Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Overview - Infernal Affairs



Him Law is a Probationary Inspector in the Hong Kong Police and aspires to be the fastest promoted Inspector in history. During a drug raid, he encounters a suspect, Edmond Leung. Seeking to avenge a personal matter, he allows Edmond to overdose on drugs. Later, Him finds out that Edmond died and feels extremely guilty. He is only able to slowly recover with the help of psychologist Jolie Zhu.

Mainland cop Wayne Yang, nicknamed "Bullet", comes to visit his friend Edmond, only to discover that he had fallen to his death after overdosing on drugs. Bullet is greatly surprised by this and believes that it is impossible. He resolves to find the truth to prove his friend's innocence. Soon after, Bullet discovers that Edmond's death is related to a drug network operated by the Hong Kong triads. The drug network is colluding with foreign drug cartels to open up the vast Mainland market! Bullet immediately notifies the Hong Kong Police. The Mainland and Hong Kong police join forces to destroy the cross-border drug network.

Infernal Affairs will be airing on iQiyi and myTV Super beginning December 21. The series has three seasons, consisting of 12 episodes each. 


Monday, December 19, 2016

Overview - No Reserve



Guerrilla leader Wayne Lai meets Myolie Wu during the war. Faced with the Japanese invasion, they both become spies and sneak into Guangzhou. Myolie assumes the identity of a famous Chinese opera singer to gather intelligence and discovers that spies for another organization, as well as exiled remnants of the Qing Dynasty, are hiding in Guangzhou. She also re-encounters her ex-lover, Edwin Siu. Edwin, who is a spy for another organization, hates love rival and rival spy Wayne to the bone. But confronted with a national calamity, they leave their personal grudge behind and work together against the common enemy. People from different backgrounds and standpoints gather in Guangzhou. They are all targeting a Japanese businessman who holds the secret to gold treasure from the Qing Dynasty. When Wayne tries to kidnap the Japanese businessman, he discovers that they look exactly the same...


Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Predictions for TVB Anniversary Awards 2016

Every year, it gets harder and harder to make picks for TVB Anniversary Awards because I watch so few TVB dramas now. This year, I can count on one hand the number of dramas I've watched. But it won't stop me from adding my predictions to the blogosphere.

Full nomination list here.

Best Actor


I think this will finally be Ruco Chan's year. His performance in A Fist Within Four Walls was widely praised. Roger Kwok has also entered the conversation with an award-worthy performance in Dead Wrong.

Winner: Ruco Chan

Best Actress


Looks like Nancy Wu is poised to be the second ever actress to win back-to-back Best Actress Awards (Sheren Tang did it in 2009 and 2010). Not to detract from Nancy's strong performance, but she basically wins by default this year.

Winner: Nancy Wu

Favourite Male Character


Vincent Wong
's character from Over Run Over was very well-liked and it seems like TVB is willing to promote him. The other possibility is that Ruco Chan gets this as a consolation prize if he loses out on Best Actor.

Winner: Benjamin Yuen

Favourite Female Character


Again, there's not much choice in the female category, so Nancy Wu will likely pick up this award as well.

Winner: Grace Wong

Best Supporting Actress


Maybe Joyce Tang will finally get recognition for her acting? Katy Kung (Two Steps From Heaven) and Grace Wong (A Fist Within Four Walls) are somehow considered contenders, but I don't think either of them are ready to make the leap to Best Supporting yet.

Winner: Katy Kung

Best Supporting Actor


Raymond Cho's feminine character in Short End of the Stick was well-received and it's about time for him to get this award. Fellow eunuch Power Chan is the next best contender, but he has a tenuous relationship with TVB.

Winner: Raymond Cho

Most Improved Actress


TVB has been pushing Ali Lee really hard, giving her opportunities alongside veterans like Liu Kai-chi and Alex Fong in Law dis-Order and Gallen Lo in Provocateur. This award could go to Tracy Chu or Katy Kung as well.

Winner: Ali Lee

Most Improved Actor


Seems like Jonathan Cheung is the most deserving in the group of otherwise lacklustre nominees. I like Matthew Ho too, but he's still young.

Winner: Jonathan Cheung

Best Series


Of the series I watched, I would support Law dis-Order or Dead Wrong for Best Series, but A Fist Within Four Walls will likely be the biggest winner of the night. Producer Jazz Boon has had great success with his dramas. This would be his second Best Series in three years.

