Reviews

Strong Performances in a Weak Storyline

This drama was fairly average overall, standing out mainly because of the excellent performances by both the lead and supporting actors. The cast carried the film with genuine effort and emotion, which made it watchable despite its flaws.

However, the storyline lacked depth and engagement, failing to keep the viewer fully invested. The fight sequences were overly long and repetitive, and the romantic moments felt underdeveloped and unconvincing.

While it doesn’t offer much in terms of plot or freshness, it’s still worth a watch for the main leads, whose performances bring some life to an otherwise forgettable drama.

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A pleasant surprise - simple story about love & career of an actress + good kisses

I watched the first two minutes of this drama when I was helping a member of subreddit CShortDramas to find video upload with English subtitles. I got curious even though the names of ML and FL were unfamiliar to me. I was glad that I watched it because it was enjoyable.

What I liked:
1. Romance - Good kisses but the hot kiss on the poster / teaser trailer seemed to be missing (or maybe I expected too much???). Nevertheless I really liked the dynamics between FL & ML - they were tender, affectionate and gave warm feeling to me.
2. FL characterisation - Both FL & ML were in the entertainment industry. She didn't want her marriage / relationship with ML to be known to the public because she wanted to be judged by merit not by connection. I respected her decision and liked that she was focused on her goal.
3. ML characterisation - He showed some moments of jealousy but wasn't possessed nor toxic. I liked that he knew how to behave when provoked.
4. Setup - I liked that the setup was related to acting / entertainment industry. There were scenes of them being on set to shoot a drama / movie.
5. Duration - This drama is only 1 hour 45 minutes long. Perfect to watch in one-sitting.
6. Plot - I liked that this drama is a simple story that covers love & career. No melodrama.
7. Acting - This was my first time watching the performance of Xia Huan Ting and Wu Jun Jie. I liked them and the chemistry was sizzling. Apparently they are dating in real-life.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - An up-and-coming actress who was opportunistic and manipulative. She didn't mind harming people to advance her career.

Favourite scene
When FL seduced ML while he was working

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Shadows Beneath the Ming Court

I picked this drama because I absolutely love historical-mystery dramas 🏯🔍 — and The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty delivers that perfectly! Set in the Ming dynasty, it’s filled with thrilling cases, political intrigue, and those dark secrets hidden behind the palace walls ⚖️🕵️‍♀️. It’s actually adapted from a BL original novel, but the series itself focuses more on bromance than any explicit romance 💞👬.

What really drew me in was that detective element — the thrill of solving mysteries, the clever logic, and the teamwork between three men from totally different backgrounds 🧠✨. You’ve got the witty and food-loving magistrate 🍜, the loyal embroidered guard ⚔️, and the sharp-eyed eunuch with mysterious motives 👀. Together they form such an interesting trio! The combination of humor, tension, and emotional depth between them made the story both intense and enjoyable ❤️🔥.

🏯 Synopsis & Setting

The story unfolds during the 14th year of the Chenghua Emperor’s reign in the Ming dynasty 🕰️ — a time full of imperial secrets, political schemes, and silent power struggles. Amid this chaotic era, three men from very different worlds cross paths and form an unlikely alliance 💫.

Tang Fan (汤斐) — a sixth-rank civil official 👨‍🎓 — is witty, intelligent, and a bit carefree on the surface 😌. But beneath that relaxed charm lies a sharp mind that can see through lies and unravel the most complicated crimes 🧩🕵️‍♂️.

Sui Zhou (隋州) — a Jinyiwei (锦衣卫), part of the elite embroidered guards ⚔️ — is serious, disciplined, and loyal to his duty. At first, he seems distant and cold ❄️, but as the story progresses, his hidden kindness and warmth start to show 🌤️.

Wang Zhi (汪直) — the powerful eunuch and head of the Western Depot 🏰 — is both fascinating and dangerous 😼. In history, he’s known as a cunning strategist, and in the drama, he’s portrayed as charming yet unpredictable — the kind of character you can’t help but love and fear at the same time ❤️‍🔥🖤.

At first, these three men have nothing in common — an official, a guard, and an eunuch 🤝. But fate pulls them together as a series of mysterious murders and conspiracies begin to shake the empire ⚡. What starts as small, isolated cases soon reveals a vast and chilling web of corruption and betrayal threatening the entire court 👑🔥.

