Divided by kingdoms, united by hearts.
A historical love story of two princes-turned-kings and how they continue to love each other despite their complicated title as rulers. Both of their background stories were saddening; Shu He lost his mother, and Zi Ang lost his entire clan except for his brother. A few years later, they meet each other, and the beginning of lies and deceptions. I love the chemistry and build-up of their characters in every single EPs.I just wish to see more martial arts scenes without the basic sword fights. Yet, I fully understand that they are more focused on the story rather than the fight scenes. The crown prince's role is too hateful, especially when he is the reason why the sixth prince's fingers were badly injured and stopped him from playing the arts anymore. Politics can corrupt one’s mind and turn their roots to evil.
The way I was flabbergasted by their first kiss in the middle of arguing was too memorable. No more China’s bromance and BL-censorship, we win. EP08 was probably one of my favorite endings from the show. The time when they realized that their royal status was a hindrance to their relationship and decided to let go.
Eventually, both of them became ruler of their respective nations. This is the most exciting yet traumatizing part. The show’s title, “Kill to Love,” is extremely presented when Zi Ang annihilated Shu He’s kingdom, then holding him like a caged bird. His obsession with being reunited with Shu He is the only thing that matters to him the most. Building a replica of the sixth prince’s residences was actually so romantic.
At the end, Xiao Shu He chose to die, with Duan Zi Ang embracing him and then following him to the afterlife eventually. A tragic ending, yet a very reasonable one for such a complex love story. Both of them died at the end, but at least they were finally able to rest peacefully from the chaotic world of power and desires.
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Eye candy, great storyline, nice costumes and two great Sword Dance scenes!
China has really stepped up their game with well developed, awesome chemistry BLs. The ending is in the same vein as Guardian, Winter Begonia and even the Untamed, as far as the chaos and trials and tribulations the couple has to go through to keep their love. Conflicts between nations, clans, social status, and sense of duty all play a role in challenging the couple's love for each other. The chemistry between Xiao Shu He and Duan Zi Ang is off the charts! Each glance, each touch, each smile makes you feel like you're third wheeling even though we are shipping them hard. TBH, the drama between the nations and the lovers could have all been avoided if Shu He had only listened to his heart instead of trying to fuilfill a duty he really wanted no parts of. I watched all 12 episodes within 24 hours- it is that compelling. The costumes, the music score, the plot are all well done. My only criticism is that they didn't really explain why the crown prince of the southern kingdom was so hateful to the 6th prince. I don't think it was just jealousy, but I didn't get the full backstory. I didn't get why Huo Ying was so loyal to the crown prince, either- he treated him like crap. But other than that- you'll notice that both MLs have beautifully manicured nails throughout bloody battles and sword fights.Was this review helpful to you?
Clingy, Forbidden, Perfect: Why I Can’t Stop Watching Duan Ziang & Shu He
When I first started Episode 1, I wasn’t impressed 😅 It felt slow and a little dry, and I wasn’t sure where it was going. But by Episode 3, everything changed! Duan Ziang and Shu He’s relationship started to shine ✨—their affection, the little gestures, the tension between them—it was all so real and captivating 🥹. I even went back and rewatched Episode 1, and suddenly it made perfect sense.This BL actually delivers on love 💖. You can feel it in their actions, not just hear about it. The historical setting is gorgeous, the drama feels uncensored, and every moment carries genuine emotion—sweet, messy, and at times heartbreakingly real 💔. The ending was satisfying, and I would absolutely love to see Duan Ziang and Shu He cast in another BL, whether modern or historical. They are just that good 🔥.
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a pain so beautiful?
KILL TO LOVE WAS A BEAUTIFUL TORTURE, i loved every second of it thank you to the actors, team and production for bringing something so painful yet so beautiful to life i love every single minute and second of it, i really want to see them in another project together even if i have to pay with my own money! they had a low budget but that don’t matter because it was well done and the acting was out of this world, ABSOLUTE CINEMA IF YOU ASK ME❤️Was this review helpful to you?
Story
Absolutely loved this BL because it was a time in history long gone. The Chinese do bls really wellso lift the ban and let us watch more. There's nothing to be ashamed of seeing two men with strong
feelings for each other done delicately. The two MLs really suited each other and their acting was
first class. I love historical series. The costumes..
The long hair.. The story this one being extra special as it was two friends who looked after each other when they were kids to meet years later..
One an assassin and one a prince. Not a good combination but when feelings come into play
it has to run it's course. Good or bad. Thank you to all who took part in this fab series. All the cast were first class.. Thankyou to the director.. The script writers.. Background staff and everyone not mentioned.. It's definately a 10 in my book.
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This review may contain spoilers
A masterpiece that deserves more hype!
They got married, but at what cost??Nah, but for real… even though I wanted a happy ending, I think a bittersweet ending was fitting for these characters. Even though Shuhe loved Ziang deeply, he couldn’t live with himself after everything that happened. It was heartbreaking to see how Ziang trusted Shuhe until the very end, only to be betrayed in the most devastating way.
The acting in the final episode was absolutely phenomenal, easily one of the highlights of the entire series.
My only gripe is that some plot points felt rushed or skipped over entirely in the last ep. For example:
How was Huoying suddenly wandering around freely in the Northern Palace with no explanation? And why was Ziang’s brother suddenly besties with them out of nowhere?
