A Step Into The Past
Encyclopedia
A Step into the Past is a 2001 Hong Kong historical-science fiction television series produced by TVB
and based on Huang Yi
's novel of the same Chinese title. The series tells the story of a 21st century Hong Kong VIPPU officer who travels back in time to the Warring States Period
of ancient China. He is involved in a number of important historical events that leads to the first unification of China under the Qin Dynasty
.
The series' first original broadcast ran from 15 October to 7 December 2001 on the TVB Jade
network in Hong Kong.
's Terracotta Army
. One of Hong's colleagues notices that one of the terracotta warriors bears a striking resemblance to Hong. Moments later, wealthy businessman Lee Siu-chiu is attacked and held hostage at the museum by a madman who had suffered losses in the stock market. Hong rescues Lee and defuses the crisis.
Hong is unhappy despite his success in his career. He has just broken up with his girlfriend, Chun Ching, after a seven-year long relationship. She insisted that they tie the knot but he preferred to continue their relationship without a proper marriage. Chun married another man and Hong becomes depressed.
era, half an hour prior to the coronation of Ying Ching in 247 BC, and document the event with a digital camera before a swift departure. However, a critical error occurs during the traveling stage and Hong returns further back in time by three years than originally planned. He is now trapped in the Zhao state
of the Warring States Period
in 250 BC.
In order to return to the future, Hong has to make an arduous journey across thousands of miles in ancient China to activate a device at a specific location and time. He was warned that making even a slight change in the grand scheme of events will trigger a chain reaction of catastrophes that will alter history.
, and becomes Chiu's enemy. Chiu Muk's henchman Lin Chun also sees Hong as his greatest rival.
They return to Qin together and face new threats from the chancellor
Lui But-wai
and his right-hand man, Lo Oi. Lui believes that he is Ying Ching's biological father and he schemes to place his son on the throne and secure his power over the empire. Lo Oi, on the other hand, is actually Lin Chun, and he is aware of Ying Ching's true identity. Hong helps Ying clear all obstacles to the path to the throne and Ying eventually becomes the king of Qin.
Although having accomplished his mission, Hong's hope of returning to the 21st century is ruined when the time signalling device fails to work as the battery has expired. In panic, Hong recalls some lessons at school about electricity and he enlists the help of his friends to build a new power source. The experiment is successful but Hong hesitates to return home at the last minute because he has already developed true feelings for Kam Ching and Wu Ting-fong.
Hong stays behind and continues to aid Ying Ching in building the new Qin Dynasty through the annexation of the other seven states and reunification of China. Ying holds absolute power and gradually becomes more corruptedy, morphing from the original naive and kind Chiu Poon into the ruthless tyrant Chun Chi Wong
.
.
Hong and his family find paradise in the plains far away from the urban regions. Hong and Wu Ting-fong have a son. In the final moments of the last episode, Hong's son is revealed to be Hong Yu
, who will eventually grow up to become a prominent military general and overthrow the Qin Dynasty.
.
This was the last television drama that Louis Koo
acted in, as he had decided to concentrate on his film career. He has since worked on films such as Election
and its sequel
.
Raymond Lam
, in his first major role, was highly praised for his breakthrough performance as Ying Ching, and rose to fame quickly. He has starred in numerous leading roles ever since.
While filming in Zhuozhou
, Hebei
, Jessica Hsuan
was stricken with cholera
, causing her to enter a local hospital. She remained in bed for over a month until she was able to leave and start filming again. This caused Hsuan's character to be absent for a while in the series. During her hospital stay, many of her co-stars, including Koo, visited her regularly.
After its 2005 midnight re-run, TVB decided to release the complete series on DVD and VCD for the first time on November 18 in the same year. It also became the second TVB drama to be released on DVD after War and Beauty
, and the first to receive a non-limited release.
Television Broadcasts Limited
Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the second over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on 19 November 1967...
and based on Huang Yi
Huang Yi
Huang Zuqiang , better known by his pen name Huang Yi , is a Hong Kong writer of wuxia and science fiction novels. He graduated from the Department of Fine Arts of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and once worked as the Assistant Chairperson of Hong Kong Museum of Art.In the 1990s, after its...
