Tong Shuang Stole the Spotlight in an Uneven Ride
Unwanted Detective Series had an intriguing premise and some standout moments, but it struggled to maintain momentum throughout.The strongest performance came from Xiao Beiming, the main male lead, who carried his role with conviction and executed his assignment flawlessly. His presence gave the series much of its weight. In contrast, Xueman, the female lead, often came across as frustrating her interruptions derailed key plans and at times weakened the pacing. That said, her true importance only became clear in the final episode, where her role finally felt justified.
Among the supporting characters, Tong Shuang delivered the biggest surprise. The unexpected twists surrounding his character were some of the most memorable parts of the show. Zhugo, with his stylish flair, made for an entertaining latecomer, though his arrival after the crisis had already been resolved felt more like comic relief than real impact.
Unfortunately, the series began to drag after its first few episodes. The romance subplot felt unnecessary, and the chemistry between the leads would have worked better if left as friendship rather than forced romance. Similarly, the second wedding storyline added little and seemed out of place.
The ending, especially the final five minutes, was unimpressive and left the series without the strong conclusion it needed.
Overall, the Series had strong performances and occasional surprises, but uneven pacing and unnecessary plotlines held it back. It’s worth watching once but not the kind of series you’d return to a second time.
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1Excellent writing in executing a great mystery investigation and redemption from Start to Finish
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75I cannot believe I am typing this out. “The Wanted Detective” is an underrated drama starring Wang Xing Yue!!! Wang Xing Yue!! Can you believe that? There are less than 8000 watchers at the time of this review. Why? Possibly because viewers were alerted that there’s only a ‘slight romance’ tag, and it was airing when the highly anticipated “The Legend of the Female General” was airing at the same time. Maybe many just finished watching “The Coroner’s Diary” and had enough of crime investigation. Ok, that poster is awful, too.
However, if you are a fan of mystery, thriller and crime investigation, this is a rare, well-written drama from start to finish. Each case/subplot and death is tightly connected back to the original mystery in episode 1. The drama never loses its focus, and as you watch episode after episode, you get little clues here and there. You try to find out what really happened on that boat and who was the villain. The journey was full of thrills and plot twists. I had no idea who the real villain was until it was revealed.
Wang Xing Yue played our wanted detective, Xiao Bei Ming. This is a great role for him as he navigated the different stages of Xiao Bei Ming. Starting out as the genius, beloved and a little arrogant detective, WXY shows off a more animated side of the character. But as his character goes through injustices and life-threatening events, we see a different side of WXY. I also really enjoy Julia Xiang’s portrayal of the fierce and badass heroine, Zhong Xue Man. It’s refreshing to see her character development from a young detective wanting to prove her worth, to suffering through the death of a family member and needing to grow up fast. Zhong Xue Man can hold her own in front of all the men, and for the most part, kicks their butts. She never lost that quality until the very end when she was the one who made a crucial and dangerous decision to save everyone.
The supporting cast is also likable and well-acted. Each has their unique skills and advantages that complement this 5-person group in uncovering the mystery. I like that the drama showcases how each of them contributes to the success, and is given sufficient screen time for us to know them on a personal level. I also really like the veteran cast and many guest roles. There are so many intelligent characters with interesting backstories.
If I have to pick on the drama, unsurprisingly, it is the romance. I totally understand that romance is just a small part of the drama. As much as I like the couples, I just needed a little more, given how they navigate many life-threatening events. Wang Xing Yue/Xiao Bei Ming and Julia Xiang/Zhong Xue Man give me a very strong sibling or friendship bond, but not as lovers. The secondary romance is also very light with a few scenes here and there to show that feelings are mutual. There aren't any secret gazes or longing for each other, nor do the actors convey a deep romantic love for each other.
