A Journey to Love (2023)

Loved the Journey

First, gotta love a title that can be perceived two different ways that both apply to the whole series. For me, most everything organically came together fairly well with a little bit for everybody – some gender-bending (with a fairly believable young Princess being passed off as a Prince – good makeup); a collection of bromantic brothers whose personal quirks made for enjoyable interaction; a sharp, no-nonsense heroine played and flawed to perfection, enough natural light humor to encourage viewer uplift; moments for tears and unavoidable sadness.

Spot on martial arts work and effects! And an amazing soundtrack that did what every soundtrack SHOULD do…not just provide background filler for dubbed audio, but actually have lyrics that bring more meaning to the narrative. It shadowed the character’s emotional state when dialogue would have been too preachy or flat. The music also punctuated humor, and intensified urgency, chaos or success whether during a graphic battle, or in a character’s thoughts. To me this well-crafted soundtrack added so much more feeling to the acting.

My personal preference for romance – feelings that organically develop from a spark of connection, aren’t maudlin, melodramatic or slo-mo’d to infinity, and fit the characters’ personalities (example: Liu Yuning and Liu ShiShi conversation over tea at an outdoor table - his leg randomly shakes as he tries to impress her while realizing he’s desire-rich and romance-poor. Well timed and acted!)

The ensemble cast, in my opinion, was a director’s dream. Their quirky but effective interactions made each one special as an individual and endearing as part of a twosome or team. By the end of the series, it was these special characteristics that made it almost agonizingly difficult to keep from missing anyone who was suddenly gone. The comradery seemed well-acted and very compelling through the story.

The story itself was sufficiently engaging, with enough twists to hold my interest. My only “uh,hmm, well” comment was the “Game of Thrones Ending Syndrome” – a seeming rush through to the finale that even included a brief piece of “…and THIS all happened…and now to cut back to our action…” narrative that could have been more effectively presented as actual scenes. The following individual angsty climaxes left me disappointed that such a wonderful bunch of characters got the bums rush to the Finale.

For the most part, A Journey to Love seemed to do what its title suggested: took its characters from virtual rags to riches where each rose from pathetic or mundane origins to a pinnacle of personal greatness that made each one’s life an ultimate success. No regrets.

Yeah, though in some ways it wasn’t perfect, I loved the Journey. I’d go again.

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Awesome Wuxia drama with a disappointed ending. I would rate higher if it has a better ending.

"A Journey to Love" is a Wuxia drama starting Liu Shi Shi (Cecilia Liu), Liu Yu Ning, Alen Fang, Chen You Wei, He Lan Dou, and Wang Yi Zhe.

The Synopsis: Female assassin Ren Ru Yi, the former left envoy of the Scarlet Guards, becomes a member of the Wu State's escort delegation to save the King of Wu, who has been taken hostage by the State of An. Together with Ning Yuan Zhou, the leader of the Wu State's Six Realms Hall, the free-spirited Yu Shi San, Princess Yang Ying, clever teen Yuan Lu, and the imperial guard Qian Zhao, they experience love, life, death, and grow together.

I enjoyed the drama, and all cast members' acting is undeniably good, especially Cecilia Liu, the FL. Liu Yu Ning did a decent job as ML as well.

I also like He Lan Dou; she did a better job in this drama than in "Tiger and Crane." The kung fu fighting scenes were good, except for the last 5 episodes, where some of the fighting scenes were unrealistic, like in the WRTW drama.

I was going to give it an 8.5 rating, but I am downgrading it to 8.0 because I didn't like the ending where Ning Yuan Zhou and his comrades were all killed, which was a big disappointment.

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Amazing Female lead

I thoroughly enjoyed the drama; the dynamic
between the protagonists, portrayed by the female and male actors, was captivating. The chemistry between them was particularly impressive.

The plot was outstanding, and I appreciated the character development. Both protagonists maintained compelling storylines.
I appreciate the positive aspects of this plot, particularly its gentle portrayal of relationships and the subtle exploration of feminism. It's well-executed.
What stood out to me the most was the consistency of the female character's role as an assassin from start to finish, she unwaveringly kept her thirst for blood, adding a unique and intriguing element to the narrative.

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Storytelling with so much strength and compassion....

Ahhhhh....I love this whole story! I'm only on episode 22 out of the 40 but I've been seriously hooked the whole time! The story and characters are so well crafted. I feel like this was the writer's "baby," and they took their time on it!

The main leads are a couple who work through things, grow, and are seriously loyal to each other(when their loyalty has been finally won❤️). ML is strong, kind and so understanding. In a way that is not weak, but makes you admire and love him like all his team do, while FL is strong in a way that doesn't just run over the other people(which I really appreciate these days❤️), while still totally owning her space and queening it! Gosh! I actually like her, which can't be said for all chinese FL.
And seriously, the fight scenes are awesome!! So much beautiful chinese action.
The music is enjoyably in the back-round, while still having moments where is really shines and highlights the greatness of the story. I like how it has a bit of modern twist to it.