With palace politics, detective work, secret missions, and covert agencies all woven into the story 🧶, the world feels alive, rich, and full of danger. It’s exactly the kind of intricate, suspenseful setting I love — every corner hides a secret, every smile masks an agenda 😏💭.

🎭 Acting & Characters

My absolute favourite character is Wang Zhi (汪直) 💫 — he completely stole the spotlight for me! There’s something magnetic about him: handsome, calculative, and enigmatic all at once 🖤. He can make you smile in one moment 😍 and send chills down your spine in the next 😳. The way the actor portrayed him — smooth, elegant, yet dangerous — was just brilliant 🎬.

Knowing the real history of Wang Zhi (as a powerful eunuch who led the Western Depot and influenced court affairs) made his character even more intriguing 📜⚔️. Every scene he appeared in carried that aura of hidden power and strategic brilliance. I often caught myself thinking, “Can I really trust him?” 😏 That uncertainty made him one of the most captivating characters in the entire show.

Then there’s Tang Fan (汤斐) 🧠🍜 — the witty, cheerful magistrate with a sharp mind and a big appetite! His lighthearted personality brings balance to the darker tones of the series. I really liked how he could be humorous and kind yet completely serious when it came to solving cases 🔍💡. He’s the type of character who hides deep intelligence behind an easygoing smile.

Sui Zhou (隋州), the disciplined Jinyiwei officer ⚔️, adds the perfect contrast — quiet, loyal, and protective. He’s the emotional backbone of the team, often expressing more through his eyes than his words 👀❤️. I loved his calm, composed energy and the sense of justice he carried throughout the drama.

Together, Tang Fan and Sui Zhou form an amazing duo 🤝. Their chemistry feels natural — the mix of brains and brawn, reason and instinct, humor and discipline ⚖️✨. Their investigation teamwork was one of my favorite aspects! However, I did feel that some of the romantic hints added between them (and with others) . I could tell the show tried to shift focus due to censorship and production choices, but personally, I preferred when it stuck to their detective partnership rather than forced romance.

Even the supporting cast deserves praise 👏. Many secondary roles — from side officials to villains — felt alive and memorable. The antagonists weren’t just evil for the sake of being evil; they often had clever motives or tragic backstories 🌀. But I’ll admit, a few moments felt a bit “script convenient,” where some characters acted in unrealistic ways just to move the plot forward 🤔. Still, overall, the performances were consistent and added a lot of emotional texture to the story.

🕵️‍♀️ Story & Mystery (What I Loved & What I Found Distracting)

One of the best parts of The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty for me was the case-by-case structure 🧩. Each mystery starts small — a simple death, a missing person, a rumor — but soon unravels into something deeper and darker 😮‍💨. The way Tang Fan connects the clues and exposes the web of corruption felt so clever and satisfying 💥.

The drama shines most when it focuses on detective logic, palace intrigue, and moral dilemmas 🧠⚖️. Each case reveals another layer of the Ming court — hidden loyalties, secret deals, and how justice can be twisted by power. It really gave that satisfying “ancient Sherlock Holmes” vibe I was hoping for 🕵️‍♂️✨.

But not everything hit perfectly 😕. Sometimes the story lost its mystery focus and drifted toward romantic or emotional subplots that didn’t fit the tone. You can tell the creators were trying to meet censorship demands — maybe replacing some BL undertones with awkward straight romance scenes 💔. Personally, those moments felt out of place and even distracting from the main plot.

Despite that, I think the series redeemed itself towards the final arc 🔥. The tension escalates, political stakes grow higher, and the trio’s bond is tested more than ever. Everything ties together with more intensity, and the mystery aspect regains strength. Watching all the clues come full circle gave me that rewarding sense of closure 🌌.

In short, The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty works best when it stays true to its roots — mystery, politics, and brotherhood. When it does that, it’s clever, emotional, and totally addictive 💖.

Production, Visuals & Atmosphere

The production value is solid: costumes, set-design, location work all contribute to that Ming-dynasty feel. Many viewers appreciate the darker, more grounded palette compared to the over-glam versions of period dramas.

