Magical, mystifying, dripping in rich culture and history
Strange tales of Tang Dynasty is originally a book written by Pu Songlin during the Qing Dynasty, which makes it more than 260 years old. There are so many adaptations of this book's stories but this drama's version is my favourite. These drama showcases quite a few cases and in the journey also manages to put together a very lovable cast.The first case is of a kind of black tea that everyone in the imperial capital is addicted to but it actually causes hallucinations. Here we meet our detective duo. The older Su Wu Ming (the brain) and the younger Lu Lingfeng (the brawn). I loved their chaotic banter so much. Political upheaval forces them to leave the capital and go south, where they chose to stick together. They cross several places like Nanzhou, Ninghu, Luoyang, before returning to the imperial capital Chang'an. They solve mysteries every place they go, and make the lives of the local people so much better.
But obviously the duo is incomplete without the most lovable team ever. Pei Xijun who is in love with Lu Lingfeng and leaves her house to follow him. She is a brilliant painter and her portraits are often crucial to solve the cases. Chicken Fed, a beggar our duo randomly picked up, who turned out to be a genius doctor who knows everything. Chu Yingtao, a girl from the Jianghu, who can best her way to solve the case (also Su Wuming's love interest). And lastly Xue Huan, an adorable kid Lingfeng takes as his disciple. Without this half harmonious, half chaotic, but fully funny cast this drama wouldn't be so enjoyable.
I even like the smallest of the minor roles, like the guards and soldiers. Yes they all have actual personalities in this drama. Another thing I absolutely love about this drama is every character is well thought out. There's no villains just for the purpose of being evil. Everyone has their reasons. The crown prince and the princess are such complex and well written characters. Even the emperor that only appears for a few minutes in the last episode seems to have his own motives.
The bgm and ost are really good. The cinematography fits well with the story. It's beautiful, sometimes eerie, sometimes dreamy, sometimes magical. Very befitting the plot of the drama.
One of the only detective dramas I have watched without skipping a second. Highly recommended. It has mysteries, supernatural stuff, slight horror, sweet romances, hilarious moments and also emotional moments. It has everything!
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Worth watching
The acting of the cast was really good, especially the two main male leads and the child actor, Anson Shi. The stories of the cases and the relationships between the main leads and main supporting actors were interesting enough to keep me watching right till the end without getting bored. I particularly like the humour and cleverness that the actor playing Su Wu Ming brought to his role, which clearly shows that he is a seasoned actor. Watching the character Lu Ling Feng transform and mature as the drama progressed was also enjoyable, The complementary talents of Pei Xi Jun and Fei in helping the main leads solve the cases, and how Xue Huan was able to soften the arrogant Lu Ling Feng were delightful. Was surprisingly impressed by the performances of Zhou Jun Chao and Anson Shi. This is a drama worth spending time on.Was this review helpful to you?
Slow at the beginning, but it grew on me with each episode
Very good series, enjoyed it!! For me it was 'slow' at the beginning, but it grew on me with each episode.I loved the characters and actors did a great job in portraying them. Character building / development, especially with Lu Lingfeng.
Everything felt just right and the cases were interesting with a fitting resolution to all of them. Taking into account that this is not based on a novel but on several folk tales, it is well scripted and produced, especially the illusions that features throughout the drama.
Ost and sound effects well placed and appropriate. Must honestly say that the cases, illusions and visuals took all my attention and can't really recall any particular song that caught my attention.
Can't wait for the second season to be aired. According to news filming was just completed and we will hopefully see the characters in action early in 2024.
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A good supernatual, detective, costume, arc-series first season
It's been a while since I found a good series in this particularly category. Reminds me a bit of "Justice Bao". How I used to love "Justice Bao" when I was younger.1. The good:
- The stories are interesting and full of mysteries. One arc/story consists of several episodes that gives time for story-telling and -development. Different arcs offer different tastes and feels.
- The characters are well-introduced and -developed throughout the season. Even the side characters are memorable and well-acted.
- The choreography, the set designs, the visual effects, the world-building.
2. The so-so:
- I don't remember any OST from this. But I think the music serves its purpose and deliver good viewing experience.
3. The bad:
- Nothing I can think of really. Maybe its rewatchable value? Maybe after I have forgotten about it? But I can just remember the main plots immediately (cue: it's memorable). Rewatching will definitely lessen the thrills and excitement.