Winner: A Fist Within Four Walls

Favourite Series Partnership


Not sure how TVB came up with this list. Vincent Wong and Tracy Chu from Over Run Over were a popular pairing. Their most serious challenge will be the eunuchs from Short End of the Stick if TVB decides that Wayne Lai cannot walk away empty-handed.

Winner: Vincent Wong and Tracy Chu

Favourite Theme Song


This is the "Jinny Ng Award" but given that she's pregnant and going to be on break, TVB might decide to give it to someone deserving for once. My personal favourite is Ruco Chan's "Who Can Change" (誰可改變) for Brother's Keeper II, but I think Ruco and Nancy Wu's duet "Never Knew You Were the Best" (從未知道你最好), the sub-theme song for A Fist Within Four Walls, will take home the prize.

Winner: "Never Knew You Were the Best" by Ruco Chan and Nancy Wu

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Overview - Rogue Emperor



Living on the streets of Hong Kong, Kenneth Ma claims that he is the Last Emperor of China. As social worker Tracy Chu follows his case, she gradually reveals his adventurous, absurd, legendary life devoted to pursing his love Niki Chow. In the early 1930s, when he was still a youngster, Kenneth, along with his brother Benjamin Yuen and friends Koo Ming Wah and Brian Tse, compete in a firecracker scramble to earn money for him to marry Niki. Because of an accident, they not only miss out on the prize money, they also encounter strange people and events one after another, including bandit Harriet Yeung, revolutionary Luk Wing Kuen and warlord Pal Sinn. Koo Ming Wah's sister Mandy Wong is also implicated and becomes a social flower. Kenneth and his pals fail in the military and instead, become prisoners. They later end up in Shanghai. With the help of triad leader Joe Tay, Kenneth transforms into a powerful Shanghai tycoon. Although his heart still thinks about Niki, a missed opportunity causes the two of them to be separated again for forty years.


Rogue Emperor Theme Song

The theme song for Rogue Emperor is sung by Hoffman Cheng, entitled "Four Sides" (四方).



The ending theme song is "Heart Warm" (心暖), by Kenneth Ma and Niki Chow.



The sub-theme song is "Cheers" (乾杯), by Hoffman, Ronald Law and Yao Bin.




Saturday, December 10, 2016

TVB Sales Presentation 2017 Clips

Read the synopsis here!

Heart of Greed 3


Deep in the Realm of Conscience


Line Walker: The Prelude


Destination Nowhere


Burning Hands


The Unholy Alliance


Oh My Grad


The Unlawful Justice Squad


My Unfair Lady


Descending Demons Taxi


Time Travelling Male Official



Friday, December 02, 2016

TVB Anniversary Awards 2016 Nomination List

Best Actress
Maggie Siu - The Executioner
Kitty Yuen - Love As A Predatory Affair
Samantha Ko - Love As A Predatory Affair
Natalie Tong - Speed of Life
Sisley Choi - Speed of Life
Linda Chung - K9 Cop
Tracy Chu - Over Run Over
Tavia Yeung - The Last Healer in Forbidden City
Teresa Mo - Come Home Love: Dinner at 8
Grace Chan - Blue Veins
Eliza Sam - My Dangerous Mafia Retirement Plan
Alice Chan - My Dangerous Mafia Retirement Plan
Selena Li - Presumed Accidents
Sharon Chan - Come With Me
Nancy Wu - A Fist Within Four Walls
Kristal Tin - Brother's Keeper II
Ali Lee - Law dis-Order
Mandy Wong - Law dis-Order
Priscilla Wong - Two Steps From Heaven
Joey Meng - Dead Wrong

Best Actor
Kenny Wong - The Executioner
Raymond Wong - K9 Cop
Wayne Lai - Short End of the Stick
Moses Chan - Fashion War
Vincent Wong - Over Run Over
Kevin Cheng - Blue Veins
Kent Cheng - My Dangerous Mafia Retirement Plan
Lawrence Ng - Presumed Accidents
Bobby Au-Yeung - House of Spirits
Ben Wong - Between Love and Desire
Johnson Lee - Daddy Dearest
Benjamin Yuen - A Fist Within Four Walls
Ruco Chan - A Fist Within Four Walls
Edwin Siu - Brother's Keeper II
Kenneth Ma - Detective Gourmet
Alex Fong - Law dis-Order
Liu Kai-chi - Law dis-Order
Louis Cheung - Two Steps From Heaven
Bosco Wong - Two Steps From Heaven
Roger Kwok - Dead Wrong

