Illustration: Liu Xiangya/GT

"The story of Hong Kong is undoubtedly a vital part of the narrative of China, and brilliant Hong Kong stories such as the Lion Rock Spirit can show the world a more evocative China," said Chung Shukai, the Hong Kong director known for his work in film and television. He is continuing to explore ways to create TV dramas that seamlessly integrate the cultural atmosphere of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and leverage the unique strengths of Hong Kong's television industry following the success of his 2023 hit series The Queen of News.

The 2023 series has captivated audiences with its intense story, engaging storytelling, and diverse characters, leading it to frequently trend on China's social media platforms with a notable increase in score from a 7.9/10 to an 8.2/10 on media review platform Douban. The show has been seen as signaling that the Hong Kong TV industry is moving in a positive direction.

This year the director came back to the mainland TV market with his latest work Darkside of the Moon, starring Hong Kong actress Tavia Yeung and actor Vincent Wong. Similar to how The Queen of News portrayed an attractive picture of journalism, the new 25-episode series that launched on video platform Youku is focused on public relations, topping the most watched chart for Hong Kong TV dramas on the platform.

Chung's works have also won the hearts of foreign audiences. Some of them have written comments regarding Darkside of the Moon on platforms such as Reddit, praising the intense pace of the series.

When discussing the highlights of contemporary Hong Kong TV series, Chung shared with the Global Times that a fast-paced narrative style is one of its unique strengths, allowing these productions to stand out. This approach is also employed in the development of the new series, portraying the inner growth of the lead character and the evolution of relationships. The clean and straightforward style commonly found in productions by Hong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) has been garnering acclaim from many viewers in the Chinese mainland.

The Hong Kong TV dramas can also attract audiences from different regions by presenting Hong Kong characteristics such as architecture, cuisine and the Cantonese dialect, which all embody Chinese culture, Chung noted.

Chung did not avoid talking about the challenges the Hong Kong film and TV industry is facing. To better convey Chinese values and culture to more people around the world, Hong Kong TV and film industry should cope with challenges including a lack of fresh talent as well as the shrinking local market.

Photo: Courtesy of Chung ShuKai

"Hong Kong TV series and films must actively compete in a larger global market alongside works from around the world," Chung stated. The director has, however, witnessed a positive transformation after collaborating with mainland streaming platforms to revitalize their content and expand their reach. These mainland platforms prioritize audience preferences, which reflects significant shifts in aesthetic tastes and viewing habits that are crucial for effective content creation.

China's National 14th Five-Year Plan underscores the central government's commitment to supporting Hong Kong's development as a hub for international cultural exchanges where Eastern and Western influences converge. This support includes favorable policies that encourage collaboration between Hong Kong and mainland filmmakers, evident in successful co-productions such as The Battle at Lake Changjin and Operation Red Sea.

The integration of the film and TV industry goes beyond cinema to encompass TV series and variety shows. Since entering the mainland market and collaborating with streaming platforms in 2012, TVB has made significant advancements across various sectors. TV dramas based on development stories of Chinese enterprises such as The Queen of News and Big Biz Duel  have received positive feedback.

The mainland's innovative marketing strategies, diverse filming locations, and creative resources present abundant opportunities for Hong Kong's industry. Conversely, Hong Kong's established film and TV production industry and distinctive artist training model have greatly contributed to the development of the mainland's entertainment landscape.

Chung is also thankful for the policy support that has aided the development and revival of the Hong Kong film and TV industry. He has confidence that the quality of works and the industry's competitiveness will continue to improve as the industry faces challenges with the help of favorable policies and mainland platforms.

Hong Kong TV and films have been seen as a major means of carrying forward Chinese culture, playing a role as a platform facilitating global cultural exchanges and cooperation.

Luo Luo, a veteran cultural critic based in Beijing, told the Global Times that the revival of Hong Kong's film and television industry must take into account the influence of traditional culture.

"Hong Kong is not just an international metropolis; it's also a key hub for Cantonese culture. The passage of time and the blending of different influences have given it a distinct cultural flavor. If this flavor could be more vividly represented in films - especially in realistic portrayals of the everyday joys and the struggles of ordinary people - it would surely resonate even more deeply with audiences," Luo said.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn