I. INTRODUCTION
In the Name of the People is a 2017 Chinese TV drama series based on the web novel of the same name by Zhou Meisen. Its plot revolves around a prosecutor's efforts to unearth corruption in a present-day fictional Chinese city. It has drawn large audiences in China, where its release coincides with General Secretary Xi Jinping's leadership's anti-corruption campaign. It is the first broadcast political drama featuring high-level government corruption in China since 2004. The production received significant government funding from the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the highest agency responsible for both investigation and prosecution in the People's Republic of China. The intervention from censors was much lighter due to the support of the authorities. The series is considered by some western observers as the Chinese version of House of Cards.
II. SYNOPSIS
Hou Liang Ping was appointed as an associate prosecutor and the director of the anti-corruption department in Bian Xi Province, to investigate a case of murder. His wife Zhong Xiao Ai, appointed by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, in the name of looking after the family, was also deployed to Bian Xi to secretly investigate the corruption of Hu. Experiencing many difficulties and setbacks, Hou and Zhong had been approaching the truth and the criminal groups behind the murder.
III. RECEPTION
It is noted for its ensemble cast of skilled veteran actors as well as its high quality despite China's strict censorship system. The drama also surpassed 7% in ratings, breaking the single day ratings record for a Chinese drama. The series also received the praise from People's Daily, which is known as the mouthpiece of the Communist Party.
However, some dissidents, such as cartoonist Rebel Pepper, treated the series as a way for the authorities to manipulate and fool the public. The core of the series is that anti-graft efforts could only be conducted by a strong government rather than democratic elections or a free press, as The New York Times commented. Essentially, the series is not a success of the creation, but a success of the creation permission, according to a widely spread opinion on Internet by Du Junfei, a professor in mass communication of Nanjing University.
IV. RATINGS
| 2017.3.28 | 1 | 1.523 | 4.49 | 1 | 2.41 | 7.37 | 1 |
| 2017.3.29 | 2 | 1.490 | 4.69 | 1 | 2.30 | 7.31 | 1 |
| 2017.3.30 | 3-4 | 1.270 | 4.02 | 1 | 1.62 | 5.41 | 1 |
| 2017.3.31 | 5 | 1.084 | 3.370 | 1 | 1.61 | 5.66 | 1 |
| 2017.4.1 | 6 | 1.239 | 3.97 | 1 | 1.46 | 4.83 | 1 |
| 2017.4.2 | 7-8 | 1.505 | 4.77 | 1 | 1.60 | 5.30 | 1 |
| 2017.4.3 | 9-10 | 1.820 | 5.89 | 1 | 1.84 | 6.05 | 1 |
| 2017.4.4 | 11-12 | 2.024 | 6.34 | 1 | 2.03 | 6.82 | 1 |
| 2017.4.5 | 13-14 | 2.264 | 7.11 | 1 | 2.16 | 7.33 | 1 |
| 2017.4.6 | 15-16 | 2.444 | 7.70 | 1 | 2.18 | 7.47 | 1 |
| 2017.4.7 | 17 | 2.083 | 6.42 | 1 | 1.93 | 6.36 | 1 |
| 2017.4.8 | 18 | 2.275 | 6.94 | 1 | 2.06 | 6.59 | 1 |
| 2017.4.9 | 19-20 | 3.035 | 9.01 | 1 | 2.57 | 8.31 | 1 |
| 2017.4.10 | 21-22 | 3.287 | 10.30 | 1 | 2.77 | 9.29 | 1 |
| 2017.4.11 | 23-24 | 3.524 | 11.09 | 1 | 2.93 | 9.89 | 1 |
| 2017.4.12 | 25-26 | 3.649 | 11.79 | 1 | 2.87 | 9.91 | 1 |
| 2017.4.13 | 27-28 | 3.711 | 12.05 | 1 | 3.15 | 11.00 | 1 |
| 2017.4.14 | 29 | 3.020 | 9.670 | 1 | 2.41 | 8.19 | 1 |
| 2017.4.15 | 30 | 3.138 | 10.132 | 1 | 2.39 | 8.17 | 1 |
| 2017.4.16 | 31-32 | 4.202 | 12.80 | 1 | 3.20 | 10.50 | 1 |
| 2017.4.17 | 33-34 | 4.793 | 15.44 | 1 | 3.51 | 11.99 | 1 |
| 2017.4.18 | 35-36 | 5.061 | 16.70 | 1 | 3.78 | 13.35 | 1 |
| 2017.4.19 | 37-38 | 5.356 | 17.15 | 1 | 4.02 | 13.72 | 1 |
| 2017.4.20 | 39-40 | 5.465 | 16.97 | 1 | 3.91 | 13.33 | 1 |
| 2017.4.21 | 41 | 4.432 | 13.86 | 1 | 3.51 | 11.42 | 1 |
| 2017.4.22 | 42 | 4.311 | 14.18 | 1 | 3.04 | 10.84 | 1 |
| 2017.4.23 | 43 | 6.069 | 20.14 | 1 | 4.30 | 16.44 | 1 |
| 2017.4.24 | 44-45 | 5.801 | 18.65 | 1 | 4.39 | 15.06 | 1 |
| 2017.4.25 | 46-47 | 6.123 | 18.89 | 1 | 4.78 | 15.97 | 1 |
| 2017.4.26 | 48-49 | 6.682 | 20.78 | 1 | 5.27 | 17.45 | 1 |
| 2017.4.27 | 50-51 | 6.695 | 21.25 | 1 | 5.46 | 18.62 | 1 |
| 2017.4.28 | 52 | 6.666 | 20.13 | 1 | 5.58 | 17.76 | 1 |
V. AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
| 23rd Shanghai Television Festival |
Best Television Series |
In the Name of the People | Nominated | |
| Best Director | Li Lu | Nominated | ||
| Best Writing | Zhou Meisen |
Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actor | Wu Gang | Won | ||
| Zhang Zhijian | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Hu Jing | Nominated | ||
| 22nd Huading Awards |
Jury Award | In the Name of the People | Won | |
| 8th Macau International Television Festival |
Best Television Series | In the Name of the People | Won | |
| Best Director | Li Lu | Nominated | ||
| Best Writing | Zhou Meisen | Won | ||
| Best Actor | Zhang Fengyi |
Won | ||
| Best Supporting Actor | Gao Yalin | Won |
