Klementine
"Wherever we go, as long as we stay together, we are fearless."
I started watching this drama without high expectations, but after just a few episodes, I realized that I was completely captivated by the suspense of the criminal cases, but especially by the well-developed characters and the heartwarming friendships.
The First Shot is set in 1997 in a city called Halan. There, the police establish a Special Investigation Team to track down and finally put a large drug-dealing syndicate behind bars. Along the way, the team faces tough challenges and surprising twists. Some members also have to confront tragic events from their past, which suddenly become painfully relevant in the present.
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First, let me introduce the heart of the series, the five central members of the Special Investigation Team + one man who influenced them all.
Zheng Bei (played by Johnny Huang): He is the leader of the Special Investigation Team. He remains calm and keeps a clear head, even in difficult situations, because he takes responsibility for his team very seriously. He has a big heart and is always willing to listen to others' problems. He is very observant and can read between the lines.
Gu Yi Ran (played by Wang Zi Qi): He is the chemistry nerd of the team. What he lacks in combat skills, he makes up for with his intelligence and creative tricks. He’s a master at hiding his true feelings until they come out in an overly emotional moment and take over his rational thinking.
Zhao Xiao Guang (played by Liu Run Nan): He is the goofball and lovable dork of the team, always able to put a smile on everyone's face. On one hand, he is adorable and funny, and on the other, he strives to become a cool and capable hero.
Zhang Xue Yao (played by Chloe Xie): She is the strong fighter of the team. Often underestimated by others, she uses the element of surprise to show off her excellent combat skills to take down enemies. She is fearless and protective.
Ding Guo Zhu (played by Zhao Yu Tong): He is the cinnamon roll of the team. (He must be protected at all costs.) Although his shyness and insecurity often take over, and he sees himself as a coward, this doesn’t make him any less valuable to the investigations. In crucial moments, he knows exactly what’s at stake and can overcome his own fears to be of great help.
Jiang Xiao Hai (played by Zhang Yu): Although he isn’t part of the Special Investigation Team, he quickly comes into contact with them and gains special attention from Zheng Bei.
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The Teamwork:
The teamwork and interpersonal relationships of the main characters are the best part of this drama, in my opinion. I’ve grown really fond of the characters. They are designed to be three-dimensional and multifaceted, with interesting traits that are brought to life wonderfully by the acting talent of the cast.
I was especially impressed by the friendship between Bei and Yi Ran. The two of them learned to trust each other deeply. They understood and supported one another. There were so many emotional conversations between them that touched me deeply.
But also the moments with the whole team — whether during a shared meal or in the midst of a mission — worked beautifully. There were some initial difficulties, and it took a while for them to work well together, but once the ice was broken and trust prevailed, the blossoms of an indestructible camaraderie and friendship began to bloom.
They definitely became a big family. Together, they were stronger and unstoppable. Xiao Guang described this in one episode: “Special Investigation Team members are all in the same boat. Wherever we go, as long as we stay together, we are fearless.”
---
The Atmosphere:
The entire setting of a city in the 90s, struggling with a drug crisis, was designed to be very immersive. We visit dark, smoky clubs full of partying people, alcohol, and illegal activities. We see shady alleys, bustling markets, old factory buildings, and cozy restaurants. We ride in old, cramped cars and live in small and charming apartments. There’s a pleasant and often suspenseful musical score, along with a very well-executed outro song that reminds me of retrowave and synthwave music. The characters wear simple, functional clothes. Overall, the atmosphere feels raw, oppressive, exciting, and realistic, pulling me in relentlessly.
---
The Plot:
I don’t want to say too much about this because it would venture into spoiler territory. You really have to experience the story for yourself and let it surprise you. But I will say this much: alongside tension and action, there are many funny and wholesome team-bonding moments. We get to know the good guys better, and we also gain insight into the lives and criminal activities of the bad guys.
I really liked the pacing of the drama. The story flowed at just the right tempo, and I didn’t notice any filler moments. There were emotional twists at the right points and a well-thought-out script with gripping and profound dialogue. The final episodes are a real spectacle and absolutely cinematic.
---
My Conclusion:
The First Shot made me think, laugh, get caught up in the action, and also brought out tears. It might sound exaggerated, but I can’t think of any major negative points — which, of course, doesn’t mean the drama is flawless. But I enjoyed the story from beginning to end and grew incredibly fond of the characters. I'm truly impressed with the entire production and recognize how much heart and passion went into this. I tip my hat and applaud the entire crew.
