Drama reviews help raise legal awareness

Accuracy first

Zhang Tongyu said that writing articles about films and dramas requires a comprehensive understanding of the plot, much like reviews of case handling.

"Only by paying close attention to the plot, details and backgrounds are we able to identify whether the characters' behaviors violate the law," she said. "Accuracy is of the utmost importance in explaining the law."

She emphasized that she researches the relevant laws and regulations when she decides to write an article explaining legal issues in movies or dramas.

She also looks up similar cases at work and asks experienced judges what measures should be taken to prevent such legal risks.

In addition, it's also necessary to read books and journals about legal issues, she added.

Zhang Qian agreed with Zhang Tongyu, saying that she took the time to thoroughly research related laws and regulations — including the Civil Code, the Law on the Protection of Women's Rights, the Personal Information Protection Law and the Anti-Domestic Violence Law — before writing about Imperfect Victim.

Qin was unable to hide his excitement as he recalled the TV drama, Nothing But Thirty, which was a hit two years ago, as it was the first TV series about which he wrote a legal article.

In the drama, the heroine's husband spends a lot of money and buys gifts for his mistress, including paying her rent and buying her airline tickets. The plot was similar to a divorce case Qin was handling at the time.

"So, based on the plot and the case, I explained some of the provisions in the Civil Code, telling readers that adulterers violate public morals, and that assets given by one member of a couple to a third party could be returned to the other member," he said.

Qin highlighted the significance of combining the provisions with real cases and plots, noting that it is a better way of giving readers easier and more accurate ways to understand legal terms. He added that the process of writing the articles has helped deepen his own understanding of the law and legal issues, which has contributed greatly to his abilities at work.

"Writing articles to help readers solve disputes and answer their legal problems as they watch the shows is like killing two birds with one stone," he said.

Zhang Tongyu said that she has also learned a lot from watching films and TV series. "New problems reflected in the shows have prompted me to further study the law and find new legal solutions. That's meaningful and crucial in improving the quality of case handling and enhancing public awareness of risks," she added.

Zhang Qian said, "Films and TV dramas have helped me understand more about litigants' needs, prompting me to provide them with better legal services and put myself in their shoes."

Contact the writer at caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn