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No Return (2024 TV series)

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No Return
poster
巾幗梟雄之懸崖
GenrePeriod Drama, Romantic Comedy, Mystery
Created byHong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited,
Tencent Penguin Pictures
Written byCheung Wah-Biu 張華標[1]
Directed byChan Yim Kei 陳艷琪
Creative directorSai Wan Lau 劉世運[2]
StarringNancy Wu, Wayne Lai, Edwin Siu, Hera Chan, Joey Law, Celina Harto
Theme music composerJacky Chan Kwok-Leung 陳國樑
Opening themeEven If the Sky Falls (就算天空塌下来) by Hayes Yeung, sung by Leo Ku[3]
Ending themeRed Butterfly (紅蝴蝶) by Yip Siu Chung, Tang Chi Wai, sung by Wayne Lai and Nancy Wu
Original languageCantonese
No. of episodes25
Production
Executive producerCatherina Tsang[4]
ProducerDave Fong[1]
Production locationHengdian World Studios[5]
Camera setupMulti camera
Running time45 minutes
Production companiesHong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited, