Raymond Lam’s “The Mysteries of Love” Accused of Stealing Ideas from Japanese Series, “Detective Galileo”
TVB series have recently been accused of copying elements from overseas productions. Ada Choi Siu Fun’s Fly With Me <飛女正傳> borrowed ideas from Hollywood movie, My Super Ex-Girlfriend. Jessica Hsuan’s Sisters of Pearl <掌上明珠)> resembled Japanese drama Matriarchal Family. TVB’s prime-time dramas have become a case of duplicating overseas productions.
After Fly With Me airs its ending, TVB will broadcast The Mysteries of Love <談情說案> starring Raymond Lam Fung, Tavia Yeung Yi, Kenneth Ma Kwok Ming, Bernice Liu Bik Yee, and Lisa S. Raymond will play a genius physicist who assists police officer, Kenneth, in solving difficult cases. Tavia will play the role of a doltish police officer who falls in love with Raymond. Even audiences who do not closely follow Japanese dramas will see the similarities between The Mysteries of Love and Japanese drama, Detective Galileo.
Last year, when The Mysteries of Love began filming, the media had already accused TVB of copying Detective Galileo, which starred Fukuyama Masaharu. Raymond denied the accusation, “The two dramas have two different scripts. The different cast should result in a dissimilar interpretation and distinct outcomes.”
Even before its broadcast, netizens have uploaded photos of The Mysteries of Love and Detective Galileo, pointing out their similarities. We will have to see how the The Mysteries of Love’s ratings fare!
Styling for Characters
In The Mysteries of Love, Raymond often wears a white lab coat or a tie with a vest [which resembles Fukuyama Masaharu’s style in Detective Galileo]. Tavia’s suits and jackets also resemble Shibasaki Kou’s outfits from Detective Galileo as well. Fortunately, Tavia’s beauty and good acting may compare favorably with the Japanese version.
Copying the Plot
In the eighth episode of Detective Galileo, the spirit of a deceased girl appeared in front of Fukuyama. The Mysteries of Love also feature a scene where a middle-aged female ghost appears.
Duplicating the Cases
In Detective Galileo, Fukuyama often discusses his cases inside his laboratory. In The Mysteries of Love, Raymond also discusses the cases with other cast members inside his lab. The two series’ plots, characters, and style resemble each other closely. To avoid accusations that The Mysteries of Love copied Detective Galileo exactly, additional romantic arcs were added. Producer Lau Ka Ho said, “Although physics is used to solve the cases in The Mysteries of Love, the main focus is still the romantic relationships. Thus it is different than Detective Galileo.”
The romantic relationship between Raymond and Tavia also bear a strong resemblance to the characters in Detective Galileo. Raymond is a logical scientist who does not believe in love, while Tavia places love above all other priorities. As the pair get to know each other more, love sparks ignite.
Excerpt from Face Magazine #156
Jayne: The Mysteries of Love has a great cast; can’t wait to see love sparks between Raymond and Tavia again. I’m sure Raymond will make a very appealing physicist in his white lab coat!
LMAO, Tavia’s good acting and beauty.
I never watched jap dramas but if its accused I’m still dying to watch raymond and tavia together as a couple! WOoh!
Lol, not in that haircut. Oh my.
I was shocked looking at Tavia’s picture in this article.
Anyway… what more can I say? Blatant plagarism but TVB threw out all the good things that made Galileo such a great success and retained things that is entertaining but added what the producer claims to be elements to distinguish it from the Japanese series when in effect makes this current TVB series with such an uncool title same as with ALL TVB series. I’d rather they copy properly! I like Raymond but he ain’t Fukuyama Masaharu who defined the role of Yukawa. Tavia is a good actress but Shibasaki was amazing as Utsumi. I can already see how Tavia will approach this tole. But none the worst than Kenneth Ma and worse still Bernice Liu. Which shows that this series may get all the hype but none of quality of the original series. Do watch Galileo. They finished saying what they want to say in 12 episodes and TVB’s one will probably be double that.
And it is incorrect to say similarity in that Tavia’s character places priorities in love. Utsumi doesn’t; she prioritises her work ethics, entirely different from love. Yukawa never quite not believe in love; he does and would love to date except he is too weird and arrogant. He however does not believe in supersition. Clearly someone did not watch the series properly. But doesn’t matter. When I read romantic relationship and Raymond’s family in the series is rich, I thought “How convenient; a scientist from a rich family, need not worry about food as he researches”. Sorry guys, but this is one series I feel it is obvious copying right down to the vest. Hopefully Tavia doen’t walk around with a large handbag. For this time, Galileo is still the one to watch.
