Frozen Surface Reviews

Yang Lijia's state of being at a loss during the first interrogation is hard to imagine for someone with a criminal record. Beneath his naive exterior lies a cunning individual, making it difficult to decipher the logic of the enigmatic "Fourth Brother Heqiao." Hu Jun's acting skills are truly impressive.

I really like the character Wang Ping. She's mysterious, and although she has a gentle and delicate side, there's something about her smile that I can't tell if it's genuine or fake when she talks to Feng Gen.
And when she coldly observes those well-fed bosses at the banquet... it gives off an enigmatic vibe, yet she still has her charm.

It's just trash! X Theater is going down the same path as Mist Theater! They let any dirty and messy suspense dramas enter X Theater! The director, the plot, the actors—nothing is right. It's all relying on coincidences for the storyline! I thought it would be clever, but it's not...

Wang Ping's motive is to create a better Lianhe River. Yang Xue Song is angry at Yan Hong Qiao for stealing his girlfriend. Yang Si's house was burned down by Feng Gen's men, and he wants revenge on Yan Hong Qiao.
At the moment, it feels like Wang Ping is the more likely suspect, while Yang Si seems to be in a situation where he believes his stepson committed the murder and took the blame for him.
I will continue to watch the upcoming plot developments.

Intriguing theme and great cast. Hopefully, the plot lives up to expectations. Can't afford to miss a crime drama set in Northeast China. It reminds me of "Crime Without Evidence," but the makeup is too elaborate.
It would be better if it had a rougher touch. How can a busy emperor-like policeman have the energy to style his hair so meticulously?

Let me briefly address the issues. Firstly, Chen Jian Bin's Northeastern accent is very poor. Secondly, the director lacks competence and fails to capture attention.
The acting abilities of the actors surpass the director's abilities by far. Thirdly, Deng Jia Jia. The audio and visuals are not synchronized, and her voice lacks appeal.
However, her performance is very charming, so her voice feels artificial. The director should quickly go back to university for a few more years.

Without the lightning-fast forensic results and street surveillance with systematic management, the case clues in "Black Soil" are investigated one by one through human effort. The story revolves around the traditional detective's process of solving cases, ultimately leading to a suspenseful and elusive outcome.
This makes the entire process of unraveling the mystery even more intriguing.

As a Northeasterner, I don't oppose directors from other regions using Northeast China as the backdrop for TV dramas. However, they should at least take it seriously... From the director to the main cast, none of them are from the Northeast, yet they want to make a TV drama with a Northeastern setting.
It's simply laughable. Chen Jian Bin's accent feels very forced. Compared to "The Long Seasons," it's just too disappointing.

I must say that the impressive performances of veteran actors always amaze me. The scenes between Da Ju and Xu Xiao are not to be missed. Other actors are also excellent in their roles. Shi Ce and Lu Hong are currently my favorites. I can't get enough of their bickering and their dialogues are really on point.

Recently, I've been hooked on all kinds of dialect dramas. It feels like a more immersive experience of different cultures. Even with the familiar Northeastern culture, I've discovered many pleasant surprises in this drama. In the first few episodes, I found it really captivating.
The entire cast delivers impressive performances, especially Hu Jun!

It's another crime-solving story set in Northeast China. Amidst the tense and mind-boggling suspenseful plot development, there's always a natural blend of Northeastern-style humor. There's no prevalent atmosphere of gloom and oppression that you often find in other similar genre dramas.

Of course, celebrations must be lively, but I never expected that the "liveliness" would come from themselves. Yan Hong Qiao was strutting around one second and turned into a lifeless body the next, shocking me to the core.
Wow, this is the epitome of Northeastern efficiency and decisiveness!

Accurately capturing the sentiments of northern people, every time dumplings are served, there's an indescribable emotional connection. Snowy days, ice rinks, public baths—scenes from the drama intertwine with childhood memories.
From the past to the present, there have been significant changes in the surroundings, but the one thing that hasn't changed is the warmth and local flavor of the people on this land.

Shi Ce is quite impressive. I never expected her to portray a bold and slightly fierce female police officer character with such authenticity. Her unconventional personality is complemented by sharp intuition and insight.
It's a delightful surprise to see her take on this role, and her acting range continues to broaden.