The whole story is gripping and engaging, keeping me watching with so many twists and turns, but with enough moments of rest, to keep the pacing excellent.

And the side characters are such a good balance of funny, loyal and actually smart(who would have guessed?😁). The main couple is still def the main focus, with all the other characters having enough time to let you enjoy and love them, without taking up annoyingly large amounts of the story time.

Gripping, beautiful, healing, engaging and deep storytelling right here! Thank you to all who worked on this masterpiece!❤️❤️❤️

P.s. this is my first review ever. When I saw no one else had reviewed it I thought I must! So you wouldn't miss out on this gem. And the only reason I gave it just a 8 star rewatch value, is because I personally rarely rewatch dramas.

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A journey to Death ,

Biggest plot --- This drama has shows us what a badass female lead looks like ... she do not hesitate while killing at all .

I will spoil all of you that All of the casts died at the end of episodes So if you don't want to see - deaths of beloved ones , then this drama is not for you.

this drama has many shortcomings as when it starts it is very slow paced then after 20 ep this drama is running with great pace but at last 6 ep they rushed the whole drama and completely ruined it ..

this is one of those types drama which has very high potential but can't express it --- how great it would look like when a Assasin falls in love with enemy country secret agency commandant

the thing i like the most is they welll showed character development of yang ying ...

I also think I come in that minority group who thinks that although this drama has many romantic scenes but I can not feel any romantic sparks between our leads , i like the story between yu shisan and chu yue although it has not even started but then yu shisan is dead ...
at middle of drama i was thinking that it is the best wuxia genre but now my hopes are completely ruined ...

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A Journey to Love is one of the best wuxia productions that, even if the screenwriter, producer, and director turned delusional in the last eight minutes of the grandiose last episode, it does not take away from the fact that it is one of the best period legend dramas in matters of cinematography, costumes, writing, and a strong, smart, and passionate cast that has one of the best written dynamics in complex human interactions. This drama is fast paced and due to the fact that it has multiple leading characters, there’s never a dull moment. The audience is pulled into the plot and gets totally invested in the main characters and some great supporting characters as well. Although the plot deals with revenge and justice seeking themes, the story is really a beautiful and bittersweet tale about friendship, loyalty, romance, and the fine line between what is right or wrong in order to achieve justice. The main cast did an excellent job bringing their complex and ambivalent characters into life. And lets talk a bit about the extraordinary leading couple; the strong, smart, stiff, and frigid female assassin Ren Ru Yi / Ren Xin (played by Liu Shi Shi) an the intelligent, enigmatic, and resolute strategist Ning Yuan Zhou (played by Liu Yu Ning) which met by coincidence and found themselves working together for mutual benefits and, in the process of leading Wu's State's escort delegation to save the King of Wu who has been taken hostage by the State of An, formed a partnership based on mutual respect and understanding that leads to a steadfast and beautiful love story. SPOILER ALERT:
Now to the end, what were they thinking? This is one of the rare dramas in which a tragic ending is written in a beautiful and mesmerizing way making it clear to the audience that the leading couple gave their all, saved many lives, and fulfilled their promise to live and die together. [After sustaining multiple injuries, the leading man was pierced all around his waist by nine spears, all at the same time, with blood gushing out while she says in despair: “You broke your promise again.” Then the leading lady goes to the Beipan enemy encampment, gathers all the leaders in a tent and, as she killed the Prince, she closes her eyes and, in her thoughts, she says: “Yanzhou. You’re gone. It’s too lonely for me… in the world.” Then she immediately throws two of Yuan Lu’s bombs and the tent bursts into flames following the blast.] So, why giving the audience the implausible ideas that they survived, had children, and are living their dreamed life? How ridiculous!!!!! If the audience stops at the 40 minute mark of the last episode before they announced: [Ten or so years later], it will avoid ending up scratching its head, in disbelief!

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4 POINTS I PICKED UP IN 22 EPISODES

Ning Yuan Zhao (Liu YuNing) is the wise leader of Six Dao Hall Wu State on mission to escort young naive Prince(ss) Yang Ying to enemy kingdom to bring ransom money and to free jailed-king. He took 4 accomplish able men which are Yu Shi San (Alen Fang) is a good friend, handsome and flamboyant. Playboy and easy going personality (very different character from he used to) very attractive, he's crème de la crème. Yuan Lu (Chen You Wei) 18 yo loyal follower of Yuan Zhao, famous with his mechanical device creations. Qian Zhao (Wang Yi Zhe) a trusted guard of the Empress and old friend of Yuan Zhao, his expertise are cooking, medicine & poison. Sun Lang (Li Huan) most trusty guard from Human Division from Six Dao Hall incharge with guards & attendants. A long the way, Yuan Zhao realize that he needs a female preceptor to teach naive Prince(ss) Yang Ying how to navigate politic, manner, deportment so he invites Ren RuYi (Liu Shi Shi) to tag along, the former left envoy of the State of An Zhu Yiwai that has her own reason to agree. The story is the long journey (up to ep 18) they're still in the border Wu State and An State. She finds love, friendship, understanding, & brotherhood.

