I want to go to where the wind is!
I cannot begin to describe how much I love this show. If you haven't watched it - just turn it on now. Stop hesitating!It begins with Xu Hongdou leaving behind her job in Beijing to travel to Dali, Yunnan because of a personal tragedy she faced. She goes to stay in a homestay in Yunmiao, a village off the beaten path. In the homestay there are other lost souls who have all gathered in this beautiful dreamlike home because they too are running away from reality or from their troubles. You have the beautiful Nana who works in the cafe and harbours a secret, Da Mai, the uninspired writer, Ma Qiu Shan the businessman turned wannabe monk, Teacher Hu / Hu You Yu the wandering unsuccessful musician.
Over three months these guests to the yard grow closer and open up about their struggles and challenges and the most magical thing is they all leave healed - better versions of themselves. Not in some tropey or cliche way - in a way that is close to reality. Healed by time, friendship and self determination.
And of course there is the romance between Hongdou and Xie Zhi Yao played by two of the most popular actors in China right now. Li Xian is perfectly cast as Xie Zhi Yao. The handsome, rough round the edges boy next door with a smile that lights up rooms. Their relationship wasn't hurried. It blossomed - and that's the best kind. It was clear that Xie Zhi Yao was attracted to Hongdou from the start but the screenwriters let them get to know each other better and form a friendship before they grew into a relationship. It was a mature relationship with a strong foundation.
The supporting cast were absolute stars. Each had wonderful character development stories. Xie Xiao Chun, Xie Xiao Xia, even Ah Nai - it was such a joy to witness the growth of their characters. I felt that the magic of this little village in Dali is that nobody stays the same - everyone grows and becomes better versions of themselves, helped along by the people around them.
Even the village doesn't stay the same. It evolves and grows with the time. In a way, as i think of it now, the village represents the people and the people represent the village. They both grow in parallel.
Finally, I must not leave out the little children - Tuo Tuo, Xiao Hulu, Hu Zi and Guo Bao. Their presence was like the sprinkles on top of an already absolutely perfect sundae. They added such joy, and sometimes strong emotions of sadness, to the show. Their presence really amplified the mood of each scene. If an event was happy, it was doubly happy with the children there; if the scene was sad, it was doubly sad with the children. Such a masterstroke to include the little ones in the show.
Honestly, I cannot think of a show that has excelled at almost everything. I literally cannot find a single thing to fault. And that is so rare when now I see to find it easy to find faults with the hurried scriptwriting.
Absolutely wonderful. An instant classic. I am re-watching it from the beginning because I am not ready to leave Yunmiao yet.
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TRULY WONDERFUL! Watch it now!
This was my first taste of CDramas and wow the bar has been set extremely high.It took me a while to get used to the pace, and at 40 episodes long it's much longer than the usual Kdrama. PLEASE stick with it though and you'll be rewarded with a truly wholesome, healing, wonderful story all wrapped up in the most beautiful scenery and people. Oh, and the food is incredible!
The cinematography and soundtrack are stunning as well.
Liu Yi Fei was a brilliant lead as was Li Xian. The supporting cast was great too. Some subplots felt like they dragged on, but I think, due to the length of the show, they paid off in the end.
So sit back, relax and enjoy this 40-episode therapy session!
I'm going to try Go Ahead next.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Story of Friendships & Love Built in a Tiny Courtyard While Overcoming Personal Hardship.
