“Karma Rider” Gives Life Lessons to Viewers

TVB drama, Karma Rider <師父·明白了> aired on July 15 to lukewarm reception. The premiere episode averaged 26 ratings points, with approximately 1.66 million viewers. The first episode peaked at 29 ratings points last night.

Starring Raymond Wong (黃浩然) and Priscilla Wong (黃翠如), the drama uses the background love story of the Butterfly Lovers involving intricate relationships.  At the same time, the drama inserts discussions about the ways of life.

Producer Chen Yiu Chuan (陳耀全) revealed that the literal title of the drama, “Master, I Understand” is derived from a speech by Heung Yat Jeen (Raymond’s character). In the show, he once said, “The wind, the rain, a pair of butterflies can all be called master,” referring to the fact that any inspirational object can be a person’s master/teacher. Raymond explained, “We get depressed after a loved one’s passing. However, after the loss, we also learnt to cherish the people around us. Regardless of any matter, they can always be used as an inspiration.”

Raymond described the drama as very grey and poignant, but nevertheless, a beautiful drama that imparts a message. “We want to convey the message that life is full of complexities which will affect how we go on with our life. In the drama, Evergreen Mak (麥長青) always quoted the three cents quantum theory, ‘When a person opens his eyes after closing them, he has managed to get by another day. If he cannot open his eyes again, his life has gone by.’ Everyone should learn to live in the moment and learn to let go.” Besides Evergreen, Raymond will also impart many wise words in the series, teaching others to believe in themselves to overcome difficulties.

Love Triangle

Producer Chen revealed that the premise of the series is based loosely on the legend of the Butterfly Lovers. Even the town houses were designed according to the legend.  Raymond will be involved in a love triangle with both Priscilla and Whitney Hui (許亦妮). Initially, Raymond had the illusion that he was in love with Butterfly (Whitney), but the love remains unrequited. After a chance meeting with Priscilla, they turned from sworn enemies to lovers. Priscilla described her role as a tragic figure who goes through much pain and crying. Whether the lovers in Karma Rider will end up like the Butterfly Lovers, producer Chen wants to keep that as a secret for now.

A Bald Raymond Wong

For his role as Heung Yat Jeen, Raymond had to shave his head. When his master saved him and gave him the name Yat Jeen, it was to give a new slate in life. A bare head indicated a life without problems, but later when Raymond was involved in the love triangle, his hair slowly grew back.

Evergreen’s Yi Teen Bong also played a major role in the series. After seeing the metamorphosis of a butterfly, he had the special ability of looking into a person’s fate. However, he could only see it at certain times. He later became a murder suspect and was chased by the one person whom he had saved and brought up, Heung Yat Jeen.

Comical Moments

There were some comedic moments provided by Wai Ka Hung (韋家雄) who shed his villainous role from Beauty at War <金枝慾孽貳> for comical relief in this otherwise tragic drama. Also, although Karma Rider is a period drama, it is not sest in any particular historical period. For example, Wai Ka Hung’s short hairstyle is very modern and does not belong to any period era. Also, the fighting scenes, which are mostly done by Raymond, are not specific to any martial arts sect and resemble the style found in comics.

Source: Ming Pao

This article is written by Karen for JayneStars.com.

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Responses

  1. I am at episode 2 and frankly I am lost as to what Karma Rider wants to say. THe costume is so 80s, but the execution of certain scenes are way too modern. I feel like I am watching a reject series. It may get better but right now Karma Rider is like a quirky series that I don’t get at all.

    1. whats wrong with the ’80 costumes? the best series comes from the ’80,dont be so picky and judgemental,watch the whole drama and then take your conclusion.

      1. You’re ok with it, that’s your opinion. I am not ok with it, that’s my opinion. Let’s agree to disagree.

        And I have watched 2 episodes, I can form my own opinion without you telling me what to think. You can choose to love all and not be judgmental, that is your choice. Please don’t keep repeating the same to me even if you use different names.

