A Journey to Love (2023)

epic love story

oh my word. I can’t even begin to tell you how this show suckered me in and never let go. It was action packed from scene 1 and the rest is history.

The cast, the supporting casts, the music, this was the total package. I haven’t seen a show this good in a loooong time. Liu Yuning killed it. I think he made the show this good, whoever said that he isn’t male lead material or not good looking enough needs to get their eyes checked. Trust me, I’m an eye doctor ;)

FL is such a badass, I loved her. She is so beautiful and so strong. You love their love story, you get to know all the side characters and will care about everyone.. and you pray for the HEA for them all …

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Heads & Shoulders Above the Rest

I want to start by commending the casting director because they did such a fantastic job.
Aside from the script/plot (although I agree it went a little bit sideways in the last 7-10eps) which was stellar, the success of this drama IMO stems from the fact that the casting director and director of this drama didn’t cast any popular “idol” and casted people that can actually act. What a refreshing breath of fresh air to watch a drama where nobody is conscious of their angles and trying to look good instead of actually acting naturally. I totally understand that dramas want to make money and they have to cast this idols and most of them can’t act worth a dime, even to save their lives, but since they are popular and bring in lots of traffic and have fans that will defend their acting until their last breath and swear to the heavens that we haven’t seen acting like that in history and if you dare state otherwise, you are thereafter branded a hater/anti (unfortunately a lot of reviewers fear the attack from the aforementioned mobs so they keep quiet instead of rocking the boat and give their honest reviews if the drama sucked or the acting sucked), this directors are unfortunately forced to work with this very good looking but extremely average actors. Also not just acting, the combination of average and recycled scripts are also part of the problem.
I honestly commend all the actors for a job well done, I can’t emphasize enough what an awesome and stellar job you all did, it was incredible to watch, I want to specially shoutout to the most outstanding character to me and that is Princess Yang Ying aka Prince Li, the Justice this young actress did to her role will go down in CDramaLand history IMO, she was spectacular, she was believable at every point of her journey, I was left in awe everytime she graced the scene, I can’t wait to watch more from her in the future, honorable mention to Yu ShiShan, Alen Fang what a fabulous job you did with that character (and that shimmy was definitely on point)
I wish the last few episodes weren’t so rushed and was fleshed out as the beginning of the drama, it felt like they just threw everything at us all at once but all that being said, IMO this drama is still definitely heads and shoulders above the dramas of its kind this year as at the time of this airing.
My only complain would be in the romance department, if felt like they gave us a lot without actually giving us anything, the romance started out well but it kinda frizzled out as they became a couple officially and this was honestly the worst part of the drama
All in all, I highly recommend.

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the acting was exceptional

I miss liu Shi Shi in costume drama, so naturally I was anticipating this, but I forgot how good she was, the casting was perfect I liked the minute emotions passing through every characters eyes, it was perfection. when I started I was like they would all die anyway, who goes on a deadly mission and expect to come back alive, but few episode into the series I started to have hope, the characters grew on me, yuan lu, yu shisan, Qian, sun Lang, and A'ying. no character was unnecessary, every one played an important part in driving the plot, the story and the romance worked hand in hand neither bringing the other down, I also loved the consistency of the characters though the actress who played chu yue was a bit lacking at her representation of the character, her acting took a turn for the better eventually. you get to understand their thought process and even Jiu obsession for Ruyi though annoying was nonetheless heart wrenching and somewhat understandable for me. It's human nature to hope even while knowing the truth, I saw their demise, but I loves the characters so much I was in denial and when they started to leave one by one it made it all the more heartbreaking, even though I balled my eyes for the last few episodes, I'll still stand by the fact that this was a masterpiece, a journey, a romance and a relationship worth journeying with them for. the ending were chu your sees them all galloping through the meadow was soo beautiful and though she met a young boy named Ning Shisan who through his words we realized was Yangzhou and Ruyi's son and even had a little sister named Ren Lu who their father loves more, I realised that's the ending I wanted but it's all in chu yue's head, it's all in my head. War hurts, it's not necessarily about who won or lost it's about those who fought, about those who remain and try to move on, about those who are left and can't go on, even the emperor of wu learnt what sincerity and gratitude was. I totally recommend this, badass females, friendship, brotherhood, realistic death of main leads, and beautiful cinematography.

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Almost perfect. Deserve to be called best cdrama of 2023

Romance, adventure, brotherhood, sisterhood, love in its many forms, all can be seen in this drama. I really liked that this story does not end when the leads got together but goes beyond and proved again and again that they really are the perfect match for each other. The characters make logical or at least understandable decisions, love is not their end all be all, except maybe for one character, but he moved on from that. My favorite side characters are Yanying and Yuan Lu. Yanying's arc in particular was so satisfying, her growth from a timid princess to an outstanding leader. Yuan Lu always brings freshness whenever he's in a scene. Another unforgettable character who gave me mixed feelings was Li Tongguang. I didn't like him and his shenanigans but he kept mesmerizing me and I keep rooting for his happy ending.

