Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty season 2 (drama review)

Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty season 1 was my comfort watch during the tail end of the pandemic. iQiyi had dropped the entire season free on Youtube, which totally boggled my mind as it seems like a totally unChinese thing to do (speaking as a Chinese myself) to offer someething 100% free, but with the number of ads I had to endure watching it maybe they’re making a killing.

The strength of Strange Tales is the relationship between our two main detectives: The hot-tempered, obstinate, stubborn-as-hell Lu Ling Feng and the sly and charming Su Wu Ming, the legendary sleuther Di Renjie’s disciple.

Its episodic nature was also a draw, which meant that I could watch episodes arc by arc and take a rest.

It doesn’t have the usual “idol traps”. (For one, this drama isn’t considered one.) While Yang Xu Wen is indeed a looker, there are not many gorgeous men here, and the romance is dialed down so low I completely forgot that Su Wu Ming and Lu Ling Feng both have love interests now!

This drama’s season 1 was fairly popular in China, can season 2 do just as well?

The story

The team is once again embroiled in several mysteries:

Mara’s Defeat
Su Wuming is called out of seclusion after Lu Lingfeng disappears on a case. Apparently the god Mara is out hunting for souls… has Lu Lingfeng become his latest victim?

The Death of the Coroner
A coroner is found mysteriously murdered at his funeral shop.

Mo’s in a Snowstorm
On the way to their new outpost, the team gets stranded at an inn in the middle of a snowstorm. Many strange things happen at the inn, starting with them having to “prove” their worth to lodge at the inn.

Qianchong Dock
The team tries to board a ship on a mysterious dock, but finds themselves at the centre of a strange mystery.

Tongtian Rhino
Rebel factions from an old empire threatens to kill off the Tang Dynasty.

Drunk in Yunding

Letter from Shangxian Hall
A man is found dead in a bathtub after having read a mysterious letter.

Provider
The team finally reaches the West, and meets a prominent and mysterious family with many secrets.

Characters

• Su Wu Ming (苏无名) – Played by Yang Zhi Gang (杨志刚) A brilliant detective and disciple of the famous detective, Di Renjie.
• Lu Lingfeng (Yang Xuwen): Su Wuming’s sworn brother and capable partner in solving cases.
• Wu Ting(Liu Zhiyang): assisting the duo with key insights.
• Pei Xi Jun (裴喜君) – Played by Zhai Zi Lu (郜思雯)
  A clever and resourceful woman who assists in the investigations.
• Fei Ji Shi (费鸡师) – Played by Chen Chuang (陈创)
  A quirky and eccentric character who provides comic relief and assists in solving cases.
• Xue Huan (薛环) – Played by Shi Yun Peng (石云鹏)
  A young and talented individual who aids the team in their investigations.
• Princess Taiping (太平公主) – Played by Yue Li Na (岳丽娜)
  A powerful and influential figure in the Tang Dynasty, involved in the political intrigue of the era.
• Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (唐玄宗) – Played by Zhang Zi Jian (张子健)
  The emperor of the Tang Dynasty, whose reign is marked by both prosperity and mystery.

What I liked

• The writing is solid.
• The cases were not only intriguing and kept me guessing, they had an emotional payoff and a deep message. It’s not a mystery box for mystery box’s sakes.
• The friendship between our main detectives remain solid and entertaining.
• There were character growths for almost everyone.

What I didn’t like

• The female characters remained bland, even if they had more things to do in the second season.
• The romance for Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng feels rather forced. Fortunately, this isn’t a romance drama!

Final thoughts

The second season of this drama was, in my opinion, better than the first—or at least of equal quality. The writing, camerawork, sets and costumes have gone up in quality.

Our duo still retains their contrasting and delightful personalities, even if they are sworn brothers now.

While the first season focused on building the relationship between Su Ming and Lu Lingfeng, the second season deepened their friendship while introducing new obstacles.

