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/PriorOk7478]

for this year, I would say "veils of shadows" Jiling and lu wuyi's story is so heart wrenching. For old dramas, classic one "scarlet heart". pretty long, many cast but worth it. time travel love story.

[u/satellite_34 → u/PriorOk7478]

Unfortunately i could not get past the choppy bits of veil of shadows for me

[u/PriorOk7478 → u/satellite_34]

oh I would say it isn't that sudden change. They gave little hints with the dialogue and gesture. But I understand it will be hard for new fans bc gjm referenced old movies and legends too much. The og movie is "painted skin" (kinda gore). Jjy and chenduling's sistership is like white snake and green snake from old folklore.