TVB, the largest television station in Hong Kong celebrates its 50th anniversary recently in a grand fashion. Its dramas have been accompanying me for over 20 years. Despite the criticisms of having poor dramas in recent years, facing lack of talents and with many good artists leaving the station, it is undeniable that the station is the home that have trained many superstars we saw today. It is undeniable that the station is the home for all the classic series that we remembered till this day. It is undeniable that the station has had impacted lives of over millions of Chinese not only in Hong Kong or China but also throughout the world where there is Chinese people.

Since it is TVB’s grand golden jubilee, I would not want to miss the chance to watch its 50th Anniversary Gala last evening. The scale of the show is noticeably upgraded but there is still more that can be done. Since it is their golden jubilee, they should have some sort of fireworks display too to celebrate this significant occasion. The show should have been extended to 3 hours rather than the typical 2-hours time to allow for more performances. Celebrities who attended the show are Liza Wang, Eric Tsang, Carol Cheng, Nat Chan, Simon Yam, Ray Lui, Wayne Lai, Kristal Tin, Nancy Wu, Ruco Chan, Kenneth Ma, Vincent Wong, Benjamin Yuen, Wong Cho Lam, Ding Dang, Pakho Chau, Nancy Sit, Michelle Yim, Susanna Kwan, etc. Besides than Simon Yam and Ray Lui, I was actually expecting more heavyweight stars (formerly TVB artists) to attend the show.

It is also very obvious that the front segment of the show is heavily inspired by the movie ‘La La Land’ with the similar musical score. The performances by the 50 male artists and the 50 female artists are too ordinary and boring. They could have done much more (something challenging?). It is also very obvious that the singing by the artists are pre-recorded (I can see clearly the lip-sync by almost everyone). The ones not doing that are the three singers performing at the last section of the show and hence, you will noticeably hear poor live singing. And what are the three singers (from various countries) doing here? I thought they would be singing classic TVB theme songs. Totally irrelevant for that part. While I admire the ‘Hidden Heroes’ segment that honors all the less-known frequent faces in the past dramas, the way it is executed by ‘Fuk Luk Sau’ team (Wong Cho Lam, Louis Yuen, Johnson Lee) is awkward.

Besides that, too much time has also been wasted for excessive advertisement and segments showing the prizes that will be handed out for the evening (the 2-hour show is already not enough!). The one great section of the show that I enjoyed is the ‘recruit’ sketch by Eric Tsang, Kristal Tin, Wayne Lai, etc. The scene with Kenneth Ma and Bob Lam is particularly hilarious. The scene with FAMA who tries to imitate Carol Cheng and Eric Tsang is also funny to watch. This year’s gala show is certainly much better than last year but I was still slightly disappointed that the organizer didn’t want to further elevate it up. And when is this year’s TVB Anniversary Awards going to be held? Until now, there has been no news or date announced for the awards. There is speculation that the awards will be pushed to January next year. Does that mean from now on, the TVB Anniversary Awards will be held on January every year or this schedule only occurs for this year? This will mess up the standard annual schedule.

I’m particularly excited for this year’s best actor and actress race (forget about most favourite male and female characters’ categories). Out of sudden, Kenneth Ma is rising to be a top contender for this year’s awards due to his strong performance in the currently airing ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’. Before that, Vincent Wong is at the top of the pack in terms of the chance on winning the best actor since he has won at the Singapore’s Starhub TVB Awards and is rumored to win the same at TVB Star Awards Malaysia to be held this week. I’m picking Kenneth as he has been much longer in the industry that Vincent and he is really good in ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’ to my surprise. I find that it is a bit too early to hand in best actor to Vincent Wong. For best actress, I’m rooting for Kristal ever since I saw her performance in ‘Destination Nowhere’ early this year. There is no other strong contenders but I have a feeling that Kristal may not win in the end. What do you think of the gala show and the best actor and actress race this year?

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2017 was held on 25th November 2017 at Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands to recognize the most favourite TVB series, shows, actors and actresses this year as picked by the Malaysians and the professional judges. It was attended by over 20 Hong Kong celebrities (Michael Miu, Jessica Hsuan, Ruco Chan, Nancy Wu, Kristal Tin, Edwin Siu, Benjamin Yuen, Priscilla Wong, Joel Chan, Elaine Yiu, Sisley Choi, Ali Lee, Raymond Cho, Matthew Ho, Natalie Tong, Vincent Wong, Samantha Ko, Chris Lai, Rebecca Zhu, Ben Wong, Zoie Tam, Fred Cheng, Benz Hui, Paisley Wu, etc) and similar to last year’s award ceremony, the emcee for the evening is the award-winning actress, Carol Cheng with her usual working partners; FAMA along with several others (so many emcees this year). To look back at the nomination list and my predictions, here’s the link to my previous blog post;

https://vincentloy.wordpress.com/2017/11/07/nomination-list-and-my-picks-for-tvb-star-awards-malaysia-2017/.

Here’s the full result for the TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2017:

My Favourite TVB Variety Programme: The Sisterhood Travelling Gang

Opinion: I enjoyed this show that has this group of six female artists (Paisley Wu, Myolie Wu, Nancy Wu, Selena Li, Mandy Wong, Elaine Yiu) going on a trip to Australia together. But personally, I actually enjoyed ‘Spirits on Vacation’ more that has the similar concept but with the cast from ‘House of Spirits’ drama in 2016. The latter is more entertaining.

My Favourite TVB Enrichment Programme: All Things Girl Malaysia Edition

Opinion: No comment as I have not watched any of the enrichment / informative programmes.

My Favourite TVB Host In Variety Programme: Maria Cordero (Maria’s Auspicious Recipes)

Opinion: I’m sure there are other better hosts in the nomination list than Maria Cordero. I find that she is a bit too loud when she speaks which may be disturbing at times. I think the organizer decided to award her since she has the free time to come over to Malaysia this weekend for this award show.

My Favourite TVB Drama Characters x 17:

A General, A Scholar And An Eunuch – Kristal Tin, Edwin Siu, Raymond Cho, Rebecca Zhu

Line Walker: The Prelude – Michael Miu, Benjamin Yuen, Priscilla Wong

The Unholy Alliance – Ruco Chan, Nancy Wu

My Unfair Lady – Jessica Hsuan, Natalie Tong, Samantha Ko, Chris Lai

Legal Mavericks – Vincent Wong, Sisley Choi, Ali Lee

Tiger Mom Blues – Ben Wong

Opinion: The organizer should cut this down to 10 recipients. Having 17 winners are too much and reduces the ‘weight’ of this award. The winners that are not that deserving are Rebecca Zhu, Samantha Ko, Chris Lai and Ben Wong. Their spots should be for Kenneth Ma and Grace Wong (My Dearly Sinful Mind), Elena Kong (Tiger Mom Blues) and Nina Paw (The Unholy Alliance).

My Favourite TVB Most Improved Actress: Zoie Tam (Dead Wrong, My Unfair Lady, Legal Mavericks)

Opinion: Yes. I’m glad that people did not forget Zoie Tam’s good but tragic role in ‘Dead Wrong’ despite her other minor roles later this year. She is good and the competition this year is weak in this field.

My Favourite TVB Most Improved Actor: Matthew Ho (Tiger Mom Blues, A General A Scholar And An Eunuch)

Opinion: As expected. He has contributed solid performances in both of the mentioned dramas above.

Most Favourite TVB On-Screen Couple: Ruco Chan & Nancy Wu (The Unholy Alliance)

Opinion: Again. People just cannot get away from linking Ruco with Nancy since last year. I actually prefer Joel and Elaine pairing more in the same drama (The Unholy Alliance). I can feel more chemistry from the latter pair.

Most Favourite TVB Drama Theme Song: ‘Hands in the Sand’ by Hana Kuk (My Unfair Lady)

Opinion: I still cannot understand why ‘Forget Myself’ by Hana Kuk as the ending theme song for ‘Line Walker: The Prelude’ did not even get nominated here. It is such a beautiful song and has even won in Singapore’s Starhub TVB Awards last month. It should have won easily here. It shows that the organizer just simply compiling up the nomination list (especially this year when some totally not deserving get nominated, some deserving but got snubbed, some did better in the other drama but got nominated in the other drama instead, etc) without doing some homework first. Anyway, I thought ‘Walk With You’ by Kayee Tam for ‘My Unfair Lady’ will win then. But still, in the end, it lost to the other unknown song in the same drama; ‘Hands in the Sand’ by Hana Kuk. No idea that I have heard this song before. I wonder how the Malaysians and the professional judges vote on this one. Very poor decision.

My Favourite TVB Actress in a Supporting Role: Elaine Yiu (The Unholy Alliance)

Opinion: She won the same award last year. Her extensive yet good crying scenes in ‘The Unholy Alliance’ helped her a lot. Already expected both she and Joel will win supporting categories since they are left out at the favourite drama character awards handed out earlier.

My Favourite TVB Actor in a Supporting Role: Joel Chan (The Unholy Alliance)

Opinion: Finally. Joel is one actor that has not win anything in the past years but is very deserving. His performance in ‘The Unholy Alliance’ is excellent. Malaysia awards decided to award to different person from the Singapore awards last month. That’s wise as I find both Owen Cheung and Joel Chan are equally good (same for Jacqueline Wong and Elaine Yiu in supporting actress category). By the way, his winning speech was great and touching!

My Favourite TVB Actress in a Leading Role: Jessica Hsuan (My Unfair Lady)

Opinion: When you have a heavyweight actress attending, the whole situation changes. Ali Lee could no longer continue her luck after her win at Singapore last month. Nancy Wu has won this twice in a row and her performance in ‘The Unholy Alliance’ is just average. Jessica Hsuan is good in ‘My Unfair Lady’ but I felt anyone can just take this award for this year. The competition for most favourite leading actress this year is weak because you have to get the powerful Kristal Tin in ‘Destination Nowhere’, Elena Kong in ‘Tiger Mom Blues’ or Nina Paw in ‘The Unholy Alliance’ out of the picture.

My Favourite TVB Actor in a Leading Role: Michael Miu (Line Walker: The Prelude)

Opinion: A surprise of the evening. Michael Miu is a solid veteran actor but his performance in ‘Line Walker: The Prelude’ is conventional. I think Vincent Wong is the more deserving winner as his role as a blind lawyer in ‘Legal Mavericks’ is challenging and he nailed it. And too bad, Kenneth Ma’s ‘The Exorcist Meter’ will only be nominated for next year. If not, he will give a strong competition in this category this year.

My Favourite TVB Drama: Legal Mavericks

Opinion: I am happy with any of the top three dramas (Legal Mavericks, Line Walker: The Prelude, The Unholy Alliance) winning. Wow…Malaysia awards’ outcome is very different from the Singapore one. Now, I’m excited on how the result will turn out for the final awards at Hong Kong.

The organizer should change the design of the award trophy. It looks so massive and out of place. On the other hand, there are too many unnecessary and boring performances between the awards announcement. It’s great to see Kingdom Yuen, May Law, Michael Miu and Jessica Hsuan attending this awards ceremony (they seldom attend any public events especially award show). Benz Hui is funny as always. Anyway, it’s a wrap up for Singapore and Malaysia now. Now, it’s time to head back to TVB’s home, Hong Kong for the upcoming TVB Anniversary Awards which will be held in January 2018 instead of the typical slot in December every year. The date for the Hong Kong awards is pushed back this year to accommodate for the much larger 50th anniversary celebration for TVB station and to allow for the remaining two anniversary dramas (‘My Ages Apart’ and ‘Heart and Greed’) to finish airing before the awards.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

Time for review to another TVB drama that I have watched completely after it aired its final episode just now in the weekend. ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’ which has 21 episodes in total, starred Kenneth Ma as a taxi driver who has accidentally awaken a kind-hearted spirit with power and duty to take down devils roaming on Earth. The drama also starred Mandy Wong, Hubert Wu, Hugo Wong, Moon Lau, Anthony Ho, Susan Tse, Ram Chiang, etc.

I didn’t have high expectation to this series before I started to watch it. To be honest, I decided to watch it because I have nothing else to watch at the moment. In the end, I was surprised by how good this drama turned out. It is not a lousy or ordinary paranormal-themed series. It’s not just about people seeing ghosts and catching demons in a heroic fashion. This series stood out over the rest in this particular genre due to the addition of some very moving storylines, heartfelt characters, and excellent performances by the cast.

First of all, the eyes of the series is on the lead actor; Kenneth Ma. After his success and popularity from his role in 2012’s ‘The Hippocratic Crush’, he didn’t have many good roles later on. This paves way for newer actors like Ruco Chan to speed ahead of him in the race to win best actor. Another newer actor, Vincent Wong is also on the rise very quickly with many fantastic roles in recent years. I’m starting to worry that Kenneth will be left out very soon if he didn’t have a good drama and a good role to take on. Finally, he is back to be noticed again with his role here as ‘Ma Kwai’ in ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’. His acting is very natural and this character gave him opportunity to showcase his acting skill through the many emotional scenes in this series. He nailed this taxi driver’s role perfectly. With his excellent performance here (and also another great work in ‘My Dearly Sinful Mind’ released early this year), I’m supporting him to win best actor at the Hong Kong’s TVB Anniversary Awards.

The other cast members were doing exceptionally well too, although they are mostly lesser-known TVB artists. Susan Tse is very convincing as Kenneth’s foster mother and I don’t mind her winning Best Supporting Actress again. Ram Chiang, Moon Lau and Hugo Wong are outstanding too. I think this drama really puts their acting to the limelight besides Kenneth. This drama also propels Hugo Wong to higher popularity from his very challenging villain role in this drama. He usually took very minor roles in the past and after this drama, I’m sure that he will be given more opportunities to take on bigger roles soon. He is also solid in ‘Recipes to Live By’ released early this year and hence, I have no doubt to support him for ‘Most Improved TVB Actor’ this year.

As mentioned earlier, this drama has a very good script. The loop scenes involving Kenneth’s dead parents, conflict and relationship between Kenneth and his foster mother, friendship between Kenneth and the stone spirit, Ber Ber (Moon Lau)’s relationship with Kenneth and her death, Anthony Ho’s tragic death, etc are all very sincere and moving. Even the action scenes involving demons in this drama are produced with effort as not to make them too typical, lousy or emotionless. Besides that, the two theme songs for this drama sang by Hubert Wu are also nice to listen too and they suit well to this drama. Well, there are still some areas in this drama that can be improved like the production designs, the CGI, some exaggerated acting (but still acceptable due to the nature of this story), etc. But overall, it is a highly enjoyable, fast-paced series that will also makes you cry several times. The ending for this series is also surprisingly good. The last scene is a great one when the stone spirit that sat in the taxi was actually Hou Zai (Kenneth’s younger brother’s soul). This is one solid, entertaining and touching drama that is not to be missed. It defies my expectation. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’ a total of 8.0. This is the one and only drama in the year 2017 that gets over 8 points from me.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

The Singapore’s Starhub TVB Awards 2017 and TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2017 have concluded. The remaining Hong Kong’s TVB Anniversary Awards that will be held on 21st January 2018 is the last of the annual three awards ceremonies presented to honour the best of TVB actors, actresses, series and programmes that aired for the past year. I personally have this habit of choosing my own list of winners too based only on the dramas that I have watched in that particular year. And for this year (2017), I watched the most number of TVB dramas, at 16.

Here below is the list of all the 2017 dramas that I have watched (completed):

• Rogue Emperor.
• Recipes To Live By.
• Burning Hands.
• Tiger Mom Blues.
• Destination Nowhere.
• Provocateur.
• My Dearly Sinful Mind.
• My Unfair Lady.
• Phoenix Rising.
• Bet Hur.
• A General, A Scholar, And An Eunuch.
• The Unholy Alliance.
• Line Walker: The Prelude.
• Oh My Grad.
• Legal Mavericks.
• The Exorcist’s Meter.