's novel of the same Chinese title. The series tells the story of a 21st century Hong Kong VIPPU officer who travels back in time to the Warring States Period
Warring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
of ancient China. He is involved in a number of important historical events that leads to the first unification of China under the Qin Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
.
The series' first original broadcast ran from 15 October to 7 December 2001 on the TVB Jade
TVB Jade
TVB Jade is a flagship TV channel in Hong Kong, established by Television Broadcasts Limited, and is one of the free-to-air Cantonese language television channels in Hong Kong, the other being its arch-rival ATV Home...
network in Hong Kong.
21st century Hong Kong
Hong Siu-lung is a 21st century VIPPU special agent in Hong Kong. In the first episode, Hong and his colleagues stand guard at an exhibition of the First EmperorQin Shi Huang
Qin Shi Huang , personal name Ying Zheng , was king of the Chinese State of Qin from 246 BC to 221 BC during the Warring States Period. He became the first emperor of a unified China in 221 BC...
's Terracotta Army
Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army or the "Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses", is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China...
. One of Hong's colleagues notices that one of the terracotta warriors bears a striking resemblance to Hong. Moments later, wealthy businessman Lee Siu-chiu is attacked and held hostage at the museum by a madman who had suffered losses in the stock market. Hong rescues Lee and defuses the crisis.
Hong is unhappy despite his success in his career. He has just broken up with his girlfriend, Chun Ching, after a seven-year long relationship. She insisted that they tie the knot but he preferred to continue their relationship without a proper marriage. Chun married another man and Hong becomes depressed.
Time travelling
Impressed with Hong's rescue attempt earlier, Lee Siu-chiu and Doctor Wu Yau recruit him for a secret time-travelling experiment. Hong agrees to help them in exchange for an opportunity to travel back in time to salvage his failed relationship with Chun Ching. He is tasked to travel back more than two thousand years in time to China's Qin DynastyQin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
era, half an hour prior to the coronation of Ying Ching in 247 BC, and document the event with a digital camera before a swift departure. However, a critical error occurs during the traveling stage and Hong returns further back in time by three years than originally planned. He is now trapped in the Zhao state
Zhao (state)
Zhao was a significant Chinese state during the Warring States Period, along with six others...
of the Warring States Period
Warring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
in 250 BC.
In order to return to the future, Hong has to make an arduous journey across thousands of miles in ancient China to activate a device at a specific location and time. He was warned that making even a slight change in the grand scheme of events will trigger a chain reaction of catastrophes that will alter history.
Warring States Period
Hong enjoys a series of adventures in history. His knowledge of the 21st century, intelligence and experience as an elite special agent, as well as his prowess in martial arts, enables him to make a strong stand in history. He enters the service of various lords and nobles, and becomes a valuable ally to them. Concurrently, he becomes involved in romantic relationships with four women. The first, Sin-yau, is a wandering female assassin and the first person he meets after travelling back in time. The second, Wu Ting-fong, is the beautiful but spoiled daughter of a wealthy noble. The third is a pretty female scholar named Kam Ching, who resembles his 21st century girlfriend Chun Ching in appearance and shares a similar name. The last is Princess Chiu Sin, the daughter of the king of Zhao, who dies in a tragic incident later. He also befriends the king's sister Chiu Nga and her son Chiu Poon. Meanwhile, he foils the evil plans of Chiu Muk, a secret agent from the Chu stateChu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
, and becomes Chiu's enemy. Chiu Muk's henchman Lin Chun also sees Hong as his greatest rival.
Helping Ying Ching rise to power
As Hong's future is dependent on Ying Ching's succession to the throne of the Qin state, it is imperative that he makes the event a success. Hong tracks down Ying, who is held hostage in Zhao, and Ying's mother, Lady Chu Kei. However, he is shocked to discover that the real Ying has died. As Lady Chu had never seen her son after his birth, she mistakes Chiu Poon as her son. Desperate to return to the 21st century, he forces Chiu to impersonate the deceased Ying Ching.They return to Qin together and face new threats from the chancellor
Chancellor of China
The Chancellor , variously translated as Prime Minister, Chancellor of State, Premier or Chief Councillor, was a generic name given to the highest-ranking official in the imperial government in ancient China...
