Sere Visions

Sunday, December 07, 2008 - 12:06 AM

TVB 2009 Presentation and Upcoming Dramas

English Title: Rouge Merchant
Producer: Lee Tim Shing (The Conqueror’s Story, Safe Guards)
Cast: Wayne Lai, Sheren Tang, Ron Ng, Kiki Sheung, Elliot Yue, Nancy Wu, Suki Tsui

Everything about Rouge looks fantastic. I like Wayne and Sheren. Wayne has a meaty character to play with. His character will go through a lot of turbulences. To watch his character grow through phases of good and bad will indeed be interesting! I love Lee Tim Shing who produced the upcoming Salt Traders (Steven Ma, Tavia Yeung etc.) I anticipate Rouge Merchant and Salt Traders greatly. Since he is a pure genius at producing ancient classics, I hope he can deliver another one for us.

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English Title: Palace Scheme
Producer: Miu Siu Ching
Cast: Moses Chan, Charmaine Sheh, Kevin Cheng, Susanna Kwan, Michelle Yim, Tavia Yeung, Selena Li, Raymond Wong

It’s been way to long since I've seen Moses in an ancient series, mind you, as an emperor! Palace is dubbed the Hong Kong’s version of Jewel in the Palace. Naturally, the females will dominate the screen and Moses will have little to do. I don’t mind because I find that Moses looks dashing as an emperor so I would like to see him in emperor attire. Tavia looks like she will have a breakthrough role as a villainous. Her popularity has soared since Moonlight Resonance. If TVB doesn’t cut her screen time as they usually do, she might just strike gold with this drama. The cast looks great, the costumes looks glamorous, and the script seems compelling – I look forward to it.

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English Title: D.I.E. II
Producer: Kwan Wing Chung (War of In Laws, When a Dog Loves a Cat, To Grow With Love)
Cast: Roger Kwok, Sonija Kwok, Derek Kwok, Nancy Wu, Macy Chan, Rain Lau, Mimi Lo, Stephen Huynh, Kwok Fung, Suet Nay, Edwin Siu

I was devastated when I found out this project was given to Producer Kwan. He is awful. D.I.E. was a cute and charming series. I enjoyed it a lot. I’m still going to watch this sequel for the cast. Just look at the list! It’s fantastic! I’m a bit disappointed that Margie Tsang’s character will be written off. But I love how Edwin Siu is added to the sequel. I love him in When Easterly Flowers Shine on the Sunny West. He is adorable and cute. I think I'm almost a fan. I will definitely be keeping tabs on his upcoming series. He has loads of charisma and potential. I’m digressing... I like the concept of Roger’s baby having a connection with him. Sonija and Roger = chemistry. Even though the possibility of this sequel turning out to be rubbish is likely, I will watch for the cast.

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English Title: The Grand Entrepreneurs
Producer: Chong Wai Kin & Tommy Leung Ka Shu (Golden Faith)
Cast: Gallen Lo, Ray Lui, Kenix Kwok, Anita Yeun, Krystal Tin, Jamie Chik, Joe Ma, Kenneth Ma, Nancy Sit, Toby Leung, Benz Hui

I was wrong when I said Gallen will probably not return to TVB after When A Dog Loves a Cat. :P Entrepreneurs boasts fine actors from TVB’s powerhouse with the two male leaves as Ray Lui and Gallen Lo. The cast seem to be getting along very well. Chemistry and love are already radiating through the photos! I’m pleased with the pairings. I think Gallen will have wonderful chemistry with Anita! Gallen had it easy with his first series since his return to TVB, now he has a more challenging (or not so challenging, since he already proved that he can be a very good villain :P ) role to test his abilities. Ray Lui is very charismatic and be assured that he will deliver a delicious performance! I hope Producer Leung can deliver another classic drama.

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English Title: Superwoman
Producer: Chik Kei Yei (Secret of the Heart, At the Threshold of an Era, War and Beauty, Dance of Passion, Gem of Life)
Cast: Ada Choi, Moses Chan, Raymond Cho, Kenny Wong

Chik Kei Yei is known for his dramatic series. I am surprised that he’s filming a comedy this time. It looks too silly for me. Finally Moses and Ada are collaborating directly together. I almost chocked on my drink when I saw Moses with white hair and Ada in a geeky business suit and a huge bum. I’m going to give this series the benefit of the doubt. I prefer Ada in dramatic roles but comedy seems to gain her more success. I have this feeling that this series will be popular (in Hong Kong at least) and will be beneficial for her (career-wise).

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English Title: The Ultimate Test of Conscience
Producer: Chik Kei Yi
Cast: Nick Cheung, Bowie Lam, Moses Chan, Charmaine Sheh, Sheren Tang, Louise Lee, Maggie Siu, Kate Tsui

Talk about a stellar cast! TVB are wise with their decisions lately. Another Chik Kei Yi production. Nick Cheung inspired my Strike Gold Performance after I read about his comeback. Like I’ve said, Nick is charismatic and he has a likeable vibe that surrounds him. Because of his likeable aura, I always finish his series and movies even when his characters don't challenge him or his series have no substance. Bowie made it to my good list since his wonderful performance in Gem of Life. Moses looks so cool. The female cast look great as well. The concept of the story is interesting and new - I'm intrigued.

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English Title: Burning Flame III
Producer: Amy Wong Sum Wai (Burning Flame I, II, Hard Fate, Yummy Yummy, Under the Canopy of Love)
Cast: Wong Hei, Kevin Cheng, Myolie Wu, Bosco Wong, Stephen Wong, Matthew Ko, Aimee Chan, Elaine Yiu

If you recall, I had high hopes for Burning Flame III. Words can’t describe how disappointed I became afterwards. This third instalment is a continuation of Wong Hei’s story and more suffering he will encounter. Wong Hei hasn’t been given any good roles since his comeback. His characters have been either forgettable or downright annoying. I want him to be given a role to showcase his acting and I feel Burning Flame will do that for him since Burning Flame is his most well known role. But I hate the cast. I’ve stated before that I will stay as far as can from Myolie’s upcoming dramas. Looks like I will have to reconsider this series. It’s not just Myolie, I’m not fond of Mathew, Amie or Elaine. I hate the idea of Myolie having a love triangle with Wong Hei and Kevin. I’m neutral about Kevin and Bosco but even they are not all that great despite the fact that I find them likeable. So far the script looks like a snoozer. The attraction of this series doesn't seem to be the chemistry among the cast, a touching storyline or characterizations (that the first installment had.) But it looks more like typical love triangles and predictable subplots, disputes at the workforce and cases firefighters have to encounter. I think I will watch the first few episodes and go on from there.

Labels: Burning Flame, D.I.E., Palace Scheme, Rouge Merchant, Superwoman, The Grand Entrepreneurs, The Ultimate Test of Conscience, TVB Sales Presentation