Meet Yourself (2023)

Long but enjoyable

It was too long thanks to all the characters and their issues that needed to be resolved, but it did manage to tell a story without the usual Chinese template. There’s no tropey romantic moments (accidental kisses, blisters on heels, fireworks, etc.) and no love triangles, obsessed chicks or tyrannical parents. There was an internet scandal, but it was a past event in one of the side character’s lives (thank you, screenwriter, for not putting us through one of those!) This drama is mostly about relationships and the problems/benefits of living in a small village. There’s a slow burn romance between ML/FL, and that’s about it. We do have a side character (Mr. He, the musician) hooking up with an old lady (old compared to him but not old as compared to the various aunties or ML’s granny), but thankfully, their romance does not take a lot of time. I think he would have been better with the web novelist or even café worker, but for some reason, Asian dramas are obsessed with older women-younger men romances these days. I still don’t like an age gap of over 5 years, and this one looked about 10+!

My favorite character is probably Mr. Ma (or Haochao – I’ll always remember this actor by his Go Ahead role).

As for the leads, I definitely liked ML. I liked this actor an A’Yao better than his Go Go Squid role because he was friendlier, warmer, smiled a lot and was just an all-around nice guy. I also liked that he was just a normal guy – he wasn’t a born-rich CEO – trying to make a happy life for himself and his community. He was realistic as was his romance with FL. As for FL, I liked her quiet mature demeanor, but I wasn’t wild about her, probably because she was too reticent. Half the time, I didn’t know what she was thinking or feeling, and it took her until nearly the final episode to admit to loving ML…and she didn’t say it, ML said it for her. I like still waters that run deep, but I never really saw any ‘deep’ emotion from her. And at times, she could act childish – like when she got mad at ML for suggesting the café worker meet her problem head-on. But, overall, they were a realistic couple who didn’t rely on the normal tropes to express their devotion to each other.

Although I found the drama enjoyable, I did have some questions at the end such as:

1) FL apparently goes to Yunnan to heal from her best friend’s untimely death. Her friend had encouraged her to live life to its fullest, to find what she enjoyed. However, how is FL’s life any different at the end than what is was in Beijing? Yeah, she has a boyfriend now and strong relationships with the people she met while staying in the village, but she’s still focused on a career above all else. Rather than being happy with a single homestay in Yunnan, she wants several homestays throughout China. How is that relaxing? How can you stop and smell the roses with those big plans? How can she spend quality time with A’Yao if she (and he) is busy with work? For once, I’d like to see a drama where the leads are happy being together and enjoying a simple life rather than toiling away at a career. Success is not measured by wealth or prestige; it’s measured by how content you are with your life.

2) It’s been a year, and they still aren’t married. At least, the in-laws are finally meeting. Talk about a slow burn romance. Sorry – I’m not a fan of open endings. I like things signed, sealed and delivered. There's plenty of hints that they will eventually marry, but without seeing it, the story isn't complete in my mind.

3) I understand ML’s desire to develop the community so that there’s more jobs for the residents, but do they realize that development will change what everyone currently loves about the community? You’re no longer going to have the peace and quiet, the strong connection with your neighbors that you previously had when there's a bunch of noisy tourists everywhere not to mention all the new people moving in, forcing their values and ideas on you. There is a reason why some people chose to live in a small community, and they aren’t happy when the city comes to them, ok? Honestly, I could see those men who attacked FL’s construction site being more upset about that than not getting their fair share of the ‘wealth’. Living in a community that’s currently experiencing high development, I can well understand current residents not being pleased that their paradise is being changed. I think more time could have been spent showing the downside of development.

4) Also, the big development push is getting a bookstore to move into the community. Well, I like bookstores, but they’re starting to be a thing of the past thanks to e-books so how it that a benefit?

5) Finally, I preferred the homestay FL stayed in to the one she built. The one she stayed at was homey and quaint, idyllic even, while hers was nothing more than a hotel. There was no ‘home’ in the homestay, no character or warmth. It looked institutional to me.

I gave an overall rating of 9.5 because I wasn't wild about FL's character. I couldn't 'connect' with her even though I prefer mature characters. I had a hard time believing that she actually loved A-Yao because she didn't express the warmth of love very well. Also, I marked down the music because, although I liked the songs, I got tired of hearing them over and over again for 40 episodes.

