A Journey to Love (2023)

Almost perfect. Deserve to be called best cdrama of 2023

Romance, adventure, brotherhood, sisterhood, love in its many forms, all can be seen in this drama. I really liked that this story does not end when the leads got together but goes beyond and proved again and again that they really are the perfect match for each other. The characters make logical or at least understandable decisions, love is not their end all be all, except maybe for one character, but he moved on from that. My favorite side characters are Yanying and Yuan Lu. Yanying's arc in particular was so satisfying, her growth from a timid princess to an outstanding leader. Yuan Lu always brings freshness whenever he's in a scene. Another unforgettable character who gave me mixed feelings was Li Tongguang. I didn't like him and his shenanigans but he kept mesmerizing me and I keep rooting for his happy ending.

If you want a respite of the many love centric dramas then this one's for you.

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I really enjoyed this drama about a highly skilled female assassin who has mostly been alone, and a very intelligent leader who values his relationships with his subordinates above all else. The plot is well-developed and multilayered, and although I've watched very dramas in this genre of power struggles, political intrigue, and battling kingdoms, it didn't feel predictable or boring. Liu Shi Shi is fierce, elegant, and absolutely magnetic. Liu Yu Ning is solid; I've yet to see enough of his work but he holds his own here with Liu Shi Shi, which is not easy.

The biggest surprise for me was the humor and how much I loved the supporting characters. Ning Yuan Zhou's team of Yuan Lu, Sun Lang, Qian Zhao, and Yu Shisan are absolute treasures. (In the scene where they first assemble and walk out together surrounding Ning Yuan Zhou, I called them Journey's F4, haha.) Fang Yilun (Alen Fang) as Yu Shisan is this drama's biggest scene stealer--I've seen him in several other dramas and he's never been as memorable as he is here, even when he's played the lead. His comedic delivery is impeccable but he also nails the emotional scenes. Yang Ying has another memorable character arc, although I didn't completely vibe with He Lan Dou's portrayal. Chu Yue is another surprising gem of a character; another female character who bravely pursues what she wants and defies the expectation to simply become someone's wife.

My only gripe is that although every other character is well-developed, someone really dropped the ball on Li Tongguang. Li Tongguang is a central character in the drama, yet his character arc is constantly one step forward, three steps back. Just when you think he's finally overcome his obsession, he does WHAT??? It completely took me out of the story because it felt so out of place. His last story arc also made no sense?! Chang Hua Sen played the role well though and is certainly on my radar now.

As for the ending, I'm fine with it but perplexed by the character they decided to focus on in the final scene.

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The drama that touched my soul

When I first heard of this drama, I tried to watch the beginning but I didn't have enough time to watch it so I waited for a few more months. After when I had enough time to see it, the female lead ATE! That's when I knew the show was going to be good. I was also aware of the heart aching ending but it isn't my first time seeing these kinds of ending.

I feel bad for Liu Yu Ning being the most bullied actor for his looks, but man doesn't even look "ugly" like many call him. He executed his roles perfectly and I thought that was fine as hell. The costume choice and hair works really well on him too. An amazing singer for OSTs I would say. He's successful and laughing to the bank while haters will just hate.

I haven't heard much about Liu Shishi, but she did amazing in this drama. Although she is a cold assassin, I like that she shows some emotions unlike many other actors when playing a cold and aloof characters. At least express some joy on your face for once, it's going to get boring if viewers are seeing the same facial expression throughout the show. However, this drama got feelings and I am living for that. Speaking of facial expressions, there's also the actor playing Qian Zhao, man I love this character because he can cracks jokes with a poker face. There was a time when he wanted to kill the freed emperor to avenge his Heaven Realm brothers, you can hear the pain in his voice. Props for him as well.

I absolutely adored the combat scenes with Ning Yuanzhou and Ren Ruyi, that was extremely satisfying to watch. The agile movements and how they escape flying blades and arrows by a hair. Their sword moves *chef kiss*

One thing that made me go "huh?" was the last five episodes. Although I gave this show an overall 10/10, there were pretty random moments. The wedding scene, Yang Ying just appeared and declared her marriage with Li Tongguang for political reasons, I think that could've been done better? And the death scene of the Six Realms brothers just stacking on top of one another feels a bit rushed. Yuan Lu could've died a more honorable death rather than from exhaustion. However, every death of the Six Realm brothers that occurred felt like a knife cut in the heart huhu.

I want to say that they are reunited at the end after death, but who's kid is that at the end? Did NYZ and RRY fake their deaths? I need this question answered by the production team. I don't want to have my own interpretation. I don't remember the Chu Yue having any close bond with RRY and NYZ to be able to have an imagination of their kid.

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A journey to love, more like a journey to heaven

"A Journey to Love" brings one of the most badass female leads we've seen in historical Chinese dramas. Liu Shishi absolutely nails it as Ruyi, a fierce female assassin who's not your typical dainty heroine. She's tough, and ruthless. If I were in a dangerous world, I'd definitely want her on my side, alongside Liu Yuning's character, Yuanzhou, aka Boss Ning.

