Hidden Corner
Synopsis
"The Bad Kids" is a 2020 suspense drama with a Douban rating of 8.8, directed by Xin Shuang and starring Qin Hao, Wang Jingchun, and Zhang Songwen. Adapted from Zijin Chen's novel "Bad Kids," it tells the story of a series of events triggered after three children accidentally record a murder. As the inaugural work of iQiyi's "Light On" theater, it debuted with a score of 9.2 and became a phenomenal suspense masterpiece of the year.
Overview
"The Bad Kids" is a suspense crime drama that premiered on iQiyi's "Light On" theater on June 16, 2020. Directed by Xin Shuang and written by Pan Yiran among others, it is adapted from Zijin Chen's web novel "Bad Kids." The series stars Qin Hao and Wang Jingchun, with special performances by young actors Rong Zishan, Shi Pengyuan, and Wang Shengdi, alongside seasoned actors like Zhang Songwen and Liu Lin. The 12-episode series debuted with a Douban rating of 9.2, eventually stabilizing at 8.8, with over 1.26 million reviews, ranking sixth on Douban's list of high-rated classic mainland Chinese dramas. It is the inaugural work of iQiyi's "Light On" theater and one of the most anticipated domestic suspense dramas of 2020.
"The Bad Kids" sparked nationwide discussion not only because it is a well-crafted suspense drama but also because it delves deeply into human nature. None of the characters in the series are simply good or evil—the murderer Zhang Dongsheng has a gentle and vulnerable side, the righteous police officers have moments of helplessness, and the most chilling aspect is the three seemingly innocent children, whose choices in extraordinary circumstances are far more complex and unpredictable than those of adults.
Plot
In the coastal town of Ningzhou, three children accidentally record a murder while playing in the mountains during their summer vacation. Math teacher Zhang Dongsheng (played by Qin Hao) pushes his parents-in-law off a cliff at the mountaintop, a scene captured by the three children's camera.
Each child faces their own struggles—Zhu Chaoyang (played by Rong Zishan) is an academically gifted but introverted middle school student living with his strict mother after his parents' divorce; Yan Liang (played by Shi Pengyuan) is a runaway from an orphanage whose father is imprisoned for drug use; and Pu Pu (played by Wang Shengdi) is a young girl Yan Liang met at the orphanage, whose younger brother is critically ill and in urgent need of money. The three children decide to blackmail Zhang Dongsheng for 300,000 yuan using the murder video to pay for Pu Pu's brother's treatment.
However, events unfold far beyond anyone's expectations. After learning he was recorded, Zhang Dongsheng begins to approach Zhu Chaoyang, using the child's trust to gradually eliminate the threat. Veteran detective Lao Chen (played by Wang Jingchun) inches closer to the truth while investigating the cliff-falling incident. Zhu Chaoyang's father, Zhu Yongping (played by Zhang Songwen), is torn between his new family and his son. Everyone believes they are in control, but in reality, each is trapped in an irreversible whirlpool of fate.
Cast
| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Qin Hao | Zhang Dongsheng | A math teacher at a children's palace, a murderer who appears gentle but harbors a dark side |
| Wang Jingchun | Lao Chen | A retired detective, relentlessly pursuing the truth |
| Rong Zishan | Zhu Chaoyang | An academically gifted middle school student, introverted and meticulous |
| Shi Pengyuan | Yan Liang | A teenager from an orphanage, strong sense of justice, protective of Pu Pu |
| Wang Shengdi | Pu Pu | A clever and quirky young girl, taking risks to save her brother |
| Zhang Songwen | Zhu Yongping | Zhu Chaoyang's father, struggling between his old and new families |
| Liu Lin | Zhou Chunhong | Zhu Chaoyang's mother, controlling but deeply loving her son |
Cultural Impact
After its release, "The Bad Kids" sparked a phenomenon-level social discussion. Qin Hao's portrayal of Zhang Dongsheng became the most chilling character of the summer of 2020, and the phrase "Want to go mountain climbing?" became the hottest internet meme of the year. Zhang Dongsheng's smile as he pushed his parents-in-law off the cliff was dubbed one of the most terrifying smiles on Chinese screens.
Director Xin Shuang, formerly a musician (member of the band Joyside), infused the series with a unique musical aesthetic. The opening theme, "Little White Boat," originally an innocent children's song, became a chilling harbinger of death in the series. Each episode's title is taken from a childhood song, and this stark contrast between innocence and darkness became the series' most distinctive stylistic hallmark.
The performances of the three young actors were also highly praised. Particularly, Rong Zishan's portrayal of Zhu Chaoyang meticulously depicted the psychological transformation of a child pushed into the abyss by family circumstances and the adult world. Zhang Songwen's performance as Zhu Yongping, though limited in screen time, movingly portrayed the helplessness and guilt of a father struggling in a difficult situation.
References
- Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/33404425/
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/隐秘的角落
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/隐秘的角落_(电视剧)
Comments (0)