The Drive of Life () is a 2007 grand production drama by TVB and CCTV as a joint production. It was specially filmed to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong back to China from Britain during the period of 1997-2007.
The theme of the series revolves around the automobile industry in China. Told in flashback from 1994, the ups and downs and transformations that Hong Kong has been experiencing before and after the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong is used as a narrative device. The series was filmed in Hong Kong, Beijing, Ningbo and Vancouver from early October 2006 until May 2007. The automobiles featured in the series are from Geely Automobile, as a fictional brand name "Hua-Zhe". This stars "TVB Best Actress" winners Charmaine Sheh, Jessica Hsuan, Myolie Wu and Sheren Tang who won their respective "Best Actress" awards in 2006/2014, 1999, 2011, and 2009/2010.
Astro On Demand, Astro's video on demand service, starts with the series premiere.
Synopsis
Wah Man-hon, Wah Man-hung and Wah Man-shek were all born in Beijing. As a result of the massive political upheaval and the profound misunderstanding among them, the three brothers have fallen out and now live separately in Hong Kong, Beijing and Vancouver respectively.
Man-hon's business goes down the pan in the aftermath of the Asian Financial Crisis. The only saving grace is that members of the Wah family from around the world, including Man-hon's son Wah Chun-bong and Hung's son Wah Chun-man, can finally put their prejudice aside and become reconciled with one another. To realize the century-old dream of the family, they decide to work together to develop the local automobile industry.
After ten years of struggle, the Wahs have established its own brand of automobile â a brand the whole Chinese nation is proud of. They make a significant and ongoing contribution to China's automobile industry for they believe that only cars of our own will take us to a better future.
Cast
Main cast
Wah family
Ng family
Wing family
Fong family
Other cast
Hua-Zhe Automobiles
- Jason Chan as Chai Hoi
- Bruce Li as Po Gam
- Henry Lo as Jung Dung
- Felix Lok as Chan Jen Cheung
- Ellesmere Choi as Ng Zhi-ming
- Reyan Yan as So San
- Ng Wai-shan as Ka Ling
- Anita Kwan as Siu Man
- Koo Ming-wa as Lo Hon
- Anita Kwan as Siu Man
- Wong Wai-tak as Matthew
- Tsang Wai-wan as researcher
- Wong Ka-yi as secretary
- Gregory Rivers as R&D group leader
- Adam Ip as employee
- Martin Tong as employee
- Jason Lam as employee
- Steven Ho as employee
- Candy Cheung as employee
- Pauline Chow as employee
- Jim Tang as employee
- Wilson Tsui as employee
Kwok Wai Steel
- Kwong Chor-fai
- Kong Hon
- Joe Junior
- Simon Lo
- Kwok Tak-shun
- Lee Hoi-sang
- Leo Tsang
- Chu Wai-tak
- Tsui Wing
- Siu Chuen-yung as Ho Kin
Sirius Investment
- Rocky Cheng as Rocky
- Rachel Kan as Ngai Tin-hang's secretary
Bedding & Pillow Company
- So Yun-chi as Mrs Cheung
- Law Ho-kai as Mr Go
Canadian associates
- Ko Jun-man as Mr Kwan
- Lee Gong-lung as Mr Chan
- Billy Lam as detective
- Lee Cheung-dou as Yuen Yiu-wai
- Chan On-ying as Mrs Yuen
- Joseph Yeung as psychologist
Others
- Michael Wong as Wai Lun
- Zhao Ke as Lee Seen-sin
- Angela Tong as Chi Chi
- Leanne Li as Bo Wai
- Deno Cheung as Lam Leung
- Matthew Ko
- Vivien Yeo as Carman
- Annie Chung as car fan
- Yeung Ying-wai as Peter
- Henry Lee as bank executive
- Cheng Ka-sang as Tai Tung Tat garage worker
- Patrick Dunn as Lee Kai-fat
- Ha Ping as Wah family's great aunty (ep22)
- Yu Tze-ming as Wong Cheung
- Lau Tin-lung as reporter
- Meini Cheung as Kong Man
- Leung Kin Ping as Mr Ma (ep32)
- Chin Kar-lok as Chan Ka-lok (ep33-35)
- Jo Jo as Cho Hung (ep35)
- Tammy Ho
- Siu Cheuk-hiu as Mr Cheung
- Lee Tsi-kei as Muk Chuen
- Ng Man-sang as interpreter
- Winnie Shum
- Jacky Yeung
- Chan Yu-hei
- Ho Jun-hin as stock broker
- Kwok Fung as Sung Hok-li
- Lee Fung
- Law Kwan-chor
- Candy Cheung
- Peter Pang as jockey club staff
- Lee Kai-kit as doctor
- Wong Kei-sen as a signature specialist
- Helena Wong
Theme song
The Sky is Blue (天éÂÂ樣èÂÂ)
*Lyrics: Sandy Chang
*Composition and Arrangement: Joseph Koo
*Performance: Hacken Lee and Steve Chou
Viewership ratings
Awards and nominations
40th TVB Anniversary Awards (2007)
- "Best Drama"
- "Best Actor in a Leading Role" (Damian Lau) Top 5
- "Best Actor in a Leading Role" (Michael Miu)
- "Best Actor in a Leading Role" (Raymond Lam) Top 5
- "Best Actor in a Supporting Role" (Ng Wai-kwok) Top 5
- "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" (Gigi Wong) Top 5
- "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" (Toby Leung)
- "My Favourite Male Character Role" (Damian Lau)
- "My Favourite Male Character Role" (Michael Miu)
- "My Favourite Male Character Role" (Ng Wai-kwok)
- "My Favourite Male Character Role" (Joe Ma)
References
External links