Synopsis
"Day and Night" is a 2017 suspense web series directed by Wang Wei, starring Pan Yueming in dual roles as twin brothers Guan Hongfeng and Guan Hongyu. The story follows the two brothers who alternately share one identity day and night to uncover the truth behind a mass murder case. With a Douban rating of 8.9, it is hailed as the most "un-Chinese" Chinese detective drama and was one of the most popular web series of 2017.
Overview
"Day and Night" is a Chinese suspense crime web series that premiered on August 30, 2017. Directed by Wang Wei and written by Zhiwen and Gu Xiaobai, the series stars Pan Yueming in the lead role, with Wang Longzheng, Liang Yuan, and Lü Xiaolin among the cast. With a total of 32 episodes, it holds a high Douban rating of 8.9. It was once hailed as the most un-domestic-like domestic detective drama and is one of the highest-rated web series of 2017.
The story revolves around a brutal family massacre that turns the carefree Guan Hongyu into a wanted suspect. His twin brother, Guan Hongfeng, the captain of the Criminal Investigation Division, vows to uncover the truth. The two brothers take turns using Guan Hongfeng's identity during the day and night, navigating between black and white to investigate the truth behind the 2·13 massacre case.
Plot
A family massacre completely changes the fate of the Guan brothers. Guan Hongyu (played by Pan Yueming) is accused of being the perpetrator of the 2·13 massacre and becomes a nationally wanted fugitive. His twin brother, Guan Hongfeng (also played by Pan Yueming), the captain of the Criminal Investigation Division, is determined to uncover the truth and clear his brother's name. However, due to the principle of familial recusal, Guan Hongfeng is forced to resign from his position.
To remain in the police force and continue investigating the truth, Guan Hongfeng devises a bold plan: let his wanted brother, Guan Hongyu, assume his identity at the police station during the day while he operates at night. Because Guan Hongfeng suffers from nyctophobia and cannot work at night, the two brothers alternate using Guan Hongfeng's identity day and night.
Under the watchful eye of Criminal Investigation Team Captain Zhou Xun (played by Wang Longzheng), the Guan brothers solve various cases while secretly investigating the truth behind the massacre. Each case is intricately connected, with clues unfolding layer by layer, yet the truth becomes increasingly elusive. The narrative pace of the series is extremely tight, with every detail potentially holding the key to solving the cases.
Cast
| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pan Yueming | Guan Hongfeng / Guan Hongyu | Portrays twin brothers; the elder brother is calm and composed, while the younger brother is rebellious and spirited |
| Wang Longzheng | Zhou Xun | Captain of the Criminal Investigation Team, sharp and decisive |
| Liang Yuan | Zhou Shutong | A young female police officer, Guan Hongfeng's partner |
| Lü Xiaolin | Gao Yanan | A forensic doctor, Guan Hongyu's girlfriend |
Cultural Impact
"Day and Night" is a milestone in the development of Chinese web series. Prior to its release, domestic suspense dramas were often criticized for logical flaws and slow pacing. With its meticulous logical reasoning, tight narrative rhythm, and high production quality, "Day and Night" completely shattered viewers' prejudices against domestic suspense dramas.
Pan Yueming's performance is the highlight of the series. He portrays four distinct layers—Guan Hongfeng, Guan Hongyu, Guan Hongyu pretending to be Guan Hongfeng, and Guan Hongfeng pretending to be Guan Hongyu—each with a completely different demeanor and micro-expressions. The elder brother, Guan Hongfeng, is沉稳内敛 (calm and introverted) and思维缜密 (meticulous in thinking), while the younger brother, Guan Hongyu, is痞气十足 (rebellious and spirited) and重情重义 (deeply loyal and righteous). Through subtle changes in his gaze, posture, and speech, Pan Yueming allows viewers to instantly discern which brother is speaking at any given moment. This level of acting is extremely rare in Chinese-language television dramas.
The series has also gained international attention. Netflix acquired the overseas distribution rights for "Day and Night," making it one of the first Chinese web series to be broadcast on the Netflix platform. This achievement marks the beginning of Chinese web series' ability to compete with high-quality international productions.
References
- Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/26883064/
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/白夜追凶/20808255
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/白夜追凶
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