In new series Come With Me, Hong Kong’s TVB tackles a taboo subject, writes Loong Wai Ting.
BILLED as Television Broadcasts Limited’s (TVB) first sex-themed drama, Come With Me centres on newly-weds Mok Tai Hung (Eddie Cheung) and Lam Ching Yi (Sharon Chan).
Mok is a social worker and Lam is a sex therapist. Although they are experts in solving other people’s relationship problems, they have their own problems that puts a strain on their marriage.
Also having problems are Mok’s sister Siu To (Elena Kong) and her boyfriend Kam Cheong (Louis Yuen).
The 20-episode series also stars Benz Hui, May Chan, Sammy Sum and Grace Wong.
APPROPRIATELY MATURE
Despite dealing with mature content, the drama is light-hearted and funny, says Sharon. “The more explicit content is toned down with humour. We also want to educate viewers on safe sex. As society opens up, talking about sex in public is no longer taboo,” she said in a phone interview from Hong Kong.
However, the 37-year-old, who shot to fame in the legal drama, Ghetto Justice, reveals that initially, she felt awkward talking about sex on national TV.
“To make our characters believable, we had to attend classes. Besides sex education, the series also explores matters related to family health and relationships,” she adds.
Sharon was last seen in the drama Awfully Lawful, which also starred Roger Kwok, Pal Sinn, Johnson Lee and Raymond Cho.
AWKWARD SCENES
The lanky actress says the cast would discuss some scenes with the director before filming.
“If we felt uncomfortable about a scene, we usually discussed it with the director. We were able to solve our problems this way,” she says.
Sharon commended co-star Eddie for his professionalism in handling awkward situations.
“This was my first time working with Eddie. He took care of those around him and I felt really comfortable working with him. He is also a very funny guy. I never knew he could be so good at comedy. He should do this more often,” she says.
Louis Yuen, who plays an undergarments supplier in the series, hopes that his no-holds-barred performance will win the hearts of viewers.
“Expect an all-out performance,” says the popular actor and host. Louis, who is known for his humour, says he admires co-star Elena for playing along with his silliness on the show.
“Our characters share a love-hate relationship. My character likes her for who she is but because Kam Cheong has been through a bad relationship before, he is being cautious in starting a new one,” he says.
BEDTIME STORIES
Meanwhile, Elena recalls a funny “bedroom scene” in which she nearly ruined the bed headboard. “There are some physical scenes but they’re not what you think. We rolled on the bed... that’s all. Overall, I think bed scenes are tougher to do than action scenes. We laughed so hard we had stomach cramps,” says Elena who joined TVB in 2009 after a stint with the now-defunct Asia Television (ATV).
Her recent performance in Triumph In The Skies 2, as senior flight attendant Heather Fong, won her Best Supporting Actress at the 2013 TVB Anniversary Awards.
On a more serious note, Elena says she is aware of criticisms directed at the station for the lack of creativity and originality in its dramas.
“Some viewers have complained that the station is constantly rehashing old ideas and recycling past storylines,” she says.
“Expect none of that in Come With Me. I think the station has done a great job in tackling a taboo subject and talking about it on TV. It’s a daring move for such a conservative station.”
Come With Me airs five episodes every Saturday at midnight on TVB Jade (Astro channel 326). Repeats on subsequent weekdays at 11.30pm (one episode per day).