On May 26,2025, the shortlist for the 30th Magnolia Awards was officially announced. The contemporary crime drama "I Am a Criminal" won seven nominations with its top-tier quality, including the three core awards: "Best China TV Series", "Best Director", and "Best Original Screenplay". Actors Yu Hewei, Fu Dalong, and Ma Su were nominated for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress respectively. Art director Zhang Bin also received a technical nomination, making him one of the biggest favorites of this years Magnolia Awards.
From a viral hit to a sweeping award sweep: the power of a phenomenal work
As a t production of CCTV, Huace Kedun Group, and the News Media Center of the Ministry of Public Security, "I Am a Criminal Police Officer" premiered on CCTV-8 on November 27,2024, and simultaneously launched on iQiyi. Directed by Hui Kaidong and written by Xu Meng, the series features a cast of seasoned actors including Yu Hewei, Fu Dalong, and Ding Yongdai. Centered on the legacy of three generations of criminal police officers, it traces the journey of Qin Chuan (played by Yu Hewei) from a grassroots officer to a criminal investigation expert, weaving together a 35-year history of major case solving. The series vividly showcases the leapfrog development of Chinas criminal investigation technology, from DNA testing to big data applications. Since its release, the show has sparked a viewing craze with its "solid script + superb acting": it opened with a Douban rating of 7.8, reached a peak popularity of over 10,467 on iQiyi, setting a new record for a criminal investigation drama on the platform, and achieved a peak viewership of 4.125% on KuCloud, breaking CCTV-8s record. Meanwhile, its industry influence has continued to grow—by the end of 2024, "I Am a Criminal Police Officer" won the "Weibo Night Annual Drama" award and was included in the "China TV Drama ion" list by the National Radio and Television Administration. At the third China TV Drama Annual Gala in early 2025, it not only swept the "Annual Integrated Communication Grand Drama" and "Annual Outstanding TV Drama" awards, but Yu Hewei also earned the "Actor of the Year" award for his nuanced portrayal of a criminal police officer. The series was later honored with the "Special Quality Drama of the Year" award at the TV Drama Quality Awards, with director Hui Kaidong and producer Xu Yile receiving the "Quality Innovation Director" and "Quality Innovation Producer" awards respectively. At the April TV Drama Directors Night, it clinched the "Annual Best Series" title, with Hui Kaidong taking home the "Director of the Year" crown. Additionally, the show earned accolades including "Best Series" and "Most Influential Producer of the Year" at the "Film & TV Role Models 2024 Grand Awards" and "KuYun Digital Entertainment Annual Impact Awards", achieving a full-cycle buzz from its premiere to the awards season.
A deep portrayal of a group of professionals: a double breakthrough of real cases and contemporary propositions
The success of "I Am a Criminal Police Officer" stems from its portrayal of the "three authenticityes" of the criminal police profession — "authentic events, authentic people, and authentic emotions." The plotlines such as the "Xishan Mine Case" and the "Zhang Kehan Serial Murder Case" are all adapted from real cases, not only recreating the life-and-death struggle between criminals and police officers but also confronting institutional pain points poor local collaboration and difficulties in technology promotion. The transformation of Qin Chuan, played by Yu Hewei, from a reckless youth to a mature expert, the obsession of Tao Weizhi, portrayed by Fu Dalong, with six years of relentless pursuit of the culprit, and the craftsmanship spirit of criminal investigation expert Wu Yingde, interpreted by Ding Yongdai, collectively build a vivid and life ensemble of criminal police officers. As a tribute work guided by the News Media Center of the Ministry of Public Security, the series completes a panoramic depiction of the criminal investigation profession in 38 episodes: from sketching portraits to the three-in-one information platform, from individual heroism to team collaboration in tackling tough cases. It is not only a hardcore criminal investigation drama but also a window observing the legal progress of China. As "Peoples Daily Online" commented: "I Am a Criminal Police Officer is a milestone work that combines national popularity and professionalism." The classic line in the drama, "Being a police officer is not out of hatred, but out of love," has engraved a profound imprint of the times in the hearts of the audience with its respect for life and commitment to justice. The Tianyuge Entertainment Law team went all out to provide legal services and support for the series.
