A warm breeze, a stroll through the market stalls, a chat in the gardens

In recent years, my grandpa had an accident and I had to hurry back to the Taiwanese countryside, staying there for half a year. During that time, I felt loneliness and grief, anxiety and anger, but most of all warmth and comfort. Being enveloped by the web of different characters and sense of community, I spent so much time with relatives and family friends, some who I thought I already knew and others who I had never met before, learning so much about them and about myself.

This drama makes me think of that time and feel a similar way. It made me finally want to sit down and write my first review. I'm writing as I rewatch "Meet Yourself" with my sisters.

To some this show may feel too much like a tourism promo or a music video. If you feel like that early on, I suggest you drop it. But, to me I haven't felt so comfortable watching a show in who knows how long.

I laughed out loud too often, grinned endlessly, and teared up at various points. The show is so well-paced and flows smoothly that I'm having a hard to commiting to a show after this. Even while I was watching, I kept slowing down and replaying episodes to prolong it. I don't feel that it is glorifying a rural lifestyle. Rather "Meet Yourself" really just highlights the mundane and reminds you of how much we should appreciate it. You don't watch this show for dramatic reveals or sudden plot twists. It only includes the drama of daily life.

I want to mention some of the side characters/stories I particularly enjoyed. At first I was concerned there would an uncomfortable relationship between Xia Xia and Na Na, especially when I found out the actor is 17... But ultimately, on his end, it was about his first adult crush and growing into adulthood; on her end, she was receiving his kindness and care in her journey of healing. Another relationship I enjoyed was Hong Dou and Hong Mi. I love that they portrayed this type of relationship where the nuances of having a sister are so real, showing the insecurities of each, the support they provide, and their roles within the family unit. Ma Ye's storyline ranks low for me, though people like him are definitely common so it was important to show. The various relationships, crossing generations and character, all had so much heart.

And the main romance...it make me so happy just thinking about it. I don't even have a strong desire to see Xie Zhi Yao and Xu Hong Dou get married or their life after episode 40 like I would many other dramas because I already know it'll be at the same speed and happiness that is true to them. The maturity of both in their lives and the occasional immaturity of both when in love (particularly Ah Yao) was so satisfying and endearing to watch.

Li Xian and Liu Yi Fei are at their best in this drama. It's a combination of the nature of this show and the type of roles that are the ideal fit for them. In some other roles, they come off a bit stiff, but, here, both feel very natural and comfortable here. The whole cast from the elderly grannies and aunties to the young kids of the neighborhood performed their roles beautifully. Xiao Ke Ai and Cui Bazi also performed 10/10~~~

Some elements are a bit repetitive but not to the point of relentless. There was a continuous amount of wind related metaphors/names. I did enjoy the poetry and culture of it so was not bothered, just occasionally found humor in it. Also, the music flows well with the vibe of this show. Maybe because I just finished watching a drama that only had BGM without vocals, the songs, at times, felt never ending.

Thank you for reading all this if you made it down here. Upon my first watch, "Meet Yourself", or "Going to The Windy Place", really was just the right temperature for me. Just thinking on it, I'm so content. It is the warm breeze that I'm sure I will need over and over again.

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