This review may contain spoilers
The farmers' grit for their land | Her Perfect Husband | Funny and strong spitting game! 哈哈
"Xiuxiu. Don't wait for him. What he can't do, I can. I'm going to make up for all the suffering you've endured." - Feng Dajiao to Ning Xiuxiu
If I were to describe this drama in one sentence. It would be "A production that will not disappoint, in any way or form, from the beginning till the very end."
Finishing this drama left me in total awe of its flawless craftsmanship. The cinematography was incredible as every detail felt intentional. You can tell it was created by masters of their craft who truly know what they’re doing. I have nothing but respect for the team behind this.
I must admit, there was also a time when I got frustrated watching this show—mainly Fei Wenxuan's preachy political scenes. But as time passed, I realized they were for the greater good of all. It made me acknowledge how shallow my views and ideologies were, and prompted me to reflect on my opinions and perspectives on life in general.
My only advice before you watch this is to absorb and savor every moment. Digest every scene, treasure the lessons in your heart, and keep any negative feedback to yourself until the very end. You must, at any cost, see it through to the finale before making a judgment. Because the only time you can truly understand the value of the story is after you have completed it.
This is the type of drama that makes you reflect on yourself and the society we live in today. It leaves me feeling a sense of gratitude that we have moved forward from a destitute and turbulent past into a much more comfortable and peaceful life. Furthermore, I hope this show can inspire everyone to appreciate and treasure life more—because that is what this story has personally taught me.
I totally enjoyed every scene this drama offered. Starting from the beginning where it presented the 360-degree shift in Ning Xiuxiu’s (FL) life and showing how she familiarized herself with, adjusted to, and gradually assimilated into her new status. From there, the story moved from their simple farm life and daily survival to sudden political maneuvers that became increasingly challenging and dangerous. It was a real eye-opener, especially for someone not familiar with the Japanese invasion back then—even though my own country was also invaded and occupied for years. I should say that I now understand where the hatred and disdain towards the Japanese are coming from... I don’t want to dwell on that too much, so I’ll stop here.
Regarding the characters, I feel for all of them. I feel like they’ve been through a lot—so much, in fact.
× Ning Xiuxiu - An excellently written character. I admire her courage and resolve, just as much as I love her open-mindedness and humility. She has been through so much in her lifetime, and I am so happy to see her evolution. My heart is with her as she weathers life alone following Feng Dajiao’s passing.
× Feng Dajiao - The man that he is. Thank you for being the pillar that supports and loves NXX unconditionally. I have nothing but mad respect for him. He showed me how to be a responsible and dutiful husband—one who is selfless, loving, and understanding. Their relationship prospered because of how genuine and transparent he was with his feelings and opinions; for me, that is their relationship's strongest foundation.
"I'm happy. Xiuxiu has a place for me in her heart. I have a home now." - Feng Dajiao
× Ning Susu - I feel the deepest sympathy for the suffering she went through. Her life was constantly fucked up by those around her, and in the blink of an eye, years had passed and she found herself at her lowest point—left out and have gained nothing. Just as she finally found true love and happiness, she was then heartlessly poisoned—along with the person who showed her the true definition of love and affection. Her tragic fate has brought me many tears.
× Fei Wenxuan - I feel heartbroken for him. He was tricked into marrying the younger sister of the woman he loved. Then later on, he was drugged so that he could unknowingly consummate his wedding with her. I admit to having been irritated by him for how seemingly irresponsible and inconsiderate he was, but over time, I just grew to understand that he was acting that way not because he was irresponsible, but because he just refused to act against his own will or submit to external obligations. I may have also hated him for how forceful he was with his political ideologies, but I understand now that he was only doing that for the greater good of all. Nonetheless, he died valiantly, and I just want to applaud him for his outstanding and selfless pursuit of public service.
In retrospect, our leads are simply victims of their families' greed (driven by a sense of responsibility) and selfish desires (believing that what they were doing was right). Although their families' methods are seemingly selfish and irresponsible, I have also come to acknowledge that they were somewhat compelled to act out of obligation and filial piety, rooted in their ancestors' teachings. Above all, I'm glad that Ning Xuexiang had his redemption moment before he died, in contrast to Madam Fei, who went crazy and died tragically, chained by the weight of the obligations placed upon her.