P/s : Raymond is too young for this role. The role should have been someone of lower rank. I wouldn’t mind a younger Galileo at the start of his career.
I have not watched the Japanese version and will not watched it, this way I will keep an open-mindedness when I watch the series of my favorite couple-Raymond and Tavia! It’s been so long since they were a couple onscreen, so I can’t wait.
I’m almost afraid to watch this series. Galileo is one of my favourite dramas – the acting was superb, storyline was great, and it ended at a good point where it didn’t drag. I hope they do enough to differentiate it from the original.
Tavia is a good actress, but I don’t know if she can capture the innocence and dedication as Shibasaki Kou did. And I agree with Funn Lim that Raymond seems too young for this role.
Exactly! That is what everyone is saying – it is NOT the same. Hence why compare to Galileo. You have managed to point out all the differences already! BTW, Raymond is the actor, he does not own the production.
It is like CSI, NYPD, ER, Forensics, every country has their own. For HK to make this series will show their scientific approaches to solving mysteries which FBI, MI5 maybe doing so too from their angle plus adding on their TVB entertainment which have their own social cultures and beliefs. It will be weird to have HK copy the Japanese lifestyle, beliefs in their local living. Because you have been watching a lot of HK series hence you don’t see the originality. Malaysia have their culture and so does Singapore, you watch enough of their respective production you will say it’s the same old thing, well that is culture.
It’s funny to compare white coats and dressing, visit any university and all science labs people wear white coats and most CIDs are very casual. My University Dean wears a bow tie to work everyday. TVB can have a series in the hospital and will be weird if the doctors and nurses dress differently just so that they are not copying. Physics labs are not proprietry to Japan and BTW ghosts are also not copyrighted and does only appear to Galileo. Most physicists sometime in their career will want to study spirits/ghosts and find explanations. It’s call astro physics. I like to think of the movie as CSI and Forensic Heroes. Similar as it is really applicable in life in any culture and country. Do you realise there are murderers who also copy murder methods from TV and hence one country’s forensic can assist another from similarities.
Taking ideas is not bad as protraying it in a different manner, actors, culture, language already makes it different. I am happy that TVB has this series as even the “love” explanation from an electromagnetic perspective has been stated by real scientists in quantum physics but so few people are aware. I hope TVB scriptwriters get to the point of knowledge and research like “The Day The Earth Stood Still” or “Knowing” which I find USA has moved on.
TVB are not the only ones who recognise others’ ideas. Hollywood has made a movie based on HK’s Infernal Affairs. How about Monkey God, Justice Pao? I don’t enjoy watching foreign language series hence I appreciate TVB for this production as I enjoy science and investigations and I can understand the language and culture.
From a science point of view, there is the law of relativity hence some people will agree, some people won’t. Everything is relative but people have the choice to look at the good side of everything.
They may copy some things but I believe this will have HK flavor and will be different from Galileo.
Whether some of the complainers like it or not this series is still the most talked about and anticipated 2010 drama so far even when its not being released yet.
The honor of ‘the most talked about and anticipated 2010 drama’ belongs to Rosy Business 2.
I’m a big fan of Galileo myself, but won’t steer away from this series due to similarities. Granted, there will be subconscious comparison. I just hope that TMOL will not be riddled with draggy romantic subplots.
sehseh, in Chinese discussion areas maybe this series fell second to Rosy Business II, but in English speaking forums I swear I see a lot of people talk about this drama almost everywhere. The current airing ones are quite neglected but nothing surprising as both shows are mundane.
Masaharu, I’m referring to overall, not just a cluster of English forums and for your information, I visited both. I’m disturbed that it was exaggeratedly claimed as ‘most anticipated and talked about series of the year’. No doubt the lead and supporting lead have a big fanbase expressing support in forums but from my observation, Rosy Business have received bigger media and audiences expectation, in a more wider of age group.
Oops. I mean Rosy Business 2.