Now, some people have complained that Liu Yuning isn’t "handsome enough" to be a male lead, but seriously, who cares? This guy is all about character. He’s smart, capable, fiercely loyal to his comrades, and can fight like a beast to protect the people he cares about. He reminds me of the General from The Rebel Princess—another leading man who won everyone over with his skills and integrity, not just his looks.

What really sets this drama apart, though, is its unique plot and well-developed side characters. The gang from Liudao Hall, who travel with Ruyi and Boss Ning, are just as fun and layered as the leads. Everyone has their own backstory, making the journey feel rich and immersive. From start to finish, I enjoyed every episode because it was different from the usual historical C-dramas out there.

This show is a solid mix of romance, action, and character development, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre!

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Comedy, Brotherhood, Romance, Bittersweet | Excellent Drama

I absolutely adore everything about AJTL, from its cinematography to acting and every aspect in between. The meticulously choreographed fight scenes and even CGI contribute to the overall excellence of the series. As someone who is typically picky when it comes to Cdramas because, let's be real, they can be a bit draggy and sometimes cringy. But AJTL? I find myself engrossed in every episode, without the need to skip any supposedly dull moments – a testament to its exceptional quality.

The on-screen chemistry between LSS and LYN is undeniable, and their pairing is visually stunning. I fail to comprehend why some may perceive LYN as unattractive or unfit to act alongside LSS; on the contrary, I believe he is the perfect match. His styling is impeccable, complementing his on-screen presence, and his fight scenes exude a natural fluidity, devoid of any awkwardness. AJTL has truly captured my heart. <3

The cast of AJTL is absolutely amazing, especially the LDT squad plus YY! <3 Their dynamic is hilarious, and witnessing the princess's growth from start to finish is truly heartwarming. Though, I do wish we could've seen more scenes with LTG and YY. I can't stop singing the praises of LTD – these guys steal the spotlight, especially when they're teasing NYZ or YSS. Whenever they gather, it's non-stop laughter, and I've grown so attached to them that I dread the thought of them parting ways.

The last six episodes were particularly tough, filled with sadness and heartbreak, but what's a Cdrama without a little emotional rollercoaster? Some social media users argue that killing off all the main characters was unnecessary. Yeah maybe or maybe not? Lets see: NYZ was already dealing with unstable inner force, knowing the risks when he decided to return to An to find YY and RRY. So when he got stabbed, it's only natural that RRY would follow – her happiness was intertwined with NYZ's fate. As for QZ and SL, their deaths in battle were sadly expected given the dire circumstances against Pan's army. About YL and YSS – their death might seem sudden to some, but it's in line with their characters. YL's health issues were evident throughout, and after exhausting 2 horses, he decided to run without resting, knowing YSS was still fighting his battle, his fate was sealed when he reached his destination. And YSS, well, he'd never abandon his comrades, even if he stands a chance together with CY. It's been said that if NYZ fell in battle, YSS would complete the mission and joined him. It's what they signed up for – to fight alongside NYZ and face whatever came their way. That's the essence of the show.

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Ever watched a C-Thriller?

Forget C-Drama, this was a C-Thriller. I’m lost for words with those last 10 – 12 episodes. It was full of ups and downs, deaths all over, it was crazy. The writer literally went rampant in an attempt to kill all actors. Well, at least the crew survived and delivered this fabulous act. I honestly couldn’t tell you if this was out-of-the-box unorthodox writing or a rushed end because this drama seemed to overdo certain things but then later there seemed to be the acknowledgment of, We know what we’re doing.
Quite admittedly those first episodes were a bit underwhelming, and I felt that some scenes were just a bit over the top especially with the guards taking their tops off to impress the FL, that was unnecessary I thought because the message had been put across that FL was gorgeous, it was unnecessary to make it that apparent. My highlight of this drama was the first 4 episodes and the last 12 and I think it was for many of the viewers. It would be best if you watched to fathom what I’m talking about.
I liked the development of all the characters in the drama namely the princess/prince, everyone grows into their persona to become these selfless people and I’ve to give the writer and all the involved crew their flowers. Recently we’ve seen many dramas that’re let down by the production team or the writers, in other words, there’s no coherence between the way the writer envisages their content and the ability of the actors and production. In a year of crap dramas, at least this hasn’t been a letdown.
This drama had as many plot twists as a roller coaster riding through a twisting labyrinth. My goodness and then the music just slotted in perfectly. As I said what I enjoyed most was the growth of all the characters and maybe some other things like the CGI, and voices, came in secondarily. I even didn’t feel bad following the deaths of basically all the main actors, that’s how good this drama was and kudos to all the involved staff, you’ve rescued the year to some extent.
I think this goes on to show what these writers are capable of if they indulge in some not-so-stereotypical writing and think outside the box, not just copying each other’s work and using different actors for the same old storylines. I encourage more dramas like this where I do not necessarily have to guess what’s happening at the end. It’s gotten boring.

