My Roommate Is a Detective | Recap and Review

A genius struggles to pay his rent and is hired to solve cases. 
Notable Actors/Actresses
Hu Yi Tian: Lu Yao
Zhang Yun Long: Qiao Chu Sheng
Xiao Yan: Bai You Ning

Chinese Title
民国奇探

Genres: Historical Era, Romance, Bromance, Mystery, Republican Romance

Network: iQIYI

Year: 2020
Episodes: 36
First Impression: 3/5

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Mini Recaps

[Ep1] First case: a mirror stabs a man. First suspect: Lu Yao. No he's not the mirror, he was just the last person to show a possible murder motive against the victim. More about Lu Yao: he has a degree in math and medicine. He would have a triple degree if he wasn't too lazy to graduate from law school. In other words, he's a smarty pants. The perfect person Qiao Chu Sheng needs to help solve the murder case.

Qiao Chu Sheng is a newly promoted Chief Investigator. He didn't earn it with hard work though. Thus for this first case he needs to show results to prove his worth. The one who pulled the strings to promote him is Bai You Ning's father.

Bai You Ning is a righteous reporter from a small newspaper company. She wants to participate in the criminal case and Qiao Chu Sheng cannot refuse her because of her father. Her father is super rich but he's no legitimate business man (or that's what I think for now). He's got an ulterior motive in promoting Qiao Chu Sheng and it seems like QCS is very willing to help him. Hm.

Back to the case, with Lu Yao's wits they've narrowed it down to the assistant and doctor.

[Ep2] Although Lu Yao is insanely intelligent he's incredibly unsociable. He's fired from his manager position in the stock company and everyone cheers at his departure. However, Qiao Chu Sheng is very willing to hire him. Lu Yao is seduced by the salary.

Lu Yao and You Ning become roommates. They fight like cat and dogs. There’s another case to be solved and the two find themselves in a battle of swords and knives. Lu Yao shrivels up in his chair while You Ning stands face to face against the gangsters.

[Ep3] And his cowardliness is made obvious once more when another bunch of gangsters pull a sneak attack on him and QCS. He does somehow save QCS with his quick reactions but it was mostly QCS who owned them. Still QCS knows to be grateful and thanks LY. LY wants his gratitude to be returned materialistically. QCS misunderstood and thought he wanted a hug. I think this drama is trying to capitalize more on the bromance than the romance. Or is that just my selfish wants? As for the romance bits, there’s a scene where YN realizes her hands are touching LY's. I guess Zhang Yun Long won't get a romance.

Cute

[Ep4] The cases are zipping by. Within four episodes they've completed three cases and are on their fourth one. This one is a blood sucking murderer. The witness is a girl Lu Yao seems to really care about. He had a crush on her in university. You Ning and Chu Sheng are like audiences watching a juicy love story unfold.

[Ep5] Even though LY seems to lose his wits in front of his crush, when the case needs him he still pulls through. The three of them sneak into his crush’s research office. LY and YN get scared by a dog and hold onto each other. The calm QCS asks them if they've been dating secretly. The two quickly push off each other.

The case is solved. In previous episodes every time a case is wrapped there's a bunch of Westerners sitting down in this rich looking house discussing how they cannot let the investigators get closer to them. That's when I keep pressing the right arrow to skip, skip, skip. This time the head of the English speaking men recruit LY to take over his crush's (illegal?) research. I laughed at how he uses the glass of wine to block his mouth so the show can lip sync the English.

[Ep6] The landlord threatens LY he’d have to marry her if he doesn’t pay his rents. It works likes a charm. He goes to QCS begging for a case to solve. However, it's not a case QCS wants to get himself involved him. That doesn't go unnoticed by LY who cunningly gets him involved anyways. I like they're growing friendship. It turns out to be a suicide case. Or is it? - pause - Or is it?

[Ep7] The three of them are having dinner together eating the steak LY prepared. Here they learn that QCS was bullied by Raymond (the suspect of the previous case) when he was younger. He still has the burn mark and a burning grudge to this day. LY notes that he should thank Raymond because he polished him to who he is today: never to be bullied again. I get the feeling QCS grew up under a mafia boss, heh. I kind of like the idea of Zhang Yun Long being a mafia.