Despite these gaps, this series is incredibly underrated, especially considering the insanely low budget (confirmed by the actors. They didn't have enough money to hire extras and their screenwriter had to play the doctor Shen Song). With more funding, we could’ve had additional episodes to flesh out the story further, maybe even a reincarnation epilogue!
But alas, they still managed to make it work and deliver an absolute masterpiece. After waiting so long for a historical/wuxia-themed uncensored BL, I can confidently say it exceeded my expectations in every way.
A beautiful, emotional series that I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
10/10.
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The deepest cuts come from the closest hands..
Once hidden behind the curtain of censorship and the “bromance” tag, it’s awe-inspiring to see a new crop of Chinese BL dramas emerging ingeniously navigating loopholes. Kill to Love arrived quietly, with no major promotions, almost drowned out by the success of another hit, Revenge Love (one of the best). Yet it stood its ground, carried by the sheer conviction of its story, the strength of its acting, and the power of its music.It takes rare courage to push a narrative in certain directions, and I’m glad the writers delivered. The core theme of loyalty vs. love hits close to the heart, offering the leads a chance to sink their teeth into layered characters and deliver performances rich in nuance. From the twinkle in an eye to the faint downturn of a lip, the smallest gestures make you wonder what will happen next and that subtle tension is where Kill to Love shines.
2025 is shaping up to be a remarkable year for Chinese BL dramas. I hope the industry continues to push boundaries and deliver quality stories despite obstacles. And may the universe bring these leads together again in another brilliant drama ,they truly deserve all the love in the world
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OBSESSION WITH BIT OF SELFISHNESS.
WOW!!! the main leads very amazing at acting. I loved how Zhang ZX express the emotions in drama.((If I'm to tell the truth.... he's my big type. Who'd dominant me and tells me when to live and when to die who'd destroy the world just to be with me. Honestly I'd love to be under the control of a person if he's the one I Love.))
Undeniably, Shuhe also love Duan Ziang.... But for to become a ruler of people he's really the kind of person that everyone want as a Ruler.
Ofcourse whatever Duan is doing seems more than just love....an obsession with slight addition of selfishness. Duan doesn't care about what the person he loves wants but all he cares about is, that person once loved him and he must love him now too. He's totally drowned in the ocean of obsession with no other thinking.
His blindfold shall be unfolded by the one who tied it.
EXPRESSING A GREAT APPRECIATION FOR YOUR WORKS 'KILL TO LOVE TEAM'
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Love the chemistry, acting and emotions
I started watching this series without expectations. I wasn’t hooked from the first episodes, however, I still wanted to give it a go and I don’t regret it. I believe from episode 8 I was already very invested and without realizing I started crying and feeling all the emotions. Noth actors did a great job! I was a bit frustrated with Shu He for being so stubborn and caring so much about a brother that wanted to kill him and a father that wasn’t there for him and couldn’t see how much Duang did for him and how he struggled and suffered just to be with him. But even like that, my favorite is still Duang for how involved he was in his role and how expressive in his pain, love and obsession.I wish to see them both in another series. What actually touched me even more was their interview where they cried thinking back on their characters. It made me realize how much they have invested in this series.
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A Love That Defies Time and Ambition
This drama is a breathtaking mix of politics, war, and forbidden love. At its heart, it tells the story of Duan Zi Ang, an assassin shaped by the shadows, and Xiao Shu He, a prince who was never meant to rule. Their bond feels fated yet impossible, fragile yet unbreakable.What I loved most is how the narrative balances personal emotions with the grand scale of history. The romance isn’t just about passion—it’s about sacrifice, betrayal, and choices that echo across nations. The chemistry between the leads is intense, their reunion years later filled with longing and heartbreak that truly hits hard.
The cinematography beautifully captures the contrast between the brutality of war and the tenderness of love. Every glance and unsaid word between the protagonists carries weight, pulling the viewer deeper into their struggle.
If you enjoy epic romances with strong political intrigue, morally complex characters, and the kind of love that endures even through separation and ambition, this series will stay with you long after the final episode.
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best series of the year
This is the first time I've seen such a unique and fresh script. This is what I've always wanted to see on screen. I love the theme of ancient China, it immediately gives + points to the vibe. This work is an absolute work of art. The series was created with great attention and love. Every dialogue, every emotion was so natural that my emotions jumped up and down every episode. I can definitely call this series the best work of the year at least. This is one of the best doramas in the entire history of bl. The bittersweet plot took me on a roller coaster and I felt all the empathy in my soul for these characters.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
One of the best historical BL drama
I have been waiting for a proper BL historical drama from china for ages now, my wish has been completed. Absolutely loved the story, acting and visuals. The only complaint I have is that they used AI for army marching to South Kingdom. But I guess I can neglect that taking under the consideration since this is a low production drama compared to others.I have seen edits on insta and people saying Duan Xi Ang is a red flag but taking under the circumstances on how Shu He became a king, as his beloved I totally understand how Xi Ang couldn't just sit and watch people turn against Shu He.
The ending seems perfect. I am so happy they showed heaven scene where Shu He waited for Xi Ang. As a viewer it was a good closure. Definitely loved the scene where crown prince apologized to his brother.
I would love to see these two actors again in modern BL drama. Love them!
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