This review may contain spoilers
Balance is important
Things I Loved: Coroner's Diary is a fun show that keeps you guessing from the beginning. While it's not extremely difficult to figure out who is behind the crimes and why in the show, it was enjoyable nevertheless. The chemistry between the leads is great. I love that we didn't have a misunderstanding trope thrown at them or any of the other secondary couple pairs. It was also interesting to see the misunderstanding trope done between a father and son. There are several themes of found family throughout this drama that I also love.Things I did not like:
1. Yan Han's bloodline ending up on the throne and Yan Chi not being emperor. In the novel, Yan Chi was able to expose Yan Han's crimes, as it felt like everyone who did something wrong got the punishment they deserved. Here, all Yan Han got was death. He got to keep his rep, and his child inherited the throne. It felt like the big bad got a reward rather than a punishment to me.
2. The handling of Yan Ze felt way too rushed, and his death felt very... lackluster. I did not enjoy it. I felt the same way about the empress's death as well as the one consort. They died by stabbing each other and discussing what each of them had endured to help their son, etc. It just felt...off. Their characters are supposed to be very smart women who would do anything for their children, and yet this is the way they go out? I'm not upset at them dying, but...how they died...eh. Not feeling it.
So, in short, while I'm aware it's impossible and unrealistic for them to cover everything in the source material and that creative liberity makes things more exciting, they did not do a good job of spacing out the cases, and balancing that with the court issues as well as with the ending/endings of the 'villains'.
Rating:
Given the limited number of episodes and the fact that, in my opinion, the good outweighs the bad, I'm giving this a 9/10.
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Draggy at the end
This drama was slow at first. Towards the middle was getting interesting. Then towards the last episodes was draggy. I fast forwarded the last 6 episodes because the story was not interesting.The main leads have chemistry and acted connvincingly.
I didn't like the 2nd leads. They are just there and felt forced.
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Fine drama with brilliant plot ...... but with so-so acting
The drama 'Coroner's Diary ' is very interesting in the concepts of plot and story but truth to be told ... Here are some of my suggestion points :1. Drama is excellent in plots and how does the story takes each turn
2. ML and FL confessed there feelings too early .
3. Supporting characters are more interesting.
4. According to plot of the drama ML should be cunning but his cunningness is of 0% .
5.2nd ML have more interesting past .
Overall i can say this drama is not re-watchable and i don't basically like Yan Chi 's character he plays to be clever but he actually dumb also he is distracting FL from her goal . Everyone in the Imperial court knows shen yi is a criminal but ML is praising him in front of his enemy just to make FL happy praising shen yi is already suspicious and also shows ML is never cautious . Also ML is very annoying knowing that disclosing his relationship in front yuanwu princesses can endanger Qin Wan 's life then also he started to be lovey - dovey in front of princess . When Qin Wan stops Yan Chi from holding her hand in front of others as to not invite troubles than also yan chi can not just control himself even a bit and tries to be intimate with Qin Wan in front of outsiders . Also Ao rui peng 's acting needs a lot of improvement but landy's acting is amazing.Let me just say i 'm watching drama only because of 2nd ML and FL they are very intresting if they were not in this drama , this drama won't be watchable.
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Looks familiar but done really poorly
I fall in love with Chinese costume dramas since I've finished "Story of Kunning palace", "Goodbye princess", "The double" and many more.Landy Li played in another top drama "love of Nirvana" and I was expecting Coroner's Diary to come closer, but omg I was so wrong.
Plot is a about a prince and a medic playing pro detectives who are not chasing injustices, injustices are chasing them . There is colleague chemistry between them and side characters are total fillers. I've finished ep 15 basically forcing myself to keep watching. Some scenes are so cringe: for example when the princess balancing on the heels with one hand holding on the edge with the other straight hand holding two other grown women. Another one was when the prince charming went though tornado under water to save the medic and then covered her with his coat but how are they soaking wet, but his coat is warm and dry. Because it fits better the romance scene, just turn of your brain, it is fine O0.
