Liu Ye and Nie Yuan’s “叵測” hailed as a “mini version of The Knockout” — character Meng Guangcai seen as more tragic and morally grounded than Gao Qiqiang

Since its release, the crime drama Po Ce has been compared to The Knockout due to similarities such as the police–criminal power struggle, long timeline narrative, and fractured friendships. Some viewers have even labeled it a “scaled-down version” of The Knockout.

But is it truly a replica?

At a surface level, the parallels are noticeable. However, a closer examination reveals fundamentally different character motivations and thematic cores.

Gao Qiqiang’s transformation is driven by ambition and desire. From a market fish vendor to a calculated power player, his rise is marked by strategic choices and a willingness to exploit systems. His relationships are largely transactional, built on利益 and easily discarded when no longer useful.

In contrast, Meng Guangcai’s trajectory is rooted in circumstance. His descent into crime appears less like a pursuit of power and more like a reaction to prolonged oppression, humiliation, and survival pressure. His “dark turn” is shaped by environment rather than ambition.

Their social structures further highlight the contrast. Gao’s network resembles a structured criminal enterprise, while Meng’s circle is bound by shared trauma and long-standing emotional ties, forming a tragic collective rather than a profit-driven organization.

On the law enforcement side, both Zhu Helai and An Xin embody justice, yet differ in essence. An Xin represents idealistic persistence, while Zhu Helai carries a deeper personal burden—his actions are intertwined with guilt and a need for redemption, giving him a more grounded emotional dimension.

In this sense, The Knockout functions as a wide-angle lens on power and fate, while Po Ce acts more like a microscope, examining how an individual is gradually pushed toward moral collapse.

Thus, Meng Guangcai and Gao Qiqiang can be seen as mirror figures—similar in appearance, but fundamentally different in spirit.

As the story of Po Ce continues to unfold, many unanswered questions remain, leaving room for further reinterpretation.