After watching LX in Will Love in Spring and hearing good things about this one as another slice of life story, decided to check it out. Glad I did; he was able to play a more smiling, joking character though with no less responsibility on his shoulders. I've only seen Crystal Liu in A Dream of Splendor where she did very well. This was a story of friendships and love built in a tiny courtyard while overcoming personal hardship.Pros: I really love the friendships that were built in the courtyard and how they went beyond the courtyard but into the rest of the village and were intergenerational. Also though FL or XHD lost her best friend in the first episode, she was never far from her mind especially when she finally told her new friends about her. ML or XZY (lovingly called A'Yao) was my favorite character because of just how much he shouldered and was always still joking and smiling. He was essentially taking every major project from the village on himself. When HD and A'Yao became friends, it was nice to see that it wasn't a rushed romance but a real bond that grew. We saw that he caught feelings first but she wasn't far behind. The other great characters were DM, NN, HY, Mr. Ma (when he wasn't flipping his hair), granny Xie and a few of the other grannies, XC, XX (girl) and XX (guy). The 4 kids were cute too. Joseph Zeng's two episode guest appearance was surprising but good. How all the courtyard folks and others would rally around those going through a hard time was very heartwarming. Brought hope to humanity.
Chemistry between the leads was awesome and comedy within the story was pretty good. I really wish they had more time on screen as a couple as opposed to giving that up to her 3 episode leaving and town revitalization towards the end. Their kisses were very good so that as always was an added bonus. The OSTs and BGM, locations, were all very on point. Though there were times when there was maybe a bit more verbiage than necessary, a lot of it was beneficial. Really loved the growth of the characters into better versions of themselves. Found out afterwards that the person who played XC's ex-husband was actually the show's assistant director. Pretty cool when the directorial staff can play extras or do cameos.
Cons: Too many side characters and plots that I felt took up too much of the story. You already had so many important supporting characters that everyone else should have been left alone. Most of the time that XQ girl that had a yen for A'Yao for a while or the embroidery lady who had a heart attack but for the life of me I couldn't remember who she was, there were others too but I don't remember. The leads could have had more together time since this was billed as a romance and they only technically had 9 episodes but most of that was taken up by things and people not important to the story. It would have been easier to focus on the quality not quantity and have the leads maybe get engaged by the end. Show more couple time in those 9 episodes. Wish NN and male XX's friendship/feelings were better fleshed out too.
Forced propaganda was so unnecessary here. You can revitalize a village without sticking propaganda into it. Even the poor kids were singing an indoctrination song. It stuck out like a sore thumb especially when the friends in the courtyard would be just shooting the breeze drinking and making toasts to each other and out of nowhere someone pops out with "may our country prosper"; like who says that when they're just hanging out with friends? It's not a political or even business meeting. Made me role my eyes on more than on one occasion because it was not the series for that. If you're going for a country living romance with friends, you just don't need that. Not realistic at all when there's a juxtaposition to everything else.
Would I recommend it? Despite those few baubles, I enjoyed this story and glad I listened to people in the other comment section. Look forward to LX's future dramas. Check this out if you haven't yet.
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Amazing
Not your typical CDrama romcom!I must say I have not finished this series yet. I have two more episodes to go, and I really don't want it to end. I adore the characters (grannies, Hulu and Toutou!). The storyline is believable and well written. It is much deeper than the typical rich boss/dumb girl stories that seem to dominate the genre. The chemistry between all the characters is so sweet and believable. The circle of friendship with Dou, Damai and Nana is so sweet.
The music is wonderful. I find myself humming the credit song all day.
The cinematography is STUNNING!
I will be rewatching this series many times, and would love a second season.
