First Look: Disguiser

I started Disguiser 伪装者 after experiencing bouts of withdrawals from Nirvana in Fire and the feels from seeing the cast again is pretty awesome. That said, comparisons between the two are practically a given but in a good way. 

Episode 1 begins with a sharp-suited Wang Man Cun (Wang Ou) who is alluring yet ruthless as she leads the torture and decimation of an entire unit that harbored spies against the Japanese regime. 

A cryptic telegraph flashes onscreen about a faulty machine and the urgent need to send in new mechanics to repair.

Back in Hong Kong, Kuomintang operatives assassinate a Japanese official while the happy-go-lucky university student Ming Tai (Hu Ge) inadvertently saves a high-ranking Kuomintang agent from his own assassination. Spy thrillers thrive on suspense so with as little information as possible, I end my episode 1 introduction.

First Impressions: I was half asleep when I started watching but Wang Man Cun (Wang Ou) shooting people in cold blood like it's nothing was an instant awakener.

The Republican era is a time of change and warfare not only troubled by clashes in internal politics but also fraught with the terrors of foreign invasion. It is a dangerous time indeed and often portrayed on TV through graphic torture scenes. I worry for the protagonists because of the pivotal roles that they will come to play, yet it's only the beginning, a very promising one at that.

On a lighter note, it's as if Hu Ge has gone a complete transformation from the sickly Mei Changsu to become the chipper and dapper Ming Tai, though retaining the former's unrivaled intelligence. I must admit, Mei Changsu was such an extraordinary character but I like the non doom-and-gloom version of Ming Tai.

There is also a slight shift in bromance now that Hu Ge and Jin Dong play real brothers whereas Wang Kai gets downgraded from royalty to household servant. Not complaining though because he seems to treated more like family than anything else. The more I watch the more I go, "He's here too?"

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2015 c-drama listing.

Nirvana in Fire

Nirvana in Fire 琅琊榜 is the best historical c-drama in 2015, in recent years, maybe ever and that's saying a lot considering dramas are a dime a dozen nowadays. 

It is based on a popular novel but despite the existing fanbase, NIF premiered to a lackluster response. Nevertheless, its success came slowly but surely, providing an interesting parallel to the story's quiet pacing where protagonist Mei Changsu's (Hu Ge) intentions went from subtle nuances to a full blown revenge. 

In the simplest sense, NIF is about a man who goes through great lengths to exact vengeance, systematically planning every step against all odds. However, put the story in a historical setting inside the palace and we have the makings of an engaging political plot. 

NIF is the guy-centric answer to more successful Chinese palace dramas and it works, offering a fresh take on the usual palace conspiracies that tend to revolve around women. I run the risk of sounding like a chauvinist but I welcomed the change since women in the palace are often relegated to a fate of fighting over a man to gain power, which is so good when done right, but it can get catty alright.

Gone are the days when Hu Ge was fresh meat 小鲜肉 because his performance in NIF along with the cast in its entirety is on another league, catapulting many names such as Wang Kai, Jin Dong and Wu Lei into mainstream popularity. Liu Tao wasn't my favorite actress but she is admittedly the best choice to play a warrior, truly embodying a female hero.

Apparently, there is a Nirvana in Fire tour catering to Korean fans where tourists get to visit places such as Heng Dian (a gigantic land where pretty much most historical dramas are shot) and they also make a pitstop at Hu Ge's restaurant in Shanghai. If it's real, I kind of wanna go.

For synopsis, cast and other ratings, see 2015 historical c-drama recommendations.

Source: Bz55

Disguiser

Disguiser 伪装者 is Nirvana in Fire's lesser known cousin. It's subjective, I know, especially considering Disguiser aired first and ranked a consistent #1 during its run while Nirvana in Fire did not. Nevertheless, I daresay that NIF has grown exponentially in fame to warrant such a statement, at least outside China. 

However, less popular certainly doesn't mean that Disguiser is any less in visual opulence and grandeur because both dramas are spectacular in their own right. Brought to us by the creators of NIF, Disguiser boasts an all too familiar cast that's undoubtedly a welcome sight for many fans with Wang Kai, Jin Dong and Wang Ou to name a few.

Hu Ge headlines as the lead effectively solidifying his status as a serious actor. Not that I did not enjoy his performance in Chinese Paladin 1 because I did, tremendously, but Hu Ge's roles as of late have given him an avenue to showcase his versatility and he clearly stands up to the challenge. 

Disguiser is an enigmatic spy thriller surrounding the three Ming siblings during the Japanese occupation of China in 1939. It provides a riveting account of every man's struggle and the web of complexities intermingled with the times that they live in. Each member of the family is ultimately a chameleon, fighting for their own agenda.

For synopsis, cast and other ratings, see 2015 historical c-drama recommendations. 

Source: Duitang, EntTaiwan