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A Decent Watch - Came for WXY, Stayed for… Well, Mostly WXY
Shadow Detective was a decent effort, and the show was carried almost entirely by WXY’s performance. He was easily the strongest part of the drama for me—not only because of his effortless good looks and charisma, but because he keeps expanding his acting range as he takes on more projects. This was his first attempt at a Republican-era drama, and he showed that he has the star quality to headline more shows in this genre. He looked especially sharp in his three-piece suits as Inspector Guan Cen.For a show with a low budget, the costumes were good. The men looked dapper in their suits and mandarin-collar outfits, and the ladies were lovely in their qipaos and Western-style clothing of the era. The sets were also fine and the props looked authentic to that era. The OST, on the other hand, was not memorable.
Since this is a shorter-length web series, I can forgive the plot shortcuts and inevitable holes, but the main storyline was much too predictable. It honestly felt like the director and writer wanted viewers to identify the villains early. Whenever a character who ultimately turned out to be bad appeared, the camera lingered, the lighting shifted, and ominous music kicked in. By episode 19, every one of my guesses—including the final villain’s identity—was correct simply because the show was not subtle about handing out clues.
On the flip side, there were also cases where the culprits came out of nowhere with little or no buildup. Not surprisingly, I liked those more. Even though viewers didn’t get any chance to guess, at least the writers injected some unpredictability into the story. What kept me watching was mostly WXY and the police investigation aspect. I wanted to see how they would catch the villains, and that part stayed engaging.
One memorable antagonist was a villain who smiled through everything and seemed almost impossible to defeat. He reminded me a bit of Jaws, a James Bond villain —minus the metal teeth, but with the same “you can’t kill me” vibe. It took an impressive amount of plot armor for our leads to finally bring him down.
The dynamic between Guan Cen (ML) and Du Ling Feng (SML) was one of the highlights. They had great chemistry, and I wish the show had given them more scenes solving cases together. Their teamwork—half serious detective work, half comedic bickering—deserved a lot more screen time. Dong, Dr. Ding, and Chief Huo also added their own flavor and kept things entertaining. If we could get a spin-off, I would want one focusing on the ML and SML’s bromance while they take down bad guys.
As for the FL, Lu Yi Zhen… most of her scenes had me rolling my eyes hard. I don’t think the character was written or portrayed very well. The actress seemed to interpret “tough” as “abrasive” at first, and “looking intelligent or serious” as keeping a constant, frowning, constipated look. The FL may be smart, but the show kept putting her in situations that made her look incompetent in the field. More than once for each of the following: she got drugged, dragged away (because she can only act tough with the ML), exposed while spying, and generally needed to be rescued multiple times—usually by the ML or SML. One bad guy even had to give her a break by literally handing her a clue because she couldn’t get it on her own.
The good news is that the character (not necessarily the acting) did improve in the last four episodes, and she ended the show on a better note for me.
Overall, despite the predictability and an FL who didn’t quite land for me, I would still recommend the drama—especially if you’re here for WXY. He made the watch worthwhile.
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1This review may contain spoilers
Not Very Shadowy but Loved the Case Solving w/the Majority bringing it Back to the Main one.
I wanted to see WXY in something that wasn't a costume drama. This was republican era so I knew it would be beautiful with costumes and sets. He absolutely handled it very well. I wish more versatile roles for him. The rest of the cast handled themselves well too.Pros: It all begins with a case from 20 something years ago where the ML's sister and the FL are involved in a kidnapping and child trafficking operation. ML's sister is missing and possibly presumed dead but we don't find out until the very end. The FL ends up having amnesia but ML knows who she is. The initial big case is the one that they are looking to solve as it's a big cold case and yet many of the other cases within the series tieback to this original case as unfortunately, the child trafficking and other horrible things are happening to young women and girls. There are other cases that have nothing to do with the big case which I like the fact that they added sprinkled into the series and that it's not just about this main case. There are a lot of middle villains and many villains that do their part.
When meeting again as adults the ML and FL at first get off on the wrong foot because the ML uses her as bait to lure out the killer(s)/person (people) responsible for his sister's disappearance. After a period of another two years, the FL joins the police force where the ML is an inspector and at first, though not too fond of each other, they do grow to trust each other with the help of an intelligence dude Mr. Du who has a thing for the FL but once he realizes and it takes a while and quite a few people to try to get him to understand that she has no feelings for him and he sees that the ML and the FL have grown to care about each other, he does the gentlemanly thing and gives up. Instead, he and the medical examiner aka Dr. Ding get together.
