Daffodils

It is indeed @River, we were really craving for a good C BL delivered with unshakable acting, not making concession towards a mediocre acting because the plot was somehow "hot". ZheXu and Mi Jin broke that barrier with his amazing performances and chemistry. I am so glad that the next C BL we are watching is To My Shore such committed performance by the two leads. This is what we should expect from a C BL not just a good plot but also excellent acting.

The official channel - first 6 eps are free then it is only 2.50 less than a coup of coffee. You can withdraw your sub in less than a month and won't be charged again.
https://youtu.be/P12OjrBkjtw?si=bM32G-EGUtdXiAei

otherwise with a Gagaoola sub

Because this BL is so loved by so many now, people who come later to the viewing experience are expecting a wow factor along the lines of BLs they traditionally like. Maybe this is your case. This BL is very rich in language, there is a lot of good things to say about the script. However, in trying to compress a very interesting storyline in 12 eps they cut the dialogue and the understanding in the first eps, but it is a super BL and ZheXu and MiJin the main CP come from the best performing academies in China. They did not have MLs experience before, so they had to push themselves fast and furious to reach ep 6 and onwards and deliver. I found them tremendously beautiful, particularly Mi Jin (ShuHe) even with the very basic wardrobe. Their chemistry in and out of the screen is bullet proof. I admire actors that are capable to adapt to the challenges and create iconic characters. Yun Qi performing as Fan Xiao (To My Shore) with 23 years old is a revelation. He is not only young, he also is a new comer. Very much the same with ZheXu and MiJin 24 and 23 when they start filming such emotional demanding roles. For me they do it impeccable. I will ever be grateful to them and to the whole production team.

So interesting. I would have liked to see the link between the murder of the Duan's family and the murder of ShuHe's mother. I think they were done by the same group of people. this adds another emotional layer between the lovers. Yes, ZiAng's mother what was that twisted love story about it? We needed more.

3) I would give the north kingdom and HY the benefit of the doubt and say that it was something like steroid but worse. I could not agree more in 1) there is a gap there in relation to Minister Gu.

I would like to add that I totally understand the suffering of ShuHe, ZiAn put him through hell on earth "to protect" him. He was even horrible injured by whipping because of this, but in terms of production and added scenes, I would have liked to see more ShuHe's emotional upheaval. ShuHe deserved that time because as you say it took a long time for him to come to terms with his feelings.

I could not agree more @River, looking at the devastation of the South Kingdom would have added so much depth to the storyline and understanding why ShuHe thought of ZiAng as deluded.

I totally agree with what @Boho and @Xie Lian have added here, particularly the following points:
1 - As viewers, we deserve to have more avenues to look into the truth about Hai Yi, ZiAng brother. this could have been a very rich side storyline.
2- Agree as well that we deserve to know about Shu Qian's feelings towards ShuHe (I was not interested about this intended 2nd CP with the guard, as it never took form, I feel that time was wasted on them that could have been invested on exploring more ShuQian and ShuHe relationship. Mi Jin (SH) and Chen Fang (SQ) have lots of chemistry in our screen as well.
3 - After being so obsessed with the lovers storyline, I would say I needed more time to watch the thought process of ShuHe -in the second part- surrendering to his own desire and finally love for ZiAng. These characters were multilayer. I needed to see ShuHe waking up next to ZiAng after he slept with him for first time in captivity (I believe it was around the "red" bath scene). I needed to see the space in which he looked into his own heart trying to make sense of this inner turmoil. We actually see more of ZiAng own process of self-deception about ShuHe becoming his lover again so I could understood perfectly why his heart broke in a thousand pieces when ShuHe tried to escape after the night market stroll. At the moment it was airing I asked a question that @Yerisina responded very well -thought she is still pondering this- why ZiAng did not say I love you expressly, like ShuHe did, yet for me it is ShuHe that left me with more questions than ZiAng.

Both so true

Very interesting points Boho.

Ep 8 - I have never expected this level of performances. I knew Hao Yi Ran had the experience and training to be a sound actor, but Yun Qi, he is only 23 years old with hardly any acting experience. Both performances are visceral, superb. Ep 8 has brought the most amazing viewers experience within a solid gay storyline. The feelings, the lines, the pace of all. This series has flew over the BL territory, and should be cataloged among the best LGBTQ+ productions. It is an excellent addition to this repertoire.

