The Gem of Life
| The Gem of Life 珠光寶氣 | |
|---|---|
 The Gem of Life Official Poster | |
| Genre | Modern Drama |
| Starring | Gigi Lai Ada Choi Maggie Shiu Bowie Lam Moses Chan Bosco Wong Linda Chung Wong Hei Louise Lee Eddie Kwan Kenny Wong Elliot Ngok David Chiang Chan Hung Lit |
| Opening theme | "鑽禧" by Shirley Kwan |
| Ending theme | "無情有愛" by Linda Chung "相戀兩個字" by Bowie Lam & Gigi Lai "我還在等甚麼" by Moses Chan |
| Country of origin | Hong Kong |
| Original languages | Cantonese, some dialogues in English, French, Shanghainese and Mandarin |
| No. of episodes | 82 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Jonathan Chik |
| Production locations | Hong Kong Macau France Thailand Tibet Beijing, China Shanghai, China Qingdao, China Shanghai, China Shenzhen, China Dongguan, China Zhuhai, China |
| Running time | 45 minutes (approx.) |
| Production company | Television Broadcasts Limited |
| Original release | |
| Network | TVB Jade |
| Release | October 20, 2008 – February 13, 2009 |
| The Gem of Life | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 珠光寶氣 | ||
| Simplified Chinese | 珠光宝气 | ||
| |||
The Gem of Life (Traditional Chinese: 珠光寶氣) is a TVB grand production drama, that broadcast between October 2008 and February 2009. The series was specifically filmed to celebrate TVB's 41st Anniversary. Filming took place in many locations apart from Hong Kong, including Tibet, Taiwan, and France.
Synopsis
 | This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
- You may wish to be a famous socialite.
- You may wish to have fame and fortune.
- But is that really what you will wish for at the end?[1]
The story centers around three sisters: Sylvia (oldest), Constance, and Jessica (youngest).
The series begins with Constance returning home. Her mother, SiuYau, had objected to her marriage so she eloped to Canada. Her husband Frankie now wants a divorce. To keep him, Constance hopes that Jessica, the wealthiest of the sisters, will lend her money so that Frankie can open a business. What Jessica's family didn't know was that her husband, Patrick, is facing losses in their company. Sylvia and her husband Tim are also facing problems: Their marriage is falling apart and Sylvia tries to keep it a secret from her family.
Jessica writes Constance a cheque so that she will leave. Their mother finds out Constance has returned and that her Frankie is a cheater. She interferes. The cheque bounces, the adultery is exposed, and Constance is forced to accept divorce. Meanwhile, Tim is discovered to have another family, and SiuYau exposes this adultery, causing Sylvia to divorce her husband as well. SiuYau is disappointed at the failures of her daughters' marriages and praises Jessica for marrying well and rich. Hearing this, Jessica helps Patrick seek tycoon Terrence in hopes that he will invest in their company. Terrence initially agrees but backs out the last minute. As Jessica and her husband panic, Calvin interferes. Like Terrence, Calvin owns an entertainment company and there has been a long rivalry between them. Calvin is disgusted by people who are born into the rich life, while he had to struggle in the streets before rising. Although he personally sets out to antagonize Terrence, Calvin secretly works for Martin, Terrence's father who wants his son to learn lessons in business as well as in life. Terrence and Calvin agree on a bet, if Terrence loses a boat race then he will have to invest in Patrick's failing company.
Unable to wait for the results, Jessica and her husband tricked Jessica's father into lending them all his money. Patrick then fakes death to stall his creditors, leaving Jessica with the financial burden. Despite Jessica's imminent bankruptcy, she continues to spend and go to balls. Constance catches her spending money at an expensive clothing shop and attempts to stop her. She accuses Jessica of tricking her own family for money, and Terrence hears them bickering. Jessica leaves Constance in tears, questioning the importance of wealth she sees an expensive dress and tries it on. When she is about to leave the sales lady informs her that Terrence had bought the dress for her. Knowing Terrence is a player, Constance chooses not to dwell on it. Later, on the day of the boat race Calvin is disqualified for cheating and Terrence wins. Wanting to help Jessica, kindhearted Constance seeks Terrence and tries to convince him to invest in her sister's company. He ignores her request, and she ends up following him to his boat. There's a storm and she ends up on his boat for seven days. The magazines quickly publish the story, and she catches the attention of Derek, a poor man who falls passionately for her.