      2. Funn,
        Please don’t assume things and I did not repeat it. I did not use different names. So don’t accuse me of using different names.

      3. Yeah the best tv series tends to be aired in the 80’s- early 1990s, totally agree with you saulei on that.

    2. I would not say the costumes are 80s since the 80s costumes were really nice compared to these. The costumes look more 90s to me.

  2. This series is so blah. I like Raymond but his character is so boring! Priscilla doesn’t have the charisma for a lead role and she has no chemistry with Raymond. Also, what’s the point of Kaki’s character being mute when she half-asses her sign language and there’s just a voice-over her miming the words.

    1. Maybe there will be a backstory on how she turned mute or something? That’s the only reason I can think of anyway XD

  3. Jayne, this is obviously a profanity comment. Unless there is another cantonese meaning to that word.

    1. Wendy maybe you’re ok with profanity but I am not. I think we can argue without resorting to dirty words. Be classy and keep Jaynestars classy. If you think my issue with using such vulgarity as taking things so seriously, let me ask, what then to you is serious? Or is everything a joke to you?

    2. No, no. How are you certain that what Jake Chan has said is profanity? But that’s not the MAIN message of this post. I just find it a bit ironic. Why are you given special privileges and be allowed to type profanity/cussing-related words (that b word) in your episode recaps/reviews? I wasn’t okay with you using that b-letter word. How is it fair to Jacky Chan?

      If he can’t use profanity, well you shouldn’t either.
      And if you really want to jaynestars to stay classy, well you should stay away from using insults (in my opinion, cussing) in your recaps or blog posts.

    3. “How are you certain that what Jake Chan has said is profanity?”

      Did you actually read what he wrote? That one word he used which is obviously profanity? You’re worked up over what I said and yet you can’t even identify the word that is profanity. And I used profanity? Which one? And it seems you take offense to everything I write, whatever I write.

    4. Quoted: “After all that nonsense, before that we are introduced to Sam bumping into Holly who sneaks into her mom’s house looking for warranty card and let me save you the trouble of wondering OH DID THEY FALL IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT? No. She dislikes him for being a busybody when he dared say “How can you now sneak off just like that? Manna misses you!” and insensitively she shoots back “What’s this to you anyway? Don’t you have your own home to be busybody about?”

      B-I-T-C-H!! <– WHATS THIS?

      All I am saying is that both you and Jacky Chan used inappropriate words. And if you want jaynestars to be appropriate for younger readers, well stay away from them.

      And will you stop assuming things? My goodness.

    5. stay away from using inappropriate words or words that have a really bad connotation is what I meant to say.

    6. Like even if you are dissing the episodes, surely there are words that can achieve the same meaning without using that 5 letter word.

    7. Oh dear this is somehow getting rather funny. I rest my case.

      Jayne, seriously do look into jacky chan’s comment. I am sure you know which word is inappropriate.

    8. I will only say this: The word used by Jacky in his comment and the word Wendy has brought up that was used in Funn’s episode 2 recap both has a bad meaning to it.

      Both can cause harm if used heavily.

  4. i wish LF is the lead actor cos he sedlom have so many wife in the show and will be a new pairing

  5. Honestly, who is this Pricilla girl? I don’t find her acting appealing at all in Reality Check…

    1. Priscilla is a sad girl that uses her connections with Sandy Yu to get leads after leads after leads.

      1. I do not watch this series because of her; please no more Priscilla Wong; She even not deserve for a supporting role.

  6. tbh, i think this show is that bad as pointed by funn lim. If u reli look at it, its full of creativity. it offers sumthin fresh to viewers. the settings, the costume, the background of the show. and it’s has some resemblance of the mentallist series. using observations and inner calm to solve cases. jus because it’s not a star studded cast, doesn’t mean it’s a bad show. generally, it’s a different genre produced by tvb. we shudn jump into conclusion so quickly.

