The Greed of Man (1992)
A landmark Hong Kong drama series weaving stock market obsession, family vendettas, and financial ruin into one of television's most gripping sagas.
The Greed of Man - Series Information
- Original Title: 大時代
- First Air Year: 1992
- Last Air Year: 2000
- Created by: Wai Ka-Fai
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 80
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: CN
- Spoken Languages: Cantonese
- Networks: TVB Jade
- Alternative Titles: 大时代 (CN), The Greed of Man (US)
- Production Companies: TVB
- Production Countries: Hong Kong
The Greed of Man - Plot
Told in reverse chronological order, the story starts in the present (June 7, 1994), when the stock market rebounded after the market became volatile and crashed for the weekend. After the stock market stopped trading for the weekend, the Ting's make the wrong bet and their entire fortune is wiped out, compounded by ending up in billions of dollars in debt. Ting Hai forces his sons to commit suicide by jumping off from the top of the stock exchange building before following after them.
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The Greed of Man - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Wai Ka-Fai
Main Cast
- Adam Cheng Siu-Chow
- Sean Lau Ching-wan
- Amy Kwok
- Yammie Lam Kit-Ying
- Vivian Chow
- Damian Lau Chung-Yan
- Kenneth Tsang
- Loletta Lee Lai-Chun
- David Siu Chung-Hang
- Bowie Lam Bo-Yee
Writers
- Ella Chan Bo-wa
- 張寶燕
- 張莉莉
- Fong Sai-Keung
- Lung Man-Hong
Executive Producers
- Wai Ka-Fai
The Greed of Man - FAQs
What is The Greed of Man about?
The Greed of Man is a Hong Kong drama told in reverse chronological order, following two rival families — the ruthless Ting clan and the principled Fong family — through decades of stock market speculation, financial catastrophe, and bitter personal vendettas set against Hong Kong's volatile financial landscape.
Who plays Ting Hai in The Greed of Man?
Adam Cheng Siu-Chow portrays Ting Hai (丁蟹), the series' iconic antagonist. His performance became so culturally influential that a real-world stock market phenomenon — where Hong Kong indices would drop whenever his shows aired — became known as the “Ting Hai Effect” or “Adam Cheng Effect.”
What is the Ting Hai Effect in The Greed of Man?
The Ting Hai Effect is a Hong Kong financial superstition: whenever Adam Cheng Siu-Chow appeared in a new TV production, the Hang Seng Index would reportedly decline. Originating from The Greed of Man's 1992 broadcast, this phenomenon became a widely discussed piece of Hong Kong pop culture and financial folklore.
Where can you watch The Greed of Man?
The Greed of Man is available to stream online. You can check current streaming availability and compare all viewing options in your region via JustWatch, which aggregates platform listings across subscription, rental, and purchase services.
Who created The Greed of Man series?
The Greed of Man was created by Wai Ka-Fai, who also served as executive producer. Wai Ka-Fai is a celebrated Hong Kong filmmaker and screenwriter, widely known for his later collaborations with director Johnnie To through the Milkyway Image production company.
How many episodes does The Greed of Man have?
The Greed of Man consists of 80 episodes spread across two seasons, each containing 40 episodes. Each episode runs approximately 60 minutes, making it one of the more substantial Hong Kong drama productions of its era on TVB Jade.
Is The Greed of Man based on a true story?
The Greed of Man is a fictional drama, though it draws heavily on real events in Hong Kong's financial history, including the 1987 stock market crash and the turbulent trading environment of the early 1990s. The series uses these real economic backdrops to ground its dramatic narrative in authentic historical context.
How was The Greed of Man received by audiences?
The Greed of Man is widely regarded as one of the greatest Hong Kong television dramas ever produced. It achieved enormous ratings upon its 1992 TVB broadcast and has maintained a devoted following for decades, celebrated for its complex characters, bold narrative structure, and culturally resonant themes of greed and revenge.
More About The Greed of Man
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