Bloody Romance (TV Series 2018) Poster

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7/10
Worth it
Bibiliography2 October 2022
I watched Bloody Romance a few months ago and forgot to leave a review, however, I remember much of the series which means it left an indelible mark especially given the number of C-Dramas I've watched since then. It's got two exceptionally good looking male leads and a FL who you'll be rooting for until the very end.

(Synopsis: In the turbulent interregnum following the collapse of the Tang dynasty, a young daughter of an herbalist is tricked and sold to a brothel. After a harrowing escape from death, she finds herself in a city of female assassins. Assuming the name Wan Mei, she begins to learn the ropes of being an assassin from Chang An, a young man who acts as her guide and warden.

Over time, Wan Mei and Chang An begin to develop genuine affection for each other. But Cha Luo, the leader of the assassins takes a dislike to Wan Mei and plots against the couple with her cohorts. Wan Mei's personality and gifts cause Gong Zi, the hidden owner of Gui Hua City to take an interest in her. Burdened by his hidden identity, Chang An begins to distance himself from Wan Mei. The protagonists find themselves embroiled in escalating conspiracies involving deadly betrayals and struggles for power.)
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7/10
From from the novel
senielyncapote3 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
If you're someone who read the novel. The novel is totally a 10. The movie started differently probably due to censor or what. The angst and artistic way the novel unraveled each chapter will hook you. It was a novel with all the xoxo scene, it really has plot . I suggest reading the novel to get the depth of the story.

In the novel, it already started when she was auctioned off. Not because her dad sold her and she lost her way into the stage just like in the movie.

She was bought by the 4 prince or elite men and was gang r@ped. She had a fever and was thrown out to die then she was saved and was invited to join the Ghost Gate. She did not meet Ghongzi , the blind guy until later.

It was more brutal, gore, and all in the novel. But ut was more exciting.
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10/10
Highly Recommended drama, a must watch
rinireeno16 March 2020
This C-drama is a gem. One of it's kind. I have seen many famous & highly commercialized c-dramas. But Bloody Romance is really a masterpiece - a unique & interesting story, tight plot, excellent cinematography, some brilliant show of acting skills of 3 main leads and even villains; make it a must watch.

This drama will keep you on the edge of your seat pretty much the whole time because everyone is always on the brink of death. One wrong move could get them killed. Bloody Romance is in a world of its own. I can't think of another dram that's remotely similar to compare it to. Even though there are fantasy elements, it didn't feel cheap at all.

Having watched many other K & C-dramas like ashes of love, eternal love, untamed, princess agent, legend of fuyao etc etc, I just happen to watch this drama recently. I am truly knocked out and struggling to find another drama which can merely match 20% of this class, truly a masterpiece. And the real standout performance of this drama is Wang Duo's portrayal of Gongzi. He is best of the best in Bloody Romance. A super star. He nailed this complicated, twisted , mysterious, calculative, sickly, arrogant yet sad n sorrowed, and extremely handsome prince character skillfully and articulately.

Gong Zi is truly one of the most memorable drama characters. I really loved how Wang Duo broke down all the layers for this character - sheer brilliance. Gong Zi is a character that grows onto you over time when you begin to dissect all his layers. Wang Duo did an excellent job as Gong Zi, skillfully carrying out every subtle change to every expression for this otherwise emotionless character. Gong Zi is a very broken person that is unpredictable and you never know exactly what he's trying to do until it's done.

I always been a silent audience do not bother to comment on forums about drama/movie or actors / actresses. But this drama compelled me to register on forums so that I can show my love to this true gem - a masterpiece. Highly Recommended.
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10/10
Hidden Gem
onelovek3 September 2020
Thanks for leaving a review. I would have turned a blind eye and missed this hidden gem. Watched 10 straight episodes. Great acting, fighting, and story. People are missing out on this one. Very surprise it doesn't have more reviews. Clear 10/10.
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A Hidden Gem
jcc12313 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
One of my favorite C-dramas due to the writing, directing, and acting. The cinematography is beautiful. Battle scenes are impressive without too much gore. Emotional scenes are intricate and deep. Although sets are not as grand as Rise of the Phoenixes, they are beautiful and vibrant. CGI is not overly abused (that's saying a lot for a fantasy C-drama). The main leads do a stellar job portraying complex and nuanced emotions. Wan Mei (Li Yitong) is an excellent female lead. She is portrayed without being demure, irritating, helpless, whiny, or childish. Her desperation and heartbreak are palpable.

