A strong drama, but the ending could be better
This drama tackles a very important yet rarely discussed topic in China – human trafficking, specifically the abduction of children and young women. The story follows police officer Hua Dengyan, who becomes the director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Office. Together with her team, she investigates missing persons cases, working to track down a figure known only as “Cripple,” the mastermind behind a regional trafficking network.
For Dengyan, the mission is not just professional but deeply personal: twenty years earlier, “Cripple” abducted her friend Ranran right before her eyes. That event left a lasting scar and has driven her ever since to bring every missing person home and return their stolen life.
The first half of the drama is particularly strong. The portrayal of the Anti-Human Trafficking Office feels realistic—this isn’t one of those shows where the lead (à la Dilireba) single-handedly solves every case while others merely assist. Here, every team member plays a vital role in solving the cases. The structure also departs from the usual detective/police drama formula, where a new case begins only after the last one is resolved. Instead, several cases are investigated simultaneously, reflecting real police work more closely.
The cases themselves are brutal, emotional, and deeply affecting. It’s disturbing to see how cruel people can be, and at times it was painful to watch—yet it never felt gratuitous, and I know the real world can be far worse. Despite the darkness, there’s always a glimmer of hope. I think it’s important for dramas to shed light on such issues and foster empathy and understanding for the victims.
Unfortunately, towards the end, the storytelling becomes a bit sloppy, and the finale left me disappointed. I would have preferred a proper reunion scene between Ranran, her mother Miss Zhang, and Dengyan—perhaps even a flashback montage showing everyone they managed to bring home. Instead, we got an unnecessary propaganda speech that broke the emotional flow.
One thing I appreciated was the complete absence of romance. This kept the focus entirely on the cases and the victims’ stories, which I think made the drama stronger. My favorite subplot was the case of lawyer Sun and his missing son—it was especially moving.
The cast delivered solid performances overall. They looked and felt like ordinary people you might pass on the street—no superhuman abilities, no over-the-top fight scenes, minimal makeup. The only weak point for me was Jin Shijia’s character, Chang Rui; at times, he felt like an unnecessary addition.
Despite its flaws, I truly enjoyed this show and would recommend it to anyone interested in a realistic, emotionally charged crime drama that isn’t afraid to address difficult truths.
For Dengyan, the mission is not just professional but deeply personal: twenty years earlier, “Cripple” abducted her friend Ranran right before her eyes. That event left a lasting scar and has driven her ever since to bring every missing person home and return their stolen life.
The first half of the drama is particularly strong. The portrayal of the Anti-Human Trafficking Office feels realistic—this isn’t one of those shows where the lead (à la Dilireba) single-handedly solves every case while others merely assist. Here, every team member plays a vital role in solving the cases. The structure also departs from the usual detective/police drama formula, where a new case begins only after the last one is resolved. Instead, several cases are investigated simultaneously, reflecting real police work more closely.
The cases themselves are brutal, emotional, and deeply affecting. It’s disturbing to see how cruel people can be, and at times it was painful to watch—yet it never felt gratuitous, and I know the real world can be far worse. Despite the darkness, there’s always a glimmer of hope. I think it’s important for dramas to shed light on such issues and foster empathy and understanding for the victims.
Unfortunately, towards the end, the storytelling becomes a bit sloppy, and the finale left me disappointed. I would have preferred a proper reunion scene between Ranran, her mother Miss Zhang, and Dengyan—perhaps even a flashback montage showing everyone they managed to bring home. Instead, we got an unnecessary propaganda speech that broke the emotional flow.
One thing I appreciated was the complete absence of romance. This kept the focus entirely on the cases and the victims’ stories, which I think made the drama stronger. My favorite subplot was the case of lawyer Sun and his missing son—it was especially moving.
The cast delivered solid performances overall. They looked and felt like ordinary people you might pass on the street—no superhuman abilities, no over-the-top fight scenes, minimal makeup. The only weak point for me was Jin Shijia’s character, Chang Rui; at times, he felt like an unnecessary addition.
Despite its flaws, I truly enjoyed this show and would recommend it to anyone interested in a realistic, emotionally charged crime drama that isn’t afraid to address difficult truths.
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