Amazing spy thriller with a great storyline, high tensed actions and emotional moments. This drama is very well directed, filmed and performed. There are lots of outstanding scenes in here you will enjoy to rewatch (action scenes, emotional ones, funny moments and unbelievable lines between actors). I rate a 10 out of 10 for the last 4 episodes that are really tensed, emotional and give you a tremendous outstanding show.
In this spy drama the enemy is the japonese invader. The action takes place in Shanghai during World War 2. This gives good opportunity for spying actions and double agents purposes. The historical background is very important here cause the disguiser, Ming Lou (Jin Dong) has 3 different identities : he is officially part of the pro-japonese Shangai's government, undercovered Shangai's KTW ( kind of Chinese CIA) leader (code name Viper) and hidden leader of Shangai communist underground forces (code name Cobra). This character is of course mature, mastermind with great understanding and capabilities. He is playing a chess party and every piece of it should be sacrified if there is no other way.. He belongs to the wealthy Ming's family directed by Ming Jing (Liu Min Tao), the authoritarian Old Sister (hidden communist). The 2 siblings also have an adopted little brother they raised up since he was 3 or 4 years old, Ming Tai (Hu Ge). He is spoiled up a lot cause he is more treated as a precious son rather than a brother. Ming's family members have very strong and deep loving bonds and feelings and this is quite important for the whole plot and actions and psychological issues. At the beginning of the drama, Ming Tai is a student and gets kidnapped and trained in the army to become a brilliant KTW spy. Once he becomes a spy in Shangai, the real plot starts and it's just amazing.
I won't say more about the story but it is brilliant and will take your breath away.... I loved Ming Lou character who is perfectly performed, high in emotion and in turmoil but also cold and mastermind when needed. Hu Ge is also great playing a 20 years old guy but he was actually 32 when filming this.... so it 's a bit weird ! All actors where so good in this drama and I especially loved Song Yi who was really gorgeous in Yu Man Li's character. While watching this show, you will laugh, you will be thrilled and may shed a tear...