Lui But-wai
Lü Buwei
Lü Buwei , Lord Wenxin 文信侯 was a Warring States Period merchant who schemed his way into governing the State of Qin. He served as Chancellor of China for King Zhuangxiang of Qin, and as regent and Chancellor for the king's young son Zheng, who became Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China...
and his right-hand man, Lo Oi. Lui believes that he is Ying Ching's biological father and he schemes to place his son on the throne and secure his power over the empire. Lo Oi, on the other hand, is actually Lin Chun, and he is aware of Ying Ching's true identity. Hong helps Ying clear all obstacles to the path to the throne and Ying eventually becomes the king of Qin.
Although having accomplished his mission, Hong's hope of returning to the 21st century is ruined when the time signalling device fails to work as the battery has expired. In panic, Hong recalls some lessons at school about electricity and he enlists the help of his friends to build a new power source. The experiment is successful but Hong hesitates to return home at the last minute because he has already developed true feelings for Kam Ching and Wu Ting-fong.
Hong stays behind and continues to aid Ying Ching in building the new Qin Dynasty through the annexation of the other seven states and reunification of China. Ying holds absolute power and gradually becomes more corruptedy, morphing from the original naive and kind Chiu Poon into the ruthless tyrant Chun Chi Wong
Qin Shi Huang
Qin Shi Huang , personal name Ying Zheng , was king of the Chinese State of Qin from 246 BC to 221 BC during the Warring States Period. He became the first emperor of a unified China in 221 BC...
.
Destiny
Ying sees Hong as a valuable ally in his future endeavours and wants to retain him as an adviser. However, Hong begins to feel sorry when he sees the evil creation of his efforts. He is aware that he is not destined to leave his mark in history and refuses to stay in the imperial court. He leaves with Wu Ting-fong and Kam Ching, who are both happily married to him at last. Ying sends his troops to pursue Hong, based on the notion that "if you're not with me, then you're against me". Eventually, Ying decides to send Hong into exile and he decrees that the name "Hong Siu-lung" shall henceforth be extinct. All books and historical records pertaining to Hong are ordered to be destroyed, which leads to Chun Chi Wong's notorious practice of the burning of books and burying of scholarsBurning of books and burying of scholars
Burning of the books and burying of the scholars is a phrase that refers to a policy and a sequence of events in the Qin Dynasty of Ancient China, between the period of 213 and 206 BC. During these events, the Hundred Schools of Thought were pruned; legalism survived...
.
Hong and his family find paradise in the plains far away from the urban regions. Hong and Wu Ting-fong have a son. In the final moments of the last episode, Hong's son is revealed to be Hong Yu
Xiang Yu
Xiang Yu was a prominent military leader and political figure during the late Qin Dynasty. His given name was Ji while his style name was Yu ....
, who will eventually grow up to become a prominent military general and overthrow the Qin Dynasty.
Main characters
- Louis KooLouis KooLouis Koo is a Hong Kong actor. He was once a notable local television series actor, winning TVB's Best Actor award in 1999 for Detective Investigation Files IV. In recent years, he has focused on film...
as Hong Siu-lung , the protagonist of the story. Born in 1975, Hong was orphaned at the age of three and spent most of his childhood in an orphanage. He becomes a VIPPU officer after spending one year in training, owing to his excellent social skills, diligence and intelligence. After separating with his girlfriend of seven years, Hong agrees on a time travelling project organised by Lee Siu-chiu on the condition that he will see his girlfriend again when he returns.
- Kwong Wa as Lin Chun / Lo Oi , a swordsman who used to serve Chiu Muk. He is abandoned by Chiu after Hong injures his right arm in a duel. During his banishment, Lin meets Lo Oi, a left-handed swordsman. After convincing Lo to teach him left-handed swordplay, he kills Lo and takes his identity.
- Raymond LamRaymond LamRaymond Lam Fung is a Hong Kong actor and singer contracted to the television station TVB and EEG's Music Plus label. He has been famous with his "choking" look.-Early years:Raymond Lam was born into a wealthy family...
as Chiu Poon / Ying Ching , the son of Princess Chiu Nga. He is despised and often bullied by the other nobles because his mother behaves like a prostitute. After Hong successfully rescues Lady Chu from the Zhao state, Chu mistakes Chiu for her deceased son, Ying Ching. Through Hong's coercion, also compounded by his personal lust for power and vengeance, Chiu becomes the crown prince of Qin and ascends to the throne, subsequently, becoming Chun Chi WongQin Shi HuangQin Shi Huang , personal name Ying Zheng , was king of the Chinese State of Qin from 246 BC to 221 BC during the Warring States Period. He became the first emperor of a unified China in 221 BC...
