I'm loving this drama!! Its been such a long time since I have fallen for a drama this much. Literally counting down the hours to when the new episode is released and re-watching previous episodes.
The drama and the cast are receiving a lot of love and I cannot be happier for them!
Seeing accusations of plagiarism popping up so dropping this even before I even started...Edit: People defending…
I have seen the allegations online as well but to be honest, it quite a stretch to call it plagiarism.
Character with white hair, team having a meal together, demon fox with markings on its body, scene with a red filter background etc? All these are not unique or new and I have seen other shows with the exact same scenes/imagery.
I think people just wants to find fault and criticize GJM's work because of his previous issues, people are just so unforgiving.
Let's just enjoy the show and appreciate the effort put in by everyone. Give it a watch! It might be your cup of tea.
Ahhhhh my poor heart, everyone is so pitiful and I just want to give them all a hug. The story thus far has been engaging and you will come to care for every character, even those not part of the main team. It has done such a perfect job of allowing the audience to understand the characters and watching them grow as the show progresses.
This show is filled with stunning & intense fight scenes and the cinematography is so visually-appealing, I would replay the fight scenes several times as it is just so well done.
The path to Kunlun has been tough, but the team must press on.
Sooooo sweeeet! Gosh this drama is really exceeding all expectations. Can't wait for the next episode! Ding Yu Xi expresses every minute emotions so well, from anger, jealously, concern, shy to fearful, you can really understand what he is feeling at any moment.
Such a great drama! The scenes between Mu Sheng and Miao Miao is so hilarious that I truly LOL. Ding Yu Xi as usual is serving looks and great acting. I can't wait to see what happens next!!
I'm enjoying the plot so far, everything is shot so beautifully and the set designs are so intricate. The backstory of the demons in the first 2 cases is so heart wrenching and bittersweet. Looking forward to the next episodes!
Idk why I can’t get into Cheng Xiao. Even here. I found her acting very good at first in this drama but the…
She is good when it comes to her cold & cool character and executes the fight scenes beautifully. However, when it comes to the heart wrenching sad scenes, she cannot express it well and is not convincing enough.
So far loving this drama! The cinematography is astounding where every frame is like a painting. The set design is elaborate and grandiose. I like how the music and sound effects are used effectively to further convey the scene.
Each character's styling, makeup, outfit is unique from each other and suits their role. At this point, I am enjoying the 4 leads and feel like they are well cast. Can't wait to see the camaraderie grow between them.
If I'm to nitpick, the skin smoothing applied on the actors is a little much, but maybe that's the director's style.
I like that the drama is set against the backdrop of a snowy landscape and the shots are really quite aesthetic. But somehow the drama does not draw me in and makes me feel detached from the story. Up till halfway through the show, the scenes of the main couple and the villains still feels disjointed and feels like we are watching 2 separate plot lines.
The repetition of the ML going out in search of the ingredients, gets injured, gets healed by the FL, drinks some liquor by the tree and then leaving again is getting quite repetition and thus loses its intended effect on viewers.
This is one of the better "1950s Shanghai Espionage" dramas that I have seen in a while, after Sparrow (麻雀), I have yet to find one that I enjoyed this much.
The story is engaging from beginning to end, the brotherhood & conflict between Shao Bai and Xu Wei, the relationship between serious Zheng Yang and witty Shao Bai, the camaraderie in the new police team. The game of cat and mouse between the police and underground agents is interesting as both parties constantly tries to outsmart each other.
From the good guys to the villain, there isn't any annoyingly naive or dumb character, everyone has their own principles and priorities and they act based on that. Chen Zhe Yuan and Nie Yuan are well cast for this drama.
Till the end I really liked the layered and complicated characters of Wei Zhao and Pei Yan, there is no 100% kind or evil person, just different circumstances and perspectives.
The relationship between the 2 MLs is tbh more interesting to watch then the romance with Jiang Ci. There are times Jiang Ci randomly blames Wei Zhao for the things that occur without thinking logically, giving him the cold shoulder and then still needing his help to get out of trouble. It would have been better if Jiang Ci was just Jiang Ci and not having any "secret identity".
For once a drama actually gives the tyrant emperor a taste of his own medicine. It was satisfying to watch his own plan blowing up on him.
Watched till ep 18 and the tension between the 2 MLs is through the roof!!
I'm really enjoying the back and forth between the 2 MLs, both have their secrets and both knows each other's secret. On the surface they exchange polite words but their words have double meanings and both are looking for the other's weakness.
