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| The Best Chinese Dramas That Uncover Lies, Corruption, Power Abuse & Political Scandals (iQIYI/Viki/Weibo) |
Chinese dramas aren't just about sweet romance and palace glamour — some dig deep into the grit of politics, power abuse, and moral decay. From modern-day prosecutors exposing shady networks to ancient princes out for justice, these shows tackle corruption head-on, often with intense storytelling and characters you’ll root for (or hate with passion).
Here’s a curated list of 8 top-tier Chinese dramas that don’t just entertain — they give a sharp, sometimes shocking, look into corruption in all its forms.
1. In The Name of The People (人民的名义, 2017)
The one that kicked off the anti-corruption genre boom.
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| Hunan TV |
When Hou Liang Ping is appointed prosecutor and head of the Anti-Corruption Department in Bianxi Province, what should be a simple murder case spirals into a web of cover-ups, political agendas, and high-level dirty laundry. Add in his wife Zhong Xiao Ai — who’s secretly investigating the same case for the Party's Discipline Commission — and it’s a full-blown battle against institutional rot.
▶️ Where to watch: Hunan TV
2. Nirvana in Fire (琅琊榜, 2015)
Epic revenge, ancient politics, and a genius strategist with unfinished business.
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| Viki |
After surviving a brutal betrayal that wiped out his family and 70,000 troops, Lin Shu reinvents himself as Mei Chang Su and returns to the capital. His goal? Uproot the corruption that led to the massacre and help Prince Jing ascend the throne — all while hiding his true identity and facing enemies who still want him gone.
▶️ Where to watch: Viki, Prime Video
3. The Knockout (狂飙, 2023)
Dark forces, dirty cops, and one man’s war against organised crime.
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| iQIYI/Weibo |
Frontline officer An Xin has spent years trying (and failing) to bring criminals to justice in Jinghai City. Why? Because the system itself protects them. But when the Central Anti-Corruption team steps in, a massive takedown operation begins — finally cracking open the alliances between mobsters and politicians.
▶️ Where to watch: iQIYI, Prime Video
4. The Long Night (沉默的真相, 2020)
A murder case with too many truths — and one man who won’t let it die.
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| Douban |
What looks like an open-and-shut case turns out to be anything but. Prosecutor Jiang Yang smells something off — and spends a decade digging for the truth behind a single body. His obsession costs him everything, but what he uncovers hits straight at the heart of a corrupted judicial system.
▶️ Where to watch: iQIYI
5. Joy of Life (庆余年, 2019)
Time-travelling mind, political mess, and an empire full of secrets.
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| Tencent Video |
Fan Xian might live in an ancient dynasty, but he’s got modern memories — and serious questions. As the illegitimate son of the finance minister, and heir to a mother murdered for her radical ideas, he lands in the capital neck-deep in conspiracy. This is one drama that mixes sci-fi mind tricks with sharp political satire.
▶️ Where to watch: WeTV, Prime Video
6. Youthful Glory (少年荣耀, 2025)
Military fraud, dynasty-wide corruption, and a prince with a conscience.
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Prince Jiang Xu returns from war only to be caught in another kind of battlefield — the court. What starts as a probe into missing army wages soon explodes into a scandal that threatens to collapse the economic backbone of the entire Daxian dynasty. Brutal, beautiful, and packed with intrigue.
▶️ Where to watch: iQIYI
7. Maiden Holmes (少女大人, 2020)
Betrayal, disguise, and a royal caught in a web of lies.
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| Viki |
After losing a crucial battle thanks to palace traitors, General Pei Yan Zhi is demoted and forced into hiding. Teaming up with sharp-minded female detective Su Ci, he goes undercover to expose corruption rotting the Kingdom of Qi from within. Think period drama meets detective noir.
▶️ Where to watch: WeTV, Viki
8. Under The Power (锦衣之下, 2019)
Ruthless officers, stolen funds, and romance in the midst of chaos.
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| iQIYI |
Lu Yi, a cold-blooded elite guard of the Ming Emperor, clashes with bright and fiery police officer Yuan Jin Xia over a seemingly simple case. But as the pair dig deeper, they uncover massive corruption tied to missing river repair funds. Expect enemies-to-lovers energy and gripping power plays.
▶️ Where to watch: iQIYI
Whether you're into modern legal thrillers or ancient palace scandals, Chinese dramas about corruption pack plenty of tension, moral questions, and sharp dialogue. These eight dramas each offer a different lens on how power gets twisted — and how hard it is to fight back. Add them to your watchlist if you're ready for something a bit deeper than your average rom-com.