Kill to Love

When 2 Vengeful People Fall In Love

Apparently this was low budget, but I didn't really notice honestly.

They wore the outfits and sets were beautiful. It didnt bother me that they didnt have 20 places to use. What was seen suited the plot. That condensed feeling to a mansion and a few palace places was suitable for the characters and their desires to escape.

We start off with Shuan having the upper hand. He helps Ziang escape from a failed assassination of his brother, the Crown Prince, only for Ziang to be told to go back and get close to him, as another way to kill the CP. This backfires tremendously as Shuan already recognises him, and strings him a lot for his own plans to avenge his mother.

But all this quickly falls away as soon as the two begin to fall in love. It is fast and tense, and before I knew it, all revenge plans had been scattered to the wind, and the two were just trying to escape the CP. This all leads to a desperate rebellion and the inevitable scene on the bridge. After there, the ending was the only way it could end.

Shuan couldn't forgive Ziang, and Ziang lost his mind in an attempt to be with him again.

The Crown Prince and Shuan loved each deeply growing up, and they had plans to support each other when the CP became emperor. But for some reason Shuan gave CP the cold shoulder, and distanced himself from CP, making him suspicious of him. I interpreted it as he was ready to begin his vengeance plan and didnt want him getting involved. His plan was never made clear. I imagined it was just simply to take down the ministers in court who were responsible for his mother's death. But the Cp felt he was being betrayed and losing his position. Spurred on by Minister Gu, he descends into a paranoid desperation to get rid of his own brother, and finally leading to the rebellion when all his plans fail.

I believe Shuan took CP's side in the end, simply because he loved his brother. He knew what he had become but couldn't let go of the version he knew. When all is destroy, Ziang takes all the blame. His revenge plan was forgotten because Ziang wanted to get close to him.

And the hate just got worse. Shuan refused to co operate with Ziang, pushing him over the edge, and leading to his own fall, where all he could hope for was death.

It's like two people, who were dynamite to those around them. Wanting revenge for the people they love, fall in love with each other. When trust is broken, all that anger and pain, is naturally directed to each other.
Dying in each other's arms feels like the most natural end when you have to lead characters like this. One proud, dedicated and spoiled, the other a highly trained soldier ready to risk everything for what he wants, these two in their setting, I dont think could have a happy ever after.

I think, did the writer add in Ziang's failing health because she knew that Shuan could never live peacefully with him? What would hurt more, Shuan dying and leaving Ziang to his grief, or giving them both peace in their passing?

Nothing felt forced. One decision was the result of the one before.

For the leads, it was Shakespearean. For the others though, I felt information had been edited out. Towards the end, the editing did get quite jumpy. I wanted to know what happened to Minister Gu, did Huo travel the world with Shen? I would have liked more info on the side characters.

I also would have liked to have seen a shot of the two meeting in another life, as their hair was tied together. Since it was mentioned, I feel like the final scene should have been that, just to lift the mood a little.

It wasn't perfect but has left deep impression on me and I now feel a little haunted. I dont normally like sad endings but since this is a rare chinese bl, with a historical setting, I had to give it a shot and dont regret my decision.

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It was ART: a beautiful story, but Shu He's character development was questionable

I loved it, the cinematography, OST, characters, dialogues, everything was great. A must watch.

BUT for some reason many seem to dismiss the inconsistency in Shu He's character and blame Duan Zi for everything.

If anything Shu He was the red flag, not the other way around. Shu He turned out to be quite "patriotic" for someone who never cared about politics.

First things first, what was up with returning that presented string to the Crown Prince and giving him cold shoulder after he returned from battle? He gave his insecure brother all the wrong signals to be suspicious of him and never even properly talked to him.
I can understand why he would choose to stay behind and not follow Duan Zi during the rebellion, I understand why he felt betrayed upon learning Duan Zi's origin, but if you think deeper, he himself used Duan Zi and whatever Duan Zi's lie was, he actually had all the reasons to harm South Hi's clan for losing his family and being forced into becoming a Red Shadow Guard since childhood. Yet he put Shu He first and didn't kill any of them up untill that scene at the bridge. Keep in mind, that a person who was devoid of a normal household and was trained to kill, held back.
Yet Shu He still holds Duan Zi accountable for his brother's and even father's death for 5 years - Duan Zu literally killed the Crown Prince after he lunged forward swinging his sword to put Shu He out of his "misery." And the Prince himself killed his own father. So Shu He wanting to "atone" for his unstable brother that wanted to disable him and in the end hurt his hand, framed him and wanted to kill him makes little sense. I understand their bond, and I'm not simplifying Crown Prince's character or their dynamics, but hating Duan Zi all those years and refusing his letters doesn't make. Why doesnt he also hate his brother for killing his father? More importantly revenging a DYING person also doesn't make sense - I can see why Shu He wanted to die, but there're many ways to queitly die without traumatizing "the love of his life". He once mentioned failing he protect his mother, himself and Duan Zi, but turned out to be the only person who actually hurt Duan Zi. He harbored ill will towards no one for any wrongdoings, except for Duan Zi. As if it's easy to confess that you were trained to become an assasin.

