So realistic Dylan Wang was glammed down to portray a cop
This drama impresses in every aspect - the direction, writing and cinematography create an ambiance of mystery, sometimes bordering on horror, that draws the viewer into the investigation of a father and daughter who took an elevator to the 18th floor of a building and went missing for 18 years.
But what impressed me most was the acting, especially of Dylan Wang, PanYue Ming, Ren Min and the young He Xiao He. Dylan once again proves he can tackle any role with aplomb, able to portray each stage of a policeman's life believably, from an idealistic and bookwormish rookie to a passionate deputy captain police officer bent on solving a 5-year-old case, and finally, a Beijing lecturer. To portray a rookie cop, minimum makeup was used on Dylan. For his deputy officer look, some freckles were applied on his face that made him look darker. For his lecturer look, some wrinkles were added. Yet, in all these looks, his handsomeness still peeped through.
This is my first time watching Pan Yue Ming, Ren Min and the young He Xiao He and they are all good!
The story switches among three timeframes, 1997 when the father and daughter went missing, 2002 when the remains of a person connected to the case were found and 2015 when the case was solved. I think switching between timeframes is brilliant as associated scenes of the case in different timeframes are shown closely together. For example, the different and telling scenes when the same door that is opened in 2002 is opened in 2015. This technique of switching among timeframes requires viewers to focus on the drama to avoid confusion.
If you don't have the ability to focus, I suggest you drop the drama instead of giving it a low score when you get confused.
One unexpected element about this drama is that it is such a tear-jerker. I probably used up a whole box of tissues. This proves how effective the depiction of the story is and how well the characters are able to draw viewers in.
I also love the OST. It reminds me of Hollywood or BBC productions. It provides the appropriate background music to the visual elements.
But what impressed me most was the acting, especially of Dylan Wang, PanYue Ming, Ren Min and the young He Xiao He. Dylan once again proves he can tackle any role with aplomb, able to portray each stage of a policeman's life believably, from an idealistic and bookwormish rookie to a passionate deputy captain police officer bent on solving a 5-year-old case, and finally, a Beijing lecturer. To portray a rookie cop, minimum makeup was used on Dylan. For his deputy officer look, some freckles were applied on his face that made him look darker. For his lecturer look, some wrinkles were added. Yet, in all these looks, his handsomeness still peeped through.
This is my first time watching Pan Yue Ming, Ren Min and the young He Xiao He and they are all good!
The story switches among three timeframes, 1997 when the father and daughter went missing, 2002 when the remains of a person connected to the case were found and 2015 when the case was solved. I think switching between timeframes is brilliant as associated scenes of the case in different timeframes are shown closely together. For example, the different and telling scenes when the same door that is opened in 2002 is opened in 2015. This technique of switching among timeframes requires viewers to focus on the drama to avoid confusion.
If you don't have the ability to focus, I suggest you drop the drama instead of giving it a low score when you get confused.
One unexpected element about this drama is that it is such a tear-jerker. I probably used up a whole box of tissues. This proves how effective the depiction of the story is and how well the characters are able to draw viewers in.
I also love the OST. It reminds me of Hollywood or BBC productions. It provides the appropriate background music to the visual elements.
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