The Imperial Coroner (2021)

Unexpected surprise

Sherlock in Imperial China with a bit of Asian drama romance /cuteness.

This is a Chinese drama I can recommend to my non Asian drama watching friends. Its has a clever and smooth flowing plot with minimal nonsense and time wasting. The murder mysteries and overarching political intrigue keeps you engaged the whole time, I didn't have to fast forward any scene in this drama. The romance is cute, sincere and genuine and not excessive.

Most of the things that annoy me about Chinese dramas do not exist in this show. There are no theatrical scenes, no preachy arrogant speeches, no bitchy and over jealous characters, no over explaining, no bad CGI, flashbacks are short and to the point. Most of the characters are of good intelligence level, they act rationally and sensibly as you expect from the character. Its a welcome change from the usual stupid, silly, fake cutesy, illogical, irrational and loud characters you get in most Chinese dramas.

The FL is a good at her job and has just the right level of naïveness you expect from someone like her. The ML is calm and genius at piecing things clues and not the usual arrogant and swashbuckling hero. The romance is slow but natural and believable. It feels a healthy relationship. The second ML is again right level of cheerful bringing a light atmosphere. to the drama Love the bromance between the two MLs, no forced interactions or scenes but very natural interactions that show how much they value their friendship. The second FL and main FL has a supportive and genuine relationship.

The scriptwriter, director and the whole production crew has done a tremendous job. The unknown actors manage to deliver a fresh performance. The drama achieved what it meant to achieve. A thrilling, crime and detective story that doesn't drag and feel boring. The costumes could be prettier, the scenery more panoramic, the music more memorable but honestly at the end of the day this drama might not be perfect but everything about this drama just feels right.

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missed the mark for me :(

I really wanted to like this. T_T Many people have great things to say about it calling it the underdog and the surprise sleeper hit, but I struggled to connect to it. I didn't like the voice actor for the FL (her real voice is much better), I didn't like the lack of facial expression or vocal emotion on the ML (which never really improves), and I didn't like a large swathe of the actors (his mom, the evil eunuch with his hair obsession, etc.), I didn't like how fake the armor looked (normally I can overlook if the story is good, but the helmets and gauntlets were visibly bending and squishing with every physical movement), and I couldn't get into the mystery, etc.

To be fully transparent, it's at least partially because I just finished Love Like The Galaxy. It completely blew all my expectations into the ether with how good it was (production value, script, costumes, set design, acting, etc.). They're very different dramas, but I don't think I was able to stop myself from constantly comparing the two. Especially since they both seemed to have been filmed in Hengdian, and I could pick out sets they both used in their dramas. Still, I had trouble connecting to the characters and the plot as a standalone drama. I think I needed a more charismatic male lead or more action to keep me locked in. Even the action scenes were unimpressive in how they were filmed; camera angles and shots were taken ultra close to each person, and it felt like a camera trick to hide sloppy choreography.

Plus points for:
- Jing Yi and Leng Yue. They were fantastic characters and super fun to watch.
- The use of animation to explain intricate devices (like the secret stove underneath the house) or autopsy scenes.
- The re-enactment scenes of murders were a quirky and cute way to provide skinship for our otherwise very mild CP.
The drama has many positive points, and I can see how someone who maybe enjoys The Ancient Detective would find this equally, if not more, gravitating.

I'm sure this drama is fantastic for a lot of people, but I think I just need to stick with what I know I like - genres more in line with The Rebel Princess, Love Like The Galaxy, Sleuth of Ming Dynasty, etc.

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Great suspenseful drama

The drama is excellent and kept me on my toes from the beginning. The pace is quick, and the heroes are both exciting and lovable. While every episode up to 16 provided some clues, they were never enough to guess who the heroine's family was and where the hero's father could be. However, it was clear from the little clues that she was not a peasant and could marry her prince.

Despite all this, I must point out that the director and scriptwriter are to blame for many stupid acting choices, such as the bang on the door and the plant sent to the villain or the lousy eunuch's crazy acting with his two sidekicks and the brother repeatedly insisted that sharing important information was too complicated. These little things were very childish and spoiled an otherwise excellent drama.

I found the heroine's competence and the non-genre bias to give her the coroner position to be the most enjoyable aspects of the story. Though unrealistic, it still pleased me. However, I couldn't help but feel very annoyed by the main female lead's blind trust and submissive attitude. I have to be honest, I disliked her. Despite being good at her job as a coroner, her character adds no value to the drama. Her personality is dull and irritating. I strongly believe that she lacked the necessary confidence, charisma, and maturity for the role. Despite possessing acting talent, she came across as too infatuated with her pop artist idol at first sight and lacked the required edge. Therefore, I believe that casting her was not the right decision.

Let's be clear, If you're looking for a love story, look elsewhere because this drama doesn't deliver. The main couple lacks chemistry completely. However, the second couple is much more believable—the main plot centers around two opposing sides in a fierce battle. One group intends to take over the throne and dethrone the Emperor, while the other is determined to stop them at any cost.

