[Editor's Note]

Introducing the "First Episode" series that helps everyone catch up on shows. With so many recent dramas debuting, which ones are worth diving into? Let's take a look at the good, the quirky, and everything in between.

Some dramas might find their stride as they progress, while others may start strong but fizzle out. Therefore, this article only reflects the author's opinions on the first few episodes and is meant for reference. We will keep you updated in case of any changes in views later on.

"Chang Le Qu"

Platform: Mango TV

Premiere Date: August 26

It's quite down-to-earth. The male lead's old-fashioned voice acting, his pretentious acting style, and the clichéd plot of falling in love after marriage... Anyone who has watched a few ancient romance dramas can probably predict what will happen next. However, the pacing of the plot is actually quite good, and before I knew it, I was already several episodes in.

The story revolves around a marriage of convenience and a mystery to be solved. The female lead, Yan Xing, is a minor official in the Ministry of Justice who has her own career aspirations, and her pursuit of success is genuine.

In the first case, to determine the time of a body’s burial, Yan Xing even gets into the muddy pit herself. Throughout the subsequent cases, she consistently prioritizes her work over her emotions, similar to the female lead in "Imperial Treasure." She is acutely aware that her marriage is out of necessity and plans her own path for the future, intending to continue her career after leaving this marriage. In many ways, she shines as a rare portrayal of a strong female character in historical dramas. The story backdrop also allows her to flourish; although set in an alternate world, it amplifies the ideals of women serving in power during the Tang Dynasty under Empress Wu Zetian. This aspect is quite friendly to a female audience.

Ding Yuxi as Shen Du and Deng Enxi as Yan Xing

Another main thread is the romance following marriage. While Ding Yuxi and Deng Enxi don't have the strongest on-screen chemistry and their performances are somewhat lacking, their character dynamics are reasonably matched; they represent a strong couple who initially focus on themselves but gradually develop feelings through repeated engagements with various cases. Their mutual recognition of each other's capabilities feels quite natural across the narrative.

If there's a downside, the pacing of the mystery could be improved. Although it's already faster than many other historical dramas, there are sections that feel somewhat meandering. Additionally, the palace politics seem trivial and lack depth, tempting the audience to just ignore it. Furthermore, while women officials can hold positions of power, the depiction of women's status in domestic plotlines remains relatively low, creating a dissonance. For example, the romantic subplot alongside Yan Xing's family issues still relies heavily on traditional tropes.

"Fan Ren Ge"

Streaming Platforms: CCTV 8, iQIYI, Tencent

Premiere Date: August 31

The quality from Zhengwu Sunshine Productions remains assured. After watching so many contemporary life dramas, only "Fan Ren Ge" genuinely conveys the essence of real-life struggles.

From the first four episodes, the script is solid, and the creators earnestly depict the protagonist's life without exaggeration, idealization, hypocrisy, or fanciful thinking. The dialogue delivered by the male lead’s brother left the audience stunned. Those who haven't experienced the grind of a big corporation might not fully grasp such unparalleled anxiety and awareness.

Dialogue that strikes a chord

The series portrays the lives of people struggling in a first-tier city through three small families.

Wang Xiao and Yin Tao play a so-called "new middle-class family." Na Wei is a vice president with a BMW, two children, and a dedicated wife. On the surface, they seem to have it all, but they live on the edge of financial insecurity; his job offers no assurance, and if things go wrong, it’s all over. His wife, Shen Lin, returns to the workforce five years post-childbirth, only to see her salary plummet from 20,000 to 6,000, a reality many full-time moms face today.

Chen Haoyu and Qin Junjie play a young couple where one seeks stability in their data department while the other fights for career advancement in their company, leading to various underlying conflicts due to their differing life pursuits.

Zhang Zhehua and Zhang Ruonan represent the younger generation—one is a Tsinghua University graduate actively engaged in the corporate grind, while the other embodies a live-in-the-moment attitude.

Some viewers have commented that these characters belong to a level of "success" that's far removed from the everyday struggles of common folk. They include a vice president, a Tsinghua scholar, and someone working within the system—all of which seem to place them as "successful individuals." There's some truth to this sentiment, as it's clear that the protagonists are all elites, living far above the realities of the true "ordinary people." Perhaps a more fitting title would be "Song of the Ordinary Elite," after all, there are quite a few such individuals in first-tier cities who aren't truly part of the aristocracy.

Characters in "Fan Ren Ge," showcasing a high level of elitism

Setting aside the discrepancies in class representation, Zhengwu has created a very down-to-earth narrative that resonates deeply. The Tsinghua graduate who works late for a month without seeing his girlfriend, while she is equally overworked and pushed to the brink of resignation; although Na Wei is a vice president, his company's funding issues add further strain, making family dinner conversations all about boosting core competitiveness... If you're currently working in a big company, watching this show might feel like looking in a mirror. After four episodes, I still felt quite oppressed and could only echo Na Wei's quote: "Another day just passing by." However, demonstrating reality is just the first step; based on the novel, Na Wei's entire family faces unemployment later on. How will they truly sing the "Song of the Ordinary People"? I look forward to finding out.

"Cang Hai Hua"

Streaming Platform: Tencent Video

Premiere Date: August 26

As someone who has read through the entire "Tomb Raider Notes" series, I have high expectations for "Cang Hai Hua." In terms of plot, it is less lengthy and more focused compared to "Tomb Raider," packed with suspense, featuring fewer characters who stand out brilliantly. Adapting it into a show should have been both attractive and straightforward. However, from what I've seen so far, while the drama version of "Cang Hai Hua" is not terrible, it has yet to fully unleash the potential of this IP. Aside from Zhang Lu Yi trying to look younger trending online, it hasn’t created memorable scenes that stand out.

Poster for "Cang Hai Hua"

The story of "Cang Hai Hua" starts with the renowned Zhang Qiling. After he enters the Bronze Door, Wu Xie, who is outside exploring, falls into a trap set by Zhang’s family, leading him and Fatty to experience a series of adventures and decoding centered around Zhang's family and Wang Zang Hai. I still remember the atmosphere from the chapters containing the real and fake Wu Xie and the seven heads; the suspense was incredibly thick. However, the adaptation truly fell short, leaving the entire show lacking a clear identity and the characters underdeveloped. In comparison to the character explorations in the drama versions of the "Ghost Blows Out the Light" series, "Cang Hai Hua" offers minimal depth to its character portrayals, simply transitioning the text into screens scene by scene.

Regarding the cast, there's a significant issue as well. Adventure narratives typically avoid emphasizing character attributes within their plots, heavily relying on the actors' performance styles and capabilities. The "Ghost Blows Out the Light" iron triangle was brought to life by the charisma of Pan Yueming, Zhang Yuqi, and Jiang Chao; however, the key trio in the "Tomb Raider" series has yet to be represented by fitting actors. This version of Zhang Qiling has completed about fifty percent of the task; at least he fits the appearance and temperament. Chen Minghao's portrayal of Fatty embodies the essence of "Fat Ye." Yet, Zhang Luyi leaves much to be desired, with a vibe that isn't particularly "innocent."

Nan Pai San Shu genuinely needs a good screenwriter and producer to address these significant problems. Otherwise, his own IP may be overexploited without yielding better results.