Prince Gon Zi (Wang Duo) is another complex character. He is cool, calculating, but vulnerable at the same time. He keeps you guessing of his true intentions. It is a back and forth dance between Gon Zi and Wan Mei. He helps her by allowing her to reach her highest potential but also uses her as a political pawn. Chang An (Chu Xiao) is the other male lead. Unlike Gon Zi, he is direct, loyal, and sincere in his feelings for Wan Mei. Willing to give up his life to protect her, he does everything in his power to keep her out of harm's way. These male characters portray different facets of love.

My only minor complaint about the drama is that it is difficult at times to follow the political plots and scheming, but this could be due to the fact that I watched it with English subtitles. I also want to emphasize how much I adore the OST and music. They really compliment the drama and enhance each scene. After a series of lackluster C-dramas, Bloody Romance was a breath of fresh air. I am looking forward to watching these actors in future projects.
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10/10
Adult drama, with no taboos, passionate, emotional, heart wrenching and filled with action. Rare gem and a must watch.
hanalisss13 November 2022
I am absolutely in love with the concept and idea of this series, what can I say, this drama is just superb. It is one of those shows that has all the ingredients to be everything a show needs. I am also obsessed with Qu Chuxiao since I watched Shinning for one thing, so this is always a plus.

The story, the characters, the passion, emotions and and amazing plots that are far from cliché or repetitive.

A series where female characters are key part of the story, strong, independent and fierce.

I absolutely adore the fact that there's not one woman in this show whining, acting weak, crying for help and asking to be rescued ( like the majority of female characters in c dramas)

So where this show is lacking? Well I am not sure how to explain it but it feels like the story and characters are way too complex and is not really well displayed and orchestrated.

Is it that the show needed more episodes so they could show better the backstories and evolution of everything? Maybe. But it's more likely to be the low budget production and maybe the direction and how it was produced.

So sometimes you will feel they rushed things and events like there's way too much information, details that you won't even understand ( like the political parts, past conflicts or characters that are just mentioned but they won't ever be on screen) and you wish they would spend more time building up that part of the story/relationship ( specially the romance between the main leads and how they fell in love from the beginning), and other times you will feel that the director drags things way to much and unnecessarily.

You will still get to see how beautiful, heartbreaking and thrilling the story is but at the same time the execution of some scenes and dialogues could have been 10000 times better.

Although it might seem like I am complaining or unhappy, it's quite the opposite, I truly believe this is an exceptional series, with a very good script and very entertaining. Just because I liked it so much I am critical and I just want to imagine how much better would this have been with more budget and better production.

Watch this rate gem, you won't regret it.
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10/10
Bloody brilliant !
jokuvaanko28 August 2021
Female assassins, high stakes, well written and evenly paced - From start to finish this drama is really captivating. All of the female characters are strong and not reduced to naive, helpless, crying characters as often happens in many dramas.

Each of the Actors performs excellently and Li Yi Tong as Wan Mai is absolutely stunning. The more I have watched dramas with her as main character, the more I have begun to appreciate her rare talent to make role characters to feel incredibly real.
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6/10
Visually impressive, but violent and soapy
Bloody Romance's set design and costume design are very impressive, this series is a feast for eyes! The costumes are very beautiful, but not realistic (obviously not made with the technology available in that time), but this is a fantasy series, so it doesn't matter that much. The leading actors are exceptionally good looking as well - Especially Duo Wang, he's absolutely stunning! I'd like to see him as a good guy in some future film.

Unfortunately the storytelling and the acting gets a bit too soapy for my taste, after the interesting start the tragic love story takes more and more screen time with repetitive flashbacks and all that jazz. I can still recommend this to friends of costume dramas who don't mind the violence.

For a European it was sometimes hard to follow the plot with all the political maneuvers and all the different characters, as Chinese names where hard to remember, and characters' motivations were sometimes hard to understand.

I was really disappointed by the ending.
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