Beyond the Realm of Conscience

Plot

Gong Choi-king, a jewellery maker, is forced back into the palace with her daughter, Lau Sam-ho and their servant, Yiu Kam-ling. She was assigned the task of making a beautiful, gold hairpiece in the shape of a phoenix, with a luminous pearl as the eye and the feathers of a river kingfisher as the tail for the Empress Dowager. However, during the Empress' daily walk around the imperial garden, the phoenix headpiece suddenly weeped tears of blood. Taking this as a sign of bad luck, the Empress throws the hairpiece away and demands Choi-king to be severely punished. Choi-king suffers harsh beating as her punishment and passes away. Before her death, she tells Sam-ho to always remember the significance of her name ("Speak good words, do good deeds, show good will."). She also tells her to help and work together with Kam-ling as if they are sisters.

Around the time of Choi-king's death, Dowager Concubine Cheng's son, Lee Yi, the prince, encounters a 6 year old Sam-ho. He shows kindness to her by giving her some white flowers from Choi-king's favourite tree, the Chinese viburnum (瓊花), so she can take it to her dying mother. Empress Dowager was still very angry because of the hair piece and asked the new head of the Jewellery department, Yuen Chui-wan to shatter it. However, Yuen Chui-wan believed that the hairpiece is a one of a kind masterpiece, therefore she injures her own hand to protect it. She tells Empress Dowager that the hair piece is full of bad luck and if it is shattered, then all of the bad luck will merge with the air. Taking this as an advantage, Empress Dowager forces Dowager Concubine Cheng to wear the hair piece and tells her because of her good spirit, she can block the bad luck from the entering the palace. After a short period of time, bad luck begins to happen to Dowager Concubine Cheng and her son Lee Yi. A rumour spreads around the palace that Lee Yi fell from the tree and injured his head, causing his brain to remain as a 6-year-old boy forever. Lee Yi uses this as an excuse to escape the imminent death threat from the Empress Dowager. Sam-ho gives him some sweet lotus seed candy to comfort him on the journey as he is sent away from the palace. The young prince begins to develop a small affection for her.

The Imperial Household Bureau is responsible for managing and directing all household services to the Emperor and the Imperial family of the Tang Dynasty. It is made up of four departments, namely the Houses of Jewelry, Attire, Food, and Furnishing. Sam-ho and Kam-ling are introduced into the bureau in their childhood and are brought up as the disciples in the palace. Yuen Tsui-wan, Head of the Jewels, and Chung Suet-ha, Head of Attire, are both very fond of Sam-ho for she is a kind-hearted young girl and shows great capabilities in the decorative arts of jewellery and silk work. Both of them fight bitterly to have Sam-ho in their departments. In the end, Sam-ho is assigned to Department of Attire while, Kam-Ling is assigned to the Department of Jewelry.

Cast

Main

Note: Some of the characters' names are in Cantonese romanisation.

Charmaine Sheh as Lau Sam Ho 劉三好.

Tavia Yeung as Yiu Kam Ling 姚金鈴. Yiu is the Lau family's servant and adopted daughter.

Moses Chan as Li Yi.

Kevin Cheng as Ko Hin Yeung 高顯揚

Recurring

Note: Some of the characters' names are in Cantonese romanisation.

Main characters

Lau Sam-Ho – Sam-Ho is a kind-hearted maid who took her mother and father's teachings to heart. Her parents taught her to speak kind words, do good deeds, and bear a kind heart. She always cares for and helps everyone in the palace to the best of her abilities. She is very close with Yiu Kam-Ling, with whom she has sworn sisterhood. She is the love interest of both Ko Hin-Yeung and Emperor Lee Yi. Sam-ho started her service in the Department of Embroidery, but was eventually promoted to be the Head of Jewellery Proceedings. She was later chosen as Lee Yi's concubines because she was pregnant with Hin-Yeung's child. Lee Yi made her his concubine to save her.

Yiu Kam-Ling – Kam-Ling initially starts out as a maid in the Department of Jewellery. During her time in the department, she suffers and perpetrates back-stabbing and torture. Her suffering leads her to believe that she has to plot, manipulate, and formulate schemes to survive and avoid further suffering in the palace. She eventually marries Emperor Lee Yi and becomes his concubine. She continuously schemes to destroy her competitors. She eventually became delusional and insane after Emperor Lee Yi punished her with lifelong confinement to her palace pavilion for all her evil deeds.

Yuen Chui-Wan – In the beginning, Chui-Wan serves as Deputy Leader of Jewellery Proceedings. Her dedication and hard work are eventually recognized, and she is promoted to serve as Head of the same department. Chui-Wan is a self spoken, wise woman who never accuses anyone without proof. Throughout the series, she is made Head of Furnishing Proceedings and Head of Embroidery Proceedings. She is in a feud with Suet-Ha (Michelle Yim) because she accuses her of tampering with her food by adding an ingredient to which she was allergic. As a result of her sickness, she was not permitted to leave the palace with her lover, General Man. It is later revealed that she has a son with General Man. By series end, it is implied that Bo Gut-chong took their son out of the palace and left him in the care of an outside healer.

