My Date with a Vampire

Asia Television (ATV)
Company type	Television production company
Industry	Television broadcasting
Headquarters	Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Products	Television dramas

My Date with a Vampire is a television drama from Hong Kong released in 1998, produced by Asia Television (ATV). This series acts as a sequel to Vampire Expert, which originally aired between 1995 and 1996 on ATV. It uniquely blends the traditional Chinese concept of "hopping" corpses with Western vampire mythology, integrating aspects of Chinese mythology alongside contemporary horror themes. The show also pays homage to Lam Ching-ying, the lead actor from Vampire Expert and the Mr. Vampire series, who passed away in 1997. The franchise continued with two follow-ups: My Date with a Vampire II in 2000 and My Date with a Vampire III in 2004.

Plot

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Fong Kwok-wah, a Chinese guerrilla fighter, was bitten by Cheung-San—the original vampire—alongside Yamamoto Kazuo, an Imperial Japanese Army major, and a young boy named Fuk-sang in 1938. After their transformation into vampires, Fong adopts the identity Fong Tin-yau and works as a police officer in Hong Kong in 1998. Fuk-sang lives with him, pretending to be his son.

Fong's life becomes entangled with Ma Siu-ling, the heiress of a sorcerer family devoted to fighting supernatural forces. A romantic triangle develops involving Ma and her close companion Wong Jan-jan. Meanwhile, Yamamoto rises as a dominant Hong Kong businessman commanding vampires who aim to convert humans into their kind. As vampiric disturbances escalate throughout Hong Kong, Fong and Ma join forces to confront Yamamoto.

Later on, the sorcerer Rahu revives Yamamoto to carry out a blood moon ritual intended to achieve global domination. Fong, Ma, and their allies battle Rahu to prevent this catastrophe and restore balance.

Cast

Eric Wan portrays Fong Tin-yau () / Fong Kwok-wah (), the lead character. Formerly a guerrilla fighter during the Second Sino-Japanese War, he becomes a vampire after being bitten by Cheung-San during combat.
Joey Meng plays Ma Siu-ling (), the inheritor of a sorcerer lineage dedicated to eliminating malevolent supernatural entities. She develops romantic feelings for Fong.
- Joey Meng also assumes the role of Ma Dan-na (), Ma Siu-ling's great-aunt and predecessor.
Kristy Yang is cast as Wong Jan-jan (), Ma Siu-ling's trusted friend and confidante, who works as a teacher and falls for Fong while in Japan. After sustaining fatal injuries, she is transformed into a vampire by Fong.
- Kristy Yang additionally portrays Yamamoto Yuki (), wife of Yamamoto and mother of Mirai.
Kenneth Chan appears as Yamamoto Kazuo (), the principal antagonist. Once an Imperial Japanese Army major turned vampire, he now operates as an influential business tycoon in Hong Kong leading vampire followers.
Chapman To acts as Kam Ching-chung (), a swindler who becomes Ma's disciple and acquires sorcery skills. He embodies Xu Xian from the Legend of the White Snake.
Pinky Cheung takes on the role of Yamamoto Mirai (), daughter of Yamamoto and lover of Domoto. She harbors resentment after being turned into a vampire by her father and allies herself with Fong and Ma.
Berg Ng plays Ken / Domoto Shingo (), Mirai’s partner and Yamamoto’s trusted aide. Turned into a vampire by Mirai, he secretly conspires against Yamamoto.
Cheung Kwok-kuen portrays Fuk-sang (), a young vampire living with Fong who masquerades as his son. He was bitten by Cheung-San during the duel involving Fong and Yamamoto.
Wong Shee-tong is Ho Ying-kau (), an allied sorcerer supporting Ma and Fong; he succeeds Mo Siu-fong from Vampire Expert.
Kam San appears as Cheung-San (), the original vampire who bit Fong, Yamamoto, and Fuk-sang.
Sin Ho-ying plays Master Peacock (), a Japanese Buddhist monk originating from Mount Kōya.
Ching Tung portrays Lo Hoi-ping (), a tailor residing with his mother in Ka-Ka Building.
Chan Lai-wun acts as Lo Hoi-ping's mother.
Mak King-ting is Pak So-so () / Pak So-ching, representing the White Snake from Legend of the White Snake.
Wong Mei-fan plays Siu-ching (), known as the Green Snake, companion to the White Snake.
Keung Ho-man appears as Ko Bo (), a police officer working alongside Fong.
Chung Yeung is Peter, a Catholic priest and friend of Ma.
Lisa Lui plays Au-yeung Ka-ka (), mother of Wong Jan-jan and proprietor of Ka-Ka Building.
Lau Kwok-shing portrays Kam Shau-cheng (), father of Kam Ching-chung.
Ng Wan-yee is Kam Ching-chung's mother.
Wai Lit takes on Yu-meng Sap-sam () / Rahu (), an ancient malevolent sorcerer.
Alice Chan plays Miu-sin (), an incarnation of the bodhisattva Guanyin.
Raymond Tsang is Lau Hoi (), chief officer overseeing Fong Tin-yau and Ko Bo.
Yeung Ka-nok portrays Lam Kwok-tung (), executive director at Yamamoto’s corporation.
Leung Bik-tze acts as Bik-ka (), a psychic vampire under Yamamoto’s control.
Lee Yung plays Herman, a vampire model employed by Yamamoto’s company.
Lau Shek-yin depicts Vairocana (), an all-powerful divine entity.

