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?
Fun, Engaging Mystery
Over all this show was fun, engaging with a clever plot that unravels at a good pace.. It doesn't give itself away until it is ready to reveal elements. Particularly enjoyable that it doesn't sacrifice character, especially romantic leads, for cliché plots. Both the Female Lead and Male lead are well developed and acted. The romance element doesn't subsume the story so things unravel naturally and characters develop, learning as things happen. Even the secondary characters have depth and are able to contribute to solving plot points. The only real flaw is that the Villain Lead when revealed feels over the top to the behavior of the character previously and becomes a bit stereotypical.Was this review helpful to you?
Did not expect the plot twist
The plot twist of this series really insane I try to guess each episode every time and my most suspect person is Zhuge Kongyun and unexpectedly it turn out to be the person that I never have doubt in any episode. From my point of view FL and ML don’t have much chemistry as a couple but more like a partner who work together I get that they’re growth together so they seem more like that as siblings and partner I mentioned. Everyone in production team did a great job in this series.Was this review helpful to you?
Too Many Twists, Not Enough Sense
The Wanted Detective starts off fast-paced, which initially made it a bit hard for me to follow — especially with the English translations. As the story progressed, it became increasingly messy and illogical. New clues and twists were thrown in rapidly, making it feel like someone was just adding layers for the sake of complexity rather than coherence. The result was a confusing and overly complicated plot that never quite found its footing.For my taste, it was also a bit too violent and borderline horror in tone, which didn’t help my enjoyment.
That said, the actors are truly talented. Both leads, only 23 years old, have great potential. I had seen them previously in The Double and Love of the DivineTree, where I thought they shined. Unfortunately, in this drama, I felt their talent was wasted and maybe badly directed.
I couldn’t connect with either the female or male lead characters — they felt unlikable and underdeveloped. I would love to see the male lead in other fantasy or costume dramas, especially something with an "enemies to lovers" dynamic.
Production quality was decent, however, by episode 6, I found myself bored, frustrated, and completely disconnected from the plot, so I decided to drop it.
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Fast paced, exciting to the end
Zhong XueMan and Xiao BeiMing are 2 childhood friends who grow up to become constables in an Elite Constabulary Unit headed by XueMan's father. BeiMing is a star disciple, a wonderboy brimming with arrogant hubris professionally, but genuine in his affection for his betrothed XueMan. Hot on the trail of a notorious & unknown serial killer targeting court officials, an ill-fated plan blows up right on their very wedding day, causing him to fall from his lofty pedestal into a fugitive in hiding, framed & branded as the killer he was hunting.This drama is a very complex murder mystery featuring one of the most creatively gruesome modus operandi I've seen on tv (will never look at needle & thread the same again). But I didn't have too much time to dwell on that as the list of suspects, allies/foes, & general who's who is ever expanding & shifting. The story takes us through a fast paced & seemingly endless series of murders, as XueMan & BeiMing dig deeper into a history involving BeiMing's origins, uncovering an horrific incident to shake the very foundations of the kingdom. At the heart of everything is a revenge story with a seemingly fluid villain which didn't actually make much sense until toward the end when secret histories get revealed.
The only thing central & unchanging is XueMan's and Beiming's deep trust in each other that suspicion & separation can't breach. The drama nicely interweaves their relationship within the action of story without it feeling like two parallel arcs. And as their relationship is established from the beginning with their marriage, we're spared from silly & immature romance tropes cluttering up the sleuthing.
And as with all good murder mysteries, you're always left guessing until the exciting ending, with twists & surprises throughout. There are no lagging moments so you're left rather breathless, but this is one of the better shows I've seen this year.
