A Journey To Love - Notes on production location, dates, cast, characters, and more

Character Chart  (enlarge to view more comfortably)

1/ Baidu character profiles of lead actors/actresses  and additional info:

	SCARLET GUARD/ WHITE SPARROW (see also section 4) Ren Ruyi 任如意 (*) had "a cold and aloof personality". She was originally Ren Xin 任辛, the left envoy of AN state's Zhu Yi Wei (Scarlet guards, see below, section 2). She changed her name to Ruyi after she was framed as assassin of the former empress of AN and was presumed dead there 5 years before the beginning of the story. Hiding among the White sparrows dancers at the court of Wu, her life was threatened again. She joined a mission to protect princess Yang Ying, hoping also to find out the truth about the deadly plots which she and the WU White Sparrows were the victims of. During the journey, Ren Ruyi went under different false identities, first as Ning's  biǎo mèi [表妹 =younger female cousin via female line], next as a "police officer from the State of Chu joining hands with Liudao Hall". Ren Ruyi, who had always been a loner, began to slowly realize the strength and warmth of the team, and gradually changed. She also remembered her promise to her friend that she should have a child, but not necessarily a husband, and set her eyes on Ning Yuanzhou to be the father! ---Played by Cecilia Liu / Liu Shishi 刘诗诗    Weibo    (voiced by Bái Xīn Zàn). She played many roles in dramas since 2006 and received several awards, including Most Popular Actress awards at the China TV Drama Awards and Shanghai Television Festival. She married actor Nicky Wu on January 20, 2015 (the wedding ceremony was held in Bali, Indonesia on March 20, 2016). On April 28, 2019, Liu gave birth in Taiwan to their son.    -- Young Ren Xin 任辛  played by Han Xitong 韩玺曈  (see below, 4/characters in Scarlet Guards) and as child by Deng Shiyuan邓诗媛 (ep.22) (*)  The Chinese name "Ruyi" (如意) carries the meaning of "as one wishes" or "as desired." It is often used to convey the idea of fulfilling one's wishes or desires. This name is commonly used for both boys and girls in Chinese-speaking cultures. It is also a ceremonial scepter, made in a special form and used as blessing gift, or even printed, for good luck.
獄  He was from Hell Path  (獄 yù, simplified 狱 of Liy Dao Hall --see below, the Liudao hall characters)	LIU DAO HALL (see also section 3) Ning Yuanzhou 宁远舟, the youngest leader (Deputy chief) of the Liudao Hall. Demoted by the Grand Secretary (real Chief of Liudao Hall), who was jealous of his achievements, he had been sent to die on the battlefield as Commander of the Left Troops of the Wu Kingdom. But he survived and was reinstated reluctantly before being sent on another suicide mission. 　He was later promoted to Marquis Jingyuan (ep.38). --- Played by Liu Yuning  刘宇宁  Weibo  + (Weibo)    - also a musician. He is "about 190 cm (6 ft 2 in.) tall and has long legs."  His foot was injured during filming of this drama, but he soldiered through, using wheelchair and crutches off sets, into Feb.2022.   (Mini Profile)
羅 He was from Asura path of Liudao Hall (羅  luó  --simplified 罗) -- see below.	LIU DAO HALL (see also section 3) ep30 Yu Shisan, 于十三, the youngest son of the former WU Protector Wang Yi and the biological brother of the Crown Princess had been raised in a foreign house because of his mother's humble background. Few people knew his true identity. He was proud of his playboy reputation, and liked to beautify women. He was taken out of prison as one of the four requested by Ning Yuanzhou for the mission in ep3.  Despite the deadly curse he had cast against falling in love, he still fell for a girl (ep29-30). He saved Chu Yue in ep.39. (eps 3-39.) --- Played by Alen Fang / Fang Yilun 方逸伦   Weibo
In ep3 she was conferred the title of prince Li of Wu, as "4th son of the emperor" to set out on her mission of rescue.	WU State  (see section 2) Yang Ying, 杨盈  16 year old Princess Licheng of Wu state had a noble status and was keen on upholding chivalry and justice. Although a princess,  she had lived in a cold palace since she was a child. On the journey, Ren Ruyi became her master, teaching her martial arts, and that women can stand alone in the world. Therefore, Ren Ruyi was the most important person on Yang Ying's path of growth in intelligence and power. (ep.2-40) --- In ep.33 she saved herself, and in ep.37 she entered a political marriage with Li Tongguang to help save both states of An and Wu from the Beipan invasion. --- Played by He Landou  何蓝逗  Weibo
She loved riding horses and to lead cavalry like her mother, princess Anyang had.	AN State (see also section 5) Chu Yue 初月,  County Princess of Jin Ming (金明县主/ jīnmíng xiàn zhǔ). Daughter of Duke Chu Yuan who was Head of Sha Xi Tribe. She was betrothed to Li Tongguang but fel in love with Yu Shisan     (ep.10-13, 24, 27-29-30 , 33,36-40) --- Played by Amy Chen / Chen Haoyu 陳昊宇   Weibo
LTG claimed that his ambition was to become Grand Secretary.   He became Duke Qing and Regent later.	AN State (see also section 5) Li Tongguang 李同光, Marquis ChangQing of AN  (长庆侯/ Chǎngqìng hóu), general Zhongwu. Ren Xin's disciple (formerly called Jiu - see Characters in Scarlet guards) and obsessed with her. He was the illegitimate son of Princess Qingning (thus a nephew of the emperor of An), and had been appointed as general of the imperial guards (羽林 Yulin) in An guo's army, but the emperor was wary about letting him gain too much military power.  He became Duke Qing (ep.32) ( ep1, 2, 4, 5, 10-11,  16-40) --- Played by  Chang Huasen 常华森,    Weibo    (voiced by Qian Wen Qing) ; played by Xu Weiluo 徐崴罗, child actor, as young Li Tongguang

2 / Other characters from Wu (梧) state:

