Drama Review｜ The Legend of Zang Hai: A Responsible Cast in a Script That Spirals Out of Control
Written by Richard Ren (Freelancer / Literary Critic) / May 29, 2025
The period political drama The Legend of Zang Hai has drawn considerable attention since its premiere, particularly due to the casting of rising star Xiao Zhan, whose involvement immediately brought the show into the spotlight. From the very beginning, the series attempts to establish a mysterious and high-energy tone with visually arresting scenes such as tomb explorations and ghost soldiers, signaling the producers’ ambition in both theme and narrative. However, as the story progresses, structural and logical issues increasingly emerge, casting a shadow over the production.
According to promotional materials, The Legend of Zang Hai highlights “strategic intrigue and constant plot twists,” promising a fast-paced narrative filled with intense conflict. In reality, however, the viewing experience tells a different story. The protagonist, Zang Hai, is portrayed as a revenge-driven character who should be resilient, composed, and cunning. Yet, his actions often reflect immaturity and impulsiveness that starkly contradict the persona of a meticulous avenger. The plot device of undergoing facial reconstruction to conceal his identity initially offers dramatic tension, but Zang Hai quickly and carelessly reveals his true self to crucial characters like Guan Feng, Zhuang Zhixing, and the mysterious Boss Xiang — a behavior that undermines the very premise of his secrecy.
Even more concerning is the show’s heavy reliance on extreme coincidences to propel the plot. Zang Hai repeatedly escapes from danger through last-minute rescues that lack any narrative logic. For instance, when Cao Jingxian suspects something amiss and sends Lu Jin to investigate Zang Hai’s background, Zang Hai’s mentor organizes an ambush. However, due to a gross miscalculation of Lu Jin’s combat ability, dozens of attackers fail, and Lu Jin returns to the capital unharmed—only to be suddenly and inexplicably injured by Boss Xiang at the gates of Cao’s residence. Such contrived setups strain the viewer’s suspension of disbelief. Zang Hai’s behavior in the Zhao residence is similarly irrational, revealing a lack of strategic thinking and reinforcing the inconsistency in character motivation and design.
In terms of performance, Xiao Zhan delivers a commendable portrayal. He brings emotional depth and visual intensity to the role of Zang Hai, particularly in expressing youthful anguish and simmering rage. Unfortunately, the disjointed character development and collapsing narrative logic severely limit his range, making it difficult for even a skilled performance to salvage audience engagement. The series has clearly failed to sustain the momentum it built at launch, with ratings and buzz steadily declining.
On the technical front, the show demonstrates decent production values. Scene composition, costuming, and cinematography all reflect a fairly mature level of craftsmanship within the industry. However, the scattered script structure, implausible plot development, and repeated lapses in character logic eventually tip the balance of the entire drama. Despite some social media platforms significantly restricting rational critical voices, modern viewers with increasingly refined tastes are unlikely to tolerate such “high-concept but poorly executed” productions. The backlash in word-of-mouth is almost inevitable, making it difficult for the show to uphold its initial promise.
In summary, The Legend of Zang Hai is not a failure of acting, but rather a result of inadequate script development, superficial character motivations, and an overdependence on coincidence and forced twists.
Unless future episodes can provide meaningful improvement in logic and pacing, the drama risks ending on a weak and disappointing note. As for Xiao Zhan, while his performance remains stable, repeated appearances in similar projects plagued by narrative flaws may, in the long run, affect his positioning and reputation within the film and television industry.