I found the reconstitution of scenes and multiple-camera shots highly effective in providing a better perspective, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The drama director presented the audience with an incredibly captivating view. The music was frequently disruptive and bothersome. The way the story ended left me feeling disappointed. After all the ups and downs, the final two minutes seemed out of place and didn't quite fit the rest of the plot. It was like a sudden change in tone that took away from the overall experience.

ML episode 32 deserves a standing ovation for his exceptional acting. The casting team missed a big opportunity by not choosing another female lead to showcase the actor's talent. It's a shame because it would have added more highlights to the movie. On the other hand, the performance of the evil eunuch was outstanding and cannot be overlooked.

I must emphasize that the generic first season used here is simply outstanding. It has a striking resemblance to the iconic Game of Thrones. This is a job very well executed!

Overall, it is a good drama if you do not expect a love story.

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Underrated Gem

I'd initially avoided this show because I wasn't sure it could put a new spin on the same old tale of the ancient detective, so imagine my absolute surprise and joy when I finally tried it out and it turned out to be not only competent but interesting and very well acted.

My first pro has to be the lead characters and their relationships. Each of them had something to contribute to the plot and it always felt very organic. The ML was smart but his wit never came at the expense of any other lead which can be tiresome. No one had to be dulled so he could shine. Similarly, the FL was extremely competent in a believable way and despite being "young and innocent" she wasn't portrayed as someone who couldn't handle real life experiences. The other leads were just as smart and contributed almost equally to the story, which rarely happens. The romance (for the lead and second lead couples) was not overbearing and felt very natural and a part of the story too. Also have to say I enjoyed watching a ML who while smart and in a position of authority, does not bully or try to control the FL unnecessarily.

As for the plot and the intrigue, I really enjoyed piecing it all together along with the characters. It wasn't over complicated or outrageous and the cases the coroner was asked to handle really showcased her abilities, as well as the abilities of the other team members. I enjoyed all of it.

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Its an Investigative / Crime / Mystery Drama

If you are looking for a love story or romance, this drama is not for you.
The love story of the protagonists seems to be inserted into the story. The story is still good even though they didn't become a couple. The slow-burn love is too slow.. lol
So there isn't even a kiss scene here except for the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
But except for the romance part of this series, everything is good.
The actors/actress are good... (even the supporting actors/actress)
The story is great. Even though there are many talk/dialogue scenes, it is not boring.
The music/OST/Movie sound effect is fantastic.
My rewatch value is low because I already know all the answers to the mysteries.. there's no point in me watching it again... especially since the romance part is not good.

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refreshing

i rarely review shows that i watch but if a show particularly struck me then i can make an exception.
anyways, since im not very elouquent and stuff, i'll just list down my likes and dislikes

likes:
- the cast and characterization of the characters are simply refreshing. i was expecting an annoying love triangle, female love rivals, or a really really naive FL or a cold ML. but none of that occured which i am so happy about.
- the girls were friends instead of rivals
- the relationship between the ML and FL was so wholesome and full of respect...it wasn't one-sided, both expressed their feelings right
- the FL didnt give up her dream just for the ML
- i also love the side characters, wish we got to see more of them
- i love the forensic to it as well and the mystery too...ML's deduction skills along with FL's forensic skills just work well together, they make a good team

dislikes:
- the plot was going good until they found their father,
- the main leads were too OP, there were stakes but not enough, they alway seem to be 10 steps ahead of the mastermind which kinda became boring
- i wished they showed more romance scenes between the leads TvT
- the ending was kind of rushed and compressed
- the bigger plot kinda fell flat to me since we already know who did it, so the way the masterminds died wasn't satisfying at all
- it felt too short, and kind of dragged towards the end
- more romance scenes between the leads pls

would i recommend?
definitely, despite the plot going a bit flat for me towards the end, i did enjoy it overall. and i got attached to the cast, they're so cute

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(My first ever review)

This is one of the best C-Dramas I have ever seen, If not the best.

First and foremost, this is just my opinion.

If you are expecting a romance story, then you will be disappointed, this is very plot-driven with romance almost as an accessory but never central to the story. The are both slow-burn romances and work so well within the plot.

The story telling:
It was very well written; it was interesting that it kept me curious and wanting to watch the next episode to find out what was happening. The cases even though they looked random were all intricate to the plot, explained well and logically. They tried to use modern forensic but how they made it to fit was plausible. It just wasn’t obvious from the get-go, complex but in a way that you are able to follow. The cases are linked so well within the plot that it doesn’t feel like sub-plot that take away from the story being portrayed. Even as the story went, the writing never became lazy. My only critics would be introducing some of the villains early on, as well as the last or maybe last 2 episodes, had a lot going on that could have been expanded maybe in a few more episodes to follow the rest of the pace for the drama.