But on another positive note, I really like the action scenes. Despite a few slow-motion moves, I really like the fight choreography. I was especially impressed with Julian Xiang. She looks amazing as the badass detective. The drama poster is so bad that it gives off a low budget vibe. But in reality, the sets, the costumes and production quality is pretty good. I even enjoy the cult dance and the non-skin smoothing (just need to tone down Wang Xing Yue’s white powder a tiny bit here and there). I think except for Julia, the main cast all dubbed their own voices. Props to Wang Xing Yue who does that quite often.
I definitely would recommend this drama, especially if you enjoy mystery, thriller and crime investigation. It’s rare to find a well-written drama that keeps the mystery going from ep 1 all the way to the end. Despite my minor criticism of the romance, I am giving this drama a high 8.75. I was going to round it down, but decided to round it up to 9.0 to give the rating a little boost. It deserves more attention, especially when acting, writing and execution are good.
Completed: 8/20/2025 Review #615
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The Wanted Detective: Pieces of the Puzzle
🔹 I wouldn’t rewatch it, but I really enjoyed the mystery cases more than the romance✨ What happens when the kingdom's best detective returns from exile to face accusations and solve unsettling crimes?
📕 Overview 🎬
🔹 36 episodes, suspense period drama
🔹 At the time of this review, the full series has aired
🔹 Original screenplay, directed by Zhao Jintao
🔹Wang Xingyue portrays Xiao Beiming, a once-brilliant detective who is now labeled a traitor.
🔹 Julia Xiang is cast as Zhong Xueman, a fearless and quick-witted junior partner.
🔹 The story starts when Xiao Beiming returns to the capital and teams up with allies to solve unusual cases and expose corruption.
🔹 Great for fans of mystery dramas that feature historical intrigue.
🌸 How It Felt Watching 💙
🔹 The initial cases develop gradually, creating tension and suggesting larger conspiracies beneath the surface.
🔹 Watching felt smart, tense, and sometimes heavy, like piecing together a puzzle one clue at a time
🔹The themes of justice, loyalty, and redemption resonate throughout every case.
🔹 I really liked the way everything was planned out and how well the team worked together, but the slower pace kind of tried my patience at the beginning.
✨ Cast & Acting
🔹 Wang Xingyue portrays Xiao Beiming, bringing a commanding presence that grounds the story with stability.
🔹 Julia Xiang portrays Zhong Xueman, bringing warmth and courage; her sincerity makes the partnership believable.
🔹 Supporting cast: witty partners and loyal allies add excitement and depth, although some side characters remain underdeveloped.
🔹 Chen Youwei and Zhang Nan's characters add tension and variety, keeping the group dynamics engaging and interesting.
🎵 OST
🔹 Opening theme by He Luoluo
🎞️ Production Style
🔹Setting and Mood: The atmosphere is shadowy and mysterious, creating a perfect backdrop for intrigue.
🔹 Costumes and sets: functional and authentic, reflecting the period.
🔹 The camera work and pacing may be slow at times, but it rewards viewers who appreciate detailed storytelling.
☕ Tea Notes
🔹 What worked: Intriguing mysteries, evolving team dynamics, and a lead who captivated the audience.
🔹 What didn't: The pacing in the early parts felt slow, and the romance subplot remained underdeveloped.
🔹 Would I rewatch? No
☕ SpillTheDramaTea's Rating: 8/10
🌿 Tea-Scale: A nice brew, I enjoyed it.
✏️ As SpillTheDramaTea, I was caught up in the twists, but I wished the emotions had resonated more deeply.
✨ Will you take the time to enjoy the little details, or will you be looking for something more exciting and fast-paced?
