Introduction
What happens when life takes away everything you have worked so hard to achieve? Sometimes, the answer isn’t to fight your way back to where you once were, but to find a new purpose somewhere you least expect it. Small Town Remedy is more than just a medical drama about doctors saving lives. It is a heartwarming story about second chances, personal growth, human connections, and the healing power of coming home. Through the protagonist’s journey, we are reminded that not all wounds can be cured with medicine, and that sometimes the people we meet, and the lives we touch, become the very remedy we need. Blending medical cases, humor, touching moments, and small-town warmth, this drama gently reminds us that sometimes losing your way is exactly what leads you to where you belong.
At the time this article was released, Small Town Remedy rated 8.0/10 on Douban, the second-highest weekly rating, after a propaganda war drama.
Drama Info
Drama title: Small Town Remedy (Native title: 小城良方)
Alternative title: Xiao Cheng Liang Fang
Genres: Life, Drama, Medical
Aired: 21 Oct, 2026 - 1 Nov, 2026
Episodes: 29 | Duration: 45 min.
Director: Zhang Xiao Bo (张晓波)
Screenwriter: Nie Cheng Shuai (聂成帅)
Adapted from the novel "Fei Dao" (飞刀) by Liu San Shu (刘三叔).
Where to read the English translation: ReadtheDrama
Where to watch: iQiyi
Trailer
OST
There are no English translations for the OSTs, but one notable OST is sung by Xiao Zhan himself. So, I have to put the MV link below (Chinese lyrics only). Since this is a fan channel that might be taken down by YouTube, please let me know in the comments section below if there is an official channel.
Ending theme: 轻轻 (“Gently”) by Xiao Zhan (肖战)
Synopsis
This series tells the story of Liu Zhengliang, a genius doctor who suffers a major life setback and is forced to return to his hometown to start over. He gathers a group of seemingly “unreliable” people, and they passionately commit to doing the most reliable, meaningful things. Surrounded by the cozy, bustling neighborhood vibe, they weave warm daily moments with human kindness, offering life prescriptions that heal people’s souls. (Source: iQiyi)
My note: This synopsis is inaccurate. Liu Zhengliang doesn’t “gather” people. Long Dong Dong, the director of a local hospital, recruits him. Liu Zhengliang meets many people, and at first, they seem “unreliable” from his point of view as someone from a big city.
Characters
Main Character
Xiao Zhan (肖战) as Liu Zheng Liang
Supporting Characters
Long Dong Dong (Ni Da Hong) – Director of Qinghe Town Health Center
Ai Chen (Jiang Yan) – Owner of 1314 Funeral Company
Liu Zheng Guang (Shi Peng Yuan) – Liu Zheng Liang’s brother
Che Ming Ming (Jian Ren Zi) – Physician at Qinghe Town Health Center
Chen Jun Nan (Wang Yan Lin) – Physician and Liu Zheng Liang’s long-time friend
Huang Dong Sheng (Zhang Guo Qiang) – Senior General Practitioner at Qinghe Town Health Center
Relationship Chart
Other supporting characters shown on the relationship chart (clockwise from top right):
- Li Zhong Lin (Jiang Hong Bo) – Liu Zheng Liang and Liu Zheng Guang’s mother (top right)
- Lao Duan (Ding Jia Li) – Jia Xin’s mother
- Jia Xin (Zhang Bai Qiao) – Liu Zheng Guang’s friend
- Gong Xue (Ma Fan Ding) – Jia Xin’s wife-to-be
- Mi Si (Chen Jin) – Ai Chen’s mother
- Ai San (Li Hua) – Ai Chen’s father
- Zhou Zheng (Chen Yong Sheng) – Liu Zheng Liang’s trip companion
- Zhang Hao (Jeremy Qu) – Physician at Qinghe Town Health Center
- Che Chang Hai (Ren Cheng Wei) – Che Ming Ming’s father
- Chen Kai (Fang Zi Bin) – Chen Ju Nan’s father
Review
What I Liked
A Refreshing Storyline
It’s nice to see a medical drama that isn’t all about diseases and hospital politics. Instead, it focuses on ordinary people, non-medical everyday problems, and the human side of medicine. The presentation of psychological issues—that cannot be cured with drugs or surgery—adds to the various challenges Liu Zheng Liang and other characters face.
The side stories go beyond treating illnesses. They touch on family relationships, financial struggles, loneliness, death, and the realities of ordinary life.
No worries, the issues presented are not only doom and gloom. There are plenty of funny moments, but also touching stories that made me laugh one minute and tear up the next. It’s definitely a case of laughter and tears.