Vampires

The vampires portrayed in the My Date with a Vampire trilogy fuse characteristics from both the Chinese jiangshi tradition and Western vampire mythology. These beings exist beyond the realms of Trailokya and Six Paths found in Buddhist cosmology, remain ageless, and must regularly consume blood to maintain their existence. Their supernatural talents encompass extraordinary speed, the ability to shapeshift, and eternal life. Nevertheless, their strength and immunity to sunlight and sacred symbols weaken progressively as the generational distance from Cheung-San—the original vampire—increases. For instance, a second-generation vampire is one directly turned by Cheung-San; a third generation results from being bitten by a second-generation vampire, continuing in this manner.

By the conclusion of the second season, it is disclosed that Pangu, the creator figure in Chinese mythology, actually represents a clan of first-generation vampires who do not require blood for survival. Cheung-San is suggested to belong to this group. The third season introduces additional first-generation vampires rooted in Chinese legend, such as Fuxi and Yaochi Shengmu.

Beginning with season two, a vampire’s generational status or classification can be determined by observing their eye color upon activating "vampire mode."

Production

Leung Lap-yan authored the script for My Date with a Vampire in 1997 and initially presented it to Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), which declined the proposal. Subsequently, he took the project to Asia Television (ATV). Chan Sap-sam, who wrote the sequels, disclosed that they had initially intended to cast Lam Ching-ying, renowned for his work on the Mr. Vampire series, as the lead actor. At first, Joey Meng was not considered for any role. Unfortunately, Lam became gravely ill and died of liver cancer in 1997, prompting ATV executives to contemplate abandoning the project due to concerns that the storyline diverged from conventional vampire depictions.

In response to these challenges, Chan reworked the script by creating Ma Siu-ling—a female ghost hunter characterized by her high heels, miniskirt attire, and avaricious nature. Producer Sin Chi-wai recommended Joey Meng for this new role. Eric Wan agreed to take on the male lead after initial reluctance caused by fatigue but was ultimately captivated by the narrative’s appeal.

Future development

According to a report by Netease, Fox Networks Group plans to produce a remake of the series. Cora Yim, head of Fox Networks Group Asia, confirmed that Fox acquired approximately one-third of ATV's content library, which includes 28 television dramas with My Date with a Vampire among them.

External links

Official My Date with a Vampire page on ATV's website