I am now currently watching the ‘Heart and Greed 3’ and I will not include this drama for this year’s contention as it will only finish its airing on mid of January 2018 (that’s next year already). And without delaying further, here’s below are my selection for the best in 2017 TVB dramas. The result is solely based on my personal opinion, taking in analysis from precursor awards, from online discussions, and from my personal judgement without any bias or unfair decisions. Top 5 are listed for each categories (15 categories in total) with the winner highlighted.

Most Favourite On-Screen Partnership

• Edwin Siu, Raymond Cho, Matthew Ho (A General, A Scholar And An Eunuch)
• Kenneth Ma, Raymond Wong, Dominic Ho (Bet Hur)
• Charmaine Sheh, Samantha Ko, Connie Man (Bet Hur)
• Pakho Chau, Benjamin Yuen, Priscilla Wong (Line Walker: The Prelude)
• Vincent Wong, Sisley Choi, Owen Cheung, Ali Lee (Legal Mavericks)

Most Favourite TV Veteran Artiste

• Michelle Yim (Tiger Mom Blues, My Dearly Sinful Mind)
• Lee Kwok Lun (Recipes to Live By, Bet Hur, A General A Scholar And An Eunuch)
• Cheung Kwok Keung (Recipes to Live By, The Unholy Alliance)
• Mary Hon (Recipes to Live By, The Unholy Alliance, Oh My Grad)
• Law Lok Lam (Provocateur, My Dearly Sinful Mind, Phoenix Rising, Legal Mavericks, The Unholy Alliance)

Most Favourite TV Villain

• Lee Kwok Lun (Recipes to Live By)
• Lee Shin Cheung (Provocateur)
• Grace Wong (My Dearly Sinful Mind)
• Louisa So (Phoenix Rising)
• Pal Sinn (Legal Mavericks)

Best Technical Production (Visuals, Scores, Editing, Costumes, Make-Up, Production Design)

• Burning Hands.
• Legal Mavericks.
• The Unholy Alliance.
• The Exorcist’s Meter.
• A General, A Scholar, And An Eunuch.

Most Favourite On-Screen Couple

• Pakho Chau & Priscilla Wong (Line Walker: The Prelude)
• Ruco Chan & Nancy Wu (The Unholy Alliance)
• Vincent Wong & Natalie Tong (My Unfair Lady)
• Kenneth Ma & Charmaine Sheh (Bet Hur)
• Joel Chan & Elaine Yiu (The Unholy Alliance)

Most Favourite Drama Theme Song

• ‘The Night You Left’ by Fred Cheng (My Dearly Sinful Mind – ending theme)
• ‘Walk With You’ by Kayee Tam (My Unfair Lady – sub theme)
• ‘Forgetting Myself’ by Hana Kuk (Line Walker: The Prelude – ending theme)
• ‘Love Before One’s Eyes’ by Stephanie Ho (Legal Mavericks – ending theme)
• ‘Out of Reach’ by Hubert Wu (The Exorcist’s Meter – sub theme)

Most Improved TV Actress

• Koni Lui (Tiger Mom Blues, Oh My Grad)
• Winki Lai (Destination Nowhere, Provocateur)
• Jacqueline Wong (Provocateur)
• Ali Lee (Provocateur, Legal Mavericks)
• Sisley Choi (Recipes to Live By, My Dearly Sinful Mind, Legal Mavericks)

Most Improved TV Actor

• Hugo Wong (Recipes to Live By, Burning Hands, Legal Mavericks, The Exorcist’s Meter)
• James Ng (Destination Nowhere, A General A Scholar And An Eunuch)
• Matthew Ho (Tiger Mom Blues, A General A Scholar And An Eunuch)
• Mat Yeung (My Dearly Sinful Mind, Bet Hur)
• Owen Cheung (Legal Mavericks)

Best Actress In A Supporting Role

• Elaine Yiu (The Unholy Alliance)
• Susan Tse (The Exorcist’s Meter)
• Jacqueline Wong (Provocateur)
• Koni Lui (Tiger Mom Blues)
• Natalie Tong (My Unfair Lady)

Best Actor In A Supporting Role

• Ram Chiang (The Exorcist’s Meter)
• Benz Hui (Line Walker: The Prelude)
• Joel Chan (The Unholy Alliance)
• Mat Yeung (My Dearly Sinful Mind)
• Owen Cheung (Legal Mavericks)

Most Favourite TV Female Character

• Elena Kong (Tiger Mom Blues)
• Grace Wong (My Dearly Sinful Mind)
• Priscilla Wong (Line Walker: The Prelude)
• Nancy Wu (The Unholy Alliance)
• Sisley Choi (Legal Mavericks)

Most Favourite TV Male Character

• Ruco Chan (The Unholy Alliance)
• Vincent Wong (Legal Mavericks)
• Kenneth Ma (The Exorcist’s Meter)
• Benjamin Yuen (Line Walker: The Prelude)
• Edwin Siu (A General, A Scholar And An Eunuch)

Best Actress In A Leading Role

• Kristal Tin (Destination Nowhere)
• Elena Kong (Tiger Mom Blues)
• Jessica Hsuan (My Unfair Lady)
• Ali Lee (Legal Mavericks)
• Nina Paw (The Unholy Alliance)

Best Actor In A Leading Role

• Ruco Chan (The Unholy Alliance)
• Kevin Cheng (Destination Nowhere)
• Benjamin Yuen (Line Walker: The Prelude)
• Vincent Wong (Legal Mavericks)
• Kenneth Ma (The Exorcist’s Meter)

Best Series

• Legal Mavericks.
• A General, A Scholar, And An Eunuch.
• The Exorcist’s Meter.
• Line Walker: The Prelude.
• The Unholy Alliance.

You are free to leave comments on my above picks. They are selected after a thorough study and considerations. Now, we will wait and see how many of my selections above differs to the result from the coming Hong Kong’s TVB Anniversary Awards.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

The last, the most anticipated and the most prestigious of the three annual awards to honour the best of TVB programmes and artists for the year 2017, TVB Anniversary Awards 2017 breaks the tradition by delaying its ceremony to a month later to allow for the last two anniversary dramas, ‘My Ages Apart’ and ‘Heart and Greed’ to finish airing before the awards. The awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, 21st February 2018.

TVB has announced first part of the nomination list early this month in a press conference. The second part is revealed few days ago in another press conference and that leads to the beginning of voting by the Hong Kong public as the whole nomination list is now out.

Here below is the full nomination list for TVB Anniversary Awards 2017 alongside with my top 5 or top 3 picks (highlighted with *), my predicted winner, my preferred winner and my personal opinions:

Best Actor
Tony Hung (“Recipes to Live By”)
Wayne Lai (“May Fortune Smile on You”)
Ben Wong (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
Gallen Lo (“Provocateur”)
Eddie Cheung (“The No No Girl”)
Frankie Lam (“My Unfair Lady”)
Vincent Wong (“Legal Mavericks”) *
Raymond Cho (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Edwin Siu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Ruco Chan (“The Unholy Alliance”) *
Lai Yok Yi (“The Tofu War”)
Pakho Chau (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Michael Miu (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) *
Benjamin Yuen (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Roger Kwok (“Oh My Grad”)
Kenneth Ma (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) *
Bobby Au Yeung (“My Ages Apart”)
Moses Chan (“My Ages Apart”)
Ha Yu (“Heart and Greed”) *
Bosco Wong (“Heart and Greed”)

Predicted winner: Kenneth Ma

Preferred winner: Kenneth Ma

Opinion: Although Michael Miu has won in Malaysia, the race is still only between Vincent Wong and Kenneth Ma for this coveted best actor title. Both of them have three series this year respectively and of course their most outstanding work is on their respective nominated drama. I find both of them equally good. Hence, the next subject to be in consideration is how long they have been in the industry. Hence, my answer is Kenneth. He hardly get any good roles after his success in 2012’s The Hippocratic Crush. After a long wait, he finally has one good role as ‘Ma Kwai’ in The Exorcist’s Meter and he nailed it. I believe Vincent Wong can wait one or two more years for this award. Furthermore, Kenneth has been very popular in Hong Kong after the airing of The Exorcist’s Meter.

Best Actress
Lin Xia Wei (“Burning Hands”)
Sharon Chan (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
Elena Kong (“Tiger Mom Blues”) *
Kristal Tin (“Destination Nowhere”) *
Jacqueline Wong (“Provocateur”)
Nadia Chan (“The No No Girl”)
Jessica Hsuan (“My Unfair Lady”) *
Natalie Tong (“My Unfair Lady”)
Sisley Choi (“Legal Mavericks”)
Nina Paw (“The Unholy Alliance”) *
Nancy Wu (“The Unholy Alliance”) 
Nancy Sit (“The Tofu War”)
Roxanne Tong (“The Tofu War”)
Priscilla Wong (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Mandy Wong (“Nothing Special Force”)
Ali Lee (“My Ages Apart”)
Susanna Kwan (“Heart and Greed”)
Louise Lee (“Heart and Greed”) *
Michelle Yim (“Heart and Greed”)
Eliza Sam (“Heart and Greed”)

Predicted winner: Jessica Hsuan / Kristal Tin

Preferred winner: Kristal Tin

Opinion: I hate it when a lot of audiences have forgotten how powerful Kristal’s performance is in Destination Nowhere. It was such a challenging role and she delivered it absolutely well. She lost votes because that series is aired long time ago. Michelle Yim and Eliza Sam got nominated? Their roles in Heart And Greed are so minor. I considered them doing supporting roles in that drama only and didn’t deserve the nominations. I left out last year’s winner, Nancy Wu for this year’s Top 5 spot to make way for Elena Kong. She is brilliant in Tiger Mom Blues but she would not win. I also left out Ali Lee who has won in Singapore in the top 5 spot for Louise Lee. It is a disadvantage to Ali for being nominated not from her winning role in Legal Mavericks but from My Ages Apart instead. There should also be a nomination for Grace Wong from her role in My Dearly Sinful Mind. I remembered that she is doing very well in that one. What a huge snub!

Best Series
“Rogue Emperor”
“Recipes to Live By”
“May Fortune Smile on You”
“Burning Hands”
“Tiger Mom Blues” *
“Destination Nowhere”
“Lo and Behold”
“Provocateur”
“Married but Available”
“My Dearly Sinful Mind”
“The No No Girl”
“My Unfair Lady”
“Phoenix Rising”
“Bet Hur”
“Legal Mavericks” *
“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”
“The Unholy Alliance” *
“The Tofu War”
“Line Walker: The Prelude”
“Nothing Special Force”
“Oh My Grad”
“The Exorcist’s Meter” *
“My Ages Apart”
“Heart and Greed” *

Predicted winner: The Exorcist’s Meter

Preferred winner: The Exorcist’s Meter

Opinion: The Exorcist’s Meter stood out and left the audiences in surprise because of its supernatural theme that many didn’t expect would have such a good outcome. The performances, the script and the many touching scenes in this drama are excellent despite this drama not being a big production with heavyweight cast. The dark horse in this category would be Legal Mavericks. I have Heart And Greed as one of my top 5 picks too because I think the drama although not doing that well now but I believe it will accelerate on its last ten episodes.

Most Popular TV Male Character
Tony Hung (“Recipes to Live By”)
Ben Wong (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
Gallen Lo (“Provocateur”)
Raymond Wong (“Married but Available”)
Eddie Cheung (“The No No Girl”)
Frankie Lam (“My Unfair Lady”)
Vincent Wong (“My Unfair Lady”) *
Andrew Yuen (“My Unfair Lady”)
Natalis Chan (“Bet Hur”)
Owen Cheung (“Legal Mavericks”)
Raymond Cho (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Edwin Siu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) *
Jimmy Au (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Ruco Chan (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Cheung Wing Hong (“The Tofu War”)
Lai Yok Yi (“The Tofu War”)
Pakho Chau (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Michael Miu (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Benjamin Yuen (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) *
Kenneth Ma (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) *
Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Bobby Au Yeung (“My Ages Apart”) *
Moses Chan (“My Ages Apart”) 
Bosco Wong (“Heart and Greed”)

Predicted winner: Kenneth Ma / Bobby Au Yeung / Vincent Wong

Preferred winner: Vincent Wong

Opinion: I somehow think that Vincent Wong should really get something this year. I have already placed my bet on Kenneth Ma for best actor. Hence, I will give this favourite male character to Vincent. He has a superb portfolio of work this year. However, I think he should instead be nominated for Legal Mavericks for higher chance of winning. I didn’t enjoy My Unfair Lady at all. If Kenneth lost the best actor, then I’m almost 100% certain Kenneth will win this (he has won it before in 2012 for his role in The Hippocratic Crush). Bobby Au is the dark horse in this category.

Most Popular TV Female Character
Elena Kong (“Tiger Mom Blues”) *
Kristal Tin (“Destination Nowhere”)
Koni Lui (“Lo and Behold”)
Jessica Hsuan (“My Unfair Lady”) *
Samantha Ko (“My Unfair Lady”)
Natalie Tong (“My Unfair Lady”)
Sisley Choi (“Legal Mavericks”)
Tracy Chu (“Legal Mavericks”)
Rebecca Zhu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Nina Paw (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Nancy Wu (“The Unholy Alliance”) *
Elaine Yiu (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Nancy Sit (“The Tofu War”)
Roxanne Tong (“The Tofu War”)
Priscilla Wong (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Moon Lau (The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Susan Tse (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Mandy Wong (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Ali Lee (“My Ages Apart”) *
Susanna Kwan (“Heart and Greed”)
Louise Lee (“Heart and Greed”) *
Michelle Yim (“Heart and Greed”)
Eliza Sam (“Heart and Greed”)

Predicted winner: Jessica Hsuan

Preferred winner: Elena Kong

Opinion: Jessica Hsuan is back to film for TVB. TVB must try their best to acknowledge her and I have to admit she is doing well in My Unfair Lady although I disliked the drama in general. Ali Lee may stunned everyone by emerging as the winner in this category as I see her as a dark horse here. Elena Kong is amazing in Tiger Mom Blues but the drama is aired too early this year and most audiences would have forgotten her awesome character in it.

Most Popular Series Song
四方 (“Rogue Emperor”) – Hoffman Cheng
心暖 (“Rogue Emperor”) – Kenneth Ma & Niki Chow
乾杯 (“Rogue Emperor”) – Ronald Law, Hoffman Cheng & Yao Bin
天賜的味道 (“Recipes to Live By”) – Maria Cordero
財神駕到 (“May Fortune Smile on You”) – Wayne Lai, Amy Fan, Pal Sinn, Matthew Ho & Kelly Fu
一輩子守候 (“The Princess Weiyoung”) – HANA
不變的愛 (“Tiger Mom Blues”) – Edwin Siu
迷 (“Destination Nowhere”) – Fred Cheng
獨來獨往 (“Provocateur”) – Gallen Lo
地盡頭 (“Provocateur”) – Fred Cheng
真心真意 (“Married but Available”) – Fred Cheng & Stephanie Ho
印記 (“Married but Available”) – Kayee Tam
籠牢 (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”) – Alfred Hui
你走的那個晚上 (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”) – Fred Cheng
我有我美麗 (“The No No Girl”) – Nancy Wu
我不會撒嬌 (“My Unfair Lady”) – Stephanie Ho
手中沙 (“My Unfair Lady”) – HANA
陪著你走 (“My Unfair Lady”) – Kayee Tam *
我不歸去 (“The Legend of the Condor Heroes”) – Kayee Tam
用愛邁步 (“Phoenix Rising”) – Kelly Chen
久別重逢 (“Eternal Love”) – HANA
十倍奉還 (“Bet Hur”) – Fred Cheng
心眼 (“Legal Mavericks”) – Vincent Wong
愛近在眼前 (“Legal Mavericks”) – Stephanie Ho
戰勝吧 (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) – Fred Cheng
一觸即發 (“The Unholy Alliance”) – Ruco Chan
家中的太陽 (“The Tofu War”) – Nancy Sit
天網 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – Pakho Chau
忘記我自己 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – HANA *
安守本分 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – Vivian Koo
快樂快活人 (“Nothing Special Force”) – Kayee Tam
畢業之後 (“Oh My Grad”) – Mag Lam
你在我心間 (“Nothing Gold Can Stay”) – Jinny Ng
到此一遊 (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) – Hubert Wu
遙不可及 (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) – Hubert Wu *
泣血薔薇 (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) – Jinny Ng
誇世代 (“My Ages Apart”) – Hacken Lee
別再記起 (“My Ages Apart”) – Jinny Ng
我本無罪 (“Heart and Greed”) – Susanna Kwan *
欲言又止 (“Heart and Greed”) – Vincent Wong & HANA *
I Promise (“Heart and Greed”) – Linda Chung

Predicted winner: 忘記我自己 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – HANA

Preferred winner: 忘記我自己 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – HANA

Opinion: My chosen song stated above still remains my most favourite theme song of the year although I have been quite addicted to the songs from The Exorcist’s Meter and Heart And Greed recently.