I also don't get how there are ppl giving this top score 10, with what do you compare this?
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It's better than Imperial Coroner
It's among the only 2-3 dramas which I've been able to complete till the end in last couple of years. Most dramas nowadays get draggy towards the end but not this one, great production along with great acting does the job for me. Music in this drama is surely among the top 5 (all time c-dramas).But what I like most about this drama is that the romance doesn't spoil the story like most others, you will enjoy every romantic scenes in this drama.
Story - 9/10 (great cases but nothing new or extraordinary)
Music -10/10 (among the bests)
Acting -9.5/10 (great acting by both ML and FL, support cast was a bit lacking)
Overall- 9.5/10 (best in 2025 for me)
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Revenge with your own hands or will the law one day punish the criminals?
Coroner’s Diary’s main message to me is the contradicting beliefs between Shen Wan and most of the villains—their methods of revenge.Yang Caihe,Shen Wan’s senior in medicine king valley,Qing and Yanze what they have in common as villains are reasons for their murders—personal vendettas
In modern society (mostly social media) many praise those who have slaughtered the criminals they belief that the modern judicial system has failed them especially in cases involving women (shown in the Caihe arc)
In Coroner’s Diary at the final episode Shen Wan and Yan Chi reinstated new laws so that nobody will ever need to take matters into their own hands
Coroner’s Diary’s representation of corruption by those high in power really remind me of our real world leaders we have targeted at an orange
though most villains got their vengeance through means of blood Shen Wan got her revenge through the law
I am not one to judge of our modern day justice system as I am just a single individual still studying so therefore there is no definite answer to revenge through your own means or by the law
I might as well label this the drama I was craving for.However,there will always be something that you dislike and as for me it is Shen Wan’s character
Shen Wan lacks depth to me,she feels dry,lacks imperfections.I would have labeled her as a mary sue if not for her arguments with Yanchi in the early part of the drama.I don’t know if it’s because I prefer more morally grey characters over those who are just “good” but she’s just so boring,even the fake emperor felt more pleasing to watch than her.Her relationship with Yanchi feels so meh—Yanchi would have been another one but the newest 6 episodes saved him so I’ll give him some slack.I never got the hype between Shen Wan and yanchi I only assumed it was popular because they were the main leads or people were just gooning to hot guy lmao,the chemistry felt raw—there’s no spark just a green flag guy with a smart girl.
Again I’m just a teenager who failed literature so you can say my inferences of characters are wrong and I wouldn’t argue about it
One thing I really wished for this series was that it was like WAY longer like I saw how long the novel was (500+ chapters) And the other 2 Main leads get more screen time and impact on the story rather than just Female and Male lead carrying
I wish Yanche and Qin Zhaoyu had a better conclusion,they would have been a cute couple together but they barely lasted even a few episodes.
I also wish we had more moments between Yan Qi and Qin Xiang but meh that guy is a pain in my soul so eughh
One thing I really loved in the series was the villains especially Yan Han who would show no mercy to anyone who would even figure out his conspiracy but his most fatal weakness was his son which he had abandoned just like Former Prince Rui showed his love to yanchi
For me Yang Caihe and Qing were really iconic and well the others they’re okay (I sound gay for this)
To conclude my review,Coroner’s Diary has the best message which mirrors our current day system and I actually enjoyed watching the villains compared to most cdramas where the villain is annoying as heck
The corrupted ones showed the most cowardice when they lost their power but Shen Yi protected his wife and daughter till his last breath (hah get it cuz he’s dead and also drowned) —sorry lmao
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A Noblewoman in Disguise: Shen Wan’s Journey from Tragedy to Justice, Love, and Palace Secrets
₊˚⊹౨ৎ ₊˚⊹Plot⋆𐙚 ₊ ° ⊹ ♡The story centers on Shen Wan, daughter of Shen Yi, a prominent Supreme Court official. When her entire family is slaughtered after being entangled in the Prince of Jin case, Shen Wan narrowly escapes with her life. She flees to Jingzhou, taking on a new identity as Qin Wan, the Ninth Lady of the Qin family. There, she immerses herself in the study of medicine and the art of autopsies.