	Xiao Yan 萧妍, Empress of Wu.  She held out against conferring a title of emperor to prince Dan Yang when the emperor was thought missing, perhaps dead, because of her pregnancy "of a prince", and she approved of Yang Ying taking the identity of 4th son of the emperor. (ep.1-3, 7, 38-39). --- Played by Chen Duling, 陈都灵, voiced by Zhang Zhe.
	Prince Dan Yang  丹阳王 (Yang Xingjian 杨行健) younger son of the late Wu emperor and of a "low born" mother, like his sister Yang Ying. He also was the brother in law of empress Xiao Yan, and half brother of emperor Yang Xingyuan. He was chosen by the empress as interim in emperor's absence, instead of letting the Prime Minister be regent. In the end, after Xingyuan chose him as successor, he set out to battle with An in He county. (ep.1-4, 7, 38-40)  -He had the "Jingyang Bell" be struck to summon officials. --- Played by Zeng Ke Lang  曾柯琅
	Prince Ying 英王 (Yang Xingyan 杨行衍)  junior to Xingyuan and Xingjian, thought he could have been ruler if he had not been crippled when he saved the future empress from drowning as an 8 year old, so he had to walk with a cane. He seemed weak and harmless, but schemed too. In the end, he was found out, and despite pleading that he was "only 22 years old" , Ruyi and the empress had no mercy for him.  (ep.3, 38.) --- Played by Zhang Hansheng 张晗圣 (side role; scant info about actor, only a couple lines on Baidu)
	Emperor of Wu 梧帝 (Yang Xingyuan 杨行远) : he had been taken hostage by AN country who wanted control of gold mines, and demanded a "100,000 tael ransom brought by a prince of Wu", to set him free again.  (ep.1-38.) --- Played by Zhang Tian Yang 张天阳 (voiced by Wei Chao)
	Zhang Song  章崧, Grand Secretary / Prime Minister was an ambitious schemer, who wanted to keep the ruling power over Wu. But, claiming to have the good of the people in mind, he appointed Ning Yuanzhou as Commander of Left guards and leader of Liudao Hall, and sent him to An on the mission to bring back the emperor with apparent goodwill. But not without first making sure that he could control Ning, by having him ingest a special poison that needed taking an antidote every 10 days.  (ep.1-3, 38) --- Played by  Zhang Zheng Yang 张正阳 aka Zhang Lei 张垒/张磊, a 5 yrs old Ürümqi, Xinjiang born Dec.20, 1972 actor who has appeared in many dramas since the early 2000s.  (there's a mistake in MDL cast list, which confuses him with the Zhang Lei who plays Beipan Wolf King, later)
	Zheng Qingyun 郑青云, Imperial Guard. Yang Ying's crush --- Played by  Zhao Huan Ran 赵奂然   (guest role, ep.2,  15-16.)
	Chief Clerk Du  杜长史, member of the delegation   (from ep4 onwards) --- Played by  Lu Xing  吕行
	Female Officer Ming 明女史 (míng nǚshǐ), Empress Xiao's attendant. Member of the rescue delegation. She used cruel methods to teach Yang Ying about An; Ren Ruyi persuaded Ning to replace Ms.Ming by her. (ep.3-5) --- Played by Zheng Jia Mi 郑佳宓  (no more info about this actress)
	Zhou Jian 周健 a Wu general had been sent to stop the mission at Tushan pass and get rid of them. The conspirators could next share the ransom among them.    (ep. 7) --- Played by Zhang Jun Yi 张钧译
	Female Officer Pei 裴女官, Empress Xiao's attendant. (Ning Yuanzhou's former neighbour)    (ep. 1, 3,  7, 38) --- Played by Su Meng Yun  苏梦芸
	Xiao Ming  萧明, General. Wu Empress Xiao Yan's elder brother (ep.1 on the battlefield at Tanmenguan) --- Played by  Guo Zhi Ting  郭之廷  aka Guo Peng 郭鹏 (Guest role)

Some characters appear only very briefly, and  do not warrant a longer introduction ; for instance  : 

• Sun Shiyi 孙拾遗 (played by Cheng Cheng 程诚) who hosts the opening banquet (ep.1); 
• Viscount Han Shizi 韩世子  (played by Han Cheng Yu 韩承羽) who eyed Ren Ruyi the dancer (ep1);
  
• a General  武将 [wǔjiàng] (played by Liu Han Yang)  (ep.1) ;

General map of the countries with the sea to the east and the Guanshan mountain to the north (where mysterious and wild enemies lived in a country called BEIPAN -North big rock) : WU had gold which was coveted by AN and entered into an ill-fated brief war whereby the Wu emperor was captured at Tianmen pass (天门关) and Wu  lost three cities ("Xu, Cai, and Jing" as reported to LiuDao commander in ep.1);  CHU had many tribes and herbs to trade.

(*) continued after first comments

• 3 / Characters from the branches of Liu Dao Hall
• 4 / Characters from Scarlet Guards and White Sparrows
• 5 / Characters from AN  country, CHU state, and BEIPAN invaders

OR back to Table of contents

Dropping by to say "THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!"

 ReedMery:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK!! A bit correction for Ning Yuanzhou character profile: He's voiced by Liu Yuning himself, not  by Bai Xin Zan laoshi?

YES! You are right; the same dubber couldn't very well do both Liu Shishi and LIU YUNING, of course ! I must have been subconsciously  impish to introduce such a notion  :-)  Thanks for your hawk's eye and correction : done. 

Checking the dubber's page, the 42 year old lady only tackled our FL here, of course. She has an impressive record over the years, as "the voice of Liu Ting Yu" in 5 dramas,  of Zhang Yang, twice, Chen Xin Xu twice,  Tang Jin Mei twice, a host of other actresses, including Dilireba once (in 2015) and Li Qin (in 2018 Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace). She has also worked as voice or dubbing director for four productions including this year's Legend of Anle and 2021 One and Only + Forever and Ever. 

But dramawiki got mistaken in listing her among the dubbing directors for A Journey to Love ; Baidu has Bai Haozan 白杺瓒, Ke Kaiwen 柯凯闻, Li Na 李娜, Zhang Huilin 张惠霖 instead. (no more info about the three who do not link to a dubber's page on dramawiki ; the Li Na dubber is different from the Li Na 厉娜 actress). So since I got into these minutiae, I went back to correct the first page here with those details too ;-)  

Thanks for liking this Discussion page and having contributed to it this way !