Most Popular TV Partnership
Vincent Wong & Natalie Tong (“My Unfair Lady”) *
Vincent Wong & Owen Cheung (“Legal Mavericks”)
Edwin Siu, Raymond Cho & Matthew Ho (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) *
Ruco Chan & Nancy Wu (“The Unholy Alliance”) *
Joel Chan & Elaine Yiu (“The Unholy Alliance”) *
Moses Chan & Jessica Hester Hsuan (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Benjamin Yuen, Priscilla Wong & Pakho Chau (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Kenneth Ma & Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) *
Moses Chan & Bobby Au Yeung (“My Ages Apart”)
Ha Yu & Louise Lee (“Heart and Greed”)
Maria Cordero & Luk Ho Ming (“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 6)”)
Benjamin Yuen & Mat Yeung (“All Work No Pay Holidays (Sr.2)”)
Myolie Wu, Nancy Wu, Mandy Wong, Elaine Yiu, Selena Li & Paisley Hu (“The Sisterhood Traveling Gang”)
Carol Cheng, C Kwan & Luk Wing (“DoDo Goes Shopping (Sr. 2)”)
Wayne Lai, Edwin Siu, Raymond Cho & Raymond Wong (“Dickies on Tour”)

Predicted winner: Joel Chan & Elaine Yiu

Preferred winner: Joel Chan & Elaine Yiu / Edwin Siu, Raymond Cho & Matthew Ho

Opinion: I think TVB would not want The Unholy Alliance to win nothing. This category is the one that this drama has slightly higher chance of winning due to the great chemistry between Ruco & Nancy and Joel & Elaine. Between these two pairs, Joel & Elaine stood out as I think people are now starting to get bored of Ruco & Nancy pairing already. The three guys in A General, A Scholar And An Eunuch are the dark horse here as I think their chemistry in that drama is one of the most critical subject that makes that particular series good and hilarious.

Global Netizens Favourite Series
“Rogue Emperor”
“Recipes to Live By”
“May Fortune Smile on You”
“Burning Hands”
“Tiger Mom Blues”
“Destination Nowhere”
“Lo and Behold”
“Provocateur”
“Married but Available”
“My Dearly Sinful Mind”
“The No No Girl”
“My Unfair Lady” *
“Phoenix Rising”
“Bet Hur”
“Legal Mavericks” *
“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch” *
“The Unholy Alliance” *
“The Tofu War”
“Line Walker: The Prelude”
“Nothing Special Force”
“Oh My Grad”
“The Exorcist’s Meter” *
“My Ages Apart”
“Heart and Greed”

Predicted winner: Legal Mavericks

Preferred winner: The Exorcist’s Meter

Opinion: This is a new category. This is the only one category that non Hong Kong citizens can vote on. If The Exorcist’s Meter win best series, then Legal Mavericks will win this. Same goes to the other way round. This is like the opportunity for TVB this year to award more than one series. My Ages Apart and The Unholy Alliance are closely behind in this race too.

Best Supporting Actor
Hugo Ng (“Burning Hands”)
Matthew Ho (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
King Kong (“Destination Nowhere”)
James Ng (“Destination Nowhere”)
Mark Ma (“Lo and Behold”)
Fred Cheng (“Provocateur”)
Mat Yeung (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”) *
Max Cheung (“My Unfair Lady”)
Lai Lok Yi (“My Unfair Lady”)
Andrew Yuen (“My Unfair Lady”)
Owen Cheung (“Legal Mavericks”) *
Timothy Cheng (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
John Chiang (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Jimmy Au (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Joel Chan (“The Unholy Alliance”) *
Kwok Fung (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Carlo Ng (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Benz Hui (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) *
Brian Tse (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Kenny Wong (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Ram Chiang (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Ho Yuen Tung (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Hugo Wong (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) *
Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Louis Yuen (“Heart and Greed”)

Predicted winner: Jimmy Au

Preferred winner: Joel Chan / Owen Cheung

Opinion: I have to admit that all the supporting male cast in The Exorcist’s Meter are great but putting them all together in this nomination list made them cancelling each other out in the end easily. Owen has won in Singapore and Joel has won in Malaysia. I have a feeling TVB want to award to someone else. Who will it be? I have a feeling Jimmy Au will win although I see him doing nothing much in The Unholy Alliance besides some fighting and stern-looking scenes. He is being pushed as one of the people that has to be awarded something this year by many Hong Kong citizens.

Best Supporting Actress
Stephanie Ho (“Recipes to Live By”)
Kaman Wong (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
Mandy Lam (“Lo and Behold”)
Joyce Tang (“Lo and Behold”)
Kelly Fu (“Burning Hands”)
Vivien Yeo (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”)
Eileen Yeow (“The No No Girl”)
Samantha Ko (“My Unfair Lady”) *
Zoie Tam (“My Unfair Lady”)
Toby Chan (“Legal Mavericks”)
Tracy Chu (“Legal Mavericks”)
Rebecca Zhu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Grace Wong (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) *
Harriet Yeung (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Elena Kong (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Elaine Yiu (“The Unholy Alliance”) *
Alice Chan (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Susan Tse (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) *
Katy Kung (“My Ages Apart”)
Sharon Chan (“Heart and Greed”) *

Predicted winner: Elaine Yiu

Preferred winner: Susan Tse

Opinion: Elaine Yiu and Susan Tse are the top two contenders in this category without any doubt. They both have won this award before too. I would be hating TVB if the winner is other than any of these two.

Most Improved Male Artiste
Owen Cheung (“The No No Girl”, “Legal Mavericks”, “HK Gag Gag”, “Amazing Summer Splash”) *
Matthew Ho (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “Tiger Mom Blues”, “A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”, “Tiger Mom Blues Returns”) *
Luk Ho Ming (“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 5)”, “Sir Ben Prop Guide”, “TVB Anniversary Gala”, “Young and Restless”)
Hugo Wong (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “Legal Mavericks”, “The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”, “My Ages Apart”)
Mat Yeung (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”, “Bet Hur”, “Love and Construction”, “All Work No Pay Holidays (Sr.2)”) *

Predicted winner: Mat Yeung / Matthew Ho

Preferred winner: Mat Yeung

Opinion: There is a lot of competition in this category. Matthew Ho has won this award both in Singapore and Malaysia and hence his chance is higher. However, I’m rooting for Mat Yeung to win instead as he has been nominated a lot of times but have never won. What a pity as I find that he is one great actor too. His performance in My Dearly Sinful Mind and Bet Hur are fantastic too. Matthew can wait for another one or two more years.

Most Improved Female Artiste
Rebecca Zhu (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”, “Hong Kong Round the Clock”)
Samantha Ko (“My Unfair Lady”, “Bet Hur”, “Sammy on the Go”, “Gag Gag Summer”) *
Mayanne Mak (“Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2017”, “Sammy on the Go”, “Line Walker: The Hunting Game”, “TVB Anniversary Gala”)
Zoie Tam (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “My Unfair Lady”, “Legal Mavericks”, “My Ages Apart”) 
Roxanne Tong (“Provocateur”, “My Dearly Sinful Mind”, “The Tofu War”, “Sidewalk Scientist”) *
Jacqueline Wong (“Provocateur”, “Nothing Special Force”, “Sammy on the Go”) *

Predicted winner: Samantha Ko

Preferred winner: Jacqueline Wong

Opinion: It is not surprising if anyone of them except Mayanne Mak wins in this category. It’s hard for me to decide for this category. Samantha Ko has been doing well, and so does Jacqueline Wong especially for her role in Provocateur.

Best Host(s)
Lee Ka Ting & Helen Tam (“The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show”)
Gigi Wong (“Eating Well with Madam Wong (Sr. 3)”)
Maria Cordero & Luk Ho Ming (“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 6)”) *
Nancy Sit, Michael Lai, Raymond Cho & Karen Tong (“Cantopop at 50”)
Mayanne Mak, Kaki Leung, Roxanne Tong, Crystal Fun, Tiffany Lau & Bowie Cheung (“Sidewalk Scientist”)
Tony Hung (“Retiring in Paradise”)
Luk Ho Ming, Louisa Mak & Crystal Fung (“Young and Restless”)
Bob Lam, Mayanne Mak & Linna Huynh (“Chef Minor (Sr. 3)”)
Janis Chan (“Faraway Brides”)
Lai Chi San (“Starry Starry Talk”)
Evergreen Mak, Joyce Tang & Elena Kong (“Bazaar Carnivals (Sr. 3)”)
Benjamin Au Yeung, Mayanne Mak, Luk Ho Ming, Bella Lam & Liz Ji (“Sir Ben Prop Guide”)
Helen To (“Helen Goes to Kyushu”)
Sammy Leung, Samantha Ko, Mayanne Mak & Jacqueline Wong (“Sammy on the Go”) *
Carol Cheng, FAMA, Kenneth Ma, Edwin Siu & Priscilla Wong (“DoDo Goes Shopping (Sr. 2)”) *

Predicted winner: Maria Cordero & Luk Ho Ming

Preferred winner: Carol Cheng, FAMA, Kenneth Ma, Edwin Siu & Priscilla Wong

Opinion: It would be boring if Carol Cheng win this category again. So, I pick Maria Cordero & Luk Ho Ming to win this as they have also won the same in Malaysia earlier.

Best Non-Drama Programme
“The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show”
“Miss Chinese International Pageant 2017”
“Love at Last Sight”
“Feng Shui for the New Year”
“Cantoxicating!”
“Dinner Ma’s”
“Eating Well with Madam Wong (Sr. 3)”
“Dream in the Ring”
“HK Gag Gag”
“Anchors with Passport (Sr. 3)”
“The Place We Call Home”
“Neighborhood Treasures (Sr. 7)”
“Public Housing Outing”
“Hong Kong Round the Clock”
“Easy Come Easy Health”
“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 6)”
“Cantopop at 50” *
“Pay It Forward”
“Sidewalk Scientist”
“Retiring in Paradise”
“Litigation at Home”
“Big Big Kids Awards 2017”
“All Work No Pay Holidays (Sr.2)” *
“Young and Restless”
“Buskkkkk Music”
“The Big Big Channel Nite”
“Amazing Summer Splash”
“Fun Abroad”
“Chef Minor (Sr. 3)”
“C AllStar Thai Odyssey”
“Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2017”
“Faraway Brides”
“Starry Starry Talk”
“The Sisterhood Traveling Gang” *
“Bazaar Carnivals (Sr. 3)”
“Sir Ben Prop Guide”
“Helen Goes to Kyushu”
“The Ultimate Street Sorcerer”
“Sammy on the Go”
“Line Walker: The Hunting Game”
“EYT: Anniversary Edition” *
“Diva Liza 50-Year Special”
“TVB Anniversary Gala”
“The Heavenly Party”
“DoDo Goes Shopping (Sr. 2)” *
“Tung Wah Charity Show 2017”
“Gala Spectacular”
“Dickies on Tour”
“J.S.G. Awards Presentation 2017”

Predicted winner: The Sisterhood Traveling Gang

Preferred winner: The Sisterhood Traveling Gang

Opinion: I didn’t watch much non-drama programmes every year. Hence, my only choice is The Sisterhood Traveling Gang as I remember this programme that shows the travel of a group of six female artists in Australia is quite entertaining.

Yup…that’s it for the post. What a lengthy post.

As usual for every year, there will be disappointment in the nomination list. There are some major snubs and shockers. Some didn’t deserve got nominated. Some only has very minor roles and yet got nominated in supporting categories. Some got nominated for the poorer drama. TVB is forever careless in compiling the list. And it is such a long nomination list this year to squeeze everyone in unnecessarily. This makes the nomination nothing much to value for.

The awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, 21st January 2018.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

‘Heart and Greed’ is the third installment in the ‘Heart of Greed’ Hong Kong drama franchise. The first ‘Heart of Greed’ was released way back in 2007 with critical acclaim and the drama went on to win the most accolades at TVB Anniversary Awards that particular year. The drama has also lead to popularization of ‘golden words’ derived from some intense script in it. I enjoyed the drama a lot, particularly on the theme of inheritance-fighting, the emotional impact especially touching on the warmth of the family, and the superb performances by all the cast. It is a classic. Looking on its success, TVB decided to make a sequel entitled ‘Moonlight Resonance’ the next year (2008). Similar hype and success came in as well as the drama also become the highest rated TVB series of all time with its final episode hitting 50 points.

So about ten years later (now), TVB decided to make yet another sequel (with the same 40-episodes span). It’s called ‘Heart and Greed’. I was very excited because of how great the first two dramas turned out in the past. I also very much enjoyed drama with the theme of family and fighting for inheritance with all sort of tactics and schemes. However, I noticed that this latest drama is no longer relating to ‘inheritance’ kind of story but rather about man who would sacrifice everything to help his friend’s dying business.  This drama brought back old cast (Ha Yu, Louise Lee, Michelle Yim, Susanna Kwan, Louis Yuen, Bosco Wong, etc) and mix it up with new people (Vincent Wong, Eliza Sam, Sharon Chan, Michael Tong, Priscilla Wong, etc).

After I saw the change of cast (disappointed for not seeing Linda Chung, Tavia Yeung, Raymond Lam, Moses Chan, Fala Chen, Chris Lai anymore in here) and the change of plot’s theme, I lowered my expectation even before I started watching the drama. And yup…I am right. The drama is no where near the quality to be called a ‘classic’ like its first two predecessors. The drama lacks the intensity and the dramas that we observed in almost every single episodes for its first two series. Besides than the boring storylines of ‘Kyle falling in love with Belle’, the plain development of ‘old Mr Wong persistently helping his old friend, Alan who had once saved him’ part, the out-of-arch segment of ‘daughter of the family making immoral advance to a married man’ and lastly the illogical and rushed plot when the ‘uncle suddenly turned bad in the end’, there is nothing much going on to make this drama a memorable one.

The veteran cast is doing well in leading the whole show. Or is it? It looks to me that Michelle Yim’s role is now so small and yet she is nominated for best leading actress in the coming TVB Anniversary Awards. She is a great actress, and yet given such unimportant character this time, which is in total contrast to her award-winning performance as Yan Hung in ‘Moonlight Resonance’. On the other hand, I find that Louise Lee had been pushing too hard to act in this drama with frequent shouting kind of tone when speaking. Her age must be weakening her performance. Susanna Kwan is good though and I am impressed with her ability to memorize long script for her part. Eliza Sam is still not doing enough to carry her role while Vincent Wong is as his usual good form. Michael Tong returns with his first drama here after many years and he is doing well. Now I wonder why he and Jacqueline Ch’ng (who portrayed as Adam’s wife) are not being nominated in supporting categories for the coming TVB Anniversary Awards. They are good in their roles here. The drama lacks a few more major characters (the main family group now lacks so many people when compared to its first two dramas) to further escalate things up, to create more tensions and climax for the story.

