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Brutally Young
Brutally Young
from Wikipedia
Brutally Young
十八年後的終極告白
GenreCrime
Detective
Created bySimon Wong Wai-yan
Written byLui Sau-lin
Directed byCalvin Leung Ting-hin
Kwun Kwok-wai
Lee Kin-wo
Tse Ho-yeung
Starring
Theme music composerDominic Chu
Opening themeConfessions by Fred Cheng
Ending themeI Need You Every Minute by Joey Thye
ComposerGeorge Lam
Country of originHong Kong
Original languageCantonese
No. of episodes20
Production
ProducerSimon Wong Wai-yan
Production locationHong Kong
Running time45 minutes
Production companyTVB
Original release
NetworkTVB Jade
Release20 April (2020-04-20) –
15 May 2020 (2020-05-15)
Brutally Young
Traditional Chinese十八年後的終極告白
Transcriptions

Brutally Young (Chinese: 十八年後的終極告白) is a crime and thriller television drama produced by TVB. It stars Shaun Tam, Mandy Wong, Joel Chan and Vivien Yeo as the main leads. Simon Wong Wai-yan serves as the producer.[1][2] The series made its premiere on TVB Jade on April 20, 2020.

This show was regarded very highly by its audience, who praised the actors for their suspenseful acting. The series received up to 8.7 points on Douban.

A reboot of this series was shot in 2021,[3] and made its premiere on 30 May 2022.

Synopsis

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18 years ago, a group of seven students were involved in the death of a gangster, later burying him in the woods. Today as adults, each of them walk their own path and professions, but the discovery of the bones belonging to their former classmate forces them to reunite and find a way to keep the police from knowing their secret.

Cast and characters

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The Incident

  • Date of the incident: August 9, 2000, from afternoon to evening.
  • Location: Daxi'ao Barbecue Area

Main characters

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  • Shaun Tam as Sam Lam Long-sang (林朗生), a senior accountant, one of the seven men involved, and ultimately the series ultimate villain. Born in 1982, Sam graduated with five points in the high school entrance examination in 2000. He was idolized by Lai Kwok-Ming, who claimed that he was killing Sam's friends to protect Sam. Since the incident 18 years ago, Sam has become an accountant. He was threatened by Yat Gor about the incident in Episode 1. He started investigating the case and at the same time, also cover up his own crimes. He was kidnapped by Lai Kwok-Ming and held on a boat in Episode 14. In defense, Sam killed him and set fire to the boat to destroy evidence. To prevent his girlfriend, Madam Yuen from finding out about his crimes, Sam committed fraud in Episode 17. While trying to escape in Episode 20, he tried to kill Yuen Jing, but accidentally stabbed Yat Gor instead. He was convicted for manslaughter, illegally dumping of a dead body and fraud and was sentenced to 38 years and 8 months in jail. Due to his good behavior, he had one-third of the sentence cut and was released from prison in 2044.
  • Mandy Wong as Yuen Lai-ken (阮麗瑾), better known as Madam Yuen, a police inspector who heads her own crime squad in Kowloon. After the death of Ghost Keung, she begins investigating the incident from 18 years ago.
  • Joel Chan as Sum King-yat (沈敬一), better known as Yat Gor (一哥), a gangster who leads a faction under Uncle Ken and rival of Coffin. He is Sam's classmate and one of the seven men involved. He was believed to be the murderer in the incident before it was dispelled. He was a righteous man who would stand up for the vulnerable. He is also Tse Ka-Sin's boyfriend. In Episode 16, Lam Long-Sam confessed to him that he killed Chen Shuxian by mistake. Upon knowing that Coffin kidnapped Ka-Sin in Episode 19, King-Yat was almost let into a trap by Coffin. In the ensuring car chase, King-Yat T-boned Coffin's car, thereby killing him. In Episode 16, He was stabbed and killed by Long-Sam in Episode 20, while trying to prevent the latter from killing Yuen Jing.
  • Vivien Yeo as Tse Ka-sin (謝家倩), Chubby Foo's younger sister and a deaf bartender who has had a crush on Yat Gor since childhood.

