Ruco Chan’s “Chinatown” to Premiere on September 21
Releasing its official trailer, martial arts drama Chinatown <唐人街> promises an action-packed ride for viewers. Starring Ruco Chan (陳展鵬), Joel Chan (陳山聰), Natalie Tong (唐詩詠), Elaine Yiu (姚子羚), Philip Ng (伍允龍), and Grace Wong (王君馨), the new TVB drama will premiere on September 21.
Set in the turbulence times of 1940s Thailand, the story opens with Bo Ching Wan’s (Ruco Chan) family arriving in Bangkok’s Chinatown which is overrun with warring gangs. The family is torn apart when his father dies a violent death, and Ching Wan is separated from his younger siblings. Frustrated by the abuse of power from the corrupt local police, Ching Wan establishes the Overseas Chinese Association to help protect the local Chinese community, who feel that their only method of defense is through martial arts.
The cast put in extensive training and flexed their muscles for Chinatown‘s action scenes. In the released trailer, fabulous fight scenes can be seen between Ruco, Philip, Joel, Grace, and Elaine, who are all well versed in martial arts. The trailer also showed an intense scene where Tiffany Lau‘s (劉穎鏇) character was dragged onto a bed by her assailant.
Chinatown is produced by Jazz Boon (文偉鴻), who is behind 2016’s A Fist Within Four Walls <城寨英雄>, 2017’s The Unholy Alliance <同盟>, and the upcoming Super Emissary <超能使者>. Sharing a similar cast, Chinatown promises to deliver the same adrenaline-pumping ride as Jazz Boon’s previous works.
Source: On.cc
This article is written by Su for JayneStars.com.
OMG it’s 2016 again! Oh no it’s just TVB recycling their crap again, lol.
Face-palm. Sounds like the same plot to AFWFW. At least have him avenge his mother or something to give an ounce of originality. Disappointed that Grace probably plays his sister again. Would have like to see how they did as a couple instead because I think they may have good chemistry. Ruco and Natalie are usually dull with no sparks.
@potatochip Exactly, but then again NT is dull w/most costars no? ahaha lol..IMO anyway! I never find her interesting in any roles she’s played so far. She’s a good looking girl but just missing that something and can’t really put into words.
@potatochip omg, it’s practically the same story just set in Thailand!
Apparently from another source I’ve heard that Chinatown’s premiere would be withheld because they want to make it a “global” release – whatever that means. And the drama that would take its place is C9. Another drama featuring Samantha Ko which also has Lai LokYi and Kenneth Ma. So if this source is true then we are going to have a back to back to back to back X4 dramas featuring Samantha Ko. I like her but having her consecutively in 4 dramas with the same face is tiresome. A lot of people are already complaining. In the 2020 awards she’s gonna be nominated a lot, I wonder how many awards she can win. She is now the Louis Koo of drama.
@oligodendrocytes Yes its true they are airing C9 Agent instead of Chinatown, even though I wasn’t particularly excited for Chinatown its been a while since we saw Ruco on screen. They will most likely postpone it for next year. I kind feel like tvb is boosting her to get BSA.
@scre wouldn’t it be more of BA than BSA?
@scre do you work in the industry? Your news is always so current!
No way this year BSA better go to Yoyo.
@bubbles23 No, I just look at the news. I agree that Yoyo is the frontrunner for BSA, but you know that the ones who deserve it don’t win it all the time. Hopefully I am wrong.
@scre LOL you’re more up to date than this site!
Samantha gonna take up a nomination in BSA and BA now? I really don’t understand. They are dropping Natalie and Ruco for Kenneth and Sam, which makes no sense for the upcoming nominations unless they want to push Sam for BA, which in that case they shouldn’t have aired On-lie game. So now it’s Raymond, Kenneth, Wayne, Moses, Vincent for the nominations. Ouch for Ruco and Shaun.
Samantha is a stronger contender for Supporting imo. What a shame Grace Wong won’t get her work aired. Was looking forward to her saving Chinatown.
@bubbles23 Actually, it does make sense for nominations because why should they push Nat for BA when she already won? Best Actor is going to be Raymond, no doubt. Shaun and Ruco cannot compete with Raymond, esp since Ruco already won Best Actor.
@luye Just because Natalie has won BA doesn’t she won’t get nominated again.
@luye yes but that doesn’t mean they should not get a nomination. Best Actor for LF is likely set in stone now, I’m sure this is TVB’s plan, but the fun for us now is in guessing the nominations. It is weird that as TVB’s A Listers NT and Ruco may not even show up for the ceremony as contenders if they didn’t even have dramas aired.
