On the eve of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, "The Story of the Lion Rock" starring Huang Jue, Myolie Wu, and Li Zhiting was broadcast on CCTV's comprehensive channel. Tea restaurant, barbecued pork rice, Cantonese songs... It seems to be an old friend who has been reunited for a long time. As soon as the broadcast started, many audiences were brought back to the familiar atmosphere of the era. And as the plot moves forward, the audience is even more surprised to find that this is not only the aftertaste of Hong Kong flavor, but also witnesses the return of people's hearts. Through this drama, the audience sees the struggle life of ordinary Hong Kong workers who bear hardships and stand hard work and help each other, and see the background and true colors of Hong Kong society through the fate of ordinary Hong Kong citizens.

"Story Under the Lion Rock" poster

The TV series "Story Under the Lion Mountain" writes a story inside and outside the tea restaurant, taking the life circumstances of two generations as the context, reflecting the signing of the "Sino-British Joint Declaration", Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the Asian financial turmoil, Beijing's successful bid for the Olympics, The impact of major historical events such as fighting against the SARS epidemic as a whole has written about the ups and downs of ordinary people in Hong Kong under the changing times, and interprets the family and country feelings that a small family and the country are in the same boat, and Hong Kong and the mainland share a common destiny.
"Story Under the Lion Rock" began with the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in 1984 and ended with the vigorous development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. In the past 40 years, Hong Kong society has undergone tremendous changes. As a unique symbol of Hong Kong's food culture, tea restaurants have long been deeply embedded in the daily life of Hong Kong citizens, participating in their joys, sorrows and joys, and witnessing their struggles. "Story Under the Lion Rock" uses a tea restaurant as the main scene, which is very down-to-earth, suitable and natural for both Hong Kong audiences and mainland audiences.

"Story under the Lion Mountain" stills

Classic scenes are inseparable from typical characters. In the "Like You" tea restaurant, group portraits of Hong Kong citizens with different backgrounds and personalities are condensed. Li Gaoshan, a native Hong Kong citizen, is pure-hearted and kind-hearted; Liang Huan, from Foshan, Guangdong, is self-improvement, tenacity and perseverance; although Lao Jin was a gambler in his early years, he was righteous and open-minded. On the right path; Western chef Luo Tong is funny and happy, and he is a happy friend with the "Hong Kong-style pretty lady" Zhen Qianmei, who is tough on the outside and soft on the inside; Each character has a distinct personality, and their personal characteristics are obvious and their pursuits are different, but they are compatible and coexist and support each other.
The valuable thing about this show is that it does not shy away from the weaknesses of human nature. From individual Hong Kong people's prejudice against new immigrants to various suspicions in the face of interests; from speculation in real estate to the stratum differentiation caused by the gap between the rich and the poor - "The Story of the Lion Rock" conveys through an inclusive, A warm and positive force to face difficulties, build hope, bridge barriers, and move forward hand in hand - this is the source of Hong Kong's vitality. As the background music in the play sings, "Let go of the contradictions in each other's hearts, pursue the ideal together, and swear by those in the same boat, fearless and fearless..."

Huang Jue as Laukin

The spirit of a city is not an ornament, it is always reflected in the details of life and in the background of society. By presenting the real life experienced by ordinary Hong Kong citizens, "Story Under the Lion Rock" not only vividly portrays the spirit of hard work, hard work, pioneering spirit, flexibility and self-improvement, but also uses the word "love" to reveal the Chinese family's affection , love, friendship, family and national conditions. The strong human touch in the whole TV series allows the audience to see the life in Hong Kong and understand the connection between Hong Kong and the mainland.
As the new generation of young people in the tea restaurant enters adulthood, the direction of the storyline begins to become more open. From the inseparable "Give Me Six" out of Sai Ying Pun, he has grown into an excellent teacher, reporter, police officer, engineer, investment consultant, and angel in white. They continue the excellent quality of the previous generation's hard work and progress. At the same time, they have received better education and have a broader vision, representing the backbone of Hong Kong's prosperity and development. Through the "first perspective" of young people such as Li Youyou and Luo Zikang, the audience once again reviewed the extraordinary development of Hong Kong since its return to the motherland 25 years ago. The Asian financial turmoil in 1998, SARS raging in 2003, the international financial crisis in 2008... Every time faced with difficulties and challenges, the mainland of the motherland is always obliged to help at a critical moment, helping Hong Kong turn the crisis into an opportunity and tide over the difficulties. This guarantees the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

Myolie Wu as Liang Huan

It is in the process of closer relations and deepening exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland that the new generation of young people gradually established a national concept and identity, began to recognize the important opportunities brought to Hong Kong by the rapid development of the mainland of the motherland, and took the initiative to integrate into Guangdong. The overall situation of the construction of the Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and national development. In the play, Luo Zikang, Luo Ziliang, Lao Yongan and other young people have gone north to pursue their dreams one after another, and the "Like You" tea restaurant has also opened branches in Foshan, Zhuhai, Zhongshan and other places. As Liang Huan said at the end of the story: "Returning to the motherland will make Hong Kong stronger." With the strong backing of the motherland, the people of Hong Kong have a broader space for development and a more solid and happy life.
"Story Under the Lion Rock" allows the audience to see once again that the fate of Hong Kong is closely linked to the fate of the motherland. Any storm will pass, and fireworks on earth are the most lasting and most delicious life. This drama is a biography of ordinary people, allowing the audience to feel the affection of Hong Kong people's home and country from the fireworks in the market. This is the background and true color of Hong Kong society.
(The author is the vice-chairman of the Chinese Literature and Art Critics Association and a doctoral supervisor of Communication University of China. This article was originally published in the seventh edition of the People's Daily Overseas Edition on June 29, 2022, with the original title of "The Story under the Lion Mountain": From Fireworks in the market feel the affection of Hong Kong people's home and country")