Today's live with Flowerlure - or why brand needs to hire them to save their boring livestream!!
I sat down during the whole 1.30 hours in the live. I don't speak the Chinese language, but I do speak the XuJin language! 😊They are wonderful, I not even notice that the livestream was boring. Half of the time they were up to not good -in a good way- and did not notice that the people were finding the host tremendously dull and boring, and the games very unimaginative. I just saw this adorable CP looking adorable all the time 😍. They are hardworking and tried their best to save the host and made everything flowing nicely. However, the best moment of the livestream is when Jin had to draw something in Xu hand and nobody recognise what it was, so in order to save the situation Xu said something that Jin Jin found hysterically hilarious 😂. This clip from X is not the full moment. Jin Jin literally could not stop and Xu was holding Jin from wherever he could. Jin had tears in his eyes for so much laughing. What a fabulous moment! I must say I have tried in the past to watch brand livestreams for other BL CPs and they are so boring, I have better thing to do with my time, but this livestream was all a non intended "romcom" from beginning to end.
https://x.com/wizcrizzz/status/1997659982855049298?s=20
and this clip is so kinky, judge by yourselves 😂🔥(milky scent-omega)
https://x.com/meihanxues/status/1997664952547443010?s=20
this also happened in the livestream.....these almost kissing
https://x.com/soulpotaetoe/status/1997651368295690681?s=20
https://x.com/XiaoMaoren_/status/1997927738569830600?s=20
They decided to exchange balloon rings (couples rings 😂)
https://x.com/jambool_D/status/1997657871031419358?s=20

Lets' also celebrate the behind the scene video for Bella Magazine, so lovely. They are not afraid to brand themselves as "boyfriends" I think we cannot deny this.
https://www.tiktok.com/@_gau_gau_/video/7580982753257114888

From the Macau meeting we have this video that fans managed to manipulate to make it visible as they were far away and in the dark. It is Jin Jin leaving the set and going down the stairs holding Xu's shoulders
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNR87E6HT/
This another interesting one, both speaking in the Henan dialect:
https://x.com/meihanxues/status/1997288530046038388?s=20
Adorable CP
https://x.com/lianhualouve/status/1997688851054366753?s=20

And...these are fantastic news: Kill to Love is in Prime Video Japan!!! Hopefully everybody involved would get some financial benefits from it and XuJin gets more exposure in that market too.
https://x.com/bloome_OA/status/1980988006342209926?s=20

Youtube official channel https://youtu.be/P12OjrBkjtw?si=bM32G-EGUtdXiAei and Gagaoola, VIU, it will be soon in Prime Video (Japan)

So well explained, thank you Jasprin!

Many thanks for this post Yerisina. As you know, I have been shocked at the ridiculous comments by a handful of viewers in this forum (fortunately very few ) expressing that the series is boring or like nothing happens between the CP!?. Obviously they don't watch Chinese costume dramas as I have done in the hundreds and how much patience those demand from the viewers. Kill to love has become my favourite BL next to The Untamed and my favourite costume drama. It grabbed my attention from the beginning.
Ep 1 starts with the assassination attempt of the Crown prince by ZiAng so very quickly we moved to ZiAng retreating and seizing ShuHe in the alleway. Every moved and touch, the cadence of the dialogues express so much sensuality. The two lovers in the same frame are a treat to the eyes. People is entitled to their own taste if they say "I don't find the CP attractive" fair enough, we all have different taste, but not to say that nothing happens. I particularly find other "popular" BL CPs (won't dare to say names here) really unattractive and not "connected". Still ep 1, we moved to the fake assassination attempt. They recognised each other and they are so closed in the carriage like breathing each other air. the Ep finished with them drinking together. It is a mutual seduction game in which ShuHe is trying to extract truth from ZiAng and ZiAng trying to make ShuHe trust him.
Ep 2 - Start with both seating at the zhiter, trying to read "each other heart", there is also the gift of the pear blossom branch, and both starting to fill a different kind of "butterflies", intensified in the super sensual and playful bath scene that happens towards the end of this ep.
Ep 3 - brings the most sensual handwashing scene I have ever seen, the pace is beautiful ZiAng caressing ShuHe fingers but at some point ShuHe caressing ZiAn's ones. I could watch this scene forever. SH stumbled and both nose touched. They have such a lovely profiles. By the end of the ep, they drink together again and ZiAng caressed ShuHe face, physical distance has become nonexistent between them.
Ep 4 - we have a date in the night market. The training of arrow shooting in the forest. This particularly integral to the plot.
Ep 5 - it is ZiAng facing the true of his real feelings for ShuHe after his explosion of jealousy. He drank too much to continue a confession and ShuHe kiss him near the ear.
Ep 6 - It is one of the most beautiful of all the episodes, @Yerisina has an amazing lengthy post on here and I have written about it too there
https://kisskh.at/discussions/788946-shan-he-yong-ji/146312-ep-6-confession-the-perfect-scene-dialogue-analyses
So I accept not having this as your favourite, I accept this CP could not be appealing for some people (I don't know why, but it is valid), even objecting production issues, but that the series is boring and nothing happen?! no, that shows not having any sensitivity at all for an intense romance, a sound storyline and a script that is pure poetry.