, the First Emperor of a unified China.
- Sonija KwokSonija KwokSonija Kwok is a Hong Kong actress, currently working for TVB.She was born in Hong Kong and is of mixed Cantonese and British parentage. Kwok immigrated to Vancouver, Canada from Hong Kong. She initially attended the University of British Columbia but she transferred to Simon Fraser University and...
as Chun Ching / Kam Ching . Chun Ching was Hong's girlfriend of seven years, but broke up with him after he reneges the wedding promise. Hong agrees to participate in a time-travelling project after he was assured that Chun Ching would return to him. After Hong is transported to two thousand years back, he meets Kam Ching, a female scholar who resembles Chun Ching in appearance and they develop a romantic relationship.
- Jessica HsuanJessica HsuanJessica Hester Hsuan, or Suen Huen is a Hong Kong actress. Jessica holds a degree from Imperial College London.She is currently one of the most popular television actresses of Hong Kong. She started her career in late 1992 and early 1993...
as Wu Ting-fong , the impulsive and spoiled daughter of the Qin loyalist Wu Ying-yuen. Although disgusted by Hong's flirtatious nature, she gradually becomes jealous of her own accord when she sees him with other maidens. Nonetheless, Wu develops a close friendship with Princess Chiu Sin and often visits her.
- Joyce Tang as Sin-yau , a female assassin. She was the daughter of a noble from the Qi stateQi (state)Qi was a powerful state during the Spring and Autumn Period and Period of the Warring States in ancient China. Its capital was Linzi, now part of the modern day city of Zibo in Shandong Province....
, but later flees the state after her parents were killed by Chiu Muk. She becomes the apprentice of MohistMohismMohism or Moism was a Chinese philosophy developed by the followers of Mozi , 470 BC–c.391 BC...
practitioner Cho Chau-to, also becoming an assassin who kills people for money. She is the first person Hong meets after he is transported back in time.
- Michelle SaramMichelle SaramMichelle Alicia Saram is a singer and actress from Singapore. She is notable for being one of the very few celebrities of Chindian descent, her father being Indian and mother being Chinese. She is also one of the few actresses who have played leading roles in Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong...
as Princess Chiu Sin , the daughter of King Hao-sing of Zhao. She develops feelings for Hong after he "rescues" her from the palace. She is also Hong's first love after he returns in time.
- Waise LeeWaise LeeWaise Lee Chi-hung is a Hong Kong film and television actor best known for playing the roles of villains and antagonists in various films.-Biography:...
as Chiu Muk , a secret agent who works for the Chu stateChu (state)The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
as a spy in Zhao.
- Sicney Yim as Chiu Nga , the younger sister of the king of Zhao. She is Chiu Poon's mother and a close friend of Hong Siu-lung.
Minor characters
- Eileen YeowEileen Yeow-Career:Eileen won the title of Miss Singapore Universe in 1991. After that, she went on to represent Singapore in the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas during the same year. Her best friend, Miss Hong Kong Anita Yuen then encouraged her to expand her acting career in Hong Kong. She then went to...
as Lady Chu - Samuel Kwok as Lui But-waiLü BuweiLü Buwei , Lord Wenxin 文信侯 was a Warring States Period merchant who schemed his way into governing the State of Qin. He served as Chancellor of China for King Zhuangxiang of Qin, and as regent and Chancellor for the king's young son Zheng, who became Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China...
- Power ChanPower ChanPower Chan or Chan Kwok-Pong is an actor in Hong Kong. He has appeared in numerous TVB drama series as well as films. He dated cantopop singer and actress Mimi Lo for 7 years before marrying her on December 2, 2009.-TV series:-Film:-References:...
as Lee SeeLi SiLi Si was the influential Prime Minister of the feudal state and later of the dynasty of Qin, between 246 BC and 208 BC. A famous Legalist, he was also a notable calligrapher. Li Si served under two rulers: Qin Shi Huang, king of Qin and later First Emperor of China—and his son, Qin Er Shi... - Derek Kwok as Wong ChinWang Jian (Qin)Wang Jian , a military leader of Qin in the Warring States Period. He was born in Guanzhong county, city of Pinyang, Dongxiang village .-Major Achievement:...
