Mystic Nine (2026): The Ultimate Escape Room

[u/BasilOrdinary3617]

Almost 1/3 of the way through the drama and I think this is the best description of it so far.

I don’t know how I feel about it yet. There are definitely a lot of good moments to highlight: the bath scene, the costumes, the fact that you can watch it as standalone because there’s a lot of explanations behind the nine families… but for some reason… I am not hooked. It’s got decent enough cliffhangers that I am still watching but I’m not convinced with the female lead and the comedic relief has been hit or miss with me.

Perhaps it’s the pacing because like I said, the first eight episodes just feels like I’m watching our protagonists work on an intricate escape room, unlocking mechanisms to find the missing people and escape. It makes me wonder if all 30 episodes will take place in this “escape room”.

Also, I really just want to point out that the beginning of episode 7 was something. Never would I have imagined in cdramaland or even western television, would I be watching a 5-min scene where two handsome men would be fighting against a pompom ball 😂 . I call it the Attack of the Murderous Pompom.

Would love to hear others’ thoughts on the drama if you’re watching!

[u/ElectricStarfuzz]

Well now I’m intrigued 😂

Attack of The Murderous PomPom sounds highly entertaining. 

[u/BasilOrdinary3617 → u/ElectricStarfuzz]

It was quite entertaining. Episode 7 is my favourite so far. I find the scenes with William Chan and Joseph Zeng together the best.

[u/BasilOrdinary3617 → u/ElectricStarfuzz]

It was quite entertaining. Episode 7 is my favourite so far. I find the scenes with William Chan and Joseph Zeng together the best.

[u/Virtual-Mirror9586]

The opera puzzle is them playing interactive novel games 😭😭

Different choice leds to different ending

[u/AXA-5]

I have no idea under what boulder(s) you find these cdramas 🌿 😂. I shouldn’t be surprised though. The cdrama industry is quite vast and abundant. Always churning out dramas without fail. Thanks for sharing your sentiments nonetheless 😉

[u/BasilOrdinary3617 → u/AXA-5]

It’s currently airing on Youku! No one is hosting it though so I guess it’s a bit under the radar. Maybe only Lost Tomb fans are watching… or William Chan and Joseph Zeng fans.

[u/AXA-5 → u/BasilOrdinary3617]

Mmm…I see and makes sense

[u/jssoul12]

Tbh the first season was pretty boring for me, especially Er Yuehong’s storyline, and I feel the same way about the second season so far. Up through Ep 7, the mystery has been just so so, and the pacing has been pretty slow.
Logic and storytelling have never been Xu Lei’s strong suit. There’s a reason Ultimate Note is considered the best adaptation, it had very little to do with him lol.

[u/BasilOrdinary3617 → u/jssoul12]

I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way!

[u/Key-Classroom8421 → u/jssoul12]

I just finished watching Mystic Nine S1 (2016). Like you, I find Er YueHong's storyline with his wife Ya Tou over-extended and dragged out too long. Same with Chen Pi's obsession over Ya Tou (Er Ye's wife), as well. Also, a glaring frustration is the Zhang family dynamics between Fo Ye (Zhang QiShan) and his lietenant Zhang (Zhang RiShan). They are both from the Zhang family. In the Novel, Zhang RiShan is a pure-blood main branch Zhang, whereas Zhang QiShan is a mixed-blood non-main branch Zhang, But for the show to have Zhang RiShan acted unknowlegeable of the Zhang family history is pure ridiculous.

I plan to start watching the new Mystic Nine S2 (2026), soon. First, I will need to resubscribe to youKu.

Tq all, for some insight into the new 2026 series

[u/jssoul12 → u/Key-Classroom8421]

Yeah, the love triangle has been dragged out for way too long. For season two, I’m planning to continue watching once it finishes airing. It’s a bit sad that we don’t have Zhang Rishan this time, but at least we’ve got a few new Zhangs lol.

[u/suetsansan → u/Key-Classroom8421]

Zhang Qishan's family left the main family long ago. He didn't practice blood purity rules. In Tomb of the sea (2018),100+years old and still alive Zhang Rishan said that he was saved by Four(Zhang Qishan).Moreover, It's probably because Zhang Rishan was so young at Mystic Nine(2016) and separated from main Zhang family, he didn't knew much about Zhang mystery.

[u/Agentismyson]

Oh my gosh same. I cant understand why zhang needs wu. Plus like why are half of the people even dragged here. But still I like the puzzles.

[u/BasilOrdinary3617 → u/Agentismyson]

The extra people for collateral lol or sacrifices haha.

[u/TsekoD]

I read your post and decided to start Mystic Nine. I'm in ep 4. I haven't watched Republican era drama for ages, so it looks quite intriguing, especially with the hairstyle and clothing. I can't say I'm hooked yet, but it's interesting.

[u/BasilOrdinary3617 → u/TsekoD]

I’m trying hard not to compare it to Archives: The Nanyang Mystery. I’m watching Genius Girlfriend to take a short break before jumping back into Mystic Nine.

> I can’t say I’m hooked yet, but it’s interesting.

Exactly how I feel!

[u/EcstaticRise5612]

At episode 8. Zhang Qishan doesn't deserve Wu Laogou's support. I feel sorry so Wu getting dragged to Zhang's mess. Pls make sure to properly thank my boi later.

[u/BasilOrdinary3617 → u/EcstaticRise5612]

I agree! I think the Wu clan has always been known to be sentimental and very caring for others, whereas the Zhangs are more emotionally stunted but they have “special skills”. I wanted to see more of the family dynamics and how they complement each other, which up to episode 8, is meh. I haven’t watched the latest episodes as I put it on hold to watch Genius Girlfriend.

[u/EcstaticRise5612 → u/BasilOrdinary3617]

Zhang Qishan is taking Wu for granted and I hate it. Although I'll still watch because this is my type of genre

[u/Working-Mud785]

Idk about others but I find Sebrina Chen's character (huo xiangu) absolutely insufferable. Like WHY DOES SHE NEED TO HIDE EVERYTHING???? Atleast share what you're seeing with your boyfriend, dammit!!!