Out of 10 points, I rate ‘Heart and Greed’ a total of 7.4 only. I would have easily rated ‘Heart of Greed’ and ‘Moonlight Resonance’ above 8 and even nears to 9 respectively. But for this third installment, it is just not that good. It is still a solid drama with some (much lesser) warm and touching family scenes, some fun (but less exciting) conflicts in business and relationship issues. The songs in this drama are nice to listen to by the way while I can see also a lot of effort and budget has been placed on the setting (house interior) and the costumes too. The producers have been forcing themselves to create another sequel to this franchise and it turned out not working that well to my earlier projection.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

TVB love to deliver shocks in their annual awards presentation by announcing result that is surprising to the majority of people. It is no exception for this year as well. The Hong Kong’s TVB Anniversary Awards 2017 is delayed a month to make way for all anniversary dramas to finish airing and also to express the much grander 50th anniversary celebration the television station is having in late 2017 that extends now until early 2018. Here below is the full result for the awards (held on the evening of 21st January 2018) along with my opinions for each categories:

TVB Anniversary Awards 2017’s Winners List:

Best Non-Drama Programme
“The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show” – WINNER
“Miss Chinese International Pageant 2017”
“Love at Last Sight”
“Feng Shui for the New Year”
“Cantoxicating!”
“Dinner Ma’s”
“Eating Well with Madam Wong (Sr. 3)”
“Dream in the Ring”
“HK Gag Gag”
“Anchors with Passport (Sr. 3)”
“The Place We Call Home”
“Neighborhood Treasures (Sr. 7)”
“Public Housing Outing”
“Hong Kong Round the Clock”
“Easy Come Easy Health”
“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 6)”
“Cantopop at 50”  – WINNER
“Pay It Forward”
“Sidewalk Scientist”
“Retiring in Paradise”
“Litigation at Home”
“Big Big Kids Awards 2017”
“All Work No Pay Holidays (Sr.2)” 
“Young and Restless”
“Buskkkkk Music”
“The Big Big Channel Nite”
“Amazing Summer Splash”
“Fun Abroad”
“Chef Minor (Sr. 3)”
“C AllStar Thai Odyssey”
“Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2017”
“Faraway Brides” – WINNER
“Starry Starry Talk”
“The Sisterhood Traveling Gang” 
“Bazaar Carnivals (Sr. 3)” – WINNER
“Sir Ben Prop Guide”
“Helen Goes to Kyushu”
“The Ultimate Street Sorcerer”
“Sammy on the Go”
“Line Walker: The Hunting Game”
“EYT: Anniversary Edition” 
“Diva Liza 50-Year Special”
“TVB Anniversary Gala”
“The Heavenly Party”
“DoDo Goes Shopping (Sr. 2)” – WINNER
“Tung Wah Charity Show 2017”
“Gala Spectacular”
“Dickies on Tour”
“J.S.G. Awards Presentation 2017”

Opinion: Didn’t expect that TVB decided to hand out five awards in this category. I enjoyed ‘The Sisterhood Traveling Gang’ but it lost. Anyway, I didn’t have much interest in this category every year. Moving on…

Best Host(s)
Lee Ka Ting & Helen Tam (“The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show”)
Gigi Wong (“Eating Well with Madam Wong (Sr. 3)”)
Maria Cordero & Luk Ho Ming (“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 6)”) 
Nancy Sit, Michael Lai, Raymond Cho & Karen Tong (“Cantopop at 50”)
Mayanne Mak, Kaki Leung, Roxanne Tong, Crystal Fun, Tiffany Lau & Bowie Cheung (“Sidewalk Scientist”)
Tony Hung (“Retiring in Paradise”)
Luk Ho Ming, Louisa Mak & Crystal Fung (“Young and Restless”)
Bob Lam, Mayanne Mak & Linna Huynh (“Chef Minor (Sr. 3)”)
Janis Chan (“Faraway Brides”)
Lai Chi San (“Starry Starry Talk”)
Evergreen Mak, Joyce Tang & Elena Kong (“Bazaar Carnivals (Sr. 3)”)
Benjamin Au Yeung, Mayanne Mak, Luk Ho Ming, Bella Lam & Liz Ji (“Sir Ben Prop Guide”)
Helen To (“Helen Goes to Kyushu”)
Sammy Leung, Samantha Ko, Mayanne Mak & Jacqueline Wong (“Sammy on the Go”) 
Carol Cheng, FAMA, Kenneth Ma, Edwin Siu & Priscilla Wong (“DoDo Goes Shopping (Sr. 2)”) – WINNER

Opinion: I do expect the hosts for ‘DoDo Goes Shopping (Sr.2)’ to win because it’s Carol Cheng. Anyway, she is really good in hosting and her chemistry with FAMA and also the other co-hosts are amazing and fun to watch.

Most Improved Female Artiste
Rebecca Zhu (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”, “Hong Kong Round the Clock”)
Samantha Ko (“My Unfair Lady”, “Bet Hur”, “Sammy on the Go”, “Gag Gag Summer”) 
Mayanne Mak (“Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2017”, “Sammy on the Go”, “Line Walker: The Hunting Game”, “TVB Anniversary Gala”) – WINNER
Zoie Tam (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “My Unfair Lady”, “Legal Mavericks”, “My Ages Apart”) 
Roxanne Tong (“Provocateur”, “My Dearly Sinful Mind”, “The Tofu War”, “Sidewalk Scientist”) 
Jacqueline Wong (“Provocateur”, “Nothing Special Force”, “Sammy on the Go”) 

Opinion: The first shock of the evening. Mayanne Mak would be my last choice in this nomination list and yet she ended up winning. Artistes who are doing non-drama programmes are usually not being much acknowledged but here she comes taking home this prize to everyone’s surprise. I would prefer Jacqueline Wong to take this as I do see that she really improved a lot this year. Hey…where is Sisley Choi? She deserves a nomination here as she is seriously the most improved actress of all for this year. But hey…surprise later on.

Most Improved Male Artiste
Owen Cheung (“The No No Girl”, “Legal Mavericks”, “HK Gag Gag”, “Amazing Summer Splash”) 
Matthew Ho (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “Tiger Mom Blues”, “A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”, “Tiger Mom Blues Returns”) 
Luk Ho Ming (“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 5)”, “Sir Ben Prop Guide”, “TVB Anniversary Gala”, “Young and Restless”)
Hugo Wong (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “Legal Mavericks”, “The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”, “My Ages Apart”)
Mat Yeung (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”, “Bet Hur”, “Love and Construction”, “All Work No Pay Holidays (Sr.2)”) – WINNER

Opinion: I knew Mat Yeung is finally going to win. His hard work for the past many years is finally paid off. The other deserving candidates, Owen Cheung, Hugo Wong and Matthew Ho can wait for the coming years to get this.

Best Supporting Actress
Stephanie Ho (“Recipes to Live By”)
Kaman Wong (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
Mandy Lam (“Lo and Behold”)
Joyce Tang (“Lo and Behold”)
Kelly Fu (“Burning Hands”)
Vivien Yeo (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”)
Eileen Yeow (“The No No Girl”)
Samantha Ko (“My Unfair Lady”) 
Zoie Tam (“My Unfair Lady”)
Toby Chan (“Legal Mavericks”)
Tracy Chu (“Legal Mavericks”)
Rebecca Zhu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) – WINNER
Grace Wong (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) 
Harriet Yeung (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Elena Kong (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Elaine Yiu (“The Unholy Alliance”) 
Alice Chan (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Susan Tse (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) 
Katy Kung (“My Ages Apart”)
Sharon Chan (“Heart and Greed”) 

Opinion: Second shock of the evening. TVB gave us surprise on all the awards in female categories. Yes, Rebecca Zhu has improved in her acting too, but I don’t think her performance deserves a supporting actress win yet. Her role in ‘A General, A Scholar And A Eunuch’ is also too ordinary and easily forgotten. I can see just now that she herself was very surprised when her name is announced as the winner. I would prefer Elaine Yiu, Susan Tse, Sharon Chan, Grace Wong or even Samantha Ko to win.

Best Supporting Actor
Hugo Ng (“Burning Hands”)
Matthew Ho (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
King Kong (“Destination Nowhere”)
James Ng (“Destination Nowhere”)
Mark Ma (“Lo and Behold”)
Fred Cheng (“Provocateur”)
Mat Yeung (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”) 
Max Cheung (“My Unfair Lady”)
Lai Lok Yi (“My Unfair Lady”)
Andrew Yuen (“My Unfair Lady”)
Owen Cheung (“Legal Mavericks”) 
Timothy Cheng (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
John Chiang (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Jimmy Au (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Joel Chan (“The Unholy Alliance”)  – WINNER
Kwok Fung (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Carlo Ng (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Benz Hui (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) 
Brian Tse (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Kenny Wong (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Ram Chiang (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Ho Yuen Tung (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Hugo Wong (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) 
Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Louis Yuen (“Heart and Greed”)

Opinion: I’m happy that Joel Chan won. I noticed him several years ago and he had already been doing awesome job back then. It’s finally time for him to win and he totally deserved it. I was quite nervous before the winner is revealed because I’m worried that Jimmy Au (another favourite and he also starred in ‘The Unholy Alliance’ with Joel Chan) may win because of his seniority and popularity as being Hong Kong’s version of James Bond. He can take that nickname but his performance is too plain. Joel is very emotional when delivering his acceptance speech.

Global Netizens Favourite Series
“Rogue Emperor”
“Recipes to Live By”
“May Fortune Smile on You”
“Burning Hands”
“Tiger Mom Blues”
“Destination Nowhere”
“Lo and Behold”
“Provocateur”
“Married but Available”
“My Dearly Sinful Mind”
“The No No Girl”
“My Unfair Lady” 
“Phoenix Rising”
“Bet Hur”
“Legal Mavericks” 
“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch” 
“The Unholy Alliance” 
“The Tofu War”
“Line Walker: The Prelude”
“Nothing Special Force”
“Oh My Grad”
“The Exorcist’s Meter”  – WINNER
“My Ages Apart”
“Heart and Greed”

Opinion: This is a new category and it allows all people (not just from Hong Kong) to vote online for this one. I’m delighted that ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’ won because it really deserved. It’s such a small production with lesser known cast and yet able to make huge impact with great and touching storyline and wonderful performances by its actors and actresses. Does that mean this series will not win the ‘Best Drama’? Yes…unfortunately.

Most Popular TV Partnership
Vincent Wong & Natalie Tong (“My Unfair Lady”) 
Vincent Wong & Owen Cheung (“Legal Mavericks”)
Edwin Siu, Raymond Cho & Matthew Ho (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)  – WINNER
Ruco Chan & Nancy Wu (“The Unholy Alliance”) 
Joel Chan & Elaine Yiu (“The Unholy Alliance”) 
Moses Chan & Jessica Hester Hsuan (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Benjamin Yuen, Priscilla Wong & Pakho Chau (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Kenneth Ma & Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) 
Moses Chan & Bobby Au Yeung (“My Ages Apart”)
Ha Yu & Louise Lee (“Heart and Greed”)
Maria Cordero & Luk Ho Ming (“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 6)”)
Benjamin Yuen & Mat Yeung (“All Work No Pay Holidays (Sr.2)”)
Myolie Wu, Nancy Wu, Mandy Wong, Elaine Yiu, Selena Li & Paisley Hu (“The Sisterhood Traveling Gang”)
Carol Cheng, C Kwan & Luk Wing (“DoDo Goes Shopping (Sr. 2)”)
Wayne Lai, Edwin Siu, Raymond Cho & Raymond Wong (“Dickies on Tour”)

Opinion: I’m happy for the three actors from ‘A General, A Scholar And A Eunuch’ to win because their chemistry on-screen is really awesome and fun to watch. I remembered a lot of funny scenes involving the three of them in that drama.

Most Popular Series Song
四方 (“Rogue Emperor”) – Hoffman Cheng
心暖 (“Rogue Emperor”) – Kenneth Ma & Niki Chow
乾杯 (“Rogue Emperor”) – Ronald Law, Hoffman Cheng & Yao Bin
天賜的味道 (“Recipes to Live By”) – Maria Cordero
財神駕到 (“May Fortune Smile on You”) – Wayne Lai, Amy Fan, Pal Sinn, Matthew Ho & Kelly Fu
一輩子守候 (“The Princess Weiyoung”) – HANA
不變的愛 (“Tiger Mom Blues”) – Edwin Siu
迷 (“Destination Nowhere”) – Fred Cheng
獨來獨往 (“Provocateur”) – Gallen Lo
地盡頭 (“Provocateur”) – Fred Cheng
真心真意 (“Married but Available”) – Fred Cheng & Stephanie Ho
印記 (“Married but Available”) – Kayee Tam
籠牢 (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”) – Alfred Hui
你走的那個晚上 (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”) – Fred Cheng
我有我美麗 (“The No No Girl”) – Nancy Wu
我不會撒嬌 (“My Unfair Lady”) – Stephanie Ho
手中沙 (“My Unfair Lady”) – HANA
陪著你走 (“My Unfair Lady”) – Kayee Tam 
我不歸去 (“The Legend of the Condor Heroes”) – Kayee Tam
用愛邁步 (“Phoenix Rising”) – Kelly Chen
久別重逢 (“Eternal Love”) – HANA
十倍奉還 (“Bet Hur”) – Fred Cheng
心眼 (“Legal Mavericks”) – Vincent Wong
愛近在眼前 (“Legal Mavericks”) – Stephanie Ho
戰勝吧 (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) – Fred Cheng
一觸即發 (“The Unholy Alliance”) – Ruco Chan
家中的太陽 (“The Tofu War”) – Nancy Sit
天網 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – Pakho Chau
忘記我自己 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – HANA 
安守本分 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – Vivian Koo
快樂快活人 (“Nothing Special Force”) – Kayee Tam
畢業之後 (“Oh My Grad”) – Mag Lam
你在我心間 (“Nothing Gold Can Stay”) – Jinny Ng
到此一遊 (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) – Hubert Wu – WINNER
遙不可及 (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) – Hubert Wu 
泣血薔薇 (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) – Jinny Ng
誇世代 (“My Ages Apart”) – Hacken Lee
別再記起 (“My Ages Apart”) – Jinny Ng
我本無罪 (“Heart and Greed”) – Susanna Kwan 
欲言又止 (“Heart and Greed”) – Vincent Wong & HANA 
I Promise (“Heart and Greed”) – Linda Chung

Opinion: My preferred choice is the ending theme song for the series ‘Line Walker: The Prelude’ by Hana Kuk. The song and its melody is much more beautiful than the others.

