This review may contain spoilers
Went in with low expectations but thoroughly surprised
This was one of my best historical investigation drama finds by far. With a strong plot and great cast, The Imperial Coroner took me by surprise as I went in with low expectations. Although this drama did not have a high budget, it was impressive how the crew still managed to produce such great work.Firstly, the plot was well thought out, with many objects or topics (伏笔) that were planted in early parts of the drama, only to be brought up again after the audience had forgotten about them almost completely. The plot also flowed smoothly, explaining how the characters meet realistically (no cliche romance trope), with each character having a strong background whether it was relating to friends, family, or colleagues.
Next, I really need to emphasise on the visuals — literally. The sketches, illustrations, and cute cartoon characters shown when explaining complicated concepts were very appreciated!! The team really considered their audience with insertions of these illustrations, making all those complicated concepts much easier to understand and also interesting to watch. Other than that, the realism of each scene was also great (e.g. night looked like night, getting stuck in fire & in the cave, etc.).
Lastly, one of my favourites was how every character had brains and could think and work independently or as a team. We could witness the growth of trust between XJY & CC , and how the team (XJY, JY, CC, LY, XJL) worked better with each other after understanding each other better. Each of them took the lead for what they were good at and did not try to act smart when it came to areas not to their expertise. It made the whole plot seem more realistic, similar to how people actually work in real life.
0.5 deducted just because the last 1-2 eps started getting slightly draggy trying to stop the antagonist.
This was a great drama that I immensely enjoyed. It's a well-paced story with (almost) no overly ridiculous romance and draggy scenes, along with complicated concepts that were made dummy-proof.
All in all, I loved it and shall pray for the day another drama like this comes along.
See you next time, peach
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Refreshingly Entertaining
After having seen so many series that follow the recipe of non-stop betrayals, it was quite refreshing to see a solid comradery play out. It was also just as refreshing to see subtle human touches being added to relationships between the mains and the supports. The pacing of the plot was nice and steady, without any overly dramatized cliffhangers or extremely long periods of nothingness. Although there's obvious non-realistic aspects to the autopsies which is one of the main highlights to the theme, it was done well enough to not deter. The other positive is although there was some romance, it wasn't overdone.The only two qualms I had was that the role of the female coroner was lackluster. I haven't seen the actress enough to know if it's her acting or if it was just how the role was intended. And while the overall actors did a great job, there isn't much character development throughout the series. However, everyone stayed true to character and it was an enjoyable series with an ending that felt both slightly abrupt yet fitting. I look forward to how they plan to expand the story in the sequel.
Was this review helpful to you?
The Story is Well Written and Flowing Really Well !
The story is well written. Worth my time a lot! Really love how they casted actor and actress. Everyone suit their role. The story is flowing. Scene to scene, every incident relate to one another. There's no hurry. It's just flowing well. No forced flow or scene. I'm just skipped the opening and closing music so I don't know how to score the music. But in the drama, the music is okay and good at building the vibes. I was captivated by the story and the scene. I'm not this person that love to rewatch a drama. But if you guys love to rewatch, I think this is worth! Just see how the story planned well really make me happy. The cast also make me happy. I laugh, I cry, thrilled. I think it's near perfect!There is one thing. I NEED MORE EPISODES TO SAW JIN YU, CHUCHU, LENG YUE AND JING YI. COME ON! I can't believe it's already finish. :'
That's all from me who loves crime, forensic and imperial drama.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Exciting Plot! Chemistry between leads!
This drama came highly recommended by a dear friend and so, I had to ‘add to list’. I’m so glad that I did. Her recommendation is a good one and I’d like to share this exciting drama with others!This drama is fairly under the radar and I’d like it very much if more people get to know about this drama and watch this drama.
Watch because:
- acting is great
- no big name stars but the actors and actresses do a fabulous job of bringing the story and their characters to life
- the leads aren’t the most gorgeous looking ones out there but they have great chemistry and look pleasant enough
- the leads are sincere to each other and are truly in love with each other — I’m a sucker for such pure affections
- the story is exciting, riveting, intriguing — I had to watch one episode after another
- music is good enough
- story isn’t gory and gruesome despite it being a ‘coroner’ show — I’m easily squeamish and yet, I found this drama sensitive enough for ‘delicate viewers’ like myself
- ending is as happy as possible
I’d say: Watch!! Watch!! It’s excellent!!
Was this review helpful to you?
Intelligent, smooth flow, captivating
This is certainly a must watch for those who like Sherlock style of investigation. All the young actors, 5 of them, who are playing the central characters , have done a marvelous job of bringing out both ,the genuineness of their characters n the multiple layers in the investigation. The prince, his twin brother, his two friends and his young female coroner , remain united inspite of the challenges they faces. Their trust and concern for each other helped us realise the importance and values of sincerity and support. Prince An and Chu Chu had the brain , guts and persistence to follow through every clue and they gave excellent clear explanation for their deductions. Young Jang provided lots of humour and his lady love, Leng, was an awesome fighter who protected the people she cared for. So did , General Zhou,Prince An's twin brother. It was heartwarming to see him fussing over his brother's well being. The plot also makes one realise how people in power can take for granted the position they are in and believe that this position is their right and cling to this comfort zone at whatever cost. The old chief eunuch was an excellent example of this . He shows how power corrupts ,blinds and breeds greed in a person. This show is brainy, well written , well acted and smooth flowing. It is indeed a worthy watch.Was this review helpful to you?
