Rosy Business

Rosy Business (Chinese: 巾幗梟雄; Cantonese Yale: Gān Gwok Hīu Hùhng) is a 2009 Hong Kong period television drama produced by Lee Tim-sing and TVB. Comprising 25 episodes, it original aired on the Jade network from 27 April to 29 May 2009. The final two episodes were aired back-to-back as a two-hour finale, including a cast interview with Scoop (東張西望).[2]

Rosy Business
Rosy Business official poster
Traditional巾幗梟雄
Simplified巾帼枭雄
Mandarinjīn guó xiāo xióng
Cantonesegan1 gwok3 hiu1 hung4
LiterallyVeiled Heroine, Ruthless Hero
GenrePeriod drama
Created byLee Tim-sing
Written byCheung Wah-biu
Chan Ching-yee
StarringSheren Tang
Wayne Lai
Ron Ng
Elliot Ngok
Kiki Sheung
Susan Tse
Kara Hui
Nancy Wu
Suki Chui
Ngo Ka-nin
Kelvin Leung
Henry Lee
Theme music composerYip Kai-chung
Tang Chi-wai
Opening theme"Red Butterfly" (紅蝴蝶) performed by Ron Ng
Country of originHong Kong
Original languageCantonese
No. of episodes25
Production
ProducerLee Tim-sing
Production locationHong Kong
Camera setupMulti camera
Running time45 minutes
Production companyTVB
Release
Original networkJade
Picture format576i (SDTV)
1080i ()
Original release27 April 
29 May 2009 (2009-05-29)
Chronology
Related showsNo Regrets (2010)[1]
No Reserve (2017)
External links
Website
Rosy Business
Title screen
Traditional Chinese巾幗梟雄
Simplified Chinese巾帼枭雄
Literal meaningVeiled Heroine, Ruthless Hero

Set in Eastern China during the mid-19th century, Rosy Business follows the mercantile Chiang family, owners of Wuxi's largest rice business Hing Fung Nin. After falling ill, patriarch Chiang Kiu temporarily hands over his leadership to his fourth wife Hong Po-kei, which incurs conflict with his other wives and sons. Meanwhile the impoverished coolie Chai Kau becomes an important figure in assisting Hong Po-kei in protecting the family business from crumbling during the Taiping Rebellion. The script was inspired by the successful Chinese television series The Grand Mansion Gate (Chinese: 大宅門).[3]

A commercial success, the final week of broadcast peaked at 47 TVRs[4] with 3 million live viewers,[5] becoming the second highest-rated television drama in Hong Kong of 2009. Rosy Business received twelve TVB Anniversary Award nominations and eight top 5 nominations, winning six of them, becoming the biggest winner of the year. The awards include Best Drama, Best Actress (Sheren Tang), Best Actor (Wayne Lai), Best Supporting Actress (Susan Tse), My Favourite Male Character (Lai) and Most Improved Male Artiste (Ngo Ka-nin). A sister production, No Regrets, was released in 2010.

Plot

In the mid-1830s, a natural disaster strikes the city of Nantong, tarnishing most of the city's rice fields. Running out of food supply, city mayor Hong Chi-wing (Wong Wai Leung) decides to use the city's military food supply to feed the people. A few days after the disaster, an official from Beijing arrives to the city to check the military supply, and upon seeing empty trailers, he sentences the Hong family to death. His daughter Hong Po-yin (Sheren Tang) escapes from punishment and becomes a maid in Prince Wai's mansion, living under the name Hong Po-kei.

Twenty years later, Po-kei reunites with the rich rice merchant Chiang Kiu (Elliot Ngok) at his manor in Wuxi, whom she was betrothed to before the disaster. Chiang Kiu's wife, Yan Fung-yee (Susan Tse) recognizes Po-kei and reveals her identity to Prince Wai, who was there for a visit. Kiu manages to convince the Prince to free her, and marries Po-kei as his fourth wife. Appreciating Po-kei's wisdom and persistence, he entrusts the business to her, with the reason that his eldest son, Bit-man (Ngo Ka-nin), is not yet ready to succeed him.