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A must watch wuxia drama

This drama was definitely something. Usually I personally like to watch dramas in the background while doing something else but while watching this drama, I actually had to put everything else down.

From the acting to the OST, everything just felt perfectly in place. The romance of the main lead is not something you would see a lot of, considering that their relationship was established pretty early on in the drama compared to other dramas who make the leads' love story the main plot for the entire show. Naturally, this early establishment of their relationship gave much more time for them to go through different adversities together and realising their mistakes, adding to the depth of their affections.

However, their love story was not the main thing that kept me watching this drama - it was brotherhood and the character development of all the main characters. While watching this drama, you'll gradually get attached to each and every one of the characters because of the liveliness and humour they bring to the plot.

The 9.5 rating is just more of a personal preference as I didn't like the ending as much (you will know what I mean once you get there) but otherwise the drama was well executed and engaging to watch.

Happy Binging!

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finally romance with selfsufficient female + good wuxia

__*A Journey to Love (2023)*__ - 9/10 -cdrama
its same like with One and Only ... I loved it enough for 9,5/10 but cause quite tragic ending I wont dare to rewatch it in near future.
Ending is kinda very alike to One and Only at least by hurtful feelings it lefts.

This drama is 7 brave or 47 ronin type of drama with main characters having each quite interesting personality which can grow through whole drama. And mainly cause this quality you will feel sadness once you see die some of main characters.
By end of drama I had some kinda dejavu feeling and could predict what will happen in next eps. Still this drama took me on ride and I had to binge it.

Overall for me its one of best historical tragic wuxia cdramas. Of course its mainly caused thanks alot of romance storylines through whole drama.
plot is long and change through 40eps. I will just summarise beginning.

__*plot*__ - two kingdoms fought for gold mine and WU country emperor was taken hostage. [ML] as former master of WU spy agency was send to protect princess[pretending to be prince] to enemy AN country buy emperors freedom back. Possible successors of WU emperor dont want WU emperor to get back and they will make problems for whole delegation. Former AN country top assassin[FL] joins to delegation to help ML in exchange for his help with her revenge towards AN country.

__*genre*__- wuxia, romance, politics, tragedy

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Brilliant

Be prepared to fall in love with the characters, their development is so well handled and their acting is on point.
Everything in this drama screams acting masterclass.

I was pulled into their court intrigues and felt deeply about our main couple who are world weary and have been betrayed by the very people they admire and have vowed to protect. Their relationship is a constant, the chemistry and respect is palpable.
Ruyi is one of the strongest female leads I have encountered. She is proud, fierce incredibly talented, flirtatious, outrageous and admirable.

The young naive princess Yang Ying is a hidden gem. Her emergence from terrified female out of her depth in dangerous situations to a person who weighs up the difficulties and makes informed choices is terrific to watch.
There are lots of bad/evil characters but one of the most interesting is Ruyi's disciple, Li Tongguang, his plotting and machinations make him an easy fall guy target and his obsessive stalker behaviour to his shifu creates lots of opportunities for conflict.

If you come on this journey and hold out to climactic last episodes you will probably need several boxes of tissues. For me the most heart rending is watching the youngest member of the delegation. Yuan Lu, who despite his heart issues pushes his body to exhaustion delivering the vitally important message requesting military back up for his brother. Then there is Shisan, known as a playboy and lover of all things beautiful in life, making sure the woman he loves is safe before making a final heroic stand fending off the enemies.

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A good kind of different

I don’t think I’ve watched a drama which ending I am sad about but at the same time satisfied with. This is the kind of drama that would spend most of the time building relationships, giving the kind of interactions you are looking for and watching the characters grow, so much that towards the ending, you can’t imagine a different kind of ending than the one they did in the drama.

There are so many parts to the drama which I absolutely love. Each character has their time to shine and you could see how the character grow and change throughout the drama. They may seem insignificant in the beginning but as you progress towards the end of the drama, you can’t help but see the importance of their roles. Just losing one of them would change the tone and it wouldn’t be the same. The plot is so connected to each other, it is actually a journey.

It’s not just about romance. It’s a mixture of sacrifice, comradeship and love for the country. This group of soldiers (or spies) were betrayed by their emperor but because of their trust towards their leader and the love they have for their country, they are willing to put aside that hatred and sacrifice their lives to protect the people in their country. They are a group of people who puts their country and their comradeship before anything else. As much as they dream of living a peaceful life, they knew nothing else but the chaos they lived in. It’s their calling and they recognised it. The final few episodes were the most painful parts but I do think each of this character had lived the kind of lives that fit their characters and also died for the most noble reasons. I guess they all have found their peace in the end. In a way, it’s probably the only way they could find peace in the kind of environment the country was in. Their sacrifices made a huge difference to winning the battle but there would be more battles to come and they could never truly retire even if they had survived.

This is truly one of a kind and I really think the way the drama had progressed was very meaningful and fitting. Definitely worth watching.

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