This review may contain spoilers
don’t take drugs guys especially if it was made by some random guy called Bei
Simply mind blowing—I don’t even know what to say or what to react,my minds circling around,questioning my existence in what this show has torn me into.I feel really mesmerised by the characters and all these plots
first of all,Bei Ming.A top detective smart,intelligent and all the works.He got too cocky and screwed up causing his own downfall.After watching ‘Coroner’s Diary’ it felt as if Bei Ming wasn’t just simply another genius case-solver,he had a childhood sweetheart,childhood friend,a deep brotherly bond.Bei Ming gambles.Romance in this show isn’t even that much of a problem if you dislike romance (the only kiss is at the last episode)
also most people are saying that why did the female lead poison Bei ming or why did Feng qingzhuo do that well guess what my bros,it’s the thing that saves the whole damn ending
secondly,Xueman—the king of constable’s daughter.Well respected in the field and has a childhood sweetheart.At the beginning she was angry at Bei Ming but protected him like gold.At episode 35 she decided to sacrifice herself just to break the wall for the gang
If im going to talk about all the characters I liked that would take pretty long
Also did we all get baited by Tong Peng bc of his cute face ???? Like I gen could not believe this cute little guy going around and killing powerful individuals
In these cases of Yesha vs Qi I always thought to myself—Were they any wrong?Yes they did things in wrong ways but hear me out on this one.Yesha,was he wrong?Yes and no.He has a reason to be angry from the slaughter but he took it out wrongly.Qi was also like that,they were both wrong and yet right too.Hypocrisy,very ironic.
The vendetta of Haiya,but do the haiyans want to?Yesha dragged Haiyans down when they lit are already at the rate of extinction.Yesha lowk stupid for that but ey at least the zhu yitie killing method looked cool asf.
Hey but I mean Yesha was groomed by the previous Yesha so can’t blame his ass when he grew up in killing killing settings
Honorable mention to my goat zhuge kongyun!!!!!! My man was underrated asf bro he’s so goated
Character development,plot twists,villains I am flabbergasted
Yesha (the henchmen) were just orphans but Bei Kun made them into revenge machines their only purpose as once they finish their murders they self annihilate
Can we talk about Bei Kun not wanting to blow up the gang maybe because he saw them mourning his corpse?Like I can be wrong but still
anyway I still find it stupid this story exists because of a man who got cocky (like bei ming) to the emperor.Truly biological father and son ey.
I also really like the zhuge tong part with Zhong yunchi and his friendship together
Yesha’s act feels too good to be true,can directors cast Yesha into dramas soon?
anywho I have some recs of shows that feel like TWD/CW
Coroner’s Diary
Go East
The imperial coroner
The legend of Zang Hai
The ingenious one
These are shows I have heard about there’s probably many more but thanks for reading lol
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This review may contain spoilers
Framed & Fugitive: The Best Detective Fights to Clear His Name
The show spans 36 episodes, blending historical drama with mystery and suspense. It follows elite detective Xiao Beiming (Wang Xingyue), who is framed as the demon “Ye Sha” on his wedding day and vanishes—only to return 3 years later to clear his name with help from his clever allies. Each of the seven interlinked cases—from "Bloody Statue" to "Sea Cliff Monster"—functions as a piece of the puzzle that gradually reveals the bigger conspiracy and identity of Ye Sha.All the actors and actresses gave strong performances and delivered their roles exceptionally well. I'm impressed ♥
----------------------------------------------------------FROM THIS PART SPOILERS BEGAN ---------------------------------------------------
....................................STORY ABOUT HAIYA.................................
