This C-drama raised the bar for other series of the same genre. And what makes it great go beyond the fact that Jackie Chan produced it.
In detail, this is an adaptation from a novel of the same name by Meng Xi Shi. Moreover, it is directed by Guo Shuang and Yang Huan and is produced by the amazing Jackie Chan.
Indeed, there is so much to unpack from this series. For instance, there are hardly any concerning flaws. That says so much about how thoughtfully and masterfully made The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty is.
Most of the loopholes of the series are tolerable if not justifiable. For that reason, all 48 episodes of the series are guaranteed to give an endearing viewing experience. One will never go wrong binge-watching this series for its friendships, patriotism, societal issues, morality, and justice weaved into one epic tale.
- Main Casts: Darren Chen/Kuan Hung | Paul Fu/Fu Meng Bo | Liu Yao Yuan
- Supporting Casts: Huang Yang Tian Tian | Mao Yi | He Nan | Zhang Yi Long
- Thrilling/Addictive Drive:
- Overall Rating:
- Rewatch Value:
- Similar Dramas: The Silent Criminal | The Mystic Nine | Luoyang | Love Like White Jade
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The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty Plot Recap
Set at the heart of the capital during the Chenghua reign of Ming Dynasty, this drama is centered on an investigative narrative in which the three main characters work together to solve murders and discover schemes from various perspectives.
With the help of their friends and subordinates, they look into government corruption, prosecute those who are guilty, acquit those who are innocent, and they risk their lives saving the kingdom.
Despite their disparate personalities, they all share one goal: to safeguard the Ming Kingdom from all threats, both internal and external, and to remain faithful to the Emperor throughout.
Tang Fan (Darren Chen/ Kuan Hung) is having a meal during his lunch break in the capital city. Before he can even finish his meal, officials from his prefecture arrive with orders to return him to the governor’s office. Tang Fan refuses to move, but the officers take his meal, and he spends the rest of the day pursuing them back to work.
Simultaneously, Sui Zhou (Paul Fu/Fu Meng Bo) has been ordered to apprehend Jia Kui, a fugitive soldier. Sui Zhou agrees not to implicate Jia Kui’s family, and Jia Kui is assured that they will not be involved. Despite Jia Kui’s willingness to depart with Sui Zhou, the two clash.
The emperor is later informed of Zheng Cheng’s death and the whereabouts of Han Zao, who is still missing. He then tells Sui Zhou to seek Han Zao, and Wang Zhi (Liu Yao Yuan) to dig into Zheng Cheng’s death.
Sui Zhou and Wang Zhi get right to work as soon as their cases are assigned to them. Tang Fan, who has been quietly waiting to complete the investigation, shortly joins them after their fated encounter. Thus, they soon embark on different journeys as individuals and as a team, solving one crime after the other.
The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty Peak Points
A Riveting World-building
It is not an overstatement to say that this series is a game-changer. It strikes the right blend of mystery, drama and action. Not to mention, a refreshing flair of comedy too. On top of that, all the tropes and clichés are done well. Hence, one will seldom cringe when watching this series.
In fact, viewers will appreciate the well-balanced action sequences as well as the tranquil periods. Even the minor characters get ample screen time to establish their backstories and motivations. Moreover, there is also enough time for viewers to get to know them, relate to them, and consider their viewpoints.
Not only that, but there are plenty of lovely scenes where the characters are making good memories.
What is not to love in this series? To illustrate, there are no low-cost production sets and props on sight. And for a change, unlike most C-dramas, there are no obvious CGIs constantly popping in the scenes.
Besides those, there is great production value. Likewise, all of the characters’ wardrobes are also intricately beautiful. And other than the evident loophole regarding the doppelganger Yang Fu, some stretched on arcs and Ding Man’s mission in the palace (The Oirat Prince who became the Emperor’s eunuch), all is well and all is forgivable.
And Of course, given Jackie Chan’s supervision, the action scenes are fantastic. For the first time in a long while, this is a C-drama that has action physics-based and believable action scenes. Best of all, the series has a well-crafted wrap-up providing a satisfactory closure for all characters and events.
Cast Synergy
The main characters and side characters are well-written. Mainly, the bromance and friendships, comedic antics, and interactions are the drama’s strongest points. Regardless of their differences in personalities, they exude a beautiful synergy when they are together and more so when they work to solve mysteries and in bringing justice.
More importantly, this series presented a variety of men who set a good example. They have human decency and exhibit admirable characteristics as a brother, friend, and government official.
Notably, Pei Hua (Mao Yi) the skilled physician is a lovable character. He is Tang Fan’s close friend and Tang Yu’s love interest. He is a very competent doctor and an amazing friend. Not only is he reliable, but he is also very understanding.
It is great to see how caring he is towards Tang Yu and He Cheng (Tang Yu’s son). He waited for her to be ready after escaping a toxic relationship and an abusive household. He did not force his feelings on her and was very accepting of her despite being a single mother.