We would have had Priscilla, Mandy, Ali, NT, and Sisley with Mandy as frontrunner. Now it’s like they are pushing for Sam to win.
@bubbles23 I am going to Guess Ali will not be contenders for BA. No other reason except to appease selected people
@bubbles23 I am sure that Samantha will get nominated for BSA, but definitely not for BA considering that OLG wasn’t good at all and I don’t expect much for her in C9.
This definitely makes the nominations for BA interesting since they are dropping Natalie which was most likely getting nominated for BA considering she is one of the top actresses in the tvb (even though I am not a big fan of her) Sisley, Mandy, Ali and Priscilla are almost certain to get nominated, but not sure who is the other one.
@scre they’re prob going to have Sam replace Ali as contender. I hope Ali will get best onscreen couple with Moses and also the most popular role as Cash in DBZ
@conan2209 I just don’t see how Samantha gets nominated for BA. I don’t know if airing 4 dramas in a row with her in it means that they want to promote her. I feel like her getting nominated for BSA is most likely going to happen, but for her to get nominated for BA its just ridiculous.
@scre I mean they are alrdy gonna air Agent C9 in which Sam isn’t just female lead, she’s lead lead. Sooo it’s very likely she will be short listed for BA. Don’t be surprised, they already have BA to Natalie even thought she wasn’t the first female lead….
@bubbles23 The thing about Samantha is that both her main lead drama (OLG and C9) didn’t have any kind of promotion and hype about it because I feel like she is not ready to take the lead role yet. In OLG she wasn’t good at all and I don’t expect her to do anything outstanding in C9. Also in DBZ she is the fourth female lead and in AL the third. But you’re right, considering how the TVB awards have gone the past few years anything can happen
@scre haha yep. Just be prepared for the possibility. Like, she wasn’t bad in her dramas, even if they weren’t good per se. She just lacks a certain star charisma that Ali, Nancy, and even Priscilla has that gets them a certain diehard fanbase. And tvb is definitely not doing her any favours having her entire year’s repertoire aired in the span of four months. Maybe we’ll be surprised… But more likely I will remain kinda pissed that her drama aired instead of Grace Wong.
Imo OnLie game is just one of those career themed filler dramas that they always have to allow non-leads to be “leads”, so ofc it gets zero hype, as it should.
@scre I don’t like Sam and I don’t think she’s ready to be lead. However, she is indeed the lead in that police show (I didn’t watch) and will be so in the C9 show (won’t waste my time oh it, Kenneth or not). Anyhow, we will know when the award presentation is up and we can come complain again. PS I so much want Ali to get most popular role and best onscreen couple. TVB will not give her BA Again anytime soon
@scre Unfortunately, Samantha has a better chance than Yoyo because she’s been in a lot of dramas this year. Yoyo was in Life After Death and Of Greed and Ants, but I dont think Of Greed and Ants will win much. I prefer Yoyo over Samantha though.
@bubbles23 Yoyo is good. I also like Winki very much now and hope she will get a shot at BSA too
@arc78 yes Winki’s acting skills has always been a notch above her peers
@bubbles23 @arc78 Agree, I hope Winki wins BSA.
@luye Winki should be recognized but Yoyo had a show stopping performance in LAD. Without her the drama would be very different.
@bubbles23 which parts of yoyo’s performance were show stopping? not that i disagree, just curious which scenes come to mind. i find yoyo to be a competent actress and i like her but didn’t feel like she had that much screen time in LAD? that said, i thought her recollection of the “dates” with mark ma were hilarious.
@scarlett013 I can’t really pinpoint scenes but her entire portrayal of a flirtatious career woman is solid throughout. Her cry scene was good. Maybe her character as the bff is just really likeable too
@bubbles23
Her crying scene when she lost her baby.
@luye @arc78 i also think winki deserves some recognition. pretty sure TVB would not give her BSA but hope she gets most improved! she is definitely worthy of that
@oligodendrocytes that’s disappointing as I am looking forward to Chinatown more as it has a bigger cast and yeah have not seen Ruco for long time on screen. Why another series with Samantha again?? She has improve but still not very good yet.
@arc78 people who are more concern about how they look on camera will never be a good Enough actor/actress Cos they are too conscious and cannot totally immerse into the role. I feel Sam is still too self conscious
@conan2209 I actually don’t feel that way about her recent work. She’s able to draw me into her role like in Barrack O’karma and Al Cappacino.
@bubbles23 I’m Super bias ;p
@conan2209 Why do you think Samantha is too self conscious?