The Characters:
I have only watched a few handfuls of C-Dramas, my list is growing, but out of all the dramas I have seen. There are my favourite characters to date.
The ML and Female lead I have found out are not well-known actors but could have fooled me. There acting was amazing both individually and when they were working together. The ML was believable as genius Prince/Judge that was very much led by justice, but it was important to be fair. FL was equality as amazing, although appearing naïve and innocent, did not take away from her character or make her a damsel in distress that needed saving in almost every scene. She was intelligent, kind-hearted but never to a point where she was stupid. Their communication was just the highlight, never hid anything from each other, discussed their issues almost immediately and it was very refreshing. Also, their re-enactment of the cases was just the highlight of the whole thing.
The second ML and FL were equally well-portrayed. The also had their talents and were respected equally in their own places. There was no jealousy or trying to compete. They were all just a team with the leads.
The female leads were just amazing portrayed, they held their own and were equally brave, as their counter parts. I absolutely loved their friendship and respect towards each other.
The other side characters and main villains worked so well within the drama. I’ve said this before on the feed, but the writers really understood the assignment. There so many characters I miss judged because they were somewhat ambiguous and just kept you guessing.

Visuals/Music:
The visuals weren’t amazing by any means but worked so well with the drama. I loved the animation that was included within and can’t complain. I liked the OST, felt that it fit well.
Another honourable mention must be the title page which changed I believe 4 times. It was quite cool and each so gave a clue to where they were in the story but never giving away any plot line. Again, refreshing and amazing.

Anyways, I would have guessed this to be a big budget drama, but it wasn’t which just shocked me. It is well-written with a few exceptions in the end. The characters were solid and just found it wholesome.
I just really love this drama and would 100% recommend it.

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INCREDIBLE story, just FL's personality is a little too weird-quirky sometimes

Genuinely think this is going to be one of the C-Dramas of the year to watch.

The plot is impeccable. Everything flows into each other beautifully, and it's not a chore to watch the series at all. It's a very well paced drama with constant small arcs and overarching ones, so it's NOT like a Criminal Minds episodic but slightly tied together story.

The only issue is that I feel the FL is written a little too ditzy at times. She's intelligent and she empathetic, but sometimes she's written so... quirky? If manic pixie dream girls existed in the Tang Dynasty in China, she'd be the equivalent of one. That's not to say that I don't like her, but she simply lacks something that makes her three dimensional like other female protags of mystery costume dramas (like the protags of the Sword and the Brocade or Story in Yanxi Palace). I'm guessing she's supposed to be the "self insert" for viewers, hence why...

In general though, the characters are written fantastically, the plot is brilliant, the way crimes are solved are also interesting without being deus ex machina. The romance isn't a huge part but it feels good, and I love the chemistry between both the main pair and also the side couple!

This is a DEFINITE must see.

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The Imperial Coroner - the dark horse that captivated me

In a Nutshell:
The drama is set in the Tang Dynasty, where our main female character Chu Chu travels to Chang’An to take the Coroner entrance exam in order to work for the Capital’s legal department. The man in-charge of the Judicial Office is Prince Xiao Jin Yu (official title: Commandery Prince An), who takes an interest in Chu Chu’s natural talent for fact-finding and unique methods of performing autopsies. He hires her as his Coroner to solve a string of murders involving several high ranking officials. In the process of unravelling those mysteries, they uncover historical State secrets that cause them to question their own positions in the Empire.

The Highlights:
The Imperial Coroner is one of those rare gems with a meticulous screenplay that ensures a coherent plot. The result is a drama that doesn’t contain random filler episodes that add no value to the overall story. Character motivations remain consistent from start to finish and there is a good balance of comedy, action, suspense, slow burn romance and drama.

Despite this drama being promoted as a whodunit murder mystery, the heart of what drives its narrative is the timeless theme of identity and family relationships. The story connects with our innate desire as human beings to know where we come from, who we consider as family, and what our purpose in life is.

The drama is also a good example of an ensemble cast that work well together, with everyone playing their role to perfection. You can almost believe that these characters would exist in real life. Su Xiao Tong perfectly encapsulates the bright eyed and bushy-tailed curiosity of Chu Chu, yet at the same time is able to convey her natural knack for critical thinking and problem solving. Wang Zi Qi gives us a refreshing take on a male lead that doesn’t fall into the boring C-drama trope of an ice cold brooding dude who never smiles but is secretly in-love with the female lead. On the contrary, his character Xiao Jin Yu is not just highly intelligent and respectful of others, but is witty and actually has a good sense of humour.

The lowlights:
If there was one thing that bugged me throughout the whole drama, it was the caricature portrayal of the Eunach and his goons. Perhaps it was intended to be more of a comedic representation, but whatever it was, the performance of the role just didn’t gel with me. The OST/music was also pretty mediocre and largely forgettable.

The verdict:
The Imperial coroner was certainly the dark horse of 2021. With very basic promotional marketing and no big names attached to the production, the show definitely deserved its unexpected popularity and success.

FAQs
1. How many episodes? 36. Each 45 mins long
2. Where can I watch? All episodes with English subtitles on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8SnPKMwiCo&list=PLs3DOuT3JlGT3nMBwEzQzjUwOyuTgu3eU

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