4. The ugly:
- Be warned of the following seasons.
Conclusion: Solid series that stands on its own. (No wonder iQiyi keeps on pumping out season after season. It's basically a staple, everyone-pleaser there.)
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Fans Detective Dee Renjie must watch this drama
It's has straight relationship but all 2 females characters really best, all plot story such a wonderful journey, all mystery very worth to watch. Su Wuming is great student of Detective Dee Renjie and Lu Lingfeng too!!! Pei Xijun is great illustrator help his beloved Lu Lingfeng & Ying Tao very protective toward Su Wuming. I love combination these 4 plus drunken doctor Fei.Was this review helpful to you?
This drama has a season 2 scheduled to air in 2024, and season 3 in pre-prod.
It's always nice to find a drama that doesn't fall short towards the end. I think a lot of dramas now, especially chinese period dramas, either lean too much into romance or palace politics and can't get the balance right. This has a little bit of everything, while at the same time focusing on special cases that tie up nicely towards the end for the bigger series arc. There's going to be a season 2 this year (hopefully), and they're already working on the script for season 3. Here's to hoping they keep this storytelling up.Was this review helpful to you?
Impressive, entertaining and engaging!!
Lu Lingfeng, general of imperial guards,who is known to be arrogant and reckless crosses paths with Su Wuming,a disciple of Di Renjie,while dealing with a string of cases in Chang'an,the capital city of Tang empire.They are joined afterwards by Pei Xijun,a talented painter,Chicken Fed,a good physician,Xue Huan,disciple of Lu Lingfeng,and then Yingtao ,a swordswoman.How the team solve cases that stumble their way as they move on from one place to another forms the main crux of the plot.I liked the way how the team solve cases with detailed analysis into each and every clue,with cute and sweet interactions between them.I especially enjoyed the rapport between Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming.The team thereafter develop an emotional relationship with each other.All the characters are well written.
The pace is very good with almost no boring moments and the twists in the cases are perfectly solved.
Overall it is a very good investigative kingdom drama with a perfect teamwork interlaced with emotions and logical analysis.A highly recommended drama!!
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Entertaining with good cases and solid historical backing
The third installment of this show is currently trending, so I decided to start from the beginning.As the name implies, this is a detective show set in the Tang Dynasty featuring cases with eerie, fantastical elements. The supernatural elements are more a reflection of the common peoples’ interpretations than reality; this is ultimately a historical and not a fantasy. While some things are left unexplained, and some explanations are plausible but not actually realistic (eg very specific drugs or human skin masks), there are no actual ghosts or monsters.
I have to thank another review for informing me that Detective Di was a historical figure who inspired lots of detective stories, otherwise I would have wondered why they keep namedropping a random person who never shows up. He is only alluded to, but this show does feature other real historical figures like the Crown Prince and his aunt the Princess. Their power struggle is not the central storyline, but our protagonists can’t help but get caught up in it; it is woven skillfully into the story.
All the necessary historical and political background is adequately conveyed by the show, but it’s still fun to read up and compare (Princess Taiping’s wiki page is helpful, if anyone’s interested). The show seems to stay pretty true to history while embellishing around the details. I especially like the portrayal of these historical figures- calculating, ruthless, decisive, but still human, a mix of good and bad. Unlike caricature rulers fabricated by dramas that can, they are exactly what I imagine real historical rulers to be like.
Su Wuming, main protagonist and disciple of the famous Detective Di, is very likable. He is smart, thoughtful, and calm, the kind of person who always says and does the right thing. He is also lowkey hilarious, like BS-ing his friends with a straight face kind of funny. He’s the kind of character you aren’t worried about, since you can’t imagine him ever failing.
On the other hand, the other main protagonist, Lu Lingfeng, is not so likable. He is arrogant, prejudiced, and rash, and some of his initial work is classic bad investigation. It didn’t bother me too much, though, because with Su Wuming around to gently guide him, he rarely gets away with it. Jerk behavior is much less annoying when it gets called out. Overall he’s not that bad- think difficult person who’s trying to do good- and is willing to admit mistakes, clearly a total setup for character growth.
