King Maker (; Cantonese Yale: jou wong je) is a Hong Kong historical-fiction television drama serial produced by TVB under executive producer Leung Choi-yuen. King Maker started its broadcast on Hong Kong's Jade and HD Jade channels on 13 August 2012.
Plot Song dynasty's first prince Kwai Sing (Pierre Ngo) and second prince Kwai Wo (Lai Lok-yi) greedily compete for the throne. Yu Jing (Wayne Lai) and Tung Chiu (Kent Cheng) are responsible in advising each prince. Jing and Chiu are old family friends, having a mentor-friend relationship.
Jing's father Yu Pok Man (KK Cheung) brought trouble to the family when his achievements made his advisor feel uneasy. Since then, Jing was separated from his younger brother Yu Tsing (Patrick Tang) and sister Yu Ching (Natalie Tong). Tsing was deceived into becoming an imperial eunuch, while Ching loses her memory, but fortunately triad leader Fan Chiu Lun (Shek Sau) adopts her and triad member Yim Sam Leung (Kristal Tin) takes care of her.
Big villain Yeung Chi San (Joseph Lee) and his sister Consort Wai cause much trouble to get Kwai Wo the throne instead. But, perhaps San and Wai are not the only villains, and there are many others that are much more evil...
Cast and characters
Royal court NameActor/actressBackgroundEmperor Ning-chung (宋寧宗)Kwok FungEmperorHas health problems beginning from Episode 26Empress Gung-shuk (恭淑皇后)Kingdom YuenEmpressMother of Chiu Kwai-singPoisoned by Tung Chiu in Episode 27Consort Wai (慧妃)Florence KwokMother of Chiu Kwai-woYeung Chi-san's younger sister(Villainess)Exiled in Episode 28Consort Yee (儀妃)Rachel KanKilled by Tung Chiu in Episode 27Chiu Kwai-sing (趙貴誠)Pierre NgoCrown PrinceBecomes Emperor in Episode 28Chiu Kwai-wo (趙貴和)Lai Lok-yiSecond Prince(Villain)Exiled in Episode 28Consort Tak (德妃)Vivien YeoChiu Kwai-sing's wife(Semi-Villain)Fan Hung-ying (樊紅纓) Consort Lai (麗妃)Natalie TongChiu Kwai-sing's concubine(Further information: #Yu Family)Consort Man (閔妃)Janet ChowChiu Kwai-wo's wifeExiled in Episode 28
Yu Family NameActor/actressBackgroundYu Bok-man (余博文)KK CheungChancellorFather of Yu Jing, Yu Tsing, and Yu ChingYu Jing (余靖)Wayne LaiChancellor, kingmakerYu Bok-man's eldest sonTung Yuk-kiu's ex-fiancéLoves Yim Sam-leungSheung Hei (常喜)Patrick TangBorn Yu Tsing (余清)Eunuch, Consort Wai's confidantYu Bok-man's second sonCommitted Suicide in Episode 26Fan Hung-ying (樊紅纓)Natalie TongBorn Yu Ching (余晴)Yu Bok-man's youngest daughterChiu Kwai-sing's concubineBecomes Empress in Episode 28
Tung Family NameActor/actressBackgroundTung Chiu (董昭)Kent ChengChancellorFather of Yuk-kiu and Ming-hin(Main antagonist)Turns partially insane when a coup d'état attempt of his fails, resulting in his exileTung Yuk-kiu (董玉喬)Elaine YiuEldest daughter of Tung ChiuYu Jing's ex-fiancéDies in Episode 28Tung Ming-hin (董明軒)Eric LiSon of Tung Chiu(Villain)Dies in Episode 28
Fan Family NameActor/actressBackgroundFan Chiu-lun (樊照麟) Previously known as Pang Kwok-chuShek SauFormer triad leader(Villain)Dies in Episode 28Yim Sam-leung (嚴三娘)Kristal TinTriad leaderSacrificed herself to save Yu Jing and died in Episode 24Fan Hung-ying (樊紅纓)Natalie TongFan Chiu-lun's adopted daughterFurther information: Yu Family (惠 蘭)Angel ChiangFan Hung-ying's personal attendantIntroduced in Ep.06
Yeung Family NameActor/actressBackgroundYeung Chi-shan (楊次山)Joseph LeeChancellor(Villain) Executed in Episode 19Consort Wai (慧妃)Florence KwokYeung Chi-san's younger sister(Villain)Further information: Royal courtYip Yeuk-mei (葉若媚)Meini CheungYeung Chi-san's concubineWan Chi-kwan (溫子君)Kibby LauYeung Chi-san's concubineTung Yuk-kiu (董玉喬)Elaine YiuYeung Chi-san's concubineFurther information: Tung FamilyYeung Kuk (楊谷)Sammy SumGeneralYeung Chi-san's son
Production
Development The drama began in development in early 2011, and announced their intentions to cast Kent Cheng and Wayne Lai, who had previously worked together in Leung Choi-yuen's The Greatness of a Hero in 2008. In June 2011, TVB announced their casting of Cheng and Lai, in which Cheng was willing to reject two other high-paying productions for an opportunity to work with Lai again.
Principal photography began mid-August 2011, following the press conference and costume fitting that was held on 16 August. A blessing ceremony was later held on 21 September 2011.
Viewership ratings The following is a table that includes a list of the total ratings points based on television viewership. Week Originally Aired Episodes Average Points Peaking Points References1 13–17 August 2012 1 — 5 27 — 2 20–24 August 2012 6 — 10 28 — 3 27–31 August 2012 11 — 15 29 — 4 3–7 September 2012 16 — 20 31 34 5 10–14 September 2012 21 — 25 31 — 15 September 2012 26 — 28 33 38
International Broadcast - 8TV (Malaysia)
References
External links Official TVB website K-TVB.net