This is definitely one of the most authentic and wholesome dramas I have watched in years. When they feel happy, I feel happy. They they feel sad, I feel the same way. Watching this made me realize how wonderful Republican and Contemporary dramas can be—I've been so addicted to costume dramas that I’ve neglected other genres for a long time.
Lastly, I was genuinely captivated by the beauty and simplicity of living a rural farm life. It gave me a sense of reality for the future I prefer for myself when I get old and am ready to retire. I think I fit and like the simple rural life the best. I love the casual and ordinary day-to-day life.
Story - 10, It was pure, absolute perfection. Everything about this drama was exceptionally done. The story alone deserves to sweep major awards. It was a raw and authentic depiction of how tough the turbulent and impoverished times were back then. The plot and conflicts were well-crafted, and the deaths felt natural—like a natural flow and occurrence of life.
Acting/Cast - 10, I’m at a loss for words regarding how satisfied and amazed I was by the cast of this production. The caliber of acting from almost everyone was incredible. Every emotion was successfully conveyed in a heartfelt manner. The one who stood out for me was Xing Fei—I never expected her to be this good! She delivered a poignant performance; her emotional depth brought a compelling authenticity to the character. She deserves every Best Supporting Actress award she can get. I was more drawn to her character than to the main lead. I also enjoyed Ou Hao a lot here. I’m a new fan!
Music - 10, The overall music gave me a 'Sound of Music' vibe. It was freeing, soothing, and refreshing. It allowed me to enjoy the scenes while feeling lighthearted and comfortable.
Rewatch Value - 10, Most certainly! It was a true masterpiece—the kind of drama you wouldn't get tired of watching, even years later. Truly timeless.
Overall - 10, II wouldn't have it any other way. This drama deserved all the positive reviews and high ratings it could get. I'm not even sure why it's only an 8.1 on kisskh when some mediocre costume dramas are rated 8.2 and above. Geez!
IF you find my review helpful please let me know.
If I were to describe this drama in one sentence. It would be "A production that will not disappoint, in any way or form, from the beginning till the very end."
Finishing this drama left me in total awe of its flawless craftsmanship. The cinematography was incredible as every detail felt intentional. You can tell it was created by masters of their craft who truly know what they’re doing. I have nothing but respect for the team behind this.
I must admit, there was also a time when I got frustrated watching this show—mainly Fei Wenxuan's preachy political scenes. But as time passed, I realized they were for the greater good of all. It made me acknowledge how shallow my views and ideologies were, and prompted me to reflect on my opinions and perspectives on life in general.
My only advice before you watch this is to absorb and savor every moment. Digest every scene, treasure the lessons in your heart, and keep any negative feedback to yourself until the very end. You must, at any cost, see it through to the finale before making a judgment. Because the only time you can truly understand the value of the story is after you have completed it.
This is the type of drama that makes you reflect on yourself and the society we live in today. It leaves me feeling a sense of gratitude that we have moved forward from a destitute and turbulent past into a much more comfortable and peaceful life. Furthermore, I hope this show can inspire everyone to appreciate and treasure life more—because that is what this story has personally taught me.
I totally enjoyed every scene this drama offered. Starting from the beginning where it presented the 360-degree shift in Ning Xiuxiu’s (FL) life and showing how she familiarized herself with, adjusted to, and gradually assimilated into her new status. From there, the story moved from their simple farm life and daily survival to sudden political maneuvers that became increasingly challenging and dangerous. It was a real eye-opener, especially for someone not familiar with the Japanese invasion back then—even though my own country was also invaded and occupied for years. I should say that I now understand where the hatred and disdain towards the Japanese are coming from... I don’t want to dwell on that too much, so I’ll stop here.
Regarding the characters, I feel for all of them. I feel like they’ve been through a lot—so much, in fact.
