This review may contain spoilers
The Weirdo, the Ducky, and the Woodman
Hi there, I’m back again for my latest review after a great deal of hustle and bustle in my holiday time. I was quite busy that I couldn’t even watch dramas properly just like I did at home. Thank God I’d completed “Treasure at Dawn” shortly before I went on holiday. I’ll keep this review as laconic as I can since I don’t have much impression of this drama anymore. Let’s rock, shall we?
To put it simply, “Treasure at Dawn” is a drama based on original script (not from novel’s adaptation) so it may be a bit of tricky to guess the plot as you don’t have any forerunner coming from the OG source. Sadly, this drama has also been jailed for almost 3 years (since 2023, if I’m not mistaken) by the shitty Youku and it only premiered this December without huge promotion and buzzing viewership. Let’s not talk about this unpleasant thing and get on to the next section.
The plot revolves around a mismatched bickering trio – the eccentric yet kind-hearted doctor Fu Sheng, the headstrong and no-nonsense Wen Jue, and the glib-tongued yet agile acrobatic dancer Gu Tian. At first, they only team up due to unfavorable circumstances and forced proximity as Fu Sheng is framed for the death of hundreds of physicians in Shangyi City (caused by his father). After this case, Fu Sheng and co travel to Xichuan City, where the real danger lurks behind. Together, they pool their skills to solve mysterious bizarre cases, which will lead them to an inexplicable truth buried for 20 years and how Fu Sheng’s father played a role in attempting to bring the truth to the light. Joining their team are Ying Ying (Hearsay-Capturing Pavilion’s owner), Hu Lu (Ying Ying’s adoptive little brother), Tuoba Ruo (Ma Gang’s female assassin), and the Wen family (including Wen Jue’s doting father Wen Yu and her protective brother Wen Jiu).
Based on my perspective, I think the script is done right according to a thriller murder mystery drama’s standard and the cases aren’t overlooked or overdone (the victims and suspects concerned also act so convincingly), which is a good thing to hear. Meanwhile, it also blends medical knowledge, anatomy of body, political storm, and treacherous palace soap opera so seamlessly that I can hardly find faults in every single detail. The punctual comedy timing isn’t overdone as well for I have a great deal of laughter from their wacky antics. The minor drawback will be the open ending as they go to the Central Plains to search for Fu Sheng’s master to cure Ying Ying (Gu Tian’s beloved) and the Treasure of National Books isn’t a treasure at all, but just an underground palace created by the late Emperor and how the current Emperor reflects on ruling his country (I thought we would be treasure-hunting, smh).
As for the acting, I have to say that everybody involved really nails his/her role flawlessly even though I have to put up with the witch doctors’ antics (that’s the most gruesome point of this drama, otherwise it will be a pretty nice experience). Li Hongyi has improved since “The Blood of Youth” and embodies Fu Sheng’s quirky yet naïve nature, proving him as a versatile actor. This is my first time watching Su Xiaotong, but I like her from the get go. Wen Jue isn’t your typical damsel-in-distress and a headstrong smart girl who always has to pull the boys out of the troubles they cause. It’s really rare to find such a character like her nowadays. For Yu Cheng’en, I really adore him as Gu Tian and deeply root for his brotherhood with Fu Sheng (he’s such an eye-candy too that I always ogled for his scenes lol).
OSTs are truly groundbreaking and club-bangers that I need to play it on a loop, especially the ones by Chen Lingtao and Zhao Lei. Backgrounds, settings, costumes are also stylish even though it’s not a high-budget drama (however, I don’t know if it is a fictional dynasty or a real dynasty in the past, but their costumes look atypical if you compare them with other historical dramas).
Would I recommend this? A 100% yes. If you’re into thriller murder mystery or trying to surf into medical world, then this show is for you (you don’t need to shut off your brain like “Love on the Turquoise Land”, believe me). You can also watch it for the comedy aspect or perhaps you’re into soap opera (trust me, it’s kinda superb). Okay, time to end my review here. Good luck and happy watching!!!
P.S.
I won’t reveal who’s the master boss here, so look out for yourself.
To put it simply, “Treasure at Dawn” is a drama based on original script (not from novel’s adaptation) so it may be a bit of tricky to guess the plot as you don’t have any forerunner coming from the OG source. Sadly, this drama has also been jailed for almost 3 years (since 2023, if I’m not mistaken) by the shitty Youku and it only premiered this December without huge promotion and buzzing viewership. Let’s not talk about this unpleasant thing and get on to the next section.
The plot revolves around a mismatched bickering trio – the eccentric yet kind-hearted doctor Fu Sheng, the headstrong and no-nonsense Wen Jue, and the glib-tongued yet agile acrobatic dancer Gu Tian. At first, they only team up due to unfavorable circumstances and forced proximity as Fu Sheng is framed for the death of hundreds of physicians in Shangyi City (caused by his father). After this case, Fu Sheng and co travel to Xichuan City, where the real danger lurks behind. Together, they pool their skills to solve mysterious bizarre cases, which will lead them to an inexplicable truth buried for 20 years and how Fu Sheng’s father played a role in attempting to bring the truth to the light. Joining their team are Ying Ying (Hearsay-Capturing Pavilion’s owner), Hu Lu (Ying Ying’s adoptive little brother), Tuoba Ruo (Ma Gang’s female assassin), and the Wen family (including Wen Jue’s doting father Wen Yu and her protective brother Wen Jiu).
Based on my perspective, I think the script is done right according to a thriller murder mystery drama’s standard and the cases aren’t overlooked or overdone (the victims and suspects concerned also act so convincingly), which is a good thing to hear. Meanwhile, it also blends medical knowledge, anatomy of body, political storm, and treacherous palace soap opera so seamlessly that I can hardly find faults in every single detail. The punctual comedy timing isn’t overdone as well for I have a great deal of laughter from their wacky antics. The minor drawback will be the open ending as they go to the Central Plains to search for Fu Sheng’s master to cure Ying Ying (Gu Tian’s beloved) and the Treasure of National Books isn’t a treasure at all, but just an underground palace created by the late Emperor and how the current Emperor reflects on ruling his country (I thought we would be treasure-hunting, smh).
As for the acting, I have to say that everybody involved really nails his/her role flawlessly even though I have to put up with the witch doctors’ antics (that’s the most gruesome point of this drama, otherwise it will be a pretty nice experience). Li Hongyi has improved since “The Blood of Youth” and embodies Fu Sheng’s quirky yet naïve nature, proving him as a versatile actor. This is my first time watching Su Xiaotong, but I like her from the get go. Wen Jue isn’t your typical damsel-in-distress and a headstrong smart girl who always has to pull the boys out of the troubles they cause. It’s really rare to find such a character like her nowadays. For Yu Cheng’en, I really adore him as Gu Tian and deeply root for his brotherhood with Fu Sheng (he’s such an eye-candy too that I always ogled for his scenes lol).
OSTs are truly groundbreaking and club-bangers that I need to play it on a loop, especially the ones by Chen Lingtao and Zhao Lei. Backgrounds, settings, costumes are also stylish even though it’s not a high-budget drama (however, I don’t know if it is a fictional dynasty or a real dynasty in the past, but their costumes look atypical if you compare them with other historical dramas).
Would I recommend this? A 100% yes. If you’re into thriller murder mystery or trying to surf into medical world, then this show is for you (you don’t need to shut off your brain like “Love on the Turquoise Land”, believe me). You can also watch it for the comedy aspect or perhaps you’re into soap opera (trust me, it’s kinda superb). Okay, time to end my review here. Good luck and happy watching!!!
P.S.
I won’t reveal who’s the master boss here, so look out for yourself.
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