Coroner's Diary

Agents of the Justice

Coroner’s Diary tells the gripping tale of Shen Wan, the daughter of Shen Yi, a high-ranking official of the Supreme Court. After her entire family is tragically massacred due to their alleged involvement in a case tied to Prince Jin and the royal power struggle, Shen Wan escapes to Jingzhou under the guise of Qin Wan, the Ninth Lady of the Qin family.
Gifted in medicine and skilled in forensic autopsies, Shen Wan is determined to root out injustice and clear her father's name. In Jingzhou, she crosses paths with Yan Chi, the crown prince of King Rui, who is himself entangled in the political turmoil surrounding the case of Prince Jin. Impressed by Shen Wan’s intelligence, skills and integrity, the two join forces—bound by a shared sense of justice—to uncover the truth buried deep within palace conspiracies, solving one crime after another along the way.
The drama consistently emphasizes the primacy of law: no matter one’s status, every crime must be judged fairly and legally. Autopsies are shown as a vital means of giving voice to the victims—allowing truth to be heard beyond death. The forensic and investigative aspects of the show are handled with both respect and realism. Each case is well constructed and resolved (though there is still room for improvement), keeping viewers thoroughly engaged, particularly during the earlier investigations set outside the capital.
The true highlight of the series for me, however, lies in the relationship between the leads—Shen Wan (Qin Wan) and Yan Chi. Their partnership is built on mutual respect, trust, commitment and unwavering support. From start to finish, their bond remains strong and drama-free—no petty misunderstandings or unnecessary conflicts. They stand side by side as equals, communicating openly and facing every challenge together. Yan Chi, as portrayed by Ao Ruipeng, is almost too good to be true—a man of unwavering respect and love, the kind every woman would dream of having by her side. Ao Ruipeng delivers a standout performance, especially in the action scenes, which are both polished and intense.
Li Landi also impresses as Shen Wan, bringing to life a smart, capable, and composed woman who never wavers in the face of adversity. The supporting characters—Yue Ning, Yan Li, Bai Feng, Fuling, and others—each add their own charm and dimension to the story.
The series concludes on a high note: not only do Shen Wan and Yan Chi end up together, but they continue working side by side, solving cases and upholding justice. It’s a more meaningful resolution than just a romantic union—it’s a lasting promise of order and righteousness. As long as they’re around, justice will prevail.

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FRESH STORYLINE, NEEDED BETTER EXECUTION

This drama has every component to make it great;
1) The plot is fresh, having the FL be a Coroner is not something I've seen done in Chinese dramas.
2) Love and Romance, very sweet and the leads had me squealing
3) Side plots, very interesting and engaging
4) Conflicts for our main leads
5) Likeable Characters
It had everything to make it great but these things were not executed well enough.
Where this drama "failed" the most was the acting, it was not that good. Acceptable? Yes, but it could have been so much better.
The pacing was also off, too much time was spent getting to the unravelling of the conspiracy and not enough time on the unravelling itself.

Everything that happened was just convenient.

For a drama that is heavily focused on romance, I thought the boundaries of the conflict the leads faced in their relationship could have been pushed further.

The second leads' relationship also happened so fast and wasn't built steadily to make it easy to believe their love.

And it fell off in the last few episodes.

I just found myself wanting more.
In conclusion, it's a good drama, it did enough but it could have done so much more.
I rated it this high in part because of how much I enjoyed it in the beginning and middle parts

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I watched the drama because of the hype (heat index), but it was really disappointing. :((((

I'm someone who doesn't usually write reviews for C-Dramas I've watched—especially when the story isn't that great. But since I was drawn in by the "heat index" popularity, I had higher expectations. Sadly, this drama was quite disappointing—though not necessarily in terms of the plot. Here's what made it fall short for me:

1) The plot starts off strong and promising, but the execution is poor.
– The idea is unique: a smart female coroner determined to uncover the truth behind her parents' deaths, hiding her identity and solving cases in each episode (which sounds fun). But... everything feels rushed. It’s like watching a short drama clip you'd find on TikTok, Reels, or other short-form platforms—quick, surface-level, and lacking emotional depth.