[Ep8] LY's background isn't simple either. He's got a top dog dad, top top brothers, and a top top sister. I forget what their careers are but they're all righteous, loyal positions to China. His family’s wealth is no less of YN's. Why he's so poor himself is a little mysterious. He even resorts to stealing a client's antique (or perhaps he really does admire the collection). YN tries to steal it back from him. They fight in the back of the car and it's shaking a whole lot with QCS in the driver seat looking very unimpressed (see photo). HA. I've also noticed for a lot of the eating scenes, it's only Hu Yi Tian chowing down his food.

[Ep9] LY tells YN that his heart was only moved once in his entire life and it was her that made it move. She holds back his hand and.... bribes him to stop pestering her. That's what he wanted all along. She'll give him 3 coins (in whatever currency) but he wants 100. Not only does she refuse to give 100 coins (or the 3 she promised) she sabotages any chance he gets to score more money e.g. he was begging the landlord for money by using sexual appeal but YN exasperates at his infidelity and claims she’s pregnant. I don't feel an ounce of chemistry between these two. It just feels very platonic. It is still funny and enjoyable. YN may get on his nerves but when she's kidnapped LY would personally be a coroner just so he can find evidence to solve the case within three days for her safe return. He also doesn't sleep when he's used to lazing off on all the other cases.

[Ep10] The men find a clue and it's a list of ingredients. LY has no idea what it is but QCS does. Finally something QCS knows. Buuuut, it's the ingredients for an abortion concoct. How does he know? Lol. Anyways. YN returns safely. Her and LY return to their normal mode: cat and dog. QCS was about to walk in on their argument but he smartly walks right back out. He meets up with YN's dad who warns him about LY's frequent meeting with the Westerners. For now it seems that QCS chooses to trust LY.

[Ep13] LY and YN publish a book together and it immediately sells but once YN discovers the buyer is her dad, she withholds the publication. This tremendously upsets the money-starving LY. She pouts for his forgiveness and tells him he's the only one who's sincere(ly mean) to her. Everyone else around her is purposefully nice because of her dad. Only LY is different but he brushes it off. An angry YN storms into her room. LY regrets and appeases her by telling her "I like you, I don't hate you." He didn't mean it romantically. The next morning, LY finds another way to scam YN of her money but falls into his own trap. He should have never messed with a gangster's daughter playing her own game. Desperate for money, YN hints to him that QCS is handing out money to his officers today. Delighted, LY disguises as an officer to steal a red pocket. He's caught redhanded and QCS actually jails him up. YN begs QCS to release LY but only one person can make him revoke his decision: her dad. Aaaaand we go all the way around back to her dad. YN is forced to accept her dad's condition for LY's release: to have dinner with him every two weeks.

There's another bizarre case but QCS had already closed it. YN and LY try to convince him to reinvestigate. They stalk him to his night date and almost ruin it. YN and LY are delightfully annoying to QCS. YN pretends to be his fiancé and clings onto him in front of his girl. He sweetly tells his girl to wait for him which only makes YN and LY mock his tone even more, it's pretty funny. This time the it's the death of a religious cult leader who's not only been scamming money, but also destroying lives.

[Ep14] YN takes LY to his father's for dinner but she upsettingly leaves when her dad wants to introduce him to some "nice" ladies. LY smirks at her seemingly jealous attitude. However, she tells him it's because she doesn't want him to be involved in her dad's shady business.

[Ep15] Bromance thickens when LY saves QCS. However, LY says he only saved QCS because the next target would be him. Therefore he's only protecting himself, like always. These two are also the perfect team, LY is doing his forensic work, QCS is ordered to use utilizing his womanizer skills. After they close the case, QCS thanks him by taking him to a date at a fancy restaurant enjoying steak with violin accompaniment. LOL. LY is squirming in his seat but QCS is cool and calm not knowing what's wrong with two men on a date.

[Ep16] Romance thickens when LY almost confesses to YN. She wants to chase a criminal but he stops her, accidentally telling her "If you're gone, where am I supposed to find such a perfect... roommate!" He tells her she's perfect because she loves to be clean unlike him. That's all the compliment for now because he doesn't want to boost her ego too much.

