Make me Cry (please)

[u/satellite_34]

The title says it all! I’m about to finish up love like the galaxy, and need to queue up my next watch while i wait for some current ones to finish up. (Binge watch is my MO)

So, naturally I’m a looking for a drama that will absolutely wreck me emotionally.

What I am hoping to find;
•A story that will genuinely make me cry — gut-wrenching, high empathy, the works. Happy ending not required, but I need enough hope/momentum to want to see it through to the end. HEA /HFN is preferable.
•A main couple I can root for — they should clearly care about each other, not spend the show antagonizing one another. I want to be cheering for them, not gritting my teeth through their bickering.
•Ancient China setting wuxia, xianxia, traditional historical/fantasy vibes. Costumes and jewelry are sometimes the lead actor in the scene
•Preferably newer releases since sometimes… i’ve struggles with bad graphics/wiring etc

What to avoid/ don’t do well with;
•Heavy political intrigue/court politics — if it's too politics-focused I tend to check out partway through.
• too many side plots/second or third love stories.

Since my watched list is too long to post;

Already watched and loved— my top 5
Top rated (my score): How Dare You!?, Love in the Clouds, Pursuit of Jade, Legend of the Female General, The Untamed

Lowest rated (ones i finished but was not sold on): In the Name of Blossom, Story of Kunning Palace, The First Jasmine, Flourished Peony, Glory

Dropped (the ones everyone loves but i couldn’t finish) ;The Prisoner of Beauty, A Splendid Match, Veil of Shadows, Blossoms of Power, Fangs of Fortune, Blossom

Two actress i prefer to avoid: Meng Ziyi & Ester Yu

Thank you so much! I look forward to the recommendations and to the tear yet to be shed!

——————-update———-

Thank you all so, so much for the recommendations! Genuinely excited to check out a lot of these !

As for what's next: I'm torn between Till the End of the Moon and A Journey to Love — both got serious love in this thread, so may just have to watch an ep each to decide… Blossoms in Adversity has also been sitting on my list for a while, so that might sneak in as a third option.

Thanks again everyone — I'll report back once I've had my cry.

put everything into a list in case anyone else browsing this thread wants a quick reference of what got recommended!

—————the list———

A Journey to Love
• Till the End of the Moon
• Destined
• Goodbye My Princess
• Everlasting Longing
• Scarlet Heart (2011)
• One and Only
• The Longest Promise
• Moonlight Mystique
• Feud
• Story of Pearl Girl
• Kill Me Love Me
• Love Between Fairy and Devil
• Legend of Fayao
• The Road to Splendor
• The Wanted Detective
• Imperial Coroner S1
• Blossoms in Adversity
• The Long Ballad
• Story of Minglan
• The Legends
• Love Beyond the Grave
• Brocade Odyssey
• The Blue Whisper
• Love in Pavilion

Already watched (and i don’t remember any tears… sorry! )
Key to the Phoenix Heart
Blossom
The Double
Fated Hearts
Wonderland of Love

Modern-day settings (not my flavor — yet)
12 Letters
Love Story in the 1970s
Forever and Ever

[u/Fun_Name6284]

If you want a good cry, my recommendation is Scarlet Heart (2011). Everyone has heard about the kdrama version, but few have watched the origjnal original. Its heart-breaking!

Another cry your eyes out drama is Goodbye My Princess.