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Douban: Record of Strange Tales from Tiandu, Also known as: Tang Case Nameless / Listening to the Wind

The 2026 summer season is packed with fierce competition in the suspense drama sector. Four major suspense dramas—'Debut,' 'Waiting for You,' 'Above the City Wall,' and 'Chasing the Culprit at the Fire Scene"'—are about to premiere, each with diverse themes and star-studded casts. Which one will become this summer's blockbuster?

Finally, let's talk about the fire and criminal investigation drama "Chasing the Culprit at the Fire Scene."

This 24-episode suspense drama stars Xu Kai and Liu Yitie, with a special appearance by Du Chun, and exclusively streamed on Youku.

Character Setting: "Ice and Fire Heroes": Xu Kai plays Yu Tong, a rational and unjust fire expert, burdened by the shadow of a family wrongful case. Cold as ice on the outside but fiery inside, his buzz cut and muscular physique completely overturn idol labels; Liu Yitie plays detective Lin Yao, a captain who is warm on the outside but cold within, using humor to cover up past mistakes, forming a stark contrast with Yu Tong's cold and tough nature; Du Chun's portrayal combines scholarly elegance with the gloom of a mastermind behind the scenes, and is expected to become a "hidden move" for plot twists.

The plot opens up a new track of suspense: Yu Tong's first case in office is marked by a bizarre spontaneous combustion in a lake, with clues pointing to the mystery of the family factory fire he has buried deep within. He reunites with his long-lost detective friend Lin Yao, and the two team up to head to various fire scenes, fully committed to investigating and capturing the culprit. Hardcore technologies such as fire scene simulation and DNA analysis intertwine with the struggles of human nature, creating a dual tension of "scientific rationality vs. emotional instinct."

Xu Kai's determined gaze as he rushes into the fire and his ash-stained face in battle damage have been praised as "a stunning transformation that tears apart the idol baggage"; Liu Yitie's youthful acting perfectly matches Lin Yao's "disguised optimism," requiring him to reveal guilt over old cases amid laughter and scolding; Du Chun's tough-guy image in "The Eight Hundred" and his political intrigue in "National Beauty" combine elegance and somber.

Each of the four dramas has its highlights: "Debut" is a hardcore crime investigation without filler, "Waiting for You" is a heart-pounding family suspense, "Above the City Wall" has a rich period feel, and "Fire Pursuit" is a fresh firefighting crime investigation. Which film will become this summer's blockbuster?

Source: 360 Entertainment 6/22/2026

forget shameless, it's stupid

NetEase Entertainment reported on August 22, 2016 that Huanyu Entertainment announced the official signing of three newcomers—Bai Lu, Xu Kai, and Zhang Nan—as its artists.
that means Xu Kai’s contract with Huanyu Film was signed on or before August 22, 2016.


Another source, Baidu Baike states that Xu Kai, "In August 2016 signed as an artist under Huanyu Film & TV." So, the contract date is in Aug but before Aug 22.

thanks for another clue. After modeling (Jul 22, 2016) and before Zhao Ge (Sep 13, 2016). It has to be Aug 2016. He would take some time off, travel so far away from home, so it has to be toward end of Aug.

she just turned 17 at start of filming, not that I have any problem with it. I'm totally fine with it. She could pass for 28 in the drama.

I found quite a few top artists under Huanyu did have their own personal studio set up while under contract, just not active, so many, I can't remember them all. Xu Kai does not because you're really not supposed to have one while you are under contract. To me, that shows Xu Kai is true to his professionalism. If Xu Kai is waiting to turn it on after Aug 2026, I have to think it takes a at least a few weeks for government, business, financial, and legal approvals. He can always join another agency in the interim to represent him, while he's setting it up if there is a project he really wants. He may not be in a hurry either.

I believe he signed toward the end of Aug because Zhaoge started filming Sep. 13,2016, so he had to be signed by Aug 2016. Aug 2026 is Xu Kai's tenth anniversary.

Yu Zheng lied in 2024 when "on 7/12/2024, Yu Zheng published a long article. He said that all the actors whose contracts had expired had their contracts extended for two years ahead," That would take them to 2028. Since his artists are leaving him, it's obvious he lied. You can't believe anything he says.

Unless their contracts were 8 yrs and extended two more years to 2026. But I doubt it. I read that agencies try to extend their top artists two years in advance. They want leverage by knowing two years in advance, and you see what a miserable 2025 it was. It makes sense an agency like Huanyu would lock in these young actors for an entire decade with the same unfavorable contract terms.

A few of Xu Kai's past projects he got because people approached him about it, the latest example is Eight Hundred the director personally sent him updated scripts to read. She and Her Perfect Husband was all Yang Mi who handpicked him for the role. Best Choice Ever, I read the producers approached him too. I would not be surprised if Wonderland of Love, director approached Xu Kai since he worked with him in The Legends. Xu Kai has never received the best resources from his agency getting big name directors or hyped-up projects. His success is already proven he didn't' need that.

I was thinking independence gives actors the control they need to adapt to all the fast changes in the industry.

If Xu Kai has everything prepared behind the scenes to create his studio, it will still take 1 to 3 mos. to get approvals. I would think the earliest he can film is October.

Yu Zheng’s old-photo posts weren’t related to Xu Kai. He was simply feeling nostalgic after his favorite artist (his "daughter") finally departed, which he knew about months in advance.

A whirlwind pace, almost giving you whiplash as they jump from action to action and scene to scene. It hits quickly, keeps you on your toes, and sometimes even feels like they’re just going through the motions. When they want something dramatic, you can feel how deliberately it’s being made dramatic — there’s no subtlety or emotional depth yet. This has to be an intentional style. I wonder if this is a trend.

there is not one example, it's just how it comes across to my ears. It may be what the production wants. The drama is funny, so the fast, perfect voice acting fits. It’s not how people really talk, but that style makes the comedy work. I guess I didn't' realized this drama was funny.

I think too good a job that it is a bit jarring to me, like I really notice it to the point, it's like when I watch animation or narration, I know it's a voice actor. I think his own voice would have been better, more natural. I prefer the actor's voices even if it is not perfect Mandarin accents or perfect delivery as long as it's acceptable. I have no problem either way but for some reason in this drama, the voice acting is too perfect. People don't talk like that.

However, Peter Ho, I thought he was using his voice because it sounded more natural and matched his acting, but to my surprise, a veteran like him is dubbed too. So I do like that voice acting, it' seems more natural to my ears, not as theatrical.

The voice acting comes across a bit overpowering for me.

I don't know her real voice is like, but the voice acting maybe I wonder help to close the age gap because the voices are mature

Oh I know where I saw him in the drama call Nothing Gold can stay (2017). I don't know why I think he's good at comedy since that was not a comedy.

throughout Chinese history, education is so important, the scholar is respected, but this is fiction