The Wanted Detective

Where ancient grievances meet modern storytelling, these Chinese historical dramas weave tales of vengeance, redemption, and exquisite beauty that will captivate your imagination. The revenge motif taps into universal themes of justice, resilience, and moral complexity, offering more than just simple tales of retribution. Today's revenge dramas explore profound transformations, philosophical depths, and the psychological costs of vengeance, all set against richly detailed historical backdrops. Here are five exceptional revenge-themed historical dramas from 2025 that deserve your attention. Legend of Zang Hai 藏海传 Aired: May 21, 2025 Period Background: Fictional Yong Dynasty Genres: Historical Political Intrigue, Revenge, Growth Drama Main Roles: Xiao Zhan as Zang Hai, Zhang Jingyi as Xiang Tutu, Zhong Hanliang as Kuai Duo, Chen Yanxi as Zhao Shangxian Adapted from: Original screenplay Plot Overview "Legend of Zang Hai" traces the story of Zang Hai (originally named Zhi Nu), whose family falls victim to a purge orchestrated by the powerful minister Pingjin Hou. After being rescued and trained for ten years in specialized skills—including architecture, astronomy, and statecraft—he returns to the capital under a concealed identity. Rather than pursuing direct confrontation, Zang Hai employs a calculated approach, embedding himself within the power structures of the court and using…

"We couldn't afford the rights to any novels, and no production company offered us a chance to adapt an existing IP. Creating something original was our only option." This was his situation—and one many young screenwriters face. Before The Wanted Detective (定风波), Zhang Yunxiao's last works were the 2016 TV series An Ju and 2017's The Hypnotist Who Was Hypnotized. Reappearing in front of audiences after years, he had spent most of that time focusing on The Wanted Detective. There were moments he considered giving up—or even leaving the industry entirely to do something else if screenwriting didn't work out. Fortunately, once the script for The Wanted Detective was completed, it gained strong recognition on the platform. Before the premiere, Yu Zheng posted on Weibo: "I've read the script—it's amazing. I even got to see the finished product. Wish I could direct it myself." After airing, audience feedback gave Zhang Yunxiao more space for reflection. While the show's broadcast numbers didn't fully meet the team's initial expectations, they received significant acknowledgment for pursuing original work. What he calls a "no-retreat" effort is also a form of self-rescue for a young screenwriting team. Below is Zhang Yunxiao's account, organized from a…

The 36-episode saga The Wanted Detective (定风波) concluded its intricate dance of suspense, supernatural intrigue, and perilous adventure, masterfully framed by striking visuals rooted in Chinese gothic aesthetics. Its finale brilliantly wove seven distinct cases into a cohesive whole, akin to a celestial alignment, leaving viewers profoundly satisfied yet haunted by its lingering power. The culmination wasn't merely about solving crimes; it exposed the raw nerves of fate, loyalty, and the devastating cost of vengeance spanning decades, centered on the fates of two orphans from Cliffside Bay. The Haunting of Cliffside Bay The chilling events at Cliffside Bay formed the origin point for the entire narrative, making its resolution paramount in the final act. Following the map provided by Wu Lie (武烈), the Bo Bo team (波波队) journeyed towards the cursed location. Villagers along the way recoiled in terror at the mere mention of "Cliffside Bay," their faces betraying deep-seated fear, yet all clues inevitably led there. Upon arrival, the team discovered a man bearing savage bite wounds – a grim harbinger of the truth about to surface. This perilous expedition finally unraveled a mystery buried for thirty-six years. The source of the horror was the Tempest Pill, developed by…

Move over predictable plots! The Wanted Detective (定风波) throws viewers into a whirlwind of shocking twists. Its latest arc, triggered by the discovery of a hidden chamber beneath Haiya City, rips open the sealed horrors of the Ningtai (宁泰) Thirty-Six Incident. At the heart of this storm stands Xiao Beiming (萧北冥), the brilliant detective of the Daqi Empire, whose own tragic origin is inextricably bound to the city's gruesome fate. His quest for justice becomes a desperate journey into his own nightmarish history. Orphan of Haiya Revered across Daqi, Xiao Beiming carries a hidden burden few suspect. Raised by the famed constable Zhong Yun Chi (钟云赤), he is, in truth, the sole known survivor of Haiya City's massacre. His very name whispers of his fractured past: "Xiao" honors his mother's lineage, while "Bei" in "Beiming" is a haunting inheritance from his father, Bei Hai (北海). This layered identity hints at deeper wounds. Just when the mystery seems complex enough, a seismic revelation shakes everything: Xiao Beiming has an older brother. This sibling remains a ghost in the narrative, a figure of immense power and terror hinted to be the elusive assassin known as the Night Wraith. Could the detective's own…

In the political labyrinth of Da Qi (大亓), Imperial Investigator Xiao Beiming (萧北冥) walks a razor's edge. His pursuit of the elusive assassin Yesha (夜煞) leads not to a final confrontation, but to a chilling discovery: every clue points back to the brutal Haiya Massacre. Why does Yesha, responsible for countless deaths, consistently spare Xiao Beiming? This central mystery drives the captivating narrative of the historical drama The Wanted Detective (定风波). As Xiao delves deeper, guided by fragmented evidence and the cryptic last words of the doomed Huang Wuchang (黄无常) – "Truth lies in Haiya" – he uncovers a conspiracy reaching the highest echelons of power, forcing him to question his own forgotten past and the true nature of the killer haunting him. Orphans of Haiya Huang Wuchang’s dying declaration isn't just a clue; it's a key unlocking a tragic legacy. He reveals himself as a Haiya orphan, saved by Yesha after witnessing the massacre that claimed his family. His life became one of vengeance, mirroring others marked by that horrific event – figures like the fiercely loyal Zhu Yitie (朱一铁). They share a singular, dangerous purpose: retribution at any cost. Xiao Beiming realizes Yesha isn’t merely an assassin; he’s…

