Casinos, gangsters, and broken hearts in 1930s Shanghai — everyone's gambling with their lives.
Season 1 • Episode 40
LatestKEUNG and CHING decide to start their new lives in France. LIK blesses them. YIU sends assassinates to kill KEUNG and LIK in the performance. LIK is killed. In LIK's funeral, YIU checks LIK's corpse. Suddenly KEUNG and LIK come and YIU is killed. CHING is shocked and sad. CHING cannot forgive KEUNG who has killed her father. She decides to go to France alone. The French Ambassador is discontented with KEUNG and LIK whose influence has become so great in Shanghai. He tries to stir the troubled water between them. However they are not affected as they trust each other. HAU prays day after day and takes care of HOI. Finally HOI recovers. They decide to leave Shanghai and go to Northeast China. HOI warns KEUNG that it is better for him to quit and leave Shanghai. However KEUNG finds that he has no choice but stay in Shanghai, struggling with his opponents.
Set in 1930s Shanghai, the story opens with legendary gambler Gon and his vow to recover his father's casino from Shanghai tycoon Fung In his quest, he becomes acquainted with Sou and uncovers her fiance's nefarious conspiracy. Sou gives her heart to Gon, but he can't forget his old love Gu. Meanwhile, up-and-coming gangster Hui Man Keung is quickly making his name in Shanghai. Crossing paths during chaotic times, Hui, Gon, and Ding Lik become brothers and business partners, but Fung recruits Hui and Ding to his side through backhanded methods. Though deeply in love with Fung's daughter Ching Ching, Hui can only turn away from love and friendship when Fung's true nature is revealed. Fung, however, is not about to just let Hui walk away.
Acting
Adam Cheng's tortured gambler energy carries entire episodes.
Costume
1930s Shanghai glamour that drips with period authenticity.
Writing
Betrayals layered so thick you'll need a flowchart.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This series adapts the same source material as the iconic 1980 Chow Yun-fat film 'Shanghai Bund,' making it fascinating to compare interpretations.
The tycoon Fung's character archetype — benevolent facade masking ruthless ambition — became a template for countless Hong Kong gangster dramas that followed.
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