Synopsis
"The Knockout" is the 2023 CCTV New Year drama, directed by Xu Jizhou and starring Zhang Yi, Zhang Songwen, Li Yitong, Wu Gang, and Ni Dahong. It tells the story of the 20-year battle between police officer An Xin and underworld leader Gao Qiqiang, earning an 8.5 rating on Douban and becoming a phenomenal hit in the history of Chinese television dramas.
Overview
"The Knockout" is a 2023 crime drama television series focusing on the crackdown on organized crime, produced by China Central Television and iQiyi, and directed by Xu Jizhou. Zhang Yi stars as police detective An Xin, while Zhang Songwen portrays the leader of the criminal underworld, Gao Qiqiang. The cast also includes acclaimed actors such as Li Yitong, Wu Gang, and Ni Dahong. The series consists of 39 episodes and premiered simultaneously on CCTV-8 and iQiyi on January 14, 2023. It holds a Douban rating of 8.5 and became one of the most popular domestic TV dramas of the year.
The narrative is structured around three time points—2000, 2006, and 2021—spanning two decades. It chronicles the protracted and brutal struggle between detective An Xin and the criminal underworld in Jinghai City. In the series, Gao Qiqiang transforms from a lowly fishmonger into a powerful local crime boss, while An Xin evolves from a spirited young police officer into a solitary fighter with graying hair. The intertwined fates of these two characters paint a grand and dramatic portrait of their era.
Plot
In Jinghai City in 2000, young detective An Xin (played by Zhang Yi) encounters fishmonger Gao Qiqiang (played by Zhang Songwen) during a mission. At that time, Gao Qiqiang is a downtrodden figure, bullied by others and struggling to support his younger brother Gao Qisheng and sister Gao Qilan by selling fish. Out of sympathy, An Xin helps Gao Qiqiang, unaware that this act will alter both their destinies.
Leveraging his cunning and ruthless tactics, Gao Qiqiang gradually establishes a foothold in Jinghai City. He first aligns himself with the local crime boss, Uncle Tai, and then, together with his brother Gao Qisheng, methodically encroaches upon Tai's territory, eventually supplanting him to become the city's most powerful crime lord. Meanwhile, An Xin covertly investigates Gao Qiqiang's criminal activities. However, due to Gao Qiqiang's adeptness at deception and his extensive influence, An Xin's investigations repeatedly hit dead ends.
By 2006, Gao Qiqiang's power has expanded further as he ventures into real estate, mining, and other sectors, building a vast criminal empire. An Xin pays a heavy price in this struggle, witnessing misfortune befall those close to him. He himself transforms from a determined young man into a weary and exhausted figure.
In 2021, a nationwide campaign to crack down on organized crime is launched. An Xin finally sees an opportunity to completely dismantle Gao Qiqiang's organization. With the support of a higher-level guidance team, An Xin leads his unit in a final showdown against Gao Qiqiang. After a series of intense and thrilling confrontations, Gao Qiqiang's criminal empire is ultimately destroyed.
Cast
| Actor | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Zhang Yi | An Xin | Police detective, pursues criminal forces across 20 years |
| Zhang Songwen | Gao Qiqiang | Transforms from a fishmonger into a crime boss |
| Li Yitong | Meng Yu | An Xin's love interest, a journalist |
| Wu Gang | Xu Zhong | Leader of the anti-crime guidance team |
| Ni Dahong | Uncle Tai | Veteran crime boss in Jinghai City |
| Jia Bing | Xu Jiang | Rival crime boss opposing Gao Qiqiang |
| Gao Ye | Chen Shuting | Gao Qiqiang's wife |
Cultural Impact
During its broadcast, "The Knockout" sparked a nationwide viewing frenzy, with related topics frequently topping the trending lists on Weibo. Zhang Songwen's portrayal of Gao Qiqiang became the most talked-about character of the year. He masterfully depicted the rise and fall of an underdog, evoking a complex mix of resentment and pity from the audience. Zhang Yi, with his superb acting skills, portrayed An Xin's perseverance and dedication over the long years. The contrast between these two characters forms the core dramatic tension of the series.
The drama also boosted tourism in filming locations such as Jiangmen, Guangdong. Foods featured in the series, like rice noodle rolls and braised pork knuckle rice, became popular online topics. As a representative work in the genre of crime-fighting dramas, "The Knockout" is not only an excellent crime thriller but also a profound reflection on China's social changes and the progress of the rule of law.
References
- Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/35465232/
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/狂飙
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/狂飙_(电视剧)
Comments (0)