New Hong Kong TV series wooing audiences

Award-winning Hong Kong actor Bowie Lam’s new online series, “The Gutter,” has been highly acclaimed for its creative and suspenseful take on urban love and humanity.

Released on Youku last month, the drama scored 8.8 out of 10 on China’s film and TV review website, Douban, based on more than 11,000 reviews.

The series’ Rashomon-style storytelling, intricate plots and stunning cinematography have thrilled audiences.

“The Gutter” depicts the complicated relationships of six couples, from childhood to midlife, while examining the influence of family origin, sexual relations and friendships.

Co-directed by Li Shaobo and Yang Cheng’en, each episode of the new series is told from the perspective of a different character. 

According to director Yang, everyone was intentionally given incomplete scripts, ensuring some of the series’ storylines remained a mystery. 

It is the first time the 55-year-old Lam, winner of the TVB Anniversary Awards for the 2004 costume drama “War and Beauty,” has produced a series. He also plays the lead role in “The Gutter.” 

Lam used to be a drummer and a policeman before taking up a career in acting. His portrayal of a physician and a cop are impressive and vivid on the screen.

Hong Kong TV dramas, particularly productions of Television Broadcasts Limited, were popular among the Chinese mainland audiences in the 1990s and 2000s due to their down-to-earth plots and diverse genres.

However, over the past decade, the number of acclaimed Hong Kong series has shrunk due of few creative scripts and experienced actors.

Moreover, Hong Kong TV shows face competition from foreign dramas and mainland series that have greatly improved in recent years in terms of artistry and cinematography.

“The Gutter” is one of the most successful Hong Kong dramas in the past decade, attracting the interest of movie buffs in China’s mainland and beyond.

Netizen “Yan” says the series’ unique storyline convinced her people’s memories can be deceptive.

Later this year, Youku will feature several new Hong Kong-produced series, including a comedy, “AL Cappuccino,” a love story, “Life After Death,” and an action-drama “China Town.” 

Youku will also coproduce a new installment of “Flying Tiger,” a series about Hong Kong’s Special Duties Unit.