Supporting characters

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  • Dominic Lam as Yuen Chun (阮進), better known as Yuen Sir (阮Sir), a military surplus store owner and Madam Yuen's father. He was also Zombie's father and the seven men's teacher in high school. Wanting revenge for his son's death, he takes great measures to track down his son's killer.
  • Anthony Ho as Tse Ka-foo (謝家富), better known as Chubby Foo (肥仔富), a Japanese cook and Ka-sin's elder brother. He is one of the seven men and often helps Kit-ching. He marries Kit-ching in Episode 20.
  • Candice Chiu as Joanne Wong Chung-kwan (王頌君), an investment bank manager and Sam's girlfriend, though they later break up due to a case involving illegal matters with a cement company.
  • Elvina Kong as Chan Suk-han (陳淑嫻), a housewife, Madam Yuen's mother and Yuen Chun's wife.
  • Griselda Yeung as Leung Kit-ching (梁潔貞), a tailor and Ghost Keung's widow. After her husband's death, she struggles to raise her own son alongside handing her tailoring business, but gets assistance from Chubby Foo.
  • Mary Hon as Kwong Bo-chu (鄺寶珠), Sam's mother.
  • Auston Lam as Fung Wing-hing (馮永興), better known as Chui Shui / Blow (吹水), a real estate agent and one of the seven men.
  • Gordon Siu as Lee Keung (李強), Ghost Keung (鬼仔強), a driver and Leung Kit-ching's husband who is very superstitious. He is one of the seven men and is killed by Lai Kwok-ming in Episode 1 while trying to take him to confession.
  • David Do as Sze Man-fu (施文虎), better known as Tiger, a butcher and Chiu Yuk Tai's husband. He is one of the seven men and is killed by Lai Kwok-ming in Episode 10 when he discovers Lai Kwok-ming spying on his wife.
  • Nicole Wan as Chiu Yuk-tai (趙玉娣), a butcher and Tiger's wife. She is killed by Lai Kwok-ming in episode 11 while trying to find Sam.
  • Louis Szeto as Lai Sai-tat (黎世達), better known as Egg Tart (蛋撻), a former waiter at a Tai Tung Tsuen restaurant and one of the seven men. He became paralyzed by being pushed down the stairs by Lai Kwok-ming in 2009 while trying to give information to Yuen Chun. He died in the ICU one year after the men were prosecuted due to the succumbing of his wounds.
  • Kevin Tong as Lai Kwok-ming (賴國明), a security guard working at Sam's office building. He is the main villain and the killer of Zombie. In order to prevent his crimes from coming to light, he "helped" Sam by killing everyone who would potentially leak out information about the case. He attempted to kidnap Sam by hacking into his phone and using Carfentanil to knock him unconscious in Episode 12. He kidnapped Chen Shuxian and subsequently tied her into a suitcase. He also kidnapped Sam and tried to explain his intentions to the latter. He was severely injured by Sam and later burned to death in Episode 15.
  • Oman Lam as Wu Kai-sze (胡啟思), better known as Zombie (喪屍), a gangster and Yuen Chun's illegitimate son. He was killed by Lai Kwok-ming in 2000.
  • Ball Mang as Jackie Choi Wai-lan (蔡慧蘭), a salesperson and Ka-sin's good friend.
  • Ken Law as Kwan Tai-shen (關泰臣), Yat Gor's loyal assistant.
  • Stephen Ho as Tsui Yau-chai (徐友齊), better known as Coffin (棺材), a gangster and leader of a faction under Uncle Ken and Yat Gor's rival. He was T-boned and subsequently killed by King-Yat in Episode 19.
  • Shu-fung Cheng as Au-yeung Ken (歐陽鏡), better known as Uncle Ken (鏡叔), the gangster leader of Yat Gor and Coffin.
  • Milkson Fong as Tiu Chai Fau (跳掣輝), Coffin's assistant.

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Brutally Young (Chinese: 十八年後的終極告白) is a crime thriller television drama series produced by , which premiered on 20 April 2020 and aired for 20 episodes on until 15 May 2020. The series centers on a group of seven childhood friends from a estate whose lives intertwine again after the discovery of a body from a fatal clash eighteen years prior, triggering a police investigation that exposes buried secrets, moral conflicts, and ongoing threats from an unknown killer. The plot unfolds across two timelines: eighteen years ago, when the protagonists—led by Lin Langsheng (portrayed by Shaun Tam)—accidentally kill a local thug named Hu Qisi during a confrontation and conceal the incident, leading to their paths diverging amid guilt and fear. In the present day, the remains are unearthed during a traffic accident probe, drawing in Senior Inspector Yuen Lai Ken (), who unknowingly becomes romantically involved with Langsheng while unraveling the truth alongside her father, retired teacher Yuen Chuen (Dominic Lam). Other key characters include Sum King Yat (Joel Chan), a reformed ; Tse Ka Sin (), a bartender grappling with her brother's involvement; and Tse Ka Foo (Anthony Ho), now an chef, as the group navigates , redemption, and escalating dangers from someone intent on silencing them. Produced by Wang Wai-yan with script supervision by Lui Hei-luen, the series blends suspenseful procedural elements with themes of friendship, justice, and the long-term consequences of youthful mistakes. Featuring a strong , Brutally Young highlights performances from veteran actors like Dominic Lam and supporting roles by Chloe Soo, Eddie Pang, and others, contributing to its reputation for tight pacing and emotional depth in the competitive television landscape. The show aired in the primetime slot from Monday to Friday at 9:30 PM, achieving notable viewership as a surprise hit for amid the 2020 , with audiences praising its intricate plot twists and character-driven . A , Brutally Young 2.0, followed in 2022, shifting focus to a new story involving an artist entangled in murder and ambition, while maintaining the thriller genre and production style, airing another 20 episodes from 30 May to 24 June.

Plot

Season 1

Brutally Young Season 1 unfolds across two timelines, exploring the consequences of a youthful mistake among seven friends from a estate. Eighteen years prior, Lam Long-sang (Shaun Tam), Sum King-yat (Joel Chan), Tse Ka-fu (Anthony Ho), and their friends clash with local thug Hu Qi-si during a confrontation, accidentally causing his death. Overwhelmed by fear, they bury the body and vow to keep the secret, leading their lives to diverge as they grow up. In the present day, the remains are unearthed during a traffic accident investigation, prompting Senior Inspector Yuen Lai-ken () of the serious crimes unit to lead the probe. Unbeknownst to her, she becomes romantically involved with Long-sang, one of the implicated friends. Her father, retired coach Yuen Chuen (Dominic Lam), who has ties to the group and is revealed to be Hu Qi-si's biological father, adds personal stakes to the case. As the investigation intensifies, the friends—now including Tse Ka-sin (), Wang Song-jun (Candice Chiu), and Fung Wing-hing (Lin Shih-chieh)—grapple with resurfacing guilt, fractured loyalties, and threats from an unknown party seeking to silence them, blurring lines between past errors and present dangers. The narrative weaves suspenseful procedural elements with themes of , redemption, and moral dilemmas, as secrets unravel and the group confronts whether to confess or protect their bond.

Season 2

Season 2, titled Brutally Young 2.0, shifts to a new story in the world, where ambition and deception fuel a thriller centered on and . Acclaimed but struggling painter Yiu Sheung-him (Shaun Tam) experiences a career resurgence when gallery owner Fong Chi-ho (Joel Chan) and his wife discover an old painting of his in a junk shop, promoting it as a lost masterpiece and propelling him to fame. However, as Yiu navigates the cutthroat art scene, he makes moral compromises that strain his relationships. His former lover, aspiring artist Shen Yuet (Katy Kung), reenters his life seeking opportunities, complicating matters further. The plot escalates when Yiu's wife, Zhuang Rui-ting (Candice Chiu), is murdered, drawing investigations into forgeries, rivalries among gallery owners and artists, and hidden motives within the creative elite. Supporting figures, including experts and competitive curators, heighten the tension as Yiu and his circle uncover betrayals and a killer targeting those close to the rising star. The season maintains the series' focus on psychological suspense and interpersonal conflicts, examining trust and the dark side of artistic success in a self-contained arc.

Cast and characters

Season 1

The first season of Brutally Young features an portraying seven former high school classmates whose lives intersect due to a long-buried secret from their youth, alongside key figures investigating related events. Shaun Tam stars as Lam Long-sang, a meticulous who serves as the unofficial leader of the group, prioritizing self-preservation while navigating their shared history with calculated restraint. portrays Yuen Lai-ken, a committed police driven by a personal connection to unresolved mysteries from the past, bringing empathy to her professional duties. Joel Chan plays Sum King-yat, a volatile yet fiercely loyal former classmate now entrenched in activities, whose impulsiveness often heightens group tensions. depicts Tse Ka-sin, a deaf who communicates through and carries profound internal guilt from their collective past, adding layers of quiet resilience to the ensemble. Among the supporting cast, the remaining classmates include Dominic Lam as Yuen Chun, a kind-hearted owner of a store and retired outreach coach whose easygoing nature fosters group support but masks deeper vulnerabilities; Anthony Ho as Tse Ka-fu, Tse Ka-sin's brother and a cheerful whose timid demeanor contributes to the group's protective dynamics; Candice Chiu as Wong Chung-kwan, an astute investment bank manager whose perceptive insights help mediate conflicts; and Auston Lam as Fung Wing-hing, a broker and former owner whose affable personality aids in maintaining fragile alliances. Other notable supporting roles include as Chan Suk-han and Griselda Yeung as Leung Kit-ching, contributing to the investigative and community elements. Minor roles encompass the investigating police team, led by figures like Yuen Lai-ken's colleagues, and triad affiliates connected to Sum King-yat, such as underlings who amplify the external pressures on the group. The characters' relationships revolve around the enduring bonds and emerging suspicions among the seven classmates, forged in their school days but strained by time and hidden truths, leading to a web of mistrust where old loyalties clash with self-doubt. Yuen Lai-ken maintains an adversarial yet compassionate connection to the group, stemming from her familial ties to one of the classmates, which complicates her investigative role without compromising her sense of justice. Casting for the season highlights Shaun Tam's return to after a five-year hiatus since , marking a significant comeback that emphasized his dramatic depth in a lead role. The ensemble was selected to underscore interpersonal chemistry essential for building suspense, with actors like undergoing extensive training to authentically portray her character's .

