Where is home?

Is it the bustling city where there’re many opportunities?
Or is it the small hometown where we are born and raise?

For folks that has their origins from smaller towns, this may not be an easy question to answer. For Mu Di in Small Town Stories, she was very sure of her answer until she was not, after having to return home to heal from an injury.

Small Town Stories is one of those family centric stories that ask us to remember pausing and pay attention to life’s little things. It asks us to enjoy life and care for ourselves. It subtly shares that passion and ambition can come in many forms.

What I enjoyed most about Small Town Stories was Bai Lang and Mu Di’s dynamics. Mu Di was a headstrong lady who felt stuck between her ambition and family subtle pressure to give it up. Bai Lang was a “rascal” she unexpectedly and unwillingly got entangled in, yet, seemed to be the “medicine” she needed to heal from her injury. This is an opposite attracts couple that’s rather charming to watch. I especially like Gao Zhi Ting’s portrayal as the street smart, savvy small medium enterprise business owner who was good at taking care of his people.

I also enjoyed the music performances in Small Town Stories. With utmost respect, I am not a fan of loud sounds and folk musics - thus, finding myself being captivated with Mu Di’s Suo Na was definitely a pleasant surprise. I appreciate folk music a little more through Small Town Stories.

What fell through for me was the slight draggy pacing and cliche plot lines. I wasn’t able to fell completely drawn in with the people in Small Town Stories besides Bai Lang.

That said, it’s still an enjoyable show if you are in a drama drought or want something simple. After all, there are many stories. And Small Town Stories is one of the many.