While summer cinema offerings dwindled to a trickle, an unexpected contender surged from the long-form drama arena. Breaking through the seasonal slump with gripping originality, The Wanted Detective (定风波) emerges as a beacon of hope for the genre. This ingeniously crafted costume detective series masterfully blends traditional Wuxia spirit with youthful energy, delivering layered mysteries and a compelling young ensemble cast—the Bo Bo Dui (波波队). Its arrival proves long-form narratives can still command attention and deliver exhilarating entertainment. Chilling Atmosphere The series grips viewers instantly with potent Chinese eerie elements. The opening sequence sets an unforgettable tone: solemn statues guarding a dim palace hall inexplicably weep trails of crimson blood. This chilling visual plunges us headfirst into a world steeped in supernatural dread and historical unease. The terror escalates swiftly, manifesting in shocking demises—a veteran general's head mysteriously separating from his body mid-gallop; a minister consumed by sudden, unnatural flames; a powerful official drowned in his own washbasin. Each grotesque death scene bears the chilling signature: "Night Fiend". These aren't isolated horrors but interconnected threads weaving the larger "Night Fiend Case". Seven smaller, equally disturbing incidents form its core. Picture a crimson-garbed bride grotesquely suspended by threads from a beam;…

In the shadowed corridors of power within the Daqi (大亓) Dynasty, a trail of corpses and poisoned silver weaves a web far more intricate than any sword fight. The Wanted Detective (定风波) pulls back the curtain, revealing a conspiracy born from Emperor Ningtai's desperate grasp at immortality. Phantom Soul Darts haunt Weizhou (威州), corpses vanish monthly, and a lethal hallucinogen called Crimson Crystal, brewed from human fat and blood, fuels both delusion and death. At the heart of it all stands Xiao Beiming (萧北冥), framed for murders he didn't commit, while the true specter, the elusive Night Phantom, manipulates events from the shadows. This is a tale where loyalties are illusions and the past demands a bloody reckoning. Phantom Darts and Poisoned Silver The trail begins with Huo Dairong (霍黛蓉) uncovering Chu Guangsha's (褚广厦) secret ledgers. Payments to the Huo family made sense; Chu owed his rise to General Huo. Payments routed specifically to Weizhou, however, defied explanation. Arriving in Weizhou, investigators immediately confront two grim realities: a persistent, unnerving pattern of corpse theft and monthly sightings of the dreaded Phantom Soul Darts transporting these stolen bodies. Lao Chouchong, a seasoned underworld figure, reveals the dark purpose: creating Crimson Crystal…

Summer delivers an exceptional gift for historical mystery enthusiasts: The Wanted Detective (定风波). Following the success of Coroner’s Diary (朝雪录), this new series immediately captivated audiences with its intricate plotting and rich atmosphere. Viewers praise its relentless pace and layered storytelling, declaring it another standout from iQiyi's summer lineup. The Wanted Detective masterfully blends political intrigue, chilling crimes, and a compelling ensemble cast, creating an experience that demands binge-watching. Cases Within Cases The narrative opens explosively with the Monument Tears Case. Three high-ranking officials meet grotesque, seemingly supernatural deaths: one decapitated while riding, another incinerated at his desk, and a third drowned mysteriously. All clues point to the elusive Night Shades. Young detective prodigy Xiao Beiming (萧北冥) and his mentor, Zhong Yunchi (钟云赤), attempt a wedding trap to catch the suspects. The plan catastrophically fails. Zhong Yunchi and the suspects are brutally killed using the distinctive "seam murder" technique, while Xiao Beiming, gravely injured, plunges into Fengbo Lake. Framed for the massacre, he vanishes. Within two episodes, the show establishes the core conflict, political unrest, and Xiao Beiming's devastating fall. Three years later, the Bridal Seam Murders shock the capital. Four brides are found murdered, their bodies sewn shut in…

Within the opulent halls of the Great Qi dynasty, a monument meant to honor loyalty became a harbinger of doom. As the newly unveiled Langhua Pavilion (琅华阁) opened its doors, housing statues commemorating forty-eight devoted ministers, an unspeakable horror unfolded. The stone visages of the four highest-ranking pillars of the court suddenly wept streams of crimson blood. This chilling omen swiftly manifested in reality: each of the tear-shedding ministers met grotesque, untimely ends, branded by the chilling signature of the Night Fiend. Into this maelstrom of fear stepped Xiao Beiming (萧北冥), the Shenbu Camp's (神捕营) most arrogant investigator, promising swift resolution even as his own wedding day loomed. His pursuit would unravel secrets darker than imagined, leading to a bridal ceremony drenched in betrayal and blood. Crimson Warnings The Langhua Pavilion ceremony descended into chaos. Witnessed by the Emperor himself, the blood tears staining the statues ignited superstitious terror. Panic proved prophetic. Lu Wenzhong (陆文忠), dispatched to quell banditry in Jizhou, was decapitated mid-gallop. Near his headless corpse, etched onto a tree, gleamed the characters for Night Fiend. Days later, Qin Ye (秦业) spontaneously combusted while reading scrolls by candlelight, his ashes forming the same ominous signature. Fan Jingzhi (樊敬志)…