A Step into the Past

A Step into the Past
	Official poster
Traditional	尋秦記
Simplified	寻秦记
Mandarin	Xún Qín Jì
Cantonese	Cam4 Ceon4 Gei3
Genre	Historical fiction; Wuxia; Science fiction
Based on	Xun Qin Ji; by Huang Yi
Screenplay by	Wong Kwok-fai; Tong Kin-ping; Lau Choi-wun; Cheung Siu-fong; Ho Kwan-ngo
Directed by	Mun Wai-hung; Shek Ming-chuen; Lau Shun-on; Lam Tze-yan; Ng Kam-yuen
Starring	Louis Koo; Kwong Wa; Jessica Hsuan; Sonija Kwok; Raymond Lam; Joyce Tang; Michelle Saram; Waise Lee; Eileen Yeow; Sicney Yim; Kwok Fung
Theme music composer	Chiu Tsang-hei
Opening theme	Tin Ming Jui Ko (天命最高) by Louis Koo
Ending theme	Ngo Yuen Oi (我願愛) by Louis Koo
Country of origin	Hong Kong
Original language	Cantonese
No. of episodes	40
Production
Producer	Chong Wai-kin
Production locations	Hong Kong; Hengdian World Studios
Editors	Wong Kwok-fai; Tong Kin-ping
Camera setup	Multi camera
Running time	45 minutes per episode
Production company	TVB
Release
Original network	TVB Jade
Picture format	576i (SDTV)
Original release	15 October –; 7 December 2001
Chronology
Related shows	Back to the Past (TBD)
External links
	Website

A Step into the Past is a 2001 Hong Kong television series produced by TVB and based on Huang Yi's novel of the same Chinese title. The series tells the story of a 21st-century Hong Kong VIPPU officer who travels back in time to the Warring States period of ancient China. He is involved in a number of important historical events that leads to the first unification of China under the Qin dynasty. The series' first original broadcast ran from 15 October to 7 December 2001 on the TVB Jade network in Hong Kong.

A film sequel to the series, titled Back to the Past, is currently in post-production.

Plot

21st century Hong Kong

Hong Siu-lung is a 21st-century VIPPU special agent in Hong Kong. In the first episode, Hong and his colleagues stand guard at an exhibition of the First Emperor's Terracotta Army. One of Hong's colleagues notices that one of the terracotta warriors bears a striking resemblance to Hong. Moments later, wealthy businessman Lee Siu-chiu is attacked and held hostage at the museum by a madman who had suffered losses in the stock market. Hong rescues Lee and defuses the crisis.

Hong is unhappy despite his success in his career. He has just broken up with his girlfriend, Chun Ching, after a seven-year-long relationship. She insisted that they wed but he preferred to continue their relationship without a proper marriage. Chun married another man and Hong becomes depressed.

Time travelling

Impressed with Hong's rescue attempt, Lee Siu-chiu and Doctor Wu Yau recruit him for a secret time-travelling experiment. Hong agrees to help them in exchange for an opportunity to travel back in time to salvage his failed relationship with Chun Ching. He is tasked to travel back more than two thousand years to the Qin dynasty, half an hour prior to the coronation of Ying Ching in 247 BC, and document the event with a digital camera before a swift departure. However, a critical error occurs during the traveling stage and Hong is sent further back in time three years earlier than originally planned. He is now trapped in the Zhao state of the Warring States period in 250 BC.

In order to return to the future, Hong has to make an arduous journey across thousands of miles in ancient China to activate a device at a specific location and time. He was warned that making even a slight change in the grand scheme of events will trigger a chain reaction of catastrophes that will alter history.

Warring States Period

Hong enjoys a series of adventures in history. His knowledge of the 21st century, intelligence and experience as an elite special agent, as well as his prowess in martial arts, enables him to make a strong stand in history. He enters the service of various lords and nobles, and becomes a valuable ally to them. Concurrently, he becomes involved in romantic relationships with four women. The first, Sin-yau, is a wandering female assassin and the first person he meets after travelling back in time. The second, Wu Ting-fong, is the beautiful but spoiled daughter of a wealthy noble. The third is a pretty female scholar named Kam Ching, who resembles his 21st century girlfriend Chun Ching in appearance and shares a similar name (completely homophonic in Standard Mandarin). The last is Princess Chiu Sin, the daughter of the king of Zhao, who dies in a tragic incident later. He also befriends the king's sister Chiu Nga and her son Chiu Poon. Meanwhile, he foils the evil plans of Chiu Muk, a secret agent from the Chu state, and becomes Chiu's enemy. Chiu Muk's henchman Lin Chun also sees Hong as his greatest rival.

Destiny

Ying sees Hong as a valuable ally in his future endeavors and wants to retain him as an adviser. However, Hong begins to feel regret when he sees the evil creation of his efforts, fulfilling the predestination paradox. He is aware that he is not destined to leave his mark in history and refuses to stay in the imperial court. He leaves with Wu Ting-Fong and Kam Ching, who are both happily married to him at last. Ying sends his troops to pursue Hong and eventually decides to exile Hong and decrees that the name "Hong Siu-lung" shall henceforth be purged from history. All books and historical records pertaining to Hong are ordered to be destroyed, which leads to Chun Chi Wong's notorious practice of the burning of books and burying of scholars.

