Drama that pulled all my heart strings
Whenever I write a review, I always begin by focusing on the script, production, execution, and acting. This drama checked all those boxes without a doubt—it is a true tearjerker. There were countless moments when I simply couldn’t hold back my tears.
Xiu Xiu and Da Jiao are an enviable couple. Every time I saw Da Jiao running to save Xiu Xiu, despite barely knowing her at first, my heart swelled. Later, he gave his all to protect her, understand her, respect her, and love her. That dimpled face, looking at her with such pure thoughts, made him feel like a kind-hearted bull—strong, loyal, and gentle. I also admire Xiu Xiu’s pride, her fiery anger, and her undeniable high emotional intelligence.
Su Su, the innocent and kind village girl, completely stole my heart. Even now, my chest aches when I think of her. Her sister-in-law, bound by ancestral rules and traditions, suffered in her own way, and her story added another layer to the narrative.
I began watching this drama while it was airing, and soon found comfort in its simplicity and its impoverished setting. Those humble homes and their stories became a source of solace for me. At the same time, the depth and heaviness of the arcs triggered my depression, so I chose to take it slowly—savoring each episode rather than binging through. Complex stories like this deserve to be digested step by step. For those who, like me, find strange gratification in such emotional “torture,” this drama is a rare gem. I recall Yang Mi once saying something similar in another series, and I couldn’t agree more.
Finally, as I sit in my comfortable, Wi-Fi-equipped room and type these words, I am reminded of how some people struggle simply to survive. This drama made me deeply grateful to be born in this era and in the land I live. It urges me to remember that while I may face hardships, there are always others enduring far worse—and suddenly, my tiny problems vanish like bubbles in a vast ocean.
I will forever carry the warm villagers of Ox Temple in my heart, along with my beloved Xiu Xiu, Da Jiao, and Su Su.
Xiu Xiu and Da Jiao are an enviable couple. Every time I saw Da Jiao running to save Xiu Xiu, despite barely knowing her at first, my heart swelled. Later, he gave his all to protect her, understand her, respect her, and love her. That dimpled face, looking at her with such pure thoughts, made him feel like a kind-hearted bull—strong, loyal, and gentle. I also admire Xiu Xiu’s pride, her fiery anger, and her undeniable high emotional intelligence.
Su Su, the innocent and kind village girl, completely stole my heart. Even now, my chest aches when I think of her. Her sister-in-law, bound by ancestral rules and traditions, suffered in her own way, and her story added another layer to the narrative.
I began watching this drama while it was airing, and soon found comfort in its simplicity and its impoverished setting. Those humble homes and their stories became a source of solace for me. At the same time, the depth and heaviness of the arcs triggered my depression, so I chose to take it slowly—savoring each episode rather than binging through. Complex stories like this deserve to be digested step by step. For those who, like me, find strange gratification in such emotional “torture,” this drama is a rare gem. I recall Yang Mi once saying something similar in another series, and I couldn’t agree more.
Finally, as I sit in my comfortable, Wi-Fi-equipped room and type these words, I am reminded of how some people struggle simply to survive. This drama made me deeply grateful to be born in this era and in the land I live. It urges me to remember that while I may face hardships, there are always others enduring far worse—and suddenly, my tiny problems vanish like bubbles in a vast ocean.
I will forever carry the warm villagers of Ox Temple in my heart, along with my beloved Xiu Xiu, Da Jiao, and Su Su.
Was this review helpful to you?