The First Shot is my highlight for 2024, and I give it a rating of 10/10.
[finished watching on 20 September 2024]
The First Shot is set in 1997 in a city called Halan. There, the police establish a Special Investigation Team to track down and finally put a large drug-dealing syndicate behind bars. Along the way, the team faces tough challenges and surprising twists. Some members also have to confront tragic events from their past, which suddenly become painfully relevant in the present.
---
First, let me introduce the heart of the series, the five central members of the Special Investigation Team + one man who influenced them all.
Zheng Bei (played by Johnny Huang): He is the leader of the Special Investigation Team. He remains calm and keeps a clear head, even in difficult situations, because he takes responsibility for his team very seriously. He has a big heart and is always willing to listen to others' problems. He is very observant and can read between the lines.
Gu Yi Ran (played by Wang Zi Qi): He is the chemistry nerd of the team. What he lacks in combat skills, he makes up for with his intelligence and creative tricks. He’s a master at hiding his true feelings until they come out in an overly emotional moment and take over his rational thinking.
Zhao Xiao Guang (played by Liu Run Nan): He is the goofball and lovable dork of the team, always able to put a smile on everyone's face. On one hand, he is adorable and funny, and on the other, he strives to become a cool and capable hero.
Zhang Xue Yao (played by Chloe Xie): She is the strong fighter of the team. Often underestimated by others, she uses the element of surprise to show off her excellent combat skills to take down enemies. She is fearless and protective.
Ding Guo Zhu (played by Zhao Yu Tong): He is the cinnamon roll of the team. (He must be protected at all costs.) Although his shyness and insecurity often take over, and he sees himself as a coward, this doesn’t make him any less valuable to the investigations. In crucial moments, he knows exactly what’s at stake and can overcome his own fears to be of great help.
Jiang Xiao Hai (played by Zhang Yu): Although he isn’t part of the Special Investigation Team, he quickly comes into contact with them and gains special attention from Zheng Bei.
---
The Teamwork:
The teamwork and interpersonal relationships of the main characters are the best part of this drama, in my opinion. I’ve grown really fond of the characters. They are designed to be three-dimensional and multifaceted, with interesting traits that are brought to life wonderfully by the acting talent of the cast.
I was especially impressed by the friendship between Bei and Yi Ran. The two of them learned to trust each other deeply. They understood and supported one another. There were so many emotional conversations between them that touched me deeply.
But also the moments with the whole team — whether during a shared meal or in the midst of a mission — worked beautifully. There were some initial difficulties, and it took a while for them to work well together, but once the ice was broken and trust prevailed, the blossoms of an indestructible camaraderie and friendship began to bloom.
They definitely became a big family. Together, they were stronger and unstoppable. Xiao Guang described this in one episode: “Special Investigation Team members are all in the same boat. Wherever we go, as long as we stay together, we are fearless.”
---
The Atmosphere:
The entire setting of a city in the 90s, struggling with a drug crisis, was designed to be very immersive. We visit dark, smoky clubs full of partying people, alcohol, and illegal activities. We see shady alleys, bustling markets, old factory buildings, and cozy restaurants. We ride in old, cramped cars and live in small and charming apartments. There’s a pleasant and often suspenseful musical score, along with a very well-executed outro song that reminds me of retrowave and synthwave music. The characters wear simple, functional clothes. Overall, the atmosphere feels raw, oppressive, exciting, and realistic, pulling me in relentlessly.
---
The Plot:
I don’t want to say too much about this because it would venture into spoiler territory. You really have to experience the story for yourself and let it surprise you. But I will say this much: alongside tension and action, there are many funny and wholesome team-bonding moments. We get to know the good guys better, and we also gain insight into the lives and criminal activities of the bad guys.
I really liked the pacing of the drama. The story flowed at just the right tempo, and I didn’t notice any filler moments. There were emotional twists at the right points and a well-thought-out script with gripping and profound dialogue. The final episodes are a real spectacle and absolutely cinematic.
---
My Conclusion:
The First Shot made me think, laugh, get caught up in the action, and also brought out tears. It might sound exaggerated, but I can’t think of any major negative points — which, of course, doesn’t mean the drama is flawless. But I enjoyed the story from beginning to end and grew incredibly fond of the characters. I'm truly impressed with the entire production and recognize how much heart and passion went into this. I tip my hat and applaud the entire crew.
The First Shot is my highlight for 2024, and I give it a rating of 10/10.
[finished watching on 20 September 2024]
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