Synopsis
"The Bad Kids" is a 2020 suspense drama produced by iQIYI's "Light On" theater, with a Douban rating of 8.8. It features powerhouse actors such as Qin Hao, Wang Jingchun, and Zhang Songwen delivering intense performances. Adapted from Zijin Chen's novel "Bad Kids," the series tells a complex and mysterious story triggered by three children who accidentally record a murder. It was the highest-rated domestic drama on Douban in 2020.
Overview
The Bad Kids (Chinese: 隐秘的角落) is a suspense drama that premiered on iQiyi on June 16, 2020. Directed by Xin Shuang and executive produced by Han Sanping, it is adapted from Zijin Chen's mystery novel Bad Kids. The series consists of 12 episodes and is a flagship work of iQiyi's "Light On" (迷雾剧场) series.
The series debuted with a Douban rating as high as 9.2, eventually stabilizing at 8.8, with over 240,000 ratings. Approximately 92% of viewers gave it positive reviews, making it the highest-rated domestic Chinese drama on Douban in 2020. The story follows three children in a coastal town who accidentally record a murder while playing in a scenic area, setting off a series of mysterious adventures. The intricate case entangles several families.
Zhang Dongsheng, portrayed by Qin Hao, is one of the most memorable antagonists on Chinese screens in recent years. The stark contrast between his outwardly gentle math teacher persona and his dark inner identity as a murderer is masterfully portrayed by Qin Hao, whose nuanced performance deeply captures the character's complexity and tragedy. The line "Want to go mountain climbing?" from the series became one of the most popular internet memes of 2020.
Main Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Qin Hao | Zhang Dongsheng (Math teacher, outwardly gentle) |
| Wang Jingchun | Chen Guansheng (Veteran police officer) |
| Rong Zishan | Zhu Chaoyang (Teenage protagonist) |
| Shi Pengyuan | Yan Liang |
| Wang Shengdi | Pu Pu |
| Zhang Songwen | Zhu Yongchun (Zhu Chaoyang's father) |
| Liu Lin | Zhou Chunhong (Zhu Chaoyang's mother) |
Awards & Reception
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Douban Rating | 8.8 (Opened at 9.2) |
| Number of Ratings | Over 240,000 |
| Positive Review Rate | ~92% |
| 2020 Ranking | Highest-rated domestic Chinese drama on Douban |
Benchmark for "Light On" Series
The Bad Kids is a benchmark work for iQiyi's "Light On" (迷雾剧场) series. This series is characterized by its compact format of around 12 episodes and intense, suspenseful plots, pioneering a new model for high-quality short dramas in China. Director Xin Shuang rose to fame with this series, receiving high praise for his excellent visual style and narrative pacing.
The gathering of three powerhouse actors—Qin Hao, Wang Jingchun, and Zhang Songwen—was hailed by audiences as a "showdown of acting masters." The performances of the three young actors, Rong Zishan, Shi Pengyuan, and Wang Shengdi, were equally stunning. Particularly, Rong Zishan's portrayal of Zhu Chaoyang, a seemingly obedient yet complex teenager, was chillingly effective.
Cultural Impact
The series sparked widespread public discussion after its broadcast. "Want to go mountain climbing?" became the most popular internet phrase of the year, and Zhang Dongsheng's image was widely used in fan-created content. The show's exploration of social issues such as dysfunctional families, parenting styles, and adolescent psychology prompted broad societal reflection.
The Bad Kids demonstrated the viability of the high-quality short drama model in the Chinese market. Subsequently, multiple platforms launched similar suspense dramas of comparable length, driving an upgrade in the quality of the Chinese television industry.
References
- Douban Movie — The Bad Kids: https://movie.douban.com/subject/33404425/
- Wikipedia — The Bad Kids: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/隐秘的角落
- Baidu Baike — The Bad Kids: https://baike.baidu.com/item/隐秘的角落
Comments (0)