The Bund (1980)
The landmark TVB crime drama that made Chow Yun-Fat a star and defined an era of Hong Kong television storytelling.
The Bund - Series Information
- Original Title: 上海灘
- First Air Year: 1980
- Last Air Year: 1980
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (45 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 25
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: CN
- Spoken Languages: Cantonese
- First Air Date: March 10, 1980 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: TVB Jade
- Alternative Titles: The Bund (US), 상해탄 (KR), The Bund (HK), 上海滩周润发版 (CN)
- Production Companies: TVB
- Production Countries: Hong Kong
The Bund - Plot
The Bund is a Hong Kong period drama television series first broadcast on TVB in 1980. It is praised as the Godfather of the east and spawned several sequels, remakes and film adaptations. The theme song of the series, performed by Frances Yip, also became a memorable Cantopop hit.
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The Bund - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Chow Yun-Fat
- Ray Lui
- Angie Chiu Nga-Chi
- Danny Lau Dan
- Kent Tong Chun-Yip
- Susanna Au-Yeung Pui-San
- Liu Kai-Chi
- Meg Lam Kin-Ming
- Mitra King Toi-Yam
- Wong San
Writers
- Koo Siu-Fung
- Chan Kiu-Ying
The Bund - FAQs
Why is The Bund called the Godfather of the East?
The Bund earned that title because of its sweeping portrayal of organized crime, loyalty, and betrayal in 1930s Shanghai — themes and a dramatic scale that drew direct comparisons to Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather. Its influence on subsequent Asian crime dramas has been profound and lasting.
What is The Bund about?
Set in 1930s Shanghai, The Bund follows the intertwined fates of two men navigating the city's ruthless criminal underworld. Chow Yun-Fat plays Hui Man-Keung, a charming and ambitious figure whose rise through the ranks is shadowed by danger, romance, and moral compromise.
Who plays the lead role in The Bund?
Chow Yun-Fat plays the iconic lead role of Hui Man-Keung. His magnetic performance in The Bund launched him to stardom across Asia and remains one of the most celebrated acting turns in Hong Kong television history.
Where can you watch The Bund?
Streaming availability for The Bund varies by region. You can check the latest viewing options — including streaming, rental, and purchase — on JustWatch, which tracks current availability across platforms in your area.
Did The Bund inspire any sequels or remakes?
The Bund spawned multiple sequels, remakes, and film adaptations over the decades, cementing its status as a foundational franchise in Chinese-language television. Its influence can be traced through numerous Hong Kong and mainland Chinese productions that revisited its characters and setting.
What is the famous theme song from The Bund?
The series' theme song, performed by Frances Yip, became a massive Cantopop hit that outlasted the show itself. Its sweeping, melancholic melody is instantly recognizable across generations of Chinese-speaking audiences and is still widely regarded as one of the greatest TV theme songs in Hong Kong history.
How was The Bund received by audiences and critics?
The Bund was a phenomenon upon its 1980 debut, drawing record viewership on TVB and sparking widespread cultural conversation. Critics and audiences alike praised its rich storytelling, strong performances, and cinematic ambition — qualities that have kept its reputation intact for over four decades.
What are some shows similar to The Bund?
If The Bund's blend of crime, drama, and moral complexity appeals to you, consider McMafia, a gripping modern crime saga with international scope, or Goliath, a character-driven legal thriller with dark undertones. Five Days and Power Book IV: Force also offer compelling crime narratives worth exploring.
More About The Bund
Explore further details about The Bund on these authoritative resources.