King Maker (Hong Kong TV series) explained

Native Name:造王者
Genre:Historical fiction
Starring:Wayne Lai
Kent Cheng
Pierre Ngo
Lai Lok-yi
Kristal Tin
Natalie Tong
Elaine Yiu
Kingdom Yuen
Florence Kwok
Joseph Lee
Patrick Tang
Kwok Fung
Bill Chan
Eric Li
Jack Wu
Vivien Yeo
Opentheme:"Dream Chaser" (追夢者) by Leo Ku
Theme Music Composer:Tang Chi-wai
Yip Siu-chung
Country:Hong Kong
Language:Cantonese
Num Episodes:28
Executive Producer:Leung Choi-yuen
Location:Hong Kong
Camera:Multi camera
Runtime:45 minutes (each)
Company:TVB
Network:Jade
HD Jade
King Maker
L:"king maker"
J:Zou6 Wong4 Ze2
Y:Jou Wong Je
P:Zào Wáng Zhě

King Maker (; Cantonese Yale: jou wong je) is a Hong Kong historical-fiction television drama serial produced by TVB under executive producer Leung Choi-yuen. King Maker started its broadcast on Hong Kong's Jade and HD Jade channels on 13 August 2012.

Plot

Song dynasty's first prince Kwai Sing (Pierre Ngo) and second prince Kwai Wo (Lai Lok-yi) greedily compete for the throne. Yu Jing (Wayne Lai) and Tung Chiu (Kent Cheng) are responsible in advising each prince. Jing and Chiu are old family friends, having a mentor-friend relationship.

Jing's father Yu Pok Man (KK Cheung) brought trouble to the family when his achievements made his advisor feel uneasy. Since then, Jing was separated from his younger brother Yu Tsing (Patrick Tang) and sister Yu Ching (Natalie Tong). Tsing was deceived into becoming an imperial eunuch, while Ching loses her memory, but fortunately triad leader Fan Chiu Lun (Shek Sau) adopts her and triad member Yim Sam Leung (Kristal Tin) takes care of her.

Big villain Yeung Chi San (Joseph Lee) and his sister Consort Wai cause much trouble to get Kwai Wo the throne instead. But, perhaps San and Wai are not the only villains, and there are many others that are much more evil...

Cast and characters

Royal court

NameActor/actressBackground
Emperor Ning-chung (宋寧宗)Kwok FungEmperor
Has health problems beginning from Episode 26
Empress Gung-shuk (恭淑皇后)Kingdom YuenEmpress
Mother of Chiu Kwai-sing
Poisoned by Tung Chiu in Episode 27
Consort Wai (慧妃)Florence KwokMother of Chiu Kwai-wo
Yeung Chi-san's younger sister
(Villainess)
Exiled in Episode 28
Consort Yee (儀妃)Rachel KanKilled by Tung Chiu in Episode 27
Chiu Kwai-sing (趙貴誠)Pierre NgoCrown Prince
Becomes Emperor in Episode 28
Chiu Kwai-wo (趙貴和)Lai Lok-yiSecond Prince
(Villain)
Exiled in Episode 28
Consort Tak (德妃)Vivien YeoChiu Kwai-sing's wife
(Semi-Villain)
Fan Hung-ying (樊紅纓) Consort Lai (麗妃)Natalie TongChiu Kwai-sing's concubine
(Further information:
  1. Yu Family
)
Consort Man (閔妃)Janet ChowChiu Kwai-wo's wife
Exiled in Episode 28

Yu Family

NameActor/actressBackground
Yu Bok-man (余博文)KK CheungChancellor
Father of Yu Jing, Yu Tsing, and Yu Ching
Yu Jing (余靖)Wayne LaiChancellor, kingmaker
Yu Bok-man's eldest son
Tung Yuk-kiu's ex-fiancé
Loves Yim Sam-leung
Sheung Hei (常喜)Patrick TangBorn Yu Tsing (余清)
Eunuch, Consort Wai's confidant
Yu Bok-man's second son
Committed Suicide in Episode 26
Fan Hung-ying (樊紅纓)Natalie TongBorn Yu Ching (余晴)
Yu Bok-man's youngest daughter
Chiu Kwai-sing's concubine
Becomes Empress in Episode 28

