jasmine's drama blog

Only TVB drama that I finished so far this year. I've always enjoyed watching Vincent Wong's series (especially after Over Run Over) so I knew he wouldn't disappoint me. Besides Vincent, I think the other actors part of the cast also did well in their respective roles. Many praised Sisley for her role as Din姐 and believed that it is finally time for her to win the Most Improved Actress award. I couldn't agree more because it's the first series I've ever finished with her in it and she didn't annoy me a bit.

It's also the first series I've finished with Ali and Owen. I am basically a fan of all the actors who are part of the main cast after finishing this series.

What makes this series unique is the controversial topics it touches upon such as nudity as a form of art, the legality of euthanasia, animal rights, the societal reaction towards transgenders and homosexuals, etc. None of the cases (with the exception of the last one) involve the usual murder or kidnapping that you see in many lawyer series produced by TVB in the past years. Many may dismiss the cases as uninteresting but the controversy each case discusses makes one ponder upon these problems present in today's society.

Synopsis:

Ever since he lost his eyesight, lawyer Hope Man San Hap worked hard to amplify his other four senses. His paralegal Chau Ching Mui has links to triads since her father used to be a triad leader. Judge Never Wong Lai Fan boldly contends against the conservatism of Hong Kong's judicial system.   Private investigator Gogo Kuk Yat Ha uses controversial methods to seek evidence. Together, the four crosses numerous grey boundaries to uphold justice.

The Cast:

Vincent Wong as Hope Man San Hap
Sisley Choi as Din姐 Chau Ching Mui
Ali Lee as Never Wong Lai Fan
Owen Cheung as Gogo Kuk Yat Ha
Tracy Chu as  Tai Tin Yan
Pal Sinn as Tai Dak Yan
Jack Hui as Tai Tin You

My Thoughts:

1. There is a balance between the cases, character developments, and comedic elements. I like series that stay focused and doesn't go wander into the romance territory. There is romance in here but it is not the major arc of the story --- I think bro-sis-mance is pretty predominant here.


2. My favorite cases include
- The abuse case with Jack Hui and Angel Chiang
- The euthanasia case with Vincent Wong and his father played by Law Lok Lam
- The marriage annulment case with Tracy Chu and her husband played by William Chak
- The last case which involved all the characters --- major spoiler alert: Tracy Chu dies and the case focuses on who actually killed her

3. We get to delve into the world of law through different perspectives. I don't how real it is portrayed but it was still very interesting. We have the chance to see how jurors are chosen (which also appeared in TVB's The Other Truth); we see how judges make their decision and how they have to be fair.

4. Each of the four leads' characterizations are different so it makes the team work. Vincent's Hope Man comes off as a money-hungry lawyer but deep inside, he cares for justice. He reserves himself after his girlfriend Tai Tin Yan leaves to study abroad.

His partner, Din姐 is his paralegal who helps him accept new cases. She is loud and tough yet although she harbors feelings for Hope Man and it is an open secret, she knows she and him are not meant to be.

Never Wong is portrayed as a judge that steps over boundaries. She actually takes a side when she finds out the truth. In many cases, she helps Hope Man by providing him with hints or influencing the prosecutor's stand on a case.

Gogo Kuk Yat Ha is a police-turned-investigator. After an incident several years ago, he left the police force and vowed to take down evil philanthropist and businessman Tai Dak Yan. His bromance with Hope Man is fun to watch especially since they reside together in the same apartment. While he is more carefree and dirty, Hope Man is very organized and clean --- everything has to be under control.


Music:
TVB shows continue to produce opening themes that tries not reveal spoiler alerts by incorporating scenes from the series. The opening theme does not reveal any scenes from the series and it artistically mirrors the concept behind the series.

I actually enjoyed this drama although I haven't watched any of the series with the similar cast (The Great Eunuch and Overachievers). It was very relaxing to watch this since it is a no-brainer. The chemistry between the cast is great and the whole Kam family reminds me of the family dramas produced back then (Moonlight Resonance, Heart of Greed, Can't Buy Me Love). There are villains in this drama but they are a joke so they don't get you pulling your hair out when you know they will not succeed.


Synopsis:
Eunuchs Lee Suk-gung (Wayne Lai), Dan Tin (Power Chan) and Chan Siu-fung (Raymond Cho) served the last Qing emperor Puyi and the royal family in the Forbidden City until Puyi's distrust in eunuchs led to the release of all eunuchs from the Forbidden City. Life outside the Forbidden City was miserable for the three since eunuchs were constantly berated so they had to keep their identities a secret. The three befriends Chiu Jun-sing (Edwin Siu) a fake Eunuch after encountering revolutionist Yip Ching-yee (Ram Chiang) and decides to escape to Tianjin.

