The First Shot (2024)

Both belong to the Youku "White Night Theater" series, and deal with drugs cartels, although Escape from the Trilateral Slopes doesn't focus on the drugs trade before the last episodes. The First Shot is about the rise of new (then) drugs, such as ecstasy and methamphetamine, starting flood into China all the way to the distant north, the Dongbei area. There, a new task force to combat the threat is being formed with a core of young, skilled police officers specializing in different sides of investigations. Being close to many ordinary citizens in their age group and family circles, they find themselves not just handed a task, but painfully and personally implicated, when a sister and friends get force-fed drugs, and a young thug wavers between loyalty to the drugs lords who raised him, and friendship with the captain of the task force whom he dares to call "elder brother". Produced by Zhang Yimou, the drama features excellent actors.

Some similarities:
- chinese crime drama focusing on different criminal cases
- establishment of a new special investigation team
- likeable main characters with charming personalities and mysterious background stories
- tragic past of main characters and uncovering the truth
- wholesome friendship
- heartwarming bromance
- a lot of focus on the relationship/bond between the male leads
- found family
- good teamwork
- some action, some thrill, some humor

Some differences:
- The First Shot mainly deals with drug smuggling cases and shows several undercover jobs, but also a lot of other police work
- Unnatural Fire deals with criminal cases that are related to arson and murder. Police, fire department and forensics work together to solve the crimes

In both dramas, we can see same two male leads (Johnny Huang and Wang Zi Qi)...
If you are Johnny Huang and Wang Zi Qi fans, then you also like this drama...

One of the main actors is in both the dramas.
The cinematography and the colours kinda remind me of the first shot
No romance in both instead focusing on brotherhood and friendships

Police investigation on drugs dealer, drugs formula/chemistry, bromance and friendship. Good production and acting.

Some similarities:
- chinese crime drama focusing on police, undercover work and drug trafficking
- past tragic events of main leads have something to do with drugs and crime
- action, investigations and sometimes slice of life moments
- you get to know the main antagonists and get insight into their criminal activities

Some differences:
- The First Shot focuses on the Special Investigation Team, especially the two MLs. There are several small undercover jobs, but also a lot of other police work
- Stealth Walker focuses on the FL and she is undercover for almost the entire drama
- The First Shot mainly shows friendships between the Special Investigation Team
- Stealth Walker has a slight romance plot between FL and ML

- In TFS, set in 1997, the detective team is working on catching a drug ring while in DNAD, set in 1950, the police team is trying to take down a group of agents/rebels who are plotting to destroy the city (more on political side).
- There is bromance between two male leads in both dramas (though they doesn't trust each other at first but then they became greatest support for each other) and great camaraderie between team members with slight comedy.
- There is also brotherhood and betrayal in both dramas where one of the ML is left in a dilemma as to how to deal with it.
- Both drama gives the same vibe overall.

Both friendship dramas
Both detective dramas
Both have the male lead with a traumatic past
Both have grave crimes

Both are detective dramas
Both have friendship between two male leads
Both have one of the male leads with a traumatic past
Both have grave crimes

It's alot similar to this drama
it's in retro too from 1997 and it has full team detective like family
they catch corrupt and gang members too
so it's the most similar to this drama and bonus in the first shot drama there is bromance added to the mix