Most Popular TV Female Character
Elena Kong (“Tiger Mom Blues”) 
Kristal Tin (“Destination Nowhere”)
Koni Lui (“Lo and Behold”)
Jessica Hsuan (“My Unfair Lady”) 
Samantha Ko (“My Unfair Lady”)
Natalie Tong (“My Unfair Lady”)
Sisley Choi (“Legal Mavericks”) – WINNER
Tracy Chu (“Legal Mavericks”)
Rebecca Zhu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Nina Paw (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Nancy Wu (“The Unholy Alliance”) 
Elaine Yiu (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Nancy Sit (“The Tofu War”)
Roxanne Tong (“The Tofu War”)
Priscilla Wong (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Moon Lau (The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Susan Tse (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Mandy Wong (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Ali Lee (“My Ages Apart”) 
Susanna Kwan (“Heart and Greed”)
Louise Lee (“Heart and Greed”) 
Michelle Yim (“Heart and Greed”)
Eliza Sam (“Heart and Greed”)

Opinion: Third shock of the evening…but I’m actually agreeing on this outcome. Sisley Choi defeated a lot of favourites (Ali Lee, Nancy Wu, Elaine Yiu, Elena Kong, Natalie Tong, etc) to take this prize to everyone’s surprise again. However, I find that Sisley Choi really did very well for her ugly role in ‘Legal Mavericks’. She is very natural and her performance is amazing in that one. Hence, I’m actually fine with her winning this although many others may disagree with me. This is just like what happened when Grace Wong won for her character in ‘A Fist Within Four Walls’ that shocked quite a lot of people in the previous edition of this awards. No wonder there is not even a nomination for Sisley in ‘most improved’ category. She immediately elevated to the ‘favourite female character’ category. Anyway, she talked too much during her acceptance speech just now.

Most Popular TV Male Character
Tony Hung (“Recipes to Live By”)
Ben Wong (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
Gallen Lo (“Provocateur”)
Raymond Wong (“Married but Available”)
Eddie Cheung (“The No No Girl”)
Frankie Lam (“My Unfair Lady”)
Vincent Wong (“My Unfair Lady”) 
Andrew Yuen (“My Unfair Lady”)
Natalis Chan (“Bet Hur”)
Owen Cheung (“Legal Mavericks”)
Raymond Cho (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Edwin Siu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) 
Jimmy Au (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Ruco Chan (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Cheung Wing Hong (“The Tofu War”)
Lai Yok Yi (“The Tofu War”)
Pakho Chau (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Michael Miu (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Benjamin Yuen (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) 
Kenneth Ma (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) – WINNER
Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Bobby Au Yeung (“My Ages Apart”) 
Moses Chan (“My Ages Apart”) 
Bosco Wong (“Heart and Greed”)

Opinion: Happy for Kenneth Ma to win this award again (he had won this before back in 2012 for his role in ‘The Hippocratic Crush’). However, this means that he is not going to win best actor later and I pitied him for that. He hardly get any good roles in recent years. Then, he had this role as ‘Ma Kwai’ in ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’ and he did very well in it. This must be his chance for best actor. But again, he didn’t have the luck to snatch it. I hope that he will get more good roles later on and will one day win best actor. He deserves it.

Best Actress
Lin Xia Wei (“Burning Hands”)
Sharon Chan (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
Elena Kong (“Tiger Mom Blues”) 
Kristal Tin (“Destination Nowhere”) 
Jacqueline Wong (“Provocateur”)
Nadia Chan (“The No No Girl”)
Jessica Hsuan (“My Unfair Lady”) 
Natalie Tong (“My Unfair Lady”) – WINNER
Sisley Choi (“Legal Mavericks”)
Nina Paw (“The Unholy Alliance”) 
Nancy Wu (“The Unholy Alliance”) 
Nancy Sit (“The Tofu War”)
Roxanne Tong (“The Tofu War”)
Priscilla Wong (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Mandy Wong (“Nothing Special Force”)
Ali Lee (“My Ages Apart”)
Susanna Kwan (“Heart and Greed”)
Louise Lee (“Heart and Greed”) 
Michelle Yim (“Heart and Greed”)
Eliza Sam (“Heart and Greed”)

Opinion: Fourth shock of the evening. TVB really do it all wrong for the female categories. I’m really disappointed that Kristal Tin did not even make it into top 5 list as revealed in the ceremony. This is a big snub for Kristal as I find her performance in ‘Destination Nowhere’ is the best of all in 2017. It was such a challenging role and she nailed it, and yet a lot of people had simply forgotten or ignored her. She is my pick for best actress. Natalie Tong! Well, for me, she is not a leading actress material yet. My other choices would be Elena Kong, Nina Paw, Ali Lee or Jessica Hsuan. I never even have a sight on Natalie Tong and she prevailed in the end. I also disliked that drama ‘My Unfair Lady’. It was such a boring series.

Best Actor
Tony Hung (“Recipes to Live By”)
Wayne Lai (“May Fortune Smile on You”)
Ben Wong (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
Gallen Lo (“Provocateur”)
Eddie Cheung (“The No No Girl”)
Frankie Lam (“My Unfair Lady”)
Vincent Wong (“Legal Mavericks”)  – WINNER
Raymond Cho (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Edwin Siu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Ruco Chan (“The Unholy Alliance”) 
Lai Yok Yi (“The Tofu War”)
Pakho Chau (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Michael Miu (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) 
Benjamin Yuen (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Roger Kwok (“Oh My Grad”)
Kenneth Ma (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) 
Bobby Au Yeung (“My Ages Apart”)
Moses Chan (“My Ages Apart”)
Ha Yu (“Heart and Greed”) 
Bosco Wong (“Heart and Greed”)

Opinion: Congratulation, Vincent Wong! He has an amazing role as a blind lawyer and he delivered in ‘Legal Mavericks’. I find both him and Kenneth Ma are equally good in 2017 and I have to give the edge to Kenneth Ma because of his seniority. Since Kenneth has won ‘My Popular TV Male Character’, Vincent must get something and so, here it is. However, I do find that he is a bit too early on winning best actor. I’m sure he would have plenty of great roles later on and hence having more chances to win this next time (but not Kenneth). That is why I felt bad for Kenneth in losing this one. I seriously don’t mind him winning both ‘My Favourite TV Male Character’ and this ‘Best Actor’.

Best Series
“Rogue Emperor”
“Recipes to Live By”
“May Fortune Smile on You”
“Burning Hands”
“Tiger Mom Blues” 
“Destination Nowhere”
“Lo and Behold”
“Provocateur”
“Married but Available”
“My Dearly Sinful Mind”
“The No No Girl”
“My Unfair Lady”
“Phoenix Rising”
“Bet Hur”
“Legal Mavericks” 
“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”
“The Unholy Alliance” 
“The Tofu War”
“Line Walker: The Prelude”
“Nothing Special Force”
“Oh My Grad”
“The Exorcist’s Meter” 
“My Ages Apart” – WINNER
“Heart and Greed” 

Opinion: TVB should reveal the top 5 for this category. I’m particularly surprised by this outcome too. My preferred choice would be ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’. I didn’t watch ‘My Ages Apart’ but I do heard some good comments for that drama. I didn’t expect ‘those good comments’ (not really as critically-acclaimed as ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’) would translate to ‘best drama’ win, the last major prize of the evening. I didn’t expect a drama which is themed on nonsense and exaggerated stuff get to win this top honour.

Special 50th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement Awards

Liza Wang, Luo Zhongbing

Opinion: This a special award to coincide with the station’s 50th anniversary and it replaces the usual lifetime achievement awards. That means Liza Wang is getting this prize again (she had won Lifetime Achievement before several years ago). The other one, Luo Zhongbing is a behind-the-scene man who worked relentlessly for TVB and is acknowledged now with this honour.

That’s it for TVB Anniversary Awards 2017. It concluded after a ceremony that slightly exceeded its planned two and a half hour broadcast time. ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’ took the most awards (3 – theme song, popular male character, and global netizens favourite series). ‘Legal Mavericks’ is just behind with 2 wins (best actor, popular female character). ‘A General, A Scholar, And An Eunuch’ also performed better than expectation with 2 wins (supporting actress, partnership). ‘The Unholy Alliance’ had one win (supporting actor). These are my favourite TVB series in 2017. And none of them won ‘best drama’ in the end as that prize went to ‘My Ages Apart’ (and I didn’t watch that because I don’t like drama that is excessively long…it has 50 episodes and I also don’t like its premise). ‘Heart and Greed’, the third installment to the highly successful ‘Heart of Greed’ franchise failed to win anything (unlike its predecessors that swept a lot of awards last time). Well, that is expected because this third installment is poorly made and is no where near the quality of the first two ones.

Alright. That’s a wrap up to TVB dramas and awards for year 2017. Now, it’s time to move on to new and coming dramas in 2018.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

‘Apple-Colada’ (果欄中的江湖大嫂) is a Hong Kong television series that centered on the life in fruit market. It starred Alice Chan as a debt-ridden retired actress who move back to Hong Kong from Malaysia to seek refuge with her niece (Eliza Sam) after her nasty divorce with ex-husband. They together run a fruit market previously owned by her deceased older brother and has been seized by a man (Tommy Wong) and his son (Raymond Wong). This drama has 30 episodes and is seen as an unrelated sequel to the 2016’s ‘My Dangerous Mafia Retirement Plan’ that saw some similar cast. The drama also starred Mat Yeung, Crystal Fung, Carlo Ng, Lau Kong, Kaman Kong, Andrew Yuen, etc.

The drama at first (its first few episodes) is quite interesting and that has successfully got me to catch up to the rest of the series. However, as the drama progresses, I find that the storyline to be draggy with nothing much particularly exciting or interesting going on. The plot is also very much predictable especially with the sudden appearance of Carlo Ng and Raymond Wong’s biological parents in the series. From there on, I already knew Carlo Ng would be the bad guy and yup, I was right. There is nothing new or anything worth mentioning from this series.

It is still a light-hearted drama with some funny scenes and warm family or romantic moments. But doing just that will make the series being easily not memorable and in average. I couldn’t pay my attention while watching it as there is no climax or cool stuff to get me engaged into the story and the characters. Alice Chan is a good actress and I’m fine with her leading the series. She also fits well to this role. On the other hand, Eliza Sam is awful in this series. I couldn’t stand her acting in this drama as she kept on forcing herself to raise her voice to suit her character in this drama which is totally unnecessary and annoying. She really needs to improve on her acting. With much lesser leading actresses in TVB now, she really has to do a lot of work. She felt very unnatural and I couldn’t avoid noticing that in almost every scene she was in. Raymond Wong is fine but his role with that wild and bad judgement makes his character unlikable.

The series concluded with a happy ending as predicted. Nothing new again. There are still some things (story arc) not completely resolved like unknown conclusion to Eliza Sam’s cousin brother who fall in love with Mat Yeung’s sister from the first time he met her, Lau Kong’s health condition after the trouble with the gangster hiding drugs in his fruit boxes, Andrew Yuen letting Alice Chan go so easily without much heartbreak, etc. There is not much effort and passion put in to make this a good drama, and that’s a waste considering I do have interest on its main story that is based on the fruit market setting. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘Apple-Colada’ a total of 6.3.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

Saving money is the priority this weekend after a heavy spending on Universal Studios last weekend. I already had an outing yesterday plus a movie and so for today, I will just stay at home most of the time. That’s the best way to keep the money in the wallet. End of the month is near and I can’t wait to get my hard earned salary. I have been spending the day mostly being online on Facebook and YouTube, taking a nice rest in preparation for busy weekdays ahead as usual, and had just watched the exciting final two episodes of TVB drama ‘Succession War’.

It is a historical drama that starred Ruco Chan, Shaun Tam, Selena Lee, Elaine Yiu, Natalie Tong, Angelina Lo, Yoyo Chen, Jonathan Cheung, Stephanie Ho, Matthew Ho, etc. The drama revolves on the last 28 days of the life of Qing dynasty court official Heshen, who is known for being the most corrupt court official in Chinese history.and focuses on the Emperor’s attempt to eliminate him. The drama has 28 episodes, and each episode reflects one day of the storyline. That’s a cool approach and it helps to get the story fast-paced and not lacking any depth, thanks to the multiple helpful flashback scenes.

Ruco Chan is very convincing as Heshen while on the other hand, Shaun Tam who is portraying as the emperor is doing very poorly in this drama. I have never seen him in any dramas before and so I think he is inexperienced. All he do in this drama is to forcefully show his very angry face in every scenes. One same facial expression (and the deep ‘Batman’ voice) for almost the entire drama. An emperor can still convey his power and fearfulness through many subtle ways, but Shaun Tam is just not knowing how to do that or is not given any useful advice by the production team. I hope he do knew all these criticism and improve on his acting skill since we will be seeing him in more dramas in the future.

The girls in this drama are just taking on minor and supporting roles but they too shine due to their great performances and story arc that binds the whole series together. Selena Lee is beautiful and excellent as the imperial noble consort. She has improved a lot over the years and I can say that by now, she is a best actress material. Too bad, this drama isn’t focusing on the females and she will not get any recognition or awards from her role here although she nailed it very well. Elaine Yiu and Natalie Tong are also great in their respective roles that are very similar (helping Ruco on his mission with all kind of sacrifices while being his lovers). Also not to be missed out is the fantastic performances by the veterans such as KK Cheung as the retired emperor and Angelina Lo as the dowager noble consort.

The number of good TVB dramas every year has been decreasing rapidly. ‘Deep in the Realm of Conscience’ is a poor drama and I was surprised by the huge rating and critical reception it gets especially from mainland China. On the other hand, I’m shocked that this ‘Succession War’ receives very low audience viewership and isn’t getting the popularity that it deserves. I personally think that ‘Succession War’ is so much better than that boring ‘Deep in the Realm of Conscience’. The former is very engaging and delivers exciting storyline in every episode up until its aired finale just now. The only bad thing from ‘Succession War’ is Shaun Tam’s acting. Other than that, everything is good. Even my dad who seldom watch dramas is praising it. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘Succession War’ a total of 8.1. The best TVB drama of the year so far.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

It’s going to be a long week ahead that begins with Monday blues today. I’m getting jealous by the two days of holiday Malaysia is observing today and tomorrow in conjunction with Agong’s Birthday and Awal Muharram. They have a decent long weekend to enjoy while I’m here mumbling on why Singapore has so few public holidays annually. Not a single public holiday for this month as well as for next month. The next one will be Deepavali that falls somewhere in mid November if I’m not mistaken.

As for the short last weekend, I managed to catch a movie with my friend (my movie review for ‘The Nun’ in my previous post), saw a carnival in a mall selling various brands of mooncakes as the Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner (didn’t buy any as they are too expensive although I love to eat mooncake), and watching Cantonese drama (my favourite thing to do when I’m free) in a marathon mode. I think I watched 10 episodes in a row yesterday.

The drama that I’m talking about is ‘Another Era’, a 34-episode drama that acts as an unrelated sequel to 1999’s ‘At The Threshold Of An Era’ and both of them are based on the theme of Hong Kong’s financial business. ‘Another Era’ starred Roger Kwok, Niki Chow, Tavia Yeung, Frankie Lam, Benjamin Yuen, Pakho Chau, etc. I am not particularly interested on the ‘finance’ part of the drama (I don’t even bother or can’t even understand certain difficult terminology typically observed in finance sector used in this drama). However, I’m kind of being attracted to the strong cast from this drama (a number of nice veteran actors, and glad to see Linda Chung again in a drama although she only has a supporting role here).

The drama builds up pretty slowly (fortunately, it’s not being dragged too long and made to end in less than 40 episodes which is still not too bad) and from the very beginning, you already know who is going to be the bad guy and that person is certainly going to lose big in the very end. Roger Kwok took on that role (he is very experienced in portraying villain character). However, I’m starting to feel bored of his same old evil facial expression that I have seen before in his previous work like ‘Last One Standing’, ‘Black Heart White Soul’ and ‘Dead Wrong’. Nevertheless, I do enjoy his acting as usual. He is a solid actor. Frankie Lam on the other hand isn’t doing well. He is too wooden and his presence made me felt bored. His story arc with Linda Chung also felt detached from the main story. Benjamin is getting a very likable character here and his death near the end gave a much needed hit/climax. Pakho Chau is on the opposite and his character is pretty annoying (being a lazy games addict guy, not appreciating his good friends, getting mad over small matter easily, knew that his close buddy love him and yet ignoring her even till the end of the drama).