At the end of the first season, Liu Lingfeng’s true identity was revealed (though never really confirmed, leaving it a big question mark). This explosive revelation complicated their crime-solving work and the dynamic between the now sworn brothers because it forced the team to navigate political sensitivities to ensure Lu Lingfeng’s safety. This adds lovely layers of tension and intrigue to the story.

Su Wuming took the noble idiot route as a result, acting unilaterally, making choices for the team without consulting them. (Which of course, didn’t go down well with any of them.)

While this behavior frustrated some viewers, I actually thought it was in line with his personality and an understandable trait for his character.

It created significant tension within the group, which, in my opinion, was necessary to keep the story engaging. Without this friction, the drama would have lacked the emotional stakes that made it so gripping.

That said, the season wasn’t without its flaws. Our two female leads is still bland compared to our male cast, who were far more interesting and memorable.

And the romantic subplots? Oof, it felt forced, especially the one between Su Wuming and his love interest. Their relationship lacked natural chemistry, and I couldn’t help but feel that a platonic friendship would have been more compelling.

Thankfully, romance isn’t the focus of the show, so these moments didn’t detract too much from the overall experience.

Where the drama truly shines is in its mysteries and cases. Each case is not only creative and unpredictable but also carries a deep emotional and social message. One standout mystery involved the coroner—a poignant and emotionally charged story that kept me guessing until the very end. Another favorite was the Mo’s Inn mystery arc, which felt like a classic whodunit reminiscent of Cluedo. The team gets stranded at an inn during a snowstorm, surrounded by mysterious characters whose motives are unclear. The twists and turns were masterfully executed, making it one of the most enjoyable episodes of the season.

Another memorable case was Tongtian Rhino, which explored themes of legacy and fate. It told the story of someone dragged into a life they never wanted, simply because of their family’s history. The emotional weight of this story stayed with me long after the episode ended. Similarly, Letter from Shangxian Hall was another brilliantly written mystery that delivered a powerful message by the end.

As you can see, drama’s biggest strength lies in its writing. While the acting was uneven in some parts, the main male leads were the glue that holds the drama together, and without them, the story would not be as fun. The supporting characters also played crucial roles, particularly Fei Ji, whose quirky personality provided much-needed comic relief.

One of the most surprising aspects of the second season was how quickly Lu Lingfeng’s identity was addressed. The first case of the season revolved around his disappearance, which immediately set the tone for the rest of the series. This arc introduced a cult-like faction aiming to topple the Tang Dynasty, and it featured some of the best fight sequences in the drama. The eccentric painter, played by a singer who also happened to sing the show’s credit song, was another standout character.

While the drama isn’t entirely historically accurate—costumes are tailored more for appeal than authenticity—it still captures the essence of the Tang Dynasty era. The production quality has noticeably improved, with exotic settings like the western regions and the caves adorned with ancient art adding richness to the story. The fight scenes remain stellar, and the cinematography, while not groundbreaking, is solid and effective.

Themes of justice, loyalty, and brotherhood are central to the drama, especially in light of Lu Lingfeng’s secret identity. Throughout the season, the bond between Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng is tested, but they ultimately prove their loyalty to each other. Their relationship is the heart of the show, and seeing it withstand political intrigue and personal challenges was deeply satisfying.

The second season left me eagerly anticipating a potential third instalment. It’s rare for Chinese dramas to have second seasons, let alone third ones, so if the series continues with the same level of quality, it will undoubtedly stand out as a unique and remarkable production in Chinese entertainment history.

What’s even more impressive is that the drama doesn’t rely on big-name traffic actors to succeed. Instead, it proves that strong writing, good acting, and high production values are the keys to creating a compelling story.

So, what are you waiting for? This drama is a rare gem that combines intricate mysteries, emotional depth, and stellar production quality.

If you haven’t watched Season 1 yet, I highly recommend giving it a chance. (Yes, I feel you need to watch Season 1 to truly enjoy the team dynamics to the full, even if the mysteries are self contained.)

Here’s hoping the team behind it continues to create more exceptional dramas in the future, because we sure need more of those in CDramaland.

Final rating 8.5