Haiya is a tragic yet pivotal location within the narrative. The drama reveals that this region was once home to the elite Canfeng Army—a cadre once led by Xiao Beiming’s master, Zhong Yunchi, and General Huo Zongyao. By Episode 23, Xiao Bei Ming discloses to Fang Tianzheng that Haiya is tied to the roots of the “Yesha” (Night Devil) mystery. He explains that Yesha likely originated from Haiya—an orphan driven by vengeance over the Fengbo Lake incident—and that Yesha’s followers hinted at the region's deeper, darker secrets. The tension escalates by Episode 30 when the story unveils Haiya’s devastating fate: a deadly infection transforms the soldiers into feral beasts. The late emperor, fearing chaos and collapse, orders a brutal containment—sealing the city and, in essence, condemning innocent civilians to a brutal fate. It’s described as a place that has “become hell on earth.” In a courageous and emotionally wrenching act, Zhong Yunchi and his allies defy the imperial decree to save at least one infant—an emblem of hope amid ruins. A chain of poor decisions ultimately led to this tragedy.
The finale reveals Tong Shuang (He Luoluo) as the true Night Devil / Yesha. He basically started to hate people around him. As he was literally treated poorly by his adopted parents, no one truly cared about him. I felt bad for him. 😢
And I think I became a fan of Yesha. I think i'm crazy 🤪 😂 He consistently stayed a step ahead of Bei Ming. He was really smart 🧠 Big Brains U know 😂
The concluding arc emphasizes justice, sacrifice, and teamwork, wrapped in intellectual drama. The romance thread, while present, plays second fiddle to the mystery-driven storytelling. If you're drawn to thoughtful, puzzle-like mysteries wrapped in historical ambience, with morally probing character arcs, The Wanted Detective is well worth your time. It rewards attention to detail and patience with its layered storytelling.
However, be prepared for a romantic subplot that takes a back seat to the central mystery.
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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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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?
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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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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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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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?
Needs more hype!
This drama delivered everything it needed to and left me fed from beginning to end. I haven't watched a Chinese historical drama in a long time in which the ending left me content, but this did. That alone deserves a 10.In this drama Beiming is burned but rises from the ashes just like a phoenix. A character that wasn't overpowered but not useless or stupid. Throughout all the misfortunate events that took place in his life he fostered strong relationships both old and new. Wang Xingyue and his fellow actors and actresses did awesome jobs of becoming their characters.
The villain of this drama was written so well that in the end it left a bitter taste in mouth when that person said their last line to Beiming. Almost spit blood. I didn't really hate anyone in the drama funny enough, not even sure how that happened. Yes, many lost their lives due to the main villain, but many other characters were villains who received second chances.
This drama deserves all its praises. It may be one of my top 3 dramas of 2025. I don't want to give anything away but if you see any comments comparing it to Coroner's Diary please don't believe them. I watched Coroner's Diary before this and can say that they both have no similarities from plot, wherein this was focused on one major case and Coroner's Diary was not, to status with almost all main characters were princes and princess and in the wanted detective was focused on common people without connection to the imperial family bloodline. That being said they are both great watches.
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Yesha is coming for us all!!
This Drama is an absolute Gem!!- Good mix of horror, suspense, mystery
- Great detective work! Some of the cases, especially the last couple episodes were mind blowing!
- Mr Xiao Beiming is the Chinese Sherlock holmes for sure! Though impatient at times, he finally did solve the Yesha case!
- Mr Feng as the coroner was amazing!
- And Mr Yesha/ aka Bei Kun/ Tong Shuang! Wow! Phenomenal actor!
- The only reason I gave 9/10 is cause the romance was barely there. And this is just my personal opinion, but I think FL should have been someone else
I have to say, it took me a good few episodes to really get into the story, since I wasn’t liking the FL at all :( But if you ignore the romantic arc, it's a really good detective drama!
The way they solve mysteries along with the Little White dragon guy from Poison Valley and Ms Huo as well, every character (except FL) was really well written!
And the main storyline of Haiya and Haiya's orphans. Wow....just wow! The portrayed grief, hatred, horrors and the untold stories of the lost families lying in pool of blood in the Lonely Town! Masterfully done! It's bound to make you cry!
And our Mr Yesha! I'm so amazed that this guy is just 24 years old and did such a fabulous job palying the victim Tong Shuag and the villain Yesha! The switch from cute younger brother to actually being the older brother of Beiming! The expressions, the voice change! Everything really made his portrayal of the madman character, the Yesha so believable!
Rewatch value: 9/10
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