Meet Yourself
Meet Yourself (Chinese: 去有风的地方; pinyin: Qù yǒu fēng de dìfāng) is a 2023 Chinese romantic drama television series directed by Ding Zi Guang and starring Liu Yifei as Xu Hongdou and Li Xian as Xie Zhiyao. The story centers on Xu Hongdou, a driven hotel industry professional in Beijing, who quits her job following the sudden death of her best friend and retreats to the idyllic Yunmiao Village near Dali in Yunnan Province for a period of respite. There, she invests in a local homestay business run by Xie Zhiyao, a returned urbanite promoting rural tourism, leading to a slow-burn romance amid themes of healing, community, and personal growth.[1][2][3] Premiering on Hunan TV and Mango TV, the series aired from January 3 to January 31, 2023, consisting of 40 episodes each approximately 45 minutes in length. It explores the lives of various city escapees in the village, highlighting contrasts between urban hustle and rural tranquility, and an ensemble of supporting characters. The production emphasizes scenic Yunnan landscapes and cultural elements like traditional crafts and cuisine, contributing to its reputation as a feel-good, slice-of-life drama.[2][4] Meet Yourself received widespread acclaim for its soothing pacing and emotional depth, earning an 8.1/10 rating on IMDb from 917 users and an 8.8/10 on MyDramaList from 10,575 viewers as of November 2025, praised for promoting work-life balance and rural revitalization. The series garnered significant viewership in China, topping online platforms during its run, and has since been licensed internationally on services like Netflix and Viki.[1][2]Plot
Synopsis
Meet Yourself follows Xu Hongdou, a high-pressure hotel executive in Beijing, whose life unravels after the sudden death of her best friend Chen Nanxing from late-stage pancreatic cancer.[5] To cope with her grief and fulfill their promise to visit the village together, Hongdou travels to the dilapidated homestay called You Feng Little House in the serene Yunmiao Village near Dali in Yunnan Province, prompting her to resign, buy the property, and relocate there for renovation and operation.[5] Upon arrival in winter, she experiences profound culture shock amid the rural simplicity, contrasting sharply with her urban existence.[3] As Hongdou integrates into village life, she navigates challenges in opening the homestay, including interpersonal conflicts among locals and logistical hurdles in daily routines like farming and preparing for festivals.[2] She develops romantic tension with Xie Zhiyao, the pragmatic local entrepreneur who returned from the city and aids her efforts while pursuing his own goals for community development.[3] Together, they collaborate on initiatives to promote the region's tea culture and boost tourism, fostering Hongdou's personal growth and healing through connections with nature and the tight-knit community.[2] The 40-episode series unfolds in a slice-of-life style, tracing seasonal progression from Hongdou's chilly winter arrival to the renewal of spring, emphasizing gradual character arcs and everyday triumphs without rushed resolutions.[3]Cast and characters
Main cast
The main cast of Meet Yourself features Liu Yifei as Xu Hongdou, an urban hotel executive who inherits her late best friend's rural property and navigates grief while adapting to village life as a homestay owner.[6] This role marks Liu Yifei's return to contemporary dramas after a series of historical productions, including A Dream of Splendor (2022), representing her first lead in a modern drama.[6] Li Xian portrays Xie Zhiyao, the stoic yet compassionate village committee secretary dedicated to rural revitalization efforts, who gradually reveals a caring side through his interactions with the community.[7] His on-screen chemistry with Liu Yifei has been widely praised for its natural warmth and subtle romantic tension, enhancing the drama's themes of healing and connection.[8] Wu Qian plays Chen Nanxing, Xu Hongdou's supportive best friend and colleague in the urban hotel industry, whose presence—primarily in flashbacks—offers comic relief and highlights the contrast between city hustle and rural serenity.[7] The principal casting, including Liu Yifei and Li Xian as leads, was announced in mid-2022 ahead of production.[9]Supporting cast
The supporting cast of Meet Yourself features an ensemble of actors depicting the residents, family members, and locals of Yunmiao Village in Yunnan, who collectively build the series' sense of community and support the protagonists' personal growth through shared activities such as tea harvesting, cafe operations, and homestay assistance. These characters add depth to the village dynamics, offering humor, wisdom, and emotional layers that highlight themes of belonging and rural life. The production emphasized authenticity by filming on location in Dali and incorporating local customs.[10] Key supporting roles include:| Actor | Character | Role Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Hu Bingqing | Lin Na | A resident of Windy Court who serves as the barista and receptionist at the village cafe, welcoming newcomers and assisting with homestay tasks to foster community integration. Lin Na's eccentric and helpful nature aids Xu Hongdou's initial adaptation to village routines.[11][12] |
| Tu Songyan | Ma Qiushan | A local resident and tea lover who acts as a mediator in village affairs, adding rivalry and collaboration in business ventures such as tea trade, enhancing the ensemble's interpersonal tensions and supports.[11] |
| Niu Junfeng | Hu Youyu | A young villager and bar singer whose performances enliven group interactions, including cultural elements during tea harvesting and social gatherings that strengthen bonds among residents.[11] |
| Wu Yanshu | Granny Xie | Xie Zhiyao's grandmother and a village elder who provides mentorship, traditional herbal knowledge, and familial warmth, guiding younger characters through challenges and representing generational wisdom.[11] |
| Dong Qing | Xie Xiaochun | Xie Zhiyao's sister, a secondary family figure who contributes to sibling dynamics and village business tensions, participating in community events like homestay development.[11] |
| Fan Shuaiqi | Huang Xinxin | The director of the Yunmiao Village Committee, a recent university graduate who supports village development initiatives and interacts with the protagonists on administrative matters.[11] |