Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Justifiable Defense (正当防卫), which has been generating significant buzz with its intricate legal storytelling and stellar performances. This gripping legal thriller brings together powerhouse actors in a story that explores the fine line between justice and morality.
Justifiable Defense premiered on July 9, 2025, and consists of 16 episodes with an average runtime of 45 minutes per episode. The series is available for streaming on iQIYI, CMG, and CCTV. Directed by Li Yunliang and written by Jia Dongyan and Wu Yao, this legal drama was completed at the end of 2023 and finally received its distribution license on April 22, 2025, after multiple delays due to scheduling conflicts.
The series delves deep into the complex issue of legitimate defense, skillfully blending memories and reality to reveal the truth from multiple perspectives. What sets this drama apart is its thoughtful exploration of how legal principles intersect with moral judgment, creating a narrative that challenges viewers to think critically about justice.
The story follows veteran prosecutor
The story follows veteran prosecutor Duan Hongshan from the Municipal Procuratorate, who is assigned to handle a case involving a woman who killed her husband after suffering domestic abuse. Young prosecutor Fang Lingyuan from the Provincial Procuratorate is appointed to assist with the investigation. During their investigation, they discover the case’s close ties to a “campus excessive self-defense case” from fourteen years ago, which involved Li Mufeng, Mei Zheng, and Jiang Ting.
The narrative skillfully intertwines three cases of justified defense, creating a complex web of legal and moral questions. As the prosecutors delve deeper, they must navigate the delicate balance between facts, legal principles, and human compassion to deliver accurate judgments. The drama doesn’t shy away from exploring the grey areas of law, where right and wrong aren’t always clear-cut.
Duan Hongshan: The Seasoned Prosecutor
Zhang Luyi delivers a compelling performance as Duan Hongshan, a veteran prosecutor who finds himself confronting not only a current case but also the ghosts of his past decisions. His character represents the weight of experience and the burden of making difficult moral choices within the legal system. Zhang Luyi’s nuanced portrayal shows a man who has learned to balance legal expertise with human understanding.
Duan Hongshan’s journey throughout the series showcases the evolution of a legal professional who must reconcile his past handling of the campus case with his current responsibilities. The character’s depth emerges through his interactions with both victims and perpetrators, revealing the emotional toll of prosecutorial work.
Fang Lingyuan: The Idealistic Young Prosecutor
Gao Ye brings fresh energy to the role of Fang Lingyuan, a young prosecutor whose idealism is tested by the complex realities of the legal system. Her character serves as both a catalyst for uncovering the truth and a mirror for the audience’s own moral compass. Gao Ye’s performance captures the tension between legal training and human empathy.
The dynamic between Fang Lingyuan and Duan Hongshan creates the emotional core of the series, with their generational differences in approach to justice providing rich material for character development. Their partnership evolves from professional collaboration to mutual respect as they work together to solve the interconnected cases.
Li Mufeng: The Case That Haunts
Bai Jingting appears in a special guest role as Li Mufeng, one of the students involved in the fourteen-year-old campus case. His character represents the long-term consequences of legal decisions and how past cases continue to influence present circumstances. Despite his limited screen time, Bai Jingting’s presence adds significant weight to the narrative.
The campus case serves as the emotional and moral anchor of the series, demonstrating how the interpretation of self-defense can have lasting impacts on all involved parties. Li Mufeng’s story arc explores themes of redemption, justice, and the ripple effects of legal decisions across time.
Success on iQIYI
Justifiable Defense has gained significant attention for its sophisticated handling of legal themes and its stellar cast featuring top stars Gao Ye and Zhang Luyi. The series was scheduled for release on iQIYI, CMG, and CCTV, receiving its distribution license to broadcast 16 episodes on April 22, 2025. Despite multiple delays due to scheduling conflicts, the drama finally premiered on July 9, 2025, on iQIYI. The narrative skillfully intertwines three cases of justified defense, providing audiences with a deeper understanding of legitimate defense while exploring the complex intersection of law, morality, and human nature.
If you love legal dramas, complex moral stories, and stellar performances from acclaimed actors, Justifiable Defense is the perfect series to binge on iQIYI. The combination of intricate storytelling, excellent acting, and thought-provoking themes makes it a standout addition to the Chinese drama landscape.
Justifiable Defense masterfully weaves together past and present cases to create a compelling legal drama that challenges viewers to examine the complexities of justice, morality, and the law.
Series Details:
- Number of Episodes: 16
- Platform: iQIYI, CMG, CCTV
- Rating: TBD (recently released)
- Genre: Crime, Suspense, Legal, Thriller
- Main Characters: Gao Ye (Fang Lingyuan), Zhang Luyi (Duan Hongshan), Bai Jingting (Li Mufeng – special appearance)
- Antagonist: Systemic injustice and moral ambiguity (thematic conflicts)