C-drama: Under The Microscope | Zhang Ruoyun x Wang Yang x Qi Wei | 显微镜下的大明 | iQIYI

Trailer:

Description: When Shuai Jiamo, who is obsessed with mathematics, stumbles upon a historical problem in Jinhua County, he was met with multiple obstacles in his attempts to correct the mistake, triggering a tension between various stakeholders.

Only 14 episodes total!!! So great re the short episode count and Zhang Ruoyun continues to impress me.

It is available with Eng sub on YT but I am not sure if I can link it here - not hard to find.

I just started episode 1 so will report back.

I am a few episodes in and a more non-spoiler tidbit: it’s about a math genius and super traumatized/PTSD man obsessed with finding out why the local tax numbers don’t add up or make sense. This of course, starts the whole ‘bureaucrat/political’ mystery that combines drama, humor, with a thriller. There’s also a second mystery re the main character’s personal trauma - we don’t know what ‘exactly’ causes it or how it will be resolved. It def requires viewer’s full attention to pick up details. So far no romance too - yey!! Friendship is the focus.

Positives: plot moves fast, actors are all on point re their characters, and ZR is playing a non-perfect hero that isn’t a noble/well-to-do or a know it all/sarcastic lol! It shows another side of his acting.

Only negative I can think of is that since the plot moves fast and if you are not familiar with Chinese historical political bureaucrat system, it can be confusing.

When the end credits rolled, I heard a familiar voice. I didn’t realize that Liu Yuning did theme song! It’s a good rock ballad!