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Ridiculous plot
No chemistry between leads, the dude is poisoned and they didn't bother looking for a cure even though they know he will die from ot they keep investigating a stupid case instead of curing him first. Just too unbelievable. She believes he killed her dad with no evidence at all....then she accidentally poisons him which made no sense as he was already locked up...Then the two leads are married and hes even dying but yet they dont kiss or ever be physically intimate? YEA RIGHT they would be trying to spend as much time together as possible. The whole show is spent wasting time instead of looking for a cure. Man im on episode 17 and i think im gonna drop it. We havent even gotten a single kiss from a dying man and the love of his life and nothing makes sense...they jist keep adding a bunch of deaths and more and more layers for the supposed "case" idk if ive just watched too many dramas at this point that i cant even be bothered unless its like a 7+ star show. And this is a 5 so far. Not even worth my time.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Severely Underrated and Misunderstood
It's astonishing how many people came into this show with preconceived notions of what it should be. Even though its genre is clearly defined (mystery, thriller, suspense), the lack of "romance" (in quotes because there IS romance, just not the stereotypical flirty kind) caused many people to drop the show without giving it a chance.Here's the thing; this is a brilliant story. It has two things that make it eminently rewarding. It has a complex matroska-style mystery, and it has great characters. The suspense alone and the shock of discovering who Yesha was and why he even existed should have been enough, but alongside that, there was significant and logical character evolution, starting, of course, with the greatest detective in Qi, Xiao Beiming.
A lot of Wang Xingyue's supporters may have watched this because of him, and I'm about to piss them off. Xiao Beiming is a better character than Xiao Heng (aka Duke Su). Beiming has a visible growth arc, unlike the perfect Duke (whom I also love, don't get me wrong). Beiming faces defeat, often, and still manages to come out on top. He falls from grace, and still manages to recover. He has flaws, and the writers are not afraid to expose them to us. They're also not afraid to beat the hero down at every opportunity--something that pissed off a number of WXY fans, I suspect. But as a trope, it's one of the best ones out there. The hero that rises from the ashes to defeat the enemy is much more impressive than the perfect hero, and Xiao Beiming really is a phoenix in this tale. He's ably supported by a series of characters each with their own amazing growth arcs, from the preening peacock who becomes friends with his rival to the fumbling poisoner who turns into the best coroner in Qi. The women aren't treated any differently--they're just characters with their own arcs. They come in all forms, from fearsome warriors to delicate flowers with their own strengths and weaknesses.
There also aren't any plastic villains. Yesha is as smart, if not smarter, as the heroes, and his evil plans are deliciously far-sighted.
Even the romance, such as it is, is beautifully done. It's not a fairy tale romance, rather it's the warm embrace of old lovers who know and support each other through countless trials. It favours emotional intelligence over chemical reactions, which is preferable for the story, considering the seriousness of the evil the characters confront.
There are real consequences to people's actions in this story, and nothing is obvious or easy to solve. Each case unlocks the greater mystery of Haiya and Yesha. At the end of the series, all the pieces of this giant jigsaw fall into place with satisfying clicks. Everything is so deeply connected that you're going to have to go back and watch earlier episodes to see if everything makes sense. And it does.
I'm truly in awe of this story. It's a visual, auditory (I love the music), and intellectual treat, and those who missed out because they wanted perfect heroes and trite romantic tropes have done the writers and actors of this show a great disservice. Without support, stories like this will be few and far between and THAT would be a great tragedy.
I'm giving it 10 stars because everything was really well done. There was some exceptional acting, especially Wang Xingyue and He Luo Luo, and I expect to be rewatching this often.
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Worth watching, A great production, Great acting from both ML & FL
I don't get why viewers are getting mad at the Female Lead. She's a great actress, especially her cold, strong expressions & her fighting scenes are so great. It's just that her character, she did so well for her character. She did an amazing job in her previous CDrama- Love of the Divine Tree. In here also she's doing an amazing job. please appreciate her acting. if you don't like her character in this drama, it's ok. She needs to act according to the given character, not as fans need. please appreciate her work as same as you appreciate the male lead. This drama is so good. The plot is amazing. Don't compare this with other detective dramas. Look at this from a different angle. Because this drama has a different plot. Just enjoy this the way they present it. it's really good to watch. From acting to cinematography, all are perfect.Was this review helpful to you?
