Frozen Surface Reviews

I really can't figure out Yang Si. On one hand, he seems honest and doesn't seem like the culprit. But occasionally, he says something shocking and directly confesses, and his testimony also has loopholes.
After observing his actions, it's indeed a bit confusing.

Guan Yu, while investigating the case, repeatedly speculates about the scene where Yan Hong Qiao was shot, showing meticulousness and seriousness. In daily life, however, he is laid-back and doesn't even bother going home when working on a case.
He neglects meals as well. This contrast feels strangely authentic.

The actors' performances speak for themselves, each one of them is excellent. The pacing is well-maintained as it accurately portrays the real process of criminal investigation. The amount of information and the depth of the characters are done exceptionally well.
Moreover, some of the Northeastern dialects and idioms used in the series are quite amusing. In fact, many of them touch upon social issues. I really enjoy it.

The storyline branches out, with one line investigating the gun, another examining social relationships, and one delving into Yang Lijia's background. Bringing all the clues together to achieve a complete deduction is done exceptionally well.
The plot is solid and detailed, which is much better than simply aiming for speed. Moreover, the heartfelt emotions rooted in the setting are incredibly moving.

It's hard to distinguish which of Yang Si's words are true and which are false. He may appear naive, but he is actually very cunning. His expressions can change in an instant, which raises suspicions. I wouldn't rule out the possibility of him actually being capable of murder.

I just want to exclaim that being a police officer is really not easy, especially back then when there weren't as many high-tech devices and surveillance systems. The police had to rely on their own abilities to painstakingly piece together the details.
It truly tested their observational skills and intellect.

A work that is both real and closely represents the original era. I don't understand why some people only focus on the amount of information in the cases. Isn't the amount of information about the era itself worth watching?
It's precisely the contrasting emotions between the era, the murder cases, and the characters that make me feel that this drama is worth a qualitative viewing experience.

I've watched up to episode 3.5, and Hu Jun's acting is really good. He truly becomes the character he portrays. However, the drama doesn't feature the actors I wanted to see, so I won't continue watching. The storyline is decent so far.

The portrayal of the dark underworld is truly nauseating, it's terrifying. It's filled with petty thugs everywhere...

The plot is strangely captivating, and the production is commendable. The actors' performances are also top-notch. The intense scenes between Chen Jian Bin and Hu Jun in the interrogation room are particularly remarkable. Their dialogue is full of twists and turns, with hidden intentions, and every sentence is brutally honest, even though it may not be directly stated.

The once-friendly Er Mazzi and Huang Mao suddenly turned into opponents, threatening and plotting against each other. People come together due to mutual interests, but they also drift apart due to those same interests.
Sometimes, even friendships turn into bitter enmities because of personal gains. The portrayal of these interpersonal relationships is very realistic and genuine.

Each member of the police team has a different style of work and investigative approach. Guan Yu, who is skilled at psychological manipulation, Liao Yuan, who knows how to handle small-time crooks, Zhou Qi, who provides a female perspective, Zhong Yi, who offers technological support...
The well-rounded characters make the whole story feel more authentic.

Even though Hu Jun portrays a rough and straightforward Northeastern man, his acting and emotions are actually very delicate. The guilt and helplessness he feels when his wife passes away, the anger or shame he faces from his son, and the scene where Xiaosong buys him a new cellphone—Hu Jun's character hesitates while vaguely declining the gift, but then happily picks it up and examines it, it's a touching moment that brings tears to your eyes.

Yang Lijia possesses a natural shrewdness during interrogations, like an "old pro," but when it comes to other matters, they seem naturally clueless. The adorable way they asked the big sister, "If I take your shoes and wear them, what will you wear?
" had me laughing for another three episodes. How did they manage to be both contrasting and cute at the same time?

This drama is so satisfying. I binge-watched seven episodes in one go. The plot is tightly paced, with multiple storylines intertwining and different timelines overlapping.
It may not be perfect, but its flaws are overshadowed by its strengths. I must applaud the director for the remarkable scenes contributed in the sixth episode, they were daring!
The acting skills of the main actors, Fourth Uncle and Qiao Bangzhu, are unquestionable, and Second Mazzi was a pleasant surprise. The supporting cast also delivered solid performances.
Thumbs up for this excellent piece of work!

