Chinese Censors Footage in “Inbound Troubles”

Before the premiere of Inbound Troubles <老表,你好嘢!> on January 14 in Hong Kong, there were rumors circulating that the serial, a comedy drama that touches on the growing cultural division between Hong Kong and mainland China, would receive some scissor treatments from its mainland China broadcasters. It turns out that this was true after all.

The Hong Kong media reported that at least 10 minutes of footage from the first four episodes of Inbound Troubles were erased by mainland Chinese censors. Inbound Troubles is currently airing in mainland China through TVB’s overseas channel and Chinese video streaming websites.

The first cut occurred in the first episode, when Wong Cho Lam’s (王祖藍) character, Choi Sum, came across some Hong Kong protesters rallying outside a clothing store. The scene was inspired by the actual Dolce & Gabbana photo ban controversy, which occurred in January 2012 in Hong Kong. The staff at D&G staff prevented Hong Kong citizens to take pictures in front of their shop, but allowed mainland Chinese tourists to do so. The protests sparked a rise of anti-mainlander sentiment, and lasted for several days.

The second cut was a flash back scene in the second episode. The episode involved three characters attempting to escape mainland China’s borders and seek refuge in Hong Kong.

The third cut was a scene that involved Whitney Hui (許亦妮), who portrays wealthy model Monica D., showing off her wealth. The scene was said to be inspired by the Guo Meimei Red Cross Controversy in 2011.

Despite the cuts and complaints, Inbound Troubles has been well-received critically, and has achieved an average of 1.92 million viewers in its first week of broadcast.

Source: Next Magazine # 1194 via ihktv.com

This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.

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Responses

  1. this series is too focused on wong cho lam roger is being used to promote wong cho lam here looking at roger screen time his playing as a big extra not a leading actor role.. not suprised at all cos wong cho lam was involved in the script writting

    1. I don’t agree. Roger has more screen time than Wong Cho Lam. It’s just the media focusing on Wong Cho Lam because his character is from mainland and he’s scriptwriter.

    2. I also disagree. I thought Wong Cho Lam was very generous as a scriptwriter in allowing others have more screen time and better lines that he does.

    3. really roger has more screen time i only watched the first few eps and found it too focused on wong cho lam stopped watching it

  2. this series really challenge the mindset of audiences which is indeed positive as it brings unity to society… Glad that this series now consider highest rated this year due to the genius scriptwriting of wong cho lam & gang…plus all the actors & actresses performed perfect…

    1. Well said. I find it quite interesting how this series has received some negative criticism simply because of the so called ‘controversial’ scenes. Given that they are inspired by real life events, I do not find it offensive. I think it’s quite evident that Wong Cho Lam and his fellow scriptwriter team are not trying to worsen the relationship between Hong Kong and China, but to simply bring out the message that both cultures can get along peacefully and in harmony.. hence Wong Cho Lam’s favourite phrase ‘wor hai’.

  3. “The third cut was a scene that involved Whitney Hui (許亦妮), who portrays wealthy model Monica D., showing off her wealth. The scene was said to be inspired by the Guo Meimei Red Cross Controversy in 2011.”

    I’ve watch until episode 6, but, I don’t remember this scene. In which episode is it?

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