Hong and his family find paradise in the plains far from the urban regions. Hong and Wu Ting-Fong have a son. In the final moments of the last episode, Hong's son tells him he wants to change his name from Bowie to Hong Yu, a man who historically become a prominent military general who overthrew the Qin dynasty that has a tragic end due he became a dictator. Hong then exclaims in English "Shit!"

Cast

Note: Character names are in Cantonese romanisation.

Main characters

Louis Koo as Hong Siu-lung (Chinese: 項少龍; pinyin: Xiàng Shàolóng), the protagonist of the story. Born in 1975, Hong was orphaned at the age of three and spent most of his childhood in foster care. Sociable, diligent and smart, Hong graduates to VIPPU officer after only one year of training. When his girlfriend of seven years breaks up with him, Hong agrees on a time travelling project organised by Lee Siu-chiu on the condition that he will see his girlfriend again when he returns.
Raymond Lam as Chiu Poon / Ying Ching (Chinese: 趙盤 / 嬴政; pinyin: Zhào Pán / Yíng Zhèng), the son of Princess Chiu Nga. He is despised by other nobles due to his mother's promiscuous reputation. After Hong rescues Lady Chu from the Zhao state, Chu mistakes Chiu as her deceased son, Ying Ching. Through Hong's coercion, also compounded by his personal lust for power and vengeance, Chiu becomes the crown prince of Qin and ascends to the throne, subsequently becoming the First Qin Emperor, the First Emperor of a unified China.
Kwong Wa as Lin Chun / Lo Oi (Chinese: 連晉 / 嫪毐; pinyin: Lián Jìn / Lào Ǎi), a swordsman who used to serve Chiu Muk. He is abandoned by Chiu after Hong injures his right arm in a duel. During his banishment, Lin meets Lo Oi, a left-handed swordsman. After convincing Lo to teach him left-handed swordplay, he kills Lo and takes his identity.
Sonija Kwok as Chun Ching / Kam Ching (Chinese: 秦青 / 琴清; pinyin: Qín Qīng / Qín Qīng). Chun Ching was Hong's girlfriend of seven years, but broke up with him after he reneges the wedding promise. Hong agrees to participate in a time-travelling project after he was assured that Chun Ching would return to him. After Hong is transported to two thousand years back, he meets Kam Ching, a female scholar who resembles Chun Ching in appearance and they develop a romantic relationship.
Jessica Hsuan as Wu Ting-fong (Chinese: 烏廷芳; pinyin: Wū Tíngfāng), the impulsive and spoiled daughter of the Qin loyalist Wu Ying-yuen. Although disgusted by Hong's flirtatious nature, she gradually becomes jealous of her own accord when she sees him with other maidens. Nonetheless, Wu develops a close friendship with Princess Chiu Sin and often visits her.
Joyce Tang as Sin-yau (Chinese: 善柔; pinyin: Shànróu), a female assassin. She was an orphan. She becomes the apprentice of Mohist practitioner Cho Chau-to, also becoming an assassin who kills people for money. She is the first person Hong meets after he is transported back in time.
Michelle Saram as Princess Chiu Sin (Chinese: 趙倩; pinyin: Zhào Qiàn), the daughter of King Hao-sing of Zhao. She develops feelings for Hong after he "rescues" her from the palace. She is also Hong's first love after he returns in time.
Waise Lee as Chiu Muk (Chinese: 趙穆; pinyin: Zhào Mù), a secret agent who works for the Chu state as a spy in Zhao.
Shirley Yim as Chiu Nga (Chinese: 趙雅; pinyin: Zhào Yǎ), the younger sister of the king of Zhao. She is Chiu Poon's mother and a close friend of Hong Siu-lung.