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There’s virtually nothing happening for the first 4 episodes…

I dropped the drama as it is too slow. The cinematography is good, but the drama is shot like a movie, with no plot happening for the first 4 episodes. There’s a man staying in the lodge who is a comic relief as usual who is quite irritating and pointless as a cast, who does not contribute to the storyline. I dropped it without watching further. I do not understand why the drama has such a high rating, besides the fact that the two leads are good looking and Yunan itself is picturesque. The precipitating factor for the FL to move to Yunan is due to the passing of her good friend, but that is merely a device used by the scriptwriter. Overall too slow for me to continue watching.

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PERFECT ASMR show frazzled tired days

ASMR .. if ever a drama was made for relaxing ONLY .. and putting you to sleep .. Have to give it to the team for pulled one off ..

It's like muzak (elevator music) ~ won't make your pulse speed up, worry you, plunge you, or even make your brain go into a tizzy. But it's not unpleasant .. just keep it running in the background as you go about doing other things .. you won't miss much or be bothered about missing either, if you pick and choose from any part of the show you soak in some village life ..

But it will be unfair if I don't mention that beginning was dramatic and had SO much pace and movement and going somewhere. The loss of friend and those scenes capturing grief (though too drawn out) were palpable and brilliant. The moving out to the country promised adventure .. and then it becomes a travel mag ;-p

I stuck around because the LEADS are too good looking to turn away from :-D
AND they are talented actors to boot .. BUT no chemistry really .. Li Xian tries so hard .. What a different role from GGS (Go Go Squid).

None of the characters make us worry about them ..

My fingers got sore from FFD ing.

SO MANY people compared it to "Hometown Cha Cha Cha" ~ THANK GAWD I didn't bother watching that either after an episode (when it had released).
I am not a fan of the ML in that .. he has no sizzle factor.

BTW it's NOT the SLOW pace that made me YAWN!! It's basically quite FLAT.

Compare a SLOW PACED RURAL setting show like "I'll Come when the Weather is Good".
That's great DRAMA IMO.
Not a travel brochure ;-p

YUP .. the first ASMR Drama I have watched

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Go aheah & watch this drama you will love it.

After a long time I got to watch such a great drama
At 1 st I thought it would be boring but I wanted to give it a try because of the male lead (Li xian).
It was a really really great drama the type of drama I was looking for..
There are so many scene that will make your heart flutter.. I personally laughed a lot also did get emotional some time even cried!!
It has the type of setting that I personally want in my life ( I mean living in a small place with a lot of good people who really care for you) .. & the ost those were just great I downloaded all the ost & i listen to them & think about the setup they showed us.

It was such a healing drama. I like their acting, the whole cast are awesome. Also it was the 1 st drama of the female lead that I watch & i became e fan there were no weird character every character did a great job.
The male lead & female lead being together was also great I may not the right way to explain the drama but you should give it a try .

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Expectation of life summarized in 40 Episodes !!

This drama is the perfect example of how vulnerable humas are !! It does not matter what color of skin or culture you come from, we all experiment a moment in life were feeling defeated is the common goal. This drama tells the story of a successful professional that learned the hard and sad way how life should work.
This is how we humans develop relations that would make us feel alive. Understanding how different cultures help you heal when you need it the most makes this drama a gem. An example, I come from a culture that is known for its vibrant colors, the happy we live, how music plays a role and how exited we are to enjoy every aspect. Latin culture for most is that a set of extravagant people that dance to every opportunity we have. The other side of Latin culture that often people do not see is how important family and values are for us and how we respect and always remember to maintain those values.
Understanding how timing works in life and how every new thing we learn in life can make us better is the final message of this drama.

The characters, children, granys, and side characters ,make this drama develop a fond with everyone. A simple drama with a positive message that feels is meant for you in your OWN INDIVIDUAL way.

Do not hesitate and watch this gem !!!

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Awesome Acting and Romance with lots of epic visuals.

I love the way they details each and every natural view.
FL lead Acting is wow superb.
This type of drama can give you peace of mind.
This drama carries lots of emotions, hard situation to overcome, epic detailing, awesome cast with superb acting especially FL acting overshadowed everyone.
Many things I like about it.
This drama gave you lots of lessons,
This drama shows you how to uplift your hometown into tourism attraction,
Basically I am from india , my culture is very different but in this drama you feel their culture,
Most important part of this drama is in Acting part , especially FL expression is superb 💕
If you are looking for relax , romance, healing type situation then go for it.

