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| Justifiable Defense Starts Slow But Gains Steam on iQIYI With Gritty Legal Drama |
Slow burner alert! The legal thriller that’s making noise under the radar.
Chinese legal drama Justifiable Defense (正当防卫) might’ve crept in with a whisper on July 9 via iQIYI’s Mist Theater, but it’s now edging its way into must-watch territory. Directed by Li Yunliang and written by Jia Dongyan and Wu Yao, this crime-heavy series kicks off with low-key ratings but a compelling hook that’s slowly winning over viewers.
Backed by a strong cast—Gao Ye (The Knockout), Zhang Luyi, Zhang Xinyi, Ye Qing, and a guest turn from Bai Jingting—Justifiable Defense launched with an underwhelming market share (less than 2%, placing 12th), according to Yunhe data. But things shifted fast. By Day 2, its iQIYI popularity score jumped from 5,536 to 6,757, hinting that this one’s got slow-burn hit potential.
What’s It About Then?
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Set across two timelines, the drama opens with senior prosecutor Duan Hongshan (Zhang Luyi) handing himself in during a torrential downpour. The kicker? He’s always been the one enforcing justice—so what crime’s big enough to put him in the dock?
Enter young, sharp-minded prosecutor Fang Lingyuan (Gao Ye), who picks up a domestic violence case where a woman kills her abusive husband. At first glance, it’s a cut-and-dry self-defence case. But when links emerge to an old case from 14 years ago—featuring Li Mufeng (Bai Jingting), Mei Zheng (Zhang Baijia), and Jiang Ting (Ye Qing)—the plot thickens.
What follows is a back-and-forth timeline drama, where each case mirrors the other, exposing cracks in the justice system. The question shifts from “who’s guilty?” to “what does justice really mean when the law itself is under fire?”
A Legal Drama That’s Actually Legal
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Unlike your typical crime drama, Justifiable Defense dives deep into the nitty-gritty of Chinese criminal law—specifically the grey zone of "justifiable self-defence." Crafted with input from the Supreme People’s Procuratorate Film and Television Center, the drama borrows from actual cases, lending the story a raw, unsettling realism.
It doesn’t just toss around legal jargon for flair—it’s grounded in the psychological and ethical knots prosecutors, lawyers, and victims find themselves in. From domestic abuse survivors fighting back, to school bullying gone unchecked, the drama reflects the murky side of justice that textbooks often gloss over.
Strong Characters, No Passengers
What really sells Justifiable Defense is its layered characters. Gao Ye delivers yet another standout performance as Fang Lingyuan, a gutsy young prosecutor walking the tightrope between idealism and pragmatism. Zhang Luyi’s Duan Hongshan? A quiet powerhouse, haunted by past decisions.
Even supporting characters shine. Zhang Xinyi’s Lei Shuang, a former prosecutor turned defence lawyer, brings a fresh angle on the system from the other side of the bench. Female characters like Mei Zheng and Jiang Ting don’t just fill emotional roles—they challenge the story’s moral core, pushing back against victimhood and reclaiming agency.
Why It’s Worth Watching
The drama doesn’t spoon-feed you right or wrong. It invites viewers to sit in that uncomfortable in-between space where justice clashes with humanity. And in that, it mirrors real-life debates: When is violence justified? Can the law ever truly be neutral? And who decides?
If you’re after a quick, feel-good legal drama, this isn’t it. But if you like your crime stories slow-cooked, emotionally knotty, and rooted in reality, Justifiable Defense deserves a spot on your watchlist.
Where to Watch:
Streaming now exclusively on iQIYI via the Mist Theater lineup. New episodes dropping weekly.