Lord of Shanghai (TV series)

Lord of Shanghai (Chinese: 梟雄) is a 2015 Hong Kong television pre-modern period drama produced by Amy Wong for TVB. It premiered on TVB Jade and HD Jade on 26 October 2015 airing every Monday through Sunday during its 9:30–10:30 pm timeslot with a total of 32 episodes.

Lord of Shanghai
Official poster
Also known asThe Hero
梟雄
GenrePeriod drama, Crime, Politics
Created byHong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited
Written byCheng Sing-mo, Au Yuk-han, Tsang Han, So Jat-kit, Cheung Kai-wing, Cheung Chung-yan, Shum Lap-keung
StarringAnthony Wong
Kent Tong
Wayne Lai
Kenneth Ma
Myolie Wu
Louisa So
Ron Ng
Alice Chan
Eddie Kwan
Raymond Cho
Mat Yeung
Ngo Ka-nin
Natalie Tong
Lau Kong
KK Cheung
Jade Leung
Opening theme"Black Rain" (黑雨)
Ending theme"Regretless" (歲月無悔)
by Alfred Hui
ComposersAlan Cheung
Johnny Klimek
Country of originHong Kong
Original languageCantonese
No. of episodes32
Production
Executive producerCatherine Tsang
ProducerAmy Wong
Production locationsHong Kong
Shanghai
EditorNg Siu-tung
Running time45 minutes
Production companyTVB
Release
Original networkTVB Jade, HD Jade
Original release26 October (2015-10-26) 
29 November 2015 (2015-11-29)
Related
Lord of Shanghai
Traditional Chinese梟雄

The drama is the last of TVB's four 2015 grand anniversary dramas to be broadcast.[1]

The drama, set in the 1930s Shanghai tells the story of three powerful business tycoons portrayed by Anthony Wong, Kent Tong, and Wayne Lai.[2] It is based on a true story about three gangsters in the 1930s Shanghai whose names were Du Yuesheng (Kiu Ngo Tin), Huang Jinrong (Chak Kam Tong) and Zhang Xiaolin (Kung Siu San).

Synopsis

In a time when Shanghai was controlled by the merciless warlords, sworn brothers Kiu Ngo Tin (Anthony Wong) and Kung Siu San (Wayne Lai) have to rely on each other. Together, the ruthless Siu San and the cunning Ngo Tin create a world of their own, but in order to stay on top, Ngo Tin has no choice but to leave his past behind completely, including his confidant and true love Ku Siu Lau (Myolie Wu), a Peking opera apprentice.

Ngo Tin gets the attention of casino boss Yiu Gwai Sang (Alice Chan), who recommends him to her husband Kam Tong (Kent Tong), Shanghai's most powerful tycoon. Along with Siu San, Ngo Tin and Kam Tong become legendary figures in Shanghai, dominating all lands of The Bund.

But a single city cannot accommodate three leaders; Siu San (Wayne Lai) and Kam Tong (Kent Tong) enter a battle for power, creating havoc in Shanghai. Ngo Tin (Anthony Wong) uses this opportunity to suppress both of them, becoming the sole leader of China's largest port city, controlling the police and the underground triads on both fronts.

Amidst the glitz and the glamour, Shanghai enters a period of chaos when the Japanese Empire starts making moves to attack the city. To protect his people and the country, Ngo Tin (Anthony Wong) donates his wealth and time to deflect the Japanese. But Siu San (Wayne Lai), in an attempt to save himself, becomes a traitor and works for the Japanese army. For his people, Ngo Tin (Anthony Wong) has no choice but to forsake his family loyalty, and destroy everyone in his way.

Cast

Main cast

CastRoleDescription
Anthony WongKiu Ngo Tin (喬傲天)One of the three Shanghai tycoons
Unlike the other two tycoons, he is a righteous man and has a sense of justice
Ku Siu Lau's love interest
Killed Siu San because of his crimes as a traitor during the Japanese Occupation
Left Shanghai and was forced to stay in Hong Kong after being betrayed by Siu Kwong
Younger version portrayed by Kenneth Ma

He is based on the Shanghai gangster Du Yuesheng

Wayne LaiKung Siu San (龔嘯山)Main Villain
One of the three Shanghai tycoons
Nicknamed Mad Dog (癲狗).
Although he doesn't fool around with women, remaining faithful to his wife, he stops at nothing when it comes to evil
He would do anything to achieve his goals, even by killing but he would not kill his wife, whom he only loves, and his son.
He betrays the other two tycoons in collaborating with the Japanese in the later parts of the drama.
He was killed by Ngo-tin in episode 31

He is based on the Shanghai gangster Zhang Xiaolin
(Deceased – Episode 31)

Kent TongChak Kam Tong (翟金棠)Semi-Villain until the later parts of the drama

One of the three Shanghai tycoons
A domineering person who would do anything to get on top
He is extremely flirtatious, getting caught by his wife Gwai Sang flirting with his lover and his maid
He holds strong grudges against Siu San
He dies at the hands of the Japanese, which is caused by Siu San, to protect his wife and people

He is based on the Shanghai gangster Huang Jinrong
(Deceased – Episode 27)

