Thriving Drama: Gao Ye & Han Dongjun’s Grounded Legal Comedy Hits CCTV-8
[ENTERTAINMENT] Who says legal dramas must be about elite lawyers in suits fighting in skyscrapers? Directed by Yao Tingting and starring Gao Ye and Han Dongjun, the 22-episode urban life comedy Thriving drama (Zheng Zheng Ri Shang) has completely subverted audience expectations since its October 10 premiere on CCTV-8. With its rich “Northeastern flavor” and authentic street-level vibes, this masterpiece adapted from real-life lawyer stories has earned massive praise for being incredibly grounded.
Furthermore, the show is filmed 100% on location in Shenyang, featuring a law firm located on the second floor of a public bathhouse. Gao Ye plays a heroic, straightforward “bathhouse lawyer,” teaming up with Han Dongjun to navigate the hilarious and touching intersection of law and human nature. This is not just a legal show; it is a vivid portrait of contemporary civilian life in Northeast China.
The Plot: 12 Real Civil Cases Hitting the Pain Points
The premise of the Thriving drama is packed with contrast and dark humor. On a lively lawyer street in the fictional Northeastern city of Leyang (based on Shenyang), the heroic and humorous female lawyer Xiao Longnv (played by Gao Ye) opens a modest law firm above an old public bathhouse. Once an elite at a top-tier firm, she left due to ideological clashes, choosing the path of a “grassroots lawyer.”
The show’s biggest highlight is the authenticity of its cases. Adapted from the non-fiction “Genius Catcher Project,” it features 12 real-life civil cases: from the rights protection of hearing-impaired women to neighborhood property disputes. Therefore, Xiao Longnv never relies on cold, rigid frameworks; instead, she uses the unique humor, straightforwardness, and wisdom of Northeasterners to find the best solutions between law and human emotion. This narrative of “using daily life to explain the law” gives the show immense realistic power.
Cast & Performances: Gao Ye’s Heroic Lawyer & Han Dongjun’s Breakout
For Gao Ye, the role of Xiao Longnv feels tailor-made. She completely sheds her previous glamorous or cunning images, wearing casual denim and exuding a “big sister”江湖 (martial arts world) aura. She drinks tea in her office above the bathhouse, listening to neighborhood gossip, yet remains sharp and unyielding in court. This professional yet street-smart female character is brought to life vividly by Gao Ye.
Han Dongjun also achieves a massive breakthrough. Shedding his usual “CEO” or “tough guy” aura, he engages in hilarious and tense mind games with Gao Ye. Additionally, the inclusion of veteran actors like Wang Hao, Zhang Guoqiang, and Hou Yansong injects a pure “Northeastern comedy buff” into the show, making every supporting character three-dimensional and brilliantly acted.
Behind the Scenes: 100% Shenyang Location Shooting
As an urban drama focusing on “daily life vibes,” the Thriving drama shows immense sincerity in its production. Filmed entirely on location in Shenyang from June to September 2025, the show boasts “100% Shenyang content.” From the streets of Shenhe District to the steaming public bathhouses and vintage residential buildings, it perfectly captures the rough, warm, and humorous essence of a Northeastern city.
Director Yao Tingting excels at capturing delicate emotions and light comedy rhythms. She avoids over-polished filters, letting the camera face the street food stalls and old neighborhoods directly. Therefore, when audiences see Xiao Longnv discussing a case amidst the steam of the bathhouse, the immersive realism is something no green screen could ever replace. It is a visual love letter to the black earth and civilian life of the Northeast.
“The law is not a lofty text; it is the last straw ordinary people can grasp in their muddy lives.”
— Thematic essence of Thriving
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch the Thriving drama?
Are the cases in the show based on real life?
Why do audiences praise its “daily life vibes”?
What are the character setups of Gao Ye and Han Dongjun?
Are you watching Thriving on CCTV? Did Gao Ye’s “bathhouse lawyer” setup surprise you? Which real-life case resonated with you the most? Drop your reviews in the comments!
※ This article compiles reports from CCTV, iFeng, Douban, and various drama media. Broadcasting schedules are subject to final official announcements.