I loved all 5 main characters and their stories, almost all of them made many mistakes and were complicated, and all of them carry the reaponsibility for their choices. But Shu He shifted all the blame on Duan Zi up untill the very end. Shu He was the one that lacked coherence and purpose the most - he was like a poison both to the Crown Prince and Duan Zi.

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I'm in SHOCK!

I’m actually losing my mind. I adore this show: the acting, the chemistry, the tension, EVERYTHING. I got so attached it was embarrassing.

And then the finale happened.
And NOW I FUCKING HATE EVERY SINGLE PERSON INVOLVED. I hate you all!

I cried like seven times during the last episode. SEVEN!!!!
What do you mean they both die?!
Why would you make me fall in love with them just to destroy me emotionally at the end?!!

This drama owned me completely and then shattered me without mercy. I loved it and I hated how much I loved it, and I’m still not okay.

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Historical BL With So Much Depth

This series was filled with beautiful emotions and dramatic tension. It really feels like it was made with care.

As a viewer, I found myself ignoring the characters' realities just so that I could root for their love, which, interestingly, was rather similar to what Ziang and Shuhe experienced. Despite their doomed love, the lovers managed to embrace final moments of happiness. I am ultimately so satisfied with the ending - although painful, it made perfect sense, and the scene at the gates to the afterlife served as a lovely closing for their tale.

Truly a wonderful watching experience, I recommend it to all, and would definitely rewatch.

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the ml is giving obsession final boss (very minor, minor spoilers)

I really didn't know what to expect when I started watching KTL. I recently rewatched The Untamed for the fifth time and I was craving something of a similar vibe (historical drama BL/bromance). I also finished watching ABO Desire recently and I was craving a Hua Yong level obsessed ML. With that in mind, nothing prepared me for the main couples romance dynamic in KTL. Oh. My. Gosh.

First off, KTL is a BL not a bromance. STANDING OVATION.

When an obsession trope is executed well, it can be sensational. Where I find a lot of obsession dramas/novels fall short is when the obsession character is wayyy too toxic, to an uncomfortable degree, and the relationship dynamic doesn't vibe at all. I'm aware that the laws of morality, ethics and reality don't apply to the fictional drama world, but there are still some lines that I find shouldn't be crossed. But I'm also not saying every obsession trope NEEDS to be mutual; that would literally defeat the purpose of it being a fictional dark romance. Obviously every writer has the creative liberty to explore different levels of toxicity—ITS A DRAMA. ITS SUPPOSED TO BE A STRETCH FROM REALITY—but there is something soooooo satisfying about obsession tropes where the characters lowkey match each others freak in some way or form. I never see it coming and it's a pleasant surprise every time. This is what KTL excels in. I'm not saying that Xiao Shu He is the same level of freak as Duan Zi Ang, BUT I am saying it is kinda giving stalker meets manipulator. Some might disagree with that.

I'm writing this review approximately one week after finishing the drama and I'm STILL going through withdrawals. I've rewatched episodes, read fics and even roped my non-BL fan friends into conversations about my theories over the ending. This drama is THAT good. Insanely good. At first I thought the acting was kinda cringey/cheesy and I didn't expect much, but the storyline is really good. It's a quick watch—only 12 episodes—and I was engaged the whole time. If you are on the fence about watching KTL... GO WATCH IT NOW.

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Not Perfect but great for binge-watching

Are there plot holes? Yes
Does the story line make sense? Not really
Is the acting out of this world? No
Is it worth watching? Definitely

I did not keep watching the drama for the political or event familial plot. I watched solely for the relationship of the 2 main characters. Finding each other after so many years, bogged down by their own secrets & responsibilities. Giving their hearts to each other and the heaven's not being on their side. The male lead literally embodying the song Let The World Burn by Chris Grey. He wrecked havoc on the world to bring his loved one to his side and eventually being betrayed by him time and time again, even his death is bitter sweet.