× Ning Xiuxiu - An excellently written character. I admire her courage and resolve, just as much as I love her open-mindedness and humility. She has been through so much in her lifetime, and I am so happy to see her evolution. My heart is with her as she weathers life alone following Feng Dajiao’s passing.
× Feng Dajiao - The man that he is. Thank you for being the pillar that supports and loves NXX unconditionally. I have nothing but mad respect for him. He showed me how to be a responsible and dutiful husband—one who is selfless, loving, and understanding. Their relationship prospered because of how genuine and transparent he was with his feelings and opinions; for me, that is their relationship's strongest foundation.
"I'm happy. Xiuxiu has a place for me in her heart. I have a home now." - Feng Dajiao
× Ning Susu - I feel the deepest sympathy for the suffering she went through. Her life was constantly fucked up by those around her, and in the blink of an eye, years had passed and she found herself at her lowest point—left out and have gained nothing. Just as she finally found true love and happiness, she was then heartlessly poisoned—along with the person who showed her the true definition of love and affection. Her tragic fate has brought me many tears.
× Fei Wenxuan - I feel heartbroken for him. He was tricked into marrying the younger sister of the woman he loved. Then later on, he was drugged so that he could unknowingly consummate his wedding with her. I admit to having been irritated by him for how seemingly irresponsible and inconsiderate he was, but over time, I just grew to understand that he was acting that way not because he was irresponsible, but because he just refused to act against his own will or submit to external obligations. I may have also hated him for how forceful he was with his political ideologies, but I understand now that he was only doing that for the greater good of all. Nonetheless, he died valiantly, and I just want to applaud him for his outstanding and selfless pursuit of public service.
In retrospect, our leads are simply victims of their families' greed (driven by a sense of responsibility) and selfish desires (believing that what they were doing was right). Although their families' methods are seemingly selfish and irresponsible, I have also come to acknowledge that they were somewhat compelled to act out of obligation and filial piety, rooted in their ancestors' teachings. Above all, I'm glad that Ning Xuexiang had his redemption moment before he died, in contrast to Madam Fei, who went crazy and died tragically, chained by the weight of the obligations placed upon her.
This is definitely one of the most authentic and wholesome dramas I have watched in years. When they feel happy, I feel happy. They they feel sad, I feel the same way. Watching this made me realize how wonderful Republican and Contemporary dramas can be—I've been so addicted to costume dramas that I’ve neglected other genres for a long time.
Lastly, I was genuinely captivated by the beauty and simplicity of living a rural farm life. It gave me a sense of reality for the future I prefer for myself when I get old and am ready to retire. I think I fit and like the simple rural life the best. I love the casual and ordinary day-to-day life.
Story - 10, It was pure, absolute perfection. Everything about this drama was exceptionally done. The story alone deserves to sweep major awards. It was a raw and authentic depiction of how tough the turbulent and impoverished times were back then. The plot and conflicts were well-crafted, and the deaths felt natural—like a natural flow and occurrence of life.
Acting/Cast - 10, I’m at a loss for words regarding how satisfied and amazed I was by the cast of this production. The caliber of acting from almost everyone was incredible. Every emotion was successfully conveyed in a heartfelt manner. The one who stood out for me was Xing Fei—I never expected her to be this good! She delivered a poignant performance; her emotional depth brought a compelling authenticity to the character. She deserves every Best Supporting Actress award she can get. I was more drawn to her character than to the main lead. I also enjoyed Ou Hao a lot here. I’m a new fan!
Music - 10, The overall music gave me a 'Sound of Music' vibe. It was freeing, soothing, and refreshing. It allowed me to enjoy the scenes while feeling lighthearted and comfortable.
Rewatch Value - 10, Most certainly! It was a true masterpiece—the kind of drama you wouldn't get tired of watching, even years later. Truly timeless.
Overall - 10, II wouldn't have it any other way. This drama deserved all the positive reviews and high ratings it could get. I'm not even sure why it's only an 8.1 on kisskh when some mediocre costume dramas are rated 8.2 and above. Geez!
IF you find my review helpful please let me know.
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