I guess you can call them the four amigos as they go around trying to solve each case that either rolls back to the main one or find the murderers respectively. Other actors in the support section do a great job too. I have to say that the psycho serial killer with a grin was an awesome antagonist. When someone is so creepy with the way they kill that it makes you think of Silence of the Lambs and Buffalo Bill's line, "it rubs the lotion on its skin", you know that's someone believable.
I like that there was romance in it, but it didn't overpower the main theme. I also like the fact that the flashbacks were necessary, but also didn't overpower the episodes or were repetitive but instead they moved the story along. We got our HE with the ML proposing to the FL and he found his sister alive which is great for them both and the ending was very satisfactory.
Cons: Many people didn't see this as an issue, but it did kind of make me feel strange when the actress who played the FL for the most part, walked around with a frown on her face and didn't properly react to emotions unless it was happiness or love. I have seen this actress before and I do not recall the same. That and she, for some reason would always walk into danger alone. It was like she was a magnet to somehow end up by herself and at the mercy of some thug or killer, though she was always either rescued by the ML or was able to take care of herself; slightly. There had to be a lot of suspended disbelief, especially for the other main antagonist because of how quickly everybody figured out who he was, even though they tried so hard to hide his face in the shadows or behind poles it was quite obvious who he was, and it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out either.
Another thing that was very strange and unnecessary was to portray both leads as superhuman because they would get shot and bounce back like nothing happened, going after whoever shot them in most cases the creepy serial killer guy. And lastly, how his sister actually survived living in some random village for 20 years vaguely remembering her brother or at least the embroidery that he did for her while other children that were trafficked were killed or harmed, so it didn't really make sense for her to survive unless she was bought by a couple that needed kids. Only rational explanation I have.
Would I recommend it? Despite a lot of inconsistencies and strange things; the series was actually a great watch, even though it only lasted four days. Watch for the cases, for the actors, and of course, the beautiful costumes and scenery that always adorn the Republican era.
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A Much Better Watch Than I Anticipated.
I didn’t expect to enjoy this drama as much as I ultimately did. The first four episodes were admittedly not very impressive—the female lead felt stiff, and the male lead’s actions, especially using her trauma to search for his sister, made it difficult to connect with them. But everything shifted as the story progressed. The misunderstandings between them later was completely justified from her side, yet the male lead’s gradual change felt sincere and believable. Their individual character development was one of the drama’s strongest points.Their chemistry also grew naturally; I especially loved how comfortable they became with skinship and how openly they confronted the painful past between them. Another aspect I deeply appreciated was the second male lead’s arc. He initially tried to pursue her, but the moment he realized his "conquering" made her uncomfortable, he stepped back. He refused to let something as pure as love turn into a burden for her, and that maturity made his character stand out.
The cases woven into the plot were engaging, well-paced, and never dragged. The villains weren’t always predictable, and the drama used each case to shed light on the different forms of abuse women face—a choice I truly admired. Overall, despite a slow and shaky beginning, the drama surprised me with its thoughtful storytelling, strong character growth, and emotional depth.
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It’s surprisingly good. From start to finish.
Watching Shadow Detective from start to finish was an engaging experience that I genuinely enjoyed. What stood out the most was the drama’s focus on well developed characters and their evolving relationships, which kept me emotionally invested across all 24 episodes.Detective Guan Cen (Wang Xingyue) and Lu Yizhen (Wu Jiayi) are central to the story, and their chemistry and mutual respect drive much of the series’ appeal. I appreciated how Lu Yizhen’s curiosity and intelligence as a young woman aspiring to be a police officer are portrayed with nuance, showing her growth from a student fascinated by detective novels to a determined investigator confronting real dangers. Guan Cen’s steady, strategic nature complements her impulsive curiosity, creating a dynamic partnership that feels both realistic and inspiring.
The series excels in balancing tension with character driven moments. Emotional depth is given to secondary characters as well, making the investigative world feel layered rather than one dimensional. The historical Shanghai setting adds a distinct atmosphere, enhancing the stakes of each case without overwhelming the viewer with exposition.
One moment that particularly resonated without spoiling too much is a confrontation between Lu Yizhen and the antagonist tied to a decades old case. The scene highlights her courage and cleverness, while also exploring the emotional toll that justice seeking can take. These moments of tension and moral complexity make the drama more than just a procedural; it’s a story about resilience, ethics, and growth.