Favourite Female Character
Akina Hong - The Executioner
Natalie Tong - Speed of Life
Linda Chung - K9 Cop
Rosina Lam - Short End of the Stick
Tracy Chu - Over Run Over
Angela Tong - Come Home Love: Dinner at 8
Kay Tse - Blue Veins
Eliza Sam - My Dangerous Mafia Retirement Plan
Alice Chan - My Dangerous Mafia Retirement Plan
Koni Lui - House of Spirits
Joyce Tang - House of Spirits
Grace Wong - A Fist Within Four Walls
Yuen Qiu - A Fist Within Four Walls
Nancy Wu - A Fist Within Four Walls
Kristal Tin - Brother's Keeper II
Jacqueline Wong - Inspector Gourmet
Ali Lee - Law dis-Order
Mandy Wong - Law dis-Order
Priscilla Wong - Two Steps From Heaven
Joey Meng - Dead Wrong

Favourite Male Character
Tony Hung - Angel In-the-Making
Jason Chan - Love As A Predatory Affair
Raymond Cho - Short End of the Stick
Wayne Lai - Short End of the Stick
Him Law - Fashion War
Vincent Wong - Over Run Over
Tommy Wong - My Dangerous Mafia Retirement Plan
Matt Yeung - My Dangerous Mafia Retirement Plan
Eddie Cheung - Come With Me
Wu Fung - House of Spirits
Bobby Au-Yeung - House of Spirits
Benjamin Yuen - A Fist Within Four Walls
Ruco Chan - A Fist Within Four Walls
Hugo Ng - Brother's Keeper II
Louis Yuen - Brother's Keeper II
Alex Fong - Law dis-Order
Eddie Kwan - My Lover From the Planet Meow
Louis Cheung - Two Steps From Heaven
Bosco Wong - Two Steps From Heaven
Roger Kwok - Dead Wrong

Best Supporting Actress
Elaine Yiu - The Executioner
Akina Hong - The Executioner
Rachel Kan - Speed of Life
Rosina Lam - Short End of the Stick
Yoyo Chen - Short End of the Stick
Zoie Tam - Over Run Over
Jeannie Chan - Blue Veins
Elena Kong - ICAC Investigators 2016
Kingdom Yuen - My Dangerous Mafia Retirement Plan
Koni Lui - House of Spirits
Joyce Tang - House of Spirits
Helena Law - House of Spirits
Roxanne Tong - Between Love & Desire
Grace Wong - A Fist Within Four Walls
Jade Leung - Brother's Keeper II
Florence Kwok - Law dis-Order
Vivien Yeo - My Lover From the Planet Meow
Moon Lau - Two Steps From Heaven
Katy Kung - Two Steps From Heaven
Rebecca Chu - Dead Wrong

Best Supporting Actor
Law Lok Lam - The Executioner
Oscar Leung - K9 Cop
John Chiang - Short End of the Stick
Willie Wai - Short End of the Stick
Raymond Cho - Short End of the Stick
Power Chan - Short End of the Stick
Pal Sinn - Over Run Over
Joel Chan - Blue Veins
Jonathan Cheung - House of Spirits
Philip Ng - A Fist Within Four Walls
Carlos Ng - A Fist Within Four Walls
Oscar Li - A Fist Within Four Walls
Hugo Ng - Brother's Keeper II
Matthew Ho - Law dis-Order
Ram Chiang - Law dis-Order
Luk Wing Kuen - Two Steps From Heaven
Koo Ming Wah - Dead Wrong

Most Improved Actress
Tracy Chu, Stephanie Ho, Ali Lee, Mayanne Mak, Moon Lau, Katy Kung

Most Improved Actor
James Ng, Matthew Ho, Hubert Wu, Mark Ma, Bob Cheung, Jonathan Cheung

Best Series
All TVB series aired since the last Anniversary Awards, starting with Angel-In-The-Making to Dead Wrong, including Come Home Love: Dinner at 8, ICAC Investigators, Come With Me and No Reserve, but excluding Wu Xin The Monster Killer and Nirvana in Fire. 