Gifted in both healing and forensic investigation, Qin Wan becomes a skilled coroner known for solving difficult crimes. In the midst of one such investigation, she crosses paths with Yan Chi, the crown prince of King Rui. Yan Chi, seeking to clear the Prince of Jin’s name, shares a goal that echoes Qin Wan’s desire to restore her father's honor. United by purpose, the two return to the capital, unraveling a series of perplexing and sinister cases along the way.
Back in the capital, the discovery of a buried skeleton reignites the Prince of Jin case. As Qin Wan and Yan Chi probe deeper, they begin to unravel a long-buried conspiracy that leads straight to the palace’s darkest secrets. Amid their search for justice, the two find themselves falling in love.
⋆ ִֶָ ๋𓂃🎐 ⋆Reveiw𓇼 ⋆｡˚ 𓆝
I swear, Xiang Wan is seriously testing my patience. Like, girl...wake up! Every man around you is clearly playing you like a game of chess, and you still walk around acting like you’re better than everyone else? The delusion! What really gets me is her constant whining about “wHy dOeS qIn wAn aLwaYs gEt reCoGniZed??” — um, maybe because Qin Wan actually earned it? She's out here risking her life solving murders, performing autopsies, and literally saving people, while Xiang Wan is doing...what, exactly? Complaining? Leeching off others? Pretending she’s owed praise just for existing?
The arrogance is insane. She walks around with this self-righteous attitude, acting like the world’s done her wrong when in reality she contributes absolutely nothing of value. Meanwhile, Qin Wan is out there working tirelessly, staying humble, and still being insanely competent. Honestly, Qin Wan has the patience of a saint, because if I were her? I would’ve slapped Xiang Wan ten times over by now. The number of times I’ve had to pause an episode to scream into a pillow? Astronomical.
(No hate to the actress, though, she did a fantastic job bringing Xiang Wan’s bratty, entitled energy to life. That takes skill. The irritation I feel is a testament to how well she played the role.)
Also, let’s talk about the Emperor real quick. The man is the blueprint for gaslighting manipulators. The way he keeps emotionally blackmailing the Empress Dowager with his whole “am I not your son too?” speech...like sir, are you seriously guilt-tripping your own mother right now?? #1 manipulator in the kingdom. I was floored. Audibly. Out loud.
On the bright side, Landy Li as Qin Wan? Phenomenal. Her performance is such a masterclass in subtlety. Qin Wan isn’t a loud or overly expressive character, but Landy delivers so much through her eyes, whether it’s quiet grief, suspicion, or hidden determination. She doesn't overact, but still gives warmth and humanity when needed. That little smile when things go right? Chef’s kiss. She fully embodied the calm strength and depth that make Qin Wan who she is. Absolute divaaaaa.
And honestly, the entire cast brought their A-game. Even outside the drama, their dynamic is so fun, especially in those bonus scenes where they all solve little mysteries together. It’s such a treat seeing them have fun while staying in character. Despite all my rage about Xiang Wan, the cast made the show feel alive and engaging from start to finish.
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Justice will be served at the right time (Best Mystery drama of 2025)
I really love watching mystery dramas, especially those involving case investigations. My last watch was 'Mysterious Lotus Casebook,' which also aired on iQiyi. Now, I'm completely hooked on 'Corner's Diary' right from the first five episodes – every episode is just so suspenseful! I decided to watch this because the plot seemed interesting. I don't usually watch ongoing dramas because I often get left hanging or drop them quickly if I'm not impressed within the first three episodes. But with this series, the writer is incredibly talented; you'll find yourself wondering who the culprit is and even creating your own theories. That means the writer is truly impressive if they can get viewers actively thinking while watching. I highly recommend watching this drama if you loved 'Mysterious Lotus Casebook' and also enjoy romance elements. I'm sure you'll love this one; you won't regret it – not a single episode is a waste!Was this review helpful to you?