In particular, he loves Cheng as if he was his son. And above all, he plays an important role in the story. He is imperfect and he shows vulnerability. Nonetheless, he is a remarkable character.
An Abundance of Great Women Characters part 1
Another great trait of this drama is how it incorporated multiple intelligences—Even on not one, but many female characters! The age of women empowerment and inclusive representation has already dawned upon this generation.
It is utterly amazing to see how more and more female characters with relatable and amazing qualities are presented in genres like this. Good riddance to the stereotypical damsel in distress with no character development.
This series gives viewers plenty of capable women redefining gender roles and braving fate and miseries. Such a diverse representation for women ranging from strong-willed fighters, competent rulers to young ladies proving that their worth is not based on status, looks, or men. A bold and refreshing take on women’s inclusion and portrayals in series.
In particular, the way they wrote and presented Tang Yu (Tang Fan’s sister) is just perfect. Chef’s kiss to how her character represents abused women who are the kindest, bravest souls. Tang Yu was realistic as a mother and a sister.
Her character is very significant in real life because this represents women who have yet to discover their worth and capabilities. Women who are brave enough to endure and finally break free from toxic family members and exhausting circumstances binding them and their lives.
Her character also depicted how women like her come to terms with their emotional wounds. How messy the process of healing truly is and how deserving people like her are of new beginnings and true love.
An Abundance of Great Women Characters part 2
Subsequently, Tang Yu became an assistant nurse at Pei Hua’s clinic. Here she exhibited her talent. She is attentive, caring and she is a fast learner. Soon after lending a hand treating patients, she became a reliable nurse in the clinic and a great mother figure to the younger members of their lively crew. Not to mention, she was given such a great ending in the story.
The female minor characters were all amazing too. Specifically, Jin Sanniang and Duo’erla. Jin Sanniang is an ice trader in the illegal market. She is a descendant of a family that assisted in the construction of the palace’s underground tunnels.
She concealed her true gender and lived as a boy in order to maintain her family’s creed and assist the impoverished community. Despite the fact that she has committed crimes like Robin Hood, she is sincere and tells Tang Fan and Sui Zhou that she will no longer engage in illicit activities.
On the other hand, Duo’erla (He Nan) is an Oirat girl who initially bickers with Tang Fan but subsequently becomes friends with him. She had come to the capital to find her long-lost beau, the prince of their prairie. She is first presented as a stubborn and conceited person.
However, in reality, she is a loving, generous and resourceful person who is strong. She is good at riding horses and wielding weapons. Additionally, she is courageous and thoughtful. Her character represents certain women who are often misunderstood and discriminated against for their racial origins and culture.
An Abundance of Great Women Characters part 3
Children are also given importance in this series. Oftentimes viewers are used to be annoyed with children’s roles in genres like this. However, it is refreshing to see how this C-drama showed that children are capable of greatness too.
Particularly, in Dong’er’s character. Dong’er is a maidservant who brings Tang Fan meals when he was still renting in her former landlady’s domain. Eventually, after being sold to be a courtesan at a brothel, she was rescued by Tang Fan and Sui Zhou and adopted as their little sister. Despite her youth, she is extremely knowledgeable and perceptive.
On that note, it is already great that they showed that regardless of social status and background, a person can thrive and a person is deserving of good things in life. But more so, they showed that age and gender do not hinder a person’s ability to contribute greatly to a cause.
Honorable mentions are Imperial Noble Consort Wan and Empress Dowager Zhou. They are also noteworthy characters from the royal family. These women not only portrayed the role of a mother and a wife, but they demonstrated how their royal titles are not acquired merely because of their royal husbands.
Most especially Noble Consort Wan Xian, a fighter who is capable of protecting herself and the emperor. It is cool to see a woman wearing an army general’s battle suit.
The Perfect Recipe For Creating Antagonists
The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty is committed to delivering range and diversity. This also holds true with the variety of antagonists in the series including likable villains, tragic villains, serial killers, incidental villains, and renaissance men to name a few.
In all fairness, each case featured different villains viewers can either come to terms with or completely despise. (We’ll leave this one as it is to save some element of surprise for viewers who would watch this for the first time.)
Inclusive and Appropriate Representation for the Disabled
Sui Zhou appears cold and unempathetic until it is revealed that it is due to post-traumatic stress disorder. It was great to see how Pei Hua diagnosed him and urged their troop to be encouraging and understanding of Sui Zhou’s condition.
They did not antagonize his mental health issue. Instead, it was stated during their exchanges in dialogue how it can be overcome with mental therapy and a supportive environment.
Meanwhile, in Prince Consort Wang Xian’s case, despite being autistic, he is an expert weapon maker who created the Bo Lang bomb. He is depicted as a genius inventor and armament supervisor with imaginative and creative capabilities.