Supporting characters

Eileen Yeow as Lady Chu (Chiu)
Kwok Fung as Lui But-wai
Power Chan as Lee See
Derek Kok as Wong Chin
Wong Man-piu as Tang Yik (滕翼)
Lau Ka-long as Ying Jun {荊俊}
Sherming Yiu as Lui Leung-yung (呂娘蓉)
Yu Tze-ming as Chau Hin
Wong Wai as Wu Ying-yuen (烏應元)
Timothy Siu as Wu Ting-wai (烏廷威)
Jimmy Au as To Fong (陶方)
Kwok Tak-shun as Luk Kung (鹿公)
Wong Wai-leung as Chiu Ko
Lee Lung-kei as King Chong-sheung
Andy Tai as Lord Yeung Chuen
Lee Hoi-sang as Mung Ngo
Chow Yeung as Prince Sing-kiu
Peter Lai as King Hao-sing
Lau Wing Kin as Chiu Tak (趙德)
Bond Chan as Chiu Ka (趙嘉)
Joyce Koi as Lord Lung-yeung
Savio Tsang as Lord Suen-ling
Ricky Wong as Hiu Ngai-mau
Chan Ka-yee as Lady Ping-yuen (平原夫人)
Raven Po as Crown Prince of Wei (魏太子)
Gordon Liu as Cho Chau-dou (曹秋道)
Steve Lee as Yim Ping (嚴平)
Chan Wing-chun as Lo Oi
Russell Cheung as the fake Ying Ching
Kenneth Ma as Kam Ching's late husband
Ng Yik-him as Hon Fei
Law Ho-kai as Lee Yuen
Yeung Ka-lok as Hon Yin (韓闖)
Chan Tik-hak as Uncle Mute (啞大叔)
Lam King-kong as Ah Keung (潺仔強) (episode 1)
Chor Yuen as Officer Wong (王Sir) (episode 1)
Mak Cheung-ching as madman Mak Wai-gin (麥偉健) (episode 1)
John Tang as Lee Siu-chiu (李小超) (episode 1)
Liu Kai-chi as Wu Yau (烏有) (episode 1)
Yuen Wah as Yuen Chung (元宗) (episode 2–3)
Cheung Lui as bandit Fui-wu (灰鬍) (episode 3)
Tan Kuen-fai as bandit Coeng-mou (長毛) (episode 3)
Lam Yuen-ying as bandit Dyun-mou (短毛) (episode 3)
Wong Kun-sun as mountain bandit (山賊) (episode 3)
Chow Chung as old man Gaa-ming (家明) (episode 2)
Ha Ping as old woman Jyun-gwan (婉君) (episode 2)
Wong He as the drummer (敲鑼人) (episode 6)
Lee Chun-wai as Hong Yu (episode 40)

Production and reception

A Step into the Past received high ratings during its initial run in 2001, and continued to be successful during its midnight re-runs in the summer of 2005, leading to another trend of late-night television watching after At the Threshold of an Era.

This was the last television drama that Louis Koo acted in, as he had decided to concentrate on his film career. He has since worked on films such as Election and its sequel.

Raymond Lam, in his first major role, was highly praised for his breakthrough performance as Ying Ching, and rose to fame quickly. He has starred in numerous leading roles ever since.

While filming in Zhuozhou, Hebei, Jessica Hsuan was stricken with cholera, causing her to enter a local hospital.[1] She remained in bed for over a month until she was able to leave and start filming again. This caused Hsuan's character to be absent for a while in the series. During her hospital stay, many of her co-stars, including Koo, visited her regularly.

After its 2005 midnight re-run, TVB decided to release the complete series on DVD and VCD for the first time on November 18 in the same year. It also became the second TVB drama to be released on DVD after War and Beauty, and the first to receive a non-limited release.

Film adaptation

In May 2015, Koo's film production studio One Cool Film Productions announced that it has obtained the rights to adapt the series into a full-length feature film.[2] Koo, who will also produce the film, confirmed that he will reprise his role as Hong Siu-lung.[2] In March 2018, One Cool Film Productions confirmed that it has cast Lam and Hsuan to reprise their roles as Ying Ching and Wu Ting-fong, respectively.[3] Jack Lai was hired to direct, and the film title was announced to be Back to the Past.[3] A year later in March 2019, Back to the Past held its first press conference, also announcing that Kwok, Tang, and Saram will be returning, though it was not specified if they will be reprising their original roles.[4][5] Ng Yuen-fai will co-direct alongside Lai. The film will be set 19 years after the events of the original television series.[4]

References

Leong, Sandra (15 August 2005). "Single and Loving It". The Straits Times. Singapore. p. 6. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Alt URL
huynh (15 May 2015). "Louis Koo Invites 'A Step Into the Past' Cast for Movie Remake". JayneStars. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
addy (19 March 2018). "Louis Koo, Jessica HSuan, Raymond Lam Return for 'A Step Into the Past' Film Version". JayneStars. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
addy (20 March 2019). "It's Finally Here! Original Cast Reunite for "A Step Into the Past" Movie Sequel". JayneStars. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
Hui, Yuk-man (19 March 2019). "A Step Into the Past movie version: Louis Koo brings back the original cast". HK01 (in Chinese). Retrieved 25 October 2019.

External links

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[1] Leong, Sandra (15 August 2005). "Single and Loving It". The Straits Times. Singapore. p. 6. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Alt URL

[firstannouncement-2] uynh (15 May 2015). "Louis Koo Invites 'A Step Into the Past' Cast for Movie Remake". JayneStars. Retrieved 25 October 2019.

[lamhsuan-3] y (19 March 2018). "Louis Koo, Jessica HSuan, Raymond Lam Return for 'A Step Into the Past' Film Version". JayneStars. Retrieved 25 October 2019.

[presscon-4] y (20 March 2019). "It's Finally Here! Original Cast Reunite for "A Step Into the Past" Movie Sequel". JayneStars. Retrieved 25 October 2019.

[presscon2-5] Hui, Yuk-man (19 March 2019). "A Step Into the Past movie version: Louis Koo brings back the original cast". HK01 (in Chinese). Retrieved 25 October 2019.