Barrack O'Karma
Barrack O'Karma (Chinese: 金宵大廈; lit. Twilight Mansion) is a 2019 Hong Kong supernatural romantic drama television series created by Ruby Law. It stars Selena Lee and Joel Chan as a pair of star-crossed lovers, with Lau Kong, Samantha Ko, Candice Chiu, Bob Cheung, Kelly Cheung, Zoie Tam, Billy Luk, and Jazz Lam in supporting roles.[1] The series made its premiere on 16 September 2019 on TVB.[2] The series is renewed for a second season.[3]
Barrack O'Karma | |
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金宵大厦 | |
Genre |
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Written by | Ruby Law |
Starring |
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Original language(s) | Cantonese |
No. of episodes | 20 |
Production | |
Running time | 45 minutes |
Production company(s) | TVB |
Release | |
Original network | TVB |
Picture format | 1080i |
Original release | 16 September – 13 October 2019 |
The drama takes inspiration from the Champagne Court located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong[4][5]. Creator Ruby Law was inspired by the Mandarin song "Jin Xiao Duo Zhen Zhong" (Chinese: 今宵多珍重) to write a story about a man and a woman who sees each other in their dreams.[4] Barrack O'Karma has central themes of a parallel universe, Mandela effect, and the butterfly effect. The series features 10 sub-plots about characters that live or work in the building. Principal photography began in February 2018 and concluded in June.[6]
Barrack O'Karma was nominated for six awards at the 2019 TVB Anniversary Awards and won three, including Best Supporting Actress for Chiu, Most Popular Female Character for Lee, and Most Popular Onscreen Partnership for Lee and Chan.
Synopsis
Throughout his life, unambitious Siu Wai Ming (Joel Chan) always had dreams of a woman in a qi pao. He is hired as a security guard at the old and decrepit Twilight Mansion by book store owner Lam Yeuk Si (Lau Kong) who is the chair of the building's committee. He encounters flight stewardess Alex Cheung (Selena Lee) who appears just like the woman in his dreams. Meanwhile, the building seems to have supernatural powers over its tenants, and strange things happen, leading to changes in their lives. Back in the 1960s, escort Coco Yeung works at the Twilight Nightclub located in the basement of the building. She dreams that she became a flight stewardess and had fallen in love with someone who resembles Lau Yuk Fai, a policeman she meets at the night club. Her dreams are written into a book by the young Lam (Bob Cheung). In present day, Siu discovers the book and the truth behind his destined romance with Alex.
Cast
- Selena Lee as Alex Cheung and Coco Yeung Yuk Wah
- Joel Chan as Siu Wai Ming and Lau Yuk Fai
- Lau Kong as Lam Yeuk Si
- Bob Cheung as young adult Lam
- Jazz Lam
- Candice Chiu as Mrs. Ho
- Samantha Ko as Mrs. Chan
- Kelly Cheung as Kelly
- Zoie Tam as Carmen
- Akina Hong as Yuki
- Gloria Tang as Ching Ching
- Billy Luk as Choi San
- Mark Ma
- Tammy Au-yeung as Mia
- Kirby Lam (voice) as Simone
- Geoffrey Wong
- Rosina Lam (special guest appearance) as Dr. Poon
Reception
Critical response
The drama series was positively received by viewers. It has a 8.5/10 rating on Douban.[7] Barrack O'Karma was praised for its original and thrilling story line. It was the third-most viewed TVB drama in 2019.[8]
Accolades
At the 2019 TVB Anniversary Awards, Selena Lee won Most Popular Female Character for her role as Alex/Coco. Lee and Joel Chan were awarded Most Popular Onscreen Partnership, and Candice Chiu won Best Supporting Actress. The series was nominated for Best Drama, and Lee and Chan was nominated for Best Actress and Best Actor respectively.[3]
References
- 黃梓恒 (2018-02-20). "【金宵大厦】陳山聰確認做男一 《降魔的》編審羅佩清操刀有保證". 香港01 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2020-06-16.
- "Joel Chan and Selena Lee Time Travel in New Series, "Barrack O'Karma"". 三八姐姐. 2019-09-14. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
- "Selena Lee Confirms That She'll Be Back for "Barrack O'Karma 2"". JayneStars.com. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
- Pao, Ming. "監製爆陳山聰擔正曾被高層質疑 《金宵大廈》結局不是夢一場". www.mingpaocanada.com. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
- 黃梓恒 (2019-09-17). "【金宵大廈】原型香檳大廈面臨重建 當年被「一樓一鳳」佔據". 香港01 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2020-06-16.
- Yim, Cassandra. "【金宵大廈】李施嬅性感上陣展現風騷舞姿 ViuTV組合MIRROR成員與Coco共舞". HK 港生活 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2020-06-16.
- 秦志鴻 (2019-10-22). "【金宵大廈】榮登內地劇集榜冠軍 編劇羅佩清仲受歡迎過主角". 香港01 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2020-06-16.
- "TVB Ratings Report: "Barrack O'Karma" Takes 3rd Place Year-to-Date". JayneStars.com. Retrieved 2020-06-16.