- Drama Title: Time Raiders
- Also Known As: 吴邪私家笔记, Wu Xie’s Private Notes, Wu Xie Si Jia Bi Ji
- Director: Pan An Zi
- Cast: Francis Ng, Cao Lei, Xu Zhen Xuan
- Genres: Mystery, Adventure, Action
- Number of Episodes: 18
- Date of Release: September 20, 2025
- Original Network: Tencent Video
- Where to Watch: WeTV, Tencent Video
- Adapted from the novel “Wu Xie Si Jia Bi Ji” by Kennedy Xu
Dear readers, these last few days feel like I was working on my post in the greenhouse. The weather has been unbearably humid. Even I, who should be used to this kind of heat since I live in a tropical country, feel like I’m melting away. At one point, I just had to pause and grab a tall glass of cold juice. I even got annoyed when my fan suddenly turned off. It feels like a betrayal in the middle of this weather. But anyway, no amount of humidity will stop me from sharing today’s Time Raiders Drama Review with you. So, let’s get started. Happy reading, y’all!
Time Raiders Synopsis
Wu Xie is a young antique shop owner. He is passionate about history. After reading his grandfather’s notes about his adventures and a mysterious ancient manuscript, Wu Xie has been yearning for his own adventures.
One day, a man came to the store and asked questions about the manuscript. Wu Xie’s curiosity was ignited. He went to his third uncle, Wu San Xing, who worked as a tomb robber.
They discover an enigmatic map hidden inside the manuscript. The real owner of the manuscript was a famous antique dealer named Ma. He had been missing for five years after deciphering the map. His wife offered a large reward to anyone who found him. Wu San Xing then formed an expedition team with Pan Zi, Da Kui, Wu Xie, and the mysterious Xiao Ge.
The map showed the way to an ancient kiln hidden underground. Wu Xie and his team found themselves fighting for their lives against strange and terrifying creatures that shouldn’t exist.
The expedition soon turned into a survival game. In the middle of the mission, they found another comrade, Wang Pang Zi. He was also searching for the missing Ma.
Who would have thought that their dangerous underground expedition would open a door to another mystery? After Wu Xie unlocked an ancient box, he found a bronze fish token inside. The relic was linked to Wu San Xing’s past. Soon after, Wu San Xing left and went missing. Now, Wu Xie’s goal is clear: he must find his third uncle.
Through a mysterious woman named A Ning, he joined another expedition that took him deeper into the ocean. The deeper they go, the clearer it becomes: Some secrets are never meant to be revealed.
Time Raiders Drama Review
I’ve been wondering what’s been going on with me for the past two weeks. First, I spent days watching The Immortal Ascension, a wuxia drama. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the drama.
Yang Yang’s acting was excellent, and the fight scenes kept me glued to my chair. The problem is that I am not a fan of wuxia. In fact, I rarely watch pure wuxia without romance. Unfortunately, The Immortal Ascension was THAT kind of wuxia drama. There was no romance whatsoever in that series. FYI, you can read my review of The Immortal Ascension on this website.
Second, I spent days this week watching Time Raiders, a mystery-adventure drama that turned out to be a horror drama for me. I watched it while clutching my pillow. My toes curled out of fear, and I held the TV remote tightly. My fingers were ready to push stop or fast-forward at any time.
It actually reminded me of 2022, when I wrote two reviews of horror movies, The Town of Ghosts and Incantation. In my article, I said that I was setting myself up for a horror movie challenge.
I thought I could handle watching one or two horror movies a week. In the end, though, I could only manage to write those two reviews. The challenge was too nerve-racking.
Even today, while watching Time Raiders, I was screaming and hiding behind my pillow the whole time. But you know what? It was worth every chill and jump scare. The story is gripping, the atmosphere is haunting, and the acting is excellent. Time Raiders is the kind of show that makes your heart race, and your mind wander long after the episode ends.
I like Time Raiders’ weird sense of humor. For 18 episodes, Wu Xie, Wu San Xing, and the rest of the team were seen falling on their backs countless times. Initially, I winced of every dramatic tumble.
However, after a lot of tumbles, I realized those moments weren’t just clumsy accidents. They became a comedic trope, a bit of comic relief amidst the tension. Their constant falling somehow makes the adventure feel more human and alive, and it’s fun to watch.
The Time Raiders drama was adapted from the Daomu Biji (The Grave Robbers’s Chronicles) by Nanpai Sanshu (Kennedy Xu). It is one of China’s most famous tomb-raiding adventure sagas.
The story follows generations of tomb raiders who uncover ancient secrets buried deep underground or beneath the sea in China. The story involves legends, supernatural forces, magic, curses, and unspoken histories.
There have been many adaptations of this saga. For instance, there is The Mystic Nine, Tomb of the Sea, Reunion, The Sound of Providence, Seasons 1 and 2; Adventure Behind the Bronze Door; and Ultimate Note. I have already started watching Ultimate Note and has added Tomb of the Sea to my watch list because Josep Zeng and Leo Wu star in those dramas. There are so many to watch, but so little time! 😁😁
Time Raiders stole my heart because the actors did an amazing job of delivering the story. Through immaculate acting, they showed me what fear and terror looked like.
