Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

A slow but good watch.

This drama is a weird one. Some cases are quite interesting, while some are a slog to get through. Overall, it’s a good watch but I didn’t find it so engaging. I usually binge investigative dramas like this within a few days but it took me several weeks to finish this drama.

The main lead, Lu Linfeng was smart and very good with martial arts, but he was really arrogant initially. He lost everything at some point and eventually became humble. I liked his character arc. His love interest Pei Xijun was also a spoilt brat who was obsessed with him initially, but she eventually mellowed down, and towards the last third of the drama, she became one of my fav characters. Su Wuming is the typical very smart and funny detective with great people skills, and he remained like that till the end of the drama.

One of the glaring weak point of this drama was the romance. I eventually warmed up to Lu Linfeng and Pei Xijun’s relationship, and even thought they were cute together with time. But I was shocked the drama decided to insert a “romance” between Su Wuming and Yingtao. First of all, he was too old for her, and there was no chemistry whatsoever. Infact Yingtao was believable as his daughter, so when they made her the one taking the initiative in the relationship, it was so uncomfortable to watch, I skipped those scenes. Otherwise, this is a slow but good watch.

Read More

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!!

Read More

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.

Read More

A Ghostless Tang Dynasty

I do love Ancient detective dramas but in this category The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty would be the gold standard for me. Not that the 2 dramas are completely similar as this is focused on solving super natural murder mysteries.

Positives:
Su Wu Ming -- Humorous with a slight sarcasm. By far the most interesting character.
Ghost mysteries -- Interesting decipher of fake ghosts murders with several different mysteries. Good pacing.
Political struggles between the Queen vs the Prince and some how the mysteries intertwined with them.
Decent fight scenes - Not amazing but entertaining.

Could've been better:
Character development -- practically none. I had to give the series a break when when it felt like nothing but solving mysteries. Bromance never really blossomed and Lu Ling Feng's temper remain the same.

Enjoyable watch overall

Read More

The strangest tale was that the love interest was dropped out down the line

I am at episode 13 and seriously considering to stop watching it. The first thing which draw my attention for being quite off was the fact that the love interest presented in the first five or six episodes was completely forgotten by writers, actors and directors in the next five episodes. Two young people, who were presumably in love with each other while events and people kept them appart, are as stiff as wood when events bring them together, sharing meals, rooms, adventures. No emotion, no furtive glanses, no pauses full of yearning. Nothing. It did not have to be lines, or hugs or kisses. But it had to be something there, that the actors and director could have put into it, if the writers completely forgot what they wrote in the beginning. Well, it was not. The only thing going for the series was the detective stories. And the fun the actor playing the older detective put into his character. Otherwise, no character development, overall, and the series walks the thin line which lies between skematic and bare naked and lacking.

Read More