So... not sure if I'm just dumb or skipped around too much but I don't quite understand some parts of this show. The gist of plot is about how the Japanese/Nationalist government tries to find a Communist spy within their midst with the codename "Ghost". In order to do so, they decided to lock 5 suspects together in a mansion (lol) and basically "interrogate" (torture) them. None of the characters know who "Ghost" is (except for "Ghost" of course) and can only make educated guesses on who the "Ghost" really is. Hence, what results is a lot of talking, gossiping, and plotting to try and tease out the identity of the "Ghost". This does not make for entertaining viewing when the characters spend chunks of time sitting around a table monologuing and trying to manipulate each other. 38 episodes of this gets old real fast and I had to fast forward so much because I was losing interest. I get that this is a espionage thriller but this is wayyyy too much scheming and talking for a drama. Doesn't help that there is an average of 3 flashbacks per episode to show the backstory of the characters and that is just too many flashbacks come on... Some plot points made zero sense as well. Also, the CGI was horrifically bad and the props looked extremely low budget.

The 2 female characters are Mary Sues. Li Ning Yu especially so with her being beautiful, extremely intelligent, a top rated cryptographer who also coincidentally has 0 flaws. Her relationship with the other female character Gu Xiao Meng was confusing (to me) as she seemed to treat Gu coldly then suddenly revert to being warm and vice versa. It was strange. Chinese social media shipped them together but I don't get it. Censorship like what happened in A couple of Mirrors? Who knows. Actress playing Gu also overacts a fair bit which is cringey.

Conclusion: Plot seems more suited for a movie. Strong propaganda overtones as well considering the time period this drama is set in.