The FL (Chu Chu) and ML (Xiao Jinyu / An Jun Wang) were perfectly cast. Even though they are literally unknown, they played their roles so well. They had amazing on-screen chemistry. They were able to communicate their emotions even without words, just through gestures sometimes. I am sure after this they will get a lot of calls! This show is basically CSI in Tang Dynasty. I liked how the pair were drawn together because of their dedication to crime solving and truth finding. The storyline was very refreshing and I felt that the fact both ML and FL had no fighting skills very realistic - you can't expect them to be great at everything.
The supporting cast was fantastic as well. Jing Yi, Leng Yue and Xiao JinLi were three characters that really complemented the ML and FL without stealing the limelight they really made the Chu Chu and Xiao Jinyu shine and that's what a good supporting cast does. I feel they made the perfect fabulous five. I really really hope TenCent considers a second season when they are all married but solving crimes in the Dynasty together.
The plot was fantastic. If I could give the screenwriters 12/10 I would. The clues, mysteries and plot twists (without being too dramatic) kept me glued to my screen! They really put in so much thought to every detail and I actually watched this show two or three times just to pick up on some of the clues I missed earlier.
Because there was only 36 episodes (only given that some other shows have more than 50), I felt that the storyline was fast-paced and there was never a dull moment.
While the drama and mystery part took centres stage in this drama, the romance part was a necessary under current that kept the story flowing as well. It wasn't as played out as in other dramas, but I think that's the best. It doesn't need to be. Both FL and ML are mature adults who know their feelings well enough.
Overall, REALLY HIGH RECOMMEND THIS.
Was this review helpful to you?
A wonderful exciting drama of intrigue innocent and slander. A must see
This is an amazing drama and kudos goes to the Cast A+++, crew, set design A+, clothes A+ and storyline A++. The chemistry between ML/FL is so on point the FL girl chu chu is so cute, smart, and funny in the innocent way. The ML Prince An(Xiao jinyu) has this stern confident look and is very smart and able to solve crimes. Then chu chu enters his life as a coroner for the better and as the two work side by side and solve crime of murder a romance slowly begins. Then we have the 2nd ML Lord Jing Yi who cute, smart and quit amusing thur out the drama. He is lifetime friends with Prince An, Xiao jin li and Leng Yue(they like each other) The 2nd FL is the granddaughter of Military commissioner of Qianzhou Leng Pei shan and travels around as doesn't talk to GF since childhood. Then we have prince an twin brother Xiao jinli who is a commander of war and always willing to help.So i binged this drama over 3 days and still wanted more as i was sad not to see this cast. The storyline was like a rollercoaster of whos good whos bad and kept your attention at all time. It had alot of murder, rebellion past and present and officials against the Eunuchs. There is always a hateful villain this time Eunuch Qin luan who worked for Emperor Xuanzong and was in control of the Shense army with General Zhou. Since he also worked for the past 2 emperor he built alot of control within the court, officials and military personnel and wanted to get rid of those who opposed. He was given a edict from Emperor Wenzong to bring the army and help Prince consort Xiao heng and military commissioners Chen ling to fight the rebals. When he arrives he announces the edicts stating that Xiaoheng and Chenling are rebelling and to kill everyone including families. Chenling pushes Xiaoheng to gets away and prove there innocents, but is stabbed in the leg and falls off a cliff and presumed dead by all. They start killing all family members including Vice General Yun yi(worked for chenling)but his pregnant wife escapes to her brothers Xu Zhongfan house for help, but instead his butler Han kills her. They call in the coroner Chu ping and state she committed suicide so he brings the dead body back and realizes she pregnant and delivers a baby girl. He discusses with his father and son and they agree to hide and raise her as there own Chu Chu in a coroner family. Around the time she was 8-10yo she meets the witch doctors who tells her stories about a good looking? person who guards the six gates. He tells her how he solved hard crimes/murders and then gives her a black rock pendant to keep and tells her to keep him a secret and only tells the good looking? She grown up and wants to apply for the coroner position in the capital Chang'an. Upon entering the capital she meets Lord Jing Yi while solving a scam artist fake an injury and while impressed he gives her his token to take the test(he knows they would deny a female). She takes all the test where prince an is watching as he listen to her answers they sound like his father. So now he has to figure out who she really is and why she knew this info. She trys to explain that back home in Qianzhou the witch doctor told her and she shows him the book after a while with the pendant. Now there adventure takes them to solve many crimes, murder and even attempts on their lives as they slowly open pandora box on the past rebellion. I am amazed while watching this drama and how it has so many side stories and people's that makes it such a mystery straight thru to the end who is good and whos bad. I was writing a small ledger in order to keep track.