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TOURISM PROMOTIONAL DRAMA
In my opinion, this drama was like a Tourism Promotional segment as that's the main story. Very slow and dragging, can fallen asleep watching it, Li Xian was the only one that has sparkle in his eyes - the rest of the actors were boring (Wait... Grandma Xie was sweet and cute) the OST slow too. Beautiful country site, rustic but colorful houses and interior, dilemma of villagers, relationship between people, personal hope and struggle of occupants. If we talk about living quiet and harmonious, this is it, don't expect something hilarious and jolt of character. Liu YiFei as usual delivered her dialog in soft whisper voice (turn up the volume) while Li Xian had smiles more than his other dramas which refreshing. Question: the fact that they had horse barn at the same location of residential/office, reality smell of horse dung is nothing to enjoy to. Lot of eating scenes but only saw them nibble little here and there, busy body aunties (I skipped these scenes), Mr. Ma was between flip his hair/doing tea ceremony & meditation (ugh...I skipped him too), a lot of self-reflection and self discovery on every characters (which means a lot of day dreaming, spacing out, talked within, back flashing memories...skipped!), nothing really jolly.Xu Hong Dou (Liu YiFei), a hard working big-city woman, suddenly hit a bump in her life when her best friend fell ill from cancer and passed away. Distraught and unable to reconcile with her friend's death, Xu met difficulties in continuing her working life in the city. She decided to take a vacation in a China's rural village of Yun Miao, near Dali, in Yunnan Province – to break away from the distressing urban life and to find peace and quiet, she met Xie ZieYao, a president of every businesses in the area including the place she stayed in. As he tried to navigate the businesses, he proposed to Hong Duo to volunteer to improve hospitality service at where she stayed, with Grandma Xie persuasion she finally decided to help out till time for her to move on (3 months stay). Got better in ep 25 onward when the love started to bloom but still many skipping...
Well, I can understand why the Producer drag this drama so boring, how to develop scenes to more lively and interesting? For a simple synopsis drama, 40 episodes is too long stretch to be completed. If I knew better, I should have started this drama from ep 20 (better yet ep 24).
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Lazy script and forgettable show with beautiful scenery
I don't get the hype. Yes the scenery (place and people) are beautiful. But that's really all there is to it. One can only conclude that like the female lead character, Liu Yifei has basically decided to phone it in with her career. The script is lazily written (much like the premise of the show) and the producers decide to insert the *same* songs in almost every single scene! This is not your typical OST or sound effects that occur at key junctures. The whole show is like an ultralong MTV with songs every 5 mins or so.The pacing is also unbelievably slow. For the first 10 episodes, you are treated to Hongdou moping around. It is not until well past the halfway point when anyone else knows what she was moping about. And when the romance begins to develop, it does so with suddenness and complete lack of character development. There are also many pointless side stories. While I appreciate well-developed side stories, none of those in this show are remotely interesting and extremely cliched. The lazy young musician with the take-charge cougar. The little brother with the crush on the older sister. Ironically, it is the non-romance stories involving the elderly folks that are far more engaging.
Maybe the reason why this show generated such hype is because of a unique malaise afflicting urbanites in Beijing and Shanghai. As a show, it is very forgettable. Certainly I don't recall any episode or scene where I would even want to rewatch.
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A little slow but a very good watch
I really liked this series. I liked and related to all characters. I actually wanted to know their stories. There was a good balance between drama and comedy. While I felt like crying at some moments (the 1st ep as a whole for example), at others I wanted to laugh as well. The couple was cute and real at the same time. Loved how they seemed comfortable around each other. The overall message of the series and the lessons we learn with the characters were really good.But there was a little problem: it was too long! Honestly, the series could easily tell eveyone's stories and be 30 episodes long. If it had to have 40 eps then they should've put more scenes where smth was actually happening, or then some other romance story instead of a lot of meditation and nature contemplation. Don't get me wrong. I loved the series. But it was a little slow at times and it failed to create some cliffhangers and let me wanting to watch more everyday. Furthermore, I think there was some points which were left open and could've been closed:
1) Na Na and Xia Xia's ending could be more clear. Will they get together in the future? Why aren't they together now? Why take so much time, or no time at all, to develop their story? I feel like the series had too much time and could tell their story but it didn't and that disappointed me.
2) Mr. Hu had some family issues and a bad relationship with his dad. Why this matter wasn't talked more deeply like they did with Damai? And why couldn't they show us his happy ending with Manjun? I think it felt a little rushed.
3) I was hoping Xiaochun would talk things out and restart with her ex-husband. Both of them had a lot to learn from the problems that led to their divorce and I wanted to see that evolution from them, especially hers since she's the one we see the most. But the series took too much time to begin talking abt them and just for them not to come back together.