Continued/ Moved from (*) for length reasons:  Characters from Liu Dao Tang and from Scarlet Guards  secret services.

3/ Characters from the branches of Liu Dao Hall (六道堂 ) Note : Liudao Tang was a secret organization from Wu, with cultivation and wuxia sect-like characteristics, attached to the protection of the country and divided into six branches "realms" or "paths"  (六道 means 6 paths : Ghost 鬼,  Asura 罗 , Hell 狱 , Heaven 天 , Human 人, and Beast 畜). Their functions are explained by the Grand Secretary to Zhao Ji in ep1, from 33:40.  -- Read also the insightful comment from MDL member MsDarkqueen;    "the LiuDao members from the virtuous paths were called "calvaries" and those of the evil paths were called "scouts/chazi"." Sometimes simply translated as "cavalier" in the subtitles.

The five heroes +badges, brought together for the mission by newly appointed leader of Liudao (ep3) : Yuan Lu,  Yu Shisan, Ning Yuanzhou, Qian Zhao, Sun Lang

-

	Zhao Ji 赵季, leader of search party from Liu Dao Hall (Human Path). Zhang Song's nephew who the Grand Secretary had put in charge as Commander of Liudao Tang instead of Ning Yuanzhou.   (ep 1-2.) --- Played by Wu Hong  吴弘   (guest role)
	Lou Qingqiang 娄青强, from Liu Dao Hall. Zhao Ji's subordinate ; particularly cruel, he had boasted about torturing one of the dancers.  He had been colluding with the masked spy.    (ep 1-3.) --- Played by Li Dong Lin 李东霖  (not credited on MDL)
	Xu Jun 徐钧, from Liu Dao Hall, "calvary", who executed the dancers. (ep.1.) --- Played by  Guo Xiao Tian 郭笑天
天	Jiang Qiong  蒋穹,  from Liu Dao Hall's Heaven Path (六道堂天道缇骑/ Liùdàotáng Tiāndào tíjì). He was Wu emperor Yang Xingjian's former subordinate and saw him be taken as hostage in the Tianmen pass defeat. He verified that the emperor was still alive and was sent back to Wu with the demand for ransom. (ep2) --- Played by  Zhang Lin Qing  张林卿 (formerly known as Zhang Rui 张瑞)
獄  He was from Hell Path of Liudao Tang (獄 yù, simplified 狱)	Ning Yuanzhou   宁远舟,  (see lead characters) He was from a wealthy and learned family seated in Ning mansion of Wu, but had been inducted into LiuDao Hall for his extraordinary martial arts and organizing skills. He had been a a spy in An before rising swiftly to become the leader of Liu Dao Tang, and making long lasting friends. But the Grand Secretary of Wu had appointed a nephew in his place, who tried to erase all that Ning had built and to get him killed. Realizing this was one of the causes of the Wu defeat against An, the Grand Secretary decided to reinstate Ning but first send him on a suicide mission to rescue the emperor who was hostage in An... Having escaped from the carnage at Tianmenguan, Ning only wished to get away from all court business, but could not refuse when he knew his god daughter princess Ying was part of the mission.  (ep.1-40.)
羅	Yu Shisan 于十三   (see lead characters) He was from Asura path of Liudao Hall (羅  luó  --simplified 罗)  His motto was to "drink the strongest wines, see the most beautiful girls, make the best friends, and fight the most amazing wars", and remain flying unrestrained till the end.   (ep3-39.) --- Played by Alen Fang / Fang Yilun 方逸伦   Weibo
鬼 from Liu Dao Hall's Hungry Ghost Path (鬼 guǐ)	Yuan Lu 元禄,  very young 18 yrs old disciple of Ning Yuanzhou, who befriended Ren Ruyi (whose inner force was depleted then) so she could stay in Ning's courtyard until her injury was healed. Inventor of bombs, trackers, devices--one of the four requested by Ning Yuanzhou for the mission in ep3. He knew his life would be short due to a congenital heart weakness, survived on special pills, befriended Yang Ying (ep.18, 25-26) and tried his best to warn against the Beipan invasion later. (ep.2-36.) --- Played by Chen Youwei 陈宥维  Weibo
天 He was from  Liu Dao Hall's Heaven Path (天  tiān)	Qian Zhao  钱昭, commander imperial guards (羽林 "Yulin") of  Wu Army.  He was a healer, but with a very suspicious mind and a grudge against the Scarlet Guards and their White Sparrows --one of the four requested by Ning Yuanzhou for the mission in ep3  He also had a secret grudge against the emperor of Wu but let go of it at the battle of Zuojia Ridge beacon tower (ep.-3-35.) --- Played by Wang Yizhe 王一哲   Weibo
人 from Liu Dao Hall's Human Path  (人 rén)	Sun Lang  孙朗, -- --one of the four requested by Ning Yuanzhou for the mission in ep3. He loved cuddly animals such as cats. (ep.3-35.)   --- Played by Li Huan  李欢   Weibo
天	Ding Hui 丁辉, from Liu Dao Hall's Heaven Path  (六道堂天道缇骑 /Liùdào táng Tiāndào tíjì), member of the mission escort in charge of the guards and the rescue at Donghu lake and went with the group to Hexian county and Zuojia Ridge  (ep7-31, 34-35, 40 ) --- Played by Yang Jun Fei 杨钧斐 (not credited on MDL, and no more info about this actor)
	Ye Guang  叶光, Captain of Liudaotang Andu (capital city of AN) Branch, ep.33-34 protecting princess Licheng A Ying in An. --- Played by  Xiang Hao 向昊
	Captain Zhang 张都尉 [Zhāng dūwèi],  calvary Captain of Héxiàn County --- Played by Zhou Yao 周耀

 Appearing only briefly were, in addition to the above :

• In ep.1: Xu Jun 徐钧 "calvary"  of Liu Dao Hall (played by Guo Xiao Tian, voiced by Yi Fan). 
• In ep.2:  Chai Ming  柴明, "calvary" [缇骑 tí jì, red mounted soldier/cavalry] of Liu Dao Hall's Heaven Path (played by Li Pei En)
• In ep.31, Guo Yasha, Bao Wenfeng of Heaven Path, Li Jiaxing of Human Path, and Jiang Yuan of Animal Path, at the rescue on Donghu Lake (not credited)

4 / Characters from Scarlet guards

Note: Scarlet guards (朱衣卫  zhū yī wèi = scarlet vermillion clad guards) were another secret organization, linked to An state, that focused on intelligence gathering and assassinations. They relied on young women slaves controlled by drugs and trained as dancers and spies, called White Sparrows (白雀 bái què).  Again, the comparison of this other organization with that of Liudao Tang is well done in MsDarkqueen's "spoiler" comment.

