Kill Me Love Me (2024)

Half-Baked Revenge: Reviewing Kill Me, Love Me

Kill Me, Love Me started off strong, with promises of revenge and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, but it fell short about three episodes in. The male lead, Murong Jinghe, initially seems like a red-flag general, only to later turn into a melting puddle for the female lead, Mei Lin. Although this is one of the better dramas that aired this year, I can't help but feel it was only half-finished. The major character switch-up didn’t make sense to me, as both leads have years of hatred behind them.

The fight scenes were very cool and well-executed, and the side characters weren’t too bad either—most notably Qingyan, Murong Xuanlie, and Luo Mei. However, the village arc and the final arc felt unnecessary and didn’t add much to the plot, only dragging it out longer than needed. After the main villain was defeated, I feel like the drama should have ended there.

Mei Lin was essentially conspired against by Murong Jinghe, and I’m not sure why she didn’t just kill him on the spot and move on with her life. Instead, she forms a team with him to take down Xuanlie. This drama is confusing at times, but it’s still a pretty good watch overall. I’d rate it 8/10.

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WHAT A WASTE OF EXCELLENT ACTORS

This drama started out good but then after the FL entered Concubine Yan’s place and left ML, it immediately became trashy. But the chemistry of both leads!! THEY SAVED THIS SERIES. I ONLY WATCHED IT AND MANAGED TO FINISH THIS BECAUSE OF WJY AND LXY!

STORY:
I can only say that this drama wasted WJY and LXY!! So many unnecessary and boring episodes! They could’ve just made this as a movie instead of a long 32 episodes. It became so boring after around ep 15. The villain died in an easy and fast way. After the villain died, they still continued it and it’s just episodes full of fillers. They killed so many characters. :(( but I love how they kept FL friends kind till the end. No betrayal which is good. The Xiyan arc is so boring that I keep on skipping their scenes haha I only focus on FL and ML. Also, they should’ve made both FL and ML strong. They both became softies after falling in love w/ each other. FL was supposed to be as assassin but there are times they made her so weak.

ACTING:
THE ACTORS ARE SOOOOOO GOOD. Wu Jinyan and Liu Xueyi did not disappoint! Damn. Their chemistry is soo good and the kissing scenes? If I was WJY’s boyfriend in real life, I would also marry her right away after seeing her here because of how hot their chemistry and kissing scenes. She’s my all-time favorite after Yanxi Palace. Liu Xueyi also did a very great job!! His eyes? They’re so expressive! I think I’m already inlove with him. I wish someone would look at me like how the ML stared at FL here. Other characters are also great actors. Crown prince did a great job in boiling my blood because of anger haha. All are good actors, but I think SML is lacking. His eyes are blank when she stares at FL. He can do different facial expressions but his eyes are blank, that’s why I only felt annoyed during his scenes especially with the FL. His first bodyguard is even better than him. Also, please stop using aegyosal makeup. General Yin’s aegyosal is a crime. She’s supposed to look very strong because she’s a female general but because of her makeup, she looks weird.

MUSIC:
No more words. It’s good.

REWATCH VALUE:
I will not watch this again completely. Maybe I can rewatch some FL and ML scenes but not the whole drama. I even fast forwarded some parts, so no.

OVERALL:
If you are a super fan of WJY or LXY, then you can watch this. I’m in love with Liu XueYi even more because of this. But if you’re looking for a drama with an outstanding plot only, I don’t think this drama will satisfy you. I’ll say it again. This drama wasted great actors because of the story. My rating in overall is purely because of the leads.

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A love-hate story that gets a bit fluffy

Some scenes you could almost feel the tension and the sparks of both attraction and hatred flying between the FL and ML. And then you have some rather dull scenes.
I feel it could have been possible to cut out some of the side stories and “fluff” without loosing much - a few less episodes wouldn’t have hurt the story much.
Mei Lin, the highly trained assassin, sometimes became a bit passive.
Murong Jing He’s character went through an emotional growth-journey. I kind of liked how we witnessed first the more indirect signs, and then his unashamed declarations of love.

As for the other love stories, Luo Mei’s didn’t really feel that it fit her character. As for concubine Zi Gu, they could have kept it at the emotional level and let her fate end in a different way.

For me, the common message from the love stories here was how love can make people take difficult choices, and willingness to make sacrifices.

