Rose Finch

Being bad never looked so good.

Rose Finch unfolds like a dark, chilling, and morbidly sensational penny dreadful set in Republican-era Shanghai. The story opens with a bizarre and graphic double murder involving an elite showgirl at Rose Finch (Zhuque Pavillion/朱雀堂), the hottest nightclub in town. Detective Tang Zhenyun is hot on the case, enlisting the aid of talented forensic scientist Xia Mo. Their paths cross with Gao Ying, the enigmatic and deadly boss of Rose Finch, who alternately aids or obstructs their investigation as suits her agenda. She seems intent on uncovering who is murdering her "songbirds" while protecting her family's interests. Is Gao Ying friend or foe?

This is a fast-paced, gripping crime thriller that, with its 20-minute episodes, has no time to waste on romance or typical drama digressions. The plot remains tightly focused on one major case, delivering relentless momentum. It’s more violent than expected, unflinchingly portraying the lawlessness and rot festering beneath the era’s decadence.

Wan Qian anchors the narrative with her awe-inspiring portrayal of an inscrutable, powerful, and ruthless mobster’s daughter who lives by her own code. Being bad never looked so good! Zhang Cheng also impresses as the pugnacious, hot-blooded Detective Tang, always ready for a brawl. I was surprised to see Qin Junjie in such a haunted, nerdy, and low-key role, but as a team, this unlikely crime-solving trio clicks perfectly. My only gripe is the dead spouse trope, which feels a bit maudlin and out of place.

The ending has some mildly unsatisfying aspects—it’s dark, cynical, yet oddly fitting for the era. A fantastic short watch. 7.5/10.

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Where Agatha Christie Meets Chinese Thriller Style

That’s the overall vibe of this short drama, which I recommend to those curious about thrillers/suspense/crime shows but aren’t ready to dive into the heavier, grittier ones of cdramaland.

Don’t get me wrong: there are a few murders that may not be ideal for dinner time viewing, but the pacing, tone, and tension are so well-managed that those moments hit just right, giving the drama the necessary dark touch of the genre. For seasoned watchers, I’d say it’s a fun, well made break that stands proud as the little brother – or step brother - among the long format family with its more serious and thoughtful content. It doesn´t have that oppresive atmosphere, but it´s not light either.

Being a longtime fan of Agatha Christie novels and all their screen adaptations, I can say this drama blends the mystery storytelling style of the author with Chinese elements and flavors. Coincidentally – or not - it’s based on a 2015 novel written by another female author, Gui Ma Xing.

The structure is classic: someone is torturing and killing women in 1929 Shanghai. As our ensemble investigation team digs into the serial murders and the identity of the killer, a deeper, darker mystery intertwined with them begins to unfold - all with fast pacing, overal well-structured transitions and enjoyable storytelling.

Acting

This is not only my first short drama, but THE first short drama in the industry starring two powerhouse actors known for their acting chops: the award-winning, often-nominated, and beautiful Wan Qian, and the young yet veteran chameleonic Qin Jun Jie—who you’ve probably seen before without realizing it was him, lol.

Like many, I tuned in expecting that their presence meant a minimum level of production quality besides good acting - and we were right! In short dramas, where episodes last only 10 to 15 minutes, acting is key. It gives dimension to characters that could otherwise feel flat or underdeveloped, and enhance the story. Here, the main leads have details, traits, and depth—even without tons of backstory shoved in your face. Sometimes, while a scene is unfolding in the foreground, subtle interactions play out in the background. The two other main cast members are good, and even those I didn’t expect much from, did well. That alone makes a difference.

The characters´ dynamic is engaging, fun to watch, and well-developed throughout.

Gao Ying is a badass woman torn between loyalty to her powerful family and the search for truth in order to protect the victims. An interesting grey character with more than meets the eye.
Xia Mo is a genius forensic scientist, both coward and brave, coping with a traumatic past through some mental issues. He adds the logics, the small touches of humor and tender (creepy tender?) to the mix.
Xia Yin Qi, her sister, is a materialistic and independent spirit who cares deeply about her brother’s wellbeing.
Detective Tang Zhen Yun is the well socially connected, justice-seeking young skilled fighter who also craves professional recognition.

Production

If you’re picky about production, breathe easy because this one delivers. It’s clearly a high-quality production with attention to detail (except for one or two hands here and there). The Republican Shanghai setting is well crafted, and the opulent Zhu Que Tang shines in all its decadent charm without looking fake.

It’s also filmed in ultra-high resolution, which makes it visually pleasing even for more demanding viewers, adding a novel element usually absent in short dramas till now. The editing is thorough: right fast pacing, smooth transitions in general.

The script follows a classic structure: successive, connected key events and clues push the story forward in a logical way, reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s best. The attentive viewer might pick up on answers not long before the reveals, but never with full certainty, keeping both seasoned and casual viewers engaged and away from boredom. You may guess who the killer is, but the why and how remains unkown. As the first arc (about the killer) starts to wrap up, the second, deeper – and darker - arc related to the killings begins to emerge stronger. At this point, Agatha Christie has bowed out and we’re deep in Chinese thriller territory, subject-wise (flashbacks included...)

Direction

The fast pace and “rough” execution style, which are jarring in a full-length thriller, fit the short format like a silk glove, due to its core characteristics. And the stakes stay high right until the end.

At this point, you have to consider the format limitations. What a long format drama does in its first two episodes (around 90 minutes), the short one has to pull off in barely a quarter of that time - roughly 20 minutes or so. So execution is key: setting up the characters, their dynamics, and the core mystery or plot points. Finally, those viewers should at least give the first three episodes a shot to get a real feel for the show before deciding to keep going or drop i

Social discussion... Short drama with purpose?

There’s a persistent thread of social commentary running through the drama — on women’s roles, both in the past and today, not just in society at large but also within the entertainment industry. Corruption and power, too, is tackled. These themes are woven into the characters, the plot, and even the subplots. I honestly didn’t expect that. There’s actually a lot to unpack here: from how they introduce these themes to the levels of analysis and questions it might provoke in such a short runtime.

While regular viewers of this format might find it perfect for commuting or killing time in a queue, if you're more like me, the best way is probably to binge it in one or two sittings.

This drama Ichecks all the right boxes that make it an entertaining and short, binge-worthy experience. Perfect for a cold, foggy night if you’re in the mood for something on the lighter side – but not light - of the cdrama thriller/crime genre.

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