	Línglóng 玲珑 ("exquisite"), Scarlet Guard (White Sparrow 白雀) (ep 1). --- Played by Ye Qing   叶青 (voiced by  Yi Xin 依欣)
	Mr. Yuè  越先生 (Yuè xiānshēng), Purple Emissary Yu Sanniang. Head of the Wu State Branch; the "masked person"   (ep 1-4.)  She was in charge of the cover up of a corruption scheme that involved LiuDao Hall, and Zhu Yi Wei HQ, and cost the lives of 47 Scarlet guards and White sparrows in Wu. --- Played by Mia Yan  / Yan Wenxuan 阎汶宣
	Yù Láng  玉郎,  Línglóng's fiancé,  and Mr. Yuè's apprentice since he joined Scarlet Guards two years before start of story ; he did not know about Ren Xin  (ep 4, 7.)  A fake letter was addressed to him by Ruyi with help from Yuan Lu, in ep.14   --- Played by  Chen Ze  陈泽  (voiced by Zhang Si Wang Zhi)
	Rèn Xīn 任辛 (young). She belongs to the back story of Ren Ruyi 任如意 (lead character), as told in bits and pieces (ep.4, 17-18, 23, 24)  She was the scariest of the Scarlet Guards, promoted to Left Emissary. The An empress had put her in charge of the martial arts education of Jiu (young Li Tongguang). --- Played by   Han Xitong 韩玺曈
	Jiu 玖 . He was an  unruly, wild, little boy, whose nickname was derived  from the zither's name (*) played by his supposed father, Wu musician in Su country (who saved of princess Qingnin, when the crown prince of Su, at war with An, wanted to kill her). Being born on her return to An, Jiu had been taken under the wing of empress Zhao Jie, who assigned Ren Xin to become his master. (ep.17)  Not a member of ZhuYiWei, he nevertheless had learned a lot about them, their martial arts, and secret ways to communicate. Ren Xin had ruthlessly left him, on completing his education, but he had grown attached to her and wanted her back. (ep.17-18, 24) --- Played Xu Weiluo 徐崴罗, child actor
	Dèng Huī 邓恢, Commander of Scarlet Guards working for emperor of An. A ruthless man, he hated the female Scarlet Guards. But he hated traitors to the country even more and fought gallantly alongside the ones his allegiance went to. (ep. 4, 9, 10,  22, 23-24,  27-39.) --- Played by   Zhang Fan  张帆
	Kǒng Yáng 孔阳,  Dèng Hui's trusted Red Emissary (亲信丹衣使) in An.  (ep.24, 27-32) --- Played by   Hou Weitao 侯玮涛
	Jiā Líng 迦陵, Right Emissary of Scarlet Guards.  She had replaced Ren Xin in hierarchy of Zhu Yi Wei, under Deng Hui, but had ulterior motives to hide truths and avoid the sorry fate of Scarlet guards who had run out of their usefulness.  She was afraid that Ren Xin was not dead, and would expose her for the massacre of Scarlet guards in Wu and for embezzling money.    (ep.9, 10, 22-25.) --- Played by Zhang Zhi Xi  张芷溪
	Zhūjī  珠玑 (Pearls), Jia Ling's trusted  Red Emissary (绯衣使/ fēi yī shi) who spied on the delegation and set a counter-trap to catch Ren Xin in the temple near Jingcheng.  (ep.9, 12-15.) --- Played by Huang Yun Yun 黄云云
	Jiāng Xiù 江绣,    deputy chief of Jumen branch of Zhu Yi Wei  (Scarlet Guards) in Wu who was approached by "Hupo" (Ruyi in disguise).  (ep.10) --- Played by Zi Fu Er  訾富尔
	Shānhú  珊瑚 ("Coral"), Scarlet Guard Aide of Jia LIng in AN (ep.10, 22-25. 31) --- Played by--  not  credited
	Lú Gēng  卢庚,   Scarlet  guard official (朱衣众/ zhū yī zhòng) . Spy and aide of Jia Ling and Chen Gui.   (ep.10,  25, 29, 31-32, 34, 40)  He also helped Ruyi fake her second death together with Deng Hui and enter the Beipan tent under a false identity. --- Played by Gong Zheng Nan   宫正楠
	Qióng Zhū 琼珠 , Scarlet guard, Red Emissary (紫衣使/ zǐ yī shǐ) spy sent to Xucheng border town occupied by Shentu Chi. She worked with Zhu Ji and abducted Mrs. Ouyang (ep.12-15) --- Played by Chen YiNa 陈一娜    (not credited on MDL)
	Chén Guǐ 陈癸, Left Emissary of  Scarlet Guards, opposed to Marquis Changqing and trying to sabotage the release of the Wu king.  (ep.22-23.) --- Played by Peng Yi Cheng  彭义程
	Hǔ Pò  琥珀 ["Amber"]   - She was AN Tianji Branch head of Zhu Yiwei --- Played by  Guo Yuxin  郭宇欣  (not male actor Guo Xinyu 郭欣禹  credited on MDL and dramawiki, who also mistakes Hu Po to be in ep.11-but there are no Scarlet guards in that episode where LTG was attacked by tribesmen of Chu Yue hired by her on the market? ) source: Baidu credits
	Jīn Mèiiáng  金媚娘, Chief of Jinsha Pavilion in Jingcheng of Wu on the way to An guo. (Jinsha Sect was an organization of informers backed by Jinsha sect of salt gang from the coast, specializing in middleman business through reputed brothels, from which Liudao occasionally bought information). Chief Jin, ex Red Emissary, had helped Ren Xin escape from imperial prison and been hunted and left for dead by the Scarlet Guards. She had built her network under a new identity and face, with escaped White Sparrows, but considered Ren Xin as her lord and savior while both thought each other was dead. Her favored flower was a gold claw chrysanthemum. She had a grudge against Yu Shisan who had scorned her  (ep.14, 20, 29-32, 36 ) --- Played by  Maggie Huang  黄梦莹
	Jinsha Pavilion beauty Xuanji  金沙楼美人 /Jīnshālóu měirén   璇玑 / Xuánjī who drank with Ruyi, Yuan Lu and Prince Li when they first visited Jinshalou  (ep.13) --- Played by Sun Shuang  孙爽
	Jinsha Pavilion Beauty "Gem" Yao  金沙楼美人     瑶璨 /Yáo Càn  who was Chief Jin's first subordinate in Jingcheng Jinsha Pavilion. (ep.13-14) --- Played by Yu Xiaowan 于小琬
	Lead dancer of  Jinsha Pavilion (ep.13) --- Played by Zhao Xintong  赵昕彤

