This review may contain spoilers
Ridiculous Ending
Storyline - I think the crime solving was rather interesting. Hints of this show being a Sherlock+Watson combi, with a twist. The crime solving, at times, gets really repetitive but it does get me interested to find out if those theories/hypothesis are true. Only the last few episodes seemed way too rushed.[!HUGE SPOILER, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!]
Suddenly out of nowhere, ML dashed into Norman's place and revealed everything when nothing was shown prior that he was investigating Norman. I was super excited to see how Norman is gonna go down but things just happened like that. No progression, just sudden explosion.
[/END OF SPOILER]
It's weird how the FL can always get the forensic reports directly, even to inform the 2 detectives of the outcomes, given that she's only a reporter.
And how everyone just demands for evidence. Always saying the same lines. Not one murderer contested ML's revelation. Once all evidence is on the table, they just readily confessed to their crimes. That really gets boring since the tension isn't that strong. I'm sure the writer should be blamed for these.
The characters were written okay-ish. The ML and especially the FL felt like they were taking the 2nd ML's kindness for granted. It felt like the 2nd ML was doing everything he can for them and the 2 are just doing things for themselves. Granted, ML helped him with cases. That's pretty much about it.
The ending gave me a a headache. So many openings left unexplained, as if to make it a cliffhanger to season 2. I have so many questions. Argh!
Actors - The actors were great most of the time, except the bickering between the main leads. It felt way too odd. I wonder if it's a demand from the director or the leads' own portrayal of the characters that made it this way. Chemistry between the 2 ML were awesome tho. The little awkward gestures and banters that made them look more like a couple were so funny to watch.
Music - I'm not a fan of raps so, the opening was just meh to me. The closing tho, I loved it. There were certain songs I thought didn't exist in that era until 70s-80s but I'm no expert. I could be wrong. I loved how certain classical music were included. Like Brahms' Hungarian Dance No.5 and Beethoven's Fur Elise, and a few others that I forgot.
Rewatch value? - Meh~ It's just my personal preference tho. Overall a light hearted crime drama that's more comedic than serious. IMO, the romance and ridiculous rushed ending ruined this for me.
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WORTH TO WATCH BUT IF THERE IS POSSIBILITY OF SEASON 2, THEN THERE IS NEED TO DO SOME IMPROVEMENTS!
For those who looking for light and relaxing drama, then I would recommend this drama to you. The storyline of this drama in solving mysterious cases was considered the best for that time with Sherlock Holmes's style. Furthermore, there was no storyline about excessive entangled love story which we always watched at other drama such as two guys are going after for one girl or opposites, which this made me love about this story. Instead, they are focusing on "Bromance" relationship between Inspector Qian Shensung and Lu You with comedy scene had caused amused heart.However, on the character of Lu You who know to be graduated and alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge, I found that at the time he confronted Norman and revealing all his crime, he wasn't speaking in English, instead only few sentence of English then continue in Mandarin, i also notice when the British Officer was speaking in English to him, he responded in Mandarin, and it was rarely to see him speak in English. Therefore, if there is a possibility of season 2 for this drama, I would like suggest that the Lu You should be speak more English when he dealing with British officers, its to shown that he was graduated from the said university.
In this drama also giving me some thoughts, especially on the few episode that a student committed murder for sake of revenge on behalf of her best friend who committed suicide because of sexual harassment, a school assistance pushed the principle from the tower for the death of student who was accidentally fallen from the tower and few of them - so, after watched those episode, I realise and have thought about those people who become criminal because the justice has failure to serve justice on those offenders and some offenders were able to get away because of the connection that they have. Then, these people made their own decision which turned them to be criminal.
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Really bad tv show
Ive watched a lot of asian productions and this is very bad one. People keep talking about the female actress because they wanted the annoying male pair together. This is not a BL. But whatever... very bad show. All the characters are annoying and all the actors act poorly. Dont waste your time. If you want to watch, watch it like you should : not trying to force a BL show. This way you might like the main actress and the main couple.Anyway what save is the story that is good althought the terrible acting. The actors seems to make amazed face for any emotion.
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For Crimes Show Lover!
If you enjoy watching crimes show, then you’ll enjoy this drama. Intriguing mysteries, cute bromance moments and great acting. It's a cute and short drama with many small crimes scene investigation case. The cute part here is the bromance between the two male leads. I'm a fan of Leon Zhang and Hu YiTian so this was a great drama for me. I love their acting in other dramas, therefore I continue to watch this drama without a doubt that I would enjoy it. You might find the lead actress a bit annoying in the beginning, but that's just part of her role. I thought I wouldn't enjoy this drama as much as I did because I usually prefer fantasy, historical and wuxia drama more. However, surprisingly I really like this drama and high chance of rewatching. There are some annoying scenes in this drama that I CANNOT stand (when you see the foreigners plotting against the main characters for no reasons), however I guess that's part of the storyline, as everything will make sense in the end.Was this review helpful to you?
CHINESE SHERLOCK HOLMES
I watched this series a month ago. The casting, the acting, the plot, the storyline... All these are nice. The core reason of watching this series was that I really wanted to see Hu Yitian in a different role as I have already saw him in the series 'A Love So Beautiful' and 'Go Go Squid 2'. And in both the drama he played the role of a very sincere guy.Watching this was a new experience for me.. and I am greatful to him that I was not disappointed. He really did his part so well. Like he was the core of this drama..and he fulfilled his responsibility in a very nice way. Speaking of the other two main role cast..
Leon Zhang (the inspector); he also did a great job. He gives the vibe with a strong and powerful background which he have.
But the journalist girl.. acting was I think its pretty well..but in most of the part I felt irritating. Like she was too much.