Every shaky breath, darting eyes, and trembling hands pulled me right into their panic. My heart skipped a beat on every unnerving silence. I knew something scary would appear on the screen, and I couldn’t stop the chills or goosebumps.
Whenever a drama truly scares me, I know it’s because of the incredible work behind the scenes. Actors must perform exceptionally well in horror and thriller dramas because these genres rely on physical storytelling.
Every gesture and micro expression was crucial to building the atmosphere. They also had to control their movements carefully because overly dramatic movements would make it a parody. However, if they were too stiff, you wouldn’t feel the tension.
In Time Raiders, CGI plays an important role in the story. Since there are many strange creatures and otherworldly settings, CGI helps create a world that feels ancient and fantastical.
The detailed visuals were worth the praise. The eerie underground kiln and the terrifying shipwreck, didn’t failed to surprise me. However, CGI alone isn’t enough.
The actors’ performances must complement it. The cast managed to convey genuine fear of creatures that weren’t physically present on set, which was impressive. The harmony between visual effects and human emotions is what makes binge-watching Time Raiders so immersive.
The Story – Whispers from the Depth
Time Raiders is a drama that will keep you glued to the screen. The story will consume your beauty sleep. It’s either because you can’t resist “just one more episode” or because you got so scared that your nightmares wake you up at 3.00 a.m. The intensity in this drama is HIGH. Particularly for me who didn’t get used to monsters, the intense music score, and the jump scares.
The story begins with a narrative about a meteorite that fell to Earth. It broke into nine pieces and landed in different places. Wherever the fragments fell, they contaminate the area with radiation. Living creature transformed into entirely new life forms. Ancient people considered this as a divine revelation. They even build temples to worship the meteorites.
This narrative explained why there were so many bizarre creatures and secret places hidden under the radar in this drama. There were also legendary figures from the past who were involved in the mystery.
Wu Xie’s first expedition was connected to the legend of Lord Lu Shang, who sought immortality. The second expedition was tied to Wang Zhang Hai, a Feng Shui master and master carpenter who built the Heavenly Palace on the Clouds.
FYI, Xiao Zhan’s drama titled The Legend of Zang Hai, is also based on this character. You can read the review here, The Legend of Zang Hai drama review.
These two expeditions were connected. During the first expedition to the ancient underground kiln, Wu Xie found a bronze fish token in the hand of a blue-eyed fox corpse. The token was hidden inside a box, and Wu Xie discovered the passcode by accident.
The bronze fish token was similar to the one in Wu San Xing’s possession, which connected to his past. Years ago, Wu San Xing used to be part of a maritime expedition lead by Chen Wen Jin.
During the journey, they found an ancient shipwreck which held a big secret of the Heavenly Palace on the Clouds. However, the whole team vanished, leaving Wu San Xing alone. For years, he was unable move on and still burdened by the memories.
Of the two expeditions, the first one was more like a horror movie to me. I screamed when I saw a snake-like creature. It was green and thin like a vine, and it moved like a snake. Instead of a head, its tip was shaped like a hand. Watching the first mystery was like being trapped in a forest and being chased by the creature.
The second expedition had fewer jump scares. However, it felt much more intense. I felt claustrophobic while watching this arc. In it, Wu Xie and his friends were trapped inside a shipwreck deep beneath the ocean.
It was a life-or-death situation. The rooms were filled with traps. There was a dark pool in every room. As if that weren’t enough, bizarre creatures lurked in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to attack. The eerie setting and growing tension sent chills down my spine.
I don’t think this arc was suitable for people with thalassophobia, aquaphobia, or claustrophobia. The entire arc took place underwater, and there were scenes in which Wu Xie and his friends were trapped between two moving walls. You may want to use some discretion when watching this part, as the scenes can be disturbing.
Back to the story…
In the second arc, the story introduces us to A Ning. She is one of Wu San Xing’s colleagues who works for a wealthy, mysterious company led by a foreign man. He seemed interested in ancient relics, but it wasn’t clear what he was looking for. Yet, from the first glance, you could tell that he and A Ning had bad intentions.
In Time Raiders, Wu Xie’s personal growth is evident. He started out as a boy in a man’s world. I did some quick internet research. Wu Xie was named by his grandfather, Wu Lao Gou. His name means “innocent,” and it carried Wu Lao Gou’s hope that Wu Xie would always remain innocent and far from the dark world of tomb raiding.
However, Wu Xie couldn’t escape his fate and became a raider himself. There was a scene in which someone told Wu Xie, “Wu Xie means innocent, but don’t be naive.” Unfortunately, I can’t remember who said this, and I’ve been looking for the scene, but I’ve failed miserably.
