[Editor's Note] To help you watch the "first episode" of a drama, are the recently aired dramas worth watching? Maybe some dramas will gradually get better, and maybe some dramas will start high and end low, so this article is for reference only. If there are any follow-up slaps, I will keep you posted.
Hanging Mirror
Broadcast platform: Tencent Video
Start time: April 15
This is a suspenseful criminal investigation drama, directed by Hu Yaozhi, written by Wang Tao, and starring Simon Yam, Zhu Yuchen, Zhang Lingxin, Huang Yi, etc. The plot revolves around a murder case in the sewer. The criminal police captain Xu Xiao (played by Zhu Yuchen) and the old criminal police Lin Guoqiang (played by Simon Yam) met because of this case. With the assistance of archaeologist Chen Nan (played by Zhang Lingxin), they went through exploration, and the ancient evil rituals for the purpose of immortality hidden behind the case gradually surfaced.
How should I put it, this drama is really a love-hate relationship.
The opening scene is indeed eye-catching, with murder on a rainy night, dismemberment in the sewer, and direct camera shots. It is so bloody that it makes people's scalps numb, and the suspenseful atmosphere is instantly full. The feng shui metaphysical elements add to the Chinese horror atmosphere. But after watching a few episodes, the problem is exposed. The rhythm is slow, and the investigation process of the main scene of the dismemberment case is even more outrageous. A group of people searched blindly in the sewers and mountains, and finally relied on "yin and yang and five elements" to locate it. However, the screenwriter obviously lacks real learning and understanding of metaphysics, and did not give a convincing or fresh specific explanation, which wasted this setting. If the crew had found a feng shui consultant to talk more, they could have presented the relevant content more excitingly.
The character of the protagonist is also very confusing. The criminal police captain Xu Xiao often behaves arrogantly and unprofessionally. He is dismissive of the experience of the old criminal police Lin Guoqiang and lacks respect for professional female archaeologists. It makes people angry.
Ren Dahua's acting skills are impeccable. As soon as he appears on the screen, you can feel the damp and crazy flavor of old Hong Kong movies. He also portrays the persistence of the old detective very well. Unfortunately, he is dragged down by the plot.
Stills from "Hanging Mirror"
"A Pretty Good Life"
Broadcasting platform: CCTV8, Youku
Premiere date: April 17
"A Good Life" is an urban life drama about the insurance industry, directed by Wang Jun, written by Fei Huijun and Li Xiaoliang, and starring Sun Li, Dong Zijian, Myolie Wu, Gao Xin, Tong Lei, Ye Qing and others.
You can tell whether a "Niangniang" is good or not once she makes a move. In recent years, we have seen too many independent, capable, and knowledgeable female protagonists. The image of Hu Manli, a high-profile and vulgar "vulgar woman" who graduated from a technical secondary school, is really a bit novel. It is also a common opening of the heroine's divorce in the same genre. Hu Manli's several big scenes are really funny. First, she put on sexy lingerie to pull her unfaithful husband to prove that she is still charming, and then she pulled her rival to jump into the river to prove that her husband still loves her. In the end, she lost all her face and dignity. However, after the disappointment, she can quickly get back to work. She reminds herself "Don't think about it, it will bring bad luck" every time she looks at her husband's photo.
Stills from "A Good Life"
This is the real dilemma of middle-aged women. You can lose your husband, but you can’t lose your job; you can lose your love, but you can’t lose your motivation to make money.
The "vulgar and hot-tempered" Hu Manli and the strict Xue Xiaozhou also break through the conventional setting of the so-called "sister-dog" combination. The two people with different values bicker and compete with each other in daily life, and they have to make money together. There is indeed a bit of alternative CP feeling.
At present, the data of the drama is good and on the rise, and the follow-up is worth looking forward to. As a first-line director of domestic dramas, Wang Jun is indeed outstanding in handling urban emotional themes, with smooth narrative and comfortable rhythm. Even without the so-called "short drama rhythm", it can still make people follow it with relish.
"Starting a Family"
Broadcasting platforms: Hunan Satellite TV, Mango TV, Tencent Video
Premiere date: April 18
"Becoming a Family" is an urban emotional workplace drama, directed by An Jian, written by Guo Shuang, and starring Qin Lan, Ailun, Xia Zhiguang, Bu Guanjin, etc. Qin Tianyue (Qin Lan), who "will be strong all her life", is assigned to work as a manager at a newly acquired subsidiary of the dating website "Qian Shou". She is keen on using big data to help customers match quickly, which is different from the gold medal matchmaking consultant Feng Qingming (Alun) who advocates "low heat and warm stew" to cultivate customer relationships. In the business friction, the two created a new business in the dating industry.
Guo Shuang's previous work "I'm Fine in My Hometown" focused on the work and life of women who moved to Beijing, and it received excellent reviews, which made people full of expectations for her screenwriting ability. "Becoming a Family" is indeed good, a life-style comedy with a solid script and remarkable performances, suitable for eating with meals.
Sister Qin Lan is also very flexible. She is not obsessed with a certain type of "glamorous" heroine-led script. Instead, she is able to humble herself and come to the "small matchmaking agency" to tell stories about daily life. Allen is also a very mature comedian. The combination of the two of them seems to be full of novelty and they have enough tacit understanding.
Stills from "Becoming a Family"
Borrowing Life
Broadcast platform: CCTV8, iQiyi
Premiere date: April 18
"Living with Borrowed Life" is directed by Lu Chuan, adapted from Shi Yifeng's novel of the same name, written by Xiong Yuzhen, and starring Qin Hao, Han Geng, Zhong Chuxi, Shi Pengyuan, and Lin Boyang. The play tells the story of Du Xiangdong, a top student at the police academy, who was assigned to a detention center in the early 1990s. Two suspects under his care accidentally escaped, which kicked off the story of Du Xiangdong's relentless pursuit of more than 20 years.
The first few episodes were well received. Although Lu Chuan was controversial due to the failure of "749 Bureau" at the box office, his audio-visual language and aesthetics are indeed outstanding in the TV drama circle.
Qin Hao's performance is naturally impeccable. Zhong Chuxi, a Hong Kong-style fashion beauty, played a meat factory girl who spoke in dialect in this drama, which was quite surprising. Several scenes of killing pigs, stamping, and beating mice were full of personality, which made people see her plasticity.
Stills from Borrowed Life
However, after a few episodes, the plot seems to be dragging on again, and word of mouth is showing signs of a reversal. Friends who like this type of subject matter can invest and give it a try. If it doesn't work, we can just withdraw.
【Recent opening score】
"Worthy of Love" Douban score 7.0 (14,000 people rated)
"Nian Wushuang" Douban score opened at 6.7, rising to 6.8 (45,000 people rated)
"Above the Clouds" Douban score was 6.4 at the beginning, and then dropped to 6.3 (21,000 people rated it)
(As of April 21, 2025)
yRNKE ahR hhhcA Xlg MBoy kOSlKqx WbfCjSCK