Nepeta 22

Are you sure that's Teochew dialect? It sounds like Hakka dialect including one of the ending songs in episode 3. It was filmed in Meizhou which is in Guangdong province, and Hakka dialect is the dominant language there.

No it's a mystery drama.

Please let us know what you meant with the nepo baby comment regards to ZYR.

I agree with you there. I had waited for this since it started filming. It has not disappointed. Triple Echo of Time is also on my list. I think there will be a few good dramas coming soon.

I watched it to the end and I must say I felt it got better towards the end. The first half was a page turner and felt more like a soap opera. From 2/3 onwards the story slowed but at a more manageable pace with wider plot-points. Whilst it is sad all-round, but it was told in a matter-of-fact way.

I also did not feel the ending was rushed. It's clear they wanted to pick the eras they wanted to highlight. If people need every decade depicted, then it's better to watch some documentary instead.

I liked how by older age, the way she narrated how her husband never returned in a calm yet honest manner reflects how she by then knew she had already lived a great life with him there, and was quite content considering her sister and all that's happened around her. It's a slightly rose-tinted view that she was most likely trying to convey as the ending scenes are of childhood, youth and of course her own parents. I don't think it's about acceptance or forgiving. It's a point in life where hate or anger has passed and no longer relevant to her.

All in all a nice drama that loosely fits into a bit of entertainment and interesting talking points about past practices, customs and humanity. So many grey characters where poverty and circumstances pushed them to life choices that some may term as criminal and unacceptable today, but it was practically lawless then. Village chiefs readily manage their business in-house. I liked how her brother flitted from KMT to Communism and how older generation kept their heads down because that was something they always did in the past. This is very real and how people from that class tended to do. The villagers there were going through upheaval and change but in their minds, they lived off the land the best they could, even if it was rented in all shapes and forms.

Thanks for clarifying that. I thought you might be teasing but wasn't 100% sure.

Yes, there had been a lot of discussion of the slant on the adaptation. I guess, in the end, change is still relatively new and you can't wipe away 1000s of years of past China. Socialist ideals is a very western concept and going back to the 1900s many Chinese met with Japanese youth to study it more in Japan. Russia bordering China, it was only natural that this seeped into China quickly.

Personally, I think the drama fell into the middle ground of trying to straddle both sides is realistic and a reflection of gradual change. Hardcore socialism became more progressive during the 1950s to 1970s.

I understand that viewing public may not be able to stomach the harsh truths of the old ways with poor treatment of women and this obsession with being respectful to parents whatever the reason, otherwise they are better off just watching a documentary, so I agree with the drama's placement of the subjects.

Initially I didn't because it felt almost like they were trivialising of such sensitive and serious subjects, brushing past storylines lightly and quickly moving on...but after the second half of the drama, it slowly fell naturally in place and became less soap opera-ish.

Many dropped it because they said the Mango TV translation was not good enough, but I didn't seem to have any issue with it. It's free to watch through Mango on Youtube. I understand it is not for everyone. But for me, it's memorable.

No problem. She was in Romance in the Alley too, which was one of the best dramas I have seen come out of China.

I don't understand your comment about communist propaganda. In all honesty, if you do watch a lot of dramas or films around the world, I can assure you that you will see many falling into the socials "dream ideal" even though in reality we don't wholeheartedly live that life but it's always touted as more nicer and more sharing. This drama no different.

It is also not secret that most peasants were likely to cheer and support communist ideals considering this drama's core subject. It would be weirder for me if the majority supported feudalism or even KMT.

I don't understand. I can see her on the cast list. She is an actress as I have seen her in other dramas like Imperfect Victim. But agree with you. She's a star here in this drama. My favourite character. They never mentioned about how long she lived so I suspect she lived a rich ripe old age!

It can be tiring. Many think they're free and independent in thinking often not knowing how they look when they make these types of comments.

It comes from a sort of entitlement. They can't seem to lower themselves down to actually think about the country's people. This obsession of just pegging China down to about 2-3 talking points shows they are the one with the narrow view-point.

I have seen a fair few in this same state. On this one, it may well be they spent a lot on the drama, and really need to secure a lot of sponsors and advertisements just to break even.

Most of the actors are not famous to attract the money, until now with one of the main leads, so they are finally able to attract advertisement to get the drama to make money back. Just my guess. I don't think it's anything else like the contents.

The ratings were sky high from day one and this is not normal. Most people accept that the ratings system is being abused and hopefully MDL will take note and not allow new users to rate or post reviews until 6 months have lapsed. That way, it will reduce some of the easily opened multiple accounts used for dubious purpose. Note most idol dramas on MDL are either sky high or low low. Doesn't seem to happen with dramas without the usual traffic actors.

I understand. The unique content people want is more escapism and fun loving storylines that Asian dramas tend to do them very well. This drama is not aimed for any audience but for China domestic market I think. For me, it's almost like a soap opera in the way it's filmed.

I think it's popular in China because they are having a resurgence and interest in their farming roots and many decades of fast-paced city life, some yearn for a more slower and idyllic lifestyle, but only for them to see matter-of-fact truths about China's past. Basically, it opens up old wounds for some.

I don't know. I am on episode 30 so I may know once I have watched it all. There are lots of reasons. See A Love Never Lost drama, and read the first 8 comments and you get an idea of why some cannot continue watching it let alone give it a low rating. BTW, it's one of the best dramas to come out of China for me, but that's just me and does not represent general public.

If any novel readers can let me know if it was set in Shandong China. There may have been a few translation errors that confuse rice with corn or grains. Much of their crops mention grains which most likely wheat and corn. These watery porridge-like concoctions they feed on, anyone know what is it made of? It looked like brown rice congee but I'm pretty sure they cannot crop that stuff in places like Shandong at the time. Is it some sort of gruel? If anyone knows, please let me know.

I don't know internationally, certainly inside MDL it's unlikely to appeal. Most people enter Asian entertainment through K-pop or K-dramas first. There are a portion that are more mature and re-visit Chinese dramas due to a past love of Hong Kong dramas and pop culture in its hey-day.

I think slowly, these dramas will be picked up through word of mouth and as some watch more and more, start to branch out naturally. but yes, romance/rom-coms are what most prefer because there is a gap in the wider market that don't do them as sweet and innocent as Asian dramas do.

It depends on what you like generally. It's good for me because I'm here to see how farming has evolved in China, but it is also quite depressing. So if you don't mind chaotic lives and constant drama and negativity, then this drama has it in spades.

Your type of comment tend to populate pages because you fail to understand that China of new is still very young today. You are measuring a country that rose from the ashes of a revolution not very long ago. From that, there is still a lot of national pride. The people of China are still very proud. They don't think so cynically like former coloniser type countries think.

Perhaps, you need to see it from the Chinese people's point of view. Also, anyone that readily puts the words China + Propaganda may have already been brainwashed by the mass western controlled media.

OK, I understand. I've been there before! Take care.