I agree with Sehseh with the most anticipated. I am not saying this one is not anticipated but largely you see it is everywhere due to allegations of copying. Look, nothing is original these days. That much I admit and will agree, in defence of TVB. But perhaps this time they have taken ideas (and I say this loosely because frankly it is more than taking ideas, it is Hollywood’s equivalent to The Departed which I will term as a remake, and a poorer one at that) from a really popular series, even if it is 3 years old which is based on popular and award winning books. So other elements were added to distinguish both but who are we kidding? I am annoyed Bernice is in here. So yes the story is different, and deliberately so because if it is the same there will be more complaints and a lawsuit pending.
Of course do watch this one but don’t deny yourself the pleasures of what the original can offer.
In retrospect not even Rosy business is original.
Cindy,
Yes, all the instances you pointed out happen everywhere, not just in Galileo and is not a property of Galileo. When you separate all those points and argue one by one, yes, it’s definitely not copying and does not only happen in Galileo. But, when all the points are combined together and they exist in both Galileo and MoL, it is hard to argue that the series does not copy Galileo. It’s very obvious that TVB tried to make a HK version of MoL and they took many ideas from the series. This cannot be denied.
I don’t know. I see this differently from CSI and FH. They are both forensic series and use the same theme and FH is most probably inspired by CSI. But, they don’t copy characters. MoL, they have character similarity down to the clothing and have comparative roles in both series. Why don’t they make Raymond where other clothing instead of the same gray vest as caual wear? why not switch character? Have a female professor and a rookie male cop?
I’m not complaining since TVB taking ideas from elsewhere is not a new thing (why is it even newsworthy?). Just curious why people want to deny the obvious. I will only not call it copying Galileo (the series) if TVB has actually bought the copyrights to be novel or the Galileo script. Then, I’ll call this a remake.
Fact is many TV series around the world are copying each other now. Every storyline have been done so rarely fresh storyline left. So MOL copied Galileo and the characters – true but the actors are different. Tavia will act in her own way and Raymond himself has said that he avoided watching Galileo so that he won’t accidentally act the same as the original Galileo and will act with his own charm. In any case MOL is still worth to watch for the strong cast, interesting genre, and lack of other outstanding TVB series this year.
It is really not about acting own way. When we say copy it doesn’t mean everything is the same right down to the actors and how they portray the characters. It is elements, like Kidd pointed out and like Kidd pointed out if they pay royalties, no complaints.
But TVB did make significant changes or rather additions, from what I can observe. Ray is the people friendly Galileo, young, rich, soft spoken, from a loving family of academics and in your face name whilst Tavia’s character has more addition. It takes the style and sets of Galileo and even format and certain stories but the focus shifts to elsewhere, to love and the investigation is just nominal, the main one is love. That is the problem. Until you watch Galileo you will not quite understand why we kept saying it’s the same even if all these focus is changed and why Galileo presents a better package in many ways and why I still feel Raymond’s character, of all names Kingsley King Bok (oh dear!) should be of lesser rank. But watch MOL, then watch Galileo, and if you can read Japanese, read the books. If I could I would have read the book. I have a feeling maybe Ray’s Galileo is closer to the books but you have got to admit Fukuyama Masaharu’s galileo is the stylish one in many ways.
As for the science and stuff, I would say let’s just watch TVB for the drama.
Let me guess though; one of the 4 main characters will suffer a near death experience? One of them will be in danger? Most of then will always meet in a pub over a drink? Beer perhaps BUT wine for Ray’s intellectual parents who some of them may throw in some English terms like “Physics”? Ray and Kenneth are best friends as in really best buds from schooling, that is confirmed.
TVB has been copying since many many years ago why only now people are jumping and complaining? Although the series may be copied it doesn’t mean it won’t be good. Mysteries of Love bringing fresh stuff into TVB and its a nice breath of new air after being stuffed with the same old type series with the same veterans being the lead. Its time for young cast to lead and Myesteries of Love brings it on, although it take elements from Galileo the series are not the same.
I wonder why people are making a big deal out of this? People company from each other all the time and have been doing it for a long time already… It is ok to borrow ideas from each other since what is honestly “original” these days? However, if you do borrow too much from something then you should give it credit.