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AN ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL DRAMA

What a terrific drama. you feel like you are watching a period of time in the life of a village, not actors in a drama. It is so so well done. The ML and FL were brilliant, there relationship is natural and caring. Granny was outstanding, she has a smile in her eyes, a little mischievous, fabulous, as were all the Aunties, the children all were wonderful. The cinematography , the music, perfect. the whole drama was soothing, calming, caring, the conversations were really worth listening too. A lot of wisdom. and fun also. i was indeed sad when i watched the last episode, so i have just rewatched it. and enjoyed it all again, and of course you see something you missed the first time around. Many thanks to the cast and crew for producing such a wonderful drama

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One Relax Drama

Long time hesitate to watch this, but I'm bored so just decided to watch this drama. Quite happy to watch this drama in the end.

This drama tell story about Xu Hong Dou (HD) that just losing her friend & decided to take a break from life & just go to small town in Yunnan to relax. HD had plan to go travel to Yunnan with her friend, but since she died, HD decided to fulfill the promise & just go there. In Yunnan, Yun Miao village, like all small village, the community is closed tied & family related.
So aside from relax, HD also find new friend & new community or you can say new family and also not forget the love of her life.

What I like:
+ Really relax atmosphere. Like all small village, the time worked really slow & can make us feel relax & nothing in life is so important that you need to work your ass around...
+ The maturity of HD & Xie Zhi Yao (ZY). Like we know they love each other, but they don't rush thing & let the time take care of it.
+ The friendship that all the village create for one and each other.
+ The funny Granny Xie. Hoho... One more cute & adorable grandma in dramaland
+ They talk about the important communication between family. Like when Ma Qiu Shan & HD want to start business, they like having talk that whatever happen talk with family is important, not only when you already decided then you announce your decision.

Maybe from all of this the minus is only one. The times sometimes moves so slow... For you who don't like it gonna feel this drama a little bit bored.... Oh and maybe as usual for c-drama, the episode is just d*mn too much, I don't think the episode need this long.

Overall this is one good drama for you to enjoy and learn to relax....

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Love this drama, especially the side characters, amazing cinematography

Meet Yourself is a melodrama in Yunan as Xu Hong Dou (played by Crystal Liu) went there to find herself after the death of her best friend Chen Nan Xing played by Janice Wu.

The drama has many known guest roles and a supporting cast. The acting of the entire ensemble was excellent, even though the flow of the drama is quite slow, but I love it.

I love all the side characters; each is uniquely portrayed by the supporting actors/actresses. Especially Granny Xie, played by Estelle Wu. She is a supporting yet firm grandma to Xie Zhi Yao, played by Li Xian.

The Yunan community not only supports each other, but they also make their guests feel welcome and belong in their society.

The cinematography is so beautiful that it makes me want to visit Yunan one of these days. I enjoy this drama and would recommend people to watch it.

Overall, I am giving it an 8.5 rating.

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A complete package! Absolutely masterpiece

The title of this drama really describe the story. A lot of life lesson about how you should embrace life, self acceptance, and be more compassionate about others and your surrounding.

Although its a slow pace, but the story is so well written, made it not the weakness but instead the strength of the whole series. You will find it is so realistic and relatable to your everyday life, and immerse yourself as part of it. The romance is also a slow burn kinda romance, everything is natural, and no overacting. The cast -- you'll know its a great drama when the supporting roles are as memorable as the main roles. Each person is unique and has their own strength, weakness, and problems. And their character develop as the story progress. Not just the main roles, but to each one of them. Thus, I give four thumbs up (including my feet thumbs >,< haha) to the writer who blended them nicely.

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Healing and Slow Burn

In today's life people forget to take care of their own personal health and cause disasters of their own. The best friend of the FL is one such person who has lost her life, which affects her negatively and causes depression. The female lead then goes on a trip of healing and books a short term stay at a village. The ML, who is the leader of the village and trying to put the village as a tourist destination on the map.

The interactions between ML and FL, along with other members of the village, and other characters who reside in the village to escape from their own demons forms the crux of the drama. The repeated conversations and interactions with the ML leads to a healthy romance between the parties.

The drama is long but honestly does not have a bad episode. This drama definitely is in the top with its cast, scenery and character development.

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