Tung Family

NameActor/actressBackground
Tung Chiu (董昭)Kent ChengChancellor
Father of Yuk-kiu and Ming-hin
(Main antagonist)
Turns partially insane when a coup d'état attempt of his fails, resulting in his exile
Tung Yuk-kiu (董玉喬)Elaine YiuEldest daughter of Tung Chiu
Yu Jing's ex-fiancé
Dies in Episode 28
Tung Ming-hin (董明軒)Eric LiSon of Tung Chiu
(Villain)
Dies in Episode 28

Fan Family

NameActor/actressBackground
Fan Chiu-lun (樊照麟)Previously known as Pang Kwok-chuShek SauFormer triad leader
(Villain)
Dies in Episode 28
Yim Sam-leung (嚴三娘)Kristal TinTriad leader
Sacrificed herself to save Yu Jing and died in Episode 24
Fan Hung-ying (樊紅纓)Natalie TongFan Chiu-lun's adopted daughter
Further information: Yu Family
(惠 蘭)Angel ChiangFan Hung-ying's personal attendant
Introduced in Ep.06

Yeung Family

NameActor/actressBackground
Yeung Chi-shan (楊次山)Joseph LeeChancellor
(Villain)Executed in Episode 19
Consort Wai (慧妃)Florence KwokYeung Chi-san's younger sister
(Villain)
Further information: Royal court
Yip Yeuk-mei (葉若媚)Meini CheungYeung Chi-san's concubine
Wan Chi-kwan (溫子君)Kibby LauYeung Chi-san's concubine
Tung Yuk-kiu (董玉喬)Elaine YiuYeung Chi-san's concubine
Further information: Tung Family
Yeung Kuk (楊谷)Sammy SumGeneral
Yeung Chi-san's son

Production

Development

The drama began in development in early 2011, and announced their intentions to cast Kent Cheng and Wayne Lai, who had previously worked together in Leung Choi-yuen's The Greatness of a Hero in 2008. In June 2011, TVB announced their casting of Cheng and Lai, in which Cheng was willing to reject two other high-paying productions for an opportunity to work with Lai again.[1]

Principal photography began mid-August 2011,[2] following the press conference and costume fitting that was held on 16 August.[3] A blessing ceremony was later held on 21 September 2011.[4]

Viewership ratings

The following is a table that includes a list of the total ratings points based on television viewership.

WeekOriginally AiredEpisodesAverage PointsPeaking PointsReferences
113–17 August 20121 — 527[5]
220–24 August 20126 — 1028[6]
327–31 August 201211 — 1529[7]
43–7 September 201216 — 203134[8]
510–14 September 201221 — 2531[9]
15 September 201226 — 283338[10]

International Broadcast

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Singtao . Wayne Lai and Kent Cheng's New Drama - King Maker . 2011-06-11 . 2012-08-10 . zh.
  2. News: TVB's new drama 'King Maker' abandons young actors and uses heavyweight actors . 2011-06-10 . TVB Channel . 1 . 2011-06-10 . zh.
  3. News: King Maker costume fitting and press conference . 2011-08-15 . TVB . 2011-08-15 . zh.
  4. Web site: http://group.mtime.com/tvb/discussion/1898957/. zh:《造王者》拜神. 2011-10-16. zh.
  5. http://asianuniverse.net/forums/TVB_Rating_Reports_13_08_2012_19_08_2012_t340359.html Week 1 Ratings
  6. http://asianuniverse.net/forums/TVB_Rating_Reports_20_08_2012_26_08_2012_t340891.html Week 2 Ratings
  7. http://asianuniverse.net/forums/TVB_Rating_Reports_27_08_2012_02_09_2012_t341376.html Week 3 Ratings
  8. http://asianuniverse.net/forums/TVB_Rating_Reports_03_09_2012_09_09_2012_t342013.html Week 4 Ratings
  9. http://asianuniverse.net/forums/TVB_Ratings_Reports_10_09_2012_16_09_2012_t342468.html Week 5 Ratings
  10. http://asianuniverse.net/forums/TVB_Ratings_Reports_10_09_2012_16_09_2012_t342468.html Finale Ratings