Man Wai-hung

Man Wai-hung is a Hong Kong television drama producer and film director. He joined TVB in 1993 and is currently Assistant Director of the Drama Division at TVB.

Career

TVB period (1993–present)

• (1993–1996) Assistant Director
• (1996–2012) Drama Director
• (2012–2017, 2018–present) Promoted to Drama Production Unit Producer
• (2015–present) Promoted to Film Director and Production Unit Manager
• (2017–present) Promoted to Consultant for Shaw Brothers and related film/TV sectors
• (2022–2024) Promoted to Senior Manager (Drama Division)
• (2024–present) Promoted to Assistant Director (Drama Division)

Background

Career Entry and Personal Development

Life and Education

Man Wai-hung studied at St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong Island.

TVB Period

In 1993, he joined TVB as Assistant Director. He was promoted to Director in 1996, then to Senior Director in 2002. Besides behind-the-scenes work, he occasionally made cameo appearances in TV dramas and films. During the poaching wave triggered by Hong Kong Television Network's attempt to launch a station, Man Wai-hung was entrusted by executive Catherine Tsang to take up the producer role starting in 2012, with his first production being "Friendly Fire".

In 2013, the romantic comedy "Bounty Lady", produced by him, aired, with Dayo Wong winning Best Actor at the TVB Anniversary Awards 2013.

In 2014, his crime thriller "Line Walker" became the top-rated drama of the year and received over 2 billion views in Mainland China. It won "Best Drama" at the TVB Anniversary Awards 2014, making him the second-fastest producer to win the award after promotion. Lead actress Charmaine Sheh won Best Actress in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, completing a "grand slam". The character "Foon Hei Gor" (played by Hui Siu-hung), created by Boon, went viral, earning Hui the "Most Popular Male Character" award.

Due to the drama's success, TVB produced a film adaptation "Line Walker" (2016) and its sequel "Line Walker 2: Invisible Spy" (2019), both directed by Boon. These earned him nominations for Best New Director at the 36th and 39th Hong Kong Film Awards. TVB then co-produced "Line Walker 2" and "Line Walker 3" with Tencent Penguin Pictures, though with new production teams led by So Man-chung.

In 2016, his martial arts drama "A Fist Within Four Walls" aired to acclaim, winning "Best Drama" in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. Stars Ruco Chan and Nancy Wu completed the Best Actor/Actress grand slam in all three regions.

In 2022, "The Exorcist's Meter" also received strong response and won the "Most Popular TVB Drama in Malaysia", with Ruco Chan winning Best Actor for the third time there.

Style

Frequent Collaborators

Boon frequently works with editors/directors such as Yip Tin-shing, Leung Yan-tung, Ng Lap Kwong, Lee Man-shun, and Hui Sui-ping.

Directorial Style

Known for action-heavy series (excluding his first three works), his dramas often include comic relief even in serious genres like crime ("Line Walker") and martial arts ("A Fist Within Four Walls"). He has stated he never makes sequels, making him a rarity among TVB producers. His latest, "Death Notice", blends extensive action scenes with slow-motion and surreal elements.

Plot Patterns

His works often feature characters inspired by comic book heroes, portrayed with a hint of naivety to foster audience empathy. Stories typically begin with seemingly unimportant yet key characters being assassinated, leading to a hidden big villain revealed in later episodes (or sometimes early but disguised as a protagonist). He adds side plots to throw off viewers' expectations.

Endings

His dramas often conclude with tragic elements, deviating from TVB’s usual happy endings. Notable series like "Line Walker", "A Fist Within Four Walls", "The Unholy Alliance", "Iron Fist Hero", "The Exorcist's Meter", and "Death Notice" feature multiple character deaths (e.g., 23 in "The Unholy Alliance").

Filmography

• See: List of works by Man Wai-hung

See Also

• List of TVB personnel