A Journey to Love (2023)

This was a very entertaining show as Liu Shi Shi does not disappoint. She's definitely a big name in the Chinese cinema industry and her acting was phenomenal in this work. Liu Yuning was also very good despite what other viewers might have said about him. Although I have to stress about how the show ended and how it could have ended.

Ren Ruyi is a former top assassin of her old organization, the Scarlet Guards of the State of An. She soon teams up with dashing Liudao Hall leader Ning Yuanzhou and his homeboys of the State of Wu to get revenge for her former benefactor, the Empress of An. Sounds enticing doesn't it? The first half of the show was filled with twists and turns, plotting and scheming among political organizations and assassinations. Unfortunately, the drama falls short of expectations. So many major characters don't make it till the end, leaving so many viewers rather confused as to why they lost their lives. Ruyi's disciple, Li Tongguang, played by the very handsome Chang Huasan, was done wrong by the screenwriter. He starts out as the talented military leader who manages to take down the Wu Emperor and his army despite being so young. We later realize that he is just a petulant child with stalkerish tendencies towards his former master, and he continues his behavior into the very end. Not to mention, his military prowess suddenly disappears into thin air and he is responsible for the State of An's shameful defeat in the early stages of the war. They did my homeboy wrong, and for no reason. Towards the end, the State of Wu also tumbled and their crippled prince tries to kill his siblings to take over the throne. The drama was also filled with some inconsistencies with many people switching alliances. Initially, princess Yangying is betrayed by her older brother Danyang, but he later becomes emperor and is supported by the entire main cast. As if his betrayal wasn't obvious earlier. They also killed off the rest of Ning Yuanzhou's brothers, which was uncalled for. But alas, I guess the fate of these detective like agents in historical time periods is pretty predictable.

Nonetheless, I find this show to be very enjoyable because of its theme. Ruyi is glorified as the most feared assassin throughout the world and even in the end she still goes out with a bang. Literally. No joke. The theme of the imperial court and its clandestine organizations is petty neat and I like the idea of covert operations in ancient times, as well the comical moments of the brothers of Liudao Hall. It was overall a great show and I hope to watch more like this one.

Read More

Definitely worth watching...

This was beautifully done. I would recommend it to anyone. I gave the series a 9.5 overall, because of two factors. I needed to confirm whether I got the ending correct and the explanation that I read in My Drama List coincided with what I thought, but quite frankly it was not believable. So I would love to see how they explain it in a sequel. There were two possibilities. One was that Chu Yue killed herself at the end or that Ruyi and Ning faked their own deaths and had children. I wanted to believe the later (but frankly they were both so badly injured, there is no way, not eve through willing suspension of disbelief), because I wanted them to live and have that child. In addition, I would have liked to have seen way more passion between Ren Ru Yi and Ning Yuan Zhou. So took off .5 because of the lack of passion, and the ending was a bit squirrely.

Read More

Great Casts with an Okay Story Line

I loved all of the characters in this drama. Every person played their role right. I have no complaints and this is one of the best drama of 2023 as well. I'm really in love with Liu Shi Shi's role and she looks like a HOT MAMA (if you know what I mean). Liu Yu Ning did his best and I really appreciate his acting growing each day. Yushisan stole the show, I'd really want to watch more of his backstory. All of the Liudao Hall characters stole my heart. I really wished the ending was better that was the only down fall of this drama. Highly recommend to watch and yes it's a bad ending.

Read More

The ending killed my love

This story started so well, making us fall inlove with the strong character of the female lead and the shy but also strong male lead.

If i can fast forward, all happened naturallyz there are those crazy disciples like Li Tong , part of the story.

The shy princess who makes it her mission to bring her brother back from captivity with the help of the so fine male leads, becones strong but funny at the same time when she is with her trusted companions. Her friendship with Yuan Lu, on my God how i wish they had a chance... crying after episide 34. The Leads die one by one. I felt sad guys, you have no idea how much i cried after QS and L die. Then YL dying in YY arms. i broke dowm.

My question to authors... mara why vele. none of them were spared but couldnt they have a happy re union together instead, the heroes die and we are left with the tomboy princess at the end. .