Chung Suet-Ha – Suet-Ha starts out as Head of Embroidery Proceedings. She mistakes Chiu-wan for sabotaging her many years ago, causing her permit to leave the palace to be revoked. As a result, she was unable to see her dying mother. This starts a feud between the two friends who have once sworn sisterhood. She always opposes Chui-Wan. They eventually reconcile their differences. She is later promoted to be the Head of Palace Proceedings. When she thinks that Chui-Wan killed her to be husband purposely, she begins to try to make Chui-Wan suffer and wants to get revenge for her to-be husband. They reconciled by the end of the series and remained friends.

Historical basis

Parts of the plot of the drama series are inspired or based on historical facts or beliefs.

Dramatized historical figures

Empress Dowager Guo (Susan Tse) – Empress Dowager and Grand Empress Dowager Guo is based on a historical figure of the same name, who was recorded in history as being the rival of Empress Dowager Zheng.

Empress Dowager Zheng (Mary Hon) – based on a historical figure of the same name, initially a maid to the Imperial Household who caught the Emperor's attentions and was elevated to the status of an imperial concubine.

Emperor Xuānzong of Tang (Moses Chan) – based on Emperor Xuānzong who succeeded Empress Dowager Guo's grandson Emperor Wuzong of Tang as Emperor of the Tang.

Emperor Wuzong of Tang (Edwin Siu) – based on the Emperor Wuzong who succeeded his brother Emperor Wenzong of Tang as Emperor of the Tang.

Emperor Muzong of Tang (Eric Li (actor)) – based on the Emperor that preceded by Emperor Xianzong of Tang and succeeded by his son Emperor Jingzong of Tang. Neither of the latter two are featured in the series.

Li Jun, Prince of Qi 杞王李峻 (Jeffrey Wong) – based on the eldest son of Emperor Wuzong, of whom nothing is known, in the series he assisted Emperor Xuānzong in defeating the character of Ma Yuan Zhi in return for the throne which he rejected in the end.

Consort Wang 王貴妃 (Tracy Ip) – based on the favourite concubine of Emperor Wuzong, Consort Wang (Wuzong) 王賢妃. Consort Wang was never titled guifei in reality. During her lifetime she held the position of a cairen which was a lower rank of imperial concubine than a guifei. She was posthumously honoured as yinfei by Emperor Xuãnzong, who was in reality moved by Consort Wang's devotion to her husband.

Ma Yuan Zhi (Lee Kwok Lun) – loosely based on a trusted and powerful eunuch of the same name under the rule of Emperor Xuãzong. The character portrayed by Lee Kwok Lun is a combination of two powerful figures, the eunuch Ma Yuan Zhi and military statesman Ma Zhi, who were known dually as the "Two Mas".

Historical facts

Empress Dowager or Grand Empress Dowager Guo was resented by Concubine Dowager (later Empress Dowager) Zheng. The two women were rivals for a long period of time, especially after the ascension of the latter's son Emperor Xuãnxong. The Grand Empress Dowager was disrespected by Empress Dowager Zheng and Lee Yi to such an extent that she really attempted suicide by throwing herself off the tower.

Grand Empress Dowager Guo tried to commit suicide as she failed to demand respect from Emperor Xuānzong and Empress Dowager Zheng. She tried to jump from the Qinzheng Tower, but failed. That night, she died, though the cause of her death remains a mystery. It is suspected that Emperor Xuãnzong hashed her put to death.

Consort Wang was in the rank of cairen instead of guifei during her lifetime as her family was neither prominent nor noble. It was only after her death that she was elevated to the rank of yinfei. It is traditionally held that Consort Wang and her husband were truly in love with each other.

Instead of being sentenced to death by Empress Dowager Guo, in history she committed suicide because she was saddened by the death of her spouse. This moved even the jealous concubines who resented the devotion she had from her husband, and even Emperor Xuãnzong himself.

Li Yi is believed to have sought refuge at a Taoist monastery at some point, though this is not a confirmed historical fact.

Li Yi was thought to have had low intelligence and confidence before he ascended to the throne. However, after his ascension he revealed extraordinary abilities as a political leader.

Emperor Wuzong did suffer during the latter part of his reign in health due to alchemists' pills. In the series, he was given a pill by the fictional huifei who thought it would be of benefit to him. Many of the Tang Emperors actually believed in the purported health benefits of these pills, though modern scientific evidence reveals that these pills were toxic.

Emperor Wuzong was killed by ambitious powerful eunuchs that held immense power at the latter part of the Tang Dynasty, which was already nearing its end during the time setting of the series. The eunuchs in the series killed him to place Li Yi on the throne because they thought that he would be easy to control, as the Prince of Guang put on a facade.

