Decline (2023)

This is very good if you are looking for something short.

In my opinion, the subtitles were not for me, but since the plot was interesting, I found it worth watching. My opinion is that the acting skills were exceptional and it also reminded me of "Word of Honor" and "The Untamed" because of the plot and the characters. It has a similar feel to how a murder mystery is portrayed, with little fighting sense. Ultimately, it reminds me of what you would expect from a crime show. If you have time I will consider watching. Due to the subtitle, not many would watch this, but if you don't mind missing words or some misunderstandings, then you'll enjoy it.

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Pledge of Allegiance vibes, but straightforward and no betrayals

(Note: I didn't use English subtitles for this short drama, as I understand Mandarin.）

A wonderful little short drama to watch while eating or just on little breaks, or as a treat before bed.

The acting from the two male leads was surprisingly good, and really carried the whole show for me. It doesn't hurt that they're both very pretty to look at, which is always a plus - good acting and good to look at. I hadn't heard of either of them before or seen them in any other shows previously, but they're both actors I'll be on the lookout for or will click on a drama for just to check out if I see them in anything else. Simon Chen (Su Cheng Xi) stood out a little more for me acting-wise, and also seemed a little more natural besides, although this could also be chalked up to his character's more carefree personality than Li Pei Yang's character Sui Han Bai, who is a bit of an ice-cold face. Swen Xuan's Zhao Yin was also pretty good, as was Yin Rui's Zuo Han Qin. Zhou Wei's Yue Xiao Qiao was perhaps the stiffest among the cast, but overall, the acting was very good.

Story was pretty good considering the length of the episodes and overall, nothing to write home about but also nothing to sneeze at, and didn't feel dialed-in. The twist of who the masked man was at the end genuinely surprised me, although I'm not sure if that says more about me than it does the show... Nevertheless, despite its short length, it didn't feel rushed nor like it ended prematurely, although it was definitely streamlined and left out the finer details, that would likely have been more fleshed out in a longer format. The length also left no room for filler, which I appreciated; and the story always picks up where the last episode left off and gets right to the point. My only gripe was Miss Zuo's character seemed unfortunately left hanging somewhat and was never quite completely fleshed out as a character in her own right.

There wasn't much music to speak of, but the ending song felt very appropriate to the brotherhood and loyalty/action vibe of the show.

Finally, I'd say this is pretty rewatchable, as it's both short and again, no major flaws to be found at all, at least in my book. Whether it's for looking at pretty people solving crimes (kind of) and doing things or just to watch the relationship between the two male leads, I'd be happy to watch this again or have it on in the background while doing something else.

Overall, I really enjoyed this, so gave it an 8 - MDL suggested an 8.5 based on the overall subscores I suppose, so on account of how much I liked it and how easy it is to watch, upgraded per its recommendation.

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Surprisingly good mini series with some bromance

This is an example of a mini-series (a series with super short episodes) done mostly right. For some reason, most parts do not feel too hurried. The main weakness of many mini series is the pacing and erratic storytelling, and while Decline isn't entirely spared from it, I'm surprised by the plot development and character backstories.

I don't what the relationship between the two main characters is like in the novel, but I would classify it as bromance in the series. I was wondering whether to describe it as censored BL, but I think it is a case where we are left to imagine things if we want to but there isn't really that much BL innuendo. Sui Han Bai realizes that Su Chengxi is someone he has known since his childhood days quite early on although Su, who has lost his memory does not realize it till much later. We see Sui's devotion to Su when he blocks an arrow shot at Su with his own body and even in his semi-conscious state, calls for Su to stay safe.

The story unfortunately does seem incomplete, but to its credit, the series does have at least a tentative happy ending for the main characters and does not end with a silly cliffhanger when there may never be a Season 2. There is potential for a Season 2, but Season 1 at least ends satisfactorily.

Despite the synopsis, I think the series shows more promise if it is marketed as bromance rather than mystery/detective series because it thrives on our interest in the characters, and the mystery aspect leaves too much unaddressed.

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Clearer synopsis to get you to watch

When a series opens with a scene where blood is found within an empty carriage, the freelance investigator finds a mysterious map inside and starts off on the wrong foot with the official detective, my curiosity is piqued and I have to carry on watching. When it appears that both leads are more closely involved with the mystery than expected and the plot thickens, I have to carry on watching. I like mysteries, so might be biased.
The subtitles are spotty, but enough to get the gist of the story, so as long as you don't mind genders being inverted and people being called "it", it's easy to fill in the gaps.
Look, it won't win any awards, but if you want to pass a lazy afternoon watching a bromance revolving around a mystery with a basic plot, and a lot of typical tropes, go for it. I have seen much worse and the two leads are nice-looking men with lovely smiles (yes, both smile, but one hardly).

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