Another TVB drama review (Fist Within Four Walls) --- TVB is on a roll this year, putting out good-quality productions.

Currently airing are two completely different series with totally different genres and tone. Daddy Dearest, geared more towards family with kids, is actually not gaining as much praises as Fist is. I am hearing lukewarm reviews on this series but many are praising Candice Chiu's portrayal of a mother and Jason Chan's improvements as an actor. The plot can't be compared to the action-packed Fist since it is after all a light-hearted series for kids to watch.

Since I've only followed Fist Within Four Walls, I am only going to review this series.

Fist is definitely on my top five TVB series of the year. This action-packed miracle brought the cast to new heights of popularity and boosted TVB ratings. They have to at least win something at the awards even though TVB awards doesn't mean much. The only reason why this isn't a 10 is because it has a semi-happy ending. If you like the main lead, then you will like the ending. But like other viewers, I was upset my favorite characters were being killed off for the sake of drama. I would still re-watch this for the dynamic characters and the suspenseful plot.


Synopsis:

After the death of Bajiquan masters Duen Tung-Tin and Chiu Mang-San, the Kowloon Walled City has been overtaken by triad organization The Association led by Or Man-Cheung, Fung Chun-Mei, and Fuk Luk-Kam. Fifteen years later, Chiu's son Chor Au-Kuen returns to the now triad-ridden Walled City to look for his long-lost sister Chiu Ha. Eventually, Chor, along with hair salon owner Tiu Lan and dentist Duen Ying-Fung, started the Welfare Association to go against The Association. Mysteries continue to plague the Walled City as a triad leader dies under the hands of a Baijiquan master and nightclub dancer Fa Man enters the picture as Fung Chun-Mei's left-hand helper.


The Cast:

This is the one of the only time I've watch a TVB drama without Tavia Yeung in it. But due to rave reviews, I gave it a try and it deserves the ratings it received! I was not disappointed at all!


Synopsis 
Executioner Yip Sheung Luk (Kenny Wong) has shed blood too many times to count. To protect his savior’s pregnant daughter-in-law Yuen So Sam (Elaine Yiu) from danger, Sheung Luk sends So Sam to the capital, where she is to stay with renowned midwife Fa Yui Hung (Maggie Shiu).

A series of strange murders soon take place, and Sheung Luk saves a little life with his blade. But this baby boy of unknown origin gets Sheung Luk and Yui Hung in trouble with the imperial court. Step by step, the unlikely duo overcome obstacles together, developing a close relationship.

Meanwhile, young couple Chik Chi Chau (Mat Yeung) and Chuk Siu Moon (Katy Kung), both who have lived in a brothel for most of their lives, suddenly arrive at Yui Hung’s home. Siu Moon begs Sheung Luk to accept Chi Chau as his disciple when Chi Chau got into trouble, but reckless Chi Chau wants nothing more than to use this opportunity to escape from his punishment.

Sheung Luk’s life changes forever after the appearance of mysterious magician Sze Ma Chau (Joel Chan). The baby boy’s identity is uncovered, putting everyone one step closer to their own deaths.

Synopsis:
This drama takes place in Tong Sai during the 1930s, an era of corruption and human trafficking. Kam Wah (Louis Cheung) is a corrupted officer from the start who takes bribes and collects tributes from commoners. But he begins to change when he meets righteous cop Sum Yat Yin (Matt Yeung) and gets embroiled in the investigation of human trafficking. As he finds his conscience, he gets closer to and develops a crush on Leung Sam (Tavia Yeung) who has taken a vow of celibacy yet fell in love with Yat Yin. Leung Sam and her childhood friend Fa Ying Yuet (Rosina Lam) were both victims of child trafficking who became separated from their family but each went down a different path. Ultimately, the four joins together to counter the mastermind behind the human trafficking organization.





Cast:
Louis Cheung as Kam Wah
Tavia Yeung as Leung Sam
Matt Yeung as Sum Yat Yin
Rosina Lin as Fa Ying Yuet
Lau Kong as Chong Ngou Shan
Akina Hong as Ho Wan Fong
Joe Tay as Chong Man Tou
Timothy Cheng as Lui Kwok
Hugo Wong as Lui Yu Wai
Koo Kung Chung as Ng Sai Cheung
Willie Wai as Shek Gau
Candy Chang as Lam Choi Dip
Brian Burrell as James Charlton
Amy Fan as Gu Sau Hing

Synopsis:
Former undercover police Pau Kai Chung (Chin Siu Ho) escapes to the Wudang Mountains after experiencing a severe setback in life. His senior Mo Yee Shan (Yuen Qiu), whom he has known since his youth, hires him as a chef for her lodging establishment in Wudang. She also takes in the mysterious and mentally ill Ho Ching Tung (Derek Kok), who was brought to Wudang by Kai Chung.