Season 2

The second season of Brutally Young centers on a new ensemble of characters immersed in the high-stakes world of , where creative ambitions collide with deception and crime. Shaun Tam reprises his role as Yiu Sheung-him, an acclaimed painter whose career has been marred by past failures and who now navigates mounting suspicions in the art community. Joel Chan portrays Fong Chi-ho, a charismatic whose polished exterior conceals deeper, more complex motivations. Katy Kung plays Shen Yuet, an ambitious yet naive aspiring who seeks guidance under Yiu's mentorship. Zoie Tam embodies Zhuang Rui-ting, a sharp-witted whose investigations into art-related crimes bring her into direct conflict with the series' protagonists. Candice Chiu plays Sung Wai-kei, adding to the interpersonal dynamics in the . Supporting characters enrich the art thriller atmosphere, including gallery owners who broker high-value deals, fellow artists vying for recognition, and investigators specializing in detection, all of whose professional expertise shapes tense interactions and revelations within the plot. For instance, experts contribute to the by analyzing disputed artworks, blurring lines between authenticity and in the characters' dealings. Key relationships underscore the season's themes of trust and in the art scene. The mentor-protégé dynamic between Yiu Sheung-him and Shen Yuet fosters a bond of guidance and vulnerability, as Shen's challenges Yiu's cynicism. Fong Chi-ho's with rival curators highlights competitive undercurrents in the gallery world, exposing hidden agendas. Meanwhile, Zhuang Rui-ting's professional clashes with the art elite create friction, as her investigative rigor disrupts the insularity of creative circles. Casting for season 2 emphasizes a blend of returning and emerging talents to sustain the series' thriller intensity. Newer performers like bring youthful dynamism to the ensemble, marking her prominent role in a major production. Joel Chan's return as Fong Chi-ho maintains continuity with the thriller archetype established in season 1, leveraging his experience for layered performances.

Production

Development

Brutally Young was developed by as a psychological mystery series centered on tropes, exploring the long-buried secrets of a group of high school friends after the discovery of a body from 18 years prior. The series was produced by Simon Wong Wai-yan and written by Lui Sau-lin, with principal filming commencing in 2018 ahead of its premiere in April 2020. The conception of the , titled Brutally Young 2.0, followed the critical and viewer success of the first season, positioning it as a with a fresh narrative shift to themes in the involving a painter haunted by a past artwork. Announced in early 2021 with returning cast members like Shaun Tam and Joel Chan alongside new additions, the project underwent a blessing ceremony in March 2021, reflecting adjustments amid production delays, and was greenlit for broadcast in 2022. Key creative decisions emphasized moral ambiguity among characters, ensemble dynamics across multiple leads, and heightened suspense through intricate plot twists, with scripting focused on page-turning tension rather than direct continuations from the original storyline. Budget allocations prioritized effects to enhance the thriller elements, supporting the series' reputation for gripping psychological depth without relying on exhaustive numerical details.

Filming

Filming for the first season of Brutally Young occurred from June to August 2018 in , under the direction of Calvin Leung Ting-hin. The production, handled by , primarily utilized urban areas of for exterior scenes and studios in Tseung Kwan O for interiors, including a blessing ceremony held at City. Cinematography focused on creating tension through strategic use of shadows in thriller sequences, while techniques were employed in to handle the series' extensive flashback structure depicting events from 18 years prior. A key challenge during production was coordinating scenes involving for Vivien Yeo's portrayal of a deaf character; Yeo dedicated three months to learning and practicing the language, integrating it with memorization and on-set movements. Joel Chan prepared for an intense arena fight scene by undergoing a month of physical training and adhering to a strict no-sugar, low-salt diet to achieve the required physique. highlighted the emotional demands of her role, requiring recovery time after wrapping to decompress from the psychological intensity. in emphasized ambient effects to heighten in key thriller moments. For the second season, Brutally Young 2.0, began in early 2022 but encountered significant delays due to a outbreak in , which disrupted outdoor shoots and overall scheduling from January to May. Directed by Wong Si Yuhn, the 20-episode series (45 minutes each) shifted focus to locations like art galleries, artist studios, and urban night scenes in to build a sense of mystery, with additional use of studios for controlled interiors. Post-production continued to employ for interwoven timelines, alongside enhanced for atmospheric thriller elements.

