Like a Flowing River Season 3 Reviews

Gong Xin Ming stepping up at critical moments and his clever maneuver of hiding a brick in his briefcase added so much charm to his character. It instantly loosened up the otherwise serious situation, making it so enjoyable to watch. This is one of the reasons why I love this drama.
I can't define a person's true character based on a single set of actions! Every character brings plenty of surprises!

Season 3 lacks the excitement of the previous two seasons' entrepreneurial challenges. It's more focused on a repetitive plot of endless problem-finding, problem-solving, and troubleshooting.

Will we finally see Song Yun Hui sleeping with his own female student this season? Nowadays, teachers seem to take pride in sleeping with their students, don't they?

It's hard not to fall in love with Song Yun Hui while watching this drama. No matter where he is, he always manages to achieve remarkable results with a solid work ethic. It's truly inspiring, and I feel like his character embodies the idealistic figure that era could produce.
He represents the essence of that time.

Amidst the vast tides of the era, the joys and sorrows of ordinary people are also worthy of attention. The victims in the poisoning case, the villagers of Xiao Lei's family, Ren Xia Er who studied for an accounting certificate to secure a job — they may not be remarkable individuals, but they are like waves in the current of the times, tirelessly surging for their lives and dreams.

I really love the character Lao Lei in this drama. Compared to using temper and force to solve problems, he now understands the importance of restraint, but still maintains a commanding and spontaneous style.
He manages to strike a delicate balance between rationality and impulsiveness. With each installment, his character development becomes more refined.

The beginning of the shareholding reform signifies the gradual progression of the era's trend. Small individuals navigate through the changing system and developing society, struggling to survive. It's not only the four main characters that are touching, but also characters like Manager Cao, Deputy Manager Wang, Director Qi, Secretary Gong, and so on.
From the pesticide factory to Thunder Corporation, each person has their own intrinsic value. The emotional connections are vivid and real, forming a mosaic of joys and sorrows in the grand backdrop.

Yang Xun continues to deceive and talk nonsense, not a single truthful word. But the supporting characters are as foolish as can be, completely open and trusting.
It's hard to believe.

Song Yunhui may seem to have saved the pesticide factory, but if we zoom out a bit, there would have been alternatives if the factory had not closed down.
I don't know where he gets his heroic self-righteousness from. The best choice would have been to transfer the small factory's research and development personnel to a larger one.

It's too dragging. Combining three parts into one makes it a decent drama. The story that could have been told in 48 episodes was stretched out for too long. It's not like an episodic drama where this approach would work.
Additionally, some actors in the drama are more suitable for the first part and not for portraying high-end characters. Overall, this is the most disappointing drama from Noon Sunshine.
Let's see how the ending turns out.

The diverse and vivid portrayal of people's lives during the era of reform and opening up is captured perfectly. Song Yun Hui's fairness and responsibility, Lei Dong Bao's boldness and decisiveness, Gong Xin Ming's smoothness and reliability—each person fulfills their duties in their respective roles.
It's intriguing to see the different approaches and attitudes towards issues they take.

Up until now, as I've been following the show, the plot feels very much in line with the background of that era. Whether it's the transformation of the small Leijia enterprise or the position changes of Director Lu, it aligns with the government's policies of vigorously developing rural enterprises and implementing institutional reforms.
It feels like a true documentary recording the events.

The backdrop of the reform and opening up is expansive, covering a wide range of industries. The love and conflicts among numerous characters are intricately woven into various plotlines. For the sake of interests and emotions, the struggle of human nature never ceases.
The authentic storyline and vivid performances often resonate with me, connecting me to different characters at many moments.

I opened it with high expectations, and it turned out to be exactly what I imagined! The character growth is so evident. Lei Dong Bao has handled several crises with calmness amidst chaos, learning from previous impulsive mistakes and becoming even more charming.
Now, all I hope for is that the final episodes can be a bit longer, just a bit longer!

Predecessors like Song Yun Hui, Lei Dong Bao, and Yang Xun have achieved the fruits of their struggle, allowing numerous ordinary people to enjoy the benefits of reform and opening up. This is the significance of reform and opening up - benefiting the people and giving them more confidence to move forward.

Regardless of success or failure, Song Yun Hui always maintains a childlike heart. He never forgets his original aspiration to strive for, and he carries out his work diligently with the noble vision of benefiting the country and the people. He is an exemplary figure for each and every one of us.

