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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Uncovering Truths Beneath the Silence of the Dead
A Gripping Tale Where Death Speaks and Secrets Unfold!!!A riveting Chinese drama that merges mystery, forensic investigation, and poignant romance against the backdrop of a historical setting. With meticulous storytelling and layered performances, it delivers a dark yet emotionally compelling narrative that keeps viewers on edge from beginning to end.
Some died with Regrets, Some lived with Regrets.......
The Empress Dowager sent the frailer twin away from the palace, believing her stronger son would survive the struggle for power. Yet in the end, it was the exiled son who returned, killed his brother, and took the throne as a false emperor.
Both the Empress and the Noble Consort spent their lives scheming for their sons to claim the crown—but in the end, both sons perished because of that very ambition.
To shield Yan Chi from the Emperor's suspicion, Prince Rui buried his love deep within. He never expected he would die before ever revealing his true feelings to his son.
Qin Zhaoyou, the most brilliant woman in the capital, finally married the man she loved. Then she set herself ablaze in a desperate bid to save him—but even in death, her plan failed to protect him.
Qin Xiang spent her life calculating each step, believing she'd secured power through marriage. But in the end, she became a victim of her own schemes.
Feng Chenbi once had the chance to live a life of wealth and status, but she met her end by the sword in Prince Cheng’s residence.
Yan Ze spent over a decade meticulously plotting revenge, only to die at the hands of the very person who had murdered his parents.
The Emperor spent his life orchestrating control—but in the end, he died full of regret.
The Empress Dowager tried to save one son. In the end, she lost them all—even her grandsons—because of a single choice made long ago.
Eight Cases -:
1st Case: (The Case of the Headless Bride) (Episodes 1–5) | Culprit: 1 ✅
I truly felt for Miss Song. She gave her heart completely to Wei Yan Zhi—willing to abandon her family, reputation, and everything she had, just to be with him. All she longed for was a quiet, peaceful life by his side. But in the end, that love cost her everything.
Wei Yan Zhi wanted something entirely different, and his betrayal led her to a tragic end. 😪
2nd case: (The Case of the Body Buried in the Well) Episode (6-11) Culprit= Qin Family (3rd Branch)✅
One of the most repulsive families I’ve seen. The 3rd branch of the Qin family was truly rotten. Old Madam Qin failed to teach her son any morals—letting him "play" without consequence, even as his actions harmed those around him.
Qin Chen was utterly despicable: indifferent to his wife and child, unfaithful, and spineless. 🤢
I felt deep sympathy for Cai He. Her pain was real, and her revenge felt justified given how she was treated. But I couldn’t support her decision to target Xin Lan and her unborn child—they were innocent and didn’t deserve to be caught in the crossfire.
3rd case: (The Case of the Hundred Herbs Garden) Episode (12-15) Culprit= 2/3 ✅
Wan’s senior brother was a tragic yet dangerous figure—blinded by grief and consumed by selfish desperation. In his obsession to bring back a wife who was already gone, he committed horrific crimes, taking the lives of innocent villagers.
Loving someone deeply is beautiful—but when that love becomes a reason to harm others, it turns dark. One life, no matter how precious, should never justify destroying countless others. Love should never burn the world to keep one person warm. There are many out there who still fight to live for the ones they love.
4th case: (The Case of the Opera Actor Ghost Murder) Episode (16-19) Culprit=1 ✅
This case truly broke my heart. The culprit wasn’t driven by greed or hatred—but by the need to seek justice for her master and her wronged family.
Episode 19 left me speechless. It was deeply emotional and sorrowful. Knowing that the law would never punish those responsible for such cruelty, she took justice into her own hands.
It’s heartbreaking because, though what she did was wrong by the law, her pain was born from a truth no one else dared to face.
5th case: (The Case of the Girl in Brocade Clothes) Episode (20-21) Culprit= 1✅
6th case: (The Case of the Hunting of the Prince) Episode (22-24) Culprit= 2✅
7th case: (The Case of the Heavenly Blood Punishment) Episode (25-29) Culprit=?✅
8th case: (The Murder Case of the Cold Shadow in the Deep Palace) Episode (30-38) Culprit=?✅
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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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In the meantime, this drama can be found on YouTube (BEWARE: IT SEEMS TO BE LIKE A COMPILATION OF THE DRAMA): (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LvMJzCTjg0 ) or (https://www.iq.com/album/coroner-s-diary-2025-159s9otn4ap?lang=en_us)
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Strong leads, stronger pair!
I had to buy the VIP at iQiYi because the free episodes had me hooked. And I am not disappointed. Slightly episodic with a overarching plotline, this drama flew by. Only a moment or two where I felt a drag, but nearly perfect. If you love a strong female lead, a stronger male lead who knows how to support his woman, you will love this drama. Lots of mystery, some intrigue and a perfect amount of romance. Just hit play and enjoy!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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Full On entertainment series ..... Time well spent
great story, very well executed , excellent cinematography , great acting by entire cast , well styled and sharp looking leads (kudos to makeup and styling team for doing an excellent job !) and casting team .... over all job well done by every single departmentOne of those rare dramas you will enjoy from start to end. every character shone. so many adorable characters - from the grand old ladies , to the younger lot. all shone brightly, even the villains ...
Li Landi and Ao Rui Peng- looked their best and acted phenomenally!
this is one drama I will revisit , though the cases are no longer a mystery - there is so much to love in this drama
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COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR ANYTHING MORE
What an exhilarating series.I love me a murder mystery. Coupled with a beautiful romance story, great acting, good writing and pacing; Coroner's Diary truly hit ALL the right boxes.
I'm a huge fan of the whodunit type shows like Midsomer Murders, Murdoch Mysteries, the Agatha Christie series' and the like, so the everyday mystery story lines we got to see in this show was really exciting to watch. All the stories were unique and well written.
Romance wise, this was also really good. I was worried the romance wouldn't be the main focus but it was! Yan Chi and Shen Wan were an absolute powerhouse couple and I loved their sincere devotion and love for each other. There were lots of kisses and intimacy between the two of them sprinkled throughout the show, so my heart was full seeing the couple grow.
Regarding the main plot of this series, I was absolutely invested by the time we hit the 30 episode mark. The pacing was reallllly starting to ramp up and things were finally being revealed which made me both shocked and amazed with the writing. I LOVED the plotline, everything was just so well done.
I'm so shocked that what seemed to be an unimpressionable series was not only able to grab my attention but keep me entertained and happy watching it. Overall really enjoyed everything about this show.
Side note, huge props to the Grandma/Great Aunt actress. That lady was the best Grandma ever, so feisty and badass, haha. Her acting was superb and the scene of her at the end being so emotional was so perfect to me.
Ah, i dont even know what else to say. I just recommend you give this a try!
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