Kill To Love
since some people are wondering whether to watch or finish, I will say I did not find the ending satisfactory as a happy ending, although it technically is. The reason is: they both die and are reunited in the afterlife. To me this is still sad. This is regardless of whether they can be different in the afterlife, which it seems they can since Shu Qian changed after death.
after reading everyone’s comments, I’ve decided this show is really an epic tragedy. The main couple are already fated to have difficulty being together from the start, even if we disregard it being a same-sex relationship. Then when we find out they’re rival rulers it’s just cemented. Plus I thought about RX’s and Ju Moon’s analyses of the characters‘ flaws and realized these are “fatal flaws” that of course lead to their own downfalls. If we boil these down to guilt (Shuhe) and greed (Ziang) then that especially fits. So all the lies and evil deeds and inability to see the bigger picture can all be traced back to those traits. you may not see Ziang’s behavior as greed so much as obsession as Rx suggests, but I see it as greed because his want is so great as to consume everything in its path to get it.
i actually find it easier to accept everything that happened throughout the show if I view it as an epic tragedy. Then only happiness in the afterlife makes sense. The thing that made me saddest for them as a couple though was how they were always lying or deceiving each other in some way. I still believe they truly loved each other, but their fatal flaws and/or fated enemies situation wouldn’t allow them to act with complete sincerity on one side or the other.
i rated this show an 8.5 because the acting was excellent and the story kept me riveted.My biggest complaint besides the ending was that the big political turning point (when the north conquered the south) felt rushed, probably because they tried to fit it all into one episode and the episodes were short.
i will say two more things about this as a historical BL: (1) I loved that the same sex relationship wasn’t a big deal but rather the focus was on other issues causing problems. (I know that having male concubines was acceptable until some point in Chinese history, but since this was a made up country anyway, and therefore a made up history, we can just allow that it wasn’t an issue.) (2) I loved seeing them have a private wedding ceremony but according to traditional Chinese customs (I‘m assuming since i don’t actually know what constitutes a traditional Chinese wedding.) Also there were real kisses. (Of course I wish the kisses were more passionate and that there were NC scenes, but i feel this way about any show that doesn’t have serious passion, so I pretty much end every show saying “more.” Lol.) but the romance itself was beautiful and definitely adequate.
overall I thought this was a really good show and I’m glad I didn’t wait to watch it.