Wu Xie’s beliefs were shaken when he learned that someone he trusted might not be who he seemed. The bubble he’d been living in finally burst at that moment. He had to learn the hard way that the world can be painfully cruel.
Xiao Ge, also known as Zhang Qi Ling, was supposed to be the most fascinating character in the drama. His mysterious past was full of interesting supernatural stories. Unfortunately, the show didn’t tell his story, so I had to find it on the internet.
Still, you could see that he was different from anyone else. He had extraordinary abilities, his blood was special, he could speak foreign languages (not to foreign people, but to evil), and no one could guess his age.
Time Raiders concludes with an open ending. I believe there will be a second season since so many questions were left unanswered. Wu San Xing’s story remained untold.
A Ning and his mysterious boss remained shrouded in mystery. Also, there were supposed to be three bronze fish tokens, but Wu Xie and Wu San Xing only found two. There must be an explanation for the third one, right? Remember, third time’s the charm. 😏
The Characters
Wu Xie (Played by Xu Zhen Xuan)
Wu Xie is an idealistic and curious person who yearns for adventure. His grandfather, Wu Lao Gou, used to be a grave robber. Wu Xie grew up hearing stories like those in Raiders of the Lost Ark and ancient legends.
After his grandfather retired, Wu Xie idolized his uncle, Wu San Xing. In Wu Xie’s eyes, Wu San Xing represented everything he wanted to become.
Wu Xie’s name means “innocent.” He is naive but purehearted. He tends to believe in the goodness of people, especially those he loves. He is the kind of person who stands by others without hesitation.
Although gentle, Wu Xie is brave. He takes risks because he believes it’s the right thing to do. Having worked in an antique shop, Wu Xie is knowledgeable and smart. He can see hidden patterns and solutions to puzzles.
Wu San Xing / Third Uncle / Third Master (Played by Francis Ng)
Wu San Xing, also known as San Ye (Third Master), is Wu Xie’s third uncle. He is an enigmatic figure, and not even Wu Xie can read his mind. However, he has remarkable ability and vast experience in grave robbing.
Some people who knew him and his father said that Wu San Xing’s ability surpassed Wu Lao Gou’s. Wu San Xing is charismatic and a natural leader. He is the kind of person who learns to survive by bending the rules. He is a morally ambiguous character.
You cannot categorize him as a nice person because there were times when he wasn’t. Although Wu Xie seemed to live freely, deep down, Wu San Xing was burdened by the past.
Pan Zi (Played by Cao Lei)
Pan Zi is the longest-serving member of Wu San Xing’s team. He is a very resourceful man. He is skilled in martial arts and weapons. He is cool but protective.
During the journey, he really cared about Wu Xie’s safety and always called him “Xiao San Ye.” He is always ready to help others but is somewhat impulsive and has violent tendencies.
Xiao Ge / Zhang Qi Ling (Played by Cheng Xiang)
Xiao Ge is a mysterious person who always wears black. He doesn’t like to talk and always operates in silence. He is very strong and a skilled fighter.
His blood is special because it can stop corpse-eating bugs. He always carries a large sword on his back. Since he is so mysterious, I don’t know much about his personality. 😁
Wang Pang Zi (Played by Sun Ge Chuan Ye)
Wang Pang Zi is also known as Wang Yue Ban. As a seasoned grave robber, he has an eye for detail. He is courageous to the point of being reckless. He is a very optimistic person who sees the positive side of everything.
He could even enjoy snoozing in the middle of a scary tunnel while his friends were on total alert. Wang Pang Zi is very determined. No one can make him stop if he doesn’t want to. However, Wang Pang Zi is quite a reliable comrade in the middle of a dangerous situation.
Da Kui (Played by Ma Jing Jing)
Da Ku is a member of the Wu San Xing team. He is the gentle giant and the strongest of them all. He is kind and very devoted to his family. Da Ku joined the expedition to earn money for his mother’s medical expenses.
Da Kui and his mother relied on each other and always kept their photos close. Da Kui kept a photo of his mother when she was young and he was a boy, and his mother held a photo of them together in the present day. However, despite his strength, Da Kui was easily frightened by the unknown.
A Ning (Played by Daisy Li)
A Ning is a mysterious woman who works for an even more mysterious foreigner. She arranged a rescue mission for Wu San Xing in the shipwreck. She is a courageous woman who trusts only herself.
The Conclusion
Time Raiders is an amazing drama that you shouldn’t miss! It introduced me to an adventure hero that everyone should know. A perfect blend of mystery, adventure, horror, and comedy will keep you glued to your seat. It was so thrilling that “just one more episode” quickly turned into five episodes in a row.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush this weekend, Time Raiders is the perfect choice. However, I don’t recommend making this drama your daily entertainment. This one is meant to be a binge-watching experience.
Usually, I would advise you to stock up on food and drinks for your binge-watching companion. But not this time. It’s better to skip food while watching this drama. Well, that’s all for today, dear readers. Thank you for stopping by. I’ll see you in another drama review post! Happy watching!