4 points I pick up from this drama:

FIGHTING CHOREOGRAPHY/MARTIAL ART
It's entertaining. I don't know how the choreographer did, but it's nice to look at to. It might just a show, edit here and there and voila. With hair blowing, robes flying, smile coldly, vivid color, wind blow, artful movement, dramatic background music, yeah we get all the package of perfect visual feast. The choreography is so smooth and artful that like real.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT
As she wants a baby from him, she inserted herself to his personal space, pestering him to do the deeds. Although he refused, he can't barely escape her charm. She tries every trick to get him to sleep with her, coerced him, if that's not a sexual harassment so what is it call (in a nice way). From physical attraction because he's tall and excellent in martial art, she thinks she doesn't need a husband to have a baby with, just his cooperation. After fail persuasion, she then appreciate him more in personal level because he tells his subordinates to respect her and he's most considerate for her well being and happiness. With the advise from Yu Shi San, she changes the method of persuasion, by acting not care.

GOSSIPING MEN
Not only us women infamously known to gossiping, apparently these nothing-to-do men loves to gossip about what's going on with Ning Yuan Zhao & Ren Ru Yi. Giggling, whispering, guessing, talk amongst them, speculate their relationship during long journey to the enemy line, this is what they're filled their time with. Of course, they also has confrontation from ambush. The team work build thru misunderstanding to test their loyalty, character and strength. Since Ru Yi is the only female and a new comer on the group, she's the recipient of unwanted attention or distrust. No one know yet the deal she's making with Yuan Zhao (beside the baby business) which asking Six Dao Hall to investigate the death of her benefactor - the late dowager empress. Yu Shi San is the women's expert where everyone appreciate his expertise in women's need to get his good advise. Ep 6 is touching, Yuan Zhao shows Yang Ying's desperate question; why? Because of the country, the people, the lost, duty, loyalty and the price of privileges. Ep 11 Yuan Zhao proved to be a great leader, gives himself 10 lashes for the mistake his subordinates failing to guard the safety of Prince Yang Ying.

TEDIOUS ROMANCE SCENES/CRINGE LOVE
I notice, never fail, we get tension scenes - very critical - fighting - crisis- stressful situation but then the next scenes will be all lovey dovey all about love and sweet promises like come on....get on already!! Never fail! Too much sweetness and expression of love gets me really sick. Nah....too dreary. After the heart break and injuries Ep 12 Yuan Zhao agrees to her baby request but ask her to wait till the mission completes. All flirt, promise, and baby agreement isn't up to my fav....too much distraction and stir up the mission because of jealousy and couple's disagreement, too much PDA in my opinion. She would threaten 'baby is out of the table if you don't do this' and his face blank like 'ehhhh?' The love is too clingy...so cringe stare each other looking into their eyes..like in Jr High first love. I skip most of it. I think this is just fillers to prolong the episodes.

But all casts do great job with their character. Liu Shi Shi is seductive, she doesn't need to be arrogant as cold-bloody killer, she smiles suggestively and touches lightly, she approaches to corner him with dew eyes. Liu Yu Ning being single 30yo veteran leader is pretty fascinated with her attention, only his top mission priorities hanging on his head he manage to scud away the temptation. Alan Fang is great, really funny, the joker in the group, he should do more comedy. Between Liu Yu Ning and Alan Fang character in Long Ballad, I like their social dynamic in here. Decided to drop it, stuck on ep 22, it's great story but I don't care about their love story (on and on so tiring) they should cut down the love portion between Liu Yu Ning and Liu Shi Shi, not too mention love Li TongGuan to Ren RuYi....another on and on about them. Ugh...enough already. I heard the end is disappointment, not making into the end of episodes.

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Baddas assassins female lead you must watch this

DIS actually what i dreamed as a chinese dramas enjoyers, strong fl and ml, adult romantic but its DOESN'T mean like spicy or smth etc but it how their relationship going so wise there are some drama but they got talking together to solve the problem (ning yuanzhou such a green flag hehe), i'd love the comedy and their friendship i miss them SO BADD 🫶🏻 ohh and i'd really love with the developement character the princess ITS SO SMOOTH. I think it would never stop if we talkin bout the ending lmaoo, i just accept it like they are warrior guys they are served their country for peace, so that's make sense (yah but i cried a lot and didn't watch another drama for two months lmao). U must watch it RIGHT NOWWW

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