Drama Digest
In the republican era of China in the 1930s, the conflict between the communist party and KMT in Shanghai’s Hengshan hospital was at its peak. Ma Tian Ming is a greedy, selfish, and cheating man living as a con artist. But he gets dragged into a case as a suspect and escapes from the government, which leads him to impersonate to be a chief doctor at Hengshan hospital named Cai Li Kun. Soon he finds out that the real Cai Li Kun is a member of the underground communist party, and he gets entangled in a web of lies, conspiracies, secret organizations, political agendas, and espionage.
The Feel-Good Part
The story has wonderfully intriguing characters and political events that will keep audiences invested thoroughly. Some characters have well-fleshed details with articulate backgrounds that make audiences root for them. The multiple hidden identities of the lead protagonist and the political atmosphere were the central concepts behind this show. The actors convinced audiences through their versatile acting skills. The show has battle scenes, massacres, and many more dark settings that could interest the audience.
The Disappointing Factor
The show’s original intention was to showcase a spy drama, but through the process and development, it did not achieve to be so. The plot turned out all over the place and also missed the mark of retaining the suspenseful or dark vibe. The directorial choices made in this show are questionable and unnecessary. Even its plot seemed stretched and boring at times. The production quality needed more improvement, which could capture the real essence of this show. The show tried to add comical aspects but failed to execute them into this drama.
In-Depth Analysis
Set in the times of conflicts between two political organizations of 1930 in China, Shanghai. A man raised in poverty who gets wrongfully accused of a crime becomes a runaway convict. During his escape, he somehow gets involved in a massacre, so to get out of the situation, he takes the identity of an overseas doctor and plans to hide in Hengshan hospital. But soon, he finds himself in a political battle and secret missions that might be enough to kill him. It portrays a man that didn’t care for anyone or anything except money. But due to his entangled situation, he decides to stand together in the revolution. Yet when things got dangerous and chaotic, he faced evil and began to help restore peace in the country.
Star Power
The director of this show is Dong Zhiqiang, and the screenwriter is Maxwell. Qin Jun Jie plays the role of Ma Tain Ming, Su Ji plays Bai Mo Li, and Tu Song Yan portrays the character of Cai Li Kun in this spy drama.
Overall Opinion
This show is not one of the best historical political spy dramas, but it’s good enough to try once.