I must admit I cried as I watched the last episodes in the middle of the night.

All in all, this had some good acting, the story was mostly ok but could’ve been a bit shorter. There were some scenes where the effects were so-so (I especially noticed in the later episodes), and I mostly enjoyed the music.

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Acting & Chemistry was on point

I expected more. What I saw in the trailer & what I watched is totally different. The first 10 episodes were great. But then it turned into a typical historical political drama. There is no problem with having two different stories, but it wasn't executed & written well. The second half would've been great if they wrote it correctly.

The ending was a very big disappointment. I read in comments that Murong Jing He did many questionable things like in the novel, but still Mei Lin forgives him & ends up with him. Here they totally changed his character. I mean he pretended to be a red flag, so I don't think the ending was necessary.

I really wanted to see a red flag ML to green flag ML like Till the End of the Moon, but alas, he turned out to be our regular ML.
Liu Xue Yi would've killed it by his acting as a red flag ML. But they didn't provide it to us. That doesn't mean he didn't play Murong Jing He well. His portrayal of Murong Jing He was great. I loved how he played the crazy & scheming Murong Jing He in the first few episodes. I also loved the way Murong Jing He talked seductively in the first few episodes.

I loved Liu Xue Yi & Wu Jinyan chemistry.

The way Murong Jing He eats the thrown bun uff.

Laughed how Mei Lin's behavior in her hallucinations. Thinking of Murong Jing He as a tree, describing trees benefit. The way she held him down to describe an imaginary tree.

Laughed so hard with Murong Jing He tactics in ep 10. Helping Mei Lin in her punishment, watching her all time either lovey-dovey eyes.

The way Qing Yan died was heartbreaking.

I love the OST.

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When Chemistry matters

I binge watched this drama because I enjoyed the pace and everything about it was put together with a lot of effort. However, I stopped watching for a few weeks when I googled "happy or sad ending", and got my answer. I was not in the frame of mind to experience what the drama seemed to be foretelling. I returned to it, basically, because the chemistry between many of the characters was worth the price of having what I thought would be my heart ripped out at the end. I was very, very pleasantly surprised. First, the acting was outstanding. If I didn't give it a 10, it was because a few of the secondary characters were a bit one dimensional and it shadowed the exceptional work of the others. Perhaps it was the script, or the direction they were given, but I thought Bi Wen Jun, and Baron Chen did not develop their characters to support their purpose. I also found it difficult to believe that Zi Gu and Yue Qin could be raised with such a heartless father and not be afflicted or hardened to a degree. Both were such puppies with soft little underbellies. Zi Gu stayed in this character throughout the drama and so it became her truth. This allowed me to suspend my disbelief and get caught up in her relationship with the emperor, Murong Qian. And before I hear the protests about the spring/winter relationship, remember this is OLDEN TIMES. Don't preach to the reader. Besides, maybe it's because I'm a little older, but I think Jiang Kai is kind of hot. The filters and makeup made him look attractive and the way he carried himself made him look downright handsome. I believed their relationship. Yue Qin , to me, was not believable. His love for the leading lady... sure... but a future emperor.... no way. Can I get a shout out to Shao Wei Tong as Qing Yan and Zhao Xiao Tang as Yin Luo Mei. Both were very skilled and their performances were believeable. The makeup on that bloody eye was too, too realistic and praiseworthy. Qing Yan had to be the best "bro" character. I've seen him in the same parts in other dramas and I am always pleased. Now the OST: The opener was awesome; the build up was noteworthy. Every song went well with the storyline. And besides, who doesn't love Liu Yuning? If you don't.... have your ears checked. I'm just sayin'......
I've unintentionally written a long review when I actually came on to talk about the ending. Anyone who finished the drama, read on; anyone who didn't... read at your own risk. This had to be one of the best sad ending saves in the history of Chinese historical dramas. There was no open ending, there was no sobbing uncontrollably. It posed a question, "what if this or that had never happened" and created just a nice, warm alternative scenario. I LOVED IT! I experienced reality and then it gave me a warm back rub and pat on my head. Just the right amount of consoling. Their fated relationship took another shape, and that shape was perfect for my heart to fit into it. I felt like my time was well spent.
On a side note: I don't know what filters they used on the cameras, But Liu Xue Yi and Wu Jin Yan Looked absolutely stunning and the costumes were dazzling. They are great actors, for sure, but I couldn't take my eyes off of them. That's all. I want to finish before your eyes disintegrate. Happy future drama watching everyone.

