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Curse of the Royal Harem is a 2011 Hong Kong period drama produced by Television Broadcasts Limited
(TVB) under executive producer Chong Wai-kin
. The drama will broadcast 45-minute episodes from 31 October to 9 December 2011, in a total of 30 episodes. It is one of three grand TVB productions used to celebrate the channel's 44th anniversary, the other two being Super Snoops
and Forensic Heroes III
.
, Curse of the Royal Harem is loosely based on the reign of the Daoguang Emperor of China
and tells of the drama and romantic intrigue in the court's Manchurian royal harem
.
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...
(TVB) under executive producer Chong Wai-kin
Chong Wai-kin
Chong Wai-kin is a Hong Kong television producer and director.He first entered Asia Television Limited as a director and producer for the channel's television dramas. In 1989, he moved to Television Broadcasts Limited and has stayed in the company ever since...
. The drama will broadcast 45-minute episodes from 31 October to 9 December 2011, in a total of 30 episodes. It is one of three grand TVB productions used to celebrate the channel's 44th anniversary, the other two being Super Snoops
Super Snoops
Super Snoops Super Snoops Super Snoops (Traditional Chinese: (荃加福祿壽探案) is an TVB modern drama series set in the 1960s.-Casts:* Sun Chiu-tung (辛潮彤) (portrayed by Liza Wang), a detective agency owner, with super power of knowing the future...
and Forensic Heroes III
Forensic Heroes III
Forensic Heroes III is a 2011 Hong Kong police procedural television drama produced by Television Broadcasts Limited . The drama is one of three grand TVB productions used to celebrate the channel's 44th anniversary, the other two being Super Snoops and Curse of the Royal Harem...
.
Summary
Set in the mid-1800s Qing DynastyQing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, Curse of the Royal Harem is loosely based on the reign of the Daoguang Emperor of China
Daoguang Emperor
The Daoguang Emperor was the eighth emperor of the Manchurian Qing dynasty and the sixth Qing emperor to rule over China, from 1820 to 1850.-Early years:...
and tells of the drama and romantic intrigue in the court's Manchurian royal harem
Harem
Harem refers to the sphere of women in what is usually a polygynous household and their enclosed quarters which are forbidden to men...
.
Cast and characters
- Character names are in Cantonese romanisation.
Main cast
- Jessica HsuanJessica HsuanJessica Hester Hsuan, or Suen Huen is a Hong Kong actress. Jessica holds a degree from Imperial College London.She is currently one of the most popular television actresses of Hong Kong. She started her career in late 1992 and early 1993...
as Niohuru Yee-lan (鈕祜祿·伊蘭), the Consort Tsuen (全妃皇贵妃) — the Do-kwong Emperor's favourite consort and childhood crush. She was once married to Do-kwong's older brother Min-yi; however, he went missing after he went to control a rebellion in Northwest China a few months after their marriage. Yee-lan is forced to become a human sacrifice for Mini-yi's funeral ceremony by the orders of Empress Dowager Kung-chee, who sees Yee-lan as unfortunate and cursed. Do-kwong saves Yee-lan from her death and announces that he will take her hand in marriage. Although Yee-lan agrees to become his consort, she still holds the belief that Min-yi is alive, and once escaped palace grounds to search for him. Yee-lan eventually falls in love with Do-kwong, who honoured her as an individual and wife.
- Myolie WuMyolie WuMyolie Wu Hang-yee is a Hong Kong actress for the Hong Kong TVB television station and a singer under contracts with Neway Star-Career:...
as Tunggiya Yuen-yuen (佟佳·沅宛), the Empress Consort Hao-sun (孝慎皇后) — Do-kwong's first empress consort and Yee-lan's main rival. Her coronation as Empress is disrupted by Do-kwong when he goes to save Yee-lan from burial. Jealous of Do-kwong's favouritism towards Yee-lan, and a fear of losing her title as Empress, Yuen-yuen attempts to strip Yee-lan from power by dispatching a spy to Yee-lan's palace chamber. Yuen-yuen becomes desperate to conceive a son and is later deposed of her title as Empress after Do-kwong discovers her illicit affair with Min-yan.
