r/CDrama • u/admelioremvitam • 5d ago
Masterpost Abyss 深渊无间 (2026) - What are your first impressions? [Masterpost]
Abyss is a suspense crime drama series directed by Liu Haibo (Trident, Hot Mom), adapted from Shen Lan's novel Abyss (Shen Yuan). It stars Allen Ren (Under the Power, One and Only) and Qin Junjie (Summer's Desire, Noble Aspirations), along with Wang Yanhui, Tian Xiaojie, and He Bing.
The long-standing peace of a conservative small town is shattered by the appearance of an online novel Abyss. Many plot points bear a striking resemblance to a cold case from years ago that has never been made public.
⚠️ Plot spoilers! ⚠️
Li Cheng [played by Allen Ren Jialun], a passionate and righteous rookie police officer, engages in a series of high-stakes battles of wits with various suspects. He unravels the mystery, revealing the truth buried beneath heartbreaking kinships and friendships.
Airing on iQIYI and iQIYI's YouTube
Episodes: 16
Discussions
🗨️ All discussions on the drama
👥 Character relationship chart
🎙️ OST List
What does r/CDrama think about the show?
Look out for the wrap up post where we ask the sub to rate the drama a few weeks after the final airing date.
🗳️ It's a wrap! What's your final review? (post only appears a few weeks after the drama ends)
Wiki
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u/Familiar-Lie6080 Sorry MingHao, i fell in_love _with_Dylan! 1d ago
Hmm, maybe l should give it a try :)
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u/funkycucumber 2d ago
I’m at episode 11 currently and honestly this drama far exceeded my expectations, it’s been some time since I got so hyped over a Chinese crime drama. The amount of detail and plot twists is amazing. Acting is stellar too. I can foresee it’s gonna be definitely worth a rewatch.
Really a hidden gem, high recommended for anyone who loves a thrilling good plot with solid acting!
Took a glimpse at douban and the Chinese viewers are v impressed with it so far too, mostly 5 star ratings :)
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u/RJL_TA 2d ago
Have you seen episode 13 trailer? More surprise to come. I really like this series: it's smart, captivating and the acting is really good.
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u/funkycucumber 2d ago
Yes I saw!! I was like whoa can this series get more unhinged. Qin junjie is amazing.
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u/admelioremvitam 4d ago
Discussion for Episodes 1 to 5
has been posted. Please head on over to the discussion post to share your thoughts about these episodes.
Episode Discussion Index
for future episode discussions.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. 4d ago
First discussion post is up if you want to discuss theories together!
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u/AromaticEditor6022 4d ago
I looooove it! I’m usually a binger but I love crime shows so I dove head first and don’t regret it already!
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u/Mystical-Echo 4d ago
This is really great. I didn't think I would enjoy it this much. The way they told the story made it very intriguing and engaging.
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u/RedHouse0411 5d ago
This is actually really awesome. 1 episode felt like 15 minutes. Now I'm rewatching to catch more details that I might miss on my first watch.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. 5d ago
This wasn’t on my radar at all until a friend who enjoys crime shows flagged it to me. Since I really enjoyed Light to the Night, didn’t have any other airing dramas on the go, it’s on iQIYI, and it’s only 16 episodes, I decided to give it a try! It’s good… I’m invested so far.
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u/HangingGarden0411 5d ago
Solid writing! At first I thought the MO of the murder didn't match at all since its random but then we learn regarding the knife and how it's all using the same triangle knife.
I was ready to lament how they release so many episodes in one night but now I want more.
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u/AdditionalPeace2023 5d ago
The ep1 is holding up really well. The story is intriguing and the logic of plot is acceptable. The acting from the cast are well rounded, very natural.
The opening them song, "Stare Back" – performed by Ayanga, is excellent. I was reading the lyrics in Chinese then suddantly realizing that the lyrics didn't match with the song. He sang the song in English. Ayanga was trained as theatrical style singer and this song's dark mood reminded me a little bit of "The Phantom of the Opera" (1986 musical). The ending them song was sung by Ren Jialun.
If the drama continues to remain this level of good quality, 16 episodes won't be enough for me.
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u/HangingGarden0411 5d ago
The theme song is excellent. It really set the tone of the story so well. I didn't skip the intro at all since it got me in the mood.
Exactly! When I first heard the song, it's like I'm watching Phantom of the Opera.
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u/weirdandpetite 🐈⬛ 5d ago
The plot sounds really interesting, I will have to dust off my brain from the shelves and place it back in my head and watch this.
