The Embers (2025)

Some similarities:
- chinese crime drama focusing on different criminal cases
- male lead has a tragic past in which a sudden fire destroyed his home and killed his family
- male lead is focused on finding out the truth about the fire and is convinced that it wasn't an accident
- second male lead is a police officer
- female lead is a forensic scientist/pathologist
- a lot of focus on the relationship/bond between the male leads
- wholesome friendship
- good teamwork
- some action, some thrill, some humor

Some differences:
- the main character of The Embers is not an official police officer. He only works with the police because the criminal cases have something to do with him, his brother and his past
- the main character of Unnatural Fire is an official fire investigator and works with the police because the fires are linked to murders
- The Embers focuses on the connection between the main character and his brother
- Unnatural Fire focuses on the connection between the two male leads (fire investigator and police officer) and the female lead (forensic scientist)

Family is one of the most important things in both dramas. In Be Reborn it's about a father and son, in The Embers, it's about brotherhood. Both are mystery/thrillers, great acting too. Both involve (slight) police bromance. Good OSTs, too!

Both are highly recommended.

To be honest, I am not really sure why both dramas seem to give similar vibes. One deals with a genius artist joining the police (and has strong bromance), the other deals with someone who doesn't even like most of the police (and there definitely is no actual bromance). UtS spends a lot of time on separate cases, while TE seems to concentrate on a long-running over-arching plot.

And yet, there's just something really similar in the atmosphere they both project - like a dream state where things are what they seem to be but at the same time, very much different. If you've watched UtS (and watching TE), you might "get" what I mean.

Also, both have good soundtracks. At least that's an obvious common thing.

ETA Ah, there it is, the thing that made me feel there's a similarity (eventual reveal in ep 9). Both of these dramas aren't afraid to touch on VERY sensitive topics for mainland audiences. UtS did it more openly, but the police were capable there and no corruption in sight. TE decided to make it darker and not hide the rot under the pretty surface.

Both of these series are dark gritty crime murder mystery dramas without a lick of romance. Just lots of suspense! Lies Never Lie is a female-centric drama with the main cops being female and The Embers is a male-centric drama with the main cops being male.

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

The plot's aren't very similar, but the tones are alike. They're both dark, show the horrors of small towns, have truly traumatic stuff happen to characters, and the cases of The Embers remind of some of the experiences the characters in Tender Light go through.

Both series are cleverly written, complex, detailed, deal with psychological aspects, and were made with passion by their creators.