- Sunny ChanSunny ChanSunny Chan Kam-Hung is a Hong Kong television and film actor. His breakout film role was in the internationally multi-award-winning 1998 Hong Kong film Hold You Tight, for which he won the coveted Silver Screen Award for Best Actor at the Singapore International Film Festival in...
as the Do-kwong EmperorDaoguang EmperorThe Daoguang Emperor was the eighth emperor of the Manchurian Qing dynasty and the sixth Qing emperor to rule over China, from 1820 to 1850.-Early years:...
(道光帝) — the benevolent Qing Dynasty emperor who naturally became the successor due to the death of his older brother, Min-yi. He has had a crush on Yee-lan since youth, but because Yee-lan and Min-yi were in love, he decided to forgo his pursuits. Do-kwong interrupts Yuen-yuen's Empress coronation in order to save Yee-lan from her burial, and soon announces to take her hand in marriage, much to the dismay of Yuen-yuen and Kung-chee. Do-kwong is extremely close to his brothers and muses that if Min-yi hadn't died, he would have been crowned instead.
- Joel ChanJoel Chan (actor)Joel Chan Shan-chung is a Hong Kong actor and singer, best known for his roles as Tsor-lun in the 2009 crime drama E.U. and So Ying-chun in the 2010 detective-fantasy period drama A Pillow Case of Mystery II.-Film:...
as Min-yan, the Prince Sui (瑞親王綿忻) — Do-kwong's younger half-brother and best friend. Min-yan extremely respects his older brother and purposefully presents himself in a much harsher and militaristic image in court to highlight Do-kwong's more sincere and benevolent image. Min-yan was Yuen-yuen's lover before she married Do-kwong. Though he still harbours feelings for her, Min-yan is disgusted by Yuen-yuen's calculating and cunning schemes for power. Yuen-yuen later seduces Min-yan, and he sires a son with her. Influenced by Kung-chee and Yuen-yuen, Min-yan begins to develop a growing dissent towards Do-kwong's rule, and ultimately decides to overthrow him.
- Gigi Wong as Empress Dowager Kung-chee (恭慈皇太后) — Do-kwong's stepmother and Min-yan's mother. Although Do-kwong is not her biological son, he is the most filial. Kung-chee believes Yee-lan is creating tension between her and Do-kwong, and finds her power in court to be weakening. She later convinces Min-yan to start a coup to overthrow Do-kwong.
- Nancy WuNancy WuNancy Wu Ding Yan is a Chinese actress contracted to TVB. In 1999, she participated in TVB's 18th Annual New Talent Singing Awards competition and finished in the top four. In 2001, she entered TVB's 3rd Annual Cover Girl Competition and won the Most Photogenic Award, the Most Fit Award, the Most...
as Choi-lam (彩藍) — born Borjigit Ching-yu (博爾濟吉特·静瑜), the maiden spy Yuen-yuen sennds to spy on Yee-lan. Choi-lam later changes her loyalty to serve Yee-lan, but is unhappy with her ambiguous relationship with her two masters. She later wins the emperor's favour and eventually becomes Consort Ching (靜妃).
Minor characters
- Samuel Kwok as Mukcheung-orMujanggaMujangga was a Manchu statesman during the late Qing dynasty. Mujangga belonged to the Bordered Blue Banner in the Eight Banners. He was awarded the highest degree in the Imperial examinations in 1805 and quickly rose in the ranks of the Qing government...
(穆彰阿) — Lok-yan's father and Consort Dowager Shun's past lover. - Sire MaSire MaSire Ma is a Chinese actress from Hong Kong. She was the 2nd runner up at the Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2008, simultaneously winning the Miss Photogenic Award. She later went to participate in the Miss International 2008, but was unplaced...
as Lok-yan, the Princess Consort Sui (瑞王福晉樂欣) — Yuen-yuen's younger cousin and Min-yan's wife. Her marriage to Min-yan is arranged by Yuen-yuen and die in episode 25 - Sarah SongSarah SongSarah Song is the Miss Chinese International 2007 winner. She hails from the city of Sydney, Australia. She speaks three languages, Cantonese, Mandarin, and English....
as Empress Xiaoshurui (孝淑睿皇后) - Do-kwong Emperor's deceased mother. - Peter Pang as Prince Muk (穆親王) - Do-kwong Emperor's deceased brother and Yee-lan's ex-husband.
- Elena KongElena KongElena Kong Mei-yee is a Hong Kong actress and presenter.Kong made her acting debut in many television commercials of the 1990s, and appeared in some of Andy Lau's music video concerts. After joining with Asia Television Limited and in 1997, she landed her first lead role in television drama...
as Consort Dowager Shun (信太妃) — Witness to Kung-chee's murder of Emperor's mother. - Cheung Kwok-keung as Wai Fuk-on (衛福安) — Kung-chee's personal eunuch and trusted follower.
