No one expects Hong Kong dramas to have much of a reach outside Hong Kong and the Cantonese diaspora. As great as Asian Dramas from other countries can be, this viewer often feels like they’ve been focus-grouped to death to appeal to a demographic that I’m not a part of. So you really need a reason to watch TV? Culture, for one. In fact, I have heard a Hong Konger remark that while they liked the story of (the greatest show ever) Breaking Bad, they felt that the unvaryingly grim tone detracted from its enjoyability. Accepting these shifts is just a matter of acclimation. Would it raise your hackles to see a cop investigate a grisly murder in one scene only to be followed by the wacky antics of his brother’s failed love life in the next? Is so, don’t worry. It is in their adventures that we come to the biggest bone of contention for non-HK audiences: wild tonal shifts. All shows are centered around a core group of characters, usually 5-6, and their (mis)adventures in the world. While cop shows pop up all the time, there’s also shows about lawyers, doctors, property agents, celebrities, even customs agents. Modern dramas are all about different workplaces. Ancient dramas depict China/HK in the 1920’s, Qing Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, or other. There’s really two basic genres – ancient and modern. As of this writing ‘Come Home Love’ has been on for more than 800 episodes. The remaining half hour is occupied by a long-running dramady.
HONG KONG DRAMA VEUUE SERIES
Rarely, a series gets a sequel, but that can be as many as ten years later. They go on for 20, 30, or 40 episode runs, and then are done. There is no re-run season, no summer break, it’s all fresh, all the time.Įach evening, two one-hour-long dramas air. For a domestic market of less than 8 million, the quantity of dramatic content produced by the single network is staggering: 2.5 hours Monday to Friday every single week of the year. Even though other networks have been dreamers and contenders along the way, it’s pretty much just TVB.
HONG KONG DRAMA VEUUE TV
When we say Hong Kong TV drama, we mean those from TVB.
This article seeks to highlight some of that difference so you can enjoy without inhibition. Warning: if you know a Hong Kong expat, they’ve probably just rolled their eyes so hard that they are on the floor. It’s easier than ever (for American audiences) with about 20 or so HK dramas on Hulu and the recent launch of the Encore TVB app.
Maybe it’s time you tried Hong Kong TV dramas. Love Asian Dramas? Feel like you might give up on them if you see just one more rich boy meets poor girl series? Then maybe it’s time to try something a little bit different.
0 kommentar(er)