(*)

Pictured, is a 筑, zhù, an ancient hammered zither (played with a small wooden flexible hammer, like  larger dulcimers or autoharps). The text reads: "Warring States Period Musical Instrument: Zhù" .  This type of zither, cousin to the sè, zheng and the qin, was often used at banquets. The guqin, being less loud, was mostly used as a meditative tool for Confucean scholars.  Precious ancient instruments had names. "The most famous [guqin zither] is the one named "Jiuxiao Huanpei" 《九霄环佩》, attributed to the famous late Tang Dynasty qin maker Lei Wei (雷威)" (Wikipedia) ; it is kept in the Palace Museum in Beijing and is still playable. This or another ancient guqin was played for the visit of president Macron of France in  April 2023, with the tune "High Mountains, Flowing Waters" (you can listen from the link a short adaptation of the antique tune which has versions for both guqin and guzheng). --- 玖 [Jiǔ] means both "black color jade" and "nine" in ancient numerals, used for currency and cheques. It can be used, usually in combination, as a boy's name.

continued with Characters from An, Chu, and Beipan, in next post    (or go back to Table of contents)

Opening rating as of Dec.6 reporting by the Marcus Here! channel on YouTube - Not bad as the drama is still unfolding:

Choosing  among the comments these ones :

" I think I would rate Journey to Love at least an 8 as of right now.  Although, it is not finished yet and I don't usually like to rate dramas until they are finished.  It is fantastic.  I love the fact it is an original screenplay.  I always hate spoilers or how the dramas always get compared to their original source material.  I am so disappointed that people who say such harsh things about LYN.  I personally find him quite attractive and he is doing really well in this drama.  Him and Cecilia Liu pair really well together.  " "...Liu Yuning. He's a very talented individual. Besides acting, he's a singer and a trained chef. He's live streamed and interacts with his fans frequently. He's always gracious. Love JTL, lots of actions and comedy, great chemistry between the leads and supporting casts. The best wuxia of 2023."

"A Journey to Love deserves a  higher douban-- 9.0. The cast is excellent. Liu Yuning's Ning performance is charming and heart-warming, exuding a casual confidence ... Liu Shishi is brilliant, and that amazing young girl He Lan Dou delivers a memorable performance as the Princess/Prince. So far, the plot is quite compelling, we are halfway through the drama. And the music -- simply wonderful! Liu Yuning's rendition is awesome! I am running out of adjectives..."

"Journey to love is a good drama. The humor is what making it very special. I look forward to every episode ."

"I am quite happy with the opening rating of Journey to Love... I didn't expect much from it initially but to my surprise, it is really well done, so far the characters and the storyline has been quite engaging and exciting, I hope it maintains the quality till the end. So I will give 8 to AJTL It was quite disappointing and low of people to bully and criticise Liu Yu Ning for his looks, i truly respect him for handling such things strongly and maturely, despite having much industrial backup he is quite hardworking and I hope he keeps growing, still I wonder how ppl doesn't consider him good looking, are they blind???plus he doing a phenomenal job in AJTL:)"

"I am also following Journey of Love. I love Liu Yuning’s response, and sometimes, you don't have to talk about what they said, and he did what I would have done.  I think he is pretty attractive to me. He received a Weibo award today, which shows that he is promising. I do agree; his singing is excellent, but his acting is not bad too.  The ratings ...are not high; I would give ... at least an 8, though. "

"I really liked a journey to love.the cast is great and the acting on point "

A Journey to Love was TOP among the 10 most watched c-dramas of the week  ending Sunday Dec.10, 2023

the production also issued this poster :

and Sina activity of Dec.4, 2023 picture (when the cast had a live streaming activity) :

[Dec.24 comment/edit] Roller-coasting all the way  up to 8.5 on the Weibo score, with many in the cast (especially Chang Huasen as Li Tongguang)  gaining much recognition, the  Douban score went down to 6.9,  after fierce battles on screen between the contending kingdoms, and off screen between fans who were also divided in many factions, some demanding an unlikely end fitting their own preferences.  Still, it maintained its spot as number one drama watched by audiences in China for two weeks running, until ceding the top spot to The Last Immortal in the week ending Dec.23, despite stiff competition from that anticipated dramas. It garnered 599 points then to TLI's 605 so both can be said to have been "super popular".

So, to sum it up: many pure wuxia lovers hailed the drama as exemplary, in the vicinity of 10//10, while romance lovers (those who had grown too invested in the very well individualized characters) were angry about what they felt was hasty, depressing end and wanted to shoot the drama down accordingly, even claiming it did not fit the "original narrative" (disregarding that there was no novel or story pre-existing : this was a totally original script). Especially the international audiences, misled by the "...to Love" title; but also Chinese audiences, who only saw the allegorical title "thought about the Close Mountain /Guan Shan 关山" Chinese title. --  My view:  10/10.  Characterization, cinematography, gripping plot, and despite some side cast that sometimes just vanished "on the roadside" of that fateful journey . Not really plot holes: these characters had served their purpose, and it is only normal, in such a sprawling saga, where these were just "supporting" or "guests", that they should not hog more time than necessary;  so, either leave them to heal their wounds somewhere, or kill them off, which could have been too cruel, thus only a random number did "die".  (Or did they somehow survive through plotting  their public demise once again, but managed to get away to their wished for anonymous "after-life" down on Earth or on another plane of existence?). The lines were sometimes too well defined, but thoughtfully left also something to imagination, helping the anticipation, and even allowing a seed of hope of a "hidden end" after the conclusion.