These were the main problems I found while watching. Like I said, it is a 40-ep-long series which means that they had the time to talk about a lot of things but they didn't. This was more clear on the last episode which spent a lot of time on Mr. Hu's singing and the leads watching the sunset together, instead of closing some plots. However, that didn't stop me from actually enjoying the series. Seeing from my ratings that was a very good watch.
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Mature and beautiful and so very relaxing
My favorite dramas are the ones I can watch with minimal eye-rolling and this one definitely fit the bill. Here’s why:—I think this is one of the few dramas I’ve watched where the characters feel real and the adults behave like they’re actual adults.
—The drama tropes are kept to a minimum and the interpersonal drama is realistic and never lasts more than an episode.
—A’Yao and Hongdou are such beautiful people with their respective struggles and strengths and their journey of coming together is so fun to watch. The attraction, the teasing, the PINING. The complete comfort these two have around each other really sells the relationship and the slightest expression had me grinning like a fool. Definitely a solid slow-burn
—The villagers could very easily get lost in the shuffle of side characters. But the aunties and the grannies and uncles and kids were so memorable and though there were moments I would get confused, it was pretty easy to keep them straight. A’Yao’s A’Nai was my favorite and a particular scene with her towards the end made me laugh so very hard.
—Yunnan province’s scenery is so beautiful. The “product” placement definitely did its job. Every scene was gorgeous to watch and the cinematography that made Yunnan look so bright and calming and gentle was such a perfect contrast to Beijing’s dim lighting and dark shadows.
—THE MUSIC oh my gosh. Most, if not all, of the OST immediately joined my spotify playlists and i’ve been listening to 日日 on repeat.
To recap. This is a great palate cleanser drama, a relaxer drama, a drama to watch with a cup of tea and a blanket, a break from the excessive tropes and over the top acting that gets old after a few episodes. I’ve never watched a drama like this before, but I hope more are made like it. This one shot to my favorites list and I hope to rewatch it again in the future.
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A Drama You Don't Want To Rush
One of my top dramas now. I watched this weeks ago and I feel like I was with them at Yunnan. I even added Yunnan to my travel list. Something about the production made me felt familiarity making me want to live there. Then I realize, that's the kind of life and romance(?) I wanted to experience and have. A life where you live every day. I love the romance journey of Hongdou and Xie Zhi Yao. So natural and comfortable with each other. Love the chemistry. I fell in love with Liu Yifei, I only noticed her now. I love her demeanor and how she converses is natural, just like an everyday conversation which is critical for this kind of drama. This is a slow-paced drama where you want to watch it relaxingly and not rush. Because one of the thing I regret is I watched too fast, and I feel so empty now T_TPlease produce more of dramas like these!!! Life is so stressful we need these healing dramas.
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An absolute Gem
This drama is an absolute Gem ...It is heart wrenching, touching and goes straight to the heart, the pit of your stomach sadness with overwhelming harrowing, heartbreaking, and heartrending feeling that is a tearjerker, yet poignantly heart warming that touches your soul, the laugh out loud moments that makes you want to watch it over and over again ...
I wasn't expecting to like this drama but thought I would give it a try, however, 2 episodes in, I am amazed at how captivating and mesmerising this is, it is a delight to watch Liu Yifei at her very best, she embodies and personifies extra edge that extraordinary natural talent brings is something that cannot be taught and is what makes great actors stand out … know what is required at a given moment by their viewers; to immerse in the drama
A profound, serious and thought-provoking story, I have watched all episodes and am totally immersed in the story... The acting is convincing, conveying the sense of power struggles and hardship of rural life in China, The injustice of class subordination, "there is nothing difficult in the world, but only those who have the will and belief, have Confidence; Perseverance and a rich Imagination, opportunities will become the driving force of courage to try... If the opportunity does not knock on the door, then build a door, success comes from finding and seize opportunities. The male lead Li Xian is unassuming yet effective in how the story unfolds, to stay true to oneself, the ideal and the underdog's path to justice, it is a poignant topic.