  7. This drama is giving me a new tbb drama sensation…so far. the story is quite interesting, and the set and costume are quite nice, it doesn’t reflect the boring “Ancient street” in tvb city at all

    1. Good to hear at least someone liking it. I also fall into the minority at times. There are times that there is a series that many don’t like but I tend to like it and vice versa.

  8. I think it was the producer’s intention to give a sense of fusion to the whole thing, i will be excited to unfold the plot..

  9. TVB has not made a good ancient series for a long time. I don’t have high hopes for this series but it may not be as bad as we think.

  10. I think Priscilla Wong should not receive leading role by a connection. She does not know how to act at all. Please learn something more about acting by receiving supporting role before taking the lead role so the audiences not feel annoyed to see you on the TV screens.

    1. Calm down. Did you watch ep 7 or not? She is getting better slowly but surely

  11. I don’t know if its just me but for a costume drama, their dialogues are really modernize.

  12. CORRECTION! The butterfly in the love triangle is not Whitney Hui (許亦妮). It is Yoyo Chen (陳自瑤 飾 胡蝶).

    I checked it from TVB’s website.. thought it was weird when I first read this article.

  13. Think that sometimes this page is sided to one party…..
    Learn to accept others opinion…. just because u hv nothing better to do than writing some review and comment, doesnt guve you the privilege. Btw, the tits2 episode thought us not thought but a REVIEW. A thought is to firm your own opinion on the episode not to repwat what is in the show. Anyway since she/he has the privilege, I rest my case.
    As for this show, the genre is not for everyone. It has depth and to reflect the consequences of an action. Maybe it is too confuse and not interesting as compare to the smart looking dude in tits2 but please dont undermind the show.
    I do find that at some point, raymond’s character is every girl dream man….every ready to come, protect and sharing everything…. ge ran after hearing the gong…sweet….

  14. Think that sometimes this page is sided to one party…..Learn to accept others opinion…. just because u hv nothing better to do than writing some review and comment, doesnt guve you the privilege. Btw, the tits2 episode thought us not thought but a REVIEW. A thought is to firm your own opinion on the episode not to repwat what is in the show. Anyway since she/he has the privilege, I rest my case.As for this show, the genre is not for everyone. It has depth and to reflect the consequences of an action. Maybe it is too confuse and not interesting as compare to the smart looking dude in tits2 but please dont undermind the show.I do find that at some point, raymond’s character is every girl dream man….every ready to come, protect and sharing everything…. ge ran after hearing the gong…sweet….

  15. Think that sometimes this page is sided to one party…..Learn to accept others opinion…. just because u hv nothing better to do than writing some review and comment, doesnt give you the privilege. Btw, the tits2 episode thought is not thought but a REVIEW. A thought is to form your own opinion on the episode not to repeat what is in the show. Anyway since she/he has the privilege, I rest my case.As for this show, the genre is not for everyone. It has depth and to reflect the consequences of an action. Maybe it is too confusing and not interesting as compare to the smart looking dude in tits2 but please dont undermind the show.I do find that at some point, raymond’s character is every girl dream man….every ready to come, protect and sharing everything…. He ran after hearing the gong…sweet….

    1. Sorry…. dont know what happen. The comment keep on posted…. sorry

  16. Think that sometimes this page is sided to one party…..Learn to accept others opinion…. just because u hv nothing better to do than writing some review and comment, doesnt give you the privilege. Btw, the tits2 episode thought is not thought but a REVIEW. A thought is to form your own opinion on the episode not to repeat what is in the show. Anyway since she/he has the privilege, I rest my case.As for this show, the genre is not for everyone. It has depth and to reflect the consequences of an action. Maybe it is too confusing and not interesting as compare to the smart looking dude in tits2 but please dont undermind the show.I do find that at some point, raymond’s character is every girl dream man….every ready to come, protect and sharing everything…. He ran to her after hearing the gong…sweet….

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