Hungry for power and eager to keep tradition, Fung-yee finds every opportunity for her son, Bit-man, to be the only heir of the family business. She attempts to strip Po-kei from power even when Chiang Kiu's final will reads that Po-kei should have the final call for the business.

Despite attacks from the family, Po-kei manages to keep the business in good shape. She is impressed with second son Bit-ching's (Ron Ng) intelligence and guides him to become the successor, but her efforts are met with Chai Kau's (Wayne Lai) challenges. Chai Kau seeks vengeance for being mistreated and wants a pay back from Bit-man and his uncle, Pang Hang (Henry Lee).

Chai Kau pledges his loyalty to Po-kei. With their excellent cooperation and quick thinking, the business manages to survive through the locusts disasters and the Taiping Rebellion.

Production

Development and concept

Before Lee Tim-shing began preparing for a new production, Sheren Tang approached Lee and explained that she wanted to work on a drama with him. Eager to work with Lee, Tang said that she was willing to accommodate her schedules for the new production. Tang also suggested Wayne Lai for the male lead role since she had never worked with him before and was eager to collaborate with him even though Lai had never been cast in a lead role for a significant TVB series prior to Rosy Business. At the time, Lai was already scheduled for a minor role in the drama Moonlight Resonance but Lee negotiated with TVB to allow Lai to star in the lead role in Rosy Business.[6] When both Tang's and Lai's scheduling were finalized, Lee began working on the production in early 2008. Along with producing coordinator Cheung Wah-biu, they submitted an initial script to Catherine Tsang, manager of TVB's production department. She was impressed with the script and development for the production formally began in July 2008.[7] A press conference and costume fitting for the cast was held on July 25, 2008 with the working title "Red Powder Merchant" (紅粉商人). Filming began August and ended four months later in November 2008 in Hong Kong. Lee explained that the production was temporarily called "Wives and Concubines" (妻妾成群) when the initial script was first submitted, but was later renamed to "Red Powder Merchant." Colleagues criticized the new working title, and Lee later finalized the official title to "Veiled Heroine, Ruthless Hero" (巾幗梟雄) and its official English title to Rosy Business. "Veiled Heroine" (巾幗) represented Tang's role of the fourth wife, while "Ruthless Hero" (梟雄) represented Lai's role 'Chai Kau'.[7] The drama was also sponsored by Bawang Shampoo.

Reception

Broadcast

The drama aired in TVB's main TVB Jade channel for five days a week, from April 27 to May 29, 2009, with a total of 24 episodes.[8] While production planned for 25 episodes, the two final episodes were aired together. A special Scoop celebration aired during commercial breaks, with the whole finale lasting for approximately two straight hours.[2]

Before the broadcast of grand production drama Beyond the Realm of Conscience, Rosy Business was 2009's most viewed drama, with an average rating of 33 points (2.1 million viewers) per episode.[9] The finale episode peaked to 47 rating points (3.3 million viewers; 3.4 million including TVB's HDTV sister channel), the second highest in 2009.[4][10][11] The highest peak of average ratings in one week reached to 42 points (2.8 million viewers), also the second highest in 2009.[12]

Critical reception

Rosy Business has received commercial and critical acclaim in Hong Kong. While ratings went to as high as 47 points, critics claim that if the points included the viewers who watched the drama through TVB's HDTV and other sister networks, the rating results may have been comparative to the viewership success of Moonlight Resonance and Korean drama Jewel in the Palace, in which both dramas reached to a rating of 50 points.[13] The roles of the "fourth wife" and "Chai Kau" propelled both Sheren Tang and Wayne Lai to stardom,[7] and both respectively won the title as Best Actress and Best Actor at the 2009 TVB Anniversary Awards.

