Shan He Yong Ji (2025)

A Historic Milestone in BL Drama - China’s Mastery of Historical BL

After waiting so long for our first uncensored historical BL drama, I can confidently say it did not disappoint. Across a vast land torn by war, you’re the only freedom for me! perfectly captures the heart of this story.

The plot is gripping, following a prince and an assassin who fall in love as their kingdom collapses. To secure Xiao Shu He’s rise, Duan Ziang kills the crown prince, shattering their bond, only to return years later as emperor.

The scenery and cinematography are breathtaking,, and the snow scene paired with its moving score was simply unforgettable. The costumes, along with the stunning and handsome cast, were all top notch. The acting shines in every moment, and the music and OST heighten every emotion. The fight choreography and martial arts are executed beautifully, keeping me hooked from start to finish.

And can we talk about that flying scene? The two leads soaring through the air, clinging to each other with such intensity, it completely took my breath away. After watching over 350 BLs, this is the very first time I’ve seen two male leads in such a classic wuxia-style moment, protecting and hiding each other with eyes full of unspoken emotion. We’ve seen it countless times in straight dramas, but to finally witness it in a BL felt groundbreaking. I was literally screaming, because flying scenes like this only ever happen in historical dramas.

Duan ZiAng’s love for ShuHe is so consuming, so absolute, that he would rather drink poison than cause a single wound to the man he loves. For five long years he carried this weight, sacrificing everything, even killing his own father, all so he could fight for a future with ShuHe.

He created an entire identity, the Six Prince residence, not for ambition, not for glory, but as a gift, a sanctuary built with his own blood and sweat, solely for his lover. Two kingdoms waged endless war, millions of soldiers were sacrificed, and yet at the heart of it all was not conquest, but love, one man’s unshakable devotion to another.

If this is not love, then what is? A love that defies reason, a love that bends morality, a love so fierce it chooses the beloved over the world itself.

My heart tells me Duan ZiAng will die from the poison. And that thought crushes me, because what could be more tragic than a love between two emperors, eternal in devotion but doomed by destiny.

Their story is not just romance. It is sacrifice. It is pain. It is love written in blood, carved into history, and drowned in tears.

I truly hope China 🇨🇳 lifts its BL ban one day, because when it comes to potential, Thailand 🇹🇭, South Korea 🇰🇷, Japan 🇯🇵 and Taiwan 🇹🇼 cannot compare. China dominates in so many areas: cinematography, acting, storytelling, chemistry. And when we talk about historical costume dramas, horseback riding sequences, and martial arts fight scenes, China operates on another level entirely. The scale, elegance, precision, and sheer intensity are unmatched. Kill To You proves once again that no one does it like China.

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Love, Betrayal, and Kingdoms. A Historical BL That Will Leave You Breathless

I’m absolutely hooked! 😍 The chemistry between the two male leads is electrifying........seriously, the way they look at each other, the way they hold hands in such a sexual manner? The tension in every single glance? It’s pure chef’s kiss 😘🔥 And those kisses… wow. There were so many, especially for a C-BL. Honestly, I was not expecting that, but it was great!

=====PLOT/CHARACTERS/SHU HE AND DU ZI ANG======

The series centers on the battle between two kingdoms, the South and the North, as both plot and scheme to gain the upper hand in an increasingly tangled conflict.

We have Xiao Shu He, the 6th prince. He’s clever, considerate, kind, and charming. He reconnects with a childhood friend, Duan Ziang, who saved his life not once but twice (the second time was intentional to get close to him so he could find a way to assassinate the crown prince, since the first attempt had failed). They’re both ''somewhat'' scheming, but in completely different ways. One is sharp, intelligent, and perceptive—always staying one step ahead—while the other is driven by a thirst for revenge and hatred. The tension between their motives makes their dynamic all the more compelling. But fate is cruel. Despite their growing connection, neither can truly be happy—duty to their respective kingdoms always stands in the way. Yet in a shocking turn at the end of episode 8, Duan Ziang kills the South’s Crown Prince… to protect Shu He, fracturing their relationship.

