This is one series that teaches, "don't go in with preconceived notions"
Imagine something like "Murder, She Wrote" or -- if you're old enough "Ellery Queen" -- meets a Wuxia show and you basically have the premise for this series.Jian Bu Zhi (played by Tim (Ji Wei) Yu) is a man trying figure out the mystery of the murder of his father in his hometown and he has 4 people that were there that could hopefully give him the information for his father's fate. In his search for these people he frequently encounters death and murder and because he is incapable of learning Kung Fu (for reasons that weren't apparently through most of the series), instead uses his keen mind in deducing the clues left to figure out who did the killing in setting he's currently in.
Along the way he makes friends with Zhao Wo Huan (played by Wang Yan Yang), has a love interest Zhan Shi Qi (played by Rachel (Ruo Shan) Wang) and an assortment of others in the typical Wuxia/Custom Drama way that unlike series like "Nirvana in Fire" or "Battle Through the Stars"; "Ancient Detective" was a mere 41 main and supporting characters which were easy enough for this casual Wuxia fan to keep track of **and** remember all their back stories.
While I was somewhat off-put by the almost 1950s-like method of collecting the facts, having Yu look at one person that seemed to indicate was the culprit, only to turn to someone else and accuse them instead; by the second murder mystery plot (the one at the inn), I learned that all the evidence was clearly displayed for the audience to deduce who the killer was and all the audience would have to do is come to their own conclusions and then wait until Yu confirmed all the facts collected.
I was also impressed that in spite of the clear roles for many of the characters (from the assassins/information gatherers from the Ten Killing Gate) to the main and secondary characters, human nature prevailed through each of the character's introductions and interludes for their back stories given them a richness that allowed me the ability to immerse myself into the world and their influence on it and forget for more than a few moments that I was watching a series online. Also I would like to thank @ChineseDramaFan for their review as it included what the character names meant which gave it an added treat as to the irony of their characterizations.
This is a series that reminds me of the following quote: "...We are star stuff, we are the universe, made manifest, trying to figure itself out. As we have both learned, sometimes the universe requires a change of perspective..." And while the murder mysteries were in fact cut and dry thanks largely to the evidence presented, the characters being human are not. There's elements of good and evil, right and wrong, and a whole lot of gray area in all of the characters in this show. Because of this gray area, it strongly allowed for personal interpretation and personal attachments based on emotional chords. Case in point Madam Hei Wu (played by Peng Bo). While he came off like the stereotypical bitter queen of Western Archetypes, in judging that book by it's cover I learned how wrong I was about his attitude and that in spite of his bitter veneer underneath he was nothing more than a misunderstood compassionate healer spurned by the stereotyping society dished in his direction.
While not spoiling anything really, I have to say that I was surprised that not all the facts were presented until the end and because of this, I'm reminded of another quote I love seeing in action in shows (like this one), "...you're going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view..." I skimmed some of the other reviews and them requesting another season for this show, and I find myself in disagreement with the sentiment. Sometimes leaving something to the imagination of the viewer is better than explaining it in a second season. This being no exception of that rule.
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I only liked it at the end
This drama took me almost the entire show to get into it. I kept leaving and coming back for lack of better options (at least these two MLs were pretty good looking, hehheh). Only at the end did I start to like it, just in time for it to be over.This show features three distinct mysteries in three closed systems, tied together by an overarching plot. The three contained mysteries are done fairly well, with a straightforward structure (a menu of characters from whom to pick) and enough clues to follow along. They were enjoyable to watch, though I might have liked it better if fewer people died. The overarching plot is also a decent story. If you like a show where you can solve mysteries alongside the characters, this one is for you.
My main issue with this show is characters and relationships.
We’ll start with Jian Buzhi, the eponymous (Chinese title) ML and the main character. When I think about how I feel about Jian Buzhi… I just come up blank. He doesn’t have much personality; it’s just fun to watch him solve mysteries.
Zhao Wohuan, the SML (not love triangle SML, just less important male lead SML), is such a puppy. He’s endearing, but just a bit too dumb for me to like that much. At the same time, his fighting development was so unrealistic. I felt almost offended at how quickly he skyrocketed to the top… what a dump on everyone else who worked so hard for so long.
