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Romance on the Farm chinese drama review
Completed
Romance on the Farm
27 people found this review helpful
by Enigma05
Oct 26, 2023
26 of 26 episodes seen
Completed 9
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers

Family Matters on the Farm

This has been on my reserve list since it was first announced and I was looking forward to this concept as a costume drama on a farm was new to me. Joseph always pulls off solid acting. I know the video game concept was put in due to censorship and I have no complaints regarding it. All of that said, the English title didn't fit it at all and it should have just been called Family Matters on the Farm.

Pros: The entire concept was interesting. Had everyone guessing how many of the characters were none NPC. The theories and ideas were great to discuss with other viewers. ML did the best and was my favorite character though everyone did a great job at playing whichever character even the ones we didn't like so much like the toxic family. Our FL was very business oriented but though she spoke her mind, she had a kind heart which I think sometimes was too kind. Everyone that harmed her or her NPC parents and brother did get their comeuppance in more ways than one. Everyone you wanted to hit, absolutely received theirs villains included. The last episode and the hard earned forgiveness of many was actually necessary before the FL could return to her real world.

I liked how they mixed the farming life and the martial arts of SN and 13. There was a nice balance. I know a lot of people weren't pleased with the ending but I think it was a happy ending in both worlds though very subtle. Not every show requires a wedding and babies. They loved each other and even though the extra episode was only like a minute long and didn't show SY aka SN's face, it was obvious from LMN's face and tears that those two would be together in the real world too. I actually got a bit emotional in that last episode with the forgiveness and LMN saying goodbye to everyone. What I'm not sure others noticed was that she somehow exited the VR world without actually putting that last tael of money into the box, it was left on the table and she was still in fact a bit short. So my reasoning is that ML went to meet her and also exited them both out of the game after sitting and chatting about being together forever, then he went to meet her irl to give her the woven horse and reinforce the promise he made in the game.

I love Joseph's OST the most; I don't know why they had someone else also sing it later. His voice was soothing and really brought the song to life. But I have no qualms on costumes, scenery, save for one of FL's hairstyles which was thankfully short lived. You didn't need a large budget here.

Cons: Not very many here; but I do wish that they returned ML to FL sooner at the end and before the last few moments before she exited the game. And I wish that 1 minute special episode had Joseph's face and was part of the last actual episode because as someone mentioned, it did seem like an afterthought. I also wish that FL sounded more mature and less whiny in her conversations; I think that the actress has more or less typecasted herself into these kinds of roles. Would be nice for her to try something where she doesn't always appear brainy and pouty. I'm really nitpicking here because this drama didn't have many cons. Also do wish since they chose to use it, explain more about the game aspect itself; like how long are actual time lapses as opposed to the real world and so forth as well as close out what happened to FL's stingy, uncaring parents irl. That part was left hanging.

Would I recommend it? Yes I would. Just forget the title as romance is nowhere near the primary theme though it does occur and there is great chemistry between the leads. If you're looking for a different costume drama, give it a whirl.
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