If I had to critique, a few minor subplots could have benefited from more development, but they never detracted significantly from the overall experience.
In summary:
Shadow Detective is a compelling, character focused drama that beautifully balances suspense, emotion, and historical depth. Thoughtfully paced and rich with emotional insight, it delivers a satisfying and meaningful viewing experience. I rate it a full 10/10, and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys strong storytelling and memorable, well developed characters.
In short:
A gripping, character driven mystery with depth, heart, and standout performances absolutely worth watching.
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Mystery Lovers Shouldn't Miss This!
Shadow Detective isn’t the most suspenseful drama of the year, but it’s a surprisingly gripping story with well-developed characters and strong acting. (I attribute this to Wang Xingyue’s soulful portrayal of Guan Cen, but you should know that I’m deeply biased.)Years ago, Guan Cen’s little sister was kidnapped along with Lu Jialei (the heroine of the story), and he’s been searching for her ever since. With laser focus and a deep obsession, he burns bridges with a ruthless calm that screams tortured hero. While his sister is still missing, a grown-up Lu Jialei, now Lu Yizhen, who escaped her fate years ago, joins the police force and becomes one of the first female detectives in the squad—reporting directly to the quietly simmering Guan Cen.
Lu Yizhen is a bold heroine, thankfully neither coy nor perpetually in distress. She’s a badass that can hold her own physically and intellectually, which is a delight. Her chemistry with Guan Cen is strong (ignore comments that say otherwise). The two of them fit well together, though it’s a slow-burn romance.
This is NOT a romance, though romance-chasers will find more satisfaction in Shadow Detective than they did in The Wanted Detective. It is a detective show—clearly WXY’s preferred genre—and our protagonists grow close over a series of cases that, while not as bizarre as advertised, are still enjoyable to deconstruct. The clues are well-placed and the detectives’ deductions are sound.
This was filmed in 2022/2023 over a short ~50 days on a shoestring budget. As such, it’s a tight, efficient script without bloat (24 30-minute episodes), so you don’t have to wade through eye-rolling antics to get to the finale. This Republican-era Wang Xingyue is impeccably dressed and gorgeous, even though he’s only 20 years old and sometimes, it shows. The supporting characters are great—my favourite is Dr Ding. Everyone should have a friend like Dr Ding. (Lu Yizhen’s roommate, however, is a bit of a drag.) Director Huo is hilarious; the scene where he asks Lu Yizhen if he’s handsome had me laughing out loud. Du Lingfeng is even more suave than Guan Cen, but an ally, not a rival, which in such a tight script, would have been obnoxious.
The show has held up remarkably well considering its budget, though I do have some questions (WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD):
1. What happened to Lu Yizhen's parents? They cut her off then completely disappeared from her life. I would have liked to see them at the end when she has a ring on her finger (if you’ve watched the show, you’ll know why).
2. The whole ‘Juggernaut’ thing was possibly the only ‘bloat’ in the show. This remarkable heroine is also a writer in her spare time, and apparently, Guan Cen is one of her biggest fans. But this storyline gets dropped midway through the show and we never hear of it again. I don’t get its relevance to the main arc.
3. Where is Guan Cen’s family??? He’s so despairingly alone in this world.
4. They give the heroine a little too much credit towards the end of the show. She is too self-composed against Sasaki for a rookie detective. Impossible that in her first undercover assignment, she doesn’t put a foot wrong. That said, she grows up over the course of 24 episodes quite nicely.
Shadow Detective is an atmospheric show with a good build up and an emotional ending. If I hadn’t had work, I would have binge-watched it on release. Fortunately, I got a chance to binge-watch it this week. Like any good show in this genre, it keeps you hooked. Niggling issues aside, this is an enjoyable easy-to-consume story with a satisfying ending. I highly recommend it!
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There is no way to miss this gem
A promising start. I really enjoyed the first two episodes.Unfortunately, iQIYI treats its subscribers according to the tier they pay for. Some have the privilege of accessing multiple episodes at once, while others do not. So I will have to wait before continuing the story.
Although it is still too early for a proper evaluation, I found the plot quite interesting. And seeing the wonderful Wang Xing Yue in yet another detective role is simply delightful. I absolutely loved his character Xiao Bei Ming in The Wanted Detective, which, by the way, is a spectacular drama.
And here, set in the 1930s during the Republican era, Wang Xing Yue is an absolute treat for the eyes of his fans.
There is no way to miss this gem.
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