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This Thriving Land: A Story of Resilience, Revolution, and Rural Rebirth
Broadcast on CCTV and iQiyi | 39 Episodes | Starring Yang Mi & Ou Hao
Introduction: More Than Just a Period Drama
When This Thriving Land premiered on August 13, 2025, few anticipated it to interrupt new floor within the already aggressive world of Chinese interval dramas. At first look, it appeared like a well-known mix of rural hardship, romance, and revolution. But with its wealthy storytelling, unforgettable performances, and emotionally charged character arcs, the sequence shortly proved it was something however formulaic.
Set throughout a turbulent time in China’s Twentieth-century historical past, the present superbly balances sweeping historic occasions with the intimate, deeply private journey of 1 lady decided to rewrite her future—and assist others do the identical.
The Heart of the Story: Ning Xiuxiu’s Radical Transformation
At the middle of This Thriving Land is Ning Xiuxiu, performed with astonishing grace and grit by Yang Mi, one in all China’s most beloved actresses.
💔 A Shattered Wedding, A New Beginning
Xiuxiu’s life modifications dramatically on the day of her wedding ceremony. What ought to have been a day of pleasure is shattered when she’s kidnapped by bandits. But the actual betrayal comes from her personal father, Ning Xuexiang (Ni Dahong), the richest man in Tianni Temple Village, who refuses to pay her ransom—as a result of he gained’t half together with his land.
Instead, he marries off her sister, Ning Susu (Xing Fei), to Xiuxiu’s childhood sweetheart, Fei Wendian (Zhang Tianyang), cementing Xiuxiu’s standing as a castaway from her family.
Rather than return house in disgrace, Xiuxiu makes a radical alternative: she marries Feng Dajiao (Ou Hao), a poor however kind-hearted peasant, and begins a brand new life among the many very individuals her household as soon as regarded down on.
A Woman of the Land: From Heiress to Farmer
🌱 Relearning the World Through Dirt and Sweat
Xiuxiu’s journey is just not one in all revenge, however of rediscovery. She trades silk for soil, and learns that the land her father clings to so tightly isn’t simply wealth—it’s survival for the villagers. Farming turns into extra than simply labor; it turns into a metaphor for transformation.
We watch Xiuxiu evolve from a pampered daughter into an emblem of power, resourcefulness, and insurrection. Her palms, as soon as unaccustomed to the plow, quickly lead others in reclaiming their lives and dignity.
A Village Transformed: Empowerment and Collective Resistance
Xiuxiu’s power conjures up different ladies within the village to problem long-held feudal ideologies. Under her management, they:
- Educate one another
- Fight for land reform
- Stand as much as native bullies and bandits
- Join resistance efforts towards the Japanese invasion
This is the place This Thriving Land shines brightest. The story isn’t nearly Xiuxiu’s private development—it’s in regards to the collective awakening of a complete rural neighborhood.
Romance and Revolution: The Chemistry of Yang Mi and Ou Hao
❤️ A Marriage of Equals
The romance between Xiuxiu and Feng Dajiao is a gradual burn that feels earned, not manufactured. Their love is cast not by means of grand gestures however in shared hardships—planting crops, going through hunger, defending their neighbors, and elevating a household amidst chaos.
Ou Hao brings sincerity and heat to Dajiao, a personality who initially appears easy however quickly reveals deep emotional layers. The couple’s relationship is marked by mutual respect and quiet resilience—an antidote to the melodramatic romances so widespread in historic dramas.
A Star-Studded Cast that Delivers
While Yang Mi and Ou Hao anchor the present, This Thriving Land is a real ensemble drama. Every character has a goal, a previous, and a future. Notable performances embody:
- Ni Dahong as the strict and cussed Ning Xuexiang, whose arc from heartless patriarch to a damaged, reflective father is gut-wrenching.
- Xing Fei as Ning Susu, who lives within the shadow of her sister’s power however finds her personal voice.
- Wang Xin as Du Chunlin, a revolutionary thinker who conjures up Xiuxiu with daring concepts that problem the established order.
The present is filled with over 70 supporting characters, every bringing a special aspect of rural Chinese life into focus—from the mischievous little one troopers to the aged storytellers who protect village historical past.
Themes that Resonate Beyond the Screen
At its core, This Thriving Land is about survival—however not simply bodily survival. It’s about preserving dignity, reclaiming id, and redefining neighborhood. Here are among the key themes the sequence tackles:
✊ Land as Identity
To the villagers, land isn’t simply property—it’s legacy, safety, and belonging. The present explores how feudal possession of land created cycles of inequality, and the way land reform turned a revolutionary act.
👩🌾 Women’s Empowerment
Rarely do interval dramas heart feminine solidarity as powerfully as this one. From farm work to self-defense, from training to political motion, the ladies of Tianni Temple Village develop into the true spine of resistance.
⚔️ Resistance and Sacrifice
Set towards the backdrop of Japanese occupation and inner upheaval, the sequence doesn’t shrink back from the brutal realities of warfare. The villagers develop into reluctant warriors, compelled to defend not solely their land however their lifestyle.
Cinematography and Production: A Visual Love Letter to the Countryside
Directed by Liu Jiacheng (The Battle at Lake Changjin, In the Name of the People), the present brings the countryside to life in breathtaking element.
Every body is soaked in authenticity—from the mist rolling over rice paddies at daybreak to the claustrophobic stress of a small house hiding rebels. The shade grading subtly shifts from comfortable earth tones in peaceable occasions to stark grays and reds throughout warfare scenes.
Stylist Duan Xiaoli deserves reward for the detailed costume design, which captures the transition from conventional Han clothes to extra utilitarian clothes worn by peasants and revolutionaries alike.
Viewer Reception and Buzz
With only some episodes aired on the time of writing, This Thriving Land has already obtained a excellent 5.0 score from early viewers.
Fans on Chinese platforms like Douban and Weibo are praising:
- Yang Mi’s mature and grounded efficiency
- The life like depiction of rural life
- The absence of overdone melodrama
- Its balanced portrayal of each female and male views
Critics are calling it a “spiritual successor” to classics like The Story of Qiu Ju and Red Sorghum, although many argue it surpasses them in emotional vary and narrative ambition.
Behind the Scenes: Based on a Respected Novel
The story is tailored from Qian Juan Yu Jue Jue (缱绻与决绝) by Zhao Defa, a famous Chinese creator recognized for his explorations of rural historical past and human resilience.
Screenwriter Wang He does a outstanding job of sustaining the novel’s literary depth whereas making it accessible to a large viewers. The script is wealthy with metaphor and ethical stress, however by no means feels preachy or gradual.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Watch “This Thriving Land”
In a yr dominated by fantasy epics, idol dramas, and shiny city romances, This Thriving Land seems like a much-needed return to human-centered storytelling.
It’s not only a drama—it’s a mirrored image on who we’re when stripped of wealth, standing, and security. It’s a reminder that revolution doesn’t all the time start with weapons—it typically begins with a girl choosing up a hoe, and refusing to be owned.
Where to Watch
You can catch This Thriving Land on:
- 📺 CCTV – airing nightly at 8:00 PM CST
- 📱 iQiyi – streaming with English subtitles (Premium and VIP tiers)