For once, I would agree with Avenue X's final appreciation of this drama as "the BEST period drama of 2023". I didn't totally agree with her estimates of age for LTG (I thought is he was older - 10 years at least passed between he was left by Ren Xin and his servant was dismissed, ending up as laundry maid before LTG saved her from the death sentence pronounced by Consort Chu, although he did mention in ep.22 that he was 22 then), still, Chu Yue can't be middle aged, sick and dying , in the end, she was in her early twenties (ep.24 mention), to be betrothed to LTG, and only 10 years went by after the final battles.  Also, if I do agree that the obsession of LTG was too protracted and should not have been used to "kill off" the Liudao warriors, Chang Huasen was still interesting and memorable, whether or not it was written in by the studio to help him rise in career with them.  Everybody agrees that He Landou was a star to discover here, so I am pleased with that, as I am by Avenue X's defense of Liu Yuning who is just an excellent actor. Liu Shishi was too, in her "cold" assassin role with perfectly controlled ballet like movements (not surprising that she was, indeed, trained as ballerina!)  The two had adequate chemistry on screen, and it was nice to see that they had good cheer together off screen too.  I rather liked that the drama did not fall into the mushy tons of kisses category: wuxia should not be like that.

But one romantic scene could get a poetical explanation :  After Ning Yuanzhou and Ren Ruyi bowed to each other in the series, what do the three butterflies fluttering on Ning Yuanzhou's shoulders mean?

 Could these be the souls representing Qian Zhao, Sun Lang and Yuan Lu or the brothers who died in Liudaotang, coming to witness the confidential wedding, even after sunset?

 back to Table of contents link

PLAYLISTS AND MVs

1. ------------------------------------------------------
   1. OST  from  A Journey of Love
   2. OST Songs from Liu Yuning
   3. Some non OST Songs from Liu Yuning
   4. Songs covers from Liu Yuning
   5. Singing together with Liu Yuning
      

1/ OST SONGS FROM A JOURNEY TO LOVE

Lovely singing by Liu Yuning in this Weibo TV and Internet summit 2023 awards ceremony (2:05 to 5:40)

and the official MV (opening theme song《奉上》) [Fèng shàng]  Offer

+ Peachey Blossom's  Lyrics MV  of  《奉上》 (Hanzi, pinyin, English translation)   and 10 songs playlist + sneakpeek and "full OST MV" on  YouTube.

Alternatively : Sarann's Full OST with timestamps, lyrics in Hanzi and pinyin + subtitles :

1. 00:00 1. 奉上  (Offer)  - 摩登兄弟 刘宇宁 (Modern Brothers Liu Yuning)
2. 03:52 2. 一念关山 (A Journey to Love title song)- 任贤齐    (Ren Xianqi)
3. 07:57 3. 立剑   (Standing Sword) - 张杰   (Zhang Jie)
4. 11:30 4. 长醉 (Long Drunk)  - 光良 (Guang Liang)
5. 15:49 5. 何故春回 (What is the reason for Spring's return)  - 张栋梁 (Nicholas Teo)
6. 20:06 6. 半世风霜  (Half a lifetime of suffering) - 袁娅维  (Tia Ray)
7. 24:22 7. 别梦寒  (Don't dream of the cold) - 摩登兄弟 刘宇宁 (Modern Brothers Liu Yuning)
8. 28:03 8. 怕梦 (Afraid of Dreams)  - 黄霄雲  (Huang Xiaoyun)
9. 32:35 9. 还未曾 (Not Yet/Still Haven't)  - 不才 (Bu Cai)
10. 37:28 10. 长醉 (Long Drunk, chant version)    - 冯甜甜 (Feng Tiantian)

Official MV of  title song A Journey To Love, sung by Ren Xianqi :

Official MV of Half a Life of Suffering, sung by Tia Ray :

End theme song by Guang Liang 光良 (illustrious stage name of celebrated mandopop singer Michael Wong) : Long Drunk (长醉) :

2/ OST  SONGS FROM LIU YUNING

He has so many well-known songs that it would be impossible to list them all below. There are both non OST and an impressive number of OST songs. Do visit the compilation of 89 OST songs (to date) made by Cho Na since 2021. These are helpfully linked to Youtube or else, too, so as to please listeners.

Liu Yuning "best OST" song playlist :

• 00:00:00   Find you《寻一个你》from 2022《Love between Fairy and Devil /苍兰诀》 (starring Dylan Wang Hedi   and  Esther Yu Shuxing) 
• 00:04:32   Fireworks and Stars 《 煙火星辰》from 2022 《You Are My Glory /你是我的荣耀》(starring Yang Yang and Dilireba)
•  00:08:30  Chasable《可追》from 2022《Heroes /说英雄谁是英雄》(starring Joseph Zeng, Liu Yuning and Yang Chaoyue)  
  
• 00:13:07  Flying Through The Clouds《凌云寂 》from 2022 《Heroes /说英雄谁是英雄》(starring Joseph Zeng, Liu Yuning and Yang Chaoyue) 
• 00:17:17 Flowery Dream《梦华》from 2022《A Dream of Splendor /梦华录》 (starring Chen Xiao and Crystal Liu Yifei)   
• 00:20:58  Unparalleled 《无双》from 2022《Who Rules the World /且试天下》(starring Yang Yang, Zhao Lusi) 
• 00:24:08  Improvement 《初升》from 2023《Gen Z / 后浪》(starring Zhao Lusi, Wu Gang, Luo Yizhou) 
• 00:27:25  The Cloud Trick 《云字诀 》from 2023《The Ingenious One / 云襄传》(starring Chen Xiao, Mao Xioatong ) 
• 00:31:13  The Wind Blows《风吹过》from 2023《Back From The Brink /护心 》(starring Neo Hou, Zhou Ye) 
• 00:35:20  The World I Love《我爱的这个世界》from 2023《Till The End of The Moon /长月烬明》(starring Luo Yunxi, Bai Lu) 

