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:

I can't believe I actually finished this series! I genuinely recommend this family comedy because trust me, you will not regret it. Although it is 28 episodes long, the series didn't drag like last year's Ghost of Relativity. It's purely a comedy so there is no need to take it too seriously --- in some parts, it did slow down but it picked up the speed pretty quickly.


Synopsis: 
After retired cheung-fun master Po Luk suddenly passes away, his eldest son Po Foon informs his three estranged siblings Po Yan, Po Yue, and Po Yi that their father left behind a will. The will says that the siblings have to live in the family house for nine months before they can sell it and split the profit equally. Realizing how valuable the property is, the siblings ungrudgingly moved back. But they are in for a surprise as Po Foon finds out that the ghost spirit of renowned celebrity couple Bak Wah and Yi Lan have been residing in their home for decades. Po Foon also befriends Po Yan's childhood friend Chu Chan Chan after a series of bickering. As the story continues, the Po family learns to mend the hole in the family formed years ago when Po Foon chose to leave the family.

TVB has a good start this year --- some pretty decent dramas that are actually watchable. I didn't plan on giving this a try since it was led by newbies Vincent Wong and Tracy Chu. Many liked Tracy but I have yet been impressed by her until this drama came along. I love this drama over the first two 2016 dramas I've seen. With a new concept, newbies that can act, and great chemistry between the leads, this is a must-watch TVB series!


Synopsis
While on patrol duty, EU sergeant Ling San-fung and her team are called to assist a criminal chase. A gun battle erupts and San-fung loses her father, who dies from a stray bullet to the head. San-fung continues the pursuit, but a strange natural phenomena suddenly turns her away, taking her back to April 1st—three days prior to the incident. Realising that she has traveled back in time, she uses this opportunity to save her father's life.

Village chief "Ditch", an informant for the ICAC, discovers San-fung's special ability and teams up with her to investigate a corrupted cop. Unfortunately, their persistent disruption to the timeline causes severe butterfly effects, with unsettling consequences. San-fung learns that her power to change the past does not make her able to control the future.