Broadcast and release

Airing details

Brutally Young season 1 premiered on on April 20, 2020, airing weekdays from 9:30 PM to 10:30 PM HKT. The series ran for 20 s without mid-season breaks, concluding on May 15, 2020. Each had a runtime of approximately 45 minutes. The second season, titled Brutally Young 2.0, followed a similar broadcast format on , premiering on May 30, 2022, in the weekday 9:30 PM HKT slot. It also consisted of 20 episodes airing Monday through Friday with no interruptions, ending on June 24, 2022. Like the first season, episodes were around 45 minutes long. Both seasons were produced exclusively for and broadcast on its channel in with Chinese subtitles, aligning with the network's standard format for audiences.

Distribution

Season 1 of Brutally Young aired on overseas networks in , including Astro in , shortly after its premiere. Season 2 aired concurrently on the same platforms starting May 30, 2022. The series is accessible on streaming services in select regions. In , it is accessible on meWATCH. Home media releases include DVD sets issued by in in 2020 for season 1 and 2022 for season 2, featuring English subtitles. Digital purchases are offered on and in various markets. No official remakes or adaptations have been produced, though the show's exploration of universal themes like and guilt has sparked fan discussions about a potential version.

Reception

Critical response

Critics praised the first season of Brutally Young for its fast-paced plot twists and strong performances, which kept viewers engaged throughout much of the series. The drama earned a 7.8 out of 10 rating on as of November 2025, reflecting its popularity among audiences despite not airing in . Reviewers highlighted Shaun Tam's portrayal of the complex villain Lam Long-sang, noting the depth he brought to the character's moral ambiguity and . However, some critiques pointed to predictable elements in the later episodes, where the narrative resolution felt rushed and less innovative. The second season received acclaim for its innovative art-themed mystery, centering on a painter's long-buried secrets within the competitive world of galleries and auctions, along with bold narrative reveals such as the cross-dressing twist involving a key suspect. Critics lauded Joel Chan's performance as gallery boss Fong Chi-ho, emphasizing the actor's ability to convey the character's duality—shifting between charm and menace—as a standout element. The season earned a 6.6 out of 10 rating on Douban as of November 2025. While the season maintained suspenseful momentum, minor complaints arose regarding pacing dips in the mid-episodes, where subplots occasionally slowed the thriller's intensity. Thematic analyses of both seasons commonly praised the series for its exploration of guilt and deception stemming from a youthful accident, as well as the societal pressures in that perpetuate cycles of silence and ambition. Reviewers drew parallels to global thrillers, appreciating how the narrative dissects the long-term consequences of moral compromises in a high-stakes urban environment. For awards, the first season was nominated for Best Drama at the 2020 , though it did not win. Shaun Tam and Joel Chan received nominations for their roles, recognizing their contributions to the series' impact, while supporting performances by were noted in industry discussions; neither season secured major series wins.

Viewership

Brutally Young Season 1, which aired on in 2020, achieved an average rating of 26.5 points across its 20 episodes. The series ranked fifth in mid-2020 viewership reports among TVB dramas up to that point. Its domestic success was bolstered by Tam's lead performance as Lam Long-sang, contributing to renewed interest in his career following the show's positive reception. Season 2, titled Brutally Young 2.0 and broadcast in 2022, recorded a lower average of 15.6 rating points on , reflecting a post-pandemic shift in viewing habits toward streaming platforms. Despite modest linear TV figures, it garnered strong digital engagement, including over 1.7 billion streams on mainland China's Migu platform, marking it as a surprise online hit amid declining traditional broadcasts. Viewership for both seasons exhibited upward trends during their runs, driven by discussions around plot twists and character revelations, with Season 1 improving from an initial weekly average of 25.4 points to 26.4 points later on. Season 2 similarly saw ratings climb from 14.7 points in its premiere week to 16.1 points by the finale week, fueled by online buzz. International streaming demand was notably higher for Season 1 upon release, though Season 2 later surpassed it in select markets like . The series' popularity spurred commercial extensions, including official soundtracks such as Fred Cheng's "Confessions" for Season 1 and Aska Cheung's "Behind the Hue" for Season 2, which were released digitally and contributed to broader media tie-ins. Merchandise, including DVD releases, further extended its reach in Asian markets.

References

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