The Bund( Chinese :上海灘; pinyin :Shàng Hǎi Tān; literally "Shanghai Bund") is a Hong Kong period drama television series first broadcast on TVB in 1980. The series spawned several sequels, remakes and film adaptations. The theme song of the series, performed by Frances Yip , also became a memorable Cantopop hit.

Set in the 1920s Republican era in China, the story tells how triad members Hui Man-keung and Ting Lik struggle to survive in Shanghai (then an international settlement), and their rise to prominence in the triad world later. Hui and Ting join Fung King-yiu's triad and both of them fall in love with Fung's daughter Ching-ching, who has a crush on Hui. When Hui discovers that Fung King-yiu is actually collaborating with secret agents from Japan to destroy the patriotic Ching-mou School , Hui turns against Fung and he kills the Japanese spy Kaoriko Yamaguchi in a gunfight. Fung is furious with Hui's betrayal and he sends Ting to kill Hui, but Ting secretly helps Hui escape on account of their friendship.

Hui settles in Hong Kong , where he marries Ah-tai and starts a new life with her family. Fung King-yiu is still furious with Hui for betraying him and he sends his men to Hong Kong to kill Hui. The killers murder Ah-tai and her family, while Hui survives because he was not at home. Hui swears vengeance on Fung and he returns to Shanghai to take his revenge. During Hui's absence, Ting Lik starts a romantic relationship with Ching-ching and she promises to marry Ting on one occasion after Ting is seriously injured in a fight. Hui suffers an emotional breakdown due to the loss of his family, and after seeing that his love interest has agreed to marry his best friend. His depression ignites the anger in him and increases his thirst for revenge. Hui challenges Fung King-yiu to a Russian roulette game later and he kills Fung. Ching-ching is unable to forgive Hui for killing her father and she leaves China for France . Although Hui and Ting Lik co-operate and manage to dominate the triad world of Shanghai later, Hui is uninterested in triad affairs as he is eager to find Ching-ching and patch up with her. In the last episode, Hui is shot to death outside a restaurant on the night before he leaves for France.

Cast

Cultural reference

Two scenes have subsequently been replicated and parodied in many films and TV series in Hong Kong. The wedding of Ting Lik and Fung Ching-ching was one. The death of Hui Man-keung was another. In particular, Chow Yun-fat was propelled into the limelight and became a household name in Hong Kong.The scene where Hui is assassinated outside a restaurant is culturally considered one of the all-time greatest scenes in Hong Kong television.

Theme song

The theme songSheung Hoi Tan(上海灘) is well known in Hong Kong. The song was originally performed in Cantonese by Frances Yip . It was one of the early collaborations composed by Joseph Koo with the lyrics by Wong Jim .The song would also become one of the top 10 songs awarded in the 1980 RTHK Gold songs awards .

The 1996 filmShanghai Grandreleased some 16 years later also re-used the same song. This version was performed by Andy Lau .

Sequels, remakes and adaptations

The series was a phenomenal success throughout Asia and the episodes were subsequently re-edited into two features in 1983. Chow Yun-fat 's popularity also increased due to his performance in the series.

In the original, Chow Yun-fat's character had been killed off and thus, Chow did not return for the sequelThe Bund IIexcept for a brief flashback cameo appearance. In bothThe Bund IIandThe Bund III, Ray Lui continued to play his signature role of Ting Lik.

The original series was also remade in 1996 as a 40-episodes TV series titledOnce Upon a Time in Shanghai, starring Adam Cheng , Carol Cheng , Sunny Chan , Gordon Lam and Nadia Chan .

A 1996 filmShanghai Grandwas also released with a similar Shanghai triad theme. It was directed by Poon Man-kit and produced by Tsui Hark .

In 2007, a 42-episode TV series remake starring Huang Xiaoming , Huang Haibo and Betty Sun was released in mainland China.

DVD release

On 6 February 2009, TVB released the original series and its two sequels on DVD format. The original series, substantially edited, was previously released on VCD format in 2000.

See also

• The Bund II
• The Bund III
• Once Upon a Time in Shanghai
• Shanghai Grand

Notes