"Twelve Deadly Coins" First 3D Chinese Drama, Starring Sammul Chan

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After going through a lackluster career at TVB, Sammul Chan (陳鍵鋒) moved his career prospects to mainland China, and reached nationwide success with 2010’s Schemes of a Beauty <美人心计>. The Chinese dramas that followed, such as Yan Yu She Yang <烟雨斜阳> and The Golden Age of the Leftover Ladies <盛女的黄金时代> were also popular hits. After Sammul’s popularity in China skyrocketed in recent years, his fame may reach to even higher level with the upcoming 3D action epic, Twelve Deadly Coins <十二金钱镖>.

Directed by Hong Kong independent filmmaker, Patrick Yau (游達志), Twelve Deadly Coins is China’s first 3D television drama, and is currently actively filming in Wuxi, China. The Republican-era action drama is produced by Tianjin Jin Film and Television, and also stars Yuen Biao (元彪), Tao Xinran (陶昕然), and Xia Hua (夏花).

One of China’s most expensively-produced dramas to-date, a majority of the scenes in the drama will be filmed in 3D camera technology. With a total of thirty episodes, it is estimated that the production fee of Twelve Deadly Coins is even more expensive than a standard 3D film produced in Asia.

Synopsis

A loose adaptation from the book of the same title by early twentieth century author, Gong Baiyu (宮白羽), Twelve Deadly Coins centers around the young male protagonist, Yang Hua, who disguises himself as a safeguard in Tianjin’s An Ping Safeguard Agency to kill the agency’s master Yu Jianping, the man who destroyed his family. His plan of vengeance is to gain Yu’s trust so the master will teach him the twelve ways of the “Golden Coin” technique. Hua will then use the skill to kill him.

Hua’s plans almost go haywire when he meets the master’s daughter, Yu Yanqing. She is deeply in love with Hua, and he too begins to develop feelings for her. However, to complete his revenge, he puts his feelings aside and decides to use Yanqing as a tool to get closer to Yu. After going through a life-changing mission with Yu, Hua discovers that his family’s death was not as simple as he originally thought. Hua eventually becomes one of Yu’s most powerful and respected pupils, and later takes command of Yu’s agency after his death.

Romance in the Great Era

Starring as Yang Hua is ex-TVB actor Sammul Chan. Prior to joining the An Ping Safeguard Agency, Hua was in love with Princess Wanqing, portrayed by 20-year-old newcomer, Xia Hua. It was love at first sight for Hua, and the princess also returns the same feelings for him. However, the vengeful Hua believes that avenging his family should be his utmost priority, and he cruelly cuts ties with the princess.

Action star Yuen Biao portrays the powerful “Golden Coin” master, Yu Jianping, and is Hua’s target. Yu’s daughter Yanping, portrayed by Legend of the Concubine Zhen Huan <后宫·甄嬛传> star, Tao Xinren, is deeply in love with Hua, and though Hua also begins to develop feelings for her, he cannot bring himself to fall in love with his enemy’s daughter. Hua pretends to be in love with Yanping, but is in fact using her as a way to gain Yu’s trust.

Yu’s senior apprentice Cheng Yue, portrayed by Ruan Weijing (阮伟旌), was considered by many to be Yu’s best pupil and future son-in-law, but with the appearance of Hua, this all changed overnight. When he sees Hua kissing Yanping one night, Yue decides to get rid of Hua and attempts to kill him. However, not only does Yue’s plan fail, his schemes also cause the entire agency to break down.


Creds: 21CN