ZZZ

This one is hard to rate. It is a complex mystery set in the Ming dynasty. No idol actors here. A series of murders in 1609 is somehow connected to a fire that wiped out a family twenty years previously, a connection a lowly constable discovers as he delves into the murder of his mentor. The connections and motivations are complex, and the drama requires one's full attention throughout. The script is excellent and the plotting meticulous and coherent. Everything makes sense without requiring suspension of belief at any point. The reason I find it hard to rate is that it really does take commitment on the part of the viewer without any of the usual eye candy, romance, and excitement of the typical C-drama, so I know it's not for everyone. I may have to watch it again to comprehend it fully because I failed to give it 100% of my attention 100% of the time. I highly recommend this drama, but only to serious drama watchers because it's deep and it spends no energy on entertaining the viewer with the usual tricks and shiny people. Nevertheless, it is excellent and unique--a thinking person's drama--and I should definitely mention that the cinematography is remarkable, too.