Overview - The Forgotten Valley

Raymond Wong and Grace Chan are a couple that has been influenced by Western thinking. They want to change their closed, backwards-thinking hometown, but things don't go their way. Aside from the totalitarian rule and obstruction from the village leader (Lau Kong), they are embroiled into a series of mysteries, including a ghost bride killer, kidnapping and murder cases. A group of oppressed women, including Lau Kong's second wife (Louisa So), third wife (Rebecca Zhu), and maid (Katy Kung), can no long tolerate the unequal treatment of men and women. They secretly form a coalition to protect other women. But when a group of men led by housekeeper Louis Yuen let in bandits for their own gain, it not only exposes the women's coalition, but also puts Raymond and Grace's relationship to the test. The fight between men and women intensify...

Overview - Phoenix Rising

Just before her wedding, wealthy heiress Louisa So is charged and imprisoned for murdering her adoptive mother. She encounters her long-lost sister Leila Tong, who is a corrections officer, and consequently, is reunited with elder sister Kristal Tin as well. Kristal and Leila run around to try to prove Louisa's innocence.

Unfortunately, things don't go as planned. After Kristal and her boyfriend Sunny Chan give birth to a son, she discovers that she is terminally ill. She decides to take the fall for Louisa and enters prison in her place. Leila continues investigating on her own and is shocked to discover that Kristal's medical report was actually a plot by Louisa. She finds it difficult to accept what her sister has done.

To prevent Kristal from suffering innocently in prison, Leila knowingly breaks the law and helps with Kristal's plan to escape. Louisa wants to eliminate all loose ends and ruthlessly goes after Kristal. But it causes her beloved husband's (Ben Wong) family to be ruined, making her feel extremely guilty. From then on, the three sisters' fate and safety is tied to the barred windows of prison...

Overview - Lord of Shanghai

A young, red-blooded Kenneth Ma arrives on the bustling Shanghai scene alone. He soon becomes sworn brothers with small-time gangster Wayne Lai. Together, they build an empire using their fists. Kenneth’s intelligence and resourcefulness quickly earns the admiration of top triad leader Kent Tong. Kent gives Kenneth the task of seizing the opium business that he has long coveted. Relying on Wayne’s military strength, Kenneth is able to complete the mission.

Time passes quickly and a new government has taken office. The scope of the joint business between Anthony Wong (older version of Kenneth), Wayne and Kent has expanded continuously. The three of them have become Shanghai’s most powerful tycoons, but they are still feuding over the title of “#1 Tycoon”. Although Anthony’s career is thriving, he cannot win the love of famous Peking opera performer Myolie Wu. He settles for another fadan Louisa So, whom he eventually marries.

Meanwhile, dangers are lurking within the seemingly peaceful Shanghai as the Japanese plot their invasion of China. Union leader Pierre Ngo’s fight for the people deeply touches Anthony. Following the July 7 Incident, Anthony contributes his efforts and money to help his country. The present situation causes Anthony and Wayne to drift apart. Their brotherhood breaks down completely when Wayne decides to betray his country. After the war and the liberation of Shangahi, Anthony has risen from a nameless nobody to a legendary lord of Shanghai. However, he is betrayed by his closest disciple Ron Ng, who accuses him of being a traitor. Anthony is forced to leave everything behind and escape to Hong Kong, retreating to a plain life…

Lord of Shanghai Promo Clips

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Extended Trailer

Rear Mirror Thoughts

Good luck finding such intimacy between the two leads in this series.

Producer: Fong Chun-chiu
Genre: Modern, romance
Cast: Wayne Lai, Louisa So, Tony Hung, Natalie Tong

• An analogy to describe Rear Mirror: a minibus moves slower than a race car, but for some people, it is an acceptable mode of transportation. Translation: If you want a simple drama to relax with, this is a good one; if you're looking for a thriller, look somewhere else. 

• The romance between Wayne and Louisa has been described as "subtle". Subtle is the right word, if it meant barely existent. You can convince me that they have a deep friendship, but I'd be hard-pressed to believe romance is in the air for those two.

• The family infighting plot adds some much-needed drama to the series, but at its core, it is just another formulaic TVB storyline. 

• The abrupt change (or better to say, revelation) of Chung King-fai's character in the end was uncalled for. If the writers wanted a devious plot, they needed to give it more development. But in my opinion, such a plot does not fit with the overall atmosphere of the series.

• Wayne Lai looks rather bored, or he is very tired. Either way, it felt like he was acting in his sleep. At times, there were flashes of "Chai Gau" from Rosy Business, which is not appropriate for his character in here.

• Louisa So is a respectable actress, but she just didn't radiate the charm as leading lady. 

• Tony Hung has proven himself to be a decent actor. He did a good job as a shy introvert with his hesitation and hand-wringing.

• Natalie Tong has quietly been improving. An enjoyable performance and good chemistry with Tony.

• This must be the third or fourth time Elaine Yiu has played the ex-girlfriend/ex-wife type.

• I found Ram Chiang to be a little on the odd side. I don't get why his character always had the suspicious look. Would understand if he was in on the scheme by Chung King-fai, but he wasn't.

• Amy Fan reminds me of Margie Tsang (Note: Margie was Roger Kwok's elder sister in D.I.E.)

• It's a bit tiresome seeing the same veteran actors in every single drama, such as KK Cheung, Mary Hon, Lau Kong, etc.

• Overall, another small production that will be forgotten soon enough. 

Rating: 2/5

Too lazy to write a proper review, but since some of you are asking, I decided just to share some of my thoughts on Rear Mirror.

Love Has No Boundaries

真愛是不應該有任何界限

True love should not have any boundaries

That includes gender.

Rear Mirror Promo Clips

Overview - Rear Mirror

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Extended Trailer

Overview - Rear Mirror

Minibus driver Wayne Lai failed to heed to his late father's advice and suffers a series of setbacks in his relationship and career. Despite this, he stays strong and insists on raising the son that his girlfriend had with another man. His neighbour, Ronald Law, has always looked up to Wayne as a big brother. Ronald hopes that Wayne would be with his sister (Amy Fan), but Wayne is hesitant to enter into a new relationship.

A traffic accident causes Wayne to encounter Louisa So, the CEO of a large corporation. Louisa admires his personality and hires him as her personal driver. The politics at the corporation is complex and Louisa finds herself fighting alone. The only person she can trust is her cousin (Tony Hung), but he lacks his own opinion and has an ambiguous relationship with an employee (Natalie Tong). One time, Louisa mistakenly believes that Wayne betrayed her and demands that he quit within seven days. At this critical moment, Wayne helps Louisa escape from the difficult situation. A subtle bond starts to form, but they are held back due to the difference in their social status. Living in a fairytale-like reality, the main characters wander between blurred lines…