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This review may contain spoilers
What a masterpiece!.. until episode 3
Initially, I was really excited to watch this series. I mean, Wang Xing Yue acting as a detective sounded too good to be true. As for Julia Xiang, I was quite excited to watch her again after her fabulous work in 'Love of the Divine Tree '. Safe to say I had high hopes for this drama.Episodes 1-2 were interesting.. I could see the buildup of the drama and the potential. The acting was good, and the story was direct and smooth. Though the sudden acquisition of the ML being 'Yesha' really took me by surprise. I totally did not expect the blame to shift towards the detective who tried solving the case. Episode 3 totally drowned my expectations. The FL kept the same expression on her face throughout, and the story started to degrade. The ML suddenly appeared out of nowhere after 3 years to face the female lead with 'some' clues. I am talking about the same ML that boasted about solving the case in 3 days. ML is probably the only reason why my ratings aren't lower; his acting made up for a lot of parts. The scene where the FL 'accidentally' poisoned him felt like a rush. Something so serious happened to the ML, and it was taken quite lightly. It was as if she barely felt any remorse. To think that the FL technically married the ML, yet again.. Her doubtful stoic expressions fell short of my expectations.
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Too Boring with Super Annoying FL
I picked this up to fill in my time as I wait for Shadow Love to release all its episodes. I first saw Wang Xingyue in The Double and he was not bad there. Thought i’d give this a try. Turned out it is not my cup of tea. The pacing is too slow, storyline is messy and not intriguing enough, and the FL just annoyed me to bits.For somebody who grew up with her childhood sweetheart, a fellow disciple who later became her husband, brought up in super elite investigative household, the FL was too damn quick to fall for the framing and blame him for her father’s death. Like don’t you know him enough to suspect that he might have been framed? Did all the evidence including of previous murders really point to his direction other than him being the only survivor at a crime scene with a panic look and inability to speak? And you’d really think had he really been the culprit behind those serial murders, he would serve himself on a silver platter for you to slaughter after conveniently escaping the crime scene, laying low for three years and committing 3 murders again that he can easily walk away from? For real girl? I couldnt stand her illogical, incoherent bearing so am dropping this. I have seen much brighter and sound minded FLs so I couldnt relate to her character that supposed to be a brilliant detective here. I mean come on, she was groomed to be a super detective by the king of detectives, and that is all you can show us of her potential? Of all people, i thought she would be the one who would have assumed that her husband was framed. But noooo. She jumped at him on attack mode at the very first sight! She was so damn cruel to him that I couldnt help to feel sympathy for ML. And to think they’d probably reconcile later is even more frustrating. I know I wouldnt get back with somebody who joins the witchhunt as I got framed, when she of all people shouldve known me better than everyone else, sparing the benefits of a doubt for my sake. Extremely disappointing cuz i was expecting a smart FL. So yeah, not my cup of tea. Moving on to the next drama until Shadow Love completes releasing its episodes.
On a side note, the cast did a really good job in that 4 episodes that I saw. Thats the only redeeming quality that kept my rating from dropping below 4. Good job for the cast but honestly, I’d rather spare myself from getting annoyed and angry with the misunderstanding.
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Excruciatingly Boring!!!
All I can say is this drama is just too boring to continue watching after 3rd episode. And I agree with others that the idea the FL poisoned her husband the ML right away is purely idiotic and the poison ends up being uncurable like what the heck!!! If she truly believes he killed her father then why not just kill him right away, why bother poisoning him for what??!! What is the writer's logic is this? Also it looks like there is absolutely NO chemistry between the FL and ML. All in all the story line is just boring and dumb, not worth wasting my time to watch 36 episodes of pure boredom!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Not watchable after 2nd episode
People said that if you don't watch the entire story, you can't give review. I disagree. Well, this is NOT a review of the whole story. JUST the first 3 episodes (I didn't lie - all the information is marked according to kisskh specs) that turned me off regardless of the fact that I like both actors/actress.I don't randomly sample dramas. I don't watch dramas with actors that I don't like and then give negative reviews. For example, I am not watching the current Immortal Ascension and Sword Rose. I already know I will not like them so I won't even try.
Please don't challenge my review otherwise you will be blocked because I don't have to time to argue. Let's face it: it's just a drama. It's not your life or anything so important that we have to spend time defend the drama.
Reason why I dropped this story:
The framing around the story is ridiculous:
Ep 3: FL said, "only reason I let you live is to hear your story"
Ok so why did she harm him before giving him a chance to explain? She is supposed to have grown up in an investigative home, understands how investigation works, loved him for a long time, understand him so well, etc ...
And what's so annoying is the doctor giving the "wrong" poison. Very contrived!
She didn't give him the benefit of the doubt...
Then as soon as he tells her the real story, she says I don't believe you.
He even said, there should be at least 1 person, who can believe his story -well he's right! rolling eyes!
I feel like this is a rewrite of THE SMILING, PROUD WANDERER when the ML who loves the master's daughter is framed. In this case, the framing is believable. She's not in love with him and believes her new boyfriend!
When the FL acted so illogically, I don't think I can change my perspective to believe that they have chemistry and love each other. Not convincing. Watching 20 more episodes will not convince me that they chemistry.
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Fast-paced Investigation/Mystery series with a rather dark tone
PLOT: The ML, a brilliant investigator, is to marry the FL, daughter of his mentor (head of Secret Agency 1). However, on the wedding day, five high-ranking officials (including the FL's father) are horrifically killed, and the ML is accused of these murders. He disappears for three years. A series of murders continues. When the ML returns, he faces the FL's distrust, but gradually gains her trust again and the trust of her partners (coroner, friends, etc.).+++ the ML (Wang Xing Yue), handsome, charismatic, and moving.
+++ Very good actors, convincing, endearing, bringing to life some rather gray characters (they all have heavy pasts :)
+++ Excellent OSTs, incredibly creepy
+++ Lively and effective direction, with great effects, framing, lighting, sets, etc.
### Quite a convoluted storyline, deliberately gory
### Very little room for romance (suggested, only one kiss)
### Quite a few plot holes and some coincidences are a bit too obvious.
=> Good historical investigation/mystery series.
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Série rythmée Investigation / Mystère au ton assez sombre
PLOT: Le ML, enquêteur de génie, doit épouser la FL, fille de son mentor (chef de l'Agence secrète 1). Cpdt, le jour du mariage, 5 gds officiels (dont le père de la FL) sont tués d'1 façon atroce, et le ML est accusé de ces meurtres. Il disparait pdt 3 ans. Des séries de meurtres continuent. Qd le ML revient, il affronte la méfiance de la FL, mais gagne peu à peu sa confiance et celle de partenaires (coroner, amie, etc.).
+++ le ML (Wang Xing Yue), beau, charismatique, émouvant.
+++ Très bons acteurs, convaincants, attachants, donnant vie à des personnages plutôt gris (ils ont tous de lourdes valises :)
+++ Excellentes OSTs, flippantes à souhait
+++ Réalis° vive et efficace, avec greats effects, cadrages, lumières, décors, ...
### Storyline assez tortueuse, volontairement sanglante
### Très peu de place pr la romance (suggérée, 1 seul kiss)
### Pas mal de plotholes et coïncidences un peu trop évidentes.
=> Bonne série historique d'investigation / Mystère.
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Unexpectedly good
At first i was skeptical of how this shows turns out. How i dislike FL at first for even though i like strong FL, i hate unreasonable women the most, and i find ZKY as a rival for ML is a menace.But as the story progresses, FL gotten even smarter, ZKY looks aggresive, yet i finally notice his subtle admiration to ML’s ability (although ZKY is also smart). I like ZKY character development so much that he might be the character i like the most throughout this series. I have no other reason to held my dislike on this series anymore.
Character development for all the leads and supports in this series is so great, although the mystery solving is laced with fantasy aspects, it all fit to answers all the questions. Of course nothing could be called perfect, but i have to say the delivery for this series is almost there.
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Lots of Detectiving (not a real word ?)
Really enjoyed the ML and his friendships, would have enjoyed more of that.The detective part was on point and lots of dun to watch and try and figure out as the stories evolved.
Only downside was the FL. She seems more to be playing the role of a servant rather than a lead role. Her posture is also not the greatest. Her neck cranes forward a lot and isn’t in alignmnet with her spine, her centre wasn’t strong during this filimjng. There are many short FLs in C dramas, but I never really noticed their height however I did in this and I feel it’s because she just didn’t have any real acting strength in this series. The second, third and fourth female leads were far stronger and more intersting especially the 2nd FL, she could have easily taken the lead role in this.
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