Photo credit: encoreTVB
10 Beyond the Realm of Conscience《宮心計》(2009)
Beyond the Realm of Conscience was one of the two TVB productions made in 2009 to celebrate the channel’s forty-second anniversary, and features an all-star cast. Its title is a play on the phrase 攻心計, a homonymous phrase which means “to plot with a devious heart,” reflecting the overall theme of the storyline itself.
Set in the latter years of the Tang dynasty, Lau Sam-ho (played by Charmaine Sheh) and Yiu Kam-ling (Tavia Yeung) enter the palace as young children. Though Kam-ling was technically Sam-ho’s servant outside the palace, the girls grew up together and have a close sisterly bond, and both work as palace servants within the Imperial Household Bureau.
Dowager Concubine Cheng’s son, Prince Lee Yi (Moses Chan), encounters Sam-ho as a child and holds affectionate feelings towards her kind nature, but is forced to fake a mental illness and is sent from the palace in a bid to protect his life. He eventually grows up and returns to fight for his place on the throne, aided by Sam-ho and imperial scholar Ko Hin-yeung (Kevin Cheng). The three develop a love triangle, while Kam-ling resolves to become powerful and respected, and begins climbing the ranks of the concubines and scheming to get rid of her competitors, which eventually includes Sam-ho.
Hong Kong audiences are generally very receptive of the palace intrigue format, and Beyond the Realm of Conscience was a highly anticipated drama that was positively received. Apart from Tavia Yeung’s first time playing a villainous role, this series was also much noted for its lavish costumes, hairstyles, and use of colours and make-up to show the hidden personalities of characters.