I rarely watch contemporary dramas, but after Go East and Lost You Forever, I now like Tan Jian Ci enough to start his works blindly (plus, I've only ever heard rather good things about this show) and... it did not disappoint. Actually, it exceeded all of my expectations.
Granted, it's not perfect and, albeit they are not exactly issues that will ruin and hinder ones vision of the drama, there ARE certain things I wished were done better or showed more.
But let's go step by step.
What stands out most in this show, and I think it's universally agreed upon, is the role of art and how much room they gave to it. Art IS the protagonist of Under The Skin, a character of its own, even. I loved how they represented it, how gorgeous those drawings and paintings are (some impressed me so much that I still remember them clearly) and the minute attention to each and every detail, stroke and colour they put into it.
Nothing was left to chance and if something did feel rather weird or absurd (ex. the name of the tower perfectly reflecting in the pupil of a woman taking a selfie), it was later on explained and touched upon and actually became evidence to solve a case.
I love when dramas actually have good and solid writing and don't ask the audience to turn off their intelligence to let things slide.
This show, while not being the most aesthetic and with the highest cinematography, still has some rather memorable scenes, especially when it comes to showing us viewers how Shen Yi sees the world through his artist eyes. Those shots were so well done and really stuck with me.
Always speaking of the role of art in this drama, I just loved loved loved how they drew a connection between certain cases and the paintings Shen Yi was discussing with his class. It just gave Under The Skin that touch of something and showed once more the work and attention to detail the writers put into it.
And when it comes to the characters, it's no less well written. Although I did find some lacking with the supporting roles and I wish they weren't just treated as workers in the police bureau (we still don't know much about them, besides their names and roles in the workplace), the two male leads are perfectly fleshed out (albeit little is still known of their private lives too) and so is each protagonist of the case of the day. Some more than others, they are all written as individuals with flaws and motivations, substance and humanity (and all that being human means).
I really appreciated the work they did on Shen Yi and Du Cheng and how they managed to keep a balance with their most "extreme and strong" traits. It would have been all too easy to write them as caricatures instead of individuals, but the writers really did a good job in walking that fine line, making them as real and human as two fictional characters can get.
So Du Cheng isn't just a big man with a strong will that could have so easily turned into an arrogant captain and a bully, but he is dutiful, with a strong sense of justice, he is sensible and kind and deeply cares for the people close to him. Losing his mentor that way killed a part of him and it took him a long time to heal and forgive.
The same way, Shen Yi isn't aloof and inhuman, indifferent and blunt à la Sherlock Holmes or Sheldon Cooper, although he is as sharp and clever as both of them and could have all too easily become another caricature of a person with extremely high IQ, artistic talent and a dark past. He can be weird and a little awkward at times, but he remains approachable and gentle, reasonable and friendly.
To wrap this up, and as already mentioned in the title, Under The Skin is an underrated drama and a gem worth discovering that touches upon humanity and our society and doesn't shy away from depicting and denouncing its ugliest sides.
Highly recommend watching it.

- Mei