Young Justice Bao (2000)

This series gives me goosebumps, literally. Not just because it’s good, but because it has such an eerie and macabre atmosphere. The director is a genius for building suspense. It feels almost supernatural, even though there’s a logical explanation for everything in end.

Don’t expect this show to be anything like Jin Chao Qun’s Judge Bao. This young version of Bao Zheng is not a judge, but more of a snoopy detective. Each case is like an Agatha Christie’s “whodunnit” with a lineup of suspects and twists designed to keep you guessing. I wish the writers are more creative in setting up the mysteries, though. After the second case, most people can spot the pattern and figure out who the murderers are.

Zhou Jie is an actor who puts 110% into understanding his character, even if he tends to overact at times. His Bao Zheng is goofy and even a little sly, but has enough conviction and gravitas to show how he would grow to become a Chinese symbol of justice. Like him or hate him, the series would not be the same without Zhou Jie’s talents.

The show has a great ensemble cast in Ren Quan, Li Bing Bing, Shi Xiao Long, and Liu Yi Jun. Their bantering and teasing of each other feel very warm and natural. You can’t help but smile. It’s like watching a bunch of sibling bicker, except for some flirting between the Zhou Jie-Li Bing Bing and Ren Quan-Liu Yi Jun coupledom.

Finally, a shout out to Chen Dao Ming as the 8th Prince. This man oozes shrewdness. He looks totally relaxed and bored, but you can tell that nothing escapes his notice. He steals every scene he's in. When it comes to acting, Chen Dao Ming is in a league of his own.

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