As for the females, Niki Chow outshines Tavia Yeung. That’s good. Tavia has been given a lot of chance in her previous works (she won best actress before too) and it is very welcoming to put more attention to the other female lead, Niki Chow. And she deserves that attention. She handled this role very well (being the saddest role in this drama; losing her two brothers, struggling so much to lead the huge company his father left behind without any experience, losing her father and then losing her boyfriend). Now, I think she do have a chance for best actress award this year only if many others try to pay more attention to her performance here. By the way, Tavia turning the tide and going against her husband (Roger Kwok) near the end is so predictable and hence, that plot twist didn’t work out well. Last but not least, I also find the forceful insertion of few actors from mainland China just to attract more viewers from mainland China is very unnecessary and off putting (Linda Chung’s segment too but that’s still fine because it’s refreshing to see her). Their unimportant and boring storyline do not mix well to the main plot. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘Another Era’ a total of 7.0. A solid drama that could have been more intense (I see a lot of potential for this drama to be a thrilling one but the outcome only reaches halfway of that mark) to keep viewers engaged.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

News came out last month that TVB had decided to cancel their annual oversea awards (Singapore’s Starhub TVB Awards that are usually held in October and TVB Star Awards Malaysia that are usually held in November) beginning this year as an initiative to cut down their expenditure. Those who have been following closely or even been a frequent attendee to these oversea ceremonies would certainly be saddened by this decision.

Not forgetting the oversea audiences, TVB decided to introduce three new awards specially for the Malaysian and Singaporean audiences to vote. They are ‘My Favourite TVB Lead Actor’, ‘My Favourite TVB Lead Actress’ and ‘My Favourite TVB Drama’. The online voting for the first two awards are open now and several nominated TVB artistes have started their award campaigns here in Malaysia and Singapore. I read from somewhere that these two awards will be presented on November 19th at Hong Kong during the TVB 51st Anniversary Gala show. The voting for ‘My Favourite TVB Drama’ will be starting soon and the winner will be revealed on December 16th at Hong Kong during the TVB Anniversary Awards. Can someone help me to clarify on it? Is it true? By the way, I’m slightly confused with another question. So, will there be three new awards (combining votes from Malaysia and Singapore) or six new awards (separate winners)?

TVB should actually made it very clear by now since we are now left with a little over 2 weeks only before its Anniversary Gala on November 19th and less than 2 months before its prestigious Anniversary Awards ceremony. As mentioned earlier, the nomination list for ‘My Favourite TVB Lead Actor’ and ‘My Favourite TVB Lead Actress’ are out. I won’t post them here because basically, every lead (or even supporting) actors and actresses having filmed a drama released this year is nominated. I suggest TVB to narrow down their nomination list to just 10 or 5 per categories to make it more exciting just like how the Hollywood does with their awards.

So far, I have watched 9 TVB series this year including the currently running ‘Life On The Line’. If there are six new awards (3 for Malaysia, 3 for Singapore), I would pick 3 names for each that I think will have a high chance of winning one, two or all three (highly doubt that). Why 3 names? I’m predicting and equating these new oversea awards to the ‘Most Popular TV Female Character’ and ‘Most Popular TV Male Character’ awards to be presented at TVB Anniversary Awards annually. So, now, here comes my early prediction:

Most Favourite TVB Lead Actor – Malaysia, Most Favourite TVB Lead Actor – Singapore, Most Popular TV Male Character – Hong Kong

Ruco Chan (Succession War),

Carlos Chan (Daddy Cool),

Chris Lai (Who Wants A Baby?)

Opinion: Not a single outstanding performance from either actors or actresses this year. And this makes the awards much more open and it seems now that many people really stood a chance this time. No exceptional strong contender. For these same-ranked awards, I’m picking these three (shown above). Benjamin Yuen is a dark horse here since TVB seems serious to be highly promoting him this year. As for the highest honour, the Best Actor at TVB Anniversary Awards, it’s still too early to tell but I have a feeling Vincent Wong from his upcoming ‘Fist Fight’ drama will make him win this award twice in a row. Steven Ma from ‘Deep In The Realm Of Conscience’ could be rewarded but I doubt that so far.

Most Favourite TVB Lead Actress – Malaysia, Most Favourite TVB Lead Actress – Singapore, Most Popular TV Female Character – Hong Kong

Selena Li (Succession War),

Mandy Wong (Threesome),

Ali Lee (Who Wants A Baby?)

Opinion: I didn’t watch ‘Threesome’ but I heard good review to Mandy’s performance in that short series. It’s also TVB’s pattern to reward young actresses that did show breakthrough. Selena Li has been with TVB for so long and has not even receive a single award from TVB Anniversary Awards. She deserves it this year from her role in ‘Succession War’. Although her role is somewhat a not powerful or dominating one, but she carried it very well and elegantly. Where is Alice Chan? Although I find her performance in ‘Deep In The Realm Of Conscience’ exaggerating and over-the-top at many scenes, she still stood a high chance on winning not any of these three but the coveted Best Actress at TVB Anniversary Awards, since the competition is so weak this year (last year too…still mad that Natalie Tong won best actress last year from her performance that was nothing spectacular at all).

Most Favourite TVB Drama – Malaysia, Most Favourite TVB Drama – Singapore, Best Drama – Hong Kong

Daddy Cool,

Deep In The Realm Of Conscience,

Life On The Line

Opinion: The currently running ‘Life On The Line’ seems promising and is quite moving. This drama reminds me a bit of ‘The Hippocratic Crush’ back in 2012 of which they are both medical dramas and taught audiences a lot of touching life lessons. ‘Deep In The Realm Of Conscience’ obtained huge popularity from mainland China and I’m quite certain it would be rewarded somewhere although I disagree as I find the drama boring and poorly executed. ‘Daddy Cool’ is quite an interesting and highly watchable drama early this year. ‘Fist Fight’ which will be airing soon may join the race later. I actually liked ‘Succession War’ a lot but it just doesn’t get the popularity it deserves.

That’s it for my early prediction to several new key awards for annual TVB Anniversary Awards this year. Once the full nomination list for the December 16th’s TVB Anniversary Awards 2018 is out, I will post a much updated prediction for each categories by then.

(Images in this post are from various online sources)

TVB held its 50+1 Anniversary Gala yesterday to celebrate the station’s 51st birthday on November 19th, 2018. Besides than the usual performances and massive gathering of TVB artistes, there was this one new segment where the Most Favourite Lead Actor and Actress awards for Singapore and Malaysia were presented.

Singapore’s Starhub TVB Awards and TVB Star Awards Malaysia had been cancelled this year. However, Malaysian and Singaporean audiences can still vote for their favourite lead actor and actress of the year and the result were revealed on the Anniversary Gala. The reason I’m excited to watch the gala live yesterday is not because of the games, dances, gigs, songs or lucky draws but because of this revelation of winners.

I am already expecting Mandy Wong from her performance in Threesome (I didn’t watch this series though but heard a lot of praises for her) to win although I prefer Ali not to go home empty handed (Ali Lee did well in Who Wants A Baby too). It is also disappointing of not seeing Selena Lee being placed in top 3 at least (her role in Succession War is brilliant and very likable). It would be nice if Mandy and Ali each won one for Most Favourite Lead Actress. In the end, Mandy Wong swept both the Singapore and Malaysia awards. The same goes for Most Favourite Lead Actor of which Benjamin Yuen took both too. This is the one that got me very upset. Benjamin is definitely not on par yet to win and he even swept two now. This is absurd. This result is an obvious outcome from below average male performances in TVB dramas this year. If Kenneth Ma’s ‘The Exorcist Meter’ get to air this year and not last year, he would have won all the Most Favourite Lead Actor’ and even ‘Best Actor’ awards easily this time around. This shows that timing and luck are very important.

So it looks like Mandy Wong is now the definite frontrunner for Best Actress on next month’s TVB Anniversary Awards while I still see Alice Chan as a strong dark horse this year. Ali Lee may sneak in for the win too but her chance seems to be dropping. Rounding up Top 5 will be Nancy Wu and Grace Wong. Benjamin Yuen is now the frontrunner for Best Actor (I sincerely hope he doesn’t win, he is certainly not best actor material yet) while the other four to be in top 5 would be Vincent Wong (last year’s TV king), Joe Ma, Carlos Chan and Ruco Chan. Anyone but Benjamin for the win. Benjamin had won much more than he deserved by now already.

(Images in this post are from TVB Jade Pack’s Facebook page)

TVB Anniversary Awards 2018 will be held on 16th December 2018 (Sunday). This year, the awards ceremony returns to its usual mid-December slot after last year’s grand 50th anniversary celebration that saw the 2017 awards being pushed to January 2018. It is still fresh on our mind seeing Vincent Wong winning his first best actor win from his impressive performance in Legal Mavericks. On the other hand, I believe most of us could still not believe our eyes when we saw Natalie Tong being crowned best actress from an ordinary performance in My Unfair Lady.

Now, we move on to another year with another list of dramas and performances. Basically, the nomination list for TVB Anniversary Awards includes everyone and every drama that aired in that particular year. Hence, there is nothing exciting about it. TVB should reduce nominees for each categories to top 10 or top 5 to make the race for competitive. Now, the TVB artistes aren’t feeling anything and not even a little proud as basically, you will get nominated once you have a series released in that year.

(Image source: TVB official webpage)

I will post parts of the nomination list below alongside my usual thoughts for each categories: (highlighted in bold is my predicted top 5 while those with X at the back is my preferred top 5 picks)

Best Drama

Come Home Love: Lo and Behold <愛·回家之開心速遞>
The Forgotten Valley <平安谷之詭谷傳說>
Watch Out, Boss <波士早晨>
Threesome <三個女人一個「因」> 
Birth of a Hero <翻生武林>
Apple-colada <果欄中的江湖大嫂>
Daddy Cool <逆緣> X
Stealing Seconds <棟仁的時光>
Deep in the Realm of Conscience <宮心計2深宮計>
Succession War <天命> X
Who Wants a Baby? <BB來了> X
The Stunt <特技人>
Another Era <再創世紀>
Life on the Line <跳躍生命線> X
OMG, Your Honour <是咁的，法官閣下>
Fist Fight <兄弟> X
Wife Interrupted <救妻同學會>
Learning Curve of a Warlord <大帥哥>

Predicted to win: Life On The Line

Wanted to win: Succession War / Daddy Cool

Opinion: Succession War is seriously underrated and I don’t get why it doesn’t get the popularity and rating it deserves. It is much more interesting and engaging that the draggy Deep In The Realm Of Conscience. The only downside to Succession War is Shaun Tam’s poor performance in it. So far besides than some cool actions, Fist Fight seems to be just fine. Learning Curve of a Warlord starring Dicky Cheung would have aired only 10 episodes by the time the ceremony comes and it should be pushed to next year’s list instead.

Best Actor

Lau Kong for The Forgotten Valley X
Raymond Wong Ho-yin for Apple-colada
Wayne Lai for Daddy Cool X
Carlos Chan for Daddy Cool
Kenneth Ma for Deep in the Realm of Conscience
Edwin Siu for Deep in the Realm of Conscience
Ruco Chan for Succession War X
Lai Lok-yi for Who Wants a Baby? X
Shaun Tam for The Stunt
Roger Kwok for Another Era
Benjamin Yuen for Another Era
Pakho Chau for Another Era
Joe Ma for Life on the Line
Matthew Ho for Line on the Line
Ben Wong for OMG, Your Honour
Eddie Kwan for OMG, Your Honour
Vincent Wong for Fist Fight X
Mat Yeung for Fist Fight
Dicky Cheung for The Learning Curve of a Warlord
Tony Hung for The Learning Curve of a Warlord

Predicted to win: Benjamin Yuen for Another Era / Joe Ma for Life On The Line

Wanted to win: Ruco Chan for Succession War / Vincent Wong for Fist Fight

Opinion: TVB is so crazy in love with Benjamin Yuen this year and is on their obvious path to heavily promote him. His acting improves but still there is a huge room of development before he can reach best actor material. After sweeping the two Favourite Lead Actor awards for Malaysia and Singapore recently which are totally too much for him (not deserving), it’s just not the time yet for him to win in TVB Anniversary Awards this year. I would rather see past TV king winners like Ruco or Vincent to win again this year. Dicky’s series would have been out for only 10 episodes as stated earlier and his chance is slim. And why is Steven Ma missing in the list but Kenneth Ma and Edwin Siu are there? Three of them were in Deep In The Realm Of Conscience and Steven is even the first male lead. This is absurd.

Best Actress

Louisa So for The Forgotten Valley X
Grace Chan for The Forgotten Valley
Mandy Wong for Threesome X
Eliza Sam for Apple-colada
Rosina Lam for Daddy Cool
Natalie Tong for Stealing Seconds
Nancy Wu for Deep in the Realm of Conscience
Alice Chan for Deep in the Realm of Conscience 
Selena Lee for Succession War X
Elaine Yiu for Succession War
Ali Lee for Who Wants a Baby? X
Tavia Yeung for Another Era
Niki Chow for Another Era X
Moon Lau for Life on the Line
Grace Wong for OMG, Your Honour
Louisa Mak for OMG, Your Honour
Rebecca Zhu for Fist Fight
Sisley Choi for The Learning Curve of a Warlord

Predicted to win: Mandy Wong for Threesome

Wanted to win: Ali Lee for Who Wants A Baby? / Niki Chow for Another Era

Opinion: I wouldn’t have huge objection if Mandy wins, but wouldn’t it be nice to hand out the award to someone else who is deserving this year too such as Ali or Niki since Mandy already took two awards (Malaysia and Singapore).

Most Popular Male TV Character

Wayne Lai as Ho Wing-nin in Daddy Cool
Carlos Chan as Chung Ting-kwok in Daddy Cool X
Benjamin Yuen as Tsang Tung-yan in Stealing Seconds 
Kenneth Ma as Yam Sam-shu in Deep in the Realm of Conscience X
Edwin Siu as Ho Lei in Deep in the Realm of Conscience
Ruco Chan as Heshen in Succession War X
Shaun Tam as the Jiaqing Emperor in Succession War
Lai Lok-yi as Elvis Yip in Who Wants a Baby?
Pakho Chau as Ching Hoi in Another Era
Joe Ma as Mak Tsoi-tin in Life on the Line
Matthew Ho as Cheuk Ka-kit in Life on the Line
Ben Wong as John Fan in OMG, Your Honour
Eddie Kwan as James Yiu in OMG, Your Honour
Oscar Leung as Charles Chiu in OMG, Your Honour
Hugo Wong as Michael Lai in OMG, Your Honour
Vincent Wong as “Fever” Cheung Fei-fan in Fist Fight X
Mat Yeung as Leo Ha in Fist Fight
Hubert Wu as Lee Yan-long in Wife Interrupted
Dicky Cheung as Dik Kei in The Learning Curve of a Warlord X
Tony Hung as Ma Tan in The Learning Curve of a Warlord

Predicted to win: Benjamin Yuen in Stealing Seconds / Vincent Wong in Fist Fight

Wanted to win: Carlos Chan in Daddy Cool

Opinion: If Benjamin Yuen won this, he will not win best actor. I would rather hoping this situation to happen. But in this category, I’m rooting for Carlos as his role as the great grandpa in Daddy Cool is funny and likable and he did very well in it.