The current storyline is full of suspense, and it feels like every character has suspicion and motive. The frozen, quiet, yet vibrant black soil creates a strong sense of storytelling. The plot and characters feel well-crafted, and the combination of suspense and the Northeastern dialect is strangely fitting!
The main cast delivers outstanding performances. Teacher Hu Jun truly embodies his character in every aspect, Deng Jia Jia is perfect for the suspense genre, and Shi Ce is such a pleasant surprise, providing many humorous moments!

Silent Black Soil" is full of suspense and highly enjoyable! What struck me the most is the portrayal of three types of "black" in the drama: first, the "black" of the land. The story is set in the Northeast, seamlessly integrating the inherent humor of the region into the narrative.
Second, the "black" of society. The drama boldly depicts the dark side of Northeastern society. Lastly, the "black" of the color palette. The entire series employs a desaturated tone, creating a tense and oppressive atmosphere.

I found it quite interesting after watching two episodes. Northeast China is indeed a fertile ground for serious crime literature. What sets it apart from other excellent works set in the Northeast is the addition of a touch of humor. Shi Ce is surprising and impressive, really well done.
I have to mention that Chen Jian Bin's Northeastern accent is like pineapple filling in dumplings - it's a stark contrast to his very standard Mandarin.

I watched two episodes of the web series "Silent Black Soil" today and found it quite refreshing. The plot is full of ups and downs, creating a desire to keep watching.
I also enjoyed the performances of Hu Jun and Chen Jian Bin, which added a lot to the film. The leading actress even arranged a meeting with the director and screenwriter, where I learned some interesting behind-the-scenes stories.
I'll continue following the series.

It's so much fun! The Northeast-style witty remarks are absolutely hilarious. "The straw hat is broken, exposing my face to the sun." And Feng Gen describing himself as emotionally hurt and then taking a bath, saying "My heart hurts, so I'm soaking my wounded heart in bubbles." Laughing Rat, you guys from the Northeast really know how to lighten the mood.

Evidence-oriented and perceptive veteran detective Guan Yu; laid-back yet keenly observant policewoman Zhou Qi; a bit of a straight man but manages to stay clear of trouble with all walks of life, Liao Yuan; proficient in the art of interrogation and unafraid to get their hands dirty, Yang Si...
A cast worthy of praise, and their acting skills are all quite impressive.

Zhou Qi and Liao Yuan really cracked me up. They went together to ask Wang Ping some questions, and one thought nothing was said, while the other thought everything was said, but they didn't get any answers. I could watch their scenes together all day long.
Their hilarious and exasperated expressions were priceless.

It looks like a drama filled with tough characters. There's the formidable boss, Yan Hong Qiao, the rugged old detective, Guan Yu, the notorious gangster in the area, River Bridge, who everyone fears, Liao Yuan, and the female boss, Wang Ping.
Not to mention the silent but ruthless Lin Xiang... None of them are simple characters.

There's a feeling of playing a hardcore detective game, where even the God's-eye view doesn't help. In the first four episodes, you just follow the characters in the drama and gradually eliminate possibilities.
Before you know it, you're completely immersed in it, reasoning along with Guan Yu.

It's not uncommon to see dual storylines in solving cases, but what's rare is witnessing the portrayal of land heritage, the depiction of the era, and the fate of the characters. In the tumultuous period, there are people in Northeast China who long for the arrival of "spring" while struggling to leave their homeland.
There are those who are deeply rooted in the soil, fighting for survival, and there are the societal helplessness and forced compromises that come with it...

I really like the character Zhou Qi. Through her, I can feel the unique experiences of being a female police officer in solving cases. For example, she uses the amount of makeup left behind at crime scenes to estimate the duration of the perpetrator's stay.
Also, her interactions with Wang Ping, another female character, are completely different from her interactions with the straight male character Liao Yuan. Personally, I think it's a positive development to see the strengths and differences of female detectives being portrayed in a crime drama.

Criminal investigation is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent diligent investigation. "Black Soil" showcases the rigor and meticulousness of criminal investigation from a different perspective.
It presents many relatively "tedious" tasks in an interesting way. It's really well done.

Guan Yu, despite his advanced age, patiently teaches the children how to skate on the ice. It's evident that he has a deep attachment to the local culture. As the sunlight shines on the ice, Guan Yu squints his eyes and watches the children being called home for dinner.
It's as if I can see a profound affection for this land and its culture reflected in his smiling eyes.