Many thanks Jasprin

Yes, it was. There is not a good translation of the novel and I know it is not easy to follow through. There are more characters too. @Yerisina in this forum tried but I know she did not pass further than some chapters. I took the decision not to read the novel. I fell in love with the series, just like you and I want that endearing experience to remind as it is. Zhe Xu and Mi Jin inhabited their characters and brought that integrity they have as actors and human beings to our screens.

It does end in a similar way, but the series is a re-interpretation of the written story. Even the names have been changed. The live series is focused on the couple: ShuHe and ZiAng as exclusive and loyal lovers despite the separation and love/hate relationship. They also never hide their romance, while they do in the novel. I think the producers/actors managed to make a very unique version of this storyline.

(Updated) Let's cheer up with some nice news from XuJin. So activities in December:
- 3 Dec - 3rd magazine NuYou presentation video. Lovely XuJin flirting at the piano.
https://x.com/anzupricot/status/1996089310286938561?s=20; and another one:
https://x.com/anzupricot/status/1996450410165678549?s=20
- 4 Dec - Another endorsement : WIS . we got XuJin modern series via the promotional videos! ☺️
https://x.com/anzupricot/status/1996400125116297427?s=20
(There may be a livestream too for this around 9 Dec)
- 7 Dec - Flowerlure livestream 8-9.30pm
https://x.com/lianhualouve/status/1996428652351979789?s=20
- 27 Dec - 3rd Fan Meeting in Qingdao
https://x.com/anzupricot/status/1995678827868291308?s=20

More super sweet videos and edits appearing from the Macau meeting:
Fan: Make Xu face turn red within 3 seconds; Xu This is really hard ; Jin: Make it turn red? Xu: It's really hard; Jin: Yeah? Xu: For real. Jin: Uh-huh~? Our Jin Jin is not going to let Xu forget that one 😂 https://x.com/earpluggg/status/1995543396531011725?s=20
This flirty couple - Xu winks at Jin while saying I love you in Cantonese, but look at this come back from sexy Jin Jin https://x.com/anzupricot/status/1995387712682233942?s=20
and this hand shake https://www.tiktok.com/@_gau_gau_/video/7578364179522931975
Talking about sexy, some edits of the Macau ribbon wrapping are 🔥
https://x.com/eatthendrink/status/1995875506844262511?s=20
This edit forgot that while Xu was wrapping the ribbon on Jin's eye, Jin "anchored" himself in Xu's hips https://x.com/fahelfelf/status/1995896963670462694?s=20
Wrapping themselves in one scarf - gorgeous https://x.com/earpluggg/status/1995502360190423383?s=20
A marriage proposal accepted https://x.com/merthurslove/status/1995761410932912365?s=20
Hilarious: Xu explaining the "ground problem" https://x.com/soulpotaetoe/status/1995833025767375141?s=20

By the way, I also have my own opinion and I am surprised you find Revenged Love iconic, I could not pass the 5 episode 😂I watched ABO and enjoyed it, but I wouldn't call it iconic. If you say that To My Shore is quite impressive, I would totally agree but certainly not the ones you mentioned.