14 favorite OST songs of Liu Yuning :Playlist song titles and drama titles in English (with lead actors/actresses names): 

1. 00:00:00   Find you《寻一个你》from 2022《Love between Fairy and Devil /苍兰诀》 (starring Dylan Wang Hedi   and  Esther Yu Shuxing) 
2. 00:04:26   Simple   《无华》 from 2020《Legend of Fei /有翡》 (starring Wang Yibo and Zhao Liying)   song by Zhang Liangying and Liu Yuning )                               
3. 00:08:42   Magnificent Dream 《梦华》   from 2022《A Dream of Splendor /梦华录》 (starring Chen Xiao and Crystal Liu Yifei)                        
4. 00:12:19   Unparalleled 《无双》   from 2022 《Who Rules the World /且试天下》(starring Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi)                          
5. 00:15:29   Ling Yun Ji  《凌云寂 》  from 2022 《Heroes /说英雄谁是英雄》(starring Joseph Zeng, Liu Yuning and Yang Chaoyue) 
6. 00:19:38   Induction 《 感应》 from 2021《Ancient Love Poetry /千古玦尘》(starring Xu Kai and Zhou Dongyu) 
7. 00:23:49   With You  《共度》    from 2022 《My Sassy Princess /祝卿好》(starring Zheng Yecheng, Yuan Bingyan, Merxat, and Zhang Yue)                      
8. 00:27:45   Colored Glass 《琉璃》  from 2020 《Love and Redemption / 琉璃》 (starring Cheng Yi and Yuan Bingyan)                          
   
9.  00:31:35   Chang'An 《长安》      from 2021 《Stand By Me /与君歌》(starring Cheng Yi  and  ZhangYuxi) 
10. 00:36:36   Beneath the Firmament《苍穹之下》 from 2021 《Douluo Continent /斗罗大陆》(starring Xiao Zhan,  Wu Xuanyi)
11. 00:41:08  Chasable 《可追》  from 2022《Heroes /说英雄谁是英雄》(starring Joseph Zeng, Liu Yuning and Yang Chaoyue)  
12. 00:45:49 The Art of Breaking Fate 《断缘诀 》 from 2020 《God of Lost Fantasy /太古神王》(starring Peter Sheng Yilun,  Tang Jingmei and Wang Ziwen) 
13. 00:50:37  Take advantage of your youth 《意气趁年少》  from 2021 《A Female Student arrives at the Imperial College /国子监来了个女弟子》(starring Xu Kaicheng  and Zhao Lusi) 
14. 00:54:08  One Love as always 《一爱如故》 from 2021 《The Long Ballad /长歌行》(starring Dilireba and Wu Lei, Liu Yuning and Zhao Lusi)  

* Ask Heaven 《天问 》[Tian Wen],  from 2020 《Word of Honor/山河令》 (starring Zhang Zhehan and Gong Jun)  it could not be included in the previous list ,"due to copyright" ;   but Liu Yuning has sung it on several live streams, such as here (with dynamic Hanzi). 

* The Only Light  《唯一的光》[Wei yi de guang], from  2022 《Hello, The Sharpshooter /你好, 神枪手》(starring Hu Yitian and Xing Fei)

* Heartbeat 《心動》[Xīndòng]  from 2021 《Go Go Squid2 Dt / AppleDog's Time /我的時代, 你的時代  (starring Hu Yitian and Li Yitong)

* A Story With You  《与子成说》 [yǔ zǐ chéng shuō] from 2023 《The Starry Love / 星落凝成糖》(starring Chen Xingxu, Li Landi, Luke Chen Haila, He Xuanlin)

* May The Light 《愿光》 [Yuàn guāng] from 2023 《The Legend of An Le /安乐传》(starring Dilireba, Gong Jun, Liu Yuning)

This list is non-exhaustive  (Find more on Cho Na's  89 OST songs  list).

3/ Some non OST songs of Liu Yuning :

• Dragon's Roar 《龙吟》[lóng yín]  November 2023, Promotional song of the new genre of mobile game "Justice Online" /Backwater Cold  逆水寒
• Time to Shine   《闪耀时刻》[shǎnyào shíkè]   singing together with Luo Tianyi 洛天依 (Vocaloid)  for CCTV Spring Festival Gala, Lantern Festival 2022.
• * A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains 《千里江山》[Qiānlǐ jiāngshān]  Theme Song of the 2021 Forbidden City Documentary, 4th episode.
• Magical Surprise 《奇妙的惊喜》 [Qímiào de jīngxǐ]  March 2021, new theme song for the 5th anniversary of Shanghai Disneyland.
• Stay Up Late  《熬夜》  [Áoyè]  October 2020, single
• Do Not Ask  《不求》  [bù qiú]  January 2019
• Beggar 《乞丐》  [qǐ gài]   April 2019
• Adventurer 《探险家》 [Tànxiǎn jiā]  October 20018 - see section "singing with LYN" below
  
• Imagination 《想象》[xiangxiang]   - It was the first single of Modern Brothers Liu Yuning, co-produced by Modern Brothers Da Fei and Azhuo, and released independently on September 15, 2018.  [LYN has released a vinyl version of his first album but its a very limited edition, just for commemoration.]  see the section "singing with Liu Yuning" below
  

4/ December 16, 2023  concert of Liu Yuning covers: (as announced on his Weibo, link left)

Playlist:

• 8:23 春風十里 [Chūnfēng shílǐ / Ten miles of spring breeze] (cover) origl LuXianSen band 鹿先森樂隊
• 17:08 Fall in Love (Liu Yuning)  
• 31:50 男孩別哭 [Nánhái bié kū / Boy don't cry] (cover) origl Hǎiguī xiānshēng 海龜先生
• 39:24 問風 /问风  [wèn fēng / Ask the wind] (cover) original singer JīnYú 金漁
• 52:56 落了白 [ luòle bái /Fallen white] (cover) origl Jiang Xue'er 蒋雪儿
• 59:14 等我先說 [děng wǒ xiān shuō /Wait for me to say it first] (cover) origl XiàtiānAlex 夏天Alex
• 1:05:51 烏藍巴托的夜 /乌蓝巴托的夜 [wūlánbātuō de yè /Night in Ulan Baatar] (cover) 
• 1:11:53 茶底世界 [chá dǐ shìjiè / The world of tea] (cover) origl. Diū huǒchē yuèduì 丟火車樂隊
  