However, Rosy Business aired in Mainland China with mixed reviews. Viewers expressed that the story was too similar to The Grand Mansion Gate, and claimed that Hong Kong script writers were beginning to lack creativity, having remade a few Mainland dramas already in the past.[3]

Time Out Hong Kong named Rosy Business among the best 17 Hong Kong television dramas of all time.[14]

Cast and characters

Main

  • Sheren Tang as Hong Po-kei / Hong Po-yin, an intelligent, selfless and compassionate woman who escapes her family's execution eventually becoming Chiang Kiu's fourth wife and helps manage the Hing Fung Nin rice business.[15]
  • Wayne Lai as Chai Kau, a smart but arrogant man who becomes Hing Fung Nin's employee. Kau always gets himself into trouble and is vengeful to those who have wronged him but his loyalty to Po-kei changes him.[16]
  • Elliot Ngok as Chiang Kiu, owner of Hing Fung Nin and husband to Yan Fund-yee, Pang Giu, Lau Fong and Po-kei[17]
  • Susan Tse as Yan Fung-yee, Chiang Kiu's first wife and Bit-man's mother[18]
  • Kiki Sheung as Pang Giu, Chiang Kiu's second wife and Bit-mo's mother[19]
    • Josephine Shum as Young Pang Giu
  • Kara Hui as Lau Fong, Chiang Kiu's third wife (originally second wife) and Bit-ching's mother[20]
    • Summer Joe as Young Lau Fong
  • Ron Ng as Chiang Bit-ching, Chiang Kiu's second eldest son with Lau Fong and later Yau Man's husband[21]
    • Lawrence Ng Lok Wang as Young Chiang Bit-ching
  • Ngo Ka-nin as Chiang Bit-man, Chiang Kiu's eldest son with Fung Yee[22]
    • Timothy Ip as Young Chiang Bit-man
  • Kelvin Leung as Chiang Bit-mo, Chiang Kiu's youngest son with Pang Giu[23]
    • Cadmus Chan as Young Chiang Bit-mo
  • Henry Lee as Pang Hang, Pang Giu's older brother and Bit-mo's uncle[24]
  • Suki Chui as Yau Man, Yuk-hing's daughter and later Bit-ching's wife[25]
  • Helen Ma as Ngan Yuk-hing, Yau Man's mother
  • Nancy Wu as Suen Hoi-tong, one of Pang Hang's girlfriends and later Chai Kau's concubine[26]

Supporting

Sister Productions

No Regrets

Title screen card taken from 2010 TVB Sales Presentation.

After the success of Rosy Business, TVB announced plans to produce a companion piece starring the original cast, slated to begin filming in March 2010.[29] However, Fala Chen and Raymond Wong Ho-yin were cast to replace Kiki Sheung, Ron Ng, and Suki Chui, who were reported to be not taking part in the production due to scheduling conflicts.

Tentatively titled Rosy Business II (巾幗梟雄之義海豪情), a sales presentation trailer of the drama featuring a majority of the original cast was filmed on October 25, 2009 in TVB's filming studio.[30] The three-minute trailer aired on the TVB Jade channel on December 6, 2009 to an overwhelmingly positive reception.[31] 50 random locals were interviewed in the streets, and 58% chose Rosy Business II as their most anticipated drama.[32] Several Mainland China news portals also listed Rosy Business II as one of the top 15 for most anticipating upcoming Hong Kong/Taiwanese dramas.[33]

The reboot will take place during World War II in Guangzhou, approximately 100 years after the events of Rosy Business. Li explained that Rosy Business II will take a darker route in introducing the main characters, having that Tang will portray a villainous role.[34] While the original did not have Tang and Lai dwell in a romantic relationship, the spin-off will concentrate on these developments, but it will merely be a side-story to the main plot.