I like how the FL's character is crafted, she is resolute in what she believes and stands her ground in the face of unfairness to ensure that justice is served.
From ep 11 onwards, the story takes a 180 degree turn and we see the mask of Pei Yan slowly unravel while the icy image of Wei Zhao slowly melts. Wei Zhao's outfits looks so good and suits him sooo well.
Xiao Gang's injury could have been avoided if he wore a bullet proof vest. In fact, everyone (incl the criminals)…
I feel it is to show the lack of resources that the team faced in that era. The faulty walkie-talkie, insufficient bullet-proof vests and only having 1 wiretap device etc. So priority of the vest is given to less/non-combat members such as Gu Yi Ran.
Such a well written, well produced and well cast drama. The drama really nailed the 1990s vibes, from the languages and accent spoken, props, clothing and shooting locations. From the caring leader Zheng Bei to the nerdy scientist Gu Yi Ran, the actors really brought their characters to life.
I really appreciate how realistic the drama is, there is no super genius or some hero who jumps into impossible dangers and somehow doesn't get injured. It is simply a team of ordinary policeman that set out to fight the war against drugs in a time where there isn't a specialized narcotics team. The lack of knowledge towards drugs, lack of resources, technology and equipment adds to the realism.
Take ratings with a pinch of salt, everyone has different taste and want different things from dramas. Give the drama a watch before deciding or you might missed out a good drama!
The drama and the cast are receiving a lot of love and I cannot be happier for them!
Character with white hair, team having a meal together, demon fox with markings on its body, scene with a red filter background etc? All these are not unique or new and I have seen other shows with the exact same scenes/imagery.
I think people just wants to find fault and criticize GJM's work because of his previous issues, people are just so unforgiving.
Let's just enjoy the show and appreciate the effort put in by everyone.
Give it a watch! It might be your cup of tea.
I was so stunned by HMH's acting that I had to pause and rewatch it again.
This show is filled with stunning & intense fight scenes and the cinematography is so visually-appealing, I would replay the fight scenes several times as it is just so well done.
The path to Kunlun has been tough, but the team must press on.
Ding Yu Xi as usual is serving looks and great acting. I can't wait to see what happens next!!
The cinematography is astounding where every frame is like a painting. The set design is elaborate and grandiose. I like how the music and sound effects are used effectively to further convey the scene.
Each character's styling, makeup, outfit is unique from each other and suits their role. At this point, I am enjoying the 4 leads and feel like they are well cast. Can't wait to see the camaraderie grow between them.
If I'm to nitpick, the skin smoothing applied on the actors is a little much, but maybe that's the director's style.
The repetition of the ML going out in search of the ingredients, gets injured, gets healed by the FL, drinks some liquor by the tree and then leaving again is getting quite repetition and thus loses its intended effect on viewers.
The story is engaging from beginning to end, the brotherhood & conflict between Shao Bai and Xu Wei, the relationship between serious Zheng Yang and witty Shao Bai, the camaraderie in the new police team. The game of cat and mouse between the police and underground agents is interesting as both parties constantly tries to outsmart each other.
From the good guys to the villain, there isn't any annoyingly naive or dumb character, everyone has their own principles and priorities and they act based on that. Chen Zhe Yuan and Nie Yuan are well cast for this drama.
The relationship between the 2 MLs is tbh more interesting to watch then the romance with Jiang Ci. There are times Jiang Ci randomly blames Wei Zhao for the things that occur without thinking logically, giving him the cold shoulder and then still needing his help to get out of trouble. It would have been better if Jiang Ci was just Jiang Ci and not having any "secret identity".
For once a drama actually gives the tyrant emperor a taste of his own medicine. It was satisfying to watch his own plan blowing up on him.
I'm really enjoying the back and forth between the 2 MLs, both have their secrets and both knows each other's secret. On the surface they exchange polite words but their words have double meanings and both are looking for the other's weakness.
I like how the FL's character is crafted, she is resolute in what she believes and stands her ground in the face of unfairness to ensure that justice is served.
From ep 11 onwards, the story takes a 180 degree turn and we see the mask of Pei Yan slowly unravel while the icy image of Wei Zhao slowly melts. Wei Zhao's outfits looks so good and suits him sooo well.
I really appreciate how realistic the drama is, there is no super genius or some hero who jumps into impossible dangers and somehow doesn't get injured. It is simply a team of ordinary policeman that set out to fight the war against drugs in a time where there isn't a specialized narcotics team. The lack of knowledge towards drugs, lack of resources, technology and equipment adds to the realism.
This is a 10/10 for me!