The way Ning died, and the FL,, im mad . the person who was supposed to have the memories at the end is princess YY cos she was there from the begining. Honestly. I loved the story until ep 34. The tears i shed from then on are ridiculously painful. The script writer and editors... what were you thinking giving us those last 6 episodes of killings

Read More

Great show but the ending ruined it.

The show was good until the last five episodes. The main leads were hilarious, extremely strong fighters, and had great chemistry. I loved when Ruyi just grabbed Ning and kissed him, totally taking him by surprise. His reaction to the kiss and all her attempts to seduce him were hilarious, I could not stop laughing at their antics. The fight scenes were amazing with a lot of martial arts. The show contained a good message for girls. But the last five episodes just ruined it. The show was all about the groups journey to the state of An to rescue the Emperor of Wu, that was taken captive. I loved the banter between the main people in the delegation. The acting was great. I really enjoyed the series until the last five episodes. The main characters finally rescue the Emperor of Wu through a lot of trouble. They make him truly see the cost of what his foolish actions have led to, and what it really means to be the emperor. Just to kill him off five episodes later anyways. If that is not bad enough one by one, they kill off the main character of the delegation. Including both the Male Lead and the Female Lead. The group rescues the emperor with the princess and the Female lead being left behind. The Male Lead gets the emperor out of the capital and on the way back to the State of Wu. Then turns around, leaving the emperor with his friends to escort him home, and returns to save the Female Lead. After they separate, another state trying to invade An, so the emperor and the others join the battle to help the people fend off the attack. During the war, the emperor is killed along with the main leads and their friends. All happening in the last FIVE episodes. So, if you are like me and want to see the Main couple have a happy ending, then don't watch this show. It is heartbreaking watching these amazing characters killed off one by one, every single one off them goes down fighting with their last breath. Though if I choose the most heartbreaking one it would be teenage Yuan Lu. He was such a lovable character, even though it heavily foreshadowed that he will most likely die, it didn't make it any less heart breaking. It was very sad, we were given teasers of romance blossoming between him and Princess Ying, to have him dying in her arms while professing his feelings to her. The actress playing the princess does a marvelous job showing her anguish and pain with his death, but also not letting that stop her from doing what needs to be done. I was iffy about her character in the beginning, as she was really whiney and timid. Doing whatever someone told her to do. To slowly discovering her inner strength with Female leads help. I loved the show, but it makes me so mad that they killed everyone off. The Female lead let me down, she was amazing throughout the show, teaching other women to be strong and showing them didn't need a man to be happy. Then at the end the Male Lead dies and she just gives up. Yes, she killed the enemy by blowing them up along with her, but there were other ways to accomplish that then by killing herself with them. The ending just didn't make sense to me, I think they destroyed all the work they did with those last episodes. But that is my opinion as I like happy endings, with the leads together at the end.

Read More

Just WHY!?you said in title it's Journey To Love!- how come it became A Joyrney To Death!?

I loved the drama so much especially the beginning til middle part. Every character is very interesting to watch. The fighting scenes are just WOW. The character development of a'ying (prince Li) is very commendable . There's no annoying 3rd party or closed-minded parents etc. I like how they portray those main leads as smart, loyal, and have their own super strength. They made us fall in love so much with their friendship/ camaraderie that it breaks our hearts too much when they started dying one after another 💔 I cried so much especially from Qian's death to Ruyi's death. I just can understand the ending that much. That young boy named Ning Shishan- he said his parents are Ning and Ren. Are they our main lead couple???they didn't die?!then why princess imagined the fallen 6 riding their horse together?

Read More

If I could rate this drama a 15/10 I would

I was hooked on this drama from the first episode. I’m usually a very BIG fan of xanxia dramas but this wuxia drama has stolen my heart and has easily become my favourite drama. I’m only on episode 17 but I already want to go back and rewatch the episodes. I’m SO obsessed. The acting, the CHEMISTRY, the action, the plot, the characters themselves are all so good. The fl especially is different from your usual soft fl. Shes a notorious assassin and she’s good at it. It has comedy and everything just comes together so well. Also Liu Yu Ning >>>>>>>> OBSESSED with him. He needs more recognition and more dramas.

