Drama Digest
If Nicolas Cage’s National Treasure were made in China, this thunderous and irresistible Chinese drama would be it. A period drama told in the republic era (1912-1949), it follows Ding Yun Qi (Xu Kai), a young man on a mission. His mission is to uncover the reason behind his brother’s perplexing disappearance, during which he accidentally unearths the deepest secrets pertaining to Chinese history. In the heart of the Kunlun Mountains lies a hidden treasure that must not fall into the wrong hands, especially those of Luo Yun Song (Wang Yang), the relic smuggler. It puts everything he knows on the line — friendship, family, and love. Nothing more was ever at stake. Get ready for a deep dive into Chinese history and culture and into a world of ingenious and courageous heroes.
The Feel-Good Part
The period setting is thrilling, with a memory of China in the early 1900s melded together with a fantastical vision surrounding an important cultural landmark. The Kunlun Mountains are a haven of many cultural tales; the story of this drama is, in a way, a distillation of the most striking qualities of each. Much of it is owed to the thrilling source material, the novel by Tian Xia Ba Chang. A lot of big names grace this cast.
The Disappointing Factor
Camera work is mostly spotless, owing to director Leung Sing Kuen’s prowess in shooting fantasy drama. However, some shots are a bit jarring to the eye. Whether the drama is accurate to the novel also remains to be seen.
In-Depth Analysis
Conspiracy plans abound in this mystery-charged piece of nail-biting drama. The smuggler of cultural relics, Luo Yun Song, is at our hero’s throat unceasingly. Mysteries wind upon themselves, and preservation of secrets becomes risky business. Through quick thinking and unflinching bravery, Ding Yun Qi must guard the ancient secrets from all who try to besmirch them. The presence of multiple leads lends complexity and many perspectives to the storytelling. The cast is highly star-studded, with every actor bringing in their choicest acting chops. The overall tone is uniform, the atmosphere tense. The camera work is solid for the most part, and so is the background score. The costumes are detailed and help immerse the audience into the fantasy-fiction. The 48-episode length of the series does justice to the epic proportions at which everything is.
Star Power
Xu Kai is everywhere these days. Whether in ‘Falling into your Smile’, or ‘Ancient Love Poetry’, or ‘Arsenal Military Academy’, he’s doing it all. His work now spans multiple genres, and his confidence shows in his performance. Elaine Zhong and Wang Yang are both marvelous. The entire cast is at the top of their game.
Overall Opinion
This epic drama might be one of the most highly-awaited Asian dramas of the year. With a star cast that is sought after, it promises to surpass all expectations with much to spare.