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Loved it but unnecessary tearjerker ?

So, this was the first drama I've watched in a while. I watched this without knowing much about the story, so I was really excited about the revenge assassin, enemies to lovers, type of show, but it fizzles out after the first few episodes. I LOVEDDD Mei Lin acting as an assassin and trying to seduce Murong Jing He, but that tension dies out quickly, and they're just partners working together to get revenge, which is okay, but all that tension they had in the first few episodes goes away and they're just like...coworkers.

There were a couple of unsatisfying parts of the show, which include:

General Yin deeply falling in love with the crown prince. She loved Murong Jing He for so long yet quickly moves on to the crown prince after she sees the room he dedicated to her? Like okay, but bffr.

The crown prince dying--Mei Lin wanted to kill the real Qingzhou mass murderer or at least see him die, but instead of Mei Lin (the main character, mind you) getting what she wishes for, the crown prince gets a nice, comfy death as he's straddled in the arms of the one he loves. Like, he didn't even show remorse at the end, he said some bs like "Oh General Yin if only we were together earlier [I may not have turned out like this." LIKE?!?!?! That made me mad.

All of the side characters dying--I think another thing is, the side characters weren't developed enough for me to be really sad when they died. Also, I already knew Concubine Yan would die when they showed that slow mo shot of her in the first few episodes. I was really sad when Qingyan died though. Also A-Wei. The writers didn't need to do that to me.

Last, but not least--KILLING MEI LIN?!?!? Like I have dried up tears and snot on my face because the writers wanted to fuck around and kill her off WHEN IT DOESNT EVEN HAPPEN IN THE ORIGINAL NOVEL 😭😭 When Jing He and Mei Lin were finally together, it was really satisfying to see them come full circle in their journey together. But seeing them have such a short amount of time with each other really made me sob. But I sobbed in vain because the novel allegedly has a happy ending. w h a t

Here's some satisfying parts: the first few episodes

All in all, I spent a week pushing back assignments to watch this show, and...it ended up being okay.

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A Review + an Alternative Storyline

A deeply emotional and compelling story that touches the heart, brought to life by a talented, mature cast. The beautiful original soundtrack — both instrumental and lyrical — enhances every scene, supported by well-balanced sound effects that draw you even further into the experience

Storyline plot: big mistake
My only critique concerns a script choice in episode 22 that felt not only unnecessary but also inconsistent with the character’s established personality and arc at that point in the story.


*** MAJOR SPOILER *** DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED THE WHOLE DRAMA YET


By ep.22, Murong JingHe and MeiLin are engaged and deeply in love. He has also made a crucial promise never to lie to her again — a commitment that, as a writer, must be respected. His character is portrayed as deeply principled, with strong integrity, as well as being deeply protective and emotionally possessive of MeiLin. This makes the decision in that scene feel completely out of place. It becomes evident that the scene was crafted solely to heighten drama and emotional conflict for the audience — but at the expense of character consistency.

In this episode, Murong JingHe is preparing to confront the crown prince. With no options left, he goes all in — a final, all-or-nothing gamble that could either redeem or destroy him. Naturally, he wants to protect MeiLin and spare her from danger if his plan fails. So, he arranges for her to escape

However, the way the writers chose to execute this scene is overly cruel — far beyond what Murong JingHe would reasonably be willing to do. He stages an elaborate ruse with Yue Qin in which he reveals himself as the Master of Shadow Works, lies about his intentions and feelings, tells her about the poison in a mean way, and pretends he intends to kill her. His goal is to break her heart so thoroughly that she’ll be willing to leave with Yue Qin when he arrives to “rescue” her.

This plot twist forces Murong JingHe into months of repentance before MeiLin finally forgives him — a plotline that feels unnecessarily forced, given everything we’ve come to understand about his character.


Storyline plot: what should have been
Instead of having Murong JingHe secretly plot with Yue Qin behind MeiLin’s back, the writers should have opted for a more honest, emotionally grounded scene — one that aligns with the integrity and maturity of the characters involved. Murong JingHe should have spoken directly to MeiLin, explaining his intentions and the plan. The three of them — Murong JingHe, MeiLin, and Yue Qin — could have come together to discuss a strategy as allies who trust and respect one another.