[Ep17] LY's lazy bone is acting up again so QCS traps him in his arms to force him to work. They stay ultra close like that for a good minute. Although he's lazy and stingy, he has a sentimental side too. When he solved the case and found the real murderer he regrets it because the murderer was committing crimes for the greater good. YN comforts him telling him he did the right thing.

[Ep19] It's another day, and LY solves another crime. Except this time the culprit has a formidable background. QCS kneels down on one knee and slits a knife across his chest to take responsibility. QCS is protecting LY so he remains scratch free.

[Ep20*] Our scaredy cat, LY, is afraid of cute dogs and at the sight one he jumps onto QCS's back. LY grabs his gun and aims at the dog, but with his poor skills, he shoots at QCS's innocent car. Pft.

QCS has a girl he wants to marry (Tong Li) but that girl is archenemies with YN. Apparently that is an obstacle for him. Why? Even LY tells him to ignore YN and pursue his love. QCS is tempted by LY who suggests they split the reward: money to LY and the lady to QCS. QCS is no dummy in love, he still wants half of that money. Oh yes, so what Tong Li wants is first dibs on crime news hence why she's YN's nemesis. The men agree on the plan and have their first secret to hide from YN.

QCS asks Tong Li out for a date. He jokingly proposes and she jokingly accepts. The marriage was a joke (for her) but she is interested in him. Their little date is spotted by a very annoyed YN.

[Ep21] Not that I didn't have an inkling of suspicion at Tong Li's random appearance but she indeed is the murderer this time around. Can't a girl hope for the character she likes haa a girl he likes? Tong Li's real name is Lin Qi Hua

Lol moments:

1. LY asks QCS, "Did you do what I asked you to do?" QCS nods, calls over his subordinate and sternly asks, "Did you do what I asked you do?" These men. 
2. LY disses QCS when he reveals Tong Li's fake identity saying there's no way such a smart and sophisticated woman would fall in love with QCS . Excuse me. I think LY is peeved Tong Li chose QCS over him.

[Ep22] LY is drugged by his father's subordinate who wants to drag him back home to help the country fight the war. LY had originally refused because he didn't want to leave. The subordinate assumed it was for a girl but it's for one man and one woman (LY ordered it that way). However, the subordinate, under LY's father's orders, is serious about dragging him to war. Luckily QCS protects him. Apparently it was a bloodbath and LY had a blackout. He doesn't remember anything and QCS wants to keep it that way to protect his weak heart. Heh.

Cute moment: QCS laughing at LY's nickname (Mao Mao) earning him a rightful glare.

[Ep23] The innocent YN gets told off by LY's auntie for being too low of a class to match her nephew LY (Mao Mao). Ha. This inferiority complex runs in the family, and even YN's dad is angry that LY's family looks down on them. They're not used to being on the other end of the spectrum.

There was supposed to be a thank you dinner for QCS who saved LY. However, it's just QCS giving himself a lonely cheers because LY and YN are too busy fighting each other to care about him. 

[Ep24] YN makes LY promise that unless she approves of it, he can never refund his rent with her. They pinky swear (to live rent together forever?). Let's see how that promise goes when LY's sister personally makes a trip to pick up his little brother. By the way one case had already zipped by within the episode and a new one is beginning. This drama.
[Ep25] Not only is LY a coward, he gets drunk on half a bottle of wine. Correction: two-thirds. Not that it's something to be judged upon.

Not only is QCS a womanizer, he's also an expert gambler. His ears twitches at the sound of the dices rolling. LY is amazed and intrigued. Don't forget, LY loves money. Later when LY asks him to teach him, we learn that QCS wasn't the expert, he asked the dice roller to help him cheat. Ha.

[Ep26] LY packs his suitcase to flee because his sister has personally come to pick him up. She's not a force to reckon with. YN sits him down and assures LY that as long as she (or more like her family) and QCS are here, no one can forcefully take him away. Her confidence in her ability to protect LY embarrasses QCS or maybe he's just snickering at their cute romance.