As for other characters, Pei Xijun gets off to a rough start in terms of audience likability. She is obsessive and rather bratty at her introduction. She later improves and even finds a way to add value- the screenwriters come up with all sorts of creative ways to utilize her artistic abilities (some of which were a little hard to believe, I'll be honest). I ended up finding Xijun tolerable, but she never really grew on me. Probably because her annoying habit of fawning over a guy, though significantly toned down, continued to persist, thus so did my bad first impression.
Xijun’s romance is not that important, but I found it a little cringe when it did show up. I didn’t really like how the male characters have so much going on, but female characters come with romance plots attached. Perhaps this is more historically accurate though, when marriage was a relatively bigger part of women’s lives. I did not particularly like the romances in this show, but at least they aren’t too played up.
The band of friends also includes a few other characters with distinct skills and personalities. Chicken Fei, for example, is the doctor and resident drunkard; Xue Huan is the cute and lovably earnest kid; Yingtao joins later, and it’s nice to have another capable female character but her role isn’t that big.
The characters are decently crafted and some have progression. But for some reason, I had a hard time feeling any particular emotional connection or investment in them. I liked them enough but did not particularly feel for them. So this show ended up being, for me, just about the curiosity of the mysteries and watching them get solved, rather than an emotional, inspiring, or thought-provoking journey.
The plot covers 8 different cases. With 4-5 episodes each, none of them are simple; I enjoyed watching the methodical investigation and the intricate truth slowly emerge. They are interesting, well set up, and well presented, with enough details given for the audience to follow along.
The cases are pretty much independent but have an overarching umbrella in the progression of the characters’ careers and any personal growth. Maybe because of this structure, the show stays strong to the end, finishing with just another case rather than trying to tie up some grand plot.
That said, the last case was not my favorite. Its villain isn’t really developed as a character so I had no strong emotions, besides feeling a little sorry for him. Like the rest of the show, it’s more about watching them uncover clues and solve the case.
Overall, although the cases are entertaining to watch, I still felt like this show is missing something, perhaps some greater depth or meaning. It seems more procedural. I’m not sure if it’s just me not connecting with the characters, or maybe the lack of any consistent themes- the only one I can maybe think of is “Serve the country”, which isn’t really that interesting. Or Lu Lingfeng learning not to be a jerk, which is obvious. Some of the cases have decent emotional depth within them, for the characters involved, but it only lasts for those episodes and then they are gone. There's no common thread or deeper insights carried beyond. I think such a vibe makes sense for a show like this, but personally I like something more thoughtful and personal.
Acting-wise, I thought everyone did well. Yang Zhigang as Su Wuming is notable; his slow and distinct speaking style is good acting, but it also kind of took a long time and I found 1.25X speed is perfect for listening to him talk. This doesn’t have idol drama vibes so there is thankfully not much of actors trying to look cool, overacting, slow mo scenes, etc.
The fighting is not too flashy or elaborate, but it’s pretty solid. The costumes are realistic. Some of the CGI looks fake, but it’s not a big deal. The background music is pretty good for setting the tone, but I don’t actually remember it that much; the music didn’t really stand out. Maybe more music would have helped me feel more emotionally connected, but it’s hard to say.
This show is definitely worth a watch if you like mysteries or relatively accurate historicals, just don’t expect some emotionally deep or thoughtful journey.
ENDING – READ AHEAD ONLY IF YOU WANT TO KNOW, CONTAINS SPOILERS
Not surprisingly, happy ending, the case is solved and Lu Lingfeng gets great honors. 20 min or so of wrapup, including a few minutes of cute vignettes at the end that might have been cuter if I actually liked the love stories.
This show already has a sequel and a threequel, so clearly the fun continues. It doesn't really matter how satisfying an ending is when you know there's a follow up.
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Surprisingly Enjoyable
The summary on the site for this series doesn't do it enough justice. There really isn't anything negative to point out: the actors were charismatic, the story flow was done well, the action scenes were good, and nothing was under or overdone.There are multiple mysteries involved that are relatively standalone (where it isn't being forced into being related to the overall plot). Because of this, I never felt the need to time-skip at all for the entire 36 episodes. The mysteries are interesting with some dark undertones and an added touch of the supernatural. The comradery between the main crew is warm and fun which helps create a balance. An added bonus is that any romance mentioned is relatively minimal and doesn't have any overwhelming scenes as many other series.
For those who enjoy watching supernatural elements along with case solving as I do, this one is highly recommended. I'm looking forward to season two.
