Wartime spy tales often transport viewers into a world of secrecy, danger, and intrigue. The distinctive charm and popularity of such stories has propelled the theme to Chinese screens.

As one of the latest influential works in this genre, The Infiltrator, a 37-episode espionage drama starring actor Huang Xiaoming as an underground member of Communist Party of China, has recently made a splash online, with its rating reaching 1.774 percent on the entertainment content tracer Kuyun, passing all other television dramas of the same run time.

Set in the turbulent year of 1941, the drama revolves around Fang Jiashu, a determined and brave hero portrayed by Huang, who is assigned to infiltrate the headquarters of the Wang Jingwei-ruling puppet government’s notorious spy agency, known as “No 76”. The agency’s name is derived from its address on the Jessfield Road, currently known as Wanhangdu Road, in Shanghai.

The protagonist relies on his intelligence and astuteness to contend and struggle against multiple forces, including those manipulated by the Japanese invaders, as well as rivals from the Kuomintang. However, the situation becomes more complicated when his longtime estranged wife, played by actress Jiang Xin, suddenly barges in with their two children.

Through the clever use of shooting perspectives, backdrop colors, and a captivating soundtrack, the drama masterfully builds a tense atmosphere that transports the audience back to the harsh and chaotic era of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). This serves as a powerful reminder to modern viewers to honor the unsung heroes who courageously risked their lives to protect China, critics commented.

The TV series has been broadcast on CCTV-8 and streamed on Tencent Video since July 27.