Just wanted to share a few thoughts about this drama, which I am so thoroughly enjoying… for people who say…
@sweet_dream, @Megumi-H, and @Dramalicious. Thanks for the compliments. I've never written a review for MDL before, but I'll def take your thoughts into consideration for Meet Yourself since I've already done half the work. :)
Another Viki alert for today (Wednesday) - Episodes 21 & 22 are available. Once again it says 23 & 24 will be available in 2 days, but that's what it also said yesterday (Tuesday) for 21 & 22, so... I'd go ahead and check back tomorrow for new eps anyway!
Just wanted to share a few thoughts about this drama, which I am so thoroughly enjoying… for people who say…
To put it simply: I love the story of Xu Huang Do and Xie Zhi Yao. There is a very natural and real feel to the progression of their relationship and I appreciate how we’ve been able to see it build over time. I also don’t think their love story has progressed slowly because it’s been readily apparent for a long time now that they are interested in each other. After all, rumors don’t come out of nowhere, and it’s not like A Yao has become the subject of rumors with other female visitors to Yunnan. For example, no one’s trying to pair him up with Nana! But on the other hand, everyone can see what’s going on before their very eyes with Huang Do, and so of course there are going to be speculations surrounding them.
If Huang Do and A Yao’s relationship has progressed slowly, it’s because it’s been very intentional – and that can’t be emphasized enough. I actually respect that neither Huang Do or A Yao has operated on hormones and feelings alone. They’re of an age and maturity to realize: their life’s circumstances are not conducive to starting a relationship, and if they can’t finish something, why start?
Really, their relationship is the perfect example of how everything can be so right for two people except that they’re in the wrong time and wrong place. The two conversations in Episode 22 really highlight this. Huang Do has feelings for A Yao, but she can’t ask him to move back to Beijing with her. His reasons for being in Yunnan relate to causes greater than her own. She knows this, she respects this, and she appreciates this (hence the great talk that she had with A Yao’s father). Similarly, A Yao knows it wouldn’t be fair of him to ask Huang Do to give up her own life just for him – particularly when the circumstances of the village are such as they are. I really respected A Yao when he asked his friend why everyone always assumed it would be the woman who would give up everything for the man. I don’t think his friend was disrespecting women when he made his suggestion to A Yao; rather, I think he was speaking from the perspective of someone who wanted his friend to be happy. But the fact that A Yao could step outside of his personal interests and consider things from Huang Do’s perspective shows, I think, how much he really cares for her.
In fact, I’d argue that about the both of them – each of them is being selfless in their love for the other. They know that the problem they have is more than just a long-distance relationship problem, and it’s those things that make them cautious and unwilling to voice their true feelings at times.
With half the drama still to air and now Huang Do leaving, I don’t know where the drama will take us – and I kind of like that because the journey has been so delicious to follow already that I’m prepared to follow wherever it takes us! I’d like to think the drama will present us with a happy ending and I’m just about positive it will – in fact, my current guess is that Huang Do will end up returning to Yunnan for A Yao and to assist with or take over that guest house/hotel that has been giving A Yao and Huang Xin Xin so much headache lately. But what I would also say is that even if the drama ends up not bringing Huang Do and A Yao back together in the end, I believe the script has been written in a way to make that a very believable and understandable premise and it wouldn’t take anything away from moments they’ve shared together – because what they’ve shared is already so precious and so valuable that anyone would be lucky to have experienced just that much of what they have.
Okay, I’ll finally stop talking now… back to watching. :)
Just wanted to share a few thoughts about this drama, which I am so thoroughly enjoying… for people who say this is too slow-paced or too slice of life, or that this drama doesn’t need as many episodes as it has, I want to say: this is a character-driven story. If this was a plot-driven drama then yes, I would agree, this drama is dragging. But it’s not that kind of a drama and there’s not any one story that’s driving this drama from start to finish. Rather, it’s a drama filled with many different characters with each one having a story to share. Together, all of their stories form this beautiful drama that we have.
I can’t emphasize enough how artful the writing is… there is so much to be learned and appreciated from the relationships and friendships formed, the conversations that take place, and the different perspectives offered. I love how much color there is to the drama, whether it’s from the actual landscapes that surround the village, the adorable village-children who run around so freely, the quirky residents of the courtyard, or the village grannies who may meddle, gossip, and nag, but always only with the best interest of others in their hearts. The goodness of each of these characters is why we come to care about each person and their backgrounds, and become invested in their futures.
