ChopstickChatter

The BTS are intense for this one. Thanks for sharing!

So does that mean in the novel there IS a love triangle? I am excited regardless.

I still really like this. Even now that all the hype is over.

Is that the actress in the scenes holding onto GJ's collars on the boat in the pouring rain today? I couldn't make out if that was the other female lead, Yun Yan Jiao. If you're saying this will be there be a love triangle?!?!!?

I went in blind as well.

Saw somewhere it is currently at 1.3 billion views or something.

2026 October/November release again, probably. I plan to be in China in October 2027. I'm already anticipating GJ's 2027 drama. LOLOL.

In SpongeBob SquarePants voice, "Seven years later".

Right. I still like BHH. I’d say that BHH is actually a good addition — one who quietly strengthens our appreciation of SMY and SCH’s relationship. She was never meant to be the focus, nor was she written as a member of the trio. She wasn’t a character the audience was expected to invest in deeply from the start. And yet, by episode 38, we feel her absence because SMY loses her.

Through SMY, we end up caring about her too. We want her to live, to stay healthy, to make it out safely—not just for her own sake, but because we can’t bear to see SMY carry yet another burden. That’s exactly why she was written the way she was. She isn’t quite a side character; she’s someone we root for because SMY roots for her. Our “wooden fish” of a protagonist genuinely likes her, and through her, he finds a rare sense of comfort and happiness.

And at the end of the day, by ep 38, that’s what we want most: for SMY to have something—anything—that makes him happy.

1. "Is there any romance?"
2. "The pairings or romance in this show feel forced." (Often said about SMY & BHH)
3. "The romantic scenes are stealing away the brotherhood scenes. I wished they would have focused more on SMY & SCH."

TL;DR - Blood River is an excellent watch. Don't get bogged down deciding whether to skip or watch it by the romance side of it - whether you want more or less of it - a good show is a good show.

***Strictly speaking about SMY & BHH pairing & SMY & SCH brotherhood in this post***

I think the term "romance" used to describe the pairings in BR needs to be redefined, especially if it’s influencing whether or not someone decides to watch the show. It’s crucial to understand what you’re really getting into.

In my opinion, if you want to call it “romance,” sure, go ahead. But to me, it’s not romance in the traditional sense. Most of the pairings, including SMY & BHH, don’t fit the typical definition of romance. The only couple that truly feels like they *love love* each other is Prince Lanya and his lady friend.

With SMY & BHH, every scene is simply showing human behavior—one person liking, or really liking, the other. Even through 38 episodes, I wouldn’t call their relationship "love." In Episode 6, when they were in the cave, that was just the first hint that SMY might be developing feelings for BHH. And by Episode 38 (even in the post-credits scene), I still wouldn’t call it love. At best, it’s *really* liking her—maybe borderline love, but not quite there yet.

And that's most likely intentional (!!) that the two aren't oozing their love for each other, because at the end of episode 38 we're not supposed to cheer on SMY & BHH. I mean, not really...

It's SCH & SMY. It has been the focus & they stayed true to that purpose until the end.

I would have been A-Ok with ending BR w/o the post-credit scene. Leave the two brothers ride off into the sunset.

If you HAVE TO label another pairing as "romantic," then MYM and LYT probably come the closest, after Prince Lanya’s couple.

As many people have pointed out since Episode 1, BRis not a romance-centered drama, and it never pretends to be. And when it does offer moments that hint at romance, those aren’t really full-fledged romantic moments. They’re just early stages—people starting to develop feelings for one another.

So, if you came in expecting a romance and are disappointed by the lack of it, that’s really a mismatch of expectations. And that’s totally okay—whenever you decide the romance (or lack of it) isn’t your thing, that’s your choice.

On the other hand, if you think the romance feels forced, I’d encourage you to shift your perspective: BR isn’t trying to show romance at all. It’s showing the early, tentative stages of someone starting to like someone else. Can we even call it romance......?

If you approach it with that expectation, I think the experience will be clearer. You’ll probably end up more focused on the storyline and rooting for SMY & SCH instead (if you haven’t already).

As for those who describe SMY & BHH’s pairing as forced…

It can’t feel forced if they haven’t even been depicted as truly loving each other by Episode 38. Again, even by Episode 38, I wouldn’t say SMY feels “love” for BHH. At most, he really, really likes her, and she’s a close friend to him. If the story progressed, he could very well fall in love with her—but at the point the show is at, he’s just really, REALLY fond of her.

Anyway, I think I’m rambling at this point, but just wanted to put that out there.

You should start with WOH. It's a wild ride. 😆

Noooooooooooo. They need to work together although I feel that SMY was the one that pulled through in the end.

You need to watch Ep 37 & 38 together. The final duel is in 37. But w/o 38 it's a cliff hanger.

37 & 38 play off each other.

Hope that makes sense.

37 & 38 is like SMY & SCH. It's a pair. LOL.

Omg. I just thought of that on the fly. I am frickin' hilarious. 😂

🥰

You saw the scene at the end of the credit where SMY & BHH met up after 12 years?

If this is your first GJ drama, you can start with BR, but a heads-up: if you’re not a fan of stoic, expressionless characters, you might want to start with Word of Honor instead.

In BR, GJ plays Su Mu Yu a character who is the polar opposite of Wen KenXing in Word of Honor. Don’t expect a “typical” performance in episodes 1–9: SMY is stoic, reserved, and intentionally understated. That’s exactly why GJ shines in this role. I'm afraid you'll find him boring and/or GJ didn't do well with his portrayal like most people when it first came out.

By episode 10, SMY becomes more expressive, as the story and character arcs evolve and you’ll see why it works. But if you’re not used to this kind of portrayal, starting with Word of Honor is a safer bet.

Overall, it’s a huge show, and it’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t love GJ as Wen KenXing.

And the Water Official too. I mean...........

Alright I'm gonna lighten the mood. The Earth Heaven Official...he cute, no? 😫

Very nice

Rewatching Ep 17 & SMY eating spicy foods with BHH flashback. Hahaha.