Feng Gen got me laughing. One moment, he's boasting about being the leader of Lanhe. The next moment, when confronted by Wang Ping, he says, "I'm angry because Wang Shan didn't knock before entering.
That's so rude." Haha! Brother, what happened to your arrogance just now? Wang Shan won't take the blame for that.

You have no connection with me, so why bother?" "Is the road yours? I'll walk however I want." Although I don't agree with Yang Si's actions, I really appreciate his attitude.
He's the king of comebacks, leaving others speechless. Hilarious!

Don't stab me with the knife of family affection." The father-son relationship between Yang Si and Yang Xue Song touched my heart. The father, who is not good at expressing himself, bought a mobile phone for his father and said, "Just take it if you want." The son, on the other hand, quietly bought a talisman for his son and hung it in his car, subtly and inarticulately expressing their love for each other.
Tears!

A true crime investigation set in the real era of Northeast China, no fakery, and no baseless clues. The truth is revealed through the hard work of investigators on the ground. It's not a fast-paced story, but rather a portrayal of the era and human sentiments that carries a sense of authenticity throughout the process.

Dad drinking," the scene where Yang Xue Song poured alcohol for Yang Si in his childhood, as recalled by Yang Si, was quite touching. Why does Yang Si feel so close and have such a deep impression of a non-biological child?
I have a bold guess, but I'm not sure if I should share it...

Rarely do we encounter such genuine human emotions. In the scenes depicting Yang Si's life, we can feel the bond between father and son. In Guan Yu's investigative journey, we can see the compassionate side of people through small gestures like giving money or sweets.
Northeast China in that era was tough, and society was complex, but the warmth of human connections remains unextinguished.

Black Soil feels more like a northeastern version of "Kill the Shijiazhuang Person" with an added ending. The portrayal of the ordinary people by Hu Jun in the drama shows that the more they strive for a better life, the more they look towards the future, the more powerless they seem in the tide of destiny.
Yet there are still people who love this land and way of life, which reminds me a lot of the impression I have of Northeast China.

The twists and turns in Yang Si's character, from initially denying the crime and pleading innocence, then admitting to being at the crime scene, followed by admitting to committing the crime, and finally having their true identity revealed, have made this suspense drama incredibly gripping.

The portrayal of human nature, the underlying warmth, the well-executed progress of the cases, and the depiction of people's lives during the tumultuous period in Northeast China are all ignored...
Instead, they focus on some trivial matters to awkwardly criticize. It's so annoying! Can't these critics stop interfering with my drama-watching experience?

After watching a few episodes, the plot progresses quite swiftly, and the intriguing clues keep me hooked. I can't wait to find out the answers. Did Yang Xue Song really commit the crime? Does Wang Ping's storyline have any connection to the case?
And what other hidden identities does Yang Si have? Looking forward to the next update.

The first episode served as an introduction to the characters and the world they inhabit. It's acceptable for the pace to be slow and the plot to unfold gradually. However, in the following episodes, the lack of intensity and lukewarmness makes one wonder if it's a letdown for a "suspense" drama.
The acting skills of the actress playing Xiaoyima have completely matured; the "Down Syndrome Law" lives up to its reputation and is superb. I give it one star because the plot is simply not engaging.
I don't recommend it.

Currently, I can only give it three stars. I'll give a full evaluation after the entire series is finished. Although the episodes are short and each one is emotionally engaging, having only one case in the whole drama makes the content a bit hollow.
Releasing one episode per day also makes it difficult to binge-watch, as each episode doesn't resolve old issues and instead introduces new mysteries, which can be tiring to follow. It's more satisfying and immersive to watch this kind of drama in one go when it's fully released.

When I saw Yang Si leaving home to work in the 5th episode, I already felt the bleakness of that era, even without the plot. And seeing the preview, Zhong Yi is actually going to start selling boxed lunches, OMG.

Coincidentally, I'm also watching "Blooming Flowers" during the same period, and "Da Dongbei" and "Night in Shanghai" are clearly set in the same era~

After the deep affection, the stepfather takes the blame for the son, the poor boy has an unrequited love for a materialistic woman, and the domineering boss has a ruthless ex-wife...
It's like a clichéd exhibition of plotlines in Chinese crime dramas. It's a pity because Hu Jun has great acting skills. The funny part for me is Chen Jian Bin's Xinjiang-style imitation of the Northeastern accent.
Black Soil, of course, remains silent, while White Cloud must also remain silent upon hearing Chen Jian Bin speak in a Northeastern dialect.