• 1:22:07 花房姑娘 [huāfáng gūniáng /greenhouse girl] (cover) with kazoobie! origl. Cuī Jiàn 崔健
• 1:29:30 給你給我 /给你给我 [gěi nǐ gěi wǒ / Give you, give me] (cover)  2021  Forever & Ever ost  origl. Mao Buyi 毛不易
  
• 1:36:21 熬夜 [áoyè / Stay up late] (Liu Yuning) 
• 1:46:14 撞地球 [zhuàng dìqiú / hit the Earth]  (cover)
• 1:51:40 Butter-fly from Digimon cover by AZ and DF  origl. Yú er qī 鱼儿七 (Fish Seven)
• 1:58:55 開到荼蘼 /开到图 [kāi dào tú mí /Millet blooming] (cover)  orig. Wáng Fēi 王菲  (Faye Wong)
• 2:05:18 動情祭 /动情祭 [dòngqíng jì / Love offering] (cover) origl. 西樓 Xī  Lóu
• 2:14:06 奉上 [fèng shàng / Offer] (Liu Yuning, A Journey to Love OST)

Alice, who referred this video on Dec.18, 2023,  noted : "Yes it is his Hengdian streaming room but this time accompanied with AZ and DF. Definitely have grown a long way since their street days. Now they have 30million people watching them. - The songs LYN pick are mostly from their old days cover too so it adds more to the feel. You can find some subs clip on Twitter"

[Modern Brothers 摩登兄弟 is a Trio Chinese boy band in mainland China. The band was established in 2014 with five members. The members were lead singer Liu Yuning (Xiao Ning), lead singer Sui Yi (Dayi), guitarist Chen Zhuo (A Zhuo), keyboardist Zhang Yu (Da Fei), and saxophone player Yang Yang (Yang Zai) . Later, due to the withdrawal of Sui Yi and Yang Yang, the current three-person lineup was formed. They debuted in 2015.]

5/ SOME VIDEOS TO SING TOGETHER WITH LIU YUNING 刘宇宁

•  Imagination 《想象》[xiangxiang]  Hanzi pinyin and English subtitles  ; Modern Brothers Liu Yuning, Da Fei and Azhuo 's first single (2018/09/15)
  
• Explorer 《探险家》[tànxiǎn jiā]   Pinyin an English to top of video + Hanzi transcript
  
• Obviously  《明明》[ming ming]   Hanzi pinyin and English subtitles (2020/24/12)
• Those were the days  《那些你很冒险的梦》cover from JJ Lin song with Hanzi, pinyin, English subtitles (2021/05/09)
• Greenhouse Girl 《 花房姑娘》  [huafang guniang] cover of the classic 1989 Cui Jian 崔健 rock song, Hanzi, pinyin, English  (2021/08/05)
• The Wind Rises 《起風了 》 [qi feng le]   originally composed by : Takahashi Yu, lyrics by : Mi Guo ; adapted to Chinese by La Jian (after some complication, the Japanese copyright owner gave authorization to the song and helped La Jian with a new recording released 3 December 2018. Zhou Shen was interested as early as May 2018, and covered it in 2019.) It was the OST song of Mr Fighting. Covered by many others.  Lyrics MV with pinyin and English translation.
• The Only Light 《唯一的光》[Wei yi de guang], from  2022 《Hello, The Sharpshooter /你好, 神枪手》Hanzi, pinyin, English subtitles.
•  Find you《寻一个你》from《苍兰诀》  Hanzi dynamic subtitles (2022/8/12)
•  Drunken Butterfly《酒醉的蝴蝶》  [jiu zui de hudie] cover of the Cui Weili song (2022/04/28)
• Worldly Tavern 《 红尘客栈 》[hongchen kezhan] cover from Jay Chou song  with English subtitles; same song with Hanzi dynamic subtitles  (2022/18/03)
• Rang Jiu 《 让酒》 with Hanzi dynamic subtitles (2022/9/28)
• Pet  《 宠爱》 [chǒng'ài]  with Hanzi dynamic subtitles (2022/4/2)

And for a Hanzi karaoke challenge, check out this 16 songs compilation video from 2018,  including the songs (simplified Hanzi titles):

• 0:00   光年之外  [Guāng nián zhī wài]   Light years away , from G.E.M.
• 3:56   走马  [zǒumǎ]   Cursory Glance, September 2018 cover of the Chen Li song
  
• 8:12  讲真的  [jiǎng zhēn de]   Tell the Truth, September 2019 cover of the Zeng Xi song
  
• 9:14   想像  [xiǎngxiàng]  Imagination, September 2018 first Modern Brothers released song
  
• 14:43 刚刚好 [gānggāng hǎo]  Just Right
  
• 17:51 唐人  [tángrén]  Tang Dynasty
• 21:00 演员  [yǎnyuán]  Actor
  
• 25:58 我对自己开了一枪  [wǒ duì zìjǐ kāile yī qiāng]   I shot myself
• 30:00 愛你  [ài nǐ]   I love you
• 33:01 牧马城市  [mù mǎ chéngshì]   Muma City
• 37:22  突然想起你  [túrán xiǎngqǐ nǐ]  Suddenly think of you
• 41:24  愿意为你去冒险 [yuànyì wèi nǐ qù màoxiǎn]  Willing to take risks for you
• 45:57  终于走散了  [zhōngyú zǒu sànle]    Finally separated
• 48:49  那些你很冒险的梦(完整版)  [nàxiē nǐ hěn màoxiǎn de mèng (wánzhěng bǎn)]   Those were the days (full version)
• 53:00  女儿国 进  [nǚ'ér guó jìn]   The daughter country advances
• 57:46  进退两难  [jìntuìliǎngnán]  Dilemma
  

NEXT :   Mini Profile of Liu Yuning   (direct link)

back to Table of contents link

hi, thankyou so much for this
i didn't know LYN sings that many OST🤯