I was originally going to give it 4 stars, but after watching the sixth episode where the tech police officer single-handedly alerted the criminals and put himself in danger, I got so frustrated that I lowered it to 3 stars.
Why are tech police officers always portrayed like this in TV dramas? They have no combat skills and end up sacrificing themselves for nothing other than alerting the criminals.

Sun Guoliang, this guy, flaunts a little leverage in front of Feng Gen. Isn't he just setting himself up to be controlled by Feng Gen? He gets taken away while taking a bath, and in the end, he's left holding a pig's head in the freezing winter.
If it weren't for Zhong Yi and the others, he probably would have frozen to death on the streets that night. Haha, what a situation!

I must say, Yang Si is a bit of an enigma. On one hand, he seems genuinely innocent and doesn't come across as a murderer. But occasionally, he says something shocking and even confesses directly, although his statements have loopholes.
After observing his actions, I must admit that I'm a bit confused.

These group of big shots only think Wang Ping is a woman and believe she's an easy target. When Yan Hong Qiao was alive, they didn't even dare to take a breath in front of him. They're just a bunch of bullies who are afraid of the strong.
But when Wang Ping asserted her dominance, she completely silenced them. She's truly amazing!

Zhong Yi's character is constantly surrounded by death flags, just as expected... The pace is relatively slow, and the entire series seems to revolve around those five days of solving the case. So far, only half of the plot has revealed significant information.
But I actually like this pacing; it reflects the normalcy of criminal investigation. Hu Jun is truly outstanding, his acting is incredibly immersive. Chen Jian Bin's Northeastern accent sounds a bit off.

Both the genuine and fake Yang Si, swept along by the era and fate, made me shed tears. One is a person who waited desperately at home, only to be buried in the snow and mud without any results.
The other is someone who changed their appearance and endured silently for decades. Both of them are unfortunate souls.

The pace of the crime investigation in "Black Soil" may not be fast, but it leaves a great impression. The step-by-step process of the investigation allows viewers to intuitively feel the challenges of traditional criminal investigations during that era.
The orderly progression of the plot clearly showcases the social relationships. Overall, it's very well done.

The script is well-crafted, and it's evident that the two timelines were carefully woven together. The interactions between the two veteran actors are also intriguing. Teacher Hu Jun has also made a breakthrough in his performance. I heard that the filming took place during the midst of a pandemic, facing numerous difficulties.
It was not easy at all.

I've watched up to the third episode, and the pace is too slow and uninteresting. There are plenty of similar dramas out there, and some of them have good reputations. In comparison, this one becomes even more uninteresting.
Furthermore, there's the issue of the stereotypical and objectifying portrayal of female characters. There's always a damsel in distress who is someone's girlfriend and has connections with some big shot, and it's just not interesting at all.

I've watched half of it, and I think it's quite good. Lian Lian (a character's name) really surprised me with her performance. She's so natural, and her acting skills are amazing. On the other hand, Chen Jian Bin's fake Northeastern accent is really unbearable!
And he's been acting the same way in everything he's done in recent years. It's truly disappointing! But the rest of the cast is great!

Yang Xue Song is fundamentally a kind-hearted child, a protector of nerds. He couldn't turn a blind eye when he saw Chen Xiao Ming in danger. He even bought a mobile phone for his stepfather who was released after serving his sentence.
I find it somewhat hard to believe that he would go as far as to commit murder. There must be someone else behind the killer.

Compared to superpowers, the methodical investigative work in "Step by Step" is more fitting for the times. In an era of limited technology, the police officers rely on their love for this land to create a "soil of justice." The snowy and icy scenes become more and more inspiring as the story progresses.

I started watching this drama late, but it's really good. Yan Hongqiao, the boss of the underworld, is ruthless and doesn't say much. It's intriguing to see a powerful figure like him in the Lan River region being killed.
Who would dare to kill such a big shot? It has successfully piqued my curiosity.