House Of Harmony And Vengeance

House Of Harmony And Vengeance is an engaging television drama series first aired in 2012 from Hong Kong-based television broadcaster, TVB. The show was skillfully helmed by renowned director Lau Choi-Wan, who displayed brilliant storytelling capabilities by offering an impeccable blend of drama, action, and romance. This review aims to provide an overview of the series without dropping any significant spoilers that might ruin your viewing experience.

This television series revolves around the machinations of the city's most illustrious household, the 'Pong family.' The family owns a famous resident opera troupe known for its enchanting performances and for safeguarding and promoting the tradition of Cantonese opera. The story is primarily set in the Qing dynasty, overtly reflecting the ornate architectural style, rich culture, intrinsic traditions, and authentic costumes from the era.

The story is led by Bobby Au-yeung, who masterfully plays the character of 'Poon Tsz-hang,' a reliable and trustworthy staff member in the Pong family. Alongside him, the show boasts a strong ensemble cast including Linda Chung as 'Ling Fung,' a passionate opera singer and Myolie Wu, who plays a stoically loyal maid within the household, among others.

This series captures a vibrant tapestry of varied characters, each resonating with their distinctive traits, aspirations, and struggles. It gracefully maneuvers through the complexities of their interwoven lives, painting a vivid picture of the dynamic relationships between employees and their masters, the rivalries and alliances, and the delicate confluence of friendships and romantic entanglements.

The narrative of House Of Harmony And Vengeance manages to stand out due to its intricate depiction of the traditional opera world. This offers not just a fresh backdrop but also a unique perspective to the characters' ongoing drama, further enhancing its appeal. The director Lau Choi-Wan sprinkles authenticity by incorporating meticulously-designed operas throughout the series. The vibrant dances, splendid costumes, and impeccable performances prove to be not just visually appealing but also play a predominant role in unraveling the plot.

The series is not all about harmony; there's a fair share of vengeance too. The narrative doesn't shy away from exploring the darker facets of human emotions, astutely delving into themes of envy, revenge, betrayal, and a lust for power. These elements create intriguing plot twists that keep the viewer hooked and invested in the narrative.

The show puts up a spectacular production quality with its luscious settings, lavishing costume designs, and authenticity in recreating the Qing Dynasty's aura. Furthermore, the series gets well-overlayed with a melodious soundtrack, blending perfectly with the opera theme and heightening the melodramatic scenes' emotional impact.

The messages weaved into the narrative about love, loyalty, honor, and the pursuit of arts amidst adversity strike a chord with the audience. Characters are shown being forced to confront their personal flaws, rectify their past mistakes, maintain harmony within, seek revenge, and eventually, learn the art of forgiveness.

Additionally, the series is an excellent blend of historical drama, humor, and romance. Lau Choi-Wan ensures that the plot doesn't take itself too seriously and includes plenty of laugh-out-loud comedic moments to lighten the overall mood. The intelligent interweaving of humor helps to counterbalance the drama's inherently intense nature, offering the viewer an enjoyable and balanced viewing experience.

To sum up, House Of Harmony And Vengeance is an intriguing tale of drama and romance set in an operatic backdrop of the Qing Dynasty. With its stellar cast, top-notch production, engrossing narrative and eye-catching visuals, the show is sure to appeal to fans of historical drama, music, and those who appreciate beautifully layered storytelling. It is a triumphant result of Lau Choi-Wan's vision, offering audiences an enriching viewing experience.