@luye just a feel, the Same way I feel about Natalie, Mandy etc. Till date, the only 2 actresses I feel Are really into the characters are Krystal Tin and Ali. I even feel that it took charmaine a Long time before she become so.
@conan2209 i feel that natalie tong is in that category!! waiting for a breakthrough where she plays a role completely not like herself before i would even consider her BA-worthy (ali was robbed of BA that year!!)
@scarlett013 she’s def not, shock me to see her recognised as one. That’s why I stop watching the awards in recent years, it’s just people queuing for their turns. This year will be Mandy. I am guessing everyone in TVB was surprised when Ali won
@oligodendrocytes I didnt even know Louis Koo was in a lot of TVB dramas. The only ones I’ve watched are A Step Into the Past and Return of Condor Heroes.
@luye i think she meant that she’s the equivalent to louis koo in that he’s in like every big hk movie but she’s the tvb drama version
It’s getting held off, so Agent C9 is airing instead. The worst part is, Philip flew all the way from the US to HK to promote this drama.. I feel sorry for him
PN’s pose is legit as always!! lol….
Nah this ones about them going against corrupt cops, which is ironic and great considering what HK is going through currently…
@exodus so I’m guessing that’s the reason to pull the show out now, to avoid poor ratings
Wait what so when is this premiering? I was looking forward to it because of grace Joel and Phillip (not his acting but his fight scenes are awesome and he’s a nice guy in general)
I’ll watch Kenneth’s show to kill time and I like Kenneth and lok yi but I can’t believe Samantha is in another show. She’s so annoying in al cappuccino and terrible in on-lie game.
To jump into all the BA/BSA talk –
BActor – it’s going to be Raymond like there’s no other possible story that would be better for TVB. I think Shaun should definitely be nominated, hes so underrated. Kenneth and Vincent is a given but I do hope Vincent is nominated for legal mavericks and not al cappuccino (ppl keep telling me LM is not airing this year but all the promos say 2020 so….lol). Despite the terrible writing in al capp, I think Vincent’s acting is spot on. It really progresses as the series goes on. The effortless way he switches from the two identities is quality acting IMO. I just love his character in LM better and I think he will do fine without Ali or Tracey.
BActress – I didn’t see anyone mention Priscilla? I think it has to be her. I can’t think of anyone else but Ali. She won’t get it because TVB is dumb.
Supporting actress/actor – Yoyo I think. Owen most definitely 10000%. Winki I think deserves a nom because she so underrated.
@tt23 Owen is in a weird spot rn because his screen time is beyond that of a supporting but he’s not quite A-lister-leading-series kind of lead. Imo his performance in AC outshines everyone. Even if Vincent got his role I don’t think he could have done it better than Owen. I hope those two are recognized for the partnership award. But you’re not wrong BSActor is still a mystery as to who will be shortlisted, so Owen could be on that list. And yes I’ll say it again Winki is so talented her acting just falls into place so perfectly, she’s miles ahead of people who have filmed more dramas than her.
@bubbles23 definitely the best performance in AC. One of my favourites this year but this year has been mediocre so far. Hoping the last half of the year will make up for it.
How long has winki been in the industry? Has she been nominated before for anything? Definitely top notch talent.
@tt23 Don’t think she has been nominated for anything. I recall her excellent performance in We Will Never Dance Alone aka M Club which was her first TVB performance in 2014 where she and all her other peers had to audition. She was also in the recent Airport Strikers and now AC. So I guess that’s 6 years of being in TVB? (guess that’s still relatively new but I didn’t think so since I thought M club was broadcasted ages ago lol). Apparently she was also in other dramas in her wiki but I didn’t see her there. Also states she’s been getting a lot of praise from the higher ups. So definitely she will be a strong contender in the future with awards and roles etc. (if tvb recognises her value that is)
@tt23 Even though I feel like Shaun did a great job at Brutally Young I doubt he will get nominated, I feel like he is not a best actor contender yet, they will probably put Joel instead of him. Now that Chinatown got postponed, LM2 its definitely airing this year.
For best actress I think Mandy its the frontrunner even though her performances this year haven’t been anything special. I agree that Priscilla deserves it more than Mandy but there have been reports saying that Priscilla has issues with TVB
@scre what’s the issue Pris has with TVB? Thought they love her
@conan2209 Not really an issue, but she made a inappropriate about Tony Hung last year in which she received a lot of hate for.