- Wong Man-piu as Tang Yik
- Lau Ka-long as Ying Jun
- Sherming Yiu as Lui Leung-yung
- Yu Tze-ming as Chau Hin
- Wong Wai as Wu Ying-yuen
- Siu Chuen-yung as Wu Ting-wai
- Au Sui-wai as To Fong
- Kwok Tak-shun as Lord Luk
- Wong Wai-leung as Chiu KoZhao GaoZhao Gao was the chief eunuch during the Qin Dynasty of China. He played an instrumental role in the downfall of the Qin Dynasty.- Early life :...
- Lee Lung-kei as King Chong-sheungKing Zhuangxiang of QinKing Zhuangxiang of Qin , personal name Yiren , later renamed to Zichu , was the ruler of the Qin state during the 3rd century BC in the Warring States Period of Chinese history.-Biography:...
- Tai Chi-wai as Yeung Chuen-kwan
- Lee Hoi-sang as Mung Ngo
- Chow Yeung as Prince Sing-kiu
- Peter Lai as King Hao-sing
- Lau Wing-kin as Chui Tak
- Bond Chan as Chiu Ka
- Joyce Koi as Lord Lung-yeung
- Savio Tsang as Lord Suen-ling
- Ricky Wong as Hiu Ngai-mau
- Chan Ka-yee as Lady Ping-yuen
- Raven Po as Crown Prince
- Gordon LiuGordon LiuGordon Liu is a Chinese martial arts film actor. He became famous for playing the lead in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin and its sequels...
as Cho Chau-dou - Lee Ka-ding as Yim Ping
- Chan Wing-chun as Lo Oi
- Russell Cheung as the real Ying Ching
- Lai Suen as empress dowager
- Kenneth MaKenneth MaKenneth Ma Kwok-ming is a Chinese Canadian actor from Hong Kong. He graduated from University of British Columbia majoring in Mechanical Engineering...
as Kam Ching's late husband - Ng Yik-hin as Hon FeiHan FeiHan Fei was a Chinese philosopher who, along with Li Si, Gongsun Yang, Shen Dao and Shen Buhai, developed the doctrine of the School of Law or Legalism...
- Law Ho-kai as Lee Yuen
- Yeung Ka-nok as Hon Yin
- Chan Tik-hak as Uncle Mute
- Lam King-kong as Ah Keung (episode 1)
- Chor YuenChor YuenZhang Baojian , better known as Chor Yuen, is a Hong Kong-based Chinese film director, screenwriter and actor.-As director:*Cold Blade *The House of 72 Tenants *The Jade Tiger...
as Officer Wong (episode 1) - Evergreen MakEvergreen MakEvergreen Mak Cheung-ching , better known as Makbau , is a Hong Kong TVB actor. He is lauded and best-known for his villainous portrayal of the main antagonist, Leung Fei Fan , in No Regrets, for which he won the Best Supporting Actor award for.-Films:-Television dramas:-Awards:* 2010: TVB 43rd...
as madman (episode 1) - Tang Yat-kwan as Lee Siu-chiu (episode 1)
- Liu Kai-chi as Wu Yau (episode 1)
- Yuen WahYuen WahYuen Wah is a Hong Kong based Chinese action film actor, action choreographer, stuntman and martial artist who has appeared in over 160 films and over 20 television series.-Early life:...
as Yuen Chung (episode 2–3) - Cheung Lui as bandit (episode 3)
- Tan Kuen-fai as bandit (episode 3)
- Lam Yuen-ying as bandit (episode 3)
- Wong Kun-sun as bandit (episode 3)
- Chow Chung as old man (episode 2)
- Ha Ping as old woman (episode 2)
- Wong HeWong HeWong He , sometimes credited as Wong Hei, is a Hong Kong actor. He is best known for his firefighter roles in TVB's Burning Flame trilogy. Wong has acted primarily in law enforcement roles, which gave rise to rumors that his stage name is based on the Cantonese term "皇氣" Wong He (born 7 July...
as drummer (episode 6) - Lee Chun-wai as Hong YuXiang YuXiang Yu was a prominent military leader and political figure during the late Qin Dynasty. His given name was Ji while his style name was Yu ....
