A delightful C Drama with some of the best written characters!
A Journey to Love hooked me from the start with its explosive first episodes, and while the pacing stumbled later, the characters more than made up for it.
The Leads
Liu Shishi as Ren Ruyi is everything I want in a female lead: strong, compassionate, and smart enough to listen to advice without being stubborn. She’s fierce when she needs to be, kind when it matters, and she allows herself to fall in love without losing her edge.
Opposite her, Liu Yuning’s Ning Yuanzhou is the definition of a green flag. He’s respected because of what we see him do—both on the battlefield and in the way he treats people with kindness and respect. His relationship with Ruyi is steady, supportive, and so healthy it feels almost radical compared to your average drama romance.
The Love Story
Their romance is beautiful, but it does stagnate after a while. By episode 10 it’s clear they’re in love, yet the story keeps circling that point without pushing further. And while their kisses were sweet, they lacked passion—especially considering these are mature leads, not shy teenagers.
Brotherhood & Found Family
One of the highlights of the show is Yuanzhou’s brotherhood—Shisan, Sun Lang, Qian Zhao, and Yuan Lu. They feel like real siblings, complete with teasing, disagreements, and unwavering loyalty. The way they embraced Ruyi once they realized Yuanzhou liked her was heartwarming. Their group dynamic, combined with the travel adventure setup, created some of the best found-family vibes I’ve seen in a while.
Weak Spots
The middle episodes drag, slowing down the otherwise gripping story. The love triangle with Jiu also overstayed its welcome—Ruyi told him she didn’t reciprocate, yet he kept hovering.
And the biggest letdown for me? The deaths of Yuanzhou’s brothers. One by one, they’re all killed off, which felt unnecessary. Yes, Yuanzhou’s grief was heartbreaking, but wiping out the brotherhood robbed the show of its most endearing strength.
Final Take
Despite its flaws, A Journey to Love gave me characters I deeply cared about. Ruyi and Yuanzhou are one of my favorite drama couples in years, their bond built on trust and respect. The found-family theme is rich and memorable. If only the pacing had been tighter and the ending less cruel to the brotherhood, this would have been near-perfect.
The Leads
Liu Shishi as Ren Ruyi is everything I want in a female lead: strong, compassionate, and smart enough to listen to advice without being stubborn. She’s fierce when she needs to be, kind when it matters, and she allows herself to fall in love without losing her edge.
Opposite her, Liu Yuning’s Ning Yuanzhou is the definition of a green flag. He’s respected because of what we see him do—both on the battlefield and in the way he treats people with kindness and respect. His relationship with Ruyi is steady, supportive, and so healthy it feels almost radical compared to your average drama romance.
The Love Story
Their romance is beautiful, but it does stagnate after a while. By episode 10 it’s clear they’re in love, yet the story keeps circling that point without pushing further. And while their kisses were sweet, they lacked passion—especially considering these are mature leads, not shy teenagers.
Brotherhood & Found Family
One of the highlights of the show is Yuanzhou’s brotherhood—Shisan, Sun Lang, Qian Zhao, and Yuan Lu. They feel like real siblings, complete with teasing, disagreements, and unwavering loyalty. The way they embraced Ruyi once they realized Yuanzhou liked her was heartwarming. Their group dynamic, combined with the travel adventure setup, created some of the best found-family vibes I’ve seen in a while.
Weak Spots
The middle episodes drag, slowing down the otherwise gripping story. The love triangle with Jiu also overstayed its welcome—Ruyi told him she didn’t reciprocate, yet he kept hovering.
And the biggest letdown for me? The deaths of Yuanzhou’s brothers. One by one, they’re all killed off, which felt unnecessary. Yes, Yuanzhou’s grief was heartbreaking, but wiping out the brotherhood robbed the show of its most endearing strength.
Final Take
Despite its flaws, A Journey to Love gave me characters I deeply cared about. Ruyi and Yuanzhou are one of my favorite drama couples in years, their bond built on trust and respect. The found-family theme is rich and memorable. If only the pacing had been tighter and the ending less cruel to the brotherhood, this would have been near-perfect.
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