2) The cast is attractive, but the acting is weak. :(((
– I’m not sure if it's due to rushed production, but the cast—while promising—fell below my expectations.
– The pacing is too fast, making it hard to connect emotionally with the characters. For example, in episode one, the female lead’s parents are killed, but I couldn’t feel her grief or desperation. She showed some anger and sadness, but it didn’t come across as convincing.
– In another scene where she helps a grandmother in the market, her expression was flat—again, no emotional depth. She’s undeniably pretty, but her performance lacked nuance.
– The male lead is also handsome, but his character portrayal felt off. He’s described as strong, fierce, and cunning... but he really isn’t. Sure, he has power, but "fierce"? Not quite.

3) They tried to portray a strong, intelligent female lead, but some parts felt unrealistic and made her come off as arrogant at times.

4) The romance is rushed.
– The pacing just doesn’t make sense. I don’t understand how the male lead fell in love so quickly—especially given that he’s a military leader who’s supposed to be “cunning” and “fierce.”
– There's a scene where the female lead tries to lure out the villains but ends up in danger—until the male lead rescues her. Sigh. It’s such a cliché and rushed romance. I don’t mind clichés as long as they don’t feel forced or unnatural. The moment the male lead told her she didn’t need to sacrifice herself during the lantern festival, I knew a typical rushed romance scene was coming.

I haven’t finished the drama yet, but the first five episodes were already so disappointing that I’m considering dropping it. It just goes to show that a high "heat index" doesn’t necessarily reflect the actual quality of a drama.

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Just like that

I didn't like it at all. I couldn't get into the series. I tried really hard, but it just wouldn't work. I just can't get into it, I can't commit.Landy Li was great in Love of Nirvana, but She's terrible in this one. Her acting is dull, cold, lifeless, and unmotivated. They might have told him to give him that kind of image. I mean, okay, there's a seriousness to her work, but otherwise, we see a slightly different face. Something happens, we change. She's always the same.
Ao Rui Peng has almost no energy. It's as if this series wasn't for her. It just didn't work. I couldn't see any warmth, or any chemistry, between the two. They just didn't work for me. They didn't work. I don't know why. These roles are obviously not for them.
What about the supporting roles? They're completely nonexistent. They're just random. They're like outsiders.
I'm not going to nitpick. I just couldn't get into the series. I dropped it.

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Love to solve cold cases and seeking for revenge...

Coroner’s Diary follows Shen Wan, daughter of a high-ranking court official, whose entire family is annihilated in a political cover-up. Escaping death, she reinvents herself as Qin Wan, a coroner in Jingzhou. Armed with her keen mind and a thirst for justice, she delves into corpse investigations, exposing one hidden crime after another—all while unraveling the conspiracy behind her family’s slaughter.

What It Does Exceptionally Well
1. Mystery That Respects Your Intelligence
This isn’t just fluff wrapped in silk robes. Each case Qin Wan investigates has real forensic depth. Clues matter. Logic matters. She’s not solving crimes by coincidence or charm—she’s a methodical thinker using anatomy, deduction, and intuition. If you enjoy piecing things together, the show feeds your mind without spoon-feeding.

2. Revenge With Moral Weight
This isn’t petty vengeance—it’s righteous fury tempered by reason. Qin Wan wants justice, not just for herself but for all the voiceless victims she examines. Her path isn’t easy or clean, and that’s what makes it compelling. Her decisions often cost her something—friends, safety, even love.

3. Atmosphere That Draws Blood
The visuals are dark, elegant, and purposeful. Candlelit autopsies, silent halls drenched in tension, and shadowy alleys echoing with secrets. The show doesn’t rush—it breathes. Each shot builds tone. If you like your thrillers with ambiance and dread, this delivers.

4. A Lead Actress Who Owns It
Li Landi (as Qin Wan) carries this show. Her performance is all restraint and resolve, like a flame burning under ice. No hysterics, no over-the-top drama—just sharp eyes, surgical tools, and inner war. It’s rare to see a female lead in historical C-dramas who’s this calculated, calm, and commanding.

Where It Falters
1. Pacing Isn’t For Everyone
If you want constant action or fast romance, this isn’t it. Some middle episodes slow down, especially during political exposition or side character arcs. The show takes its time unraveling threads—it’s a slow burn, and if you’re impatient, it might test you.

2. Side Characters Get Uneven Attention
While a few allies and antagonists stand out, many of the side characters fall into stereotypical traps—loyal friend, corrupt official, scheming concubine. They serve the plot but rarely evolve.

3. Romance Is Subtle to a Fault
The chemistry between Qin Wan and Yan Chi is more intellectual than emotional. There’s respect, trust, and shared goals—but don’t expect heavy romantic drama. If you’re here for love stories, this one plays it in the background.

