval from QM’s family.
What I didn’t like:
How childish XJ can be. I get that he’s a bit of a spoiled brat, but I really wish he showed more growth throughout the story.
I don't know whether to say I like it or not, but seeing how everyone had become so used to hearing about their friends’ deaths—and how their faces remained unmoved when receiving or delivering the news—added a new, bitter layer to the story.
Overall, I’m just really happy to have watched this story—it struck a good balance between romance, family dynamics, and historical backdrop.
As usual, let's start with the story…
Story about the Hu family, centered on Hu Xiang Xiang (XX) and Hu Xiang Jiang (XJ). The story begins with XX trying to escape an arranged marriage set up by her brother-in-law, Xue Jun Shan (JS). Unexpectedly, the groom turns out to be Gu Qing Ming (QM).
Both XX and QM are reluctant to attend the arranged meeting, but they leave quite an impression on each other. From that day on, they often clash, yet with each exchange, their opinions of one another gradually improve. XX comes to admire QM’s sense of responsibility and patriotism, while QM is increasingly charmed by XX’s intelligence and wit.
Meanwhile, XJ’s love life is far less smooth. He has long been in love with a girl named Jin Feng (JF), but she has never returned his feelings and consistently rejects him. On the other hand, XJ also has a childhood fiancée, Xiu Xiu (XiXi), to whom he’s been betrothed since birth. The Hu family already treats XiXi as one of their own, and she even lives with them. XiXi genuinely loves XJ, even though he does not reciprocate her feelings. So how will this love triangle unfold?
As for the Hu family itself—though it’s technically their household, they mostly rely on JS, both financially and supports. JS is not a bad person. Despite his flaws, he sincerely cares for the Hu family and takes his responsibilities seriously.
Everything changes when war breaks out in China, especially in their city, which Japan aggressively targets.
Both QM and JS serve as military officers defending the city on the front lines, while the rest of the Hu family struggles to survive during wartime.
That's pretty much the story without giving the spoiler. Now what I like and don't.
What I liked:
+ It’s not solely focused on the war.
+ Yang Zi and Niu Jun Feng’s acting was pretty good, especially considering how young they were at the time.
+ The development of XX and QM’s relationship — in the end, their bond is built on mutual trust and support.
+ I appreciate that the story didn’t complicate things with disapproval from QM’s family.
What I didn’t like:
How childish XJ can be. I get that he’s a bit of a spoiled brat, but I really wish he showed more growth throughout the story.
I don't know whether to say I like it or not, but seeing how everyone had become so used to hearing about their friends’ deaths—and how their faces remained unmoved when receiving or delivering the news—added a new, bitter layer to the story.
Overall, I’m just really happy to have watched this story—it struck a good balance between romance, family dynamics, and historical backdrop.
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