Sniper

Set in the spring of 1949, a former assassin named Su Wenqian is recruited by the Songjiang Public Security task force to disrupt a hidden assassination cell and secure a Nationalist army uprising. Across a city scarred by war, he faces his old partner turned deadly rival, the sniper Chi Tiecheng. What unfolds is a high stakes duel of skill, timing and wit, where each carefully measured shot shifts the balance of power. The outcome will ripple through thousands of troops and shape the republic’s fragile future, seen through a lens of tense moral calculation and personal history.

Directed by Orkenbek Baysenbay and Shubo Guo, Sniper arrives with Huang Hui credited as creator. Released in 2020, the series appears to originate from an original premise rather than a direct adaptation, pairing a contemporary cast with a period espionage backdrop. Leading performances feature Huang Xuan as Su Wenqian, Chen He as Chi Tiecheng, Yang Caiyu as Ouyang Xiangling, Sierra Li as Qin Shuzi, and Zhang Hongrui as Cao Bida.

Reception appears mixed, with an average 6.2 out of 10 from a small number of votes. Critics note the tense wartime mood and the duel between Su Wenqian and Chi Tiecheng as a solid focal point, while some viewers think the pacing and character development could be sharper. The show centers on loyalty under pressure, the toll of secrecy, and how personal histories collide with national duty.

Cultural impact is modest to date, but Sniper sits in a tradition of late 1940s espionage dramas that highlight moral ambiguity and strategic thinking. The emphasis on a weapon duel, careful period detail, and the shadowy politics of a country in flux may appeal to fans of historical thrillers. The show adds a specific tone to the genre and invites viewers to reflect on memory and the costs of war in a divided era.