Most Popular Female TV Character

Joyce Tang as Hung Sheung-sin in Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
Rebecca Zhu as Ku Man-yi in The Forgotten Valley
Mandy Wong as Evie Fong in Threesome X
Grace Chan as Sau Tsoi-sam in Birth of a Hero
Eliza Sam as Barika Lee in Apple-colada
Crystal Fung as Chan Yuk-man in Apple-colada
Rosina Lam as Aki Chong in Daddy Cool
Natalie Tong as Kris Ching in Stealing Seconds
Nancy Wu as Wong Chun in Deep in the Realm of Conscience X
Alice Chan as Princess Taiping in Deep in the Realm of Conscience X
Selena Lee as Empress Xiaoherui in Succession War X
Elaine Yiu as Changmei in Deep in the Realm of Conscience
Ali Lee as Ellen Tong in Who Wants a Baby? X
Samantha Ko as Katina Hui in Who Want a Baby?
Gloria Tang as Chu Siu-wai in Another Era
Kelly Cheung as Mandy Man in Life on the Line
Grace Wong as Ophelia Mok in OMG, Your Honour
Kaman Kong as “Sitting” Ma Sze-ting in Fist Fight
Moon Lau as Jill Chiu in Wife Interrupted
Sisley Choi as Cheung Yuen-yuen in The Learning Curve of a Warlord

Predicted to win: Ali Lee in Who Wants A Baby? / Mandy Wong in Threesome

Wanted to win: Selena Lee in Succession War

Opinion: If Mandy Wong win best actress, this award will then go to Ali Lee likely. I have this feeling that Ali Lee will not go home empty handed this year. My personal favourite for this category is actually Selena Lee. Her role in Succession War is again underrated. She did it so well and gracefully. She deserves some serious recognition and is overdue for TVB awards.

Best Supporting Actor

Jimmy Au for Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
Louis Yuen for The Forgotten Valley
David Chiang for Birth of a Hero
Jazz Lam for Apple-colada
Andrew Yuen for Apple-colada
Willie Wai for Deep in the Realm of Conscience
Savio Tsang for Deep in the Realm of Conscience
Joel Chan for Succession War X
Jonathan Cheung for Succession War X
Tsui Wing for Who Wants a Baby? X
Bowie Wu for Another Era
Karl Ting for Another Era
Joey Law for Life on the Line
Arnold Kwok for Life on the Line
Bob Cheung for Life on the Line X
Oscar Leung for OMG, Your Honour X
Hugo Wong for OMG, Your Honour
Jackson Lai for OMG, Your Honour
Telford Wong for Wife, Interrupted
Raymond Wong for The Learning Curve of a Warlord

Predicted to win: Jimmy Au for Come Home Love: Lo And Behold

Wanted to win: Bob Cheung for Life On The Line

Opinion: Looks like the race for supporting actor this year is nothing exciting. I have a feeling that since Jimmy Au missed out the chance to win last year and so this year will be the time to compensate.

Best Supporting Actress

Joyce Tang for Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
Mandy Lam for Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
Zoie Tam for The Forgotten Valley
Crystal Fung for Apple-colada X
Kaman Kong for Apple-colada
Elvina Kong for Daddy, Cool
Jacqueline Wong for Deep in the Realm of Conscience X
Susan Tse for Deep in the Realm of Conscience
Akina Hong for Deep in the Realm of Conscience
Stephanie Ho for Succession War
Angelina Lo for Who Wants a Baby? X
Samantha Ko for Who Wants a Baby? X
Gloria Tang for Another Era
Jeannie Chan for Life on the Line
Kelly Cheung for Life on the Line X
Pinky Cheung for Life on the Line
Kirby Lam for OMG, Your Honour
Tiffany Lau for Fist Fight
Toby Chan for Fist Fight
Vivien Yeo for The Learning Curve of a Warlord

Predicted to win: Jacqueline Wong for Deep In The Realm Of Conscience

Wanted to win: Angelina Lo for Who Wants A Baby?

Opinion: TVB usually likes to contribute shock in this category (even Rebecca Zhu is shocked to win this award last year when she heard her name called out). TVB would want to hand out this to Jacqueline Wong so that she won’t be that ‘far behind’ her boyfriend, Kenneth Ma. Angelina Lo stood out in this race for her powerful performance in Who Wants A Baby? and this wonderful veteran actress deserves it more than anyone else this year.

There are some other categories too but I won’t be putting my focus on those.

With the Hong Kong’s TVB Anniversary Awards 2018 presentation ceremony just hours away from now, it’s time for me to make my final prediction which will be slightly different from what I have posted before. This is because my view is updated after watching the last airing drama of the year, The Learning Curve Of A Warlord. The drama has only aired its 10 episodes and will be up already for contention of awards later this evening. This is a disadvantage for the series. Same goes to Fist Fight which will only be airing its final episodes end of next week.

(Image source: TVB.com)

Without wasting further time, here’s my final prediction for the TVB Anniversary Awards 2018:

Best Drama:

Top 5: Daddy Cool, Deep In The Realm Of Conscience, Life On The Line, The Learning Curve Of A Warlord, Fist Fight

Shouldn’t be in Top 5: Deep In The Realm of Conscience, Fist Fight

Should be in Top 5: The Forgotten Valley, Succession War

Should win: Succession War / The Learning Curve Of A Warlord

Will win: Life On The Line

Best Leading Actor:

Top 5: Ruco Chan (Succession War), Benjamin Yuen (Another Era), Joe Ma (Life On The Line), Vincent Wong (Fist Fight), Dicky Cheung (The Learning Curve Of A Warlord)

Shouldn’t be in Top 5: Benjamin Yuen (Another Era), Joe Ma (Life On The Line)

Should be in Top 5: Lau Kong (The Forgotten Valley), Wayne Lai (Daddy Cool)

Should win: Dicky Cheung (The Learning Curve Of A Warlord)

Will win: Dicky Cheung (The Learning Curve Of A Warlord)

Best Leading Actress:

Top 5: Alice Chan (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience), Ali Lee (Who Wants A Baby?), Mandy Wong (Threesome), Natalie Tong (Stealing Seconds), Nancy Wu (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience)

Shouldn’t be in Top 5: Natalie Tong (Stealing Seconds), Nancy Wu (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience)

Should be in Top 5: Louisa So (The Forgotten Valley), Selena Li (Succession War)

Should win: Mandy Wong (Threesome) / Ali Lee (Who Wants A Baby?)

Will win: Mandy Wong (Threesome)

Best Supporting Actor:

Top 5: Willie Wai (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience), Joel Chan (Succession War), Bob Cheung (Life On The Line), Jonathan Cheung (Succession War), Jimmy Au (Come Home Love: Lo And Behold)

Shouldn’t be in Top 5: Willie Wai (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience)

Should be in Top 5: Hugo Wong (OMG, Your Honour)

Should win: Jonathan Cheung (Succession War)

Will win: Jimmy Au (Come Home Love: Lo And Behold)

Best Supporting Actress:

Top 5: Mandy Lam (Come Home Love: Lo And Behold), Jacqueline Wong (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience), Vivien Yeo (The Learning Curve Of A Warlord), Angelina Lo (Who Wants A Baby?), Crystal Fung (Apple-Colada)

Shouldn’t be in Top 5: –

Should be in Top 5: –

Should win: Angelina Lo (Who Wants A Baby?)

Will win: Vivien Yeo (The Learning Curve Of A Warlord) / Jacqueline Wong (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience)

Most Favourite TV Male Character:

Top 5: Carlos Chan (Daddy Cool), Benjamin Yuen (Stealing Seconds), Kenneth Ma (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience), Chris Lai (Who Wants A Baby?), Dicky Cheung (The Learning Curve Of Warlord)

Shouldn’t be in Top 5: Benjamin Yuen (Stealing Seconds), Kenneth Ma (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience)

Should be in Top 5: Matthew Ho (Life On The Line), Edwin Siu (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience)

Should win: Carlos Chan (Daddy Cool)

Will win: Benjamin Yuen (Stealing Seconds)

Most Favourite TV Female Character:

Top 5: Mandy Wong (Threesome), Ali Lee (Who Wants A Baby?), Selena Li (Succession War), Grace Wong (OMG, Your Honour), Alice Chan (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience)

Shouldn’t be in Top 5: –

Should be in Top 5: –

Should win: Selena Li (Succession War) / Mandy Wong (Threesome) / Ali Lee (Who Wants A Baby?)

Will win: Alice Chan (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience)

Most Improved Actor:

Top 3: Matthew Ho, Hubert Wu, Owen Cheung

Should win: Matthew Ho

Will win: Matthew Ho

Most Improved Actress:

Top 3: Crystal Fung, Roxanne Tong, Gloria Tang

Should win: Crystal Fung

Will win: Roxanne Tong

Most Favourite TV Partnership:

Top 3: Benjamin Yuen, Pakho Chau, Gloria Tang (Another Era), Matthew Ho, Joey Law, Arnold Kwok, Bob Cheung (Life On The Line), Edwin Siu, Raymond Cho (Two Men In A Kitchen)

Should win: Matthew Ho, Joey Law, Arnold Kwok, Bob Cheung (Life On The Line)

Will win: Matthew Ho, Joey Law, Arnold Kwok, Bob Cheung (Life On The Line)

No prediction for the remaining other categories (best theme song, best host, best non-series programme). Can’t wait for the result this evening. Hope the deserved ones win but usually TVB will give us some shocking outcome.

TVB Anniversary Awards 2018’s presentation ceremony had just concluded less than an hour ago (ceremony from 8.30pm to 11.00pm) with all the 16 awards presented and here’s the winner list alongside my opinions (I think I’m the fastest to post the full list of result with all the details and my thoughts):

Most Improved Male Artiste: Matthew Ho

Very expected result as Matthew Ho is the only outstanding one this year among all the nominees in this category. He really had a stellar year especially from his performance in Life On The Line. Looks likely to be among the next leading men in TVB series soon.

Most Improved Female Artiste: Crystal Fung

I am predicting Roxanne Tong to win, but end up Crystal Fung is the winner. I’m happy with this outcome too as I find her performance in Apple-colada this year to be very good although she is a very new actress. Roxanne Tong has quite a huge chance for win in these two years but she missed them unfortunately.

Best Supporting Actor: Oscar Leung (OMG, Your Honour)

Didn’t watch OMG, Your Honour so couldn’t comment much. Surprised that KK Cheung isn’t even nominated in this category from his brilliant performance as the late emperor in Succession War. He in my opinion is the best supporting actor this year easily.

Best Supporting Actress: Mandy Lam (Come Home Love: Lo And Behold)

I didn’t watch that drama and so I couldn’t comment much. I heard that her breakout year is last year but she didn’t win it last year so this year’s award is a consolation for her. I would prefer Angelina Lo to win as she really did very well as the mean mother-in-law in Who Wants A Baby?. I’m also surprised that Vivien Yeo didn’t make it into Top 5 after receiving recent critical praise from her role in The Learning Curve Of A Warlord.

Most Popular TV Male Character: Kenneth Ma (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience)

Everyone is surprised! Even Kenneth himself is surprised. His role in Deep In The Realm Of Conscience is quite a minor one and isn’t anything memorable or spectacular. I would prefer Chris Lai to win instead. Now, Kenneth won this award three times (but never best actor award) and holds the record for being the actor with most wins in this category. He won this time because he is really a favourite among his TVB colleagues and management staff. Not a deserving win though.

Most Popular TV Female Character: Alice Chan (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience)

Although I don’t find her acting in Deep In The Realm Of Conscience to be amazing, but her role as Princess Tai Ping is a standout in that drama filled with so many female characters. Surprised that Selena Li is not even in the Top 5 which is a joke.

Best Leading Actor: Joe Ma (Life On The Line)

Congratulation to Joe Ma for clinching the TV King title but I don’t think he deserves it. He still need some work on his facial expression during his acting. A bit wooden and tried too hard (but didn’t work well) in certain scenes in that drama. I would prefer Dicky Cheung to win it from his impressive performance in The Learning Curve Of A Warlord but it looks like now the late broadcast of the series really means a huge disadvantage in competing for awards. Quite surprised that Ruco Chan or Lau Kong cannot even make it into top 5. They are even more deserving than Joe Ma.

Best Leading Actress: Ali Lee (Who Wants A Baby?)

Congratulation to Ali Lee! At least she is not going home empty handed this time. I’m quite surprised that Mandy Wong wins nothing for the evening but I think it’s because she already won two awards (Singapore and Malaysia) earlier. Same goes to Benjamin Yuen who get nothing tonight too (which is right). Ali Lee did very well in Who Wants A Baby? and it’s quite deserving that she wins TV Queen this year. A bit pity to Mandy but I knew her time will come soon too.

Best Drama: Life On The Line

No problem for this drama to win as I remembered I am really impressed by the chemistry of the young actors, some moving moments and touching life messages in the end of almost every episodes from this drama. The drama is not perfect (quite boring in certain parts) but should be fine, judging from the current lower standard of TVB series. I would prefer The Learning Curve Of A Warlord or even Succession War to win actually but I knew they won’t.

Singapore and Malaysia’s Most Favourite Drama: Threesome

I didn’t watch this drama but I think I will watch it soon since it is only comprising of 18 episodes. Didn’t expect the drama to be receiving such huge support from both Singapore and Malaysia.

Professionalism Awards: Angelina Lo, Timothy Cheng, Jimmy Au

Very happy for Angelina Lo to win. A consolation prize for her after losing the supporting actress award. She is a great veteran actress who had took on a lot of roles as mother with various different angles and personalities. Timothy Cheng had starred in quite a lot of dramas this year and his contribution being recognized here is fantastic too. Also a consolation to Jimmy Au after losing the supporting actor award.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Nancy Sit

Although Nancy Sit isn’t starring in huge number of TVB series, but her contribution to TVB and to overall Hong Kong’s entertainment industry for a whopping 60 years isn’t to be sidelined. Hence, I find her deserving of this lifetime achievement award. She had also been involved in a lot of films and hosted a number of non-drama programmes. She continued to be active in her career and huge congratulation to her for winning this!

Best Non-Drama Programme: Faraway Brides 2, Cooking Beauties, Sammy On The Go, Young And Restless, Think You Know Tokyo?.

5 awards for this category. Too many winners and dragging the ceremony insufficient runtime. Have only watched ‘Cooking Beauties’ out of the five winners. The previous 2 shows (hosted by Ronald Cheng, Edmund Leung and Alex Fong) in this female cooking programme franchise many years ago are much better though.

Most Favourite TV Partnership: Edwin Siu & Raymond Cho (Two Men In A Kitchen)

They just won the same award last year (with Matthew Ho). I prefer to let this award to go to the other group (Matthew Ho, Joey Law, Arnold Kwok and Bob Cheung for their amazing and heartfelt chemistry in Life On The Line). Ohh, Edwin took this opportunity to formally announce that Priscilla Wong (presenter for this award) is his wife. What a surprising romantic moment.

Most Popular Drama Theme Song: ‘Wishing People To Last Forever’ by Hana Kuk – ending theme song for ‘Life On The Line’

Hana Kuk had sang a lot of theme songs for a number of TVB series in recent years. Anyway, her live singing is quite bad. This song is good but isn’t memorable. However, there isn’t any outstanding theme songs this year and so I don’t find it surprising for this song to win.

Best TV Host: Kristal Tin (Women at 40)

Didn’t watch it and surprised that Kristal Tin did well in hosting too. And she is all alone hosting this particular show. She is so emotional when accepting this award (it’s almost like her accepting best actress again).

(Images in this post are from various online sources)

A long week with toothache and lacking concentration at work is certainly not good. Fortunately, the week ends with me being very delighted to be able to get my hand on a latest music DVD all the way from Hong Kong and also being thrilled with the final episode of a TVB drama that I have been following for the past one month. The drama is called ‘The Learning Curve Of A Warlord’ (大帥哥).