Supporting cast

CastRoleDescription
Ron NgLai Siu Kwong (黎兆匡)Villain at the end of the drama
A lawyer
He helps Ngo-tin build his empire and helps him solve many cases, but betrays Ngo-tin after the War
Chu Ting Ting's boyfriend
He is Ngo-tin's closest disciple
Married Chu Ting Ting after the war with the Japanese but divorced in episode 32 when she founds out his evil deeds
Responsible for the death of Hon Lei in episode 32

He is based on the vice-mayor of Shanghai called Wu Shaoshu

Myolie WuKu Siu Lau (顧小樓)Peking opera apprentice
Ngo Tin's confidant
Ngo Tin's first love ever since he was young but failed to chase her
She helps Ngo Tin to fight with the Japanese but was killed when one of the soldiers shot her

She is based on a historical figure named Meng Xiaodong (Deceased - Episode 30)

Kenneth MaKiu Ngo Tin (喬傲天)Kenneth portraying as young Kiu Ngo Tin, one of the three main tycoons in Shanghai on the flashback scenes. The character is later portrayed by Anthony Wong

He is based on the Shanghai gangster Du Yuesheng

Louisa SoCho Yuet Lan (曹月蘭)Ngo Tin's Wife who trusts him every time, even when the world turn against Ngo Tin
She looks up to Ngo Tin and cares for him unconditionally
Jade LeungLau Mei Kam (劉美琴)Siu San's Wife
He cares for Siu San and his son unconditionally and does not like it when Siu San works with the Japanese
Alice ChanYiu Kwai Sang (姚桂生)Kam Tong's wife but later divorced
An affectionate and righteous triad boss lady
She died during the war with the Japanese as mentioned by Siu Kwong in episode 31
(Deceased – Episode 31)
Eddie KwanHon Lei (韓立)A political party member's right-handed man who helps Ngo-Tin to fight with the Japanese

Died in a car accident indirectly caused by Siu Kwong (Deceased – Episode 32)

Jess SumChuk Yee Hong (祝綺紅)Cabaret singer, Kam Tong's mistress
Natalie TongLee Tsz Ching (李芷晶)A maid who experiences many ups and downs.
Grace WongChor Ting Ting (楚婷婷)A righteous reporter who hopes to expose the darkness of society
Siu Kwong's girlfriend
Married Siu Kwong after the war with the Japanese but later divorced in episode 32 when she found out Siu Kwong's bad deeds
Derek WongLuk King Chuen (陸敬泉)Ngo-tin's student
He is a deputy editor in chief on the surface, but he is actually Ngo-tin's informant
He is Chu Ting Ting's senior.
Pierre NgoMo Kwun Chiu (毛冠潮)A union's leader who is very patriotic
He helps Ngo-tin and the country fight the Japanese but is later shot dead by the Japanese soldiers
(Deceased – Episode 24)
Tracy IpChing Siu Dip (楚志文)An actress, revealed to be a government spy who uncovered files on Japanese biological weapons facility Unit 1644.
Yeung Chiu HoiChor Chi Man (楚志文)

Development and production

n August 2013, a press conference was held by TVB announcing future drama collaborations with veteran Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong in order to boost sagging ratings and appease viewers complaints of poorly produced dramas.[3]

Anthony Wong was confirmed to star as the lead for a future drama to be produced by Amy Wong in January 2014. Wong specifically chose to star in an Amy Wong production because during Wong's early years as a struggle actor producer Amy Wong gave him his big break when she helped him get signed to TVB.[4]

Aimee Chan was the first TVB artiste announced to be starring with Wong in an upcoming TVB drama in mid January 2014. However Chan later turned down the role when she became pregnant with her second child. Myolie Wu was later re-cast in the role.[5]

In May 2014, veteran former TVB actor Kent Tong was announced with Wayne Lai, Ron Ng and Pierre Ngo to be part of the main cast. The drama would be Tong's first TVB drama in 30 years.[6]

The rest of the main cast (Myolie Wu, Louisa So, Kenneth Ma, and Natalie Tong) were introduced during a press conference held on 3 June 2014.[7][8]

The costume fitting ceremony was held on 19 June 2014 at Tseung Kwan O TVB City Studio One Common Room at 12:30 pm.[9]

The blessing ceremony took place on 29 July 2014 at 3:30 pm Tseung Kwan O TVB City Studio One.

Filming took place from June till November 2014 on location in Hong Kong and Shanghai, China.

Filming on location in Shanghai began in mid-September till end of November 2014. Wong had initially refused to film when in Shanghai due to poor living conditions TVB provided and refusing to provide separate living quarters for his female assistant. After TVB discussed the issue with Wong's management company Emperor Entertainment Group, his management company agreed to pay the cost difference of upping Wong to a better hotel and paying travel expenses for his assistant.[10]

Lord of Shanghai is Myolie Wu and Ron Ng's last collaboration with TVB as Wu choose not to renew her contract with TVB in order to prepare for her upcoming marriage to boyfriend Phillip Lee and Ng's contract was not renewed and still in discussion when it expired due to Ng's father's death.[11][12]

A promo image of Lord of Shanghai was featured in TVB's 2015 calendar for the month of November, released in October 2014.[13]

In March 2015, Lord of Shanghai was one of ten TVB dramas previewed at FILMART 2015.[14]

During the time when Kenneth Ma was portraying the younger version of Kiu Ngo Tin his was dubbed by Maxwell Hui to make his voice sound more like the voice of Anthony Wong.

