The Justice of Life (1989)
A retired Hong Kong triad legend trades the underworld for family chaos, romance, and mahjong in this beloved TVB classic.
The Justice of Life - Series Information
- Original Title: 他來自江湖
- First Air Year: 1989
- Last Air Year: 1989
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Content Rating (US): NR
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (44 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 30
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: CN
- Spoken Languages: Cantonese, English
- First Air Date: November 13, 1989 (United States - NR), November 13, 1989 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: TVB Jade
- Alternative Titles: 他来自江湖 (CN), Ta Loi Chi Gong Wu (HK), 타래자강호 1989 (KR)
- Production Companies: TVB
- Production Countries: Hong Kong, United States of America
The Justice of Life - Plot
After the death of his fiancee (Pauline Yeung), triad legend Ming Tin (Alex Man) washes his hands of the underworld, retreating to a quiet life running a small mahjong parlor. He originally disavowed himself of romance as well, but two very different women (Tanny Tien and Teresa Mo) wander into his life. Ming Tin lives with his mother (Lee Heung Kam), uncle (Ng Man Tat), and cousin Gam Sui (Stephen Chow). Ming Tin and Gam Sui are as close as brothers, but Gam Sui's father has a grudge against Ming Tin, leading to many barbs and bickers in this odd family. When Gam Sui and his father unwittingly stumble onto the wrong sides of the track, it's up to Ming Tin to pull them back with his old connections.
The Justice of Life - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Alex Man Chi-Leung
- Tien Niu
- Stephen Chow
- Teresa Mo Shun-Kwan
- Richard Ng Man-Tat
- Lee Heung-Kam
- Helena Law Lan
- Kwan Hoi-San
- Anthony Wong Chau-Sang
- Andy Tai Chi-Wai
Writers
- 莫淑娥
- Sandy Shaw Lai-King
- 李志賢
- 楊松柏
- 陳鈺萍
Executive Producers
- Ga-Ho Lau
The Justice of Life - FAQs
What is The Justice of Life about?
The Justice of Life follows Ming Tin, a retired triad legend who gives up the underworld after his fiancée's death and opens a mahjong parlor. His quiet life is upended by two women, a chaotic family, and old criminal ties that pull him back into danger.
Who are the main actors in The Justice of Life?
The series stars Alex Man Chi-Leung as the lead, alongside Stephen Chow, Teresa Mo Shun-Kwan, Tien Niu, Richard Ng Man-Tat, Lee Heung-Kam, Helena Law Lan, Kwan Hoi-San, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, and Andy Tai Chi-Wai.
When did The Justice of Life first air?
The Justice of Life first aired on November 13, 1989, on TVB Jade in Hong Kong. It is a single-season series consisting of 30 episodes, each running approximately 44 minutes.
Is The Justice of Life notable for Stephen Chow's role?
Yes. The Justice of Life is widely regarded as one of Stephen Chow's breakout TVB roles. His portrayal of the bumbling, comedic cousin Gam Sui helped establish his signature comedic persona before he became a major Hong Kong film star.
How many episodes does The Justice of Life have?
The Justice of Life consists of 30 episodes across a single season. Each episode runs approximately 44 minutes, making the total runtime around 22 hours of content.
What genre is The Justice of Life?
The Justice of Life blends Drama and Comedy. It combines the gritty world of Hong Kong triads with warm family dynamics and romantic subplots, creating a tone that balances tension with humor throughout its 30-episode run.
What is the content rating for The Justice of Life?
The Justice of Life carries a Not Rated (NR) classification in the United States. In South Korea, it received a 15 rating upon release. Viewers should note the series contains triad-related themes and mild violence.
What are some shows similar to The Justice of Life?
If you enjoyed The Justice of Life, you may also like It Runs in the Family (1990) and The Loyal Pin (2024), which share similar themes of family dynamics and drama. Lovey Dovey (2016) and Hello, My Twenties! (2016) offer comparable comedic and dramatic tones.
More About The Justice of Life
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