Read More

A must watch

Definitely one not to miss - both the leads and support cast - top notch performances. The plot was refreshing and although I love happy endings, this I didn’t mind the not so happy ending here because of the pleasure of the entire drama - no fast forwarding, or “half watching “ sections. I am really fussy about actors - their acting skills are a priority, good looks simply not enough. ML is now one of my favourites - he’s not only superb as an actor, but also quite handsome which is a bonus. FL was outstanding, I want to see more of her works now. The storyline is refreshing, not following the “safe plot lines” , and keeps a good pace. I me of the best dramas of 2023.

Read More

=> A beautiful, intense and tragic series brought to life by great actors.

Excellent Xianxia, ​​full of fights, friendship & brotherhood, with a bittersweet romance between a wonderful Liu Yu Ning and a beautyful Liu Shi Shi (Cécilia Liu).

PLOT: Two top assassins from rival agencies and their six-member team who have diverse backgrounds, and unique skills, embark on a journey filled with challenges and crises.
The FL, a great assassin believed to be dead, meets the ML, leader of the Wu State's Six Realms Hall. They will (for different reasons) go on an expedition together to rescue King WU, taken hostage for ransom in the neighboring kingdom. They are accompanied by 4 companions of the ML, elite soldiers, Princess Wu and her butler. The journey is risky because opponents/enemies are everywhere.

PROS:
+ Addictive series, because the production is quick, the interactions are intense, and a little touch of humor adds spice.
+ The 2 leads give a magnificent performance, both in action scenes and in sweet moments.
+ The secondary characters are well developed and endearing. Their psychological evolution is credible.

CONS:
- The lively music in the war scenes, supposed to demonstrate passion and courage, is not in tune and disrupts the emotion.
- The action scenes (high flying with cables) are exaggerated. This gives beautiful choreography, but these scenes lack realism.
- Li Tong Guang's character is excessive. His obsessive love for FL, lack of respect for a master (anfd for a woman who reject him each times).
- Why did you kill all the heroes? And in such a cruel way.... Ok, it's war, but praising sacrifice to this extent is too much!
- The ending is ambiguous. We can assume that the 2 heroes survived, but it's not clear enough for my taste.

**************************************************************************************************
Excellent Xianxia, full of fights, friendship & brotherhood, with a bittersweet romance between a wonderful Liu Yu Ning and a beautyful Liu Shi Shi (Cécilia Liu).

PLOT: Two top assassins from rival agencies and their six-member team who have diverse backgrounds, and unique skills, embark on a journey filled with challenges and crises.
La FL, une great assassin supposée morte, rencontre le ML, chef du Wu State's Six Realms Hall. Ils vont (pour des raisons différentes), partir ensemble en expédition, délivrer le roi WU, pris en otage contre rançon dans le royaume voisin. Ils sont accompagnés de 4 compagnons du ML, soldats d'élite, de la princesse Wu et de son majordome. Le voyage est risqué car les opposants / ennemis sont partout.

PROS:
+ Série addictive, car la réalisation est rapide, les interactions sont intenses, et une petite touche d'humour ajoute du piquant.
+ Les 2 leads réalisent une magnifique performance, tant dans les scènes d'action que dans les moments tendres.
+ Les personnages secondaires sont bien développés, attachants. Leur évolution psychologique est crédible.

CONS:
- La musique entrainante sur les scènes de guerre, supposée démontrer la fougue et le courage, n'est pas dans le ton et perturbe l'émotion.
- Les scènes d'action (haut vol avec câbles) sont exagérées. Cela donne de belles chorégraphies, mais ces scènes manquent de réalisme.
- Le personnage de Li Tong Guang est excessif. Son amour obsessionnel pour la FL, manque de respect vis à vis d'un maître.
- Pourquoi avoir fait mourir tous les héros ? Et de façon aussi cruelle.... Ok, c'est la guerre, mais faire l'éloge du sacrifice à ce point, c'est trop !
- La fin est ambigüe. On peut supposer que les 2 héros ont survécu, mais ce n'est pas assez clair à mon goût.

=> Une belle série intense et tragique mise en vie par de super acteurs.

Read More