Rural period drama enjoys harvest of success

From the very first episode, TV series This Thriving Land sweeps viewers into a world where love, loss, and grit unfold against the backdrop of rural China a century ago. This hit period drama celebrates the resilience of its characters and the unbreakable bond with the land that shapes their destinies.

A dramatic incident sets the stage for the unfolding story: Ning Xiuxiu, played by actress Yang Mi, is kidnapped on her wedding day, and her father — the landlord — refuses to pay a ransom. In her absence, her younger sister is married to her childhood sweetheart. The question then arises: after being saved, what choices will she make?

Xiuxiu severs ties with her father in the wake of the tragic event, marries the young farmer Feng Dajiao (portrayed by actor Ou Hao), a secret admirer who saved her from the bandits, and starts a new life with him.

Building on this powerful opening, This Thriving Land, which concluded its initial run on China Central Television's CCTV-8 and streaming platform iQIYI on Aug 23, chronicles the transformation of Tianniu Temple village from 1926 to 1986 in southern Shandong province, capturing the impact of seismic societal changes.

The 36-episode series follows the struggles of Xiuxiu as she transforms from a pampered landlord's daughter and stigmatized "defiled bride" into a tough farmer, mother and leader in guiding fellow village women to cultivate medicinal herbs.

"Xiuxiu suffers a tarnished reputation and is abandoned by her father. It's a hellish beginning for a woman on the cusp of adulthood in the old days," Yang told China Daily in a recent interview. "Yet, she remains resilient and optimistic, struggling to survive amid the turbulent tides of her times. Her kindness, insight, and courage shine brightly in that era, which touches me deeply.

"Xixiu isn't a victim depicted in traditional melodramas. She is like a wild wheat plant determined to take root even in the frozen soil," she adds.

The star, known for her roles in costume and fantasy dramas such as Jade Palace Lock Heart, Chinese Paladin 3, and To the Sky Kingdom, admits that the heroine's "unbreakable vitality" resonates with her, prompting her to take on this brand-new type of role.

"Her vitality isn't brute force, but rather the ability to draw on the wisdom from the land. For example, she buys cattle to resolve conflicts and guides women in growing medicinal herbs," Yang says.

To approach her character, the actress, in addition to studying the script, spent two weeks in a Shandong village, learning from locals to do farm work. She also gained five kilos to make her role look more convincing.

Xiuxiu's personal growth and Dajiao's love and unwavering support for her tugged at people's heartstrings.

Dai Ying, chief producer of This Thriving Land and iQIYI's senior vice-president, says that the show's focus on the heroine's growth — from a landlord's daughter to an independent woman — is a response to the emphasis of women's power in contemporary society.