A Journey to Love

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 very disappointing ending for many viewers

The drama started well with comical and entertaining scenes and strong storyline. One viewer labeled the heroes 'Power Rangers' as their camaraderie was endearing and close knitted. Many viewers had assumed the ending would be happy, and two-thirds into the series, some started dropping the drama when we saw the lead actors dying, which brought us bucket of tears.

It was heartening to see the Wu Emperor changed and became a better person. His eventual death was expected too. His decision to let male lead choose the next Emperor was an interesting outcome.

Nonetheless, many viewers were left angry on seeing both lead actor and actress dying in the ending episode.

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Movie rates

Great movie!
Casts delivered their roles exceptionally well. The fun times, humors and the characters played by the casts brought life into the movie💯.
I appreciate the work and efforts of the writer of this story, however, I would just like to point out that it is actually not necessary to make some characters die, especially the ones with big roles. Agreed, situations happen where good people die, but the deaths of some characters was not necessary and I'm sure it killed the interest of a lot of viewers at some point while watching the movie. It is already enough for them to suffer the loss of their fellow soldiers, must they die too? They are putting out their lives for their country, suffering injuries that they may never recover from, so did they have to die? After going through all that suffering and loss, the beauty of it all is that they endured and came out victorious.. despite all odds.

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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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One of the best c-dramas I've ever seen

This actually might be one of my most favourite c-drama of all time.

(Note - review was written late 2025 before I learned that marking the show as complete on my list and adding the note was NOT in fact me leaving a proper review :'))

I'm very late to the game, but I only just finished this show a few weeks ago... and it's taken me at least 2 weeks to recover from it (in the best way possible). I've been spending this whole time rewatching my favourite scenes, and basically the first 30 eps in order to soothe my broken heart.

I knew around ep 15 that this drama would break my heart, and my oh my, break my heart it did, but put it together all at the same time.

The characters? Top quality.
The story? Incredible.
The music? GORGEOUS.
The romance? Beautiful doesn't cover it.

Let's break them down one by one.

The characters. OH MY GOD I love them all. Each one of them is so special for their own reason, I don't even care if it makes them slightly predictable.
NYJ - Probably my most favourite male lead character ever. Now this is A MAN!! Respect, empathy, maturity, loyalty, the whole package.
RRY - All the other reviews were absolutely correct. THIS is a badass female lead! My god. The absolute badass female lead of my dreams. Her growth to love was so natural and great to watch.
The 4 musketeers - *CRIES* love them, love them, love them a million times. The comaderie, the brotherhood, the love. I felt it all.
The Princess - OH MY GOD, what a woman she became. Holy character growth.
LTG - He surprised me. I thought he would wake up a lot earlier than he did, but then it made the moment that he did so so so sweet. The jealousy scenes were just too funny.

The story. Is simple enough and not overshadowing what is really important in this show: Each character's journey to love, no matter the type of love or what it may look like.
Essentially... Crew leave for quest -> everything that can go wrong will go wrong.
I personally felt that this allowed the audience to feel the trepidation and slightly hopeful pessimism of the delegation, like we're right there travelling with them.

The music. C-drama classic with some rocky elements? Sign me up. And of course, can't beat the aura of LYN singing the own opening theme song of his show. Every song, all the way down to the BGM, is beyond incredible. We have action songs, romantic songs, sad songs, and oh lord the song called "Afraid of Dreams"? DANG.
Extra honourable mention to Ruyi's badass Assassin's Creed-esque entrance music, I ate it up every single time.

And lastly, the romance. There's no fantasy, no gods, no special powers. But what there is, is the most mature, realistic view of a beautiful, nourishing and healthy relationship. The pacing was perfect, and the words "I love you" never needed to be said. Not when it could be felt from every fibre of their beings, and in everything they did.
I must have watched the scene in ep. 11 of what is essentially NYJ's love confession almost 100 times:

"Don't come closer, are you crazy?"
"I have gone crazy! I went crazy when I saw you injured like this!"

No words. Both LYN and LSS's acting in that scene? All the emotion in their eyes? Oh my.

This was my first time seeing LSS in anything. And she took my breath away with her acting skills

Basically this show is the most heartbreakingly beautiful thing you'll ever watch. Yes you might hate the ending (but you can't say it was a total surprise), but the journey is well worth it. 500/10 stars.

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Many stunning fighting scenes and great OST

I loved this drama. Mostly bc of the many and stunning fighting sceenes together with a fantastic OST. But also bc of the very artistic scenery together with the OST. The OST really lifted and made the scenes more emotional. For me - a wuxia lover - all this gave me sparkling eyes and a happy heart.
The FL is in this drama the strongest of them all and that is something I really liked.
The plot was good and interesting and the characters were very loveable.
There is several love stories going on but romance never takes over the story.
The ML and FL are lovers but also very loyal companions.
Loyalty is the key word in the drama.
There are some scenes that really don't make sense but it doesn't ruin the drama.
Everybody play their roles very good but I can see that Liu Yuning is a better actor today than he was in this drama.
The end is very "cdrama-ish" but the very last scene left me with questions.....

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A masterpiece ✨️

where do I start , I loved everything about casting , acting , music it was great .

loved that we didn't get the dimsel in distress type FL.

loved ML being considerate and not trying to clip FL wings .

loved their mature relationship and the trust they had for each other.

I really wished for a happy ending but the ending they gave us was so bitter yet justified they fought for peace and died for it , what other greater cause could they have died for ?
but I am devastated 😩💔

either way this is a masterpiece and deserves to give it a go .

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The Most Ironic (Iconic) Title In History Of Cdramas

𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆🌷͙⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ Summary𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆🌷͙⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ
Female assassin Ren Ru Yi, the former left envoy of the Scarlet Guards, becomes a member of the Wu's 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 really appreciate the complexities in the narrative of "A Journey to Love." The characters are so well-developed, and their relationships are intriguing. Ren Ru Yi, the female assassin with an incredible backstory, adds a layer of depth that keeps me invested in the political intrigue of the Wu State's attempt to rescue their king from the clutches of the State of An. The dynamic between her and Ning Yuan Zhou, the leader of the Six Realms Hall, is particularly engaging. Their partnership reflects not just a mission of love but also an intertwining of destiny and duty.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅Reveiw.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅
And oh, the ensemble cast! Each character brings something unique to the table. There's the free-spirited Yu Shi San, the resilient Princess Yang Ying, the clever teen Yuan Lu, and the loyal imperial guard Qian Zhao. It creates a rich tapestry of interactions and experiences, allowing for moments of genuine love, heart-rending sacrifice, and the harsh realities of life and death. I love how the plot intricately weaves their personal journeys with the overarching political narrative.

But, I must confess, it’s frustrating when the couples I root for don’t end up together! I had high hopes for the Marquis and the strong, independent princess with her horse; that seemed like such a match made in heaven. I envisioned their chemistry blossoming amid the chaos. Yet, as the story unfolds, it seems destiny has something else in mind for them. And don’t get me started on the heart-wrenching turns where it felt like every character I loved was taken too soon. I mean, the title "A Journey to Love" feels almost ironic when tragedy strikes so frequently! I want to believe in the possibility of love triumphing, but with characters meeting such fateful ends, it leaves me in a state of emotional confusion. Balancing romance amidst the harsh truths of politics can make for a thrilling ride, but I just wish that, in this case, it didn’t leave me with so many heartbreaks and unanswered questions. It’s a testament to how gripping the story is, though—captivating yet bittersweet, because every loss feels so personal.

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