The indirect sequel, released on October 18, 2010 under the title No Regrets, was a huge success with the final episode reaching over 3 million live viewers and an additional 3.7 million views on TVB's online service MyTV, the highest ever in MyTV record. It currently holds a 9.2 rating on the Chinese website Douban, surpassing Rosy Business and is one of the highest for Hong Kong drama series.

No Reserve

After two successful hit series, talks of a third follow up series began to circulate in 2010 and was slated to start filming in April 2012 with the original cast and crew.[35] However, the project fell though when script editor Cheung Wah Biu left the project. After multiple delays, it was finally confirmed in September 2012 that the project will begin filming in March 2013 with Myolie Wu cast as the new female lead replacing Sheren Tang who was unavailable due to scheduling conflicts. This decision was heavily criticized by the public with fans stating that Tang was irreplaceable. Most of the supporting cast would not be returning as well due to scheduling conflicts.[36] The series was put in limbo for three years due to content that was deemed too controversial by TVB. It was finally released in 2016 as No Reserve under a low profile. However, the series was negatively received and currently holds a 4.2 rating on Douban, a far contrast with both its predecessors.[37]

Potential Fourth Project

In November 2020, sources stated that a fourth sequel will begin filming in March 2021 with Sheren Tang returning as the female lead. A supervisor on the project stated that while there have been talks, it is still early on and there is no confirmation. Actor Wayne Lai was asked about the news in December 2020 and said that he hopes to work with Tang again but did not confirm or deny anything.[38][39] In January 2021, a fan commented on Tang's Weibo that watching No Regrets helped improve their Cantonese listening skills to which Tang replied "Want to improve even more?" seemingly hinting at her involvement in the project.[40] Later, Lai confirmed in an interview that Tang has joined the project and that Cheung Wah Biu is returning as screenwriter marking his return to TVB for the first time since working on No Regrets in 2010. Lai also said that production has been delayed until May or possibly September 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[41]

Awards and nominations

Viewership ratings

Week Episodes Average points (peak) HK viewers
(in millions)
References
1
April 27 — May 1, 2009
1 — 5
28 (30)
1.78 (1.91)
[42]
2
May 4 — 8, 2009
6 — 10
30 (33)
1.91 (2.10)
[43]
3
May 11 — 15, 2009
11 — 14
32 (35)
2.04 (2.23)
[44]
4
May 18 — 22, 2009
15 — 19
35 (39)
2.23 (2.49)
[45]
5
May 25 — 28, 2009
20 — 23
39 (43)
2.49 (2.74)
[46]
May 29, 2009
24
42 (47)
2.68 (3.00)
[47]

References

  1. Yue Yun-Kuen (2009-07-11). "Wayne Lai vows to break 'Jewel in the Palace' ratings". Yahoo! HK Movies (in Chinese). p. 1. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
  2. "'Rosy Business' party with 40 tables, Sheren Tang scared to kiss Wayne Lai". Sina (in Chinese). 2009-05-31. p. 1. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
  3. "TVB's version of The Grand Mansion Gate". Sina (in Chinese). 2009-05-05. p. 1. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  4. "Sheren Tang becomes TVB's "40 pt Queen" with five high-rating productions". Sina (in Chinese). 2009-06-02. p. 1. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
  5. "Chai Kau defeats Laughing Gor: 'Rosy Business' peaks at 47 points". Yahoo HK (in Chinese). 2009-06-02. p. 1. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
  6. "對電視頒獎禮的看法 | 至8女人心 #01".
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  39. 星島日報. "姚子羚被黎耀祥踢爆喪𥄫仔". std.stheadline.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  40. "Sina Visitor System". passport.weibo.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
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  42. Week 1 Ratings
  43. Week 2 Ratings
  44. Week 3 Ratings
  45. Week 4 Ratings
  46. Week 5 Ratings
  47. Finale Ratings
  • TVB.com Rosy Business - Official Website (in Chinese)
  • Batgwa.com - News on Costume Fitting (in English)
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