@scre ohhh the one where she teased him about size and got him momentarily embarrassed! Didn’t know she received hate for it
@scre ah yes Joel! I think he did great in BY. I’m also good with this choice but I favour Owen because his performance in AC has been one of my favourites. Off topic but he looks way better with the bleached hair or is it just me??? His regular hair is meh.
I don’t mind Mandy or Priscilla but based on performance, my vote goes to Priscilla. What issues does she have with TVB? Honestly tvb is such a joke, these are actors not a cult
@scre ah yes Joel! I think he did great in BY. I’m also good with this choice but I favour Owen because his performance in AC has been one of my favourites. Off topic but he looks way better with the bleached hair or is it just me??? His regular hair is meh.
I don’t mind Mandy or Priscilla but based on performance, my vote goes to Priscilla. What issues does she have with TVB? Honestly tvb is such a joke, these are actors not a cult
@tt23 I agree to this. I want Shaun to at least gets nominated. He’s so underrated. Also yes to Winki for most improved/BSA.
Another guy I thought mentioning is Fat Tung? He was in BY and DBZ, I thought he’s pretty good, especially in BY.
@pompidur Fat Tung had a great role in BY, but was disappointing in DBZ (poor writing more than poor acting imo)
@tt23 I think they will postpone Chinatown to next year, but I still don’t still get the reason behind it.
@scre I hope not because well that takes away a possible opportunity for a better drama to air lol because didn’t a very similar cast just finish filming a similar show? Two similar shows and cast in one year? Yawn.
@scre
Because line walker 3 is to air and TVB wants Raymond to win BA
@mulder99 To begin with TVB was dumb when they decided to air Song of Glory, its such a waste of time and no one its hyped about that series. They could have aired Line Walker 3 instead of Song of Glory. That would make things easier, kinda feel bad for Ruco.
@scre I wanna complain about these random china productions cause when they air these usually in Americas we’re stuck with some other shtty dubbed series that no one watches.
They really don’t wanna any competition for LF lol.
@bubbles23 I feel like since a lot of people are excited about Raymond Lam return ( I am not that excited, I think he should stick with the film industry) and also Line Walker its a co-production with big sponsors and companies, the spent a lot of money making this series. Its easily tvb most successful franchise in the last decade. I feel like even if Raymond Lam has an average performance he is still winning Ba
@scre ||even if Raymond Lam has an average performance he is still winning Ba
Cue Kenneth Ma….. Lol
@bubbles23 I agree with the Kenneth ma comment. I didn’t think his BWD performance was worthy of BA. I think it was just “it’s time” lol.
Roger definitely out performed him and had better character development in the series.
@tt23 The problem about the BA award is that it has lost its value in the recent years. Tvb will rather give it to the younger actors they want to promote or with the biggest fan base instead of the ones who really deserved. That’s why I don’t see the older actors (Bobby, Roger and Wayne) winning again.
For example: Wayne performance in DBZ imo its the best so far, but he will probably ended up not even getting nominated.
@scre the way I see it is that even though Wayne has outperformed himself again, winning the BA again probably won’t do him anything. It’s not even that they are promoting younger actors, imo it’s that they aren’t promoting ones with talent with a heavyweight drama, so now it’s almost like a “time for you to win”. For real would Kenneth win last year if Bosco/LF/Ron/sammul didn’t leave tvb? Tvb has dropped value in everything, from sets to cast to awards, we could say it again but where else will we watch canto shows lol.
@bubbles23 I love Kenneth but I agree.
Okay also I’ve been rewatching the academy series and remembered how good Sammul was. So sad he left and hasn’t really gone anywhere. Bosco is still so good if not better as he gets older. Ron is on/off for me. But totally agree there’s no other place for us to watch canto shows.
@bubbles23 I mean if Wayne wins again he will be the tvb actor to have the most ba awards won, so I guess it can be some kind of motivation for him.
IMO kenneth won it last was more of tvb giving him the award for him not winning all those years before rather than his performance. You can make the case that he should have won at least 2 before winning it this year. And also its not kenneth fault for LF,Sammul,Bosco and Ron to leave tvb and join other companies.
@scre I guess we can say the same about LF then lol. Kenneth ended up with arguably the best image out of all of them, if not the most $$$. He’s the real winner here lol
@bubbles23 I have to interject Mark Ma in here for BSA. He was excellent in Life After Death.
Raymond will win BA, that’s how TVB will pull his fans in.
Too bad, because I agree with @srce that Wayne was awesome in DBZ.
@potatochip I think Mark is gonna win most improved, he’s been in few dramas aside from lo and bebold
@scre Raymond’s acting is meh, all he has is his looks. Joel easily outperform