I thought both MLs were acted well. Jian Buzhi looked so happy whenever he solved a mystery, it was adorable. And Zhao Wohuan’s actor captured the puppy feel well. I just didn’t quite like the way they were written.
Relative to the two MLs, the FLs are much less central to the story. Zhan Shiqi (I’ll just call her 17) is the main FL. I found this show for having a strong FL, but she ended up being my least favorite character. I think she’s trying to be an ice queen beauty; but she’s trying too hard to be cool, like she herself thinks she is badass. Too much glaring.
Besides being too cool, Zhan 17 doesn’t have much personality. The bits and pieces of character development she does get are incohesive. Her only notable feature is her whole thing about… wanting to wear pretty clothes? That’s pretty vain, especially for a punchline. On top of it all, I thought her styling was bad (fabulous feather dress aside). Something about it didn’t look good with all the glaring, and this actress has looked better in other shows.
I’ll consider Ming Yue the SFL, although she doesn’t play a huge role. I didn’t care too much for her for most of the show, but at least she’s not around that much.
So I didn’t quite connect with these characters, but the feeling was compounded by some poor relationship building. The bromance between the two MLs was cute- I do love a good bromance- but it came out of nowhere. It was so strong that I mostly forgot it was built on nothing, but once in awhile I’d do a double take and wonder how we got there.
The main romance was even worse. There were a couple overly dramatic scenes and then suddenly they were mooning after each other. Their relationship was founded on nothing, I couldn’t imagine why either one liked the other, and the scenes between them were cheesy. They both needed more personality for this to work.
The romance wasn’t critical to the story, so I did my best to ignore it. But at one point when it got in the way of the bromance, I was so angry I actually stopped watching for about a month. This situation never resolved well; later I learned that the director had deleted some key scenes. Either way, I didn’t buy into their relationship and I didn’t like 17, so I could only do my best to overlook all parts involving them.
The second relationship is based on the SML’s desire to protect a weak and helpless female. The reasons for attraction are all male chauvinist; the only saving grace was that it’s not actually true. Even so, I found it cringey and couldn’t root for it- until I ended up surprised by how well I liked its resolution.
What this show does well, is side characters. New side characters are introduced throughout the plot (eg all the candidates within each mystery), usually with interesting backstories or premises. And happily, several of them stick around or come back after their case is over. This was a huge plus; I don’t like getting attached to characters just to watch them disappear.
Like the bromance and romances, a lot of the friendships became too dedicated too fast. That said, by the end I found myself liking this show quite a bit, and I think it’s because the side characters got more development and I was invested in their stories. The male doctor and female doctor were probably my favorite characters overall.
On the flipside, many other side characters revealed a tragic backstory and then simply died, leaving me feeling sympathetic and sad. And I was looking forward to humanizing all the assassins, but they just kept dying. Lives were a bit too cheap in this show.
In terms of execution, this show was a smaller production, not very high budget. For example, there is only one song- which I happened to really like. A lot of the scenes also conveniently occur in deserted settings, obviating the need for extras. I think they found a good forest and worked it (it’s a nice forest, I agree). Budget is what it is, and I think they did a great job skimping on things that matter less.
I also really liked the fighting style. It’s full of flashy spins and well-done wirework, but I liked best that the moves are clean and solid rather than just having a lot of them in a flurry, like some other shows. Using daily items as weapons is a unique premise, but I think it’s just too hard to make an umbrella look deadly. The actress’s performances weren’t bad, but I thought the umbrella fights looked fake. And what could that umbrella possibly be made out of to be so indestructible?
Overall, I think this show does some things well- especially given their limited budget- but other things less well. Other people seem to really like the character development, so it might just be me personally not connecting with them.
P.S. I know the names are supposed to be ironic and funny, but who would ACTUALLY name their kid 不知 (Don’t Know) or 我還 (I Return)?
ENDING – READ AHEAD ONLY IF YOU WANT TO KNOW, CONTAINS SPOILERS
The show ends in a fairly satisfactory and happy way. All is resolved, no further hard-hitting deaths. The answer to the overarching mystery is also a nice plot twist.