The seal in bed—and the story connects to it—is the most hilarious scene. The character who brings it there is also my favorite supporting character in this drama!
A Meaningful Message
I like the idea that healing goes both ways. Liu Zheng Liang and other doctors help patients recover, but the people they meet also help them heal emotionally. It’s a reminder that life isn’t just about professional success; it’s also about finding purpose and meaningful connections.
The Protagonist Character and Xiao Zhan’s Acting
Liu Zhengliang is not your typical perfect, handsome doctor. He’s awkward, stubborn, sometimes arrogant, and not particularly good at dealing with people. Watching him slowly change and open up is one of the most interesting parts of the story.
Xiao Zhan delivers a grounded, understated performance as Liu Zhengliang, showcasing mature character growth and emotional restraint. Rather than relying on big, dramatic outbursts, Xiao Zhan builds Liu Zhengliang’s internal world through small hand movements, suppressed emotions, and micro-expressions that communicate deep vulnerability.
Two of his best acting scenes: One is when Liu Zhengliang delivers a baby on the train, and the second is when he is held hostage by a criminal.
The Supporting Characters
The supporting characters bring a lot of personality to the drama. Their interactions make the small-town community feel lively and believable. Some of them are just as entertaining as the main character and bring their stories to life!
The love story between Jia Xin and Gong Xue is touching
The strong supporting lineup—some of them are seasoned actors in the industry—treat their roles as real community members rather than plot devices. Their characters’ interpersonal relationships feel unforced, growing organically out of shared community routines.
The Northeastern China Setting
Small Town Remedy is being mainly filmed in Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, which is part of Northeastern China (Manchuria). I really enjoy the Northeast China setting. The local dialect—even though I cannot really tell the difference—, lively personalities, neighborhood interactions, and everyday humor give the drama plenty of warmth and character. It has that everyday life feeling.
What I Disliked
Protagonist Who Attracts Bad Lucks
I felt bad for Liu Zhengliang, as he seems to have one unfortunate event after another thrown at him right from the beginning. I’m not sure if those misfortunes are also in the novel or not. But if they aren’t, it feels like the screenwriter tried too hard to make us feel sorry for him!
Losing his job as a neurosurgeon at a top-tier hospital in Shenzhen) following an unexpected incident and a devastating surgery failure, is just the beginning of his misfortunes, as shown below during the disciplinary hearing.
The Main Romance Seems Unnecessary
Since romance isn’t listed as a genre, I was surprised by the love plot between Liu Zhengliang and Ai Chen. Their romance develops quietly through shared daily interactions, mutual support, and understated gestures. Although it’s not the main focus, I still think that their romance is unnecessary. The drama is already interesting with its medical cases and small-town relationships. I think the romantic storyline doesn’t really need to be there.
Ai Chen also has a strong personality, so hers isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Her behavior can be too forceful or interfering, especially when she makes decisions on behalf of others. For me, her character took some time to get used to. At some point in the drama, I got to know her background story, and her survival era when she was little is commendable.
The kissing scene, surprisingly, is done well!
My Rating
I used my rating system with additional scores of:
- + 1.0 for the main plot (Liu Zhengliang’s healing story) and some side plots.
- + 0.5 for the small town setting/vibe
- + 0.5 for Liu Zhengliang’s character and Xiao Zhan’s acting
- + 0.5 for the supporting characters and some supporting actors’ acting
- + 0.5 for the production value (the cinematography of the medical procedures, props, shooting location)
Total rating 9.5/10.
Watch this drama to find out why his eyes are covered!
Conclusion
I think Small Town Remedy has plenty to offer. It may not be the most technically perfect medical drama, and not every storyline works equally well, but it has something that many dramas lack: warmth and a genuine sense of humanity.
For me, its biggest strength is the way it brings together a group of ordinary, imperfect people and shows how they can make a difference in one another’s lives. It’s not just about a doctor finding his way back to his profession; it’s about finding his place in the world again.
And honestly, sometimes a little laughter, a little kindness, and a group of people who care about you can be the best medicine of all!
Spoilers
What is the ending? [short answer]
Happy ending.
How does it end? [long answer]
Liu Zheng Liang stays at Qinghe Town Health Center, and Ai Chen becomes his girlfriend. His chionophobia (an intense, irrational fear of snow and snowy weather) is completely healed after he saves a child during a natural disaster. He no longer has the fear.
How about the other characters?
Long Dong Dong retires from the hospital and Huang Dong Sheng succeeds him as the director.
Liu Zheng Guang and Chen Jun Nan start a business together and move to Beijing. Che Ming Ming also moves to Beijing to pursue a PhD and takes her father with her.