The action and detective sequences are also believable rather than overly flashy. Knowing that the drama is produced by Jackie Chan (yes!) gives it some extra credibility.

The mood often matches the investigative tone: more restrained, less “over-the-top” spectacle, which I personally liked. Soundtrack and suspense are also good, building appropriate atmosphere. That said, some special effects or action sequences (when they pushed more towards spectacle) felt less convincing. If you prefer mystery over big action-scenes, those moments might feel a little jarring.

All things considered: I enjoyed The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty quite a lot — especially because its mystery, historical setting, and the triad of main characters aligned with my preferences.

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Action-packed first half but unfortunately this drama lost its momentum in second half

I liked Bai Xue Ru's acting. One day I explored her drama playlist and got curious when I saw the thumbnail. I had never seen Li Ke Le's dramas so I decided to watch this drama. I liked the first half but second half lost its momentum.

What I liked:
1. Action - I loved that FL was a badass. She could fight baddies and attackers.
2. FL characterisation - FL had a mission to get an antidote to her poison & find her mother's killer. I also liked that she was a healer.
3. Supporting characters - Her friend / sidekick was awesome.
4. ML characterisation - I liked that ML wasn't easily deceived by FL's half-sister.
5. Acting - Bai Xue Ru and the actor who played the antagonist were very good.
6. Styling - I was surprised to see Bai Xue Ru in a maid's uniform because I had just published a reddit post on maid uniform spotted in Chinese vertical dramas and missed this drama. I loved Bai Xue Ru's red dress - what an entrance!

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - Bai Yi Yi was pathetic. Bai family was atrocious for abusing a child. Mu Huai Nan was hungry for power - another evil dude.
2. Romance - There wasn't enough romantic moments between FL & ML.
3. Second half - I was excited for this drama upon learning her background and the antidote arc but I felt these two elements weren't explored enough. The second half was bland / not memorable.

Favourite scene
Opening scene

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Kim Yoo Jung Masterclass

I've seen a ton of Kim Yoo Jung's work since she's my favorite drama actress and people will call this biased, but I am absolutely floored by her acting skills in this show. If she keep this level of performance throughout this series, I wouldn't be surprised if she won best actress at the year end awards.

You know that I wasn't going to leave out my boy from No Pain No Love, Kim Young Dae, I did not know he had this level of dark in him. His performance in the pilot episode was *chef's kiss* chills at the end.

I was sat there thinking at episode 4 that the casting of this show was near perfect because each of the actors and actresses knew how to play their role perfectly.

I am now seated every week to watch these episodes as soon as they come out.

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It was okay but difficult for me to finish

It seems to be a recurring thing in Japanese media to have long winded speeches with empty platitudes that are preached and are either not followed or are of dubious value. I found Gokusen to have some interesting and funny moments but also moments where it felt like work to watch and I would need to take a break and not watch for days or weeks, and this season only has about a dozen episodes. I wish there were more yakuza and romance elements to this drama.

Characters I enjoyed: Yankumi (main), Tetsu (gangster), Uchi (3-D student with actual gangster vibes), Sawatari (school principal), Kawashima (school nurse), Kashiwagi (the supporting police officer)

I don't understand the fawning over Sawada by viewers. He rarely showed any personality or gave much dialogue until the very end of the season where he openly displays sympathy for Kuma and Yankumi. As for his looks (because it seems to be a major part of the attraction towards him), I much prefer Noda personally.

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Dear writters, please stop using chengyi for ur worst plot stories . I'm a fan of chengyi waited years for this damn ,he's a best sword man those who watched mysterious lotus casebook know about his acting . Terrible plot by the way and FL I hate her from warm on cold night acting childish too really disgusting to watch please don't try to be Esther yu and I hate her too why can't they act without being super foolish? Childish?
Please remove romance tag they don't have it any, FL is the third wheel even second leads as a best romance chemistry, and i hate ending instead of dying the black fox talking endlessly and explaining the procedure , finally she died so I can be at peace not looking forward to this sequels.

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​A Bittersweet Landing: Great Premise, Half-Baked Execution????