A drama you don't want it to end
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This review may contain spoilers
The perfect slice-of-life, with a dose of romance, comedy and a bit of angst
This drama itched a scratch I wasn't even aware existed. Despite its very slow burn nature, from the very first episode I was absolutely sucked into the story.STORY
The storyline itself is pretty common, a girl who lived a life in the city goes through a major incident, moves to the countryside and falls in love. I've watched a few stories like that but this has been the absolute best so far. Both the leads are immensely loveable, you watch them fall in love slowly and realistically, while their relationship does have minor hiccups, you can tell that their foundation is strong enough to go through everything together.
Despite the sheer number of characters in the story, I really think I loved all of them. They all had their own stories, all of them were completely human. As a chronic fast forwarder, I thought a slow paced drama would mean I'd have my finger on the arrow key but it was the complete opposite! I wanted it to go at their own pace because of the gorgeous atmosphere created by the writers, you can't help but bask in the scenes and immerse yourself in the characters' emotions.
The only slight cons I had were; I didn't much enjoy the story of Manjun and Hu, those were the only scenes I felt very lukewarm about. Also I can't help but wish we had a few more scenes with our lovely main couple, but that's just wishful thinking, they did the best with what they had. Some of the writing also came off a bit preach-y, with the lines being like lectures to the audience; it worked in some places, didn't in some others.
ACTING
This was the first drama I've watched of both Liu Yifei and Li Xian, and I was just impressed by both of them! Liu Yifei's voice suits this show incredibly well, her soft tone really matched the ambiance provided by the visuals. Li Xian also did a great job as Zhiyao, he especially portrayed his love for LYF's character in a way that you can't help but swoon. All the many supporting actors and actresses did their characters such justice, from the old grandmothers to the four little kids.
MUSIC
The music was just amazing. I can't put into words how much I loved the OSTs for Meet Yourself. Even though I wanted to skip through the ending credit scene, once the song starts you really can't pull yourself away. There was another song - rather folky- that I absolutely adored, great use of music through out the drama. Also the audio added onto the visuals so well, some of the best comedy came from the audio editing team so shout out to them.
REWATCH VALUE
I'm not a re-watcher at all. I hate knowing how something is about to unfold and having to put myself through all that build up all over again. However, I have always had a couple of dramas on my regular rewatch that I must have watched 5 times minimum, and I have a feeling this drama might enter that rotation. I don't think I can put into words how much I absolutely adored this drama, as I finished it I couldn't help but feel like re-watching it immediately.
tl;dr,
Great drama. Slow paced slice-of-life. Romance with the main leads with incredible chemistry. Great writing. Breathtaking scenery. Amazing characters and plot. Strongly recommended to anyone who just wants to sit back, relax and watch a warm show to end your week!
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The Best C-Drama
Initially, I was not too excited to watch this drama because I knew that the story would be slow, typical of the slice-of-life genre, plus the number of episodes is also quite a lot.But because it's Lin Xian and Liu Yi Fei, it seems a shame if you don't try to watch it at all. And that's the right decision. The chemistry between ML and FL undoubtedly matches the big names they have. I think this is FL's best chemistry with Lin Xian.
This drama is beautiful apart from the scenery and storyline that warm you. Especially those who are 30 years old and above must relate to the storyline and more or less understand the turmoil felt by Xu Hong Dou (Liu Yi Fei). After working for years and feeling like she has given her best, it turns out that life is still the same and feels like s, he has missed many moments but also doesn't know how to quit the existing routine.
Not to mention the problems faced by other characters in this drama, making us realize that everyone will have their problems. We fight our own battles.
The dialogue throughout the drama is also deep as if we are sitting with Xu Hong Dou, Na Na, and Da Mai or being advised by Granny Xie.
The best Chinese drama production in my opinion so far. Both in terms of the story, the clothes, and the cinematography. The slow phase is even an advantage because we are made to slowly get to know the characters and the village, so it's not like watching a drama but being a real villager LOL
After watching this, I wondered if it's necessary to break from all the routines and go faraway places without a single person we know to really know the purpose of our lives and who we really are, to meet ourselves.
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