There was no need to bring up his identity as the Master of Shadow Works again; that secret could have remained buried — a dark burden he continues to carry alone. What he should have revealed is that the poison remains active, that he has spent months seeking an antidote without success, and that MeiLin’s only chance of survival now lies in a rare plant that grows only in Yue Qin’s homeland.

Given her condition, she’s too weak to fight. She needs rest. And should Murong JingHe’s plan fail, he refuses to sentence her to death alongside him. That’s why she must leave with Yue Qin.

Naturally, MeiLin would resist — unwilling to abandon him and wanting to fight by his side. But this is precisely what he cannot allow. In the end, he would be forced to render her unconscious and send her away with Yue Qin to safety. They would hide and recover in a safe spot, waiting for news. If no message arrives within a set number of days, they must leave and never look back.

From there, the writers could take the story in various directions. If they wished to keep the rest of the storyline mostly intact, they could still do so by having MeiLin feel betrayed and resentful for being sent away without a choice. Alternatively, maintaining the idea that she feels indebted towards Yue Qin could preserve parts of the original storyline without resorting to an unnecessary breakup.

Personally, I would remove the entire subplot involving Yue Qin’s Moon Princess tribe. This storyline felt unnecessary and could be omitted entirely. In episode 23, I would have MeiLin stay at Murong's bedside as he recovers, then be offered by the emperor some honorable status for her outstanding contribution, as well as granting her a proper wedding to Murong JingHe. The storyline could then resume by having them dispatched to restore Qingzhou, as per their personal request, which later lets him fulfill his promise of helping her open a fruit cake shop. This still leaves ample space for the war subplot involving General Ming Ju of Xiyan, as well as the resolution of MeiLin’s poisoning. The storyline in which she fakes her death would need to be rewritten from a different angle, given that the original triggers would no longer apply. However, I'm confident it could be cleverly integrated, especially since the scene where Murong discovers her resting place is such an iconic moment.

That's it!

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changed story

they changed the story to the point that it deviated from the novel. I wish they kept the story line and censored the R rated parts. they kept the essence of the story like her poisoning brother dying, him caring a corpse in town etc but in the novel she didn’t die the crown prince. She was infatuated with murong jinghe until the last moment. in all I want too impressed with this story. very disappointed actually. but all in all it was not too bad. At least the characters were mature and acted like it. No annoying FL. kisses were believable and so was their ❤️

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Good until Ep24 :(

Spoiler review here:

Started off really really well! We had a somewhat psychotic/ playing dumb ML, a desperate for revenge badass FL and an extremely interesting plot setting! The ML was then revealed to be mistakenly wronged- framed for crimes he did not commit. This I felt was revealed wayyy to early (ep 3 or 4). Could have played with this idea until prob ep8.

Lots of fighting scenes to keep you in suspense. The basic plot is nothing new, but conspiracies and maliciousness of the characters are enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. Somewhere in the middle, they get lost in and live in a small village for awhile. Here I felt the inconsistency of the ML character- he suddenly became such a puppy lol and to me didn’t suit his character.

Once the Crown Prince was found to be the ultimate mastermind behind everything, the drama started going downhill. Firstly, his punishment was WAYYY TOO EASY!! Should have at least dedicated one whole episode to torture him and make him pay heavily and publicly for his crimes. Then the whole story shifts to Xiyan, which I found so stupid with the witch doctor shaking her shoulders and hands to summon the gods lol. I understand the writers had to rebuild the town of Qingzhou, so that Murong Jinghe can atone for his guilt, but the Xiyan story was just unnecessary.

The whole romance storyline with The King of Great Yan and Concubine Yan was eeelch!! Disgusting- like grandfather 60s and young girl early 20s which I suppose was the norm in those days. But still… I just had to ff those scenes.

The ending - [SPOILER] is a sad one boooo. Sigh.. probably rightfully so. But I was glad they were there for each other till the end. The chemistry between leads was great, two very intense kiss scenes ;) The character I felt the most tragic was Qingyan- jinghe’s trustee bodyguard!! True and loyal till the end, saved his life numerous times.

They did try to add some humour and light heartedness to the whole drama, but didn’t find it that humorous. Should have just stuck to romance and thriller suspense. Anyhow, a good watch with an unfortunate last third not up to expectations.

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