All That Is Bitter Is Sweet
All That Is Bitter Is Sweet is a 2014 Hong Kong period, medical, romance drama produced by TVB, starring Linda Chung, Ruco Chan and Raymond Wong Ho-yin as the main leads, with Natalie Tong, Pierre Ngo, Sammy Sum and Elliot Ngok as the major supporting roles. Filming took place from November 2013 to February 2014. The drama began broadcasting on September 8, 2014 on TVB Jade channel during its 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. timeslot, and finished airing on October 17, 2014 with 30 episodes total.
Synopsis
The show is set during the Republic of China, when each region of China was ruled by local warlords. The Dou family of Foshan is an affluent family that owns and runs Sheung Chun Tong, the largest traditional Chinese apothecary in town. Bad times, however, came during an epidemic. When the apothecary's product caused the death of the Mayor's eldest son, Dou Sam is imprisoned, and the apothecary was ordered closed. Sam's only daughter, Dou Gaai Kei, then took on the task of investigating her fiancé's death, in hopes of releasing her father. Together with Ding Yat Yuen, a businessman with a dubious reputation, they stumble upon a big conspiracy that could rock Chinese politics.Cast
Main cast
- Linda Chung as Dou Gaai Kei
- Ruco Chan as Ting Yat Yuen
- Raymond Wong Ho-yin as Chong Kei Cho / Chong Kei Chung
- Natalie Tong as Hui Kwan Yeuk
Supporting cast
Dou family
- Yan Pak as Ling Fung Yee
- Du Yan Ge as Dou Sam
- Shirley Yeung as Fung Yuk Kam
- Pierre Ngo as Dou Yung
Chong family
- Pat Poon as Chong Deoi Yu
- Susan Tse as Wai Chau Hing
- Elliot Ngok as Hui Sung Ming
- Kitty Lau as Ha Jie
- Kate Tsang as Siu Ting
- Lydia Law as Ha Yuk
Foshan Police
- Sammy Sum as Ngai Chun
- Dickson Li as Man Keung
- Kong Wing Fai as Mo Kit
Ding Yat Yuen's gang
Shun Chun Tong
- Yu Chi Ming as Chong Suk
- Owen Cheung as Gai Gei Jai
- Moses Cheng as Ah Fu
- Aaryn Cheung as Ah Hoi
- Chan Wing Chun as Physician Cheng
- Lee Hoi San as Yeung Bak
- Samantha Ko as Pin Pin
- Rainbow Ching as Hung Yut Ho
- Jimmy Au as Wong Jing Wing
- Man Yeung as Secretary Yuen
- Siu Koi Yan as Cun Fa
- Christy Chan as Cau Yut
- Akai Lee as Wong Tat
- Louis Szeto as Ah Fa
- Raymond Tsang as Guk's father
- Esther Wan as Guk's mother
Development
- The Sale Presentation clip was filmed in October 2013. The 1 minute 2 second clip previewed in November 2013 features all of the main actors that are confirmed to have a role in the drama.
- On November 1, 2013 the drama costume fitting ceremony was held at Tseung Kwan O TVB City Studio One.
- The blessing ceremony took place on November 20, 2014 at Tseung Kwan O TVB City.
- On March 25, 2014, a trailer of the drama was previewed at FILMART 2014.