Young and Dangerous (series)

The "Young and Dangerous" film series (zh-t|t=古惑仔) is a collection of Hong Kong films about a group of Triad members, detailing their adventures and dangers in a Hong Kong Triad society. The series is based on a popular comic book series known as "Teddy Boy".

The series contributed a lot to the public image of triads and was condemned by certain quarters as glorifying secret triad societies. However, it was immensely popular in Hong Kong and spun 9 sequels and spin-offs. Its main actors and actresses have also became major stars in their own right.

Andrew Lau served as cinematographer and director for parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, including a with radio personality Manfred Wong writing scripts for the ongoing franchise.

The Series

* "Young and Dangerous" (1996) - "Young and Dangerous" (zh-t|古惑仔之人在江湖) tells the story of Chan Ho Nam (Ekin Cheng), Chicken Chiu (Jordan Chan), Tai Tin-Yee (Michael Tse), and Pao Pan. The focus is on internal squabbling within the triad spearheaded by Ugly Kwan (Francis Ng).

* "Young and Dangerous 2" (1996) - "Young and Dangerous 2" (zh-t|t=古惑仔之猛龙过江) focuses on Chicken Chiu (Jordan Chan), flashing back to his exile in Taiwan which is skipped over in the first film. Chan Ho Nam's "Hung Hing" triad is trying to ally with Chicken's new group, the "San Luen" triad from Taiwan. Back in Hong Kong, in a contest to obtain the branch leader status of Causeway Bay, Ho Nam faces dilemmas when a rivalry breaks out between him and another "Hung Hing" member - Tai Fei (Anthony Wong).

* "Young and Dangerous 3 " (1996) - In "Young and Dangerous 3" (zh-t|t=古惑仔之只手遮天), Chan Ho Nam and Chicken Chiu are back again, this time instead of internal squabbles and fights, the rival "Tung Sing" triad is out to get them, with one of their members, Crow (Roy Cheung) framing Ho Nam for the murder of the head of "Hung Hing" - Chiang. On the plus side, Chicken finds a new girlfriend in the comedic priest's daughter (Karen Mok).
* "Once Upon A Time in Triad Society" (1996) - "Once Upon A Time in Triad Society" (zh-t|t=旺角渣fit人) is the first spin-off to the "Young and Dangerous" series. The film focuses on Ugly Kwan, played by Francis Ng. A sequel to the film, "Once Upon a Time in Triad Society 2", also starring Francis Ng was released the same year.

* "Young and Dangerous 4" (1997) - (zh-t|t=97古惑仔之战无不胜) A branch leader position has opened up in Chicken's group and he is up against Barbarian to get it. The "Hung Hing" triad has to deal with finding a new successor to be the head of the Hung Hing group and they get the old boss' brother who resides in Thailand. Young and Dangerous 4 also brings in new characters in the "Hung Hing" group such as Ben Hon, Sister 13, and Prince.

* "Young and Dangerous 5" (1998) - (zh-t|t=98古惑仔之龙争虎斗) Chicken did not return for this film and Chan Ho Nam is on his own. He finds a beautiful new love interest, (Shu Qi) and has to deal with some young "Tung Sing" triad members trying to make something of themselves. "Young and Dangerous" 5 happens during the transfer of Hong Kong sovereignty to China. We see a transition of the "boys" becoming "men" as they develop maturity and go into more business-like dealings.

* "Portland Street Blues" (1998) - (zh-t|t=古惑仔情義篇之洪興十三妹) "Portland Street Blues" was a spin-off to the series, providing a different contrast to the familiar "Young and Dangerous" films with more character development. This time, the story's focus is on a female character - Sister 13 (Sandra Ng) of the "Hung Hing" triad. In a triad underworld dominated by men, the film tells the story of how she faces trials and tribulations of rising to become the branch leader of Portland Street. The story shows the reasons she became a lesbian. The film also gives more details about the "Tung Sing" triad, and how the relationship between Sister 13 and Ben Hon develops.

* "" (1998) - (zh-t|t=新古惑仔之少年激鬥篇) shows Chan Ho Nam (Nicholas Tse) and Chicken Chiu (Sam Lee) being recruited by Bee and joining the "Hung Hing" triad. The film co-stars Shu Qi and Daniel Wu.

* "The Legendary 'Tai Fei'" (1999) - (zh-t|t=古惑仔激情篇洪興大飛哥) centralizes on the storyline after Tai Fei (Anthony Wong) obtains branch leader status after "Young and Dangerous 4". Tai Fei discovers he has a son and worse off is his son is a member and involved in the "Tung Sing" gang which deals in narcotics.

* "Those Were The Days..." (2000) - (zh-t|t=友情歲月山雞故事) Another spin-off, this film follows the life of Chicken (Jordan Chan) before he joined the triads. The film co-stars Gigi Leung as Chicken's childhood friend.

* "Born to Be King " (2000) - "Born to Be King" (zh-t|t=胜者为王), also known as "Young and Dangerous 6", was a return to form for the series with what was seen as a fitting ending by fans. Chicken is set to marry the daughter (Anya) of a Japanese Yakuza boss (Sonny Chiba). But when Chicken (Jordan Chan) is set up, his old pals return to clear his name.

* "Goodbye Mr Cool " - "Goodbye Mr Cool" tells the story of Cool Dragon (Ekin Cheung) returning to Hong Kong after serving his sentence in a Thai prison for trying to kill a Thai mobster on the orders of Hung Hing. However, he does not want to return to Hung Hing and just wants to spend the rest of his days working as a busboy and living an honest life.

Cast includes

* Ekin Cheng
* Jordan Chan
* Gigi Lai
* Francis Ng
* Ng Chi Hung
* Simon Yam
* Michael Tse
* Jason Chu
* Jerry Lamb
* Suki Chan
* Joe Cheng
* Ha Ping
* Spencer Lam
* Lee Siu-Kei
* Shing Fui-On
* Wang Lung Wei
* Anthony Wong as Tai Fei
* Chingmy Yau

External links

* [http://www.hkfilm.net/yngdngr.htm About the "Young and Dangerous" series and spin-offs]
* [http://www.hkcuk.co.uk/articles/young_and_dangerous.htm Young & Dangerous: Hung Hing in depth...] at HKCuk.co.uk
* Reviews of [http://www.hkcuk.co.uk/reviews/young_and_dangerous.htm Young & Dangerous 1] , [http://www.hkcuk.co.uk/reviews/young_and_dangerous_2.htm 2] , [http://www.hkcuk.co.uk/reviews/young_and_dangerous_3.htm 3] , [http://www.hkcuk.co.uk/reviews/young_and_dangerous_4.htm 4] , [http://www.hkcuk.co.uk/reviews/young_and_dangerous_5.htm 5] , [http://www.hkcuk.co.uk/reviews/born_to_be_king.htm 6] & [http://www.podcastonfire.com/?p=116 7] at HKCuk.co.uk / Podcast On Fire.com
* [http://www.teddyboy.com.hk Teddy Boy] The comic Young and Dangerous is based on