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A solid mystery drama carried by consistent writing and earned emotional payoff
I didn’t expect this drama to pull me in the way it did, but by the time I reached the end, I realized how quietly strong its grip had been all along. What stood out most wasn’t the spectacle or the mysteries themselves, but the consistency of its world and the patience of its storytelling. The cases varied in impact, some arcs landed harder than others. And the writing occasionally leaned too much on exposition rather than visual deduction, but the overall structure remained tight and purposeful.More than anything, this series succeeds for me because of Lu Lingfeng’s character journey. Watching him grow from an impulsive, proud imperial guard general into someone who learns to see the people behind the system, the suffering of the people, and eventually stand as an equal beside Su Wuming was deeply satisfying. That growth feels earned and gradual, never rushed or forced. Su Wuming remains steady and principled throughout, while Pei Xijun’s evolution from a doted, desperate daughter into a perceptive and emotionally grounded woman was another highlight.
The drama’s approach to the supernatural — where “ghosts” are almost always human cruelty, fear, or obsession — stays coherent across arcs and reinforces its themes about power, injustice, and manipulation within the court. Romance is understated and restrained, sometimes frustratingly so, but it suits the tone of the story, prioritizing trust and companionship over grand gestures.
By the finale, the story doesn’t just resolve its last case; it brings emotional closure to long-running wounds, particularly those tied to legacy, mentorship, and unfinished justice. It isn’t a flawless drama, but it is a thoughtful and well-constructed one.
Final score 8.5/10 - Not flawless, but consistently engaging and emotionally rewarding.
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Slow Burn, Sharp Minds, and Totally Hooked: My Tang Dynasty Obsession
OMG, I did not expect to get sucked into this drama, but here we are. 😂 Like seriously, I went in thinking “meh, another mystery thing” and ended up binge-watching half the episodes in one night. This show low-key hit different.First off… Su Wu Ming. Bruh. 😏 This guy was flashy, yeah, but it was his brain that was insane. He was always ten steps ahead, manipulating situations, and making everyone else look like amateurs. I swear, sometimes I just sat there like, “Wtf, how did he even think of that?!” Honestly, he was my favorite reason to watch this show. High-key a genius.
Then there was Lu Ling Feng… oh boy. At first, I was like smh—he was so cocky and rushed into everything like a maniac. 🙄 I was rolling my eyes so hard. But ngl, by Episode 11, he started to grow on me. He learned from Su Wu Ming, thinking before swinging his sword, and slowly became a real character instead of just being the “proud general.” The bromance though… lol, I was weak. It wasn’t even cheesy, just real—like “I don’t totally hate you yet, and maybe you’re useful.” 😂
The show didn’t shove romance in my face either, thank god. 😅 There were minor hints, but they didn’t ruin anything. That’s rare for dramas, ngl. It kept the focus on the mysteries and character growth, which was honestly the main reason I kept watching.
The supporting cast was quirky and fun too. There was the chicken-obsessed doctor 🐔, the martial artist-turned-disciple, and a pretty talented artist. They all had their own weird vibes, and watching them work together actually made me care about everyone in the team. It was chaotic but in the best way.
The cases themselves? Chef’s kiss. 😤 They were clever, twisted, and some had me like “wtf?!” but the solutions actually made sense. The supernatural stuff was fun but subtle—it was never like “ghosts everywhere lol,” it was all about human motives and clever detective work.
Pacing? Yeah, it was slow at first. But if you’re into slow-burn dramas, this is so your jam. 🔥 Characters grew, the plot built, and the payoff was worth it. I couldn’t even with how satisfying some of those reveals were.
Overall, if you like mysteries, clever characters, and slow-burn shows where the leads actually develop, this one’s a must-watch. Can’t wait for Season 2. I’m already overthinking what Su Wu Ming and Lu Ling Feng are gonna do next. 😅
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Satisfying Your DeDi needs
It's pretty nice.One thing I enjoyed is the structure - the characters usually travel to a new location and solve one or two cases there.
This keeps everything fresh and fun.
The characters take a while to grow on you, but when they do they are also enjoyable to watch.
Not quite as bonkers and colourful as Tsui Hark's Detective Dee movies, but overall in a similar vein.
I wasn't a fan of the Tang simping, but thankfully the nationalist meltdowns are not that frequent.
Ying Tao best girl.
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