Copywriting | Edited by Song Li | Written by Hu Ka

As 2023 comes to an end, which genre of Chinese dramas is the most regrettable? In my opinion, it's historical crime dramas. Unlike the continuous stream of spy thrillers and urban dramas, there are only a few historical crime dramas, and even fewer of them are good. Occasionally, there are also ancient puppet dramas that claim to be crime-solving dramas, which can be nauseating for the audience.

Adapted from the novel of the same name by Dutch author Gao Luopei, this drama boasts a star-studded cast including Zhang Jiayi, Zhang Ruoyun, Zhou Yiwu, and more. It's hard to imagine this drama not becoming a hit. It truly lives up to being the dark horse historical drama that you have been anticipating for two years. Mysterious murders occur one after another, but are the culprits ghosts? "Compared to the testimony of the living, I would rather believe in the testimony from the deceased."

After listening to the case details and examining the crime scene, Song Ci discovers that the fatal wound on the victim's body was only the stab in the heart. If Yang Lao Ye's death was caused by a rupture of the heart artery, there should have been arterial spatter at the scene. The most likely person who poisoned Yang Lao Ye must be someone close to him, which includes the person who reported the case. However, Yang Lao Ye's death is just the beginning, intertwining Song Ci with the case. Three more murders follow one after another.

Each murder becomes increasingly bizarre. First, Tian Yuanwai (played by Gong Shoulin) sets sail, and his subordinates suddenly see a ghostly woman in red by the river. Before they can react, they hear a scream from Tian Yuanwai inside the cabin. When they rush into the cabin, Tian Yuanwai's body is already dismembered. Song Ci doesn't believe in ghosts and gods, but when the second murder occurs, the prison guard who was chatting about the ghostly woman sees the protagonist of their conversation walking in through the prison gate. The guard and his companion faint in fear, and when they wake up, one of the prisoners has disappeared. The plot unfolds systematically, with each new case bringing new clues. Every episode leaves a hook, keeping the audience hooked and wanting to watch more.

In the intricate web of traps set by the killer, can Song Ci uncover the truth? I won't spoil it; you'll have to watch it for yourself. This character has a touch of adolescent charm. When he appears, pretending to be an official with a beard, he looks like a mischievous boy. But when it comes to solving the case, he is confident and capable, without making the audience feel bored. Regardless of the genre or the character, Li Naiwen's acting is consistently stable, and he can definitely portray a character well.

Although he has not yet appeared in the new drama, the preview alone reveals his cunning gaze, leaving us to judge whether his character is good or bad until he actually appears.

In addition, the drama also features the participation of Hai Yitian, Liu Jin, and other actors. With them, viewers can rest assured while following the drama.

In conclusion, can "The Forensic Examiner Song Ci" become a hit? Considering the overall picture, it is possible. On one hand, airing the series at the end of the year is a strategic choice, as there are no similar dramas in the recent Chinese drama market, and there haven't been any major blockbusters. The performance of the drama will determine if it can live up to being an end-of-year dark horse.

On the other hand, the traditional mode of deduction and crime-solving has reached a "dead end." "The Forensic Examiner Song Ci" breaks away from the serious tone of most historical crime dramas and engages the audience with a light and humorous approach, creating a playful contrast. In the sea of monotonous and intense historical crime dramas, "The Forensic Examiner Song Ci" offers a refreshing change for the audience.

Do you like this drama?