TVB and CCTV: Shui Yuet Fung Wan [The Drive of Life]

Genre: Family politics
Rating: 7/10

The cast of characters. Men, L-R: Ngai Gai Keung [Ng Cheok Hei], Wah Man Sek [Miu Kiu Wai], Wah Zhan Man [Feng Shao Feng], Ngai Weng Piu [Ma Tak Chung], Wah Man Hon [Lau Chung Yan], Wah Zhan Pong [Lam Fung], Wah Man Hung [Liu Ging Sang] and Ngai Tin Hang [Ng Wai Kwok].
Ladies, L-R: Wah Ching Lum [Toby Leung], Fong Bing Yee [Wu Hang Yi], Wah Ching Yue [Hsuen Huen], Hui Zham Yan [Gigi Wong], Wing Sau Fung [Sheh Xi Man], Lei Seen Sin [Zhao Ke], Wong Siu Fun [Tang Shui Man] and Wai Cheung Ping [Chan Mei Kei].

Super addictive series. Well, all TVB serieses are. This series runs on 60 episodes so be warned! Do not start watching when you're in the middle of something important in your life. The plot runs through 10 over years span of Hong Kong and China experiencing turmoil, glory; from the year 1994 until 2007. This production was in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China, there were even two scenes showing the celebrations.

The first [?] collaboration with HK actors and those from mainland China. I've googled about this series and it seems that when they act, the Chinese actors speak mandarin, whereas HK actors speak cantonese, even when one scene involves a mixture of actors nationalities.

The storyline revolves around the Wah family. From managing a steel factory, the eldest Wah brother, Man Hon and the youngest brother, Man Sek faced challenges and later established themselves into automobile industry. The second Wah brother, Man Hung resides in China and was managing an automobile factory. When Man Hon's business was flourishing in HK, he placed some capital to help Man Hung's factory. However, Man Hon's business failed because of a mistake done by his son, Zhan Pong. Man Hon and Man Sek started to venture into the automobile industry and finally realising every Chinaman's dream, to have their own brand of car driven around the world.

The Wah family faced trials and tribulations, intra and inter struggles. A HK tycoon, Ngai Tin Hang is enemies with Wah Man Hon, therefore always finding ways of revenge towards the Wah family in the business arena. In another aspect, Tin Hang also loves Wong Siu Fun, who is Man Sek's wife, and this makes the Wah-Ngai feud even deeper.

For a full list of character and plot development, visit this blog.

The following scenes are those that I enjoyed the most. Spoilers ahead!

a) Fong Bing Yee speaking hakka dialect to an angry tenant. "Ngai yiu tiu gong, ngai yiu soo giu chen". Hilarious!
b) Any scenes before Wah Zhan Pong and Wing Sau Fung got together.
c) When Wah Man Sek tried to kill himself.
d) The career minded Wong Siu Fun.
e) Before Ngai Tin Hang died, he and Wah Man Hon went for a test drive to test the latest car produced by Wah Zhit Automobiles. Great scene.
f) When Wah Man Hon walked again. I actually laughed. What an extremely strong character.

Favourite characters in the series.

a) Wah Man Sek. For this, I praise Miu Kiu Wai for a great portrayal. His acting is so diverse! The first time I saw him act was as a Police Trainer in 'The Academy'. He was totally the opposite [serious and fierce] in that show. *woot*
b) Wah Zhan Man. For his ability to sell ice to an eskimo.
c) Fong Bing Yee. For being a great underdog in love. Wu Hang Yi is really talented too! She can be a retard in The Golden Faith, a filial-timid daughter in Colourful Life, a noisy spoilt brat in The Family Man, a lawyer in Survivor's Law, and now as a never-say-die-nerdy-hard-worker! I really hope she wins the TVB Best Actress Award!

I end this review with two videos from You Tube.

Press conference done by TVB8. Hosted by Vivien Yeo.

The music video of the theme song sung by Hacken Lee and Steve Chou.