This drama is like a warm hug.

Most of the dramas I've watched become my favorite when I go in with no expectations, and because of that, I have been able to enjoy Romance on the Farm to the fullest. If you do plan on watching this, keep this review in mind with a grain of salt, and also try to keep any expectations as bay.

I initially started watching because I mistook Joseph Zeng for another actor lol (Song Wei Long...I know. I've mainly been a K-drama watcher who is gradually re-exploring C-dramas). I just planned to have it streaming in the background as I worked. However, I did not expect to get this attached to it.

The cast is stellar, as in EVERYONE truly embodies their characters' personalities - from the main leads, to the screaming aunties, the homeless-turned-Robin Hoods, the jovial best friend of the main lead, and the scheming cousin (who, despite her dislike for the FL, still has just a tiny bit of heart in her).

The music, sound effects, etc. is perfect! It perfectly fits the scope of this tiny little cozy drama.

As for the series itself: it is a weird mix of genres and elements that just so happens to hit all the marks for me personally, and evokes a certain sense of nostalgia (as someone else mentioned!) which I still can't quite make out: it is my Gilded Chopsticks, my Hometown Cha Cha Cha, my Pride & Prejudice, my Tamako Market, my Harvest Moon, my Ragnarok Online. Very heartwarming, yet not too tragic, it is more of a slice of life with a slight hint of mystery that isn't too deeply seated in a tangled web like Alchemy of Souls or The Rise of Phoenixes due to the nature of it being a game. And unlike Gilded Chopsticks which totally swindled me in the first half with its humorous tones, then tragedy after tragedy, here, you just KNOW everything will be okay here.

I know people have found the "game" aspect to be pointless, but it serves the drama well as I haven't read the novel: although the character's values and motives for her actions seem very modern-day, you forget that as you continue watching and engage yourself in whatever kind of historically inaccurate, but super warm storyline is going on.

Regarding the toxic family: by modern-day standards, absolutely toxic. 100% would drop them. Had to fast forward the first few because I couldn't stand the grandma (who is justifiably nuts considering what she went through). However, it slightly demonstrates how hard it is to be of a certain standing, and the complex nature of relationships when all you have is each other - whether or not in the bigger picture you'd be better off without them. It's not something I agree with, but I can empathize with! When you have so little, yet everything to lose, it's much harder to want to lose anything or cut ties.

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