Just... a masterpiece
Where do I begin. The screenwriter really outdid himself. The art department and set design did a fantastic job - the Fengbo Lake and bride murders? INSANE. The editing was fantastically paced - didn't feel rushed or dragged on. The director had a VISION and it came to life beautifully. This was a wonderful production. I was hooked from the very beginning and the music, visuals, storyline, and actors just kept roping me back in. I literally couldn't put it down. Xing Yue... the man and actor you are. I love how he is able to fully immerse himself in whatever role he is playing. Not once did I think "oh this is an actor," it was always "Beiming you genius!" The relationship between Beiming and Xueman is beautiful too. A level of maturity and trust that you don't see in a lot of other Cdramas. You can tell that they have loved each other for a long time. You didn't need physical touch to see that. But mr. director man.... why only one kiss AT THE END OF THE SERIES? He knows he deprived us. Also, the plot twist?????? insane work. The screenwriter wanted our jaws on the floor and he achieved that. I only knocked half a point because sometimes it felt they solved some things too easily but I guess we can't have them pulling their hair out EVERY step of the way.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
For audiences who purely enjoy the detective/crime-solving genre.
The drama The Wanted Detective feels like a less remarkable version of Mysterious Lotus Casebook. The male lead investigates cases, gets poisoned, is skilled in martial arts, and is falsely accused.Although the production is fairly polished, it’s understandable why the drama didn’t gain much popularity in China. While both shows focus on solving cases and uncovering deeper conspiracies, Mysterious Lotus Casebook stands out because each case is independent, with its own storyline and foreshadowing that eventually tie into the final mystery. In contrast, The Wanted Detective essentially revolves around a single overarching case from beginning to end, with the smaller cases serving only to lead to the ultimate mastermind.
Another drawback lies in the chemistry between the male and female leads. Despite their supposed romantic relationship, their on-screen interaction feels weak.
One strength of the drama, especially for longtime viewers of Chinese series, is the supporting cast. Many of the roles are played by seasoned and familiar veteran actors, which elevates the overall acting quality.
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Chinese historical mystery drama with clever cases
The Wanted Detective starts off as a refreshing entry in the historical mystery genre, weaving together multiple intriguing cases under one larger story.The pacing is tighter than many dramas with concise episodes that keep the momentum going and the storytelling feels logical and easy to follow.
On the downside, some mysteries are solved too easily and the side characters don’t have much depth beyond moving the story forward.
For me, the female lead is not very likable. Her role often feels secondary and while she is meant to be a smart FL, her logic sometimes feels off.
Additionally, her acting comes across lighter compared to Wang Xingyue’s stronger presence. While the early episodes look promising, it’s still uncertain if the main conspiracy will stay clear or become messy as the story progresses and I don’t feel much chemistry in the romance between the male and female leads.
In my opinion, Wanted Detective is an enjoyable watch of historical mysteries with clever cases and a touch of martial intrigue. It would be better if the female lead were written with more independence, but its mix of mystery and quicker pacing makes it a promising addition to the C-drama detective lineup.
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A Thrilling Mystery That Outsmarts Its Romance
If you’re looking for a romance show, this is not where you should go. But if you’re after an exciting, twist-filled, and thrilling series — this is definitely it.At first, I had mixed feelings halfway through the show. I’d read comments saying the first part was amazing and the second half wasn’t as good, but for me, it was actually the opposite — and I’m so glad I pushed through.
I’m a huge WXY fan, so I started watching mainly because of him. However, in the first part, I was a bit disappointed since he was sick for most of it, so we didn’t really get to see him in action. Because of that, he didn’t shine as much at first — other characters carried things while he was recovering.
For me, the one who truly stood out early on was Coroner Feng. I loved his character — he’s smart, funny, compassionate, and his development was so well done. I also loved Tong… well, that was before the second part of the show made me take back all my tears for him! Still, if someone ate my dog, I’d probably turn into a villain too, so fair enough.
Honestly, the main star of this show is the writing. You can’t carry a story with just one central mystery all the way through — but somehow, they managed to do it perfectly. There were no unnecessary side plots, and it still never felt boring. The pacing was just right, and everything fit together like pieces of a puzzle. My only complaint was that they dragged the whole “Beiming being poisoned” part a bit too long, but aside from that, it was solid.