Favourite Series Partnership
Wayne Lai, Edwin Siu, Raymond Cho, Power Chan - Short End of the Stick
Vincent Wong, Tracy Chu - Over Run Over
Jimmy Au, Kim Li - Come Home Love: Dinner at 8
Wu Fung, Helena Law - House of Spirits
Joyce Tang, Koni Lui - House of Spirits
Ruco Chan, Benjamin Yuen - A Fist Within Four Walls
Caret Cheung, Apple Chan, Chloe Nguyen, Doris Chow - A Fist Within Four Walls
Alex Fong, Florence Kwok - Law dis-Order
Eddie Kwan, Vivien Yeo - My Lover From the Planet Meow
Bosco Wong, Edwin Siu, Louis Cheung - Two Steps From Heaven

Favourite Theme Song
Angel In-The-Making - We Are All Injured (Jinny Ng), Real Me (Aaryn Cheung)
The Executioner - Believe in Tomorrow (Hubert Wu)
Wu Xin The Monster Killer - Remember to Forget Me (Alfred Hui)
Love as a Predatory Affair - Love Food Chain (Stephanie Ho)
Speed of Life - Same Step (Justin Lo)
K9 Cop - You Understand Me (Linda Chung), Listen to the Sea (Vivian Koo)
Short End of the Stick - Blue Skies, White Cloud (Sammy Sum)
Over Run Over - Most Sincere Pair (Stephanie Ho)
The Last Healer in Forbidden City - The Soul's Pain (Hubert Wu)
Come Home Love: Dinner at 8 - Perfect Life (Jinny Ng)
Blue Veins - All Gods Confusion (Kay Tse), Unallowable by Heaven and Earth (Hubert Wu), The Only One (Stephanie Ho)
My Dangerous Mafia Retirement Plan - Under the Line of Fire (Fred Cheng)
Nirvana in Fire - Ask Heaven (Alfred Hui)
Presumed Accidents - Accidental Fate (Hubert Wu)
Come With Me - Speak (Sharon Chan, Louis Yuen, Grace Wong, Hoffman Cheng, Ronald Law, Stephanie Ho)
House of Spirits - Warmth of Love (Edwin Siu)
Between Love & Desire - The Last Break-up (Jinny Ng)
Daddy Dearest - Daddy (Hubert Wu)
A Fist Within Four Walls - Siege (Ruco Chan), Never Knew You Were the Best (Ruco Chan, Nancy Wu)
Brother's Keeper II - Who Can Change (Ruco Chan)
Inspector Gourmet - Tempted Heart Person (Jinny Ng), I Cannot Remember (Linda Chung)
Law dis-Order - Choice of Justice (Hubert Wu), Can You See (Kayee Tam)
The Imperial Doctress - Flower in Dream (Stephanie Ho)
My Lover From the Planet Meow - Meow Meow (Alvin Ng, Auston Lam, Penny Chan ft. C Kwan, Moses Chan), Favoured (Nancy Wu, Kristal Tin)
Two Steps From Heaven - King Maker (Hubert Wu)
Dead Wrong - Cannot Divulge (Vincent Wong), Love Requires Courage (Stephanie Ho)

Best Host
Sunday Stage Fight - Sammy Sum, Sharon Chan
Eat La Men - Benz Hui, Oscar Leung, King Kong
Do Did Eat - Carol Cheng, Fama
Not Far But Away 2 - Tony Hung
Good Cheap Eats 5 - Maria Cordero, Luk Ho Ming
I Heart HK - Eric Tsang, Various Artists
Bazaar Carnivals - Evergreen Mak, Elena Kong, Joyce Tang
Sermon By Sir Ben - Benjamin Au-Yeung
Wai Gor's Wok - Alice Chan,  Michael Wai, Steven Cheung, Tyson Chak
Neighbourhood Gourmet 4 - King Kong, Kitty Yuen
Kansai Raider 2 - Helen To

Best Variety Show
Sunday Stage Fight, Eat La Men, Do Did Eat, A Starry Homecoming, Taipei High Hi, All Work No Pay Holidays: India, All Work No Pay Holidays: Northern Europe, The Magicians' Game of Thrones, I Heart HK, Spirits on Vacation, Neighbourhood Gourmet 4

Best Informative Programme
Sidewalk Scientist, Not Far But Away 2, Touring the Hood, My Handy Man, The Treadmill Runner, Good Cheap Eats 5, Bazaar Carnivals, Sermon By Sir Ben, 5 Kids and a Bloke, Wai Gor's Wok, Kansai Raider 2

Best Special Programme
My Love myTV Super, Community Chest Charity Show, Hong Kong Heroes, Mr Hong Kong 2016, Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2016, Gala Spectacular 2016, A Time of Love II, TVB Anniversary Gala, Tung Wah Charity Gala 2016, Peak to Pit