This 30-episode drama starred Dicky Cheung who is promoted to a marshal in control of a small town during chaotic warlord era. From there, he faces multiple threats and challenges from three neighbouring town’s warlords, the higher rank marshal, Japanese spies, etc along with his loyal friends and three wives. Other cast in the series include Sisley Choi, Zoie Tam, Vivien Yeo, Raymond Cho, Tony Hung, Tsui Wing, etc.

This drama is very impressive. When I first know the existence of this drama and learning a bit of what the story is going to be about and its setting, I felt that this is going to be a lousy, silly and meaninglessly funny drama and that’s it. The selling point would just be the comeback of Dicky Cheung who is famous for his work in TVB decades ago (Journey to the West, etc). In the end, I’m very surprised by how good the drama turns out to be, in all areas.

Dicky Cheung is amazing as Dik Kei / Dai Sui Gor. I am very impressed by his memory skill. He can memorize super long lines of dialogue and spill them out clear, fast, continuous and sharp, along with varied range of expression he delivered in the same time. It’s perfect ‘multitasking while acting’ (that’s another level) if you know what I mean. His performance in here is no doubt splendid and him not winning best actor in last month’s TVB Anniversary Awards is totally absurd. His performance in just the first 10 episodes in this drama (before the awards ceremony) is more than enough to defeat any contenders in 2018 including the best actor winner, Joe Ma. I also got to know that Dicky do improvise certain lines of his as well as of the other cast to improve things. Now, that is great.

The supporting cast also have their shining moment in this drama. They are not left out of their character development and story arc which is good. Zoie Tam and Vivien Yeo (both portrayed as Dicky’s wives) surprised audiences with their excellent performances (both of them improved a lot and outshines the supporting boys in the drama) while the main female lead, Sisley Choi is also not bad (it is just that she couldn’t push it all out in her acting and her character’s personality is partly to blame and hence not getting higher praise compared to Zoie and Vivien).

This series has a lot of dramatic things going on to keep audiences hooked to its episode every evening. It has a lot of hilarious scenes (funny lines and multiple thoughtful reference to famous Dicky’s lines from his past memorable roles), emotional moments (a number of pretty good and heartfelt crying scenes), intense gun fighting sequence, and warm friendship moments. The final episode is intense, unpredictable, exciting. has happy conclusion, and left me moved, thrilled and impressed once again. ‘The Learning Curve Of A Warlord’ performs beyond my expectation and I would rate it a total of 8.4 out of 10. This is my most favourite TVB drama in 2018. Highly entertaining, has great ingredients and I enjoyed it very much.

(Images in this post are from online sources)

‘The Defected’ (鐵探) is a Hong Kong television drama that currently attracts a lot of audiences. The 30-episode series starred Benjamin Yuen as Inspector Sheung Sing, a policeman who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy plaguing the high-ranking officials due to an incident that almost cost him his life. The other main cast include Kara Wai, Philip Keung, Sisley Choi, Oscar Leung, Mat Yeung, Benz Hui, Ben Wong, Grace Wong, etc.

What I first like from this series is the focus on the rivalry of high-ranking police officials to get promoted rather than being another typical police drama that is all about showing undercovers and catching bad guys. The series at least went into a different direction with an uncommon plot. However, I find that the series didn’t do enough on exploring into this area.

Throughout the entire series, only Kara Wai’s character has the upper hand in almost every situation. The plot can be so much more exciting. One of my suggestions is to have several high-ranking officials (such characters with more prominent roles) plotting out some schemes to take down one another (and not just Kara Wai). There are such characters in the series such as Benz Hui, Ben Wong and Lee Shin-Cheong but they formed no important part of the story. What a wasted potential or opportunity to turn this series into one intense and memorable one.

This series had a great cast. Kara Wai is a good choice to portray the ruthless superior. She stands a chance for best actress win at the end of the year with this performance. She had win a lot from film awards but never from television awards. If the best actress competition this year is very weak, she do have a shot at it. However, in my opinion, there is not much from her role that requires her to deliver memorable acting. In most of the time, she just needs to get her eyes opened wide to show the anger while being confronted, and gets to cry for the death of her son near the end of the series. There is particularly no standout or explosive moment from her alone.

Philip Keung on the other hand nailed his role as the undercover named Bingo. He got me immersed into his performance and I particularly enjoyed his interaction with his mother (portrayed by Angelina Lo). He may have a shot at TV king title but I felt that his role is more of a supporting one (preferred him to get best supporting actor or most favourite male character). His character development is great except at the end when he died so suddenly without any honor for his contribution and sacrifice, and incomplete work that should have been finished by him too. Benjamin Yuen took that job since he is the main lead in this drama. His effort to lose weight and gets pale just for this drama is admired but there’s still huge room of improvement for his performance.

The series started off great with high expectation from me. However, it continues to be quite draggy and concluded with a rushed ending (not much climax even when it is near the end). At first, I saw similarity of quality of this series with ‘Line Walker’ (this series is very good). But in the end, ‘The Defected’ wasted most of its potential and becomes just a slightly above average drama this year to my disappointment. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘The Defected’ a total of 7.0.

(Images in this post are from various online sources)

The post’s title above already best summarizes what I felt about this Hong Kong drama which had just aired its last episode a moment ago. ‘Barrack O’Karma’ (金宵大廈) is hands down the best Hong Kong series of the year, one of the best I have seen in recent years, and I highly recommend you to watch it if you haven’t (it’s in Cantonese by the way).

The drama, with 20 episodes, follows the supernatural journeys of several residents living in an old apartment building full of mystery and strange happenings. The drama starred Joel Chan, Selena Lee, Lau Kong, Alex Lam, Samantha Ko, Billy Luk, Kelly Cheung, Gloria Tang, Bob Cheung, etc.

The journey of each residents are categorized into different mini-stories and each one delivers deep and thoughtful meaning to viewers. Some comes with happy ending while some ended with sad note and that well resonates to our real life out here too where not all things will be good in the end. The main story arc involving the two main characters, a security guard (Ah Siu, portrayed by Joel Chan) and an air stewardess (Alex, portrayed by Selena Lee) that spans over to their past life is very moving and engaging.

This is the first drama for Joel as the main male lead. While there is still room of improvement for him, I find that he did quite good already. He is usually excellent in supporting roles in the past and I find that this is a great step for him to be the lead. He needs to brush up on his crying scenes and I find that he couldn’t put it all in yet in those scenes. On the other hand, Selena Lee delivered a remarkable performance here. Her emotional scenes are all well executed and I always find her acting already on par to previous best actress winners. Hence, I wish for her to win the best actress at TVB Anniversary Awards end of this year. She certainly deserves it. It is absurd to know that she never gets any award before from TVB. She is overdue and this is her best role to win it.

All the other supporting cast also performed very well and delivered their mini-stories convincingly. I admire the script and the execution of each stories, and I am surprised and impressed with the unprecedented approach the drama has in place. For instance, the series dealt with sensitive issues like same-sex relationship, transnational love, love with older woman, etc (there is even a sex doll involved). By just the mention of these things, you would think that this looks like an adult drama, but you have to watch it to know that the drama is very profound and simply using those to convey fresh perspective to our life.

I am also fascinated with the amount of details placed into every scene that reveals a little hint to what’s coming next. You have to pay close attention to the wall, floor, the background, or some small character’s expression that reveals some important plot point. This is a brilliant step by TVB as it has not done much in this area before in its past dramas. I also like the part where this drama links to another supernatural drama aired early this year called ‘Our Unwinding Ethos’ (surprised and felt cool to see Rosina Lam from that drama in this one as well making a guest appearance). It’s like a shared universe thingy just like Marvel films. That’s interesting, isn’t it?

I am disappointed that this drama is way too short. 20 episodes is simply not enough for such a high quality series. The drama is full of suspense and got me very engaged and eager to know what’s going to happen next. The new rendition of a classic song used for this drama in both Mandarin and Cantonese version that plays at the beginning and ending of each episode is also very addictive and suits perfectly well to the mood of the story. Unconventional, daring, touching and thought-provoking, ‘Barrack O’Karma’ (I believe the one who created this English title wants a bit of humor by linking it to the name of former US president, Barack Obama…haha, that’s weird but cool though) really surprises me.

Out of 10 points, I rate ‘Barrack O’Karma’ a total of 8.3. Best drama of the year. I don’t need to watch the remaining other dramas of the year to come to that conclusion. It’s that easy. While the series isn’t perfect (there is still some poor areas like frequent disconnectedness between stories, rushed progress to some mini-stories, over complexity of plot – I still cannot digest what’s the ending means, too many unanswered questions at the end, etc), but this drama marked a bold and successful step forward for TVB.

(Images in this post are from various online sources)

After postponement for a month, the TVB Anniversary Awards 2019 is finally here to honour the best of Hong Kong’s TVB series in 2019. The star-studded event hosted by Carol Cheng, Karl Ting and Mak Mei-yan saw presentation of various awards in nearly 3 hours.

Here are the full list of winners for TVB Anniversary Awards 2019 (except non-drama categories) along with my opinions:

Lifetime Achievement Award: Lau Dan

Opinion: Happy for him in winning this award. This is also his big birthday gift as he will be turning 76 tomorrow. With career spanning over 50 years and involvement in over 50 series, Lau Dan certainly deserves this recognition.

Most Improved Male Artiste: Owen Cheung

Opinion: Didn’t see any of his performance last year. He won mainly because the competition for this category is very weak this time. I do like his role in ‘Legal Mavericks’ few years ago.

Most Improved Female Artiste: Kelly Cheung

Opinion: Saw her in ‘Big White Duel’, ‘Barrack O’Karma’ and ‘The Man Who Kills Troubles’ last year. Wow..she really has a lot of projects recently. Not a surprise that she is winning this. Her acting feels natural and she is really beautiful-looking.

Best Supporting Actress: Candice Chiu (Barrack O’Karma)

Opinion: Happy for her. I like her performance in ‘Barrack O’Karma’ but didn’t expect this kind of role (as a psychopathic mum) to win but she did. It’s her first nomination and she got it. Even she herself is very surprised.

Best Supporting Actor: Kalok Chow (Come Home Love: Lo And Behold)

Opinion: Didn’t saw his performance in long-running ‘Come Home Love’ series. It’s his first nomination and he won it (similar case for Candice). Very surprised with TVB preferring to award more lesser known artistes this time. 

Most Popular On-Screen Partnership: Joel Chan & Selena Lee (Barrack O’Karma)

Opinion: Excited for this pair to win. Joel & Selena’s chemistry is very impressive in ‘Barrack O’Karma’. Their love story in the drama is captivating and this first-time on-screen pairing created wonderful spark. 

Best Drama Theme Song: ‘Let Love Fly High’ by Pakho Chau (Wonder Women)

Opinion: I felt the song is just fine in my first time hearing it. However, after listening to it few more times, I enjoy it more and more It’s a nice song and fits very well to the ‘Wonder Woman’ series too. I particularly like the kids who present the award in the ceremony. They are so cute.

Most Popular TV Male Character: Pakho Chau (Wonder Women)

Opinion: I do like his character in ‘Wonder Woman’. A young, handsome, caring and kind character. Who will not like it? But I didn’t expect him to win honestly. 

Best Leading Actor: Kenneth Ma (Big White Duel)

Opinion: Wow! wow! Finally! After nominated for 12 times in the past, finally it’s time for Kenneth to win best actor. Although he is seriously overdue for this award, but I think his performance in ‘Big White Duel’ is average only because there’s nothing much to shine in his role in that drama. Anyway, very happy for him. He always missed out on this award every single year by a small margin and now he got it!

Most Popular TV Female Character: Selena Lee (Barrack O’Karma) & Miriam Yeung (Wonder Women)

Opinion: I’m shocked with this double win (never before in TVB). This is so obvious to please Miriam who attended the later part of the ceremony as a consolation prize. She is good in ‘Wonder Women’ but not worthy of an award because the role is tailor made for her hence she does not need to put much effort in it to be honest. On the other hand, I’m glad that Selena finally win her first ever individual award at TVB Anniversary Awards. However, I much prefer her to win best actress because she is really phenomenal in ‘Barrack O’Karma’. 

Best Leading Actress: Kara Wai (The Defected)

Opinion: Kara Wai is three time best actress winner at Hong Kong Film Awards. A very notable film actress who didn’t win anything yet at TVB which is quite absurd. So, I already knew she is going to win this and as expected, she does. She is good in ‘The Defected’ but I felt Selena is a better choice. I actually find Kara’s expression is a bit rigid in ‘The Defected’, but well, she has to win this.

Best Drama: Big White Duel

Opinion: The last major award and the most disappointing one. I find ‘Big White Duel’ boring actually. I don’t like this drama and yet it won best drama. The drama lacks suspense and thrill, and its content is quite dull and empty. ‘Barrack O’Karma’ should have win this by a mile. 

‘Barrack O’Karma’ and ‘Wonder Women’ are the biggest winners of the evening with 3 wins each. ‘Big White Duel’ took 2 wins including ‘Best Drama’.

(Images in this post are from various online sources)

There’s ample of time at home now during this circuit breaker period for me to watch some movies and series. Well, that’s the only possible source of entertainment at home now besides than browsing though Facebook, Instagram or playing online games. I have just finished a Cantonese series a moment ago and here comes my review for it.

It’s a TVB drama titled ‘Airport Strikers’ (機場特警) which had just aired its last episode last evening. This 25-episode drama starring Owen Cheung, Mat Yeung, Sisley Choi, Roxanne Tong, Hugo Wong, etc revolves around a group of airport police officers. What’s terribly disappointing on this series is that the story focuses too much on each main character’s background (or own problems) and romantic relationship rather than on the action in the airport itself. The drama started off with a very intense threat at the airport and so I look forward to more actions throughout the entire series.

In the end, I was just watching all the love stories going on between many characters which are very boring. The characters are also not interesting and that is made worst by the dull acting by the cast. Owen Cheung’s too-cocky character is unnecessary and it made him looks annoying in the drama. Mat Yeung is a bit dull while Sisley Choi tried her best but there is still a borderline drawn by her in her performance and she couldn’t manage to cross it. Hugo Wong is not bad but his story with his wife lacks enthusiasm.

I was so glad that I managed to finish the whole series because it is simply too boring. The officers’ actions in the airport are only restricted to only normal patrolling and then that’s it. Focus is back on the love storylines again. I only enjoyed the front part when the new officers undergo intensive training. Only that part which covers first few episodes deserve my attention. For the rest, no! This drama should not be called ‘Airport Strikers’; it should be called ‘Romance in the Airport’ instead and then I would not have certainly start on this series at all. Very misleading.

I also cannot stand the way each episode at the latter part of the series ends with a glimpse of the main villain exercising in his dark room and showing a very forced evil expression. This happens for more than 5 episodes. Totally too repetitive and not necessary. The director must be thinking that it will help build the intensity but it actually built up our disgust to the drama. Out of 10 points, I can only rate ‘Airport Strikers’ a total of 4.5. This series is so bad to the point that this is the first time I’m giving a rating lower than 5. Very poorly done. This series which claimed to be the first Hong Kong series centered on airport police isn’t really emphasizing on that. This series can go into trash can immediately (sorry for being rude, but that’s my straightforward opinion).

Fortunately, there is another TVB drama that aired concurrently that is worth watching. The drama is called ‘Brutally Young’. So far, this series is very good and I think it will keep such momentum to its end. I will post my review to this once it ends somewhere around two weeks later.

I have also watched some new films in the past month and they are ‘Vivarium’ ,’1BR’ and ‘Fantasy Island’. I won’t be giving full review to them but I have to compliment the very creative and interesting idea behind each of these films that got me very engaged. The content of these films may not be suitable for everyone (some may find it boring or not logical) but they suits me who like to see new unexplored ideas/stories in films. Give them a try when you are free or too bored at home.

(Images in this post are from various online sources)