Viewership ratings

Timeslot (HKT) # Day(s) Week Episode(s) Average points Peaking points
Mon – Sun
(9:30–10:30 pm)
21:30–22:30
1 Mon – Fri 26 – 30 October 2015 1–5 25 27
Sat 31 Oct 2015 6 18
2 Mon – Fri 2 – 6 November 2015 7–11 26 28
Sat 7 Nov 2015 12 19
Sun 8 Nov 2015 13 22
3 Mon – Fri 9 – 13 November 2015 14–18 25 27
Sat 14 Nov 2015 19 18
Sun 15 Nov 2015 20 24
4 Mon – Fri 16 – 20 November 2015 21–25 25 29
Sun 22 Nov 2015 26 23
5 Mon – Fri 23 – 27 November 2015 27–30 26 32
Sat 28 Nov 2015 31 24
Sun 29 Nov 2015 32 29
Total average25 32

International broadcast

Network Country Airing Date Timeslot
Astro On Demand Malaysia26 October 2015Monday – Sunday 9:30 – 10:15 pm
NTV7 9 May 2017 Monday – Wednesday 11:00 pm – 12:00 am
TVBJ Australia27 October 2015Monday – Sunday 12:30 – 1:30 am
Starhub TV Singapore4 February 2016Monday – Sunday 9:00 – 10:00 pm
5 HD1 Thailand17 January 2018Every Wednesday and Thursday 20:20 – 21:20

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Category Nominee Result
2015 TVB Star Awards Malaysia My Favourite TVB Drama Series Lord of Shanghai Nominated
My Favourite TVB Actor in a Leading Role Anthony Wong Nominated
Kent Tong Nominated
Wayne Lai Nominated
My Favourite TVB Actress in a Supporting Role Natalie Tong Nominated
My Favourite TVB Drama Theme Song Regretless (歲月無悔) by Alfred Hui Nominated
Astro MY FM's Special Pick for TVB Drama Theme Song Regretless (歲月無悔) by Alfred Hui Won
My Favourite Top 16 TVB Drama Characters Wayne Lai Won
TVB Anniversary Awards TVB Anniversary Award for Best Drama Lord of Shanghai Won
TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor Anthony Wong Won
Kent Tong Nominated
Wayne Lai Nominated
Kenneth Ma Nominated
TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress Louisa So Nominated
Alice Chan Nominated
TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actor Willie Wai Won
TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actress Jade Leung Nominated
TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Male Character Anthony Wong Nominated
Kent Tong Nominated
Wayne Lai Nominated
Kenneth Ma Nominated
TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Female Character Louisa So Nominated
Alice Chan Nominated
Jade Leung Nominated
TVB Anniversary Award for Favourite Drama Song Regretless (歲月無悔) by Alfred Hui Nominated
2016 StarHub TVB Awards My Favourite TVB Drama Lord of Shanghai Nominated
My Favourite TVB Actress Alice Chan Nominated
My Favourite TVB Male TV Character Kenneth Ma Won
My Favourite TVB Female TV Character Alice Chan Won
TVB Anniversary Award for Favourite Drama Song Regretless (歲月無悔) by Alfred Hui Nominated

References

  1. 2015 TVB Anniversary Dramas: 'Lord of Shanghai', 'Captain of Destiny', 'Under the Veil', 'With or Without You'. Retrieved 25 November 2015
  2. "TVB推重头剧《枭雄》". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). 19 June 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  3. Anthony Wong, Sammo Hung, and Tony Leung Ka Fai to Headline TVB's 2014 Lineup. Retrieved 25 November 2015
  4. Anthony Wong to Film New TVB Drama this Summer. Retrieved 25 November 2015
  5. Aimee Chan Cast in Anthony Wong's TVB Drama. Retrieved 25 November 2015
  6. 湯鎮業重返TVB做《梟雄》‧黎耀祥黃秋生雙帝鬥戲.(in Chinese) Retrieved 25 November 2015
  7. Kent Tong, Myolie Wu, and Kenneth Ma Join "The Hero" Cast. Retrieved 25 November 2015
  8. "Lord of Shanghai" Announces Main Cast. Retrieved 25 November 2015
  9. "Lord of Shanghai" Costume Fitting. Retrieved 25 November 2015
  10. Anthony Wong Outraged by TVB's Poor Travel Policy; "I Won't Pay for the Hotel Fees!". Retrieved 29 November 2015
  11. Myolie Wu Leaves TVB After 16 Years of Employment. Retrieved 25 November 2015
  12. Ron Ng Still in Discussion with TVB About Contract Renewal. Retrieved 25 November 2015
  13. TVB Calendar 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015
  14. TVB Screens Upcoming Series at FILMART 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2015
  • TVB.com Lord of Shanghai – Official Website (in Chinese)
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