I’d spotlight the characters who have touched me especially, but that would only then turn into a long, running list… so instead, I’ll move on to the main ones because of course we cannot talk about this drama and not mention the Girl from Beijing and the Boy Next Door. I’ve seen comments that their love story is too slow or too tentative, and of course I have things to say about that as well. But I’ll put it under a separate post/spoiler cut directly below as it will include impressions formed from episodes that at the time of this writing have not yet been subbed. :)
Ep 20 - is there anything cuter than the look on Granny's face when she was watching A Yao and Huang Do hanging out and eating sour grapes??
Granny has got to be my favorite character. Just love her sense of humor. I mean, look at how she ladled all that fish into A Yao's bowl. It was like saying - I know you are secretly in love with Huang Do, so now you must bravely suffer her cooking. LOL! Granny is so naughty. ;)
As a heads up, as I know many people weren't expecting Viki to release 19 & 20 until Wednesday, they're out and available today (Tuesday)!!! It does say, however, that 21 and 22 will be available in 2 days... don't know if that will change by tomorrow or whether we really will have to wait until Thursday for more eps.
She is on poster too.... first i think hondou sis don't like AhYao but she so funny when she drunk 😄🤣
Sometimes it takes an outsider to help see things from a different perspective. When you're in a relationship, you may develop tunnel vision over time, and I think that's what happened with the Hong Dou/Mi sisters. -- Hong Dou got used to feeling a certain way about her sister's actions and thus viewed all future actions by her sister from that same lens. It was nice of Ah Yao to give her some food for thought in that regard.
Ah Yao and Hong Dou always have such lovely insight regarding the people around them!
This is the drama's airing schedule, which always contemplated that there would not be new episodes on the 22nd…
Like I said Viki is following a schedule that falls somewhere in between the three viewing options available in China (on Hunan TV, as a Mango TV member, and as a Mango TV non-member). Viki doesn't offer a schedule/viewing calendar so it's kind of hard to know what schedule they're following exactly. However, whether Viki releases episodes this coming weekend probably has less to do with Chinese New Year and more to do with whatever contract was ironed out between Viki and Huace in their licensing agreement -- after all, a balance has to be struck between what's offered on Viki (for free and paid members) and what's offered for this drama through its other viewing platforms.
Is there any one tell me that are they stop episodes for Chinese New year?
This is the drama's airing schedule, which always contemplated that there would not be new episodes on the 22nd (except for Mango TV non-members): https://kisskh.at/photos/jO6nd_3
(I'm not sure what schedule Viki is following but it seems to fall in between the three possible schedules!)
Ep 26 preview- Any idea who might be the new lady when Hongdou was leaving? Is she a new tenant of the yard?
I think she’s the new tenant. Xiao Chun had gotten a call from someone interested in renting a room and when Xin Xin moved in (temporarily), A Yao had told Hu that in a few days another female tenant would be moving in so it must be this new lady in the preview.
why do i feel like Nana came to Yunnan, coz he was chased by some crazy fan. Coz it was clear that she was a rising…
She's clearly hiding from something given her denial when the cafe customer asked about her and how she doesn't want her face to be shown in the tourism video. I suspect there were some false rumors spread about her and she didn't know what to do and chose to hide away in Yunnan instead. (My guess is based on the conversation she had with Huangdo where Huangdo said she had a high tolerance for people talking about her given her job at the hotel. When Nana asked Huangdo what she would have done if the hotel guests had said false things about her and slandered her, Huangdo said she'd then let the law take care of it, and Nana looked very thoughtful over her answer.)
RE: Sunzi (the documentary lady) and why all the people in the village keep forgetting and calling her Junzi, this is one of those things that get lost in the translation but is actually quite humorous. Her name is 笋子 which means "bamboo shoot," while 菌子 means "mushroom/fungi". In Episode 18, when Hongdou corrects Nana for the millionth time, Nana wonders, "Why is she called Sunzi?" Hongdou answers, "I heard it's because her mother is named Zhuzi (竹子)," which means "bamboo." Haha! Maybe now everyone will remember Sunzi's real name. ;)
She reappears at the very end of Ep 16, just when the Gao brothers are talking about her. And yes, as her visit extends we learn she’s actually back for good because she and her husband are divorced. Her parents and grandmother are upset initially until they learn the reason for the divorce.
XZY (looks up at her and then writes): Get some rest (literally: Go rest early), tomorrow morning after I've bought and brought it home, I'll call you.
WHY IS IT AIRING IN 3 DAYS? IT SAYS ITS EVERYDAY…..
