The Bad Kids

I. Introduction

The Bad Kids is a 2020 Chinese streaming television series that premiered on iQiyi on June 16, 2020, directed by Xin Shuang, and features an ensemble cast that includes Qin Hao, Wang Jingchun, Zhang Songwen, Liu Lin & Lu Fangsheng, with special starring by Rong Zishan, Shi Pengyuan and Wang Shengdi. The series was adapted from Zijin Chen's 2014 novel, Bad Kid & it is the second drama as part of iQiyi's Light On Theater.

The series was mainly shot in Zhanjiang in 75 days between June and September 2019. The crew revealed that it took six months to cast before the filming began and selected three child actors from more than 2,000 children. Each of the series' 12 episodes features its own ending theme, with the last episode's theme composed and written by director, Xin Shuang. The Bad Kids Soundtrack Album was released on June 23, 2020, and features 35 total tracks. It also includes the 11th episode ending theme, Past, No Glory.

II. Synopsis

A story that follows three children from a coastal town who unintentionally film a murder scene. As the kids become involved with the suspect, it opens up a case that is far more complicated than it looks and entraps several families into an unpredictable outcome.

III. Trailer

IV. Episodes

V. OSTs

VI. Reception

The series released with critical acclaim, with Beijing Times noting - Some people say that The Bad Kids raises the standard of domestic suspense dramas. From narrative, art, photography to performance, it has truly improved the standard. Director and actress Zhang Ziyi praised the series' production and the actors' performances, proclaiming - After watching American and British dramas for so many years, there is finally a Chinese drama whose quality can compete with them.

Variety listed The Bad Kids in second place as their The 15 Best International Series of 2020, and gained favorable reviews for its storytelling, cinematography, performances and dark soundtrack.

This series won several awards including the Best Creative at the Asia Content Awards unit of 25th Busan International Film Festival. The Bad Kids also became a social media hit. By June 23, the series garnered 1.12 billion topic posts on Weibo, and by the 25th, trended on the site 50+ times. A phone case featuring the quote (meant to promote exercising and unaffiliated with the show) became a best-selling item on Taobao.

The show currently earns a 8.9 on Douban with more than 619,000 user reviews, 8.5 on Mydramalist, 8.2 on IMDB, & 9.5 on iQiyi.

VII. Awards & Nominations