You know, I kind of feel bad for Xiao Shu He. He just wanted to be a wanderer, free to do whatever he wanted: play music, write poetry, and create art. Meanwhile, Duan Ziang wanted nothing more than to be by his side through it all, even if it meant defying orders and refusing to kill.

Five years have passed, Du Ziang is now the emperor, having waged war across all the kingdoms, securing power, only to be with Xiao Shu He. This is truly a "kill to love" story. Du Ziang, in his relentless pursuit of love, has done whatever it takes: killing enemies, betraying his own blood, and destroying anyone or anything that could threaten the memories and moments he cherishes with Shu He. Du Ziang is ruthless and consumed by his desire to have Shu He; driven by love, he rules with an iron fist, while Shu He governs with a gentler hand. It’s no surprise that the South’s kingdom crumbled under the weight of the North’s invasion, and Du Zi Ang captured Shuhe as his war prisoner/male pet.

Du Ziang remembers every intricate detail of the 6th manor, every corner that once held fleeting moments of peace and love between them- so much so that he rebuilt it. His devotion to Shu He is absolute. What began as a close friendship blossomed into love, but eventually, it all fell apart, which led to a painful emotional fallout. While Du Ziang’s love for Shu He remains unwavering, Shu He cannot forgive the betrayal of trust and the murder of his brother, the Crown Prince. Now, as rulers of opposing kingdoms, their relationship is torn apart by loyalty, duty, and the deep scars of their past actions.

Both men, trapped by their kingdoms, haunted by the choices they’ve made, and still deeply in love ❤️, must confront whether they can ever find happiness together—or if their destinies are too far gone to change. Like the red thread, a bloodied knife that cuts both their hairs, ties their souls, only to be reunited in another life. LOVED the ending.

=====OTHER CHARACTERS====

Of course, this was in the first few episodes: I’m also loving the tension and dynamics between the doctor, the crown prince, and his servant. The crown prince is envious of his brother, Xiao Shu He, and wants to kill him. I blame their father, honestly—classic favoritism. Anyway, the crown prince assigns his servant, Huo Ying, to spy on his brother. While doing so, Huo Ying meets the doctor, who genuinely cares for him. The crown prince’s thirst for power and need to prove himself backfired, leading to his downfall—ultimately resulting in his death at the hands of Duan Ziang. Not going to lie, I was deeply annoyed that he died so early. I really wanted to see the love story between Huo Ying and the crown prince develop further. But that death scene? It was so emotionally moving. The way it was handled, with all the tension and unspoken feelings, really hit hard. Even though it left me wanting more. Also, I liked that the brother of Du Ziang was always by his side when they found each other again.

=====ACTING=====

The acting starts off as average but gradually becomes more compelling. By the middle of the series, you can truly feel the hate, longing, love, tears, and heartbreak in the performances. The actors really bring these emotions to life, making you root for the characters, even when they're making morally questionable choices. Episodes 8, 9, and 10, in particular, stand out for their emotional depth.

=====PRODUCTION=====

The editing is somewhat sloppy, especially in the fight and intimate scenes, which often lack coherence/weren't done properly. One episode felt off from the start, with jarring transitions and unclear timelines; it took me a minute to even tell what was happening. That said, Episode 9 was an absolute standout. It was easily my favorite part of the series. The storytelling was on another level; everything from pacing to emotional depth felt well-executed.

The wuxia-style costumes are stunning, and the beautiful landscapes combined with impressive cinematography create a visually captivating experience.

=====FINAL THOUGHTS=====

There is so much going on in the series that this review doesn’t even begin to cover it. I was hooked the whole time—no skipping or fast-forwarding, which is rare for me! Barely any filler, which feels like a miracle in my book 📖. The pace is a bit fast (maybe because there are only 12 episodes), but I’m loving every minute. If you’re into historical BL, love kingdom battles, and crave characters who are deep, driven, and full of drama, then trust me, this one’s a must-watch.

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