Let's get one thing out of the way first. If, like me, you had seen the trailer of Murder in Karoutei and expected something out of the ordinary, to be executed wonderfully, I hate to break it you but you've got to lower your expectations a bit. More than a bit, actually. You know what, just forget whatever expectations you have for the drama and watch with an open mind along with a bucket full of patience.

Another thing. Besides the mystery aspect of the drama, which I must say was all over the place but not too bad, I wanted to watch the drama because of the skinship scenes I'd seen in the trailer. The scenes weren't as thrilling as I'd been promised. They didn't live up to the trailer. Once it was out of the way, though, I still continued with the drama.

Murder in Karoutei opens with a chaotic scene. Karoutei is a hotel that belongs to the Gao family business enterprise. While gathering there to spend the night, a room had caught on fire and someone happened to be in the room. From episodes one to ten, we're taken along months before the fire outbreak and given clues to figure out who the victim and culprit is.

If you're used to watching mystery themed shows or movies, it'd be easy for you to tell right away who the victim and culprit of the incident is. If you're not though, it's going to be a fun cat and mouse game for you to play. There's Gao Guanyi who founded the Honye group and isn't related by blood to the Gao family but through of one of their daughters, who happens to have an illegitmate son.

With the help of his employee, Jaun Janxing, he tracks down his son and tries to bond with him. The bonding never happened but finding his son made his family (the Gaos) more scheming and conniving. Gao Guanyi is about to meet God and now he has an illegitmate son who he plans to give his inheritance to? No way was that going to happen. What ensues is a series of plots to get the dying man to change his mind, without knowing he's changed his mind. Everyone is a suspect, if you're not used to working your brain in this kind of thing.

While the family tries to bring down Gao Guanyi, Cheng Cheng and, Juan Jangxing, Cheng Cheng and Jaun Jangxing form a likely bond. They get along well and while they seem to have some chemistry, it isn't electrifying. There seemed to be a disconnect and I'd say it was on the FL's part as she has some unresolved issues from her past.

Given how slightly messy and wanna be suspenseful and mysterious the plot tried to be, the drama was entertaining, minimally. I for one enjoy the family feud trope so it's was enough to compel me to finish the drama.

The actors did their best to give this drama substance. If the plot or romance of the main leads doesn't appeal you, the portrayal of their characters will.

The sound production of the drama was pleasant. I like the BGM and random organic noises in the background. Cinematography was wonderfully eye worthy as well. If nothing about the drama appeals to you, the cinematography and sound effects should.

Pacing is slow and it wasn't until the 9th episode did everything start to come together. Murder in Kairoutei isn't thrilling but it isn't entirely flat either. It's a 12 episode drama I think anyone who's just trying to fill time on a rainy/cloudy day should watch. While the ending was rushed, it wasn't disappointing.