The Secret Path
Cast & Crew
Core Plot: Nuclear Theft Crisis and Identity Enigma
The story opens with Yang Guang (Zhang Ruyi), Deputy Head of the Yanping City State Security Bureau’s Third Division, arresting a Taiwanese female spy. He uncovers a foreign syndicate, "Morse Trading Group," colluding with Zhou’nan Power Plant to steal "Hualong One" technology. After nuclear expert Sun Yaokuan is poisoned and a power executive plummets to his death, Yang zeroes in on Zhao Yashu (Gao Yuanyuan), a deputy CEO of a PR firm. She receives foreign funds and appears at crime scenes but saves Yang in a critical moment, blurring her allegiance.
The plot intertwines "episodic cases + main conspiracy," exposing 12 modern espionage tactics—from seduction and poisoning to cyberattacks. The climax centers on the "Nuclear Research Institute Infiltration Case": foreign spies bypass surveillance, forcing Yang to expose insider Liu Xinnian (Lin Yongjian), coerced by family threats. The mastermind, however, is revealed to be James (Cheng Taishen), chairman of Lide Group.
Character Depth: Double-Agent Chessboard
Yang Guang (Zhang Ruyi): Transforms from a "professor-sting operation" to an undercover agent infiltrating the enemy. Zhang’s nuanced expressions capture the agent’s stoicism and inner turmoil. A standout scene—his "fake romantic entanglement" with Zhao while undercover—highlights his moral conflict between faith and emotion.
Zhao Yashu (Gao Yuanyuan): Shattering her gentle image, Gao portrays a complex, enigmatic figure. Four covert warnings, a heartfelt mourning scene at Sun’s grave, and her ultimate reveal as a "double sleeper" orchestrated by Director Zhang (Shi Zhaoqi) showcase her mastery of character reversal.
Antagonist Ensemble: Cheng Taishen’s James hides his spymaster identity behind a "gentleman entrepreneur" facade; Cao Bingkun’s Li Jianke masks meticulous investigations with humor, serving as the series’ comedic anchor.
Production Highlights: Real-Case Authenticity & Technical Rigor
The production received full guidance from the Ministry of State Security, drawing from real cases of "technology theft" and "foreign infiltration." Filming took place at the Shandong Shidao Bay Nuclear Power Plant, with a 1:1 replica of the State Security Bureau’s command center, complete with "data-tracking screen walls" and "remote decryption devices."
Action sequences emphasize realism: Yang’s alley brawl with assassin Duke relies on close-quarters grappling, while the "nuclear plant infiltration" combines infrared detection and hacking sequences to reflect modern espionage dynamics.
Social Impact: Romantic Tension & National Security Awareness
The "ambiguous ally-enemy dynamic" between Zhang and Gao dominated discussions, with their tense graveyard confrontation and hospital recovery scenes dubbed the "pinnacle of spy drama romance." The series also sparked public interest in state security, triggering a Douyin challenge titled #SpiesAmongUs to educate viewers on espionage methods. Zhihu debates dissected Liu Xinnian’s moral dilemma, extending to workplace coercion and ethical choices.
Viewing Guide & Hidden Details
Broadcast Info: 28 episodes total. iQIYI VIP members get two episodes daily at 8:00 PM; non-VIPs at 9:30 PM. The CCTV version edits sensitive scenes, while the international cut retains the full "defector recruitment" subplot.
Must-Watch Moments: For "intellectual showdowns," focus on Yang’s logic-driven decryption of the "F-drive password." For action, don’t miss Episode 15’s stormy "Seaside Gunfight."
Historical Parallels: Sun Yaokuan’s character references real nuclear scientists targeted abroad; "Hualong One" details were vetted by China National Nuclear Corporation to prevent leaks.
"The Secret Path" merges "technology as shield, humanity as sword," dramatizing covert battles while questioning loyalty in turbulent times. As the series declares: "Some wars have no smoke, but every step is a life-or-death confrontation."
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- Release Date2025 年 4 月 28 日
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- Runtime0 hour 45 minute
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