[HK-Drama Review] Can’t Buy Me Love (2010)

“Can’t Buy Me Love” is a 2010 TVB (Television Broadcasts Limited) grand production drama that centers on family, trust, bonds, ambitions, greed, and of course palace politics among many other things. Besides these motifs, there are also reoccurring references to classical and traditional idioms or “lesson of the day” that guide a person to living what many may consider a “good and righteous life”. (An interesting comparison that I think of when hearing these idioms or “lesson of the day” is the “Wheel of Morality” segment on Warner Bros.’s 1990s cartoon, “Animaniacs”). While this series is a grand production, rather than being a dramatic and intense one, it takes on more of a sitcom style.

Many of you who are advent TVB viewers may remember the 2001-2002 TVB sitcom “Virtues of Harmony” which ran 300+ episodes and its sequel, the 2003-2005 TVB sitcom “Virtues of Harmony II” which ran 400+ episodes. Many of the elements that you find in “Virtues of Harmony I & II” may be seen resurfacing in “Can’t Buy Me Love” even though the latter is not classified as a sitcom. Why do I say this? In general, most if not all of TVB dramas focus on family issues with touches on various other things. However, “Can’t Buy Me Love” like “Virtues of Harmony”, centers its attention on a prosperous family who gains a princess as their daughter-in-law. With both series, the stories progress through the daily lives of the family members and the struggles and obstacles that they have to overcome as individuals and as a family. There is also that “realization” moment or if you would like to refer to Greek tragedies, an “epiphany”. So that is the general style and theme of the series (a mixture of drama & comedy).

The plot itself is pretty well written. I did not see any major flaws or obvious “lame” parts. Well, here is a brief background to the drama:

The Kam family runs and owns the largest gold manufacturer in the capital Chang’an (of Tang Dynasty). The eldest member of the family is Kam Tai Fu Yan who is responsible for starting and spreading the “lesson of the day” as she is considered to be wise due to her age. She has a son who is dead and is mentioned a few times in the story. The son had a first wife who is mother to Kam Duo Fok and Kam Duo Lok. She unfortunately passed away early and left the care of her husband (who died AFTER her) and two sons to Ding Loi Hei. Ding Loi Hei and Kam Tai Fu Yan’s son has a son who is Kam Duo Sao. Ding Loi Hei is in charge of the family gold business until Kam Duo Fok is ready to take over. Kam Duo Fok’s only major goal in life is to obtain the business and run it well. However, he lacks the business skills and leadership that is required to run the business successful. Thus Ding Loi Hei is hesitant to hand over the business throughout the series. Kam Duo Lok, the second son, has been weak since birth and is constantly taking medication. He is sometimes considered to be the worthless member of the family by outsiders. However, his family love him and appreciates him for the skills that he does have. Kam Duo Sao, the youngest son, was sent away at a young age to a monastery to practice martial arts in hopes of becoming a government official in order to serve the country via the army/military. However, it is later discovered that his passion is in business rather than martial arts. Ng Si Tak is originally not a part of the Kam family. It is a few episodes into the series that she appears. The Kam brothers save her from some street thugs and employ her because of her honesty and hard working mentality. It is later in the series that we discover that she is from the same hometown as Princess Chiu Yeung.

The Tang Dynasty and members of the palace are the source of political unrest in the series. Samuel Kwok plays Emperor Taizong. He is seen most frequently with Kara Hui who plays Concubine Wai (main villain) and Griselda Yeung who plays Concubine Suen. Emperor Taizong has five daughters: Sharon Chan as Princess Wing Ho, Tracy Ip as Princess Ching Wan, Charmaine Sheh as Princess Chiu Yeung, Yoyo Chen as Princess Chun Ping, and Charmaine Li as Princess Chun Huai (oldest to youngest). The five princesses are known to be unreasonable, violent, dictators, and sometimes even “barbaric”. This is mostly due to the emperor spoiling his daughters as he has been busy with the affairs of the country. There are also conflicts amongst the princesses due to the princesses having different mothers, most notably the tension of four of the princesses against Princess Chiu Yeung because Princess Chiu Yeung’s mother is only a common woman (or woman not of noble background/high class). Concubine Wai, who is the main villain, tries to get rid of Princess Chiu Yeung throughout the whole series because Princess Chiu Yeung is the emperor’s favorite daughter. Concubine Suen is the one who tries to help Princess Chiu Yeung whenever she can. Szeto Ngan Ping is Princess Chiu Yeung’s servant and is also considered to be “number one” because of her loyalty and skills as a martial artist in defending the princess.

The Ding family are also gold manufacturers but in terms of honest business and success, fall far below the Kam family. The Ding family is headed by Ding Choi Wong (by Lee Kwok Lun) and Mai Yan Che (by Mary Hon) who are a couple. They have a son who is Ding Yau Wai. Ding Yau Wai is an honest and good official and is the officially appointed matchmaker of the Tang Dynasty. He does not know of the dishonest business that his parents do behind their gold business.

These three families are tied together through a series of events and “Can’t Buy Me Love” takes us through their trip of struggles until the end when “good conquers evil”.

There is a reason why “Can’t Buy Me Love” won three awards at the 2010 TVB Anniversary Awards a couple weeks ago! (Best Drama, My Favorite Female Character – Charmaine Sheh, Most Improved Actor – Raymond Wong). Before even watching this series, what caught my attention was the cast. It is hard to see Charmaine Sheh, Linda Chung, and Fala Chen on one list. Each of these three actresses are headlining many of their own series and it was a surprise to my eyes to see them casted in one series. While watching the drama, there were many times that I would laugh my head off or hold my breath in anticipation. However, it isn’t a series that can make me easily cry. This is probably due to the series’ style of incorporating comedy to lessen the drama and intensity. It also goes well with the theme of the Kam family, which is to be optimistic and always living life happily, honestly and righteously.

Just some side notes: the Vietnamese title for this series is “Công Chúa Giá Lâm”. The series is 32 episodes long.

You may visit the Phim4Vip community to find the Cantonese audio raw (with or without English subs) and Vietnamese dubbed (US Lồng Tiến) videos. Remember to support TVB and the artists whenever you can by purchasing their merchandises (such as drama series boxes or OSTs if available).