Opps meant to say people “borrow” from each other all the time…
All the drama’s are about the same… one story is always come from another story it doesn’t just come form thin air. And it is not the first time TVB repeat the same tactic of story boarding, we can find a lot of dramas that are very similar to each other…
Those crazy super human power people in comedies are always in TVB drama’s and such, it is not the first time
Fung-Yi fans wont care if this drama is plagiarised. Though there are alot of similarities but hk and japanese dramas r so different- i dont think there is a need to compare. if you dont like these hk version then dont watch. personally i think both raymond and tavia are good actor/actress. i waited so long for a project to see them together so im real happy with mysteries of love. but i have to agree i dont like the roles they’ve written for kenneth n bernice.
I agree that the recent crop of TVB dramas are lacking in quality & yeah their choice in titles for their series are L.A.M.E.-O but the accusations against The Mysteries Of Love are retarded.
For starters, the Japanese drama Galileo isn’t a 100% pure original piece of writing, the cases were all drawn from the novels, Tantei Galileo & Yochimu.
I’ve seen the Japanese series & I am currently watching Mysteries– apart from the premise of using physics & other areas of science to help solve crimes, they’re nothing alike. I’ve just finished ep15 & so far the cases really aren’t that similar. In the TVB ver. the cops actually do alot more… in may ways it seems more like a detective show, w/ a strong family focus (which is pretty much a common staple in all TVB series.)
The Japanese ver implemented alot more dry humour & was much more episodic, so episodic in fact that I lost the excitement factor a few episodes in. Though I hung in because of a v. omosiroii sensei xD
In terms of the characters, Raymond & Fukuyama Masaharu‘s portrayals are lightyears apart. Their characters ARE different. I know alot of ppl think Raymond is too young to play the role but try to open your mind up to the fact that he is a GENIUS. Age doesn’t necessarily set the basis here, there are plenty of people out there achieving great things at a “young” age.
The styling, well, for goodness sakes, they’re professors, do you really expect Ray-Ray to be decked out in trackies & a Bonds singlet??
One last thing, I love Shibasaki Kou but compared to Tavia‘s role, Utsumi Kaoru was, well, I did wonder how she managed to pass the entrance exam to become a policewoman. But I suppose it’s hard to effectively develop characters in a mere 10episodes *shameless blind backing up of Kou-chan* I do really like & prefer Tavia‘s character though, she’s loyal, smart & unpretentious <3
I also like the addition of Kenneth Ma (although the same can’t be said of his acting lol) but I do not understand nor like the role of Bernice Liu… I mean, so far she is an utter non-factor >_<""")
Anyways, I suppose my point is, enjoy each series for what they are w/o trying to compare before OR whilst watching. Sorry for my rant lol ^^;;;;;;
“For starters, the Japanese drama Galileo isn’t a 100% pure original piece of writing, the cases were all drawn from the novels, Tantei Galileo & Yochimu.
The BIG difference between Galileo vs MOL and Galileo vs Tantei Galileo/Yochimu is the Galileo team paid the copyright to adapt the novels. That’s why no one accused Galileo of copying. The MOL team took ideas from Galileo TV series + novels but keep on saying they didn’t copy, their work is original.
That’s the issue here.
Kidd, I was about to comment on
‘For starters, the Japanese drama Galileo isn’t a 100% pure original piece of writing, the cases were all drawn from the novels, Tantei Galileo & Yochimu.”
but thanks for the reply. And FYI, the books I read never had the character Utsumi and the character was created for the series. Yes the rights to the books were purchased to be made into the series and movie. That is the difference.
And I feel the Japanese did an excellent job in developing characters and saying whatever they want to say in 10 episodes. Any longer and Galileo would have been formulaic which it was in danger of being one by 6th episode.
This case isn’t going to stop yet. HK netizens now accused Myesteries of copying Takuya Kimura’s “Mr Brain”(2009) too. I haven’t watched so no comment.
Which part they copy? The cases?
According to dramawiki..
“Tsukumo Ryusuke is a quirky, yet brilliant neuroscientist working for the National Research Institute of Police Science. Wielding a unique perspective and psychology, Tsukumo tackles the nation’s most baffling crimes and scandals, going head-to-head with the most brilliant and twisted criminal minds. But his eccentricities and poor social timing can also aggravate people and circumstances, further complicating matters.”
Mr Brain was accused of copying Galileo but I’d rather think it was inspired by the popularity of such characters.
[Which part they copy? The cases?]
The HK netizens claim its the brainscan part where Ray sitting on a chair and the computer shows a brainscan. Its stupid claim because this kind of case can exist in many detective series and many series have scenes where the main character sits on chair and analyse brain scan.
Funny how whatever stupid copy claims the netizens come up with the series still have strong high ratings. This shows the strong attraction of Ray and Tavia. Its true that many ladies who watch this series are currently in love with Ray. Kingsley is so the prince charming guy girls of any ages will fell in love with.
The MOL team took ideas from Galileo TV series + novels but keep on saying they didn’t copy, their work is original. That is the issue
^My point is, these days, you will rarely (if at all) find purely original plots in drama series & movies.
But the point that I most stressed in my first comment was that Galileo & Mysteries are really nothing alike in terms of their characters, script & series styling. That is my issue.
Most series of the same genre will often follow a very similar layout (for example, how many “boys meets girls storylines have you come across??)- ideas are recycled all the time but there is a difference btwn using the same concepts & blatant plagiarism. Plagiarism is when someone virtually recreates something down to the finest detail, which Mysteries has not done. And I actually do remember reading somewhere that the Hong Kong crew did acknowledge they were inspired by the jdorama.
By no means am I trying to defend the quality of MOL against that of Galileo because ea series have their positives but they also most def have their own flaws.
Oh, & I thought I liked Tavia‘s “Sai Nee Miu” better than Kou-chan’s Utsumi but after ep18, I am def rethinking this over >_<"
“And I actually do remember reading somewhere that the Hong Kong crew did acknowledge they were inspired by the jdorama.”
No actually the crew keep telling the world that MOL is original. Cant blame the crew cause I think they’re not allowed to acknowledge copying since it will bring bad name to TVB and themselves. We know how TVB is strict on its managed artiste/crew.
Do you think hong kong people care if it was copied this is the number #1 city of pirated dvd sales whoever thinks this will affect ratings at all don’t know anything about chinese people.
“Kingsley is so the prince charming guy girls of any ages will fell in love with.”
Rationally i wll not fall for Kingsley King, i despise his personality, really, but i must admit he’s an eye candy period.
“I liked Tavia’s “Sai Nee Miu” better than Kou-chan’s Utsumi but after ep18, I am def rethinking this over >_<"
I def love Sai Lei Mui all the way, she has great personality and more real in true life.
Above all MOL achieved high ratings
1st bcoz the attraction of Ray+Tavia
2nd bcoz so much hype abt plagiarism.
MOL deserved the high ratings whether plagiarized or otherwise. Its the best series in 2010 thus far.
Well, I have watched them both. There are several similarities throughout the TVB series, but The Myusteries of Love has really a mediocre script & plot throughout the series, while the ending is kind of awful to watch since it really feels forced and I guess many would get the “make no sense” feel. I haven’t even talked about the other couple, Kenneth Ma & Bernice Liu, while I like them as actors, their roles in this show particularly are very annoying and their tiresome relationship keeps running hot and cold, it keeps dragging on. So if you really need a good show/series that got an ingenious plot/script it not recommended to watch this TV show. Although I am of course not forcing anyone to stay away from it. The choice is yours really. If you are a Tavia fan, go watch it since she’s in it a lot. Although I think she deserve better roles than this one, e.g. a similar role in Beyond the Realm of Conscience.
On the other hand, the J-drama Galileo got a really top-notch script, plot and the casting is perfect. Fukuyama Masaharu really bring out the character of Yukawa sensei perfectly, while Kou Shibasaki bring out her role as Kaoru quite decently. Al in Al Galileo is a very entertaining TV series, some episodes are even almost ingenious because the particular de-/induction methods, theories the creator of the series have put into the J-drama which make the show really believable and create such feel of “everything fit together like a puzzle” and that in a perfect way; it keeps you wanting for more.
i have watch both series – Detective Galileo and The Mysteries of Love – at first the Mysteries of Love reminded me a lot of Detective Galileo with Raymond’s fashion sense and as a believer of logic. however, the similarity didn’t stop with just Raymond’s character even all the character relation match to Japan’s Detective Galileo, from Lo sir’s friendship with Kingsley to the relationship Kingsley have with Tavia.
even with all the similarity i still enjoy the drama and try not to compare too much. however, i do love Yukawa’s lab better…it’s really match his character. ^u^
anyway, this drama more better than original.
This shows real epxretsie. Thanks for the answer.
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