The Challenge of Life

Starring: Leon Lai, Kitty Lai, Jacqueline Law, Lau Ching Wan, Lam Man Long, Monica Chan

"THE CHALLENGE OF LIFE" is still one of my favourite modern series. I think it was the series that introduced Leon Lai to small screen audience. It's funny to see that any new actor with the potential to become famous would be given the role of a triad member. The "bad boy image" probably attracts the audience?

Anyway, back to the summary of the series, Leon and Jacqueline were cousins. Leon's mother died and asked Jacqueline's parents to take care of him as his father was a triad member. I still remember the actor who played Leon's dad. He was always drunk and scared the hell out of everyone in Jacqueline's family. Lam Man Long and Lau Ching Wan were Jacqueline's older brothers. Later, as Leon's father kept on harrassing the family, Jacqueline's mother reported him to the police. During the chase with the police, Leon's father drove his car into the river and was supposedly dead. Leon ran away from since he thought that Jacqueline's family had caused his father's death.

Fast forward into the future, Lau Ching Wan became a policeman. Jacqueline was a college student and her best friend was Kitty Lai. Kitty had been secretly in love with Lau Ching Wan, however, he did not notice her. By chance, Jacqueline was saved by Leon, who was a triad member. They fell in love but he did not know that she was his cousin and he still felt hatred for Jacqueline's family. Monica worked at a radio station and she later met and fell in love with Lau Ching Wan. During this time, Leon's father re-appeared and sought revenge. He was now a very rich man and was still involved in illegal activity. In one desperate moment, Jacqueline's mother told him that Lam Man Long was in fact his son so he would not kill them. From here, complications started as Lam Man Long's character would do anything to keep his new-found fortune.

Leon was quite good in his role. He portrayed the character's pain well. Jacqueline was really cute as the smart, witty, and lovely girl. Lam Man Long was perfect in his role as the villain of the series. I did not like Kitty Lai's role in here though. Somehow, I don't think she fits to play passive role as a sweet and gentle girl or is it because I got so used to seeing her in more playful character.

The series was enjoyable. It is good for entertainment with subplot of love, murder, and revenge. Though you wouldn't get any deep and meaningful message out of this series (in case you expect to from the English title) it is still worth seeing.