Because for the first week and a half of its run it was airing every day, and then the schedule switched the third week of its run to 3 days a week. Like others have mentioned, it's more helpful to consult the drama's airing schedule versus what the MDL page says -- unfortunately, it's hard for the MDL page to factor in schedule changes like these.
Bromance is very strong, but I don't like the ending.
The open ending? I actually liked it, but for those who want something more definitive there is an epilogue/special (a little under 3 minutes) that provides answers.
1 
If Huang Do and A Yao’s relationship has progressed slowly, it’s because it’s been very intentional – and that can’t be emphasized enough. I actually respect that neither Huang Do or A Yao has operated on hormones and feelings alone. They’re of an age and maturity to realize: their life’s circumstances are not conducive to starting a relationship, and if they can’t finish something, why start?
Really, their relationship is the perfect example of how everything can be so right for two people except that they’re in the wrong time and wrong place. The two conversations in Episode 22 really highlight this. Huang Do has feelings for A Yao, but she can’t ask him to move back to Beijing with her. His reasons for being in Yunnan relate to causes greater than her own. She knows this, she respects this, and she appreciates this (hence the great talk that she had with A Yao’s father). Similarly, A Yao knows it wouldn’t be fair of him to ask Huang Do to give up her own life just for him – particularly when the circumstances of the village are such as they are. I really respected A Yao when he asked his friend why everyone always assumed it would be the woman who would give up everything for the man. I don’t think his friend was disrespecting women when he made his suggestion to A Yao; rather, I think he was speaking from the perspective of someone who wanted his friend to be happy. But the fact that A Yao could step outside of his personal interests and consider things from Huang Do’s perspective shows, I think, how much he really cares for her.
In fact, I’d argue that about the both of them – each of them is being selfless in their love for the other. They know that the problem they have is more than just a long-distance relationship problem, and it’s those things that make them cautious and unwilling to voice their true feelings at times.
With half the drama still to air and now Huang Do leaving, I don’t know where the drama will take us – and I kind of like that because the journey has been so delicious to follow already that I’m prepared to follow wherever it takes us! I’d like to think the drama will present us with a happy ending and I’m just about positive it will – in fact, my current guess is that Huang Do will end up returning to Yunnan for A Yao and to assist with or take over that guest house/hotel that has been giving A Yao and Huang Xin Xin so much headache lately. But what I would also say is that even if the drama ends up not bringing Huang Do and A Yao back together in the end, I believe the script has been written in a way to make that a very believable and understandable premise and it wouldn’t take anything away from moments they’ve shared together – because what they’ve shared is already so precious and so valuable that anyone would be lucky to have experienced just that much of what they have.
Okay, I’ll finally stop talking now… back to watching. :)
I can’t emphasize enough how artful the writing is… there is so much to be learned and appreciated from the relationships and friendships formed, the conversations that take place, and the different perspectives offered. I love how much color there is to the drama, whether it’s from the actual landscapes that surround the village, the adorable village-children who run around so freely, the quirky residents of the courtyard, or the village grannies who may meddle, gossip, and nag, but always only with the best interest of others in their hearts. The goodness of each of these characters is why we come to care about each person and their backgrounds, and become invested in their futures.
I’d spotlight the characters who have touched me especially, but that would only then turn into a long, running list… so instead, I’ll move on to the main ones because of course we cannot talk about this drama and not mention the Girl from Beijing and the Boy Next Door. I’ve seen comments that their love story is too slow or too tentative, and of course I have things to say about that as well. But I’ll put it under a separate post/spoiler cut directly below as it will include impressions formed from episodes that at the time of this writing have not yet been subbed. :)
Granny has got to be my favorite character. Just love her sense of humor. I mean, look at how she ladled all that fish into A Yao's bowl. It was like saying - I know you are secretly in love with Huang Do, so now you must bravely suffer her cooking. LOL! Granny is so naughty. ;)
Ah Yao and Hong Dou always have such lovely insight regarding the people around them!
(I'm not sure what schedule Viki is following but it seems to fall in between the three possible schedules!)
https://youtu.be/vlLiUxHO_W8
HD: Drying my hair, you?
XZY: Feeding the horse.
HD: Oh, get some rest (literally: go to sleep early)
XZY: I can't sleep
HD: What's the matter?
XZY: Too much on my mind.
HD: Don't think too much.
XZY: Ok
XZY: Do you want to eat xi doufen tomorrow?
(Xidoufen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xidoufen )
HD: Look at my gestures
XZY (looks up at her and then writes): Get some rest (literally: Go rest early), tomorrow morning after I've bought and brought it home, I'll call you.
HD: Good night (sticker)