Over the past few years, a certain type of Chinese TV drama has "disappeared" from the screens—an explosive genre known as ancient costume detective dramas. Chinese TV series have produced numerous classics in this genre, from "Young Justice Bao" to "Detective Di Renjie" and "The Song Dynasty's Judicial Commissioner," solving one gripping case after another and earning widespread acclaim. The golden age when various ancient costume detective dramas were aired in abundance is truly unforgettable.

However, before the arrival of "The Great Tang Di Gong An," another major ancient costume detective drama took the lead. "The Forensic Examiner Song Ci" has been officially announced and is set to air exclusively on Ku Jia starting from December 26th. I can't contain my excitement, as we finally have a decent ancient costume drama. Song Ci, a judicial commissioner, is tasked with uncovering the truth behind a case and finding the real culprit. However, during the investigation, he discovers a connection between the deceased, who were messengers, and a mysterious woman.

Rumors are swirling: a ghostly woman in red seeks revenge, and those who forced her to death a decade ago meet tragic ends one after another. However, Song Ci doesn't believe in ghosts and spirits. Secondly, there is a conflict between good and evil that unveils a shocking conspiracy. "Here is a hundred taels of silver, Song Ci, give up the case," classic ancient costume detective dramas often involve high-level intellectual battles, with upright detectives like Di Renjie and Justice Bao and formidable antagonists.

Various characters enter the stage, but how will the story unfold? Thirdly, there is Chinese-style horror, creating tension and thrill. Just from the preview, "The Forensic Examiner Song Ci" sets an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere. Scenes such as soldiers in armor and military uniforms attacking the crowd and grain carts suddenly catching fire without anyone lighting them intensify the atmosphere.

The mysterious and terrifying tone is enough to send shivers down the audience's spines. The intellectual showdown between humans and ghosts, the conflict between good and evil, the Chinese-style horror, and the intricate web of conflicts among various forces—this is what makes an outstanding ancient costume detective drama. The next thing to watch is the performance of the actors. Young actors shoulder the burden while seasoned veterans provide support.

In terms of the plot, "The Forensic Examiner Song Ci" has many advantages, but it also faces a major problem—the casting of the lead roles. The male lead, Sun Zeyuan, has played supporting roles in dramas like "Ten Years of Supreme Warmth" and "The King's Assistant," but they were mostly minor web dramas, making him a relatively unknown figure in the industry. However, don't underestimate them because a group of talented veterans supports the lead roles.

Firstly, there's Li Naiwen. Li Naiwen is an actor whom everyone acknowledges for his acting skills but hasn't achieved great fame. After years of struggling in the entertainment industry, he finally reached a small peak in his career with works like "Our Days" and "Rock Solid." However, in the cast list, Li Naiwen ranks second, indicating that his role is definitely more than meets the eye. He might be the real culprit behind the scenes.

Secondly, there's Hai Yitian. Hai Yitian is considered a specialist in playing antagonistic roles in Chinese TV dramas. Even though his villainous characters leave a deep impression on the audience, each appearance brings new surprises. In "Joy of Life," he portrayed Zhu Geyu, a ruthless and cunning character who stops at nothing to achieve his goals.

Thirdly, there's Dong Xuan. In recent years, Dong Xuan has frequently appeared on the screen, and just this year, she has had several works broadcasted, such as "Lucky at First Seven" and "Love as a Business Strategy." It's quite amusing to see Dong Xuan playing a neurotic character. In conclusion, in the past two years, Chinese-produced ancient costume detective dramas have been released one after another, and overall, the quality has been decent. However, there have been only a few true blockbusters, and this year is no exception.

The fundamental issue lies in the logical storytelling and the charm of the characters. Ancient costume detective dramas demand highly engaging content, and their success depends on the story setup and plot pacing. The role of actors is secondary to these factors. For instance, as mentioned in the beginning, "Imperial Investigator" and "Mysterious Tales of the Tang Dynasty" gained popularity despite not having A-list actors.

Although "Under the Bustling City" has received rave reviews and is of high quality, the slow-paced narrative has made many viewers impatient to see the ending, resulting in its failure to become a breakout hit. As for whether "The Forensic Examiner Song Ci" can once again astonish the audience, we'll find out tomorrow night.