I kind of have a mixed opinion about this drama. I liked the premise, but somewhere in the middle it went off-track and ended bittersweet. 😶‍🌫️😶‍🌫️

*​I really liked the ML character. 😍😍He thought he was a supporting character in the game that he had created, but he certainly underestimated his potential. The entire story is about him learning to love himself, being confident, and facing reality.

​*ML's acting was amazing. He did a good job in portraying the emotions. Be it his childlike behavior, the innocent looks, or his pitiful face, one cannot stop loving him. His costumes and his white hair look were the best...😍😍

​*The FL's character was supposed to help the ML realize his emotions and help him face reality. She did help him, but her character didn't stand out. Also, her childlike acting and her voice were kind of annoying, but still digestible.

*​The second couple had stories of their own, but the stories didn't have an impact. It was kind of bland. I really liked the Bamboo Shoot character. It was cute and energetic. The music was also good.

*​I think this drama is overrated. I felt most of the elements in this story were half-baked. It all started as a game, but in the middle, the game turned out to be some fantasy drama, and in the end, it finished as a melodrama. 😅 But anyway, I liked the emotional twist in the end.

​OVERALL: A BORING GAME THAT ENDED WELL 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️....

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The plot? Just tropes on autopilot

I’m a sucker for clichés and tropes, and I genuinely like Jung Somin and Choi Wooshik, especially in romcoms. The setup had everything going for it, so I can’t wrap my head around how this series turned into such a mess.

The writing is so weak that even the actors’ talent can’t save it. There’s a scene—the classic “accidental fall” moment—that’s been done to death in romance. But here, it was executed so poorly. No transition, no buildup. Just a clumsy insert that felt like the writer threw it in last minute. It was predictable, awkward, and completely mishandled.

Both leads have emotional backstories, yet somehow none of it lands. I’m not even confused anymore. It’s just really bad writing. There’s no emotional weight. At all.

And don’t get me started on the female lead. Her character is a mess. I get that the show’s supposed to be lighthearted, so maybe the trauma isn’t meant to be heavy. But for someone who’s been through heartbreak and hardship, she shows zero growth. Not even a flicker of development.

Her dynamic with the ex is maddening. She’s furious about being cheated on, yet she still entertains him. Even in fiction, it makes no sense.

I fast-forwarded through episode 10 and barely found a few minutes worth watching. And that’s me being generous.

Honestly, I’m more curious about the second leads. But if this is the kind of writing I’ve endured for ten episodes (can we still call it “initial impressions”?), I doubt there’s much left to redeem.

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Fun, Funny, Funnier, Funniest! Action, Adventure, Party, Emotions, Surprise~~...

If you watch this one with a right mindset and timing. I am sure this one won't dissapoint unless there is a personal preferrences for particular moral point or actors since they carry this drama man!

If we have to rank what carried this drama...
though a good script is what takes to make anything even worth to watch.
However despite being a good story, it wasn't an extremely unique one in the industry. However it felt such!

Reasons? for me to binge it in one sitting?
First would be the direction and dialogues,
which actually worked so well — thanks to the second, amazing acting!

Shoutout to Park Min Young, Joo Jong Hyuk, and Park Hee Soon-- amazing performances. Their dynamic and contrasting conflicts were so engaging i am sure those who stayed, stayed for their interactions and jokes.

A sibling-cum-friendly banter, caring enough to donate a liver but ready to kill for a glass of water.

Yi-rang’s eccentricity blended perfectly with Gu Ho’s innocence.
This pair, softly wrapped under James’ care, felt like the perfect gang ever.
Each had their own weapons, quirks, and issues.
And honestly — we’d love an overpowering, invincible FL Park Min Young any day!

Though I completely fell for Yi-rang — her wardrobe, her lowkey need to be acknowledged or cared for by her teammates despite claiming to be a sociopath,
her unhinged lying in the most serious situations,
her backstory, her revenge methods, … that smile!..... ,

This man Gu Ho, somehow, became a character I kept caring for and looking out for through the entire series.
The whole CFO twist at the end did make me question — “bro, not possible…”
And I was right! I knew he wouldn’t blatantly ruin it all or forsake the bond he built over the last five years.
Being the emotional Gu Ho he is… of course not.

