Sunbath12

After witnessing the brutal massacre of his family and loved ones, Zhinu, the son of Kuai Duo, the Imperial Astronomer, embarks on a harrowing journey of seeking vengeance. Rescued by a mysterious masked benefactor and taken under the wing of some peculiar masters, he is trained in the art of strategy and deception and becomes Zang Hai. As he fatefully sets foot inside the Capital, he discovers the true price of vengeance. Will he escape the entangled web of spies and agents seeking power and a means to silence him forever?

Legend of Zang Hai is led admirably by Xiao Zhan, who puts forth one of his best performances to date as the vengeance-driven but conflicted Zang Hai, who deep inside bears an earnest heart and yearns for something genuine despite his years of learning to live a lie. He is surrounded by friend and foe alike, brought vividly to life by a large ensemble cast. Huang Jue as the Marquis is particularly noteworthy - the villain you can't help but want to watch more of. Liang Chao as master Gao Ming makes a poignant mark on the audience, particularly in his final moments. And Zhang Jingyi as the feisty princess of Dongxia gives another lovely understated performance, of which a highlight is a romantic boat scene with Zang Hai.

While Zang Hai's revenge story is complete, the world presented here is intriguing enough for another season or another drama exploring more regarding its more mystical and fantastical elements. But its realistic approach - the depiction of imperial government and its corruption and the very real complicated humans who make up such government - is what makes this drama really shine for me. Hoping for more dramas like this one who take the time to flesh out dimensional characters and probe deeper into questions about human nature, justice and the illusion of power.