Originally known for being a land of spiritual calmness, Wudang enters a state of chaos after a group of new Hong Kong students are taken in to learn Tai Chi. The new students include Yee Shan’s daughter Lok Yeung (Tavia Yeung); the fighter Cheung Ka Kong (Timmy Hung); son of a wealthy businesswoman Lok Yik Hin (Jonathan Cheung), Yik Hin's private female bodyguard Yeung Ching Wu (Toby Leung), model Siu Yuk (Regen Cheung), accompanied by her mother Chin Yam Yam, and rebellious student Mia Lau (Rainky Wai).

The appearance of Lok Yeung triggers a painful memory in Kai Chung. Lok Yeung’s purpose in staying in Wudang is to convince her mother to sell her lodging establishment to a Hong Kong investment group. Yee Shan promises to give up the establishment only if Lok Yeung manages to win a competition in three months. Meanwhile, Yee Shan purposely injures herself so Kai Chung can teach her Tai Chi class.

Eventually, Ching Tung overcomes his mental illness and becomes well again. He reveals Kai Chung’s true identity, and danger shrouds the Wudang Mountains.

I haven't watched TVB dramas for a long time - I've watched one or two episodes of a new series time to time when my parents watch them but this is the only drama recently that I've actually begun watching from the start and have been catching its new episode every day.



Cast:

Myolie Wu as Cho Ching
Ron Ng as Kai Chun
Him Law as Chin Tung
Eliza Sam as San Cha
Gigi Wong as Cho Cho Bi Yue
Koo Ming Wah as Chin Jong
Alice Chan as Chin Sheung
Jade Leung as Kai Sho
Derek Kwok as Fu Sam Yan
Koni Lui as Nang Choi Ji

Synopsis: 

Cho Ching (Myolie Wu) and her mother Cho Cho Bi Yue (Gigi Wong) travels around as beautifying conmen in search for her father Cho Dai Kung. They decided to return to their town when Cho Ching falls in love with Chin Tung (Him Law). She successfully marries into the Chin family but

Seeing her husband's close relationship with personal servant San Cha (Eliza Sam), Cho Ching becomes jealous and attempts to matchmake San Cha and her buddy Kai Chun (Ron Ng). However, her plan backfires and leads Chin Tung to realize his feelings towards San Cha and marrying her as his concubine. How will Cho Ching deal with this?



My Thoughts:

Some parts are actually kind of cheesy but I really like its comical part. The comedy is not exactly over the top so I enjoy watching it. I especially loved the part when Myolie's father returns back to town as a eunuch. Ron asks one of his buddy to pretend to be his son which unexpectedly helped Myolie's mother to be released.

Eliza's character is the third-party but since her character is kind and caring, it is really difficult to hate her. There isn't any characters that I dislike and the series is actually hilarious. I do sympathize with Myolie's character because no one in the Chin family likes her especially Him's aunt and grandmother. Since the grandmother doesn't like her, the maids and servants doesn't respect her as well. Even Eliza is more respected than Myolie is. Marriage is not only between two people, but also between the two's family. Without Him's family acceptance, the marriage was doomed from the start. I was partially excited that Myolie finally left the Chin family because then she can get together with Ron's character especially since he is by her side whenever she is upset or gets into trouble.

Music:

I really love the theme song! They've collaborated two times before, the first for Lost in the Chambers of Love, and the second for A Chip Off The Old Block.

The theme song represents the relationship between Myolie and Ron's characters in the series.

2005: Marriage Attire (嫁衣裳) by Myolie Wu and Ron Ng

The title of the song comes from the phrase "为他人作嫁衣裳" which literally means to help another create a set of marriage attire. This saying talks about a person helping another be with the person he or she loves. In this case, Myolie is the one helping Ron and Michelle Ye's characters get together even though she secretly loves Ron. The story of the plot is based on a fable about Ron and Michelle's characters falling in love but her parents disapprove with the marriage. With the help of of the maid, they end up together. However, in this adaptation, Myolie as the maid ends up with Ron's character instead. She does not expect her love to be requited so she tries her best to help Ron and Michelle get together because she believes Ron likes Michelle and will be happy if they get to end up together.


2009: Don't Say I Didn't Mind You (咪话唔就你) by Myolie Wu and Ron Ng



2014: Is It You? (是你吗?) by Myolie Wu and Ron Ng