I suppose I am a masochist enjoying un-requited love stories, heartbreak and emotional suffering gifted by the one you love. This drama, though not perfect, quelled my craving for a bitter-sweet, toxic and intoxicating love story.

What they could have done better is if there were fewer conflicts instead of so many, considering it was 12 episodes and 35 minutes each ep. They really could not have done justice anything besides the main characters love story. The actors had what it takes to deliver their characters, the director knew how to bring it to life, but the script was what was missing. Had it focused on a simpler arc for Duan Zi Ang and lesser betrayals it would have hit harder. The 2 lead's were getting hurt left, right, and center it was like back to back, I wanted to see more of their love story and just them.

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Is it worth the watch?

This drama was totally unexpected from the c industry to launch. First of all, never expected a periodic bl drama. Secondly, the show touched a very real and raw feeling of how love can be the best and the worst thing in life for some people. Zhi ang's love was true and loyal in his eyes but proved to be tragic and painful to Shu he. I kept wondering if i was in Shu He's shoes, i would've taken the same step in my story as well.
Some of the few actors, especially the main leads did a great job at making the characters so loveable and painfully adored by the audience.

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everything for love ???

First off, I really loved it. The story had the potential to be absolutely amazing, but considering China’s budget and production limits, what they delivered was still impressive. The show starts off a bit slow, but it picks up and gets really engaging, so don’t skip the first few episodes! 🤲🏽

If you’re into dark romance, this is definitely for you [and even I, who usually don’t go for it, ended up loving it 😭].

I can’t stop feeling for Zi ang.
all his efforts— everything he sacrificed for shuo he because of love.
He killed his own father to become king, just to make sure shuo he would never face opposition or harm. Even knowing shuo he would hate him, he killed his brother to keep him safe. When he ignored his letters and returned the dagger, he invaded his country, captured him, and brought him to his own land so he wouldn’t be alone. He built a mansion like his own in Nanhui just for him. He chained him so he couldn’t escape. Even with the entire court against him, he stood up to protect him. He even protected him from his own people. And the result?

From shuo he perspective, it’s heartbreaking. Guilt haunted him every single day for five years. he blamed himself for his brother’s death. She hated himself for still loving zi ang, the man who attacked his country, killed his brother, and caused so many deaths. Yet at the same time, he resented him. He had captured him, humiliated him as king of a ruined kingdom, and her own weakness left his feeling pain, anger, and grief.

“-Why did you save me?
+Should I have let you die in front of me?
-Now that you saved me… what? You captured me! What am I to you—a boy toy?”

My heart breaks for him here. shuo he never wanted the throne; he loved art, music, and wine. And suddenly, he was forced from princess to king, because of zi ang. he always thought he should have died that night. In the end, he chose to end his life to free himself from the guilt and burden he carried, and even lied about his death to zi ang, as a way to make up for all the suffering he endured.

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The ending came too quick so the story end in a weird way.

The story is interesting, a bit complex and confusing sometimes, but still good. The only thing I really dislike was the ending. I feel like they initially created 15 episodes and thinks that’s too long so they simply cut the 3 episodes before the last one and didn’t adapt the story to 12 episodes so the ending is actually good but came too quick. The relationship between all the characters switched too quickly and didn’t feel natural when considering what happened before and how much time pass. Because of that I personally was completely disconnected and not invested in the last episode.

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Destiny against love

After a long time, the historical drama in bl genre, and a bittersweet ending....it's a masterpiece.

After watching all type of bloodshed historical dramas, where the main story belongs to battlefield, politics and no love to die together, this series brings freshness for me.

Duan is a lover everyone craves. But what happens if at the brink of being together, destiny brings you far apart, unable to watch, and if you still watch the love of your life, it will bring pain.
Yes, such a heart wrenching love, where you have to cautious of your own love and lover, the love thats country apart, proper enemy to lover but have to be enemy for the same of people.

It's overwhelming how many times they get apart from their lover, and the next time they see, it's more tragic. It's sad how destiny plays the role in our life. It's not about how strong your love is, if it meant to give you pain again and again, even at the point of death.

I love how realistic everything this drama has, whether the bond of father as a king, the brother who was crowned, or the lover who is future crown prince of enemy country. And the most realistic is ending, no matter how hard you try to hold the water in your hands, it will slip.

I don't know in what category I should keep this series, its sad, romantic, historical, etc....but it's sure is a MASTERPIECE. Do watch it.

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