Bankrupt, Jessica moves in with her family. She ends up working for Melissa who is a close friend of Martin. One of her first job assignments is to host the wives of some wealthy husbands. One of them, Mandy, plays a prank on Jessica, getting her to go on a boat ride with them and then leaving Jessica in the caves. Martin overhears Mandy talking about it and goes there to rescue her. They began dating even though he's older than her father. Nevertheless, Jessica is happy. She had purposely gone along with the wives' prank to catch Martin's attention.
To sign a contract with a celebrity Terrence has been courting, Calvin hires Sylvia to work for him. Sylvia initially thinks Calvin is a jerk after he pranks her several times, bullies other employees, and competes with Terrence to an unreasonable level. However, her image of Calvin changes when Sunny, Calvin's best friend and business partner, tells her more of his past. After learning that Calvin had to endure the mockery of his wealthy clients to retrieve a project she had wanted for her, Sylvia and Calvin become a couple. Almost as soon as it becomes public, Sunny quits his job. Employees gossip about how he must be jealous, given Sylvia's and Sunny's close friendship before she got together with Calvin, they speculate Sunny must have loved her. However, Sylvia finds out that Sunny is actually gay and secretly in love with Calvin, he feels ashamed and wants to leave. Sylvia assures him that he shouldn't, because Calvin would miss his best friend.
Terrence meets Constance at a cafe near the jewellery shop where she is a sales assistant. Convincing her to move forward, Constance accepts him as a friend and starts to date Derek, who is wealthier thanks to Calvin's sponsorship. Terrence offered a job as his secretary; she declined. When Constance's mother finds out she tries to convince Constance to work there, but emotions wasn't the biggest problem Constance faces — it is Elise, a spoiled, cunning woman who happens to be one of Terrence's closest friends. After nearly hitting Constance with her car, Derek sets it on fire, creating Elise's grudge against Constance. She sends Derek to jail and starts claiming that Constance's family is greedy for money and connections to the upper class. To confirm the claims, she tells Terrence that Constance's sister Jessica is dating his father for money. Terrence is already biased against Jessica ever since he overheard how she had tricked her own family for money, so he starts interfering in the relationship. When he tells Constance this, she defends her sister and becomes upset at Terrence. Not wanting to work for him, she finds a job in a Japanese company, but some time later this company is acquired by Terrence's.
For all of Elise's attempts, Jessica introduces Martin to her family anyway and her father is extremely upset. He tells his wife that he does not want Jessica's lover to be someone who is older than he is, the thought of that makes him sick. Eventually Melissa tells Martin that Jessica had set herself up to be rescued by him that time she was abandoned in the caves, so Martin breaks up with Jessica.
Devastated, Jessica leaves the country for a business trip and Constance starts work as Terrence's secretary. One day, Terrence confesses his feelings to Constance but she avoided him by saying she still remembers her husband and Derek. After much persistence, they start dating. However, at almost the same time Jessica returns with Martin. It was revealed that they had gotten married. This time when the parents find out it is SiuYau who storms away. Jessica reveals that her mother only objected to her relationship with Martin because she had wanted to set Constance and Terrence up. Because of this Constance knows she can't date Terrance any more. Sylvia knows her mother had set the stage now where Constance is guilted into staying away from Terrance, and decides to help her sister. Finally after some twists, Constance gains the courage to be with Terrence again, but Jessica is upset at what people would say about two sisters marrying a father and son.
Meanwhile, Sylvia begins to question her importance in Calvin's heart. They end up fighting; he suddenly has an asthma attack. She thinks it is one of his pranks and begins to leave. On realizing it is serious she can't find his medication. Sunny comes in just in time. She realizes that she is an incapable of taking care of Calvin, he needs Sunny more. Calvin takes her to meet his mom, but she has made her decision and breaks up with him. Despite this, Calvin is still in love with her, but they resume a professional attitude. The two of them eventually meet the new chairwoman of L'Ete Holdings, Catherine, who falls in love with Calvin. She knows that he is still in love with Sylvia but, more important, she knows how business-oriented the two were. Knowing that they wanted her because of her chairwoman position, she tells Sylvia to find a boyfriend and get married, only then will Catherine use her business to help Calvin.
