Earlier this week, while appearing on the program Sing Tao Entertainment, Samantha Ko discussed her role as Hung Hoi Wan in This City Never Sleeps, a TVB production that has been generating considerable buzz.
The actress revealed that this was the most complicated and difficult-to-understand character she had played since entering the industry. Furthermore, Julian Cheung’s commanding presence and his character’s cold, emotionless tone placed her under an invisible pressure whenever they appeared together on screen.
Samantha described herself as “like a flower slowly withering away, gradually being drained until I became increasingly thin and haggard” while immersing herself in the role. She admitted that there were moments when she simply wanted filming to wrap up as soon as possible so she could escape the distorted emotions of her character.
The tense atmosphere on set took a serious emotional toll on Samantha. When she could no longer hold back her feelings, she broke down in tears and had to hide behind a curtain to cry. Julian Cheung also recalled her reaction: “Once the cameras stopped rolling, she would curl up in a corner and cry by herself. I thought to myself, ‘Oh no! Have I been too harsh on her?’ I asked if she was okay, but she told me, ‘Don’t touch me,’ and ‘If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave first.’”
Samantha described Julian Cheung’s character, Koon Hau Yin, as “no different from a devil.” The husband is deeply insecure and feels compelled to control his partner. He even uses his wife’s mother as a weapon to force her into submission. At the same time, he pretends to be caring and considerate in an attempt to smooth over their relationship. Samantha commented: “Our relationship is so complicated, so entangled and twisted! Just talking about it makes me feel like I can barely breathe! I hope I never meet a man like that in real life. He’s truly terrifying.”
Produced by TVB and set in Macau, This City Never Sleeps explores a power struggle within a wealthy business dynasty, where siblings are willing to turn against one another, love becomes a tool for revenge, and even close relationships are dictated by personal interests. The drama stars Julian Cheung, Ron Ng, Samantha Ko, Kelly Cheung and David Chiang. As of October 29, the series had achieved strong results, debuting with the highest viewership among TVB dramas. It has also attracted attention from some mainland Chinese viewers thanks to its dramatic storyline, although others have criticized the plot as outdated and lacking logic.
The story revolves around Koon Chi Sam (David Chiang), chairman of Macau-based SLF Group, who appoints both his sons, Koon Hau Yin (Julian Cheung) and Koon Hau Kwan (Ron Ng), as co-chief executive officers. The ambitious elder brother, Hau Yin, constantly sees his younger sibling as a rival who must be eliminated. Meanwhile, despite growing up in an environment filled with schemes and manipulation, Hau Kwan tries to hold on to his principles.
To break up the alliance between Koon Hau Kwan and his wife, Wong Suet Ying (Kelly Cheung), Hau Yin marries Hung Hoi Wan (Samantha Ko), a Hong Kong prosecutor who has been Suet Ying’s close friend since childhood. From that point on, unresolved romantic tensions from the past become intertwined with schemes to seize wealth and power. Even marriage becomes part of a political and business strategy, as members of the family continuously set traps, exploit one another and attempt to bring their rivals down.
This City Never Sleeps marks Julian Cheung’s return to TVB television dramas after 13 years. He plays an authoritarian, ruthless and highly ambitious man. His use of an icy stare, explosive reactions and manipulative words when dealing with employees and his wife has repeatedly left viewers on edge.
Many viewers have praised Julian Cheung’s outstanding performance, saying that he has completely moved beyond his previous heartthrob image.
Samantha Ko is a well-known actress under TVB in Hong Kong. She first came into the spotlight through the 2008 Miss Hong Kong Pageant, where she finished in the Top 6 and received the “Most Attractive Beauty” award. She gradually established herself as a capable actress through a series of supporting and leading roles. With her impressive height, glamorous appearance and versatile acting skills, Samantha has successfully moved beyond her former image as a “sexy beauty” and earned recognition for her performances in Nothing But Thirty, The Queen of News, Line Walker, The Last Steep Ascent, Barrack O’Karma and My Unfair Lady, among other productions.
Julian Cheung is one of Hong Kong’s prominent singers and actors. He entered the entertainment industry in the early 1990s and quickly found success in both music and film. Known for his youthful, romantic looks and charming acting style, he has left a lasting impression through classic productions such as The Legend of the Condor Heroes (1994), Return of the Cuckoo and the Triumph in the Skies series. Beyond his successful career, he is also admired for his enduring and happy marriage to former beauty queen Anita Yuen.
Sources: Ngoisao