The development paths of Song Yun Hui and Yang Xun are intriguing. The former had a smooth journey, reaching the peak of his career before being demoted. The latter faced various hardships and obstacles in his early years but finally achieved success in his career in the 1990s.
No one can sail smoothly all the way, and no one can escape the constraints of historical laws.

Watching the drama up until now, the thing I admire most about Song Yun Hui is his unwavering courage to start from scratch. After leaving Donghai and returning to where his dreams began, he remains calm and composed.
Instead, he becomes even clearer about the direction of his future. I really love the rationality and passion that radiates from within him.

The transformation of Lei Dong Bao's character truly surprised me. Even in the face of Sun County Magistrate's veiled remarks, he didn't act impulsively like he used to. Instead, he considered the overall situation and emphasized the importance of maintaining the collective system.
I could feel the change in his character's personality. When a person deeply understands the weight of their responsibilities, they are no longer the same naive and impulsive person they were before.

Without deliberately stirring emotions, the drama allows us to feel the hardships faced by the protagonists as they strive for success. The changing policies, the game of human nature, and the unknown mist that lies ahead all contribute to the challenges they face.
The older generation achieved such remarkable accomplishments in such difficult circumstances. Let us pay tribute to them.

I can increasingly feel the close connection between the era and the characters in the drama. Without the support of relevant policies, individual businesses like Yang Xun's and the small enterprises in Lei Family might struggle to survive.
The era of reform and opening up offers people more opportunities to pursue their dreams and have a wider range of choices.

Finally, it's here! The nostalgia for "Da Jiang Ren" (A River's People) has been building up for a long time, and the third installment has finally arrived.
Regardless of how it's being filmed (so far, I've watched 8 episodes and it's pretty good), if it can give the audience a perfect ending, it's already deserving of a 5-star rating.
There aren't many Chinese TV drama series that can maintain such a high standard across three parts.

Lei Dong Bao is still the same Lei Dong Bao, the one who is willing to take risks for his brothers and for Xiao Leijia. This is what a true big brother should be like - someone who can shoulder responsibilities and understands the importance of not sweating the small stuff for the sake of the bigger plan!

Being demoted might not necessarily be a bad thing for Song Yun Hui. It's a form of protection for someone who isn't particularly skilled in the political arena. When you're at a low point, you can slowly climb your way up. There will always be a day when the clouds part and the moon shines through, waiting for a comeback on the eastern hill.

Viewing social changes from the perspective of ordinary people, the strong sense of the era hits you in the face. Song Yun Hui's experiences are genuine and down-to-earth, while Yang Xun finds a clear path amidst the muddy road, yet not without difficulties.
The characters' actions are logical, making the story particularly believable.

The four representatives of the four economic forms, Song Yun Hui, Lei Dong Bao, Yang Xun, and Liang Si Shen, are like epitomes of various industries under the market economic system reform.
Adapting to policy changes, the painstaking efforts of countless individuals have contributed to the current economic prosperity.

This cultural and institutional environment devours people, sucking the flesh and bones of hardworking individuals and trampling upon them to rise higher. Empty words and false emotions abound, only capable of paying respects to the heavens, the earth, mountains, seas, lakes, and plains.
The only true possession in this difficult and sorrowful life is something that is hard to express.

The fate of the factory intertwines with the fate of the characters, showcasing the sweeping changes of a significant era. In the drama, we not only get a glimpse of how history progresses like a mighty river, but also feel the twists and turns that shape the destinies of each character.
The content is quite rich and engaging.

Woo hoo! Finally, the third season is here! I absolutely love this drama, especially the way Song Yun Hui is portrayed. Each season is so thrilling and full of passion. Song Yun Hui has his principles, and yet he always manages to turn the tide when things are at their lowest.
The cinematography by Noon Sunlight is fantastic!

When Peng Yang of the pesticide factory openly mentioned his past self, Song Yun Hui, it made me recall the gentle Xiao Hui I used to see on the rural paths. The workers at the factory must have shown a lot of kindness to Song Yun Hui, as he himself expressed that he was very content with the situation.

Lei Dongbao has a strong sense of community. His actions of confronting and exposing Lei Zhengming, who undermined the collective, as well as rejecting the proposal for the township chief's shareholding system reform, demonstrate his consistent concern for the collective interests.
His contributions to Xiao Leijia are evident to all.

The conflict between Lei Dong Bao and the merged factory's director reflects different approaches to pursuing interests. The former believes that products crafted with time and craftsmanship will ultimately gain a market advantage, while the latter only focuses on immediate benefits and neglects the value of reputation for the product.
This is the clash of reform and the collision of old and new ideologies.

The poisoning case easily brings to mind Japan's Minamata disease incident. The economic development brought about by reform and opening up has also caused significant damage to the ecological environment. Balancing the relationship between economy and environmental protection remains crucial for current development, serving as an important reminder.

Every plot has its unique significance. The Southern Tour speech raised the proposal of implementing the reform of the shareholding system economy. County Chief Sun's conversation with Lei Dong Bao also serves as evidence of the era's environment and policies, while also foreshadowing the potential challenges that collective economy may face.

The grandeur is not only reflected in the era but also in the destinies of the characters. After experiencing various setbacks, the characters embark on a new stage in their lives. The journey ahead may still be challenging, but for the brave ones, taking action and staying true to themselves is already a significant reward.

As the final installment, the standard and quality of this drama continue the brilliance of the previous two parts. The destinies of Song Yun Hui, Lei Dong Bao, and Yang Xun have reached their climax, and I have long been prepared to embrace the final chapter's conclusion.

It serves as both a continuation of the past and the beginning of a new era. Song Yun Hui's arrival at the Pengyang Pesticide Factory marks the start of a new phase. He embarks on developing production and resolving conflicts, showcasing his abilities in this new setting.
This guy is undeniably charismatic to a fault.

Addressing problems and approaching each step of the investigation with seriousness and patience, Song Yun Hui's insightful explanations on food contamination are enlightening.
Song Yun Hui, who has developed his character and abilities over the years, shines in a different way compared to the previous two parts.

I've been eagerly anticipating this for so long, but to be honest, I was a bit disappointed with the fifth episode. The pace was too slow, and the plot didn't live up to the excitement of the first two seasons.
I'm considering dropping the drama and going back to watch the Song Liang cut version on Bilibili.

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I'm here not for the fame, and I won't leave during the low points.
Looking forward to the third season with Song Yun Hui! I hope the original cast will still be there!

The script is truly solid, and the screenwriter has put in a lot of effort. No wonder their hair has turned white from the hard work. I'm very satisfied with it so far, as it maintains the quality of the first two parts. It's not easy for the original cast and crew to come together after a seven-year gap.
But all the hard work is worth it. Whether it's the actors or the behind-the-scenes staff, they can proudly say that "The Great River" is their representative work. With such a masterpiece, their time in the industry hasn't been in vain.

Relying on his father-in-law for promotion, then divorcing his wife and falling in love with a younger woman, showing ingratitude while pretending to be righteous. These distorted values truly disgust me.
Whenever I see Wang Kai, I feel like going up to him and giving him a couple of punches to his arrogant face. He acts all high and mighty, what a pretense!

The dialogue carries profound meaning, and every word spoken by County Chief Sun reflects the power struggles within the officialdom and the changes brought about by the introduction of the shareholding system. Lei Dong Bao's portrayal is exquisitely nuanced, revealing the initial conflict between personal convictions and policy development.
The way the plot conveys the background and character traits through the storyline is commendable.

Because the release is just around the corner, I hurriedly rewatched Season 1 and 2. Now the comparison is even more apparent, no wonder Kong Sheng didn't even include the number 3 in the title. It feels like a completely parallel universe.

The characters' personalities and ways of dealing with the world are determined by their environment. The distinct personalities of Yang Xun, Lei Dong Bao, and Song Yun Hui also indicate their growth processes.
The logical consistency of their motives can be found in the first two parts, and it continues in the third part. This series is a well-crafted closed loop.

I've finished watching the first two parts, and now watching the third part is much better with the recap. Otherwise, I would have forgotten where I left off. Song Yun Hui is still the same, unwavering Song Yun Hui.
I really love Wang Kai's portrayal. The first part with Lei Dong Bao and Song Yun Ping was fantastic. But after Ping Ping's passing, I lost interest in following that storyline.

For me, they are no longer characters in a drama, but rather elders from history. They experienced ups and downs in the tide of reform, refusing to accept their fate and never giving up. They persistently walked their own path with their own two feet.
The spirit of the era is their spirit.