Cast
The Hong family
| Cast | Role | Description |
| David Chiang | Hong Ching-Yeung 康青楊 |
Owner, Cheok Mei Jewelry. Hong Bak Siu-Yau's husband. Sylvia, Constance, and Jessica Hong's father. |
| Louise Lee | Hong Bak Siu-Yau 康白筱柔 |
Affectionately called "Xiao Jia" (Shanghainese for "miss" or "madam"). Hong Ching-Yeung's wife. Sylvia, Constance, and Jessica Hong's mother. |
| Maggie Shiu | Sylvia Hong 康雅言 |
Affectionately called "Du Mei" (Shanghainese for "big sister"). Entertainment company manager. Constance and Jessica Hong's elder sister. Bok Mao's (博貿) CEO Tim Yip's ex-wife. Sunny Yau's close friend. |
| Gigi Lai | Constance Hong 康雅瞳 |
Affectionately called "yi Mei" (Shanghainese for "the second sister"). Joint partner with Terrence and Jessica at Ego-Sky Enterprises & Miracle Holdings after Martin's death. Manager at Cheuk Mei Jewelry. Sylvia and Jessica Hong's sister. Terrence Ho's ex-wife. Derek's ex-girlfriend Frankie Fan's ex-wife |
| Ada Choi | Jessica Hong 康雅思 |
Affectionately called "Xiao Mei" (Shanghainese for "the baby sister"). Joint partner with Constance and Terrence at Ego-Sky Enterprises & Miracle Holdings after her husband Martin's death. Sylvia and Constance Hong's younger sister. Martin Ho's widow. Patrick Yeung's ex-wife. |
The Ho family
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Elliot Ngok | Martin Ho 賀峰 |
Wealthy tycoon. Chairman of Ego-Sky Enterprises & Miracle Holdings. Terrence Ho and Ho Zit-Seon's father. Jessica Hong's late husband. |
| Moses Chan | Terrence Ho 賀哲男 |
CEO of Miracle Holdings. Constance Hong's ex-husband. Joint partner with Constance and Jessica at Ego-Sky Enterprises & Miracle Holdings after his father's death. |
| Ho Zit-Seon 賀哲迅 |
Ho Fung & Jessica Hong's Son Terrence Ho's half brother. Died after kidnapped by Phillip Song. |
The Shek family
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Wong Hei | Shek Tai-Wor 石泰禾 |
Jewelry company factory assistant manager. William Shek's older brother. Jessica Hong's secret admirer. |
| Bosco Wong | William Shek 石泰川 |
Businessman Inherited Melissa Yan's business empire - the Melissa Li Group. Melissa Yan's protege before her death. Shek Tai-Wor's younger brother. Elise Sung's secret admirer. |
The Sung family
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Chan Hung Lit | Philip Sung 宋世萬 |
Wealthy Business Tycoon Chairman of Wrestle Holdings. Elise Sung's grandfather. James Sung's older brother. |
| Helen Ma (馬海倫) | Margaret Sung-Kwok 宋郭婉儀 |
Philip Sung's first wife. Terrence Ho's godmother. |
| Queenie Chu | Man Wai (Mandy) 文慧 |
Philip Sung's ex-mistress. |
| Queena Chan (陳丹丹) | Charlie Cheuk Yi 卓凝 |
Philip Sung's fourth mistress.