Anyway..It is a good one time watch series. As the plot was really interesting of each case and the ending was pretty unexpected by me.
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Detective Conan back in 1920’s
Story: It’s quite good and light. Interesting cases and will remind you of Detective Conan. More on political and underground theme based on old Shanghai. I really love how they have diverse characters in this series. Dubbing was acceptable and it didn’t ruin the show.Acting: They all did great, even the villains and foreigners. I can understand why this drama was a breakthrough for Yitian. Leon Zhang stole the limelight though, he looked dashing and badass here. I love every expression of his. In terms of Xiao yan, I expected her character to be annoying because of the comments, however, I didn’t think it was that bad for me. She has this entitled attitude but it served it’s purpose. She acted really good, even with the sad scenes. However, despite good acting, I still didn’t feel any romantic chemistry with Yitian. Visual-wise, they don’t have that chemistry but their acting as a couple and pace of their relationship was convincing. Another guy who had a good impression from me is the coroner, he’s really cute. ☺️
Music: terrible. The intro and ending song were not catchy or mysterious enough for a detective drama.
Rewatch value: I don’t think I would rewatch this, however, to yitian and Leon fans, there are cute scenes of their bromance that is worth rewatching.
Overall: Although it took me sometime to finish this, i think it was a decent watch. It has a steady pace with some boring moments but still watchable. 6.5 to 7 stars because of the acting and the setting. I’m looking forward to ‘checkmate’. I think it has great potential.
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The detective Lu Yao and inspector Qiao Chusheng were amazing characters though I have to admit that I found the reporter Bai Youning to be quite irritable at most times. I liked her as a reporter but I didn't like her romance subplot with Lu Yao, as she was often treating him so badly like locking him up in a room (and that happened twice!). But overall, I liked the trio of the main actors well. Out of the supporting characters I came to like Salim a lot!
At first I HATED the rap intro, but later it kind of grew up to me. The closing OST song was really beautiful and I loved the singer's voice, it was so emotional.
It was a very enjoyable drama and I would definitely recommend it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Two juicy roles for the main male leads and they work out beautifully
These detective stories are adapted from the novels about Poirot by Agatha Christie.I am a big fan of the fashion from this era and the production of sets and wardrobe and lighting are terrific.
There are two handsome male leads and if this wasn't under the strict Chinese censorship I could imagine a very lovely BL story.
They flirt and Qiao Chu Sheng plays the role of protector /provider to the more ingenious Lu Yao. The dinner with violin and gift giving is very sweet.
Together the brawn and brains make up the investigative team to solve a series of murders. Lu Yao deduces the solutions from his science and medical knowledge and Qiao Chu Sheng provides the martial arts and police back up. Both actors do a terrific job inhabiting their roles and we learn about their backgrounds and what has shaped the characters they become.
There are interesting side characters - Salim and Lu Zi Fu in particular.
I like the comedy and bickering between all of the main characters. Leon Zhang proved he can do manga style comedy in Mr. Pride vs. Miss Prejudice. The rest of the ensemble contribute well to the complex mysteries.
The acerbic reporter, Bai You Ning, who makes up the trio, is less successful in adding to the story. More of an annoyance. She has zero romantic chemistry with Lu Yao and the writers have badly scripted the ending.
We are left with a cliff hanger but I hope they read the commentary regarding Bai You Ning and maybe lose her out to sea.
Also at odds with the drama is the poorly executed parts where English is spoken. Out of sync and not matching the voice of the actors it is a jarring annoyance.
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A pleasant drama to watch
First of all I was a bit hesitant to watch a republic era drama but it turned out to be so good. The bromance between the leads were too pleasing. It was fun watching the leads fight. Lu yao’s money love was the most exciting factor in this drama. If you watch to watch a detective and mystery drama with a mild romance and an amazing friendship its definitely your cup of tea!!!I particularly feel that it would have been even better if the romance progressed a little earlier..
But the whole war situation for protecting a single person seemed so dramatic.
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SEASON 2 CONFIRMED?!!!
I know many are upset about the female lead and her annoying character and I have to agree, but since she isn't leaving you had to get used to her character which made me like her more. She isn't necessary in the plot and got between the bromance like A LOT, but she's a cute spoiled brat. I could care less about the bromance since there barely was any i'm only interested in the investigations, they were amazing! Super hard to figure out anything (at least for me) thought I was close on the missing train episode but nope I fell right into the trap! It's a must watch if you love detective stuff!Was this review helpful to you?
Worth the watch
This show brought a mix of crime and romance. Though most crime is a result of a romance gone bad this series gave it new life. It was funny, emotional and compelling. The plot was simple enough where basically crime happens and the police solves it. The interesting thing to me about this series is that everything made sense.Every motive, every deduction, every conviction... They were all logical thought out and the investigative procedure made sense. Nothing seemed made-up or a stretch from logical and chemical reasoning. The crimes were all well written and didn't fall under the regular crime drama means, though the motives were usually basic. The execution is always a thrill. Hats off to the writers, they did an excellent job of writing the crime stories and they even put in some amazing dynamics between the main characters. The background family dynamics was also a nice touch to the overall story. Having gangs and political influences and pull made the characters more well rounded and complimented the story where it had to, building most of them to a well rounded "oh so that is why you are so" level.
Lu Yao and Qiao Chusheng, are the two male leads in this series, and their chemistry was amazing from the first to the last episode. Even though it seemed like a basic work arrangement, the development into something more could be seen, without it ever been spoken. Their bromance can only be summed up by the last Episode... But You don't kill for just anyone, but for your brother... lets start a war if you try to take him from me. The ending wasn't anything to write home about to be honest, but getting their made it worth the wait.
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