A must see. A+++ 10++++
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Well executed
A very good detective story with romance and comedy. I love drama that brought new thing to the table because beside the usual detectives story, this drama told us about the coroners work which something new and we didn't knew that much at all.Male Lead, Commandery Prince Xiao Jinyu was a calm, wise, righteous and meticulous man. People's impression of him as a weak scholar and sickly which I think work in his favor coz he would take them by surprise. He would make sure no stone left unturned if he get a case handed to him bcs he wanted to do justice to people who were wronged by the villains. He definitely protective of Chu chu coz when he lost his temper..... He was also a bit silly when he got jealous *eyes rolls*
Female Lead, Chu Chu, a female coroner that smart in her field, passionate and definitely unusual but her job kind of explained it. I was a bit taken aback by her demeanors bcs she really showed that she was from the village and not refined like the noble ladies we usually seen which really different bcs it stayed to true to the character of a girl that was from a town that was far away from the capital and her family was generations of coroners which people usually don't mix with them . She knew what she liked and she really pursued it. I'm talking about her with ML. Some of her moves to get him to like her were a bit silly. I think she managed to make him took notice of her coz it worked.
I like that they gave us another love story of 2ndML Jing Yi with 2ndFL Leng Yue. I really admired Leng Yue for being straightforward with ML telling him, that she just want to be his good friend and how the ML was relieved to hear that. This drama also showed about strong friendships and brotherly bond of Jing Yi, Leng Yue and Jinli with Jinyu.
It just... I was ready to give this drama a nine star rating but the ending was so abrupt??? Why?? Sure it was HEA. Why can't you give me just a little bit more for closure? I want to see all of the couples happy in their daily lives T-T I want to see Senior Jing passive aggressive banters with General Leng
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Seems low key but a must watch
The show actually looked quite understated, however its a gem!both Chu Chu and Prince Xiao were great. they have good chemistry and are quite compatible with each other. their sidekicks, Jing Yi and Leng Yue are pretty great too. What I like about this show is that there are no love triangles (not much) and their relationship focuses on the leads themselves.
The plots are interesting and the twist and turns made me turn in throughout the 36 episodes without the need to fast forward any of it. There were no plot fillers and 拖拖拉拉 scenes in the drama.
*spoiler ahead*
The actors played out the scenes very well and the villain of the show was a surprised to me. The villain seems like such a nice person.
Everything ended off nicely, however it is seems slightly rushed to me. if only they could show more of how the leads will live their rest of their lives etc.
I love mysteries, detectives and of course romance in them and would definitely hope to find more of such genres.
https://elisabethreviews.wordpress.com/2021/06/01/the-imperial-coroner-drama-review/
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Surprising Gem from a Dark Horse Low Budget Drama
Hats off to the scriptwriters! This is such a gem. Despite the lack of budget they manage to make it one of the best this year so far with the superb script which was also executed well by the director, production team and actors. Every character was written carefully, especially Prince An. Every character is understandable and likeable (maybe other than the FL brother which I think is there for dramatic purpose and to balance the overly intelligent leagues of characters haha)The unknown/newbie casts may not be the most powerhouse in term of acting, but they are fresh in the eyes and are easily likeable. The FL has enough presence despite sometimes she does look a bit underwhelmed in her acting. The romance is sweet enough and ML/FL has nice chemistry, and nicely written so as not to overwhelm the main plot in hand.
Overall, a brilliant drama. Thumbs up!
Was this review helpful to you?
A must watch
A refreshing drama which proves that talent needs no advertisement. This drama is actually a gem. I think it was just shy from the mark of being a masterpiece. Everything was unique in this drama. A different plot, a different kind of positive feeling even though it was a suspense thriller, no melodrama and most of all, almost each character portrayed a strong personality and a strong mindset. You can see everyone's mind running to find answers or the reason behind each other's action from the information provided to them. Be it Prince An, Chu Chu, Jing yi, Leng Yue, Xue Ru cheng, Prince An's father and mother, or even Eunuch Qin. It shows how the story gives a justifying presence to each character, even if they appear for a small amount time.Plot: The plot was different. It was a suspense thriller and all the different episodes were beautifully interconnected. No dragging. Each episode was worth watching and added to the entire story. Each case or each death was excellently described. Of course, it was expected from a drama focusing on the work of a coroner. But still great amount of research was done to show the work of the coroner during the imperial time because the process had to be conducted without any modern medical tools or technology. The show didn't put much focus on romance but little light and sweet moments were present to show character development.
Cinematography: The show had authentic locations. Rarely any extra effects were used. No extra lighting. Everything was kept simple and genuine.
Acting: It was good. There hardly were any emotional scenes, hence not much variations can be seen in case of facial expressions. But I enjoyed Eunuch Qin's performance the most, especially his fake guilty, loyal expressions before the king.
Rewatch value: It was a one time kind of thing. That's the case with most suspense thrillers. Once everything is disclosed, the thrill is lost. If you want, I would recommend to watch again after sometime when you might have forgotten all about it
Was this review helpful to you?
