Bloody Romance (2018)

The dramas are nothing alike in feel and themes but the only thing that could take me out of my Ashes of Love slump was Bloody Romance. Watch one after the other and you won't regret.

Has the tension, the balancing act with tragedy, but I feel Bloody Romance is watched more for a good cry while My Journey to You is watched for the tension and aesthetics. Both top of the class with great acting in my book.

Wuxia. Strong Female leads, Dark and a little tragic. You watch the lead female grow and change her perspective on what is good and what is evil.

Both dramas have gorgeous cinematography, beautiful soundtracks, and a haunting tone. The romance between the main couple is star-crossed and tragic and the ending open/bittersweet.

Both Chinese Dramas have....
• The same actress playing the FL
• The FL goes from innocent and sweet to deadly and guarded.
• The ML is supportive of the FL and is constantly by her side.
• The SML is pretty villainous and has schemes of his own. Also rather jealous of the ML.

While completely different in plot and setting, there are some interesting similarities. Both FLs end up in a "different world" (traveling in time vs. entering a shadowy world of assassins) where they meet the ML. Both MLs are played by the same actor, and are both kind and quiet characters. Both dramas feature a focus on umbrellas and have a more unique tone and "look". The endings of both, and the ML's fate is open-ended and ambiguous but hopeful.

Both dramas are Wuxia with stories relating to an assassin organization. Both have great cast too.

If you are looking for more Shaw Qu (aka ML) for more of his work, Bloody Romance is one of them but it is more dark compare to this series.

Both series are the same when ML is head over heel for FL.

Both historical dramas with a similar romance dynamic and characters involved. Both are a good watch if you enjoy the more indirect and rather angsty type of romances.

First of all the second male lead of bloody romance Wang Duo (prince of Ning) is playing main role in this movie also. it has amazing production quality, good story, suspence, VFX is also good
The point of recommending this one is that, Wang Duo has acted in very few dramas/movies and is one of the most underrated talents and if you really wanna see him act more so this one is for you

I think both drama have the same dark feel.
The lead males are both mysterious and the lead females are not sure if they can be trusted.
Both male leads are good strategists and creates several plots and plans to keep the main females safe.
The female leads seem as if they are against the world.
Both female lead have a great martial artist as their bodyguard/male servant.

Ended with a 'WHAT JUST HAPPENED?' feeling!

Both have the concept of "shadows", a historical setting, and a unique, striking color palette and style.

- FL had to struggle for survival,
- ML/one of them is obedient and loyal to FL,
- dark vibes and torture scenes,
- both FL and ML/all of them get high positions,
- poisonous bugs

Bloody Romance borrows heavily from Wu Ze Tian's influence and WanMei's character arcs draw loads of parallels between the two. the only difference being the different choices they make but the overall vibe and theme remains in accordance with each other. Empress of China is a proper historical drama while Bloody Romance is more of a Wu Xia/magical realism version of The Empress of China. Both have beautiful vibrant colors and scenery with bloody romance going for deeper colors well-suited to the assassin's guild while The Empress of China leans more on the bright eye-catching 'day' colors. the only harem drama ill ever support tbh.

Both dramas have a similar dynamic between the main couples - the FLs are in a position of higher power but her life is constantly at risk and there is no one she can trust, and the MLs are her devoted bodyguards with a secret royal identity.