If you want a respite of the many love centric dramas then this one's for you.

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I really enjoyed this drama about a highly skilled female assassin who has mostly been alone, and a very intelligent leader who values his relationships with his subordinates above all else. The plot is well-developed and multilayered, and although I've watched very dramas in this genre of power struggles, political intrigue, and battling kingdoms, it didn't feel predictable or boring. Liu Shi Shi is fierce, elegant, and absolutely magnetic. Liu Yu Ning is solid; I've yet to see enough of his work but he holds his own here with Liu Shi Shi, which is not easy.

The biggest surprise for me was the humor and how much I loved the supporting characters. Ning Yuan Zhou's team of Yuan Lu, Sun Lang, Qian Zhao, and Yu Shisan are absolute treasures. (In the scene where they first assemble and walk out together surrounding Ning Yuan Zhou, I called them Journey's F4, haha.) Fang Yilun (Alen Fang) as Yu Shisan is this drama's biggest scene stealer--I've seen him in several other dramas and he's never been as memorable as he is here, even when he's played the lead. His comedic delivery is impeccable but he also nails the emotional scenes. Yang Ying has another memorable character arc, although I didn't completely vibe with He Lan Dou's portrayal. Chu Yue is another surprising gem of a character; another female character who bravely pursues what she wants and defies the expectation to simply become someone's wife.

My only gripe is that although every other character is well-developed, someone really dropped the ball on Li Tongguang. Li Tongguang is a central character in the drama, yet his character arc is constantly one step forward, three steps back. Just when you think he's finally overcome his obsession, he does WHAT??? It completely took me out of the story because it felt so out of place. His last story arc also made no sense?! Chang Hua Sen played the role well though and is certainly on my radar now.

As for the ending, I'm fine with it but perplexed by the character they decided to focus on in the final scene.

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The drama that touched my soul

When I first heard of this drama, I tried to watch the beginning but I didn't have enough time to watch it so I waited for a few more months. After when I had enough time to see it, the female lead ATE! That's when I knew the show was going to be good. I was also aware of the heart aching ending but it isn't my first time seeing these kinds of ending.

I feel bad for Liu Yu Ning being the most bullied actor for his looks, but man doesn't even look "ugly" like many call him. He executed his roles perfectly and I thought that was fine as hell. The costume choice and hair works really well on him too. An amazing singer for OSTs I would say. He's successful and laughing to the bank while haters will just hate.

I haven't heard much about Liu Shishi, but she did amazing in this drama. Although she is a cold assassin, I like that she shows some emotions unlike many other actors when playing a cold and aloof characters. At least express some joy on your face for once, it's going to get boring if viewers are seeing the same facial expression throughout the show. However, this drama got feelings and I am living for that. Speaking of facial expressions, there's also the actor playing Qian Zhao, man I love this character because he can cracks jokes with a poker face. There was a time when he wanted to kill the freed emperor to avenge his Heaven Realm brothers, you can hear the pain in his voice. Props for him as well.

I absolutely adored the combat scenes with Ning Yuanzhou and Ren Ruyi, that was extremely satisfying to watch. The agile movements and how they escape flying blades and arrows by a hair. Their sword moves *chef kiss*

One thing that made me go "huh?" was the last five episodes. Although I gave this show an overall 10/10, there were pretty random moments. The wedding scene, Yang Ying just appeared and declared her marriage with Li Tongguang for political reasons, I think that could've been done better? And the death scene of the Six Realms brothers just stacking on top of one another feels a bit rushed. Yuan Lu could've died a more honorable death rather than from exhaustion. However, every death of the Six Realm brothers that occurred felt like a knife cut in the heart huhu.

I want to say that they are reunited at the end after death, but who's kid is that at the end? Did NYZ and RRY fake their deaths? I need this question answered by the production team. I don't want to have my own interpretation. I don't remember the Chu Yue having any close bond with RRY and NYZ to be able to have an imagination of their kid.

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A journey to love, more like a journey to heaven

"A Journey to Love" brings one of the most badass female leads we've seen in historical Chinese dramas. Liu Shishi absolutely nails it as Ruyi, a fierce female assassin who's not your typical dainty heroine. She's tough, and ruthless. If I were in a dangerous world, I'd definitely want her on my side, alongside Liu Yuning's character, Yuanzhou, aka Boss Ning.

Now, some people have complained that Liu Yuning isn’t "handsome enough" to be a male lead, but seriously, who cares? This guy is all about character. He’s smart, capable, fiercely loyal to his comrades, and can fight like a beast to protect the people he cares about. He reminds me of the General from The Rebel Princess—another leading man who won everyone over with his skills and integrity, not just his looks.

