The Beauty of the Game
Encyclopedia
The Beauty of the Game is a 2009 TVB
television drama from Hong Kong
produced and created by Tsui Yu On. It is a contemporary drama focusing on recreational drug use
and the negative issues surrounding Hong Kong's entertainment circle.
When Ko Ching-Man (Kate Tsui
) wins a beauty a pageant, she quickly leaps to stardom and joins the entertainment circle, despite the protests of her mother, Cheung Lai-Hung (Kingdom Yuen
), a retired actress. Lai-Hung knows that the life of a celebrity is not what it seems, and tries to protect her daughter from the harsh reality. Ko-Ching soon meets fellow actress Cally (Sharon Chan
), and the two quickly become best friends. Cally is dating her assistant production friend Deacon (Lai Lok-yi). Ko-Ching soon finds out that Cally pretends to be rich in front of the media by borrowing money from the bank and opening multiple credit cards. Ko-Ching promises not to tell anybody. However, when the two best friends land roles in a movie, Cally wants to eliminate Ko-Ching's part so that she will be the main star. Leading actress Keung Chi-Fung (Christine Ng
), once a bitter rival of Ko-Ching's mother, exposes Cally's lies and reveals the truth behind Cally's supposed wealth to the media.
Chi-Fung sees this as an opportunity to eliminate two rising stars and she begins to take Ko-Ching under her wing, slowly planning to bring her into a moral downfall. Chi-Fung pretends to be kind, but as they grow closer, Chi-Fung begins tempting Ko-Ching with drugs and money. Under Chi-Fung's influence, Lai-Hung begins to see a dramatic change in her daughter's character. Ko-Ching begins using dirty tactics to hurt Cally, such as stealing Deacon away from her. Eventually, Ko-Ching realizes Chi-Fung is just pretending to be her friend, just like Cally was.
As Ko-Ching becomes more and more scheming, she no longer trusts anyone and thinks everyone has betrayed her. Everyone is shocked by Ko-Ching's sudden change is personality, from Cally, to Chin-Fung, to her friend Kit, and even a tabloid writer that has always admired Ko-Ching.
As Ko-Ching's acting career takes off, Chi-Fung becomes desperate for everlasting beauty and injects her face with botox in an attempt to slow the aging process. However, Chi-Fung's face begins changing shape and her cosmetic endorsements with many companies are cut, being replaced by Ko-Ching. Even the best actress award, that she has won for years, are slipping out of Chi-Fung's hands. To vent her anger, Chi-Fung vows to plunge Ko-Ching into a pit of despair and pain.
The three actresses struggle to become the most popular. Who will come out on top?
Television Broadcasts Limited
Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the second over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on 19 November 1967...
television drama from Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
produced and created by Tsui Yu On. It is a contemporary drama focusing on recreational drug use
Recreational drug use
Recreational drug use is the use of a drug, usually psychoactive, with the intention of creating or enhancing recreational experience. Such use is controversial, however, often being considered to be also drug abuse, and it is often illegal...
and the negative issues surrounding Hong Kong's entertainment circle.
Synopsis
Setting out on their quest for fame and fortune, three female TV stars of different backgrounds are determined to achieve their dreams at any price. But after so many ups and downs in their acting careers, they finally come to discover the meaning of true beauty.When Ko Ching-Man (Kate Tsui
Kate Tsui
Kate Tsui Tsz-shan is the 2004 Miss Hong Kong pageant winner and currently a TVB actress.-Education:Tsui graduated from the University of California, Davis, majoring in Japanese. She is skilled in different interests such as acting, dancing, learning languages, and snowboarding...
) wins a beauty a pageant, she quickly leaps to stardom and joins the entertainment circle, despite the protests of her mother, Cheung Lai-Hung (Kingdom Yuen
Kingdom Yuen
-Filmography:-References:...
), a retired actress. Lai-Hung knows that the life of a celebrity is not what it seems, and tries to protect her daughter from the harsh reality. Ko-Ching soon meets fellow actress Cally (Sharon Chan
Sharon Chan
Sharon Chan Man-Chi is a Hong Kong actress and model. She is currently under contract with TVB in Hong Kong.-TV series:-Film:-TVB Songs By Sharon Chan:*Song Name : Love Steps : At Home with Love...
), and the two quickly become best friends. Cally is dating her assistant production friend Deacon (Lai Lok-yi). Ko-Ching soon finds out that Cally pretends to be rich in front of the media by borrowing money from the bank and opening multiple credit cards. Ko-Ching promises not to tell anybody. However, when the two best friends land roles in a movie, Cally wants to eliminate Ko-Ching's part so that she will be the main star. Leading actress Keung Chi-Fung (Christine Ng
Christine Ng
Christine Ng Wing-Mei is a Hong Kong actress under contract to Hong Kong's Television Broadcasts Limited or TVB. Christine is known for her roles in TVB's dramas including "C.I.B...
), once a bitter rival of Ko-Ching's mother, exposes Cally's lies and reveals the truth behind Cally's supposed wealth to the media.
