A Drama Magnifies Chinese Political Culture for Foreigners

The drama, called In the Name of the People, offers viewers, particularly foreigners, an opportunity to better understand China's politics and culture and also the nation's iron-fist resolve in the fight against corruption among the country's political and business elites.

A dashing detective bursts into a secret villa and uncovers huge stacks of cash stuffed in fridges, closets and beds. Meanwhile, the villa's owner - a government official - crawls on the floor and begs for his life.

This is the dramatic opening scene in China's latest hit TV show, a senior official who hides the money he amassed from corrupt practices with a bed made of currency worth 230 million yuan or about $33.4 million.

In the Name of the People, which made its high-profile debut recently. Some have compared it to the American political drama House of Cards, which has a huge Chinese following.

The television series depicting China's ongoing harsh campaign to crackdown on corruption is fast gaining its word-of-mouth popularity among not only Chinese households but also some foreigners residing in the country.

REALISTIC AND HIGH QUALITY

The series tells the story of a prosecutor named Hou Liangping investigating and fighting against corrupt officials in a complicated corruption-related crimes network, including those at the ministerial level, to safeguard social fairness and justice.

The drama is an effort rarely seen in recent memory that carries the anti-corruption topic, the discussion of which is prevalent but mostly remains private in Chinese society, onto mainstream television,

WHAT PEOPLE COMMENT

Viewers have been lapping it up. "This TV drama feels so real. It really cheers people up," one viewer wrote on social media network Weibo.

"I shed tears after watching this drama. This is the tumour of corruption that has been harming the people," said another Weibo commenter.

It is a bribe he's accepted which is worth 230 million yuan (about 33 million U.S. dollars)," said Eric Ivarsen from Norway, a master's student majoring in the public management and social development at the University of Chinese Academy of Science.

"My subject has a very high requirement of knowledge about Chinese politics and culture. After watching the drama, I better understand China's political terms and taboos, for example, seats order according to official rankings, languages being used in a meeting, which is quite different from my country," Ivarsen added.

Television critics, however, tended to provide a more professional analysis by using what's known as a three-E parameter, which holds that television programs bear the responsibility to "enlighten, entertain and educate" the audience."If a television production does one, it is good; if two, it is fairly successful. In the case of this drama, it does all three," said Harvey Dzodin, TV critic and former vice president of American Broadcasting Company.

"With a very good script and music, the drama captures people's feelings in an emotional way. I think what the series does is something few television dramas achieve," Dzodin added.

Who's who in China's hit TV show

Hou Liangping

The tall and handsome chief investigator and hero of the show. He is played by Chinese heartthrob Lu Yi, whom netizens have criticised for his awkward acting, particularly in scenes with his screen wife. "Are they a model couple or a fake couple?" complained one Weibo commenter.

Qi Tongwei

The crafty and calculating public security chief and villain of the show, played by veteran actor Xu Yajun. He appears decent but turns out to be a sycophant, always thinking about his next move to advance his political career.

Li Dakang

The blunt party chief obsessed with GDP growth and rising political star who likes to chastise his subordinates. Actor Wu Gang rose to fame with this role - viewers now regularly make online memes featuring his character.

Gao Yuliang

Gao Yuliang, a corrupt official in the series, is the secretary of the politics and law committee in a province where he has been in office for many years. 

In the Name of The People, which cost some 120 million yuan to produce, features well-known actors like Lu Yi and Zhang Fengyi. And there’s more to come, since In the Name of People is just the first of five anti-graft dramas the Procuratorate’s broadcast department has been producing.

What makes In The Name of the People remarkable is not just how frankly it depicts the ugly side of Chinese politics, but that it also has the blessing of the country's powerful top prosecutors' office.