Open class

Compared with media reports and government statements, using the TV series to show people how serious organized crimes are and what the country is doing to fight them makes the crackdown much easier to understand, said Xu Hao, a lawyer from Beijing Jingsh Law Firm.

Xu said legal documents and some written reports are difficult for people to read because they include technical terms, and some complicated cases are also hard to depict fully in the limited time available for media reports on TV.

"But TV series such as Crime Crackdown are different, as they have enough time and creative space to show true stories more vividly to people," he said.

Li Lisha, a judge from a civil division at Beijing Haidian District People's Court, agreed. Together with colleagues, Li took various measures, including issuing brochures or posting online tips, to remind residents to be alert to some new types of loans to prevent economic risks, but the effect was not as good as she expected.

"But the TV series made it," Li said. "As shown in the series, some illegal loan practices, especially nude loans that request women to provide naked photos as collateral for loans on some online lending platforms, were shown to the audience, which aroused public attention and quickly became a hot topic on Chinese social media."

Many netizens said they realized the seriousness of such loans after watching the series, adding that they would be more prudent and sensible when receiving information about such loans.

"The TV series is like an open class on law," Li said.

"It enhances people's legal awareness and shares useful tips on how to protect legitimate rights and interests with them in a way that they can easily accept."

Shi Minqi, 27, a salesperson in Guangdong, said the TV series made her better understand that illegal activities are often disguised.

"I was impressed by every detail of its plot, as each one told me how important the rule of law is," she said.

Shi has also watched some other popular Chinese TV series related to crime crackdowns in recent years, including In the Name of the People, about the country's anti-corruption work, and Silent Truth, which tells the story of a prosecutor who helps a man's appeal in order to uphold justice after the man is wrongfully convicted.

"I've learned a lot from these TV dramas," she said. "They not only showed me how many efforts the authorities have made in the fight against crimes, but also helped me know how to protect myself when similar dangerous situations happen."