- Ching Hor-wai as Chui Mor-mor (崔嬤嬤) — Yee-lan's loyal maidservant and one of her closest friends. Killed by Ching-yu/Choi lam
- Gordon LiuGordon LiuGordon Liu is a Chinese martial arts film actor. He became famous for playing the lead in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin and its sequels...
as Tunggiya Shumung-or (佟佳·舒明阿), Yuen-yuen's father. - Rebecca ChanRebecca ChanRebecca Chan Sau Chu is a TVB actress. She joined TVB in 1979, when she competed at the Miss Hong Kong 1979 pageant. She finished as a top 10 semifinalist.-Filmography:-Variety show :*1981: Sports World TVB...
as Tunggiya Sin-yau (佟佳·倩柔), Yuen-yuen's mother. Committed suicide. - Ching Hor-wai as Chui Mor-mor (崔嬤嬤), Yee-lan's servant and Choi-kiu's mother.
- 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 Fucha Ngok-tai (富察·鍔泰) — Yee-ling's pupil and Yee-lan's best friend. - Kong Hon as Niohuru Yee-ling (鈕祜祿·頤齡) — Yee-lan's father. Killed by royal soldiers.
- Charmaine LiCharmaine LiCharmaine Li Si Yan , one of the many graduates from Belilios Public School and School of Drama, The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts in Hong Kong, is presently an actress with Television Broadcasts Limited.-Filmography:...
as Concubine YeungConsort XiangConsort Xiang was a concubine of the Daoguang Emperor.- Biography :Consort Xiang, née Niuhuru , was the daughter of Jiufu , who was a descendent of Eidu's tenth son Yirteng . She entered the Forbidden City in Beijing during the beginning of Emperor Daoguang's reign and was given the title of...
(祥嬪) — one of Yee-lan's good friends. She is the first of Do-kwong's concubines to get pregnant, but had a miscarriage few months later. - Macy ChanMacy Chan-TV series:-Film:-External links:** on Sina Weibo...
as Choi-kiu (彩喬) — Chui Mor-mor's daughter and Yee-lan's maid. - Vivien YeoVivien YeoVivien Yeo , born 20 July 1984 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia is a Malaysian born Chinese actress currently under contract to the TVB in Hong Kong.-TV series:-Film:-Awards:...
as Consort Wan (芸妃) - Jess ShumJess ShumJess Sum Cheuk-ying is an actress in Hong Kong under TVB.-TV series:*Shine on You - Student*E.U. - Ho Wing-chi*Rosy Business - young Yan Fung-yee*D.I.E...
as Consort Shing (成妃) - Oscar Chan as Little Eunuch Choi (小蔡子) — Do-kwong's assistant eunuch. He has a crush on Choi-lam.
- Russell CheungRussell CheungRussell Cheung is a Hong Kong actor under the contract of TVB.-Television series:*Face to Face *On the Track or Off *Love is Beautiful *Let's Face It *Burning Flame II *Survivor's Law...
as Little Eunuch Hong (小康子) — Yee-lan's assistant eunuch. - Lee Yee-man as Choi-yin (彩燕) — Yuen-yuen's maid.
- Sherry Chen as Worthy Lady LamImperial Noble Consort Zhuang ShunImperial Noble Consort Zhuang Shun was a concubine of the Daoguang Emperor, grandmother of the Guangxu emperor and great grandmother of Puyi.- Biography :Imperial Noble Consort nee Wuya was the daughter of Ling Shou...
(琳貴人) - Deborah Poon as Worthy Lady Tung (彤貴人)
- Jason Cheng as Little Eunuch Kwai (小季子) — Yuen-yuen's assistant eunuch.
- Tina Shek as Choi-yuet (彩月)
Viewership ratings
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45th TVB Anniversary Awards 2011
- Nominated: Best Drama
- Nominated: Best Actor (Sunny Chan)
- Nominated: Best Actress (Jessica Hsuan)
- Nominated: Best Actress (Myolie Wu)
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actress (Gigi Wong)
- Nominated: Best Improved Female Artiste (Sire Ma)
External links
- TVB.com Curse of the Royal Harem - Official Website