Chi-Fung sees this as an opportunity to eliminate two rising stars and she begins to take Ko-Ching under her wing, slowly planning to bring her into a moral downfall. Chi-Fung pretends to be kind, but as they grow closer, Chi-Fung begins tempting Ko-Ching with drugs and money. Under Chi-Fung's influence, Lai-Hung begins to see a dramatic change in her daughter's character. Ko-Ching begins using dirty tactics to hurt Cally, such as stealing Deacon away from her. Eventually, Ko-Ching realizes Chi-Fung is just pretending to be her friend, just like Cally was.
As Ko-Ching becomes more and more scheming, she no longer trusts anyone and thinks everyone has betrayed her. Everyone is shocked by Ko-Ching's sudden change is personality, from Cally, to Chin-Fung, to her friend Kit, and even a tabloid writer that has always admired Ko-Ching.
As Ko-Ching's acting career takes off, Chi-Fung becomes desperate for everlasting beauty and injects her face with botox in an attempt to slow the aging process. However, Chi-Fung's face begins changing shape and her cosmetic endorsements with many companies are cut, being replaced by Ko-Ching. Even the best actress award, that she has won for years, are slipping out of Chi-Fung's hands. To vent her anger, Chi-Fung vows to plunge Ko-Ching into a pit of despair and pain.
The three actresses struggle to become the most popular. Who will come out on top?
Main characters
- Kate TsuiKate TsuiKate Tsui Tsz-shan is the 2004 Miss Hong Kong pageant winner and currently a TVB actress.-Education:Tsui graduated from the University of California, Davis, majoring in Japanese. She is skilled in different interests such as acting, dancing, learning languages, and snowboarding...
as Ko Ching-man, nicknamed Ko Ching (meaning high definitionHigh-definition televisionHigh-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
), (Semi Villain) the 20-year-old daughter of restaurant owner Ko Kai-cheung and retired television actress Cheung Lai-hung. Ko Ching wishes to become a celebrity but her mother is against the idea, arguing that Ko Ching's frank and stubborn personality is unsuitable for a career in the entertainment industry. Ko Ching befriends make-up artist Kit Leung, who encourages her to join the "Perfect True Woman" beauty pageant so she can fulfill her dream of becoming a star. Ko Ching surprisingly wins the crown, opting her to sign a television artiste contract with New Star Television (NSTV). - Christine NgChristine NgChristine Ng Wing-Mei is a Hong Kong actress under contract to Hong Kong's Television Broadcasts Limited or TVB. Christine is known for her roles in TVB's dramas including "C.I.B...
as Keung Chin-fung, (Main Villain) NSTV's award-winning television actress. Orphaned as a child, Chin-fung has no family nor friends, and only has her assistants to confide to. For many years, she has always been overshadowed by Lai-hung, then a popular television action star. Lai-hung later unexpectedly retires from the acting industry, and Chin-fung's popularity soared, becoming one of Hong Kong's most popular A-listA-listA-list is a term that alludes to major movie stars, or the most bankable in the Hollywood film industry.The A-list is part of a larger guide called The Hot List that has become an industry-standard guide in Hollywood...
television actresses. Through carefully planned schemes and affairs, she remains popular and influential in the television industry, receiving many acting and modeling opportunities. - Sharon ChanSharon ChanSharon Chan Man-Chi is a Hong Kong actress and model. She is currently under contract with TVB in Hong Kong.-TV series:-Film:-TVB Songs By Sharon Chan:*Song Name : Love Steps : At Home with Love...
as Cally Tong, (Semi-Villain)NSTV's young rising actress. Cally was raised in CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, where her father started a business. Business failed and her family was declared bankruptBankruptcyBankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
. Cally returns to Hong Kong and enters the entertainment industry in order to earn enough money to raise her family. She borrows many loans and credits in order to appear rich in front of her colleagues and the media. - Lai Lok-yi as Deacon Chong, the 24-year-old son of 'Perfection Beauty Products' CEO CT Chong and 'Sabrina' GMGeneral managerGeneral manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
Lena Lam. Deacon was educated in the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to study film and media, returning to Hong Kong soon after to be a production assistantProduction assistantA production assistant, also known as a PA, is a job title used in filmmaking and television for a person responsible for various aspects of a production...
for NSTV. Deacon initially keeps his family background a secret, wanting to achieve success through his own hard work instead of through his parents' connections. - Kingdom YuenKingdom Yuen-Filmography:-References:...
as Cheung Lai-hung,(Semi Villain)a retired television actress who once worked for NSTV. Lai-hung was once a popular kung fu action star, but due to a filming accident, she injures her legs and becomes crippled, forcing her to retire from the entertainment industry. With the help of Kai-cheung, her husband, she opens up a small family restaurant and hires her past acting colleagues to be her servers.