I only say “fairly” satisfactory because it ends on this cliffhanger hinting at a second season, which never came. It looks intriguing, they suck me in, and then… poof. How annoying.
My interest in this show picked up towards the end, I think partly due to the side characters getting more airtime, and partly because I liked how the second couple’s relationship (which I didn’t care for until the end) was resolved. I was afraid Ming Yue would lose her head like some lovestruck girl, but it was nothing that cliché. Their final scene was quite sweet, and I would have liked to see where it went from there.
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This review may contain spoilers
Watch it ASAP
One of the best detective drama ever. Each episode keeps you at edge, what is going to happen next, who killed who..If everyone died then how the main lead survived the chaos. Why is the beggar so shocked to see his face.
The best part is the ending minutes
To the writer: hats off
TBH, in first episode it seem a little boring to me but i was proven wrong, I completed the series in a go, binge watching
There should be more episodes in which the female main lead was joyful and bubbly.
In short loved this.
This needs a second season asap...
1. How will the main lead react,
2. Will he get this martial cultivation back.
3. How is the man in back, what is up with the soul absorption pill
4. What will happen when real and fake Jian Bu Zhi come face to face?
So many hanging points. Please give us a second season with no cliff hanging ending.
note: first review ever
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Nice detective drama
This mystery drama,which is only 24 episodes has really surprised me.The story is very well paced.All the scenes and incidents were well written and they were connected to the next incidents, since,in detective dramas,connectivity between incidents is most important.The main leads acted well.The locations, costumes,CGI were good.The fights were choreographed well.Both the love stories were good ,though the second lead love was not a success.The end twist surprised me.
I would highly recommend this drama.Go for it.It is worth our time.
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An underrated Gem
I binged it in 3 days, now to make all my friends watch it. A nice OST and score, great costuming despite what seems like a lower budget, well-choreographed fights, and a cadre of female characters with dimension: all added up to an excellent drama deserving of more praise!I found the mysteries compelling, several of them a Wuxia spin on a locked room/It Was One Of Us sort, and completely enjoyed myself. As an avid mystery fan, that aspect of the show held up.
There were funny moments to break up what was a fairly high body count. I loved the characters' relationships, and how our protagonist is not a powerful martial artist, but living in the martial world. It was so enjoyable to see Prize himbo Zhao Wohuan and clever Jian Buzhi's bromance, and how Jian Buzhi got Zhan Shiqi to open up and smile. Doctors Ye Xiaoxiao and Gong Que were some of my favorite side characters from a Cdrama ever. And Madam Hei Wu was a delight.
The episode count wasn't a trial, either, although I do hope it gets the season 2 it was clearly set up for!
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Captivating!
This drama is a rare one amongst those so called Chinese Costume drama (be it wuxia, xianxia, etc.) It reminds me of the old times Chinese martial arts series, which is great!It is realistic: People getting cut with swords / having injuries, realistically will lost blood and died. Unlike most of nowadays series, which usually the people are like invincible never died, sliced, stabbed many times and can walk happily just cured with inner strength will do!
Another good thing with this series is the sword fighting. This proven, no need extravagating Visual Effects can make a series beautiful. This is the main thing missing on so many current Chinese Costume drama out there.
And lastly of course the story line, is refreshing to have a detective story that resembling Agatha Christie style.
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And the twist at the end! That twist! I suspected it ever since ep 3 or 4 or so but... boy! That was so awesome. And now I'm miffed that S2 never happened because if our ragtag band found out about that ah-mazing twist? Now that would be something! Gosh!
I can honestly highly recommend this drama. If you liked The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty, you will like this. It's smart, it's oh so very whumpy and the twists just keep coming but they're never deus ex machina, the clues are cleverly placed and you just have to pay attention.
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Another one from @sonme 's list ,so far sooo good 😄😄 This drama is one of those dramas you watch and question and guess what the last scene of the last episode was about,like i was literaly talking to myself😆😆
It deserves a second season,like yes,i need closure😂😂,same cast because they were all fantastic .
I like how they balanced the drama,the investigative with a little romance and bromance,the fight scenses was good,levitating was eermm.... ok could be better.
