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August 30, 2015

Posted at 12:25 PM

*Spoilers Alert* - If you don't want spoilers, stop reading now

Brick Slaves depicts the problems of expensive housing costs in Hong Kong in a comical way. The storyline revolves around the property management company "All in One", and all of the main and supporting characters are linked to the company one way or another. Vincent Wong (Jack, Lau Yiu Ming) became the manager of "All in One" because he saved Eliza Sum (Peggy, Juk Bik Gei) from the sea when she accidentally fell into the water. He encountered Evergreen Mak (House, Lo Bit Dak), who worked under him and had previously interviewed him for his current position. Selena Li (Cecilia, Choi Kin Ching) became Vincent's tenant in his apartment, and they started a bickering landlord-tenant relationship. Kiki Sheung (Joyce, Lei Oi Wah) is the owner of "All in One", and she always keeps an eye on Eliza. She even arranges Eliza to work in "All in One" as an intern.

Vincent's character as Jack is highly likable. He is a good cook and enjoys helping other people. Initially, he disagrees with Evergreen a lot on how things work at "All in One". Later, the two became good co-workers. Jack is trying hard to earn money to pay off his apartment. He is one of the "brick slaves" as he always needs to be concerned of losing his job and will no longer be able to afford his mortgage. However at the end, he sold his apartment and became a chef at his restaurant instead, with the help of Selena's character. Vincent's performance as male lead did not disappoint.

The backstories of Selena's past and the true identity of Eliza's father are the suspense in the drama. I was really intrigued to learn about Selena's past that has caused her to become so aloof and erratic at times. It turns out that her boyfriend, who is Kiki's brother, passed away while trying to rush to see her at her piano performance. Since then, Selena became depressed and would not perform in front of audience. She resorted to offer people piano lessons to make a living. Later, Vincent helped Selena to step out from her past, and she regained confidence to perform again.

As for Eliza, she has mistaken Evergreen's character House as her father due to Kiki Sheung's manipulation. Later, she was distraught when she found out the people she trusted the most are all lying to her. As it turns out, K K Cheung (Martin, Chow Guan Lin), who is Kiki's husband, is actually Eliza's biological father. Kiki tried to hide the truth from Eliza in order to protect her marriage.


Evergreen's family are somewhat supporting to the drama. I especially like Rachel Kan's (Mary, Chu Ma Lei) character, who is Evergreen's wife.


The main theme of the drama is the struggle between earning money to support the mortgage of expensive apartment versus pursuing your own dream. Vincent's Jack decided to pursue his own dream at the end. He sold his apartment and invested in his own restaurant. On the other hand, Evergreen's House continued his life as a "Brick Slave", working hard to afford his family a good apartment flat and paying off mortgage.

Overall, the drama is really enjoyable. There are a lot of spots for laughs, and the performances of actors and actresses are great. The story is well-paced, and the ending wraps up everything nicely. I also really enjoy the chemistry between Vincent and Selena. I think "Brick Slaves" are one of the great dramas in 2015.

Grade: 9 out of 10

TVB.com - http://programme.tvb.com/drama/brickslaves/

Labels: Brick Slaves, Reviews, TVB Series

posted by magnolia_sara | |

August 17, 2015

Posted at 9:43 AM

Brick Slaves - Main Theme Song "Four Hundred Square Feet" - Sang by Edwin Siu


作曲：朱俊傑
作詞：楊熙
編曲: 朱俊傑
監制: 朱俊傑


好想休假　光陰偏有限
Really wants to take vacation, but time is not enough
未能換衫　即刻飛去玩
Cannot change clothes yet, but immediately fly to the vacation spot
誰可辭工無代價
Who can resign from his job without consequences
一千幾百　都不敢怠慢
One thousand and a couple of hundred dollars. There is no room of slowness
為房地產　天天都要慳
Every day needs to be stingy because of real estate
需知一失業更煩　（哎呀）
Must know that if being laid off, it is more troublesome (Aiya)
人人明白四百呎如火棒
Everyone understands that four hundred square feet (flat) feels like a fire torch
租金那升幅可曾放慢
The rise in rents have not gotten slower
唯求盡責為了父母和子女
In order to be responsible to parents and children
永未停下　（哪可退下）
There is no stopping (Cannot move down)
然後然後然後四百呎仍迫壓
And then the four hundred feet square is still pressuring
過廿年亦得一磚一瓦
After twenty years, still remain the brick house
大半生虔誠地全為樓有用嗎　（太多困惑）
The whole life devoted to buying an apartment is worthwhile or not (too many troubles)
也許不過自製麻煩
Or it is just creating your own troubles
欣賞一下　天空多蔚藍
Appreciate the sky that is blue in color
為何未敢　於草地懶散
Why not dare to relax on the grass
誰想忙碌如習慣
Who wants to be accustomed to always busy

無奈已四季無休假
Helplessly without holidays for four seasons
薪金那升幅依然有限
The pay raise is still limited
唯求盡責為了父母和子女
In order to be responsible to parents and children
永未停下　（哪可退下）
There is no stopping (Cannot move down)
然後然後然後四百呎仍迫壓
And then the four hundred square feet is still pressuring
過廿年亦得一磚一瓦
After twenty years, still remain the brick house
大半生虔誠地全為樓有用嗎　（太多困惑）
The whole life devoted to buying an apartment is worthwhile or not (too many troubles)
也許不過自製麻煩
Or it is just creating your own troubles


Song credited to: 星夢娛樂 The Voice Entertainment Group

Labels: Brick Slaves, Lyrics Translations, Theme Song, TVB Series

posted by magnolia_sara | |