Now, I have to say — I was kind of disappointed by the lack of romance. I expected at least some chemistry or emotional tension, especially since the trailer hinted at a wedding and made it seem like an enemies-to-lovers setup. But there was basically nothing. No tension, no spark — just friendship. In fact, I think the real theme of this show is friendship rather than romance, and I actually ended up loving that aspect.
The bromance was fantastic — especially after Zhuge joined the group. Their dynamic was gold.
As for the twist — was I surprised Tong turned out to be the villain? Absolutely. He was right under our noses the whole time, and I never suspected him, not even once.
Everything wrapped up beautifully in the end. If you’re looking for a captivating thriller full of mystery, suspense, and clever writing — this show is for you. The underground cave scenes were especially stunning.
The only thing that fell short for me was the costuming — especially Beiming’s outfits, which looked a bit too plain or ragged. I understand it fit his character, but it still felt underwhelming compared to everything else. On the bright side, the hairstyling was excellent, and the acting (especially WXY’s) was incredible.
I honestly didn’t expect to finish with such a high rating, especially since I wasn’t that impressed halfway through. But by the end, I can confidently say — this show is worth the watch. WXY never disappoints.
Also OSTs were on point: Who doesn’t love a Liu Yuning OST.
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The best detective story - navigates you through clues and makes you part of the detective team
Romance junkies go watch Coroner's Diary, you are rating this one for the wrong category.Others, welcome to one of the best historical detective stories. It is a great ride of finding clues, and decyphering and reading people, intentions. I love the whole Bei Ming's crew :) they are so cute :) Amazing character developments.
I think some viewers don't know how to rate a drama according to a category. But I like different plots, arcs, atmospheres and emotions of the drama, so it works for me. I like this one, I event consider it one of the best detective stories in historical setting. Top 3 for sure.
Everything is a closed lopp, and nothing is unnecessary. Once you notice this you will be hooked, it will almost train you to think as the part of the detective team. Don't blink and don't fast forward, you will miss out :D
I will not write more because this is a detective story. And as such is full of clues. It is very important not to read comment section. What is enough is to have proper expectation. This is not a romance drama. It has some romance. But romance is not main plot.
But I will mention my 2 favorites:
1. WXY performance - he has this perfect blend of investigator, humor, bickering, positively and friendly competitive, very wise, charming aura. Also has a vulnerable side, which makes you as a viewer to empathise with him. His eyes, so expressive so captivating.
2. Zhuge Kong Yun - maybe unexpected, but his character development was so layered and well paced.
Enjos. Don't read comments anywhere and don't watch tiktok. Enjoy this one as it goes.
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The Wanted Detective: Where Everyone Wants to Catch the Bad Guy... Eventually!
Playing Catch-UpThis period mystery drama starts strong and finishes even stronger, like a detective who finally remembers where they left their magnifying glass. The setup hooks you immediately: a brilliant detective falsely accused, on the run, returning three years later to clear his name. The ending pays off beautifully with satisfying reveals.
But here's the thing: the middle episodes get a bit draggy. It's like watching someone walk through molasses while trying to solve a murder. You're invested, but you're also checking your watch.
And my biggest pet peeve? Our heroes are always one step behind the villain. Always. It's like watching a game of tag where the bad guy has a head start, a map, and possibly rocket boots. The frustration is real, folks. The show has five main mystery arcs with lots of twists, which keeps things interesting, but sometimes you just want to yell at the screen: "He's RIGHT THERE!"
The male lead delivers a dandy yet intuitive character well, and the pacing is surprisingly tight for a Chinese period drama overall—even if it hits some speed bumps midway.
Worth watching? Absolutely. Just prepare yourself for moments where you'll be more detective than the detectives themselves.
**Rating: Solid mystery with occasional "come ON, people!" moments.**
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