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An Underrated Gem with Heart, Brains, and Charm
Coroner’s Diary truly exceeded my expectations and delivered a beautifully balanced blend of mystery, romance, and emotional depth. While it follows a case-based structure—with several mini-arcs and one major overarching mystery—it never feels repetitive or dull. Each case ties into the characters' development and larger plot in a meaningful way. Even when a solution felt predictable, the journey there was so engaging that it never lost my interest.What stood out to me most was the tone: it’s refreshingly mature. It avoids the usual drama tropes—no forced breakups, no love triangles, and thankfully no "noble idiocy." The romance feels authentic, respectful, and grown-up. From the beginning, the leads treat each other as equals. Their relationship is founded on trust and mutual admiration, which is so rare in many historical dramas.
The female lead is a standout character. She's intelligent, resilient, and confident without ever tipping into arrogance. She solves problems with logic, relies on her own skills, and holds her ground in a male-dominated environment. I found her journey both empowering and moving. The male lead complements her perfectly—he’s emotionally mature, respectful, and always supportive. Their chemistry is subtle but strong, and their quiet moments together are some of the most touching in the drama.
The pacing is excellent, moving steadily without filler. There’s always something happening, whether it’s solving a case, revealing a twist, or deepening relationships. The secondary and third couples add lightness and humor, balancing the heavier themes. They’re sweet, sincere, and serve their purpose without stealing the spotlight.
The music is fitting and enhances the emotional beats well, and the entire cast delivers solid performances across the board. I could easily see myself rewatching this drama—not just for the romance or mystery, but for how well everything fits together.
If you’re tired of the same clichés and want a drama with a smart female lead, emotionally healthy romance, and engaging plot, Coroner’s Diary might surprise you. It’s not flashy, but it knows what it wants to be—and it delivers with quiet confidence.
10/10 across the board for me.
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Served Visuals, Served CP Excellence, and Served Justice!
The whole time I was watching, I would often joke to myself: What drugs did they put in this drama... why am I so addicted to it?STORY:
I am going to be honest, there are a lot of plot holes in this show, especially in the cases. The case-solving aspect is not really tight if you compare it to other mystery shows. But considering that its other main genre is romance, it's a good enough romance-mystery show. In fact, the romance is too good and it makes up for all the faults in the case-solving.
Individually, Yan Chi and Shen Wan are strong characters; and together, even stronger. They are one of the healthiest couples I've seen in a while, and it's very hard not to love them. One of the things I love about them is how they're both willing to learn from each other, and this was especially evident in the earlier episodes. There are instances where they have different views, but they talk it out and gain new perspectives that broaden their minds. I particularly liked the scenes where Shen Wan lectures Yan Chi on due process and human rights (sorry, I'm a nerd) and Yan Chi reading the books that Shen Wan mentions in passing and a few scenes later, you see him citing quotes from said books (like, wow, what do you know about romance!)
Another thing I love about them is how they give each other both support and comfort. I won't cite specific scenes, but watch the show and you'll know! (A little spoiler: In the whole 38 episodes, there was not a single misunderstanding between them, and even during the times when they were still unfamiliar with each other and felt a little suspicious of each other's motives, they still treated each other with respect.)
Ultimately, the flaws in the story are mostly in the case-solving aspect. But in terms of the overarching plot, I think it's all good. In fact, the story kept me so entertained until the end! Not even the flaws can stop me from watching!
[RE: TALKS ABOUT JUSTICE] I like their little commentary about justice. It can be a little preachy, but I think it's because the heart of the show is Shen Wan's "revenge". Revenge is not just achieved in the form of "an eye for an eye", like most of the "villains" in each cases did. Revenge may also be achieved by putting those who do evil to you before the eyes of the law.