What really sets this drama apart, though, is its unique plot and well-developed side characters. The gang from Liudao Hall, who travel with Ruyi and Boss Ning, are just as fun and layered as the leads. Everyone has their own backstory, making the journey feel rich and immersive. From start to finish, I enjoyed every episode because it was different from the usual historical C-dramas out there.

This show is a solid mix of romance, action, and character development, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre!

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Comedy, Brotherhood, Romance, Bittersweet | Excellent Drama

I absolutely adore everything about AJTL, from its cinematography to acting and every aspect in between. The meticulously choreographed fight scenes and even CGI contribute to the overall excellence of the series. As someone who is typically picky when it comes to Cdramas because, let's be real, they can be a bit draggy and sometimes cringy. But AJTL? I find myself engrossed in every episode, without the need to skip any supposedly dull moments – a testament to its exceptional quality.

The on-screen chemistry between LSS and LYN is undeniable, and their pairing is visually stunning. I fail to comprehend why some may perceive LYN as unattractive or unfit to act alongside LSS; on the contrary, I believe he is the perfect match. His styling is impeccable, complementing his on-screen presence, and his fight scenes exude a natural fluidity, devoid of any awkwardness. AJTL has truly captured my heart. <3

The cast of AJTL is absolutely amazing, especially the LDT squad plus YY! <3 Their dynamic is hilarious, and witnessing the princess's growth from start to finish is truly heartwarming. Though, I do wish we could've seen more scenes with LTG and YY. I can't stop singing the praises of LTD – these guys steal the spotlight, especially when they're teasing NYZ or YSS. Whenever they gather, it's non-stop laughter, and I've grown so attached to them that I dread the thought of them parting ways.

The last six episodes were particularly tough, filled with sadness and heartbreak, but what's a Cdrama without a little emotional rollercoaster? Some social media users argue that killing off all the main characters was unnecessary. Yeah maybe or maybe not? Lets see: NYZ was already dealing with unstable inner force, knowing the risks when he decided to return to An to find YY and RRY. So when he got stabbed, it's only natural that RRY would follow – her happiness was intertwined with NYZ's fate. As for QZ and SL, their deaths in battle were sadly expected given the dire circumstances against Pan's army. About YL and YSS – their death might seem sudden to some, but it's in line with their characters. YL's health issues were evident throughout, and after exhausting 2 horses, he decided to run without resting, knowing YSS was still fighting his battle, his fate was sealed when he reached his destination. And YSS, well, he'd never abandon his comrades, even if he stands a chance together with CY. It's been said that if NYZ fell in battle, YSS would complete the mission and joined him. It's what they signed up for – to fight alongside NYZ and face whatever came their way. That's the essence of the show.

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Ever watched a C-Thriller?

Forget C-Drama, this was a C-Thriller. I’m lost for words with those last 10 – 12 episodes. It was full of ups and downs, deaths all over, it was crazy. The writer literally went rampant in an attempt to kill all actors. Well, at least the crew survived and delivered this fabulous act. I honestly couldn’t tell you if this was out-of-the-box unorthodox writing or a rushed end because this drama seemed to overdo certain things but then later there seemed to be the acknowledgment of, We know what we’re doing.
Quite admittedly those first episodes were a bit underwhelming, and I felt that some scenes were just a bit over the top especially with the guards taking their tops off to impress the FL, that was unnecessary I thought because the message had been put across that FL was gorgeous, it was unnecessary to make it that apparent. My highlight of this drama was the first 4 episodes and the last 12 and I think it was for many of the viewers. It would be best if you watched to fathom what I’m talking about.
I liked the development of all the characters in the drama namely the princess/prince, everyone grows into their persona to become these selfless people and I’ve to give the writer and all the involved crew their flowers. Recently we’ve seen many dramas that’re let down by the production team or the writers, in other words, there’s no coherence between the way the writer envisages their content and the ability of the actors and production. In a year of crap dramas, at least this hasn’t been a letdown.
This drama had as many plot twists as a roller coaster riding through a twisting labyrinth. My goodness and then the music just slotted in perfectly. As I said what I enjoyed most was the growth of all the characters and maybe some other things like the CGI, and voices, came in secondarily. I even didn’t feel bad following the deaths of basically all the main actors, that’s how good this drama was and kudos to all the involved staff, you’ve rescued the year to some extent.
I think this goes on to show what these writers are capable of if they indulge in some not-so-stereotypical writing and think outside the box, not just copying each other’s work and using different actors for the same old storylines. I encourage more dramas like this where I do not necessarily have to guess what’s happening at the end. It’s gotten boring.

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