Somewhat disappointed
Before this show, I watched and re-watched "Kill to Love," and I expected the new series to be as good as "Kill to Love." But I was somewhat disappointed by poor acting and a naive plot. The only good thing about the series is cinematography.However, this is a funny show. I do not regret that I have watched it, but I will certainly not re-watch it.
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This review may contain spoilers
The Eternal Silence of a Loving Heart
My world is enshrouded in the eternal silence of the heart which once loved me. Life goes on: it triumphs in budding flowers, songs of birds, rain, and sunshine. Life goes on - past my world, where only my dogged heart is still alive.I am unable to retreat: I want to live, for I love life. But Death looms through the spring triumph of life. I never feared death. I always sought beautiful things in order to withstand negativity. Music, poetry or nature - all this was my way of escape from the gathering darkness - from Death.
One of my beautiful things was the Chinese historical drama Kill to Love (2025) starring Zhang Zhe Xu (张哲旭) as Duan Zi Ang and Mi Jin (弭金) as Xiao Shu He. I discovered it in December 2025. This is a tragic story of love between a prince (Xiao Shu He) and an assassin (Duan Zi Ang). Love united them, duty separated them. Entangled in politics, both of them dreamt of the simplest things - freedom, love, and happiness. Both of them found only death at the end of their dramatic yet passionate journey of love.
Duan Zi Ang became my favourite character at first sight - not because of the enchanting comeliness of the actor Zhang Zhe Xu, but because of the similarity between this character and me. This made me sympathise with him until the end of the series. The only thing that Zi Ang wanted was his friend, the prince Xiao Shu He. The only thing that I ever wanted in my life was a close person. Zi Ang did not covet either power or fame or wealth: all was nothing in comparison to the bond of two souls. He overcame obstacles, conquered a kingdom, and achieved his goals - only to be defeated by his immense yet futile effort... The "reward" which he received for all his endeavours was his beloved's lifeless body in his powerless embrace. Zi Ang once says that he "wanted too much." Perhaps, the faithfulness of one person is indeed too much in this miserable world.
Xiao Shu He hurt him (intentionally or not), but Zi Ang forgave him all. He did not hold a grudge against the one who was slowly talking his life with his killing love. The most poignant scene was when the almost-dying Zi Ang expressed regret for all that he had done, yet Shu He maintained the appearance of a victim, unable to understand what he himself had done to another human being. The invincible Duan Zi Ang is vulnerable before the weak Xiao Shu He. Zi Ang's great love is his own doom.
Xiao Shu He is a good person - too good to be compassionate. He cares about an abstract people, hurting the one who cares about him. He loves the abstract notion "people," yet he is unable to love a human being. He is slowly destroying Zi Ang with his devilish goodness and cannot even comprehend what he is doing. He once stabbed Zi Ang with a dagger for being saved; afterwards, he stabs him with his actions and words again and again... Zi Ang wastes his feelings for a person who is unable to reciprocate his love. Of course, Shu He has feelings for Zi Ang, but his feelings are faint in comparison to an ardent and genuine flame that shines in Zi Ang's heart. Zi Ang is too loving, too strong, too perfect for Shu He. Whilst I watched the series, I wanted Zi Ang to have a better lover - a true soulmate, who would be as passionate, faithful and sincere as Zi Ang himself. True love as well as true friendship can exist only between equals.
Mi Jin's acting was impeccable: I almost hated Shu He for hurting Zi Ang. One of the most painful moments was in the episode 11 when Zi Ang expressed his desire to live with Shu He for the short time remaining to him, yet Shu He decided to run away "for the sake of" his beloved abstraction of people...
Duan Zi Ang is the only character whom I ever sympathised with: I am not a big fan of films or series - I prefer documentaries. But Kill to Love is not mere entertainment - this is a true work of art.
In this drama all is logical, all is suitable, all is perfect. The script is well-wrought like an intricate pattern full of bright colours and the finest shades. There is neither a missing piece nor a superfluous one: all is well-balanced, all is a pure harmony of colours, hues, and emotions. Music splendidly conveys moods and highlights dramatic moments. Dialogues are meaningful and poetical. The film's shots are thought out in composition and colour scheme like paintings. The acting is convincing, soulful and realistic. The whole drama is surprisingly realistic and understandable, notwithstanding the ancient ambience.
Moments of intimacy between the main characters are enchantingly beautiful. Fascinating sensuality is conveyed even in small details. Kisses are mesmerising - they are a perfect expression of the syntony of two souls. The first kiss of Zi Ang and Shu He was so emotional and passionate, as though it were a real kiss, not a staged one.
The action takes place centuries ago, in a country foreign to me, but I feel all, as though all were familiar to me. The actors were able to express genuine emotions, and I can feel those emotions. The best acting is that of Zhang Zhe Xu. He not only played his role - he lived it. When I see him, I am oblivious to Zhang Zhe Xu - I see only his character Duan Zi Ang and I feel his feelings. Zhe Xu is the best embodiment for that passionate, caring and tragic character. Besides, his appearance is suitable for his role. Zhe Xu has wonderful eyes, beautiful and expressive, full of passion, thought and inner life. Zi Ang's emotions were reflected in Zhe Xu's gaze. The most impressive part of Zhe Xu's acting was his gaze.
As to the other main character, Xiao Shu He, the actor Mi Jin was sublime in this role - a real prince with a noble deportment and exquisite features. If I had not liked Duan Zi Ang, Xiao Shu He would certainly have been my favourite character.
In my opinion, Duan Zi Ang and Xiao Shu He are the best male couple in cinema. They look exquisite together, complementing each other with their different beauty and personal traits.
The drama resembles an enthralling journey through space and time to Love in all its splendour and tragedy. This is realistic and understandable story of love - a story full of meaningful nuances, vivid colours, and eternal Beauty.
I watched the film in December 2025, when I was ill, and it made me feel far better. I re-watched it in January 2026, when I had a difficult time as an author, and the series helped me to stay positive. I began to watch it this April, few days after the death of my loved one, and my favourite Kill to Love made me revive.
... A nightingale is singing outside my window. Life goes on. In the eternal silence of my own love my dogged heart is still beating.
Olga Kawecka
(author, historian, translator)
Russia, Tver.
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A Winter Sun Wakes the Wind in Spring Hills' Dream
0 people found this review helpful
They can do better
The Chinese can make series far better. Acting is poor (Kuma is awful as to his acting and appearance), the plot is nothing special, cinematography is ordinary, soundtracks are a bit annoying.I do regret that I have wasted time to watch a few episodes. However, even bad series have their fans, ironically.
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