Truly, they say it right — blessed are those with kind and innocent hearts.
We unknowingly grow softer toward kind people.

It was hilarious how Yi-rang, despite being arrogant and proud by nature, never hesitated to step back when needed —
whether it was fake tears or a planned sorry.
I was glad she didn’t let ego ruin it or make things too serious between friends.

Honestly, it was hilarious. I never found her heartless or soulless.
If anything, she was sincere — just in her own sociopathic way, as I love to say.
And we all know one or two people like that — those who have their own unique way of showing love. ❤️

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Hard to watch but worth it

This is probably one of the most traumatic series I've watched, the kind that makes you want to pause and take a break because you just can't keep watching. It is a gripping, very emotinally charged story. Also one that makes you cry nonstop. But I think this drama is a must watch.

They treat very sensitive topics such as domestic abuse, and power dynamics, in a pretty realistic way. But that is the hard part, the brutal reality. It's definitely something that will make you think and reflect.

I don't think i will rematch this drama in the near future (or far future), not because it wasn't great, but because I don't think I can get through the first episodes a second time. And before watching this, it is so important to be aware of all the triggers, there are quite a lot, and since they are serious topics, it is better the know them before you get into the story.

On a different note, the actors were incredible, they all portrayed their characters so well that it is impossible not to get into the story and empathise with them or hate them or even relate to them. It was truly an amazing drama overall. And I was pretty satisfied with how it ended.

So, to sum it up, I recommend watching this drama, but I insist on checking the triggers before doing so because of the dark themes.

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A Fantastic Story plot with great execution but not perfect

The long episodes makes this really fitting when building the world story, every important character introducted properly, with a slow pacing and each and every couple hhavve their own lore wthat sometime gettin undermined in a lot of dramas but not this. Every one get an interesting lore and interaction and often with a good connection with the main plot.

The visual is giving, and we got treated with a ton of it here, satisfying.
The Music generaly is good and fitting for the scene especially the romancing scene.
For me Female Main is casted perfectly for this character, she was born to be a cat to be honest haha especially the visual.

This could be one of the best really but there is some things that let me down bad. Its just feels like a waste of an amazing story and plot overall.
1. The lack of good fighting scene, often the fight just end in second
2. Dissapointed with some villain get put down too easly and too fast.
3. An anticlimax ending.

Like Why you do the ending like that? the build up from the start of episode to 38 and i was hopin an epic battle with the demon or at least a nice fighting scene but we got this. Its just really a waste of a great plot and story like this.

Well thats my personal opinion and overall is good and enjoyable, its really good for binge watching

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Is no one going to talk about this?

I got a lot of recommendations for the double, and I tried, dropping, retrying, only to finally decide to drop the show, which is such a shame because I really want to like the show. It has all the elements that I usually would love in a show: smart FL, intrigues, i even like ML's actor and yanxi palace. I think both actors are amazing in their own rights. BUT!!!:

1. the actor WJY in this show is the wrong casting. She is pretty, but is far too old for the role, especially when her supposed fake parents looks like her sister and brother, and ML looks like he's in his early 20s. She is supposed to be younger than ML and same age as Tong er and the dead lady she replaced. This jarred me out of the show many times, especially because of the 2nd point.

2. Make up. Yes! I'd never thought that i'd ever drop a show because of their make up, and yet here we are. The make staff seems to put thick and lighter shade make up on the actors but forget about the neck. They all look like theyre wearing white masks. It doesnt help that the make up on ML and FL are on the thicker side, and FL's particularly in a way thats unflattering and made her look like shes in her late 30s or early 40s (I believe during this show she was in her early 30s).

3. The scene when tong er came out of the carriage and ppl booed her for being plain and unsophisticated, and then FL came out and supposedly blew people away. It was so weird because the actor playing tong er, her fake mom and even the dead lady she replaced was all very pretty and somewhat outshined her. None of her "woah so pretty" moment worked, it even jarred me out of the show and out of the suspension of disbelief that shes 20.

It was that bad to the point that I wonder if the casting choice was intentional and if she was being purposely bullied. I mean, what kind of casting director would choose side kicks that grabs FL's spotlight and make her look old, her fake parents looks like her siblings, and she could be ML's sugar mommy. Even her make up was very bad.

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