[Ep27] LY shakes in fear when it's time to meet his sister. A supportive YN accompanies him but he wasn't expecting her to say she's his girlfriend.  LY seems to be slightly moved by YN's devotion. However, his fear about his sister becomes very real when the girls commence a game of Russian roulette. Winner takes LY. QCS walks in and he too joins the game. As if LY isn't already scared out of his wits...Except it's an empty gun. Lol. I've never seen LY this mad before. I believe YN really did consider playing Russian roulette when she reached out for the gun. She only realized it was empty after touching it.

This episode's case also gave me a fright. Thankfully, the drama didn't kill off the child. It's an interesting case about how the murderer/abductor used a magic trick to commit his crime. LY was going to pass on the case because his wits were scared away but after hearing the victim is a good friend of YN's dad, he reconsiders. Is it just me or does he want to impress YN's dad?

[Ep28] YN will go as far as to marry LY to help him escape his sister's grasp. LY will agree to marry her on one condition: she can't like him. YN scoffs.
[Ep29] QCS takes an upset LY to a bar where he meets his ex-girlfriend (and first love) which makes him more upset. It wasn't a happy break up; he thought she cheated (she didn't). LY seems to be a needy boyfriend... lol. YN shows up at the bar as well and attempts to drag LY out because she doesn't like the singer there. YN think she's his father's mistress. QCS tries to mediate between the two and reveals LY's trouble with his family. When YN learns that LY had relied more on QCS than her she walks off fuming with jealously. I was expecting a jealous scene this episode but I wasn't expecting it to be on QCS and LY.

There's an explosion and LY is slightly injured. Some smart nurse decides to mummify him leading to YN's misunderstanding. She cries and cries at his deathbed until QCS busts LY. An understandably angry YN hurls a chair at him and LY quickly uses QCS as a human shield. Caught in the middle, QCS is unimpressed. He gets a little revenge on the two bickering love birds by adding oil to fuel her jealously. He purposely informs YN of LY's first love.

A murder has happened during the explosion. The victim is LY's first love's sister. YN is asking for everyone's alibi. QCS tells her he was in the washroom during the explosion but he was actually displaying his flamboyance.

[Ep30] LY and YN are caught in a gun battle. YN's the male lead protecting LY the female lead. She's about to run out to fight buut...he grabs her back and hugs her because he doesn't want her to die in front of him. He asks her, "Do you secretly have a crush on me". I was thinking the romantic line is a little forced here and then...

And then they kiss. Uh what. What a jarring romantic arc. However, after he finds out his first love was never over him, he wavers. YN almost cries. Whaaaaa. I already had a hard time accepting the sudden romance and now there this kind of "emotional" arc...

[Ep31] YN admits she's in love with him. Why are we back at this stage of the romance... She's going full out and asks him to a date. However, LY refuses. His reason is legit. Whenever they have a "date" night, someone is always murdered. Heh. Instead she asks QCS. But the murder still happens. LY finally understands that the cursed one wasn't him, it was YN all along. Except is she really the cursed one? After leaving the crime scene, a gun battle erupts and LY is shot. He needs surgery immediately. YN signs the consent form as his wife. Oh, they processed the marriage papers... There's another odd thing: LY was injured with a knife, not a bullet but there is a bullet like ammo in his hand.

[Ep32] Although there's that romantic arc with YN, the one who truly understands LY is indeed QCS. He saw though LY's fake amnesia the moment he laid eyes on him. Now that he's recovered, every time LY is out and about on the streets, he's in full body armor with countless body guards. Meanwhile my QCS is still looking suave in his suit.

[Ep33] LY and YN are finally in a stable relationship. With LY's sister's approval, they plan on which city to escape to (from LY's other family members). LY wants to go to Paris while YN New York. LY asks QCS where he would want to go. Confused, QCS automatically chooses Paris. LY had no plans of leaving QCS behind. Show, is this your way of telling me QCS and LY are meant to be? Why even introduce romance then? 

[Ep34] There's a looooooong long LY monologue. He connects all the cases back to the Westerner. However, I zoned out. I did pay attention to this LY deduction though: his sister was the one who open fired at him.

[Ep35] After LY closed in on the Westerners, he's been in a drought of peace. He's bored to death and thankfully his cursed fate with YN is realized and their combined presence brings forth another murder case. It's a gut explosion case. It's disgusting. But he loves it.