Final Verdict
9/10 – A smart, brooding, slow-burn historical thriller for those who crave depth over spectacle.

Coroner’s Diary doesn’t chase trends—it carves its own path. It’s not a drama for passive watching. It demands your attention, rewards your patience, and delivers justice not with swords, but with scalpel and mind. For fans of The Imperial Coroner, Under the Power, or The Longest Day in Chang’an, this belongs in your top tier.

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AT LAST. GOOD PLOT, GREAT ACTING and Solid Coroners and Detective steps

As criminal and xianxia genre lover I have been malnourished by inadequate a good piece of work cdrama land gave us. I see the line up drama that will aired 2025 there is Coroner's Diary, it hype me more since I read the synopsis and know all the casts are good actors and actresses.

The lets begin our review. The plots is classical "To Avenge the Wrong that be fallen into the family which result being hunted and fake an identity." Li Landy's family being hunted because her father handle a sensitive case involved a royal. Both parents and her parent acquaintance Mr Qin; Qinlang death because they are "canon fooder" to throne politics. She then assumed Mr Qin's daughter identity; Qin Wan which I deduce both Shen Wan and Qin Wan are met at Medicine Valley. She then steel herself up and investigate. For to do that she then use a nephew of Emperor, Yan Chi which played by our baby Ao Rui Peng. Both Yan Chi and Qin Wan using each other for the same case.

For the acting Li Landy is a solid remember when she play as a women that can change identity because of a bracelet, from there we can see she can hold the character and delivered to use like she is Qin Wan not Li Landy's acting as Qin Wan. For Ao Ruipeng he has solid acting all the details are on points but somehow his agency have muddled headed person to pick a good project. From an idol drama to this project if he isnt solid, he would be shredded by drama critics hyenas. My dissatisfaction is Ao Ruipeng VA, I know it will be impossible for him to voice himself because Ao Ruipeng voice's type is light not good for Xianxia type like Tan Jianci, Yuning gege etc. Seeing Ruipeng topless make my heart hurt, he is so skinny after watch topless Xiao Zhan and actor who played as Zhuang Xingxing in Zang Hai, Wang Anyu; they are slim but buffed muscles. The first case murderer is the Word of Honor's actor that last villain that hunt Jade key to immortality. His acting superb.

As usual I hate the lighting that emphasise how ML fall with FL; the light behind the FL that blinded us all. Why they keep using an outdated kdrama technique, aigoooo.....
The costumes are awesome they are muted but cant cover that most of them represent a wealth of the wearers plus its so elegance.

The music placement so far help us to keep the plot up.

Its the initial 6eps, I will keep posting the further review.

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What this show does well is production value. It has beautiful sets, action choreography, costume design. The make-up for the men is a bit off, often smeared lipstick or foundation too light so they seem pale. There is an investment in quality actors. However, the plot slogs badly in the middle and then becomes stale. The characters are all one dimensional, but the plot is too. So the actors, who do a great job with what they have to work with, have no substance to pull really exceptional performances or fulfill their own potential. The romance becomes tedious and smarmy. It's disappointing ultimately because it has a lot of potential that it cannot execute.

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Just amazing

I have a very broad knowledge on forensic examination so I absolutely love watching dramas abt forensic examinations and might I say coroner's diary is the best one yet. From the cases to the love stories to the plot twist ending, everything is just 10/10. Though one thing I am a bit dissapointed abt was the fact that we didn't get much abt the relationship between Yan Li and Yue Ning. I absolutely loved the two and would've loved it if they gave us more. Another thing i wouldve loved was if only they went into Qin Wan and the uncle's story. From what I've heard the novel included the solving of Qin Wan's case and after hearing that i feel it would've been an amazing addition to the show aswell. But besides that, everything abt this drama is just amazing. Would totally recommend it to non C-drama watchers

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Worth Watching

This drama was straight to the point; it was not long-drawn-out boring episodes like many dramas out there. The romance was also straight to the point, no childish games played, no manipulative hidden agendas, just sweet and simple. It was nice to be able to watch a drama without having to fast forward thru episodes like some dramas who fill their episodes with many unnecessary drawn-out scenes just so they can extend the number of episodes their drama has so that they have more air time which equals more money.
The cast was good, I'm a fan of Ao Ruipeng, I feel he has improved his acting skills a great deal lately with every drama he has taken on. Overall, this drama is definitely worth watching every episode to the very end if you like investigative thriller with some sweet simple romance.

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