It is also great to see in the dialogues how Tang Fan and Wan Xian himself (during his monologue) say that people like him are not sick, they just think and live differently. Hence, their conditions are not the sole basis of their worth. Their conditions are not the only thing that defines who they are.
The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty Series Musings
Darren Chen’s Acting Prowess
He is definitely not just another pretty boy in this costume drama—I repeat not just a pretty boy in this costume drama. By far this is the most daring and best role Darren Chen (My Unicorn Girl, Meteor Garden, No Boundary) has done out of all the existing dramas he was in.
He surpasses the expectations and pressure portraying the role of a low-ranking government official; a selfless brother and uncle; a food-loving, silly, unathletic person; and an inquisitive genius who is still humane and vulnerable.
What is more, during the various investigations his character Tang Fan conducts, he shines both as a leader and a team player.
Moreover, he also had to cross-dress in an undercover mission, had to be a double agent when national security is at stake and had was sent to be a governor in the corrupted and treacherous vicinities of Yunhe. On top of that, he and Fu Meng Bo have top-notch chemistry as literally partners-in-crime.
Darren Chen’s cheerful, playful, and perhaps purposefully infuriating depiction of the protagonist Tang Fan is effective in weaving together all the other characters’ narratives and all the cases that make up one heinous crime in the finale.
Wang Zhi’s Beguiling Characteristics
The ruthless, clever, and strangely likable Wang Zhi is convincingly portrayed by Liu Yaoyuan. Wang Zhi is the commander of Chenghua’s intelligence service, the Western Depot. Moreover, he is Imperial Consort Wan’s confidante is a figurative son.
He is renowned for being both merciless as well as upright. However a charitable person with a heart for homeless children and no matter how much he resists it, he is very fond of Tang Fan and Sui Zhou.
Out of all the three main characters, he is the most powerful and threatening. He has a transactional attitude to relationships. He is straightforward about his primary commitment to king and country, as evidenced by his famed motto “You help me, I’ll help you.”
The Amazing Sui Zhou
Paul Fu/Fu Meng Bo (Rainless Love in a Godless Land) exhibited great acting versatility in this series. His character, Sui Zhou is a man who is calm, steady, and upright. He has a warm heart, despite his frigid exterior.
He repeatedly protects Tang Fan’s back while Tang Fan assists him in solving his investigations. He’s a great martial artist, and his battle scenes are incredible. Besides that, Sui Zhou’s culinary abilities are commendable. Moreover, his gestures and attentiveness towards Tang Fan would make anyone wish they will always be together.
Although it may be true that the censorship is the reason for the subtle bromance/romance—or the lack thereof, there are a lot of crumbs catered for the shippers who have read and liked the novel. Particularly during the Yunhe arc when Tang Fan teases Sui Zhou of sounding like a jealous old woman.
Side Characters Stealing The Spotlight Part 1
The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty features a collection of an odd yet inventive bunch of side characters. It is fantastic to see each and every one of them have their time to shine. Particularly, it is great to see them be so humane. They all exhibit weaknesses and yet their roles played great contributions to enriching the narrative.
Specifically the Chenghua Emperor. He is a very realistic character inspired by the actual ruler during the 15th century in China. In fact, he showed certain biases and impulses. Nevertheless, he was portrayed as a ruler that is compassionate to his subjects. One that upholds justice and tries to be benevolent in his own ways.
Side Characters Stealing The Spotlight Part 2
Besides him, the Tang Fan’s lively troop consists of great allies that showed fantastic and charming characteristics. They are all effectively written—and were played by actors that befittingly portrayed the parts.
Wuyun (Zhang Yi Long) Duo Erla’s trusty stead and an Oirat who is impeccable in weaponry and horses, is one of the loveable side characters in the series. He is strong, at times awkwardly funny. Not just that but, despite the discrimination and violence brooding between the Oirats and the Han people, he became close friends with all of the members of Tang Fan’s team.
Honorable mentions are; Jia Kui a former soldier who had been on the run for fifteen years for murder. He later becomes Wang Zhi’s bodyguard and frequently assists Sui Zhou and Tang Fan. Xue Ling Sui Zhou’s friend and subordinate who sticks with them through thick and thin, and Dong Gu, the owner and chef of Dong Ji restaurant who always accompanies the lot.
Witness Darren Chen, Paul Fu, Liu Yao Yuan and the rest of their squad solve mysteries and misadventures during the Ming Dynasty.
If you are looking for a C-drama that will not disappoint you, this series deserves a spot on your watch list. International viewers can stream The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty on IQIYI.
In case you missed it, watch Darren Chen/Kuan Hung and Paul Fu/Fu Meng Bo’s recent dramas:
“No Boundary” Defies The Mortal, Demon And Heavenly Realm Barriers With Romance & Mystery
Photos and Videos: IQIYI & Linfair Records
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