[Ep36] LY proposes. QCS is the first person to know they're getting married. And the wedding is tomorrow. What. The drama not only is showing off it's ability to solve cases within a mere episode but it's ability to drop romance like it's a bomb. The only thing I love about this scene is how cute and happy QCS is when he received the news. It's wedding day and it's like they're preparing for war. A crowd of reporters arrive at their wedding uninvited. They're there to protect LY and YN 'cause you know, LY's all powerful dad and all other forces want to stop them. With all these cameras, no one will dare to do the outrageous. The invited guests, however, are blocked from arriving. Nonetheless, the wedding carries on. LY and YN are now husband and wife.

Stuff happens in the middle: the case is resolved and LY's dad somehow approves of the wedding. LY and YN are off to their honeymoon. QCS sends them off and watches (gloomily?) as they hold hands. One can imagine that he's jealous but I'd say he's more grateful there's a man like LY to take care of his sister like friend. It's time for farewell. QCS only hugs LY denying YN a hug. Off they go on the ship. YN asks LY to smile up for the camera but LY stares at the sea ignoring her request. His back looks lonely as he gazes towards Shanghai. However, once LY receives a message that there's a case that needs to be solved he brightens right up. It's not plain obvious but I'd say it's obvious enough he's more than happy to return to QCS solve cases. Is it just me or this drama can't decide whether it wants to be a BL or not? Or at the very least it can't decide whether to value bromance or romance more. Other than that blip, I'm satisfied LY and QCS (and YN) aren't separated. 

Remarks

[First Impression (Ep1-8)] I think I'm liking this purely because of the cast. I like Zhang Yun Long as an actor, and I like Hu Yi Tian because of his face, ha. To be honest, it's a little flat. It's trying to look really smart when it's not. Lu Yao isn't a very compelling character but the drama needs to revolve around him. I don't like Hu Yi Tian being frivolous, he lacks the charisma. He's also a little off beat with the humour (i.e. he's not funny). He's more charismatic as a man of little words. Meanwhile Zhang Yun Long is as I expected. Being paired with Hu Yi Tian could possibly show his superiority. Ahem. Sorry Hu Yi Tian, I like you too, but I want Zhang Yun Long to be loved by more people. There's one major flaw in his character though which isn't Zhang Yun Long's fault. His character is pretty useless when it comes to solving cases. The girl is at least providing a lot of useful information. Meanwhile he’s just laying out the cases for Hu Yi Tian to solve. I hope that changes.

There's not a lot at stake here and our characters are solving cases as they come across them. It's an easy and decent watch but I don't think it'll be something outstanding or even emotionally captivating. I'll still keep in check though mainly because of the two men.

[Review] First and foremost, I am not a detective-drama type of person. I need it to pair with another genre. The speed at which the cases zoomed by was fresh initially. Then I quickly grew bored. It's like I suddenly remembered — wait a second, I'm not a huge fan of detective dramas anyways. I had zero emotional attachments to the cases and characters. When I don’t feel emotionally attached, I usually don’t end up liking the drama too too much.

As an avid romance drama fan, I did not like the romance here especially when it was fully acknowledged. It's better off if they left it ambiguous. It’s more fun that way and keeps the balance between the three main leads. It's not because I support the BL. In fact most of the time I don't see it as BL, it's more cute bromance. The drama felt like it had an identity crisis with whether or not to commit to BL. It gave so many ambiguous hints but then they married off LY. I don’t think it was fair for the girl character at all. It was already hard digesting the sudden romance and then comes the ending where the drama still wants to hang onto the BL when he's married. What.

Now some pros. I do love Zhang Yun Long and the natural interactions he had with Hu Yi Tian. It’s unfortunate for Xiao Yan; her role was just not made to be loved by the audience with ZYL and HYT taking most if not all of the spotlight. Otherwise I think she portrayed her role perfectly fine. When I did pay attention to the cases, there were some interesting moments. All in all, it's a quality production from start to finish (minus the portrayal of Westerners and the romance and my disinterest for pure detective dramas).

[Verdict] It's an okay drama with a top tier cast. It might be an excellent detective drama if you're into that stuff. It is definitely a cute bromance drama.

Rating: 3/5