Production

Development

Since the successful Korean blockbuster drama, Jewel in the Palace, reached a final peak 50 rating points, and topped the chart in Hong Kong in 2005, Hong Kong had been waiting for another breathtaking production to the likes of Jewel in the Palace. After in 2004, the highly successful TVB drama series War and Beauty gripped a huge audience and gained excellent ratings. Producer Mui Siu Ching, who is highly familiar to this type of darker plot, with her experiences in dramas such as Forensic Heroes and The Brink of Law, moved straight to commission this drama production which genre to costume series revolving around the conflicts and struggle within the inner palace. In late 2008, a trailer was released at TVB's sales presentation. A costume fitting took place on 17 February 2009. The series was originally planned to start filming in December 2008, but executives felt it had potential to be a grand production and pushed filming to February 2009 with the script modified from the original 25 episodes to 33 and new costumes were designed specifically for the series.

The original working title known as Palace Schemes linked the story to scheming hearts of women in the royal palace. Although its Chinese title kept on the same meaning, the English title was changed to Beyond the Realm of Conscience. When initial script was first submitted, it was temporarily called Lau Sam Ho, representing Charmaine Sheh's character. 50% of the storyline from the sales presentation trailer was changed. It yielded the some development in casting, costume, setting, character and screenplay as well.

Casting

Charmaine Sheh was cast as the protagonist. Two previous TVB award-winning actors, Moses Chan and Kevin Cheng are also featured. TVB Best Supporting Actress 2008 winner Tavia Yeung portrays her first villainous role, which was also the most challenging role she has taken on for the past 10 years. Other experienced actresses starring alongside her also played famous villainous roles including Susanna Kwan (villain in Heart of Greed), Michelle Yim (villain in Moonlight Resonance) Susan Tse (villain in Rosy Business).

Selena Li was cast as Mun Bou Yin to motivate younger audiences. Christine Ng and Fala Chen, who were featured in the trailer were replaced by Kara Wai and Yoyo Chen due to scheduling conflicts.

Location and costume

The series was only filmed in Hong Kong, unlike 2003's costume drama War and Beauty. The outdoor scenes were filmed in local parks and within TVB City. High rise buildings that surrounded the parks were removed in post production.

Sheh's character had 17 image and 30 set of custom-made costumes. Cheng's wig with middle parting was made by the same master who crafted Tony Leung's wig in Red Cliff while Chan's emperor wig was specially created with braided pattern. The wigs were heavy and the female cast needed to keep some painkillers handy during the costume fitting. As the height of the wig represents social status, Susan Tse who played the Empress had the tallest wig, taking 3 hours to prepare for makeup and setting hairstyle. Yeung pointed out that the female cast in the series suffer from neck and shoulder pains, "The head ornaments are too heavy. So, by the time we finish filming the series, everyone will probably suffer from cervical vertebrae inflammation (swelling)! As soon as the head ornament goes on, our necks already have problems. Right now, my neck and shoulders are swollen. I have to apply ointment on them every night."

250 sets of costumes were made representing the 4 departments in the palace; embroidery department used lilies and the pink color, jewelry department used peonies and the blue color, food department used chrysanthemums and the orange color, and upholstery department used lotus and the green color.

Format

The series is in a miniseries format, typical throughout East Asia. It revolves around palace scheming, which has been featured in numerous TVB television series before Beyond the Realm of Conscience and also beyond Hong Kong, China and Taiwan in dramas from Korea and other East Asian countries. These series were originally made popular by War and Beauty, also produced by TVB in 2004 and also as an anniversary grand production. However, this series is different in that carries the typical message that good (Lau Sam Ho, Charmaine Sheh) always beats evil (Yiu Kam Ling, Tavia Yeung). War and Beauty depicts the lives of four imperial concubines who all scheme to rise.

Reception

Initial audience anticipation of the series before airing was mostly positive, reported as being a highly anticipated drama following its sales presentation. Some audience also looked forward to Tavia Yeung being cast as a villain for the first time. Some viewers also criticised Charmaine Sheh's character of "Lau Sam Ho" as being "too perfect" and unrealistic.

Tavia Yeung's acting skills initially received criticism from viewers saying that she was not "evil" enough for her role as "Yiu Gam Ling" but by the end of the series, she won praise. Sheh also received praise for her acting, in particular in the final episode. The series also received acclaim from critics for its elaborate costumes and plot.

The comparison of the series to TVB's 2004 War and Beauty received much retaliation from fans. The plotting and scheming of the characters in Beyond the Realm of Conscience was repeatedly inferior to that of War and Beauty. Others argued that the series was superior in portraying the vulnerability of those less powerful. Sheh and Chan who starred in both series, defended the popularity of both series.

Ratings wise the drama performed extremely well from the start. The first episode received an index rating of 34 points (2.14 million viewers) and peaking at 36 points (2.29 million viewers), breaking TVB's 2003 record for a first episode. The second week of the series was better received, with a peak of 41 points for episode 6. It maintained a steady progress in subsequent weeks. Sheh hoped that Beyond the Realm of Conscience, would break Korean drama Jewel in the Palace's record. For the final episode the series managed to receive 50 points for the scene in which the characters of Sam Ho and Ko Hin Yeung were reunited. The drama attracted 1% more viewers, with 98% of viewers against the formers's 97%, pleased both drama's producer and cast, and meant that Beyond the Realm of Conscience finished as TVB's most viewed series in 2009.

Accolades