Playing Ep 01

What people are saying

• slowpsycho87

  Overall 6.5

  Story 8,  Acting 6,  Music 6,  Rewatch Value 6

  I recently revisited a TV series that I watched when it first aired. The plot revolves around four officers who solve simple mysteries involving corrupt government officials and characters from the martial arts world. The theme of justice prevailing is central to the narrative. However, the mysteries themselves are not exceptional and lack suspense. The show leans heavily towards drama but manages to avoid confusing relationship dynamics. While there are martial arts elements, the battles do not receive much emphasis. Nevertheless, the fight scenes are...

  executed smoothly and feel natural.
  
  The characters in the series are interesting and have good chemistry, but the acting falls slightly short of being exceptional. Some of the female characters could have been better cast. Overall, the show fits into the family-friendly slice-of-life genre and can be enjoyed as a way to pass the time. However, it pales in comparison to the current historical martial arts dramas available. If you're looking for a show to watch casually, I would recommend it, but don't expect it to match the quality of other similar shows in the genre.

• boldchinatown87

  Overall 7.5

  Story 7.5,  Acting 6,  Music 6.5,  Rewatch Value 6

  This wuxia drama that I watched last summer break is probably one of the non Jin-Yong ones I've seen since I got into wuxia a couple of years ago. The plot is actually interesting, but they rushed it and squeezed it into just a few episodes. It's a shame, really. It could have been better if they took more time and added some backstory. For example, there's this character called Song Chi Yin who I find really intriguing, but they hardly showed how she became...

  a spy. Slowing down the pace and making things more complex would have made the story more engaging.
  
  The production quality is just alright. The theme revolves around a political conspiracy involving the king and the minister, but the setting is nothing grand. Considering the scale of the conspiracy, it should have been more epic. The costumes are okay, but I have to say the guys have better outfits compared to the ladies. The fight scenes are not bad, but they're not anything special either. I guess all of these limitations might be due to a small budget, which is a shame because I think the drama had the potential to be really good.
  
  But one thing I really appreciate is that each of the main characters has a personality that matches their name. You can totally tell what Heartless, Iron Fist, Cold Blood, and Chaser are like just from their names. Heartless is kinda arrogant, distant, and sarcastic. Cold Blood is detached and emotionless. Iron Fist is idealistic, warm, and friendly. And Chaser is a bit carefree and slightly sneaky. They each have their own personal struggles, but in the end, they come together and solve the mystery, revealing the conspiracy.
  
  I also like that they included a disabled martial arts hero. If the fight choreography were better, Heartless' kung fu moves would have been something truly remarkable.
  
  What I really appreciate about this drama is that the romance doesn't take up much of the story. Personally, I feel like a wuxia drama should focus more on martial arts and the challenges related to it, whether it's about politics within the martial arts community or conflicts with the monarchy. Romance is fine, but it shouldn't dominate the whole story. So I was glad that this series didn't spend too much time on complicated love affairs. The romance is just the right amount.