ViuTV Drama 'Under the Rainbow' Explores Family, Friendship Amid Choi Hung Estate Demolition
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago6 MIN
Summary
ViuTV's original drama Under the Rainbow (日落下的彩虹) premiered on July 29, Monday to Friday at 9:30pm on Channel 99, portraying the heartfelt stories of residents facing the impending demolition of Choi Hung Estate in Kowloon. Produced by Wong Chi-wah and Kwok Ka-man, and directed by Liu Wai-hang, the series brings together a stellar cast including Poon Chun-leung, Nancy Tang, Stanley Kao (邱士縉), Day (許軼), Ha Yu (夏雨), and veteran actors Kwok Fung (郭峰), Ng Yuen-yee (吳浣儀), and Chau Ka-yi (周家怡) .
Key Points
- The drama unfolds seven interconnected stories set in the iconic Choi Hung Estate, which has stood for over 60 years and is now slated for redevelopment, capturing the essence of Hong Kong's vanishing grassroots communities .
- The Elegant Barbershop (華麗理髮廳) storyline features model couple Bin-ge (Poon Chun-leung) and Bin-so (Nancy Tang), whose decision to divorce after their son Morning Kid turns 18 shocks their daughter Windy (Day), who secretly investigates the true reason behind her parents' separation .
- Actor Stanley Kao plays Lee Zi-bai, a former convict who joins the barbershop due to debt problems and harbors a mysterious connection to the estate's history, adding dramatic intrigue to the narrative .
- The parallel Au family storyline follows single mother Auntie Lan (Ng Yuen-yee), whose three children—Benson (Johnny), Alice (Chau Ka-yi), and Jiaqi (Leung Yip)—turn against each other over public housing allocation benefits, leading to public confrontations and emotional breakdown .
- Windy's friendship with Sunnie (Ho Lok-yo) and Moon (Ge Chuoyao) deteriorates as the trio abandons their childhood promise to "break free from Choi Hung together," with Sunnie left alone maintaining their shared studio dream .
Why It Matters
The drama resonates deeply with Hong Kong audiences who have witnessed numerous historic neighborhoods face redevelopment, reflecting collective anxieties about losing community bonds and nostalgic connections in an rapidly changing cityscape .
By featuring veteran actors Ha Yu and Kwok Fung—whose careers spanned over five decades—as they bid farewell to the beloved Choi Hung setting, the series pays tribute to Hong Kong's grassroots culture and serves as an emotional time capsule for generations of residents who grew up in similar public housing estates .
The drama resonates deeply with Hong Kong audiences who have witnessed numerous historic neighborhoods face redevelopment, reflecting collective anxieties about losing community bonds and nostalgic connections in an rapidly changing cityscape .
By featuring veteran actors Ha Yu and Kwok Fung—whose careers spanned over five decades—as they bid farewell to the beloved Choi Hung setting, the series pays tribute to Hong Kong's grassroots culture and serves as an emotional time capsule for generations of residents who grew up in similar public housing estates .