(episode. 40)
Differences from the novel
- Many minor characters have been removed from the television drama version, and some characters were combined, such as Wu Ting-fong and Fung Fei; Lin Chun and Lo Oi; Kei Yin-yin and Kam Ching; Chiu Nga and Chiu Nei; and Wu Ying-yuen and Wu Sz-lor.
- In the television drama, Hong accepts Doctor Wu Yau's time travelling project in exchange for a opportunity to travel back in time to salvage his failed relationship with Chun Ching. In the novel, Hong is a promiscuous man with many girlfriends.
- Hong uses many references of modern culture in the television drama. He makes a fork out of bamboo remains, adds identifying numbers on the uniforms of football players, and uses modern hand signals during football matches. In the novel, Hong teaches his friends how to use strong light to blind and interrogate an enemy, but this was not used in the television drama.
Production and reception
The drama received high ratings during its initial run in 2001, and continued to be successful during its midnight re-runs in summer 2005, leading to another trend of late-night TV watching after At the Threshold of an EraAt the Threshold of an Era
At the Threshold of an Era was a Hong Kong epic drama series broadcast by TVB Jade Channel from October 11, 1999 to December 18, 1999 and March 13, 2000 to May 26, 2000, and was extensively promoted by TVB as its cross-milliennium, one-hundred-episode-long epic...
.
This was the last television drama that Louis Koo
Louis Koo
Louis Koo is a Hong Kong actor. He was once a notable local television series actor, winning TVB's Best Actor award in 1999 for Detective Investigation Files IV. In recent years, he has focused on film...
acted in, as he had decided to concentrate on his film career. He has since worked on films such as Election
Election (2005 film)
Election |society of Triads]]), is a 2005 Hong Kong crime film directed by Johnnie To. Featuring a large ensemble cast, the film stars Simon Yam and Tony Leung Ka-Fai as two gang leaders engaged in a power struggle to become the new leader of the Hong Kong Triad society.The film premiered as an...
and its sequel
Election 2
Election 2 |Black Society]]: Value Peace Most), also known as Triad Election in the United States, is a 2006 Hong Kong crime film directed by Johnnie To with a large ensemble cast that includes Louis Koo, Simon Yam and Nick Cheung...
.
Raymond Lam
Raymond Lam
Raymond Lam Fung is a Hong Kong actor and singer contracted to the television station TVB and EEG's Music Plus label. He has been famous with his "choking" look.-Early years:Raymond Lam was born into a wealthy family...
, in his first major role, was highly praised for his breakthrough performance as Ying Ching, and rose to fame quickly. He has starred in numerous leading roles ever since.
While filming in Zhuozhou
Zhuozhou
Zhuozhou is a county-level city with 628,000 inhabitants in Hebei province of China. It is administered by Baoding prefecture. Zhuozhou has 3 subdistricts, 6 towns, 5 townships, and 1 development zone.-Administrative Divisions:Subdistricts:...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
, Jessica Hsuan
Jessica Hsuan
Jessica Hester Hsuan, or Suen Huen is a Hong Kong actress. Jessica holds a degree from Imperial College London.She is currently one of the most popular television actresses of Hong Kong. She started her career in late 1992 and early 1993...
was stricken with cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
, causing her to enter a local hospital. She remained in bed for over a month until she was able to leave and start filming again. This caused Hsuan's character to be absent for a while in the series. During her hospital stay, many of her co-stars, including Koo, visited her regularly.
After its 2005 midnight re-run, TVB decided to release the complete series on DVD and VCD for the first time on November 18 in the same year. It also became the second TVB drama to be released on DVD after War and Beauty
War and Beauty
War and Beauty is a Hong Kong television series broadcast in 2004 on TVB Jade. It starred TVB Awards Best Actress winners Sheren Tang, Gigi Lai, Maggie Cheung and Charmaine Sheh, and TVB Awards Best Actor winners Bowie Lam and Moses Chan....
, and the first to receive a non-limited release.