I like the story,how everything from the begining got tied up neatly at the end ,like wow ! No cliches
Why i need a season 2
1 I want to know what happened to Ming yu when she got back to her sect,will her father be satisfied with just the crsytal and will she be happy.
2 What really happened eight years ago,i want the story from the begining and who was the man.... I need answers SEASON 2😆😆
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not what i expected
i watched this drama because i thought it was a bl wuxia drama, but it was more like criminal minds but wuxia version, and there's romancestory: there are separate cases every couple of episodes, where jian bu zhi tries to solve them, just like the name "ancient detective" suggests. he meets people on the way that help him, and he is wanted by a group of people.
acting/cast: the acting wasn't out of this world, but it wasn't bad. i recognized zhao wo huan from the prince of tennis. jian bu zhi looks like wang yi bo in so many scenes lol. the girls were kinda average imo.
music: i don't know why, but i didn't pay much attention to the music like i would with other dramas. it just didn't "hit different" and it wasn't that intense.
rewatch value: meh i wouldn't really rewatch it, i rushed to finish this drama not because it was good but because i wanted to get it over with
overall: it's a good drama if you want to savor it, the biggest reason i didn't like it is because it was not what i expected when i read the synopsis of this drama. i personally dislike straight romance LOL
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Fantastic story
Its been a while since I've finished watching this, but know this: Ancient Detective if absolutely fantastic. Story line is great, characters are well developed...and that twist!!MC and 2ML have great chemistry. Dare I say it's a tad better than the MC and FL? Either way, the bromance is strong with this one. A lot of laugh out loud moments and a lot of heartfelt ones as well. ( I really should have written this as soon as I watched it!)
If you're in doubt, just watch the 1st episode, and I promise, you will be hooked
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Interesting Detective Wuxia Drama!
It took me 5 episodes to get really hooked on the plot and the characters, but once I did, I loved watching them on screen! I loved the bromance between Jian Bu Zhi and Zhao Wo Huan and their chemistry only got better as the drama progressed. The romance parts were not overwhelming but they were pretty cute to watch. The mystery cases presented are interesting and not easily predicted, but viewers could have guessed it if they were observant of the clues given. Some cases were obviously more fun to watch than others (which I felt were more toward the end of the drama). The OST is also GREAT! Though the actors/actresses are mostly rookies or not well-known ones, they did a decent job delivering their lines and playing their roles. The script was also written consistently well which made the plot development very nice, although I found it to be a slow-burn mystery story. I would find myself a bit bored in between episodes and would stop to go back and continue later. However, this is a gem of a mystery/detective wuxia drama that was wayyyy better than I had expected. Totally recommend it to anyone who is a fan of mysteries and wuxia!!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
DON'T MISS IT YOU WILL REGRET IT
IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A FIGHTING FEMALE LEAD THIS IS ALSO THE ONE WHICH I WILL RECOMMEND AND HATS OFF TO RACHEL WANG, I LOVE HER ACTING AS ZHAN SIQI AND I LOVE THE MALE LEAD JIAN BUZHI TOO.
I LOVE THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THE MAIN LEADS
THE ENDING COULD HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BIT BETTER, BUT I LOVE IT ANYWAY
GO AND WATCH IT RIGHT NOW!!
AND IF YOU WANT DRAMAS WITH FIGHTING FEMALE LEADS FEEL FREE TO ASK ME BECAUSE I WAS ALSO MADLY IN SEARCH OF WHERE FEMALE LEADS WHO ARE STRONG, SMART AND CAN FIGHT TOO
AND DON'T MISS 'THE PRINCESS AGENTS' IT HAS THE PERFECT FEMALE LEAD WHO CAN FIGHT, SMART AND MANY MORE EVEN THOUGH SEASON 1 IS LEFT WITH CLIFFHANGER I WOULD STILL RECOMMEND IT AND RECENTLY I SAW A VIDEO WHERE THE PERSON IN THAT VIDEO SAID THERE IS GOING TO BE SEASON 2 SOON!!!!
I WANTED TO SHARE THE LINK TO YOU GUYS BUT I COULDN'T FIND IT SORRY GUYS
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