The Good Old Days (Hong Kong TV series)
| Company type | Television drama |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founder | Asia Television (ATV) |
| Defunct | 2015 |
| Fate | Rights acquired by TVB |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong |
| Products | Television drama series |
The Good Old Days () is a 1996 television drama produced by Hong Kong’s Asia Television (ATV). It was broadcast from 15 April to 20 September 1996, garnering high audience ratings. Following ATV’s shutdown in 2015, the rights to this series along with other ATV dramas were acquired by competitor TVB for 17 million HKD.
Plot
Set against the backdrop of the Nationalist Republic of China, the Warlord Era, and World War II, the narrative centers on three women—Sau Hau, Man Fung, and Ding Man—each striving to navigate their lives amid intense political turmoil.
The tale opens in a rural village during the 1920s, where Sau Hau (Amy Chan) becomes a servant in the affluent Fong family, proprietors of a winery. The family arranges for her to marry their eldest son, Ho Sang (Steve Ma), who is away in Guangzhou. Ho Sang encounters Man Fung (Sheren Tang), who has been sold into prostitution; he rescues her and starts a secret affair while reluctantly accepting his arranged marriage to Sau Hau under family pressure. Gradually, he develops genuine feelings for Sau Hau, unbeknownst to Man Fung. Meanwhile, Sau Hau’s friend Pui Pui (Kiki Sheung) is forced into a violent marriage with a local warlord.
Ho Sang joins the army during the Northern Expedition, leaving both Man Fung and Sau Hau behind. Both women discover they are expecting children; Man Fung returns home but faces stigma as an unwed mother. Sau Hau supports her during this time, and Ho Sang eventually recognizes Man Fung’s child. Man Fung becomes Ho Sang’s second wife, which sparks tension with Sau Hau; however, they eventually reach a mutual understanding despite their conflicts.
Following the collapse of the Fong family business, Sau Hau and Man Fung relocate to Guangzhou to establish a textile company with backing from prominent businesswoman Fung Chi (Lee Heung-kam). Their venture flourishes as the Fong family moves away. Ho Sang is presumed dead; Man Fung begins a relationship with Sai Bong (Vincent Lam), Fung Chi’s son. Pui Pui escapes her abusive spouse and later becomes Sai Fan’s third wife.
Years later, Ho Sang returns suffering from amnesia and is married to nurse Ding Man (Maggie Shiu). Man Fung divorces Ho Sang and weds Sai Bong, joining his enterprise. The Japanese invasion compels parts of the family to flee Hong Kong; Pui Pui disappears but is eventually found alive. Ho Sang learns that his friend Lok Ping (Wong Chong Kwan) is involved in guerrilla activities supporting Chinese forces. Sai Bong secretly opposes the Japanese but is mistakenly killed by guerrillas unaware of his covert allegiance.
Ho Sang is captured by Japanese forces but avoids execution through negotiations and is sentenced to forced labor. As World War II concludes in 1945, Man Fung and her daughter move to Hong Kong with Fung Chi for protection. Ding Man divorces Ho Sang and marries Lok Ping. The series ends with Sau Hau and Ho Sang reunited and alive in the year 2000.
Cast
Tse Family
- Gam San as Tse Yang (father)
- Yiu Chi Kwan as Yang Qiao (mother)
- Amy Chan as Tse Sau Hau
- Phyllis Man as Tse Sau Ling (Sau Hau's second sister)
- Annie Lee as adult Tse Sau Lai
- Chun Ka Wai as adult Tse Tin
Fong Family
- Paul Chun as Fong Sai Fan
- Nam Hung as Elder Mother (deceased first wife of Fong Sai Fan)
- Bao Hei Jing as Yim Ha (Ho Man's mother and Fong Sai Fan's second wife)
- Kiki Sheung as Shek Pui Pui (Fong Sai Fan's third wife)
- Steve Ma as Fong Ho Sang (eldest son by first wife)
- Gilbert Lam as Fong Ho Man
Cheung Family
- Tam Bing Man as Man Fung's father
- Ng Yuen Yee as Man Fung's mother and head servant of the Fong family
- Sheren Tang as Cheung Man Fung (Ho Sang's second wife who later divorces him)
Other cast
- Vincent Lam as Wai Sai Bong
- Lee Heung Kam as Kam Fung Chi (Sai Bong's mother)
- Maggie Siu as Ding Man (Ho Sang's third wife)
- Wong Chong Kwan as Lok Ping
- Renee Dai and Wong Oi Yiu as Fong Hiu Wah (Man Fung's daughter portrayed at teenage and adult stages respectively)
- Wong Wan Choi as Dr. Ling
- Michael Huang as Lo Ping
Production
The shooting took place in Zhuhai's Doumen District.
Release
This 105-episode series was broadcast on ATV during weekdays from 10 to 11 pm, spanning the period from 15 April to 20 September 1996. It saw reruns in both 2007 and 2014, with TVB purchasing the broadcasting rights in 2015. Additionally, Taiwan's EBC secured the rights and aired the show in 1997.