Dramas set in a historical setting that centre around solving mysteries and also feature a bromance or censored adaptation of a MLM romance. (Will update as I watch more.)

Historical Mystery-Solving Bromance

iQiyi

In 15th-century China, Tang Fan (Darren Chen), a clever government official, partners with martial arts guardsman Sui Zhou (Fu Meng Bo) to investigate a suspicious murder. When their peace-loving landlord is found dead, seemingly by suicide, the duo quickly suspects foul play. As they dig deeper, they uncover a suspect who is merely a small part of a much larger, more sinister plot involving a potential bloody coup. Racing against time, Tang Fan and Sui Zhou must work together to expose the criminal mastermind and prevent a catastrophic uprising. Produced by Jackie Chan and based on a 2015 novel by Meng Xi Shi, this is a 2020 Chinese period detective drama directed by Guo Shuang and Yang Huan.

The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty

⚖Defenders of the Law Team.⚖

Tencent

In a realm dominated by the formidable Wen clan, Wei Wu Xian (Xiao Zhan) forms an unexpected bond with the righteous Lan Wang Ji (Wang Yi Bo). Their discovery of the Wen clan chief's sinister plot leads them to challenge his schemes, but their efforts result in Wei Wu Xian’s mysterious disappearance, leaving their world in turmoil. Sixteen years later, Wei Wu Xian returns to a land plagued by mysterious murders and rekindles his alliance with Lan Wang Ji. Together, they must unravel the dark conspiracy behind the killings and confront the shadowy figure orchestrating the chaos. Can they solve the mystery and restore peace, or will the dangers of the past resurface to thwart their quest? This 2019 Chinese drama, based on the hit novel Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, was directed by Steve Cheng and Chan Ka Lam.

The Untamed

Grandma Wong (Tsai Chin), an eighty-year-old widow living in New York City's Chinatown, is a grouchy chain-smoking gambler struggling financially. After a fortune teller predicts her luck will change on October 28, she joins a pensioners' trip to Atlantic City. When her gambling fails, she unexpectedly comes into possession of a large sum of money belonging to the Chinese Mafia. Determined to keep her newfound wealth, Grandma Wong hires Big Pong (Ha Hsiao Yuan), a "discount bodyguard" from a rival gang, to protect her from the mafia's attempts to retrieve their money. As the mafia sends their goons after her, Grandma Wong proves she's not an easy target, setting up a hilarious and intense confrontation. This is a 2019 South Korean crime comedy directed by Sasie Sealy.

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