Martin Ho's mole in Sung Sai-Man's organization |
| Linda Chung | Elise Sung 宋子凌 |
William Shek's right hand person. Philip Sung's granddaughter. Philip Sung's mole in Melissa Li Group, after William Shek inherited it. |
| Yu Yang | James Sung 宋世基 |
Philip Sung's younger brother. |
| Cindy Lee | Kate Sung 宋佩嘉 |
James Sung's daughter. Elise Sung's good friend. |
The Ko family
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Lai Suen (黎宣) | Ko Cheung-Shing's mother. | |
| Bowie Lam | Calvin Ko 高長勝 |
Bok Shing Corporation's CEO Sylvia Hong's ex-boyfriend, reconciled later. Sunny Yau's friend and partner. Shum Tsi-Tang's ex-husband. |
Other cast
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Eddie Kwan (關禮傑) | Derek Chan 陳啟發 |
Admirer of Constance Hong. |
| Kenny Wong (黃德斌) | Sunny Yau 游日東 |
Calvin Ko's friend/business partner/admirer. Sylvia Hong's friend. Revealed to be a homosexual. |
| Rebecca Chan | Melissa Yan 虞葦庭 |
Businesswoman head of Melissa Li Group Former ally of Martin Ho. |
| Lau Dan | Ryan Suen Wai-Tak[2] 孫懷德 |
Chairman of Kei Lei Jewelry. |
| Florence Kwok | Catherine Shum 沈之澄 |
Chairwoman of L'ete Holdings. Calvin Ko's ex-wife. |
| Carrie Lam | Stephy | Model |
| Ram Chiang (蔣志光) | Patrick Yeung 楊志球 |
Businessman. Jessica Hong's ex-husband. |
| Patrick Dunn | Tim Yip 葉富添 |
Commercial airline pilot. Sylvia Hong's ex-husband. |
| Mat Yeung (揚明) | Oscar | Artist. Sylvia Hong's entertainment company artist Friend to Kate and Elise Sung. |
| Rocky Cheng (鄭健樂) | Frankie Fan 范禮奇 |
Constance Hong's ex-husband. |
| Angelina Lo (盧宛茵) | Mrs. Ho 何太 |
Hong Bak Siu-Yau's friend. |
Awards and nominations
TVB Anniversary Awards (2009)
- Best Drama
- Best Actor (Bowie Lam)
- Best Actress (Maggie Shiu)
- Best Actress (Gigi Lai)
- Best Actress (Ada Choi) - Top 5
- Best Supporting Actor (Elliot Ngok) - Top 5
- Best Supporting Actor (Kenny Wong)
- Best Supporting Actress (Linda Chung) - Top 5
- My Favourite Male Character (Moses Chan) - Top 5
- My Favourite Male Character (Bowie Lam)
- My Favourite Male Character (Kenny Wong)
- My Favourite Female Character (Maggie Shiu)
- My Favourite Female Character (Ada Choi)
- Most Improved Actress (Queenie Chu) - Top 5
- Most Improved Actress (Catherine Chau) - Top 5
15th Shanghai Television Festival
- Best Actress: Ada Choi
Viewership ratings
| Week | Episode | Average Points | Peaking Points | References | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 20, 2008 | [3] | ||||
| October 21–23, 2008 | [4] | ||||
| October 27–31, 2008 | [5] | ||||
| November 3–7, 2008 | [6] | ||||
| November 10–14, 2008 | [7] | ||||
| November 17–21, 2008 | [8] | ||||
| November 24–28, 2008 | [9] | ||||
| December 1–5, 2008 | [10] | ||||
| December 8–12, 2008 | [11] | ||||
| December 15–19, 2008 | [12] | ||||
| December 22–26, 2008 | [13] | ||||
| December 29, 2008 - January 2, 2009 | [14] | ||||
| January 5–9, 2009 | [15] | ||||
| January 12–16, 2009 | [16] | ||||
| January 19–22, 2009 | |||||
| January 23, 2009 | [17] | ||||
| January 28–30, 2009 | [18] | ||||
| February 2–6, 2009 | [19] | ||||
| February 9–13, 2009 | [20] |
References
- ^ Astro On Demand.com
- ^ The English name of this character was only seen on the doors of his office.
- ^ Premier Ratings Archived 2009-10-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 1 Ratings Archived 2009-10-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 2 Ratings Archived 2012-03-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 3 Ratings Archived 2008-12-06 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 4 Ratings Archived 2008-12-06 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 5 Ratings Archived 2008-12-06 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 6 Ratings Archived 2008-12-06 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 7 Ratings Archived 2012-03-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 8 Ratings Archived 2012-03-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 9 Ratings Archived 2012-03-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 10 Ratings Archived 2012-03-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 11 Ratings Archived 2012-03-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 12 Ratings Archived 2012-03-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 13 Ratings Archived 2012-03-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 14 Ratings Archived 2009-02-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 15 Ratings Archived 2009-02-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 16 Ratings Archived 2009-02-12 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Week 17 Ratings Archived 2009-03-08 at the Wayback Machine
External links
- TVB.com The Gem of Life - Official Website (in Chinese)
- K for TVB.net The Gem of Life - Episodic Summary and Screen Captures (in English)