Justice Bao

A popular set of Chinese TV series based on Bao Zheng, a famed official and prefect during the Song Dynasty whose sense of justice and defence of the common people have made him a legend.

Although a TV adaptation was made in 1974, Justice Bao gained popularity as a 1993-94 TV series, both of which made in Taiwan. Two remakes were aired from China in 2008 and 2010-12, with major characters from the 90s series reprising their roles.

Tropes used in Justice Bao include:

Acting for Two
Aristocrats Are Evil: Not everyone. But the nobles and officials Bao puts under judgement - and sentences to death - are definitely villainous and corrupt.
Deadly Decadent Court: The Imperial court of the Song Dynasty is generally portrayed as one, though there are sympathetic figures and allies like the Emperor.
Deliberate Values Dissonance: As the shows involve are set in Song Dynasty China, the culture, laws and norms come across as this to modern audiences, whether Western or Chinese.
Exact Words: At one case, the Empress Dowager tries to intervene in stopping the imminent execution of Prince Consort Chen Shimei, informing Bao that a royal decree she had recommended to the Emperor would soon arrive that would pardon Chen. Bao simply has Zan Zhou prevent the courier from entering the court, meaning that the decree never arrives in the first place. Thus allowing Chen's execution to go on as intended.
Flower Motif: Pai Xiamei is named after Mei (Plum) Flower.
Germans Love David Hasselhoff: The various series have gained popularity not just among Chinese viewers but also across much of Southeast Asia among others.
Historical Hero Upgrade: While the real Bao Zheng is still renowned by Chinese, his fictional versions tend to take this even further.
Imperial China: Bao's exploits take place in the backdrop of Song Dynasty China.
Judge, Jury, and Executioner: Not to the same extreme as Judge Dredd, but Bao is shown to have a mandate from none other than the Emperor to uphold the law, no matter the cost. And when push comes to shove, he can be merciless to those who defy justice.
Kangaroo Court: Of course, Subverted with Bao. Played straight with other villains.
Loophole Abuse: How more than one suspect tries to circumvent the law, which Bao eventually catches on to.
Love Quadriladeral: The main point of "The Dream of Mandarin Ducks and Butterflies Case".
Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane: At times there are a few supernatural elements present. While clearly not true, they are generally based on the various stories told about Bao over the centuries.
Off With His Head: As per medieval Chinese custom, court executions are done by decapitation. Bao in particular always has three specially tailored knives for this purpose, granted by the Emperor himself.
Mistress and Maid: Yea Niang and Shuishui.
Reasonable Authority Figure: As unwavering as Bao is, he's also shown to be one of the few figures to be genuinely understanding and considerate, taking his responsibilities seriously.
Role Reprisal: Jin Chao-chun has played Bao since 1993 in the various versions of Justice Bao.
Sibling Yin-Yang: Zan Jen and Zan Ping.
- Also Consort Lee and Consort Liu. While Lee is unambitious, Liu is very power-hungry.
Temporary Love Interest: Oh, poor Zan Zhao. All three of his love interests are dead; in some way that is very sad.
Values Resonance: Part of the enduring popularity of *Justice Bao* is the unwavering dedication to justice and fairness for all, represented in the person of Bao.
The Voiceless: Wang Shunxiang. It is a plot point that she was kidnapped and poisoned to frame her brother in-law, Xiaju, that he killed her. She is also unable to appeal to Bao because she can't write. Zan Zhao eventually uses his power to purge poison out of her to save her and her child.
Woolseyism: English translations generally use Western equivalent terms like "Marquis" or "Viscount" with regard to conveying Imperial Chinese titles for nobility, for example.