LayarHijau – After a setback with Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact, actor Gong Jun makes a striking comeback through his new Wuxia drama Blood River (暗河传), which premiered on October 21. Although its initial release was overshadowed by Love in the Clouds starring Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao, public enthusiasm for Blood River has since surged—thanks to three key strengths that make it a strong contender for the next breakout hit.
A tightly woven plot that hits with emotion
Blood River is a companion piece to the popular drama The Blood of Youth, starring Li Hongyi and Ao Ruipeng. Centered around the assassin organization known as Dark River, its first episode immediately plunges the audience into a grim world of intrigue and power struggles. Gong Jun takes on the role of Su Muyu, an assassin who climbs his way from the bottom ranks to become the mysterious leader known as “Kui Daren.”
When the organization’s grand leader (played by Geng Le) is gravely injured after a fierce duel with a key figure from the Tang clan, the three major families within Dark River begin vying for control. Su Muyu must protect his wounded master from relentless attacks—including from his own close friend, Su Changhe (Chang Huasen). The drama’s fast pace, rich fight scenes, and layered moral tension have earned widespread praise from viewers.
Emotional tension between Gong Jun and Chang Huasen
The bond between Su Muyu and Su Changhe forms the emotional backbone of Blood River. Both characters rise from the lower ranks of assassins, sharing a brotherly past but diverging in ideals. Su Changhe seeks to overthrow Dark River’s old system and create a new order that embraces young talents, while Su Muyu remains loyal to the master who raised him, believing change should come from within.
Their opposing beliefs spark a clash of convictions that slowly turns friendship into rivalry. Gong Jun and Chang Huasen’s performances complement each other beautifully—their chemistry and emotional tension radiate with authenticity, turning their conflict into one of the most gripping elements of the series.
Spectacular action and stunning visual effects
Another standout feature of Blood River is its impressive production quality. The opening duel between the Dark River leader and the Tang clan master showcases intense hand-to-hand choreography, followed by seamless visual effects that amplify the martial arts energy with cinematic precision. Su Muyu’s later battles against a string of assassins further highlight the show’s polished visual direction—each magical technique feels distinct and detailed, far beyond typical CGI embellishment.
Many netizens have praised the visual quality as on par with The Immortal Ascension starring Yang Yang and Jin Chen, even calling Blood River one of the most visually stunning Wuxia dramas of the year.
With a sharp script, morally charged conflicts, and meticulously choreographed action, Blood River could mark Gong Jun’s true comeback after his career slump. Audiences now wait to see whether his portrayal of Su Muyu can restore the actor’s star power to the heights of his Word of Honor days.