Recurring characters
- Wong Cho LamWong Cho LamWong Cho Lam is a Hong Kong artiste currently working for TVB. He works as a stage actor, stage director, television actor, voice actor , DJ, television host, composer, lyricist, and singer. He graduated from The Hong Kong Academy For Performing Arts in 2003 with First Honors in Bachelor of Arts...
as Yuen Kwok-fan, nicknamed Doggie Fan, is a paparazziPaparazziPaparazzi is an Italian term used to refer to photojournalists who specialize in candid photography of celebrities, politicians, and other prominent people...
reporter. Although Fan initially dislikes Ko Ching, who has always been sabotaging his stalking missions, he unknowingly develops a crush on her and pursues her, despite being rejected many times. - Stephen HuynhStephen HuynhStephen Huynh is a former Mr. Hong Kong contestant, and is currently an actor with Hong Kong's TVB. Stephen was born in Hong Kong, however, raised in France and returned to Hong Kong after finishing his studies. Although he has Cantonese Chinese ancestry, his ancestors lived in Vietnam...
as Tong Wai-po, nicknamed Tom Tom, NSTV's young rising actor who was born and raised overseas. He arrived in Hong Kong to try a career in modeling, which brought him to become a managed television actor under NSTV. His handsome looks causes him to be the center of attention with all sorts of rumors, including those that involve his own sexualityHuman sexualityHuman sexuality is the awareness of gender differences, and the capacity to have erotic experiences and responses. Human sexuality can also be described as the way someone is sexually attracted to another person whether it is to opposite sexes , to the same sex , to either sexes , or not being...
. - Raymond Cho Wing-Lim as Wan Sze-wai, nicknamed Wan Siu Sang, a well-known NSTV television actor. He owns a private night club called Sawasdee Club.
- Mimi LoMimi LoMimi Lo Man-Chong , previously credited as Mia Lo is a cantopop singer, actress and radio DJ, having released 11 studio albums and appearing in numerous films, television dramas and stage productions, currently affiliated with TVB in Hong Kong.-Early singing career:Lo was signed to Warner Music...
as Kit Leung, Man's good friend and make-up consultant, who also encouraged Ko Ching to join the "Perfect True Woman" beauty pageant. - Evergreen MakEvergreen MakEvergreen Mak Cheung-ching , better known as Makbau , is a Hong Kong TVB actor. He is lauded and best-known for his villainous portrayal of the main antagonist, Leung Fei Fan , in No Regrets, for which he won the Best Supporting Actor award for.-Films:-Television dramas:-Awards:* 2010: TVB 43rd...
as To Tang, a stunt double for various actors. He was once an action choreographer, and was also once in a relationship with Chin-fung, but after Chin-fung rises to fame, she heartlessly breaks up with him. - Yvonne Lam as Lena Lam a strong business woman. Lena is the general managerGeneral managerGeneral manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
of fashion brand Sabina, also the mother of Deacon and wife of CT. - Felix Lok as Ko Kai-cheung, the father of Ko Ching and husband of Lai-hung.
- Yu YangYu YangYang Yu is a female Olympic medal-winning swimmer from the People's Republic of China. She became part of the Chinese national swimming team in 1999, and will compete for Team China at the 2008 Summer Olympics.-International debut and the 2000 Olympics:...
as Chong Chung-tai, or CT, the father of Deacon and husband of Lena. He is the CEO of Perfect Beauty Products, who has been using Chin-fung as a regular model and spokesperson. - Jeanette Leung as Bowie Kan, who joins the same beauty pageant as Ko Ching, also winning the same artiste contract to become a celebrity. Unfortunately for her, she does not receive the same popularity and acting opportunities as Ko Ching, and works through schemes to get herself noticed by the media.
- Ben WongBen WongBen Wong Chi-yin is a Hong Kong actor best known for his role as Yung Heung-hoi in the long-running drama series A Kindred Spirit.-Film:-Television dramas:-Hosting gigs:*1989: 陽光節拍一小時*1991: Flash Fax...
as Leung Ching-on, a respectable television director and producer. - Kwok Fung as Chiu Kai-hung, Chin-fung's make-up artist.
Viewership ratings
| Week | Episodes | Average Points | Peaking Points | References | |
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December 14–18, 2009 | |
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December 21–24, 2009 | |
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December 28–31, 2009 | |
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January 4–8, 2010 | |
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Trivia
- "Ko Ching" in Chinese means "High Definition". The main character "Ko Ching Man" is named after "HD" because the entire series was shot in High Definition. Kate TsuiKate TsuiKate Tsui Tsz-shan is the 2004 Miss Hong Kong pageant winner and currently a TVB actress.-Education:Tsui graduated from the University of California, Davis, majoring in Japanese. She is skilled in different interests such as acting, dancing, learning languages, and snowboarding...
mentions this during a press conference of The Beauty of the Game. - The original idea for the show was to show the secrets of the Hong Kong Entertainment Industry.
- At the end of each episode, a 30 second advertisement is shown with the closing credits regarding the drug use in each of the episodes sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Japan White Rabbit.