In line with this, I think I saw some people criticizing Shen Wan's character design for being "too perfect". While I do agree that Shen Wan (and even Yan Chi) have crazy protagonist halo, I think that rather than being "too perfect", Shen Wan is just an idealist. After all, she grew up as a daughter of the Minister of the Supreme Court. She is privileged and hasn't seen much of the world yet, until the events of the show happened. I wouldn't hold it against her if she comes off too strong with her beliefs. (In fact, I know a lot of people just like her.) I think this was even addressed in one of the cases, where one of the characters pointed out that she hasn't lived the same experiences as other women to make her own judgment about them by her own standards. So, no. I don't think she's "too perfect". I think she's just an idealist, who eventually came to know how the world truly works as the story progresses.
ACTING/CAST:
Li Landi, the actress that you are! Loved her micro-expressions so much! The way her lips quiver when she's about to cry, like she's holding it back is so on brand for Shen Wan's character design and her performance is just so good! I have always loved her and her performance in this show is just as good as the ones I've watched her in before. She's always improving and from her attitude while acting and her interviews, you just know how much respect she has for the craft.
Ao Ruipeng, you are now one of my elite employees! I actually first saw him in Seven Relics of Ill Omen and I liked his performance there, so I had a little deep dive into his works. Maybe it's my bias (from Seven Relics) but honestly, I used to think he suits the fun and silly characters more than the serious ones. But he was majestic as Yan Chi and he definitely brought Yan Chi to life. His admiring gazes for Shen Wan really sold the CP to me! He's so good at acting in love, I was going crazy every time they had a scene together. In addition to this, he is so good at creating chemistry with every dynamic he has in the show. His dynamic with Bai Feng is so fun to watch. It's not just the typical master-servant dynamic. It also had a hint of "I went through life and death with you. You may be my servant, but you are also one of my brothers" kind of dynamic. His dynamic with Yue Ning and Yan Li is also so lovely. He has that "older brother that they can always depend on and be a little immature to" vibe going on whenever he's with them. And his dynamic with his father was so heartbreaking. He portrayed a child yearning for his father's approval and love so well. The scenes with his father brought me to tears, like, I was crying for real.
Shen Yujie and Yu Chengen are also good! They are so funny and it's so fun seeing their antics.
Overall, the actors in this show are all so good and it's a joy to watch them all bring the characters to life. From the good guys to the bad guys, their acting are all online!
Special Mention: The actress for Qin Zhaoyu. I don't know, she's not really that important of a character, but she stood out so much for me. She just exudes so much grace and I can't help but root for her character.
MUSIC:
THE MUSIC HAS HIT #PLATINUM IN MY HOUSEHOLD. In fact, I already have them on rotation in my daily playlist.
The way the songs were utilized in the scenes in the drama is perfect. It effectively adds on the immersion you feel when you watch the scene. I particularly like it whenever they use Don't Sigh in heartbreaking and angsty scenes. It never fails to make me tear up. I also want to mention Ao Ruipeng's OST in particular. They always add it in the romantic scenes and it's just so perfect and heart-fluttering!
REWATCH VALUE:
Let's just say that every time I finish watching an episode, I immediately go to XHS or Weibo to watch edits or clips. That's how rewatchable it is for me. And I won't miss a single video.
OVERALL:
This drama is just too addicting. Sure, it has some flaws. But it's so entertaining! I loved every second of it, even the ones where I go, "Huh? That kinda doesn't make sense." If you don't want to watch it for the case-solving, at least watch it for the main couple. I have never seen a CP with this good chemistry, this good writing, and this perfect in a long time. They're just so compatible and healthy in a way that is still exciting to watch. I was so crazy about them and I don't think I will forget them for a very long time.
Also: The actors are all online. And they are captured perfectly by the production team. It's a visual feast.
I often say that you really just know when the crew enjoyed doing a project when you see the end result. This is one of those projects. It's definitely going to my Top Favorite Shows List in my heart.
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It was interesting enough to finish watching.
What a wonderful story! I loved the pace, the mystery solving, the character’s determination and bravery, and how neatly it was tied up till the end.It touches difficult themes, but what kind of vicious killing isn’t difficult to understand and solve? The pace didn’t suffer, and every murder was solved and presented tied up neatly with a bow. I loved the story! I wish most CDramas were like this one.
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