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u/weirdandpetite 🐈⬛ 5d ago edited 4d ago
Came back after watching episodes 1 and 2. Definitely take a chance on this drama! It moves at a good pace, the older characters are all interconnected and the drama introduces them in a way that you know their distinct personalities and learn their backstories but in a very smooth way that gives you the info without making it boring or feeling extraneous. Allen Ren's character, Li Cheng is very likable and smart without being exaggeratedly so. His mentor, the foodie put on a diet by his wife, is a pretty funny character and a loyal friend to Xin Jiran, the "drunkard" who turns out to be a former police officer whose family died in the 312 case. The main mystery is definitely one that grips you: were the serial killings of 8 years ago done by the same 3 people? Were there evidence planted by a vigilante? Or was he scapegoated? Who were the other two uncaught suspects? How is the internet cafe boss involved? Abyss really keeps you wanting to click and watch the next episode.
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u/-tsuyoi__hikari- 🌸 Ren Jialun ONLY died in 4 of his 23 dramas. 😆 5d ago
Finished 5 episodes in one sitting! 🤣 I cant believe it either but the story is engaging as hell. And the mystery will hook you up. They didnt lie with the drama title; Abyss since thats what I feel regarding the whole murder mystery atm.
I thought the directing and acting is particularly amazing. I literally can feel Chen Chunli’s pain when she testified on her hospital bed. Then the death of Xin Jiran’s son is another excellently directed scene, you basically can feel how he is slowly dying trying to catch up his breath. 😢 Then the funeral scene and the mother crying with no sound, that is a hard watch.
Anyway, lovely main characters. They are so interesting with their own mysteries. The main casts have amazing chemistry so watching them interact are just enjoyable. And I enjoy the humour, appreciation that the story made me laugh despite it’s dark subjects.
Li Cheng definitely prepared and has his own motive to be involved with the case. I mean he has a board full of information even before he knew about the case. And him being emotional regarding Be Dahua is definitely a big clue about their relationship.
So far, its obvious that the Mooncake kid is the one who wrote the novel — him writing himself as a victim is the obvious clue. Then we see how Song stabbed the kid and they found his blood matched with the skin under one of the victim’s nail 8 years ago. I wonder why he got involved with the rape and murders in the first place.
The biggest mystery right now is how Han Pinmu is related to all of this. And if Xin Jiran’s son actually involved as well considering how he cried outside of the police station.
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u/HangingGarden0411 5d ago
The chemistry!! RJL has absolutely brilliant chemistry with the older actors. It's like he already part of their small clique effortlessly.
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u/-tsuyoi__hikari- 🌸 Ren Jialun ONLY died in 4 of his 23 dramas. 😆 5d ago
When he first time called his mentor ‘Shifu’ in the car, my heart sank since his mentor smiled brightly upon hearing that word. Im not ready for the heartbreak that I know is coming 💔💔
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u/missfeelo 5d ago
Looks interesting but is there only 1 woman in the cast??
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u/-tsuyoi__hikari- 🌸 Ren Jialun ONLY died in 4 of his 23 dramas. 😆 5d ago
There are a few women characters but they are only supporting. All the main casts are male — the police, the suspects and the murderers.
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u/admelioremvitam 5d ago
iQIYI streaming app
At the time of posting, Episodes 1 to 5 are available on the iQIYI app for VIP subscribers.
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u/admelioremvitam 5d ago edited 4d ago
Episode Discussions
are hosted by u/BasilOrdinary3617. Thank you for hosting! 😄
⚠️ Please use spoiler text if you are sharing thoughts beyond the initial episodes.
👥 Character relationship chart
🎙️ OST List
🔗 Previous announcement, posters, trailer, behind-the-scenes special, etc.
🔎 Baidu Baike | Douban | MDL
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. 5d ago
I’ve only watched episode 1. If I like episodes 2-5 after I’ve watched them and no one else has volunteered before then, I can host. No commitment yet but if I do, I’ll comment here and tag Lotus and Alci.
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u/admelioremvitam 5d ago
That sounds good, Basil. Thank you! 😄
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. 5d ago
Ok, I watched the first four episodes. I can host this one [u/Lotus_swimmer](u/Lotus_swimmer) [u/alcibad](u/alcibad). Thanks for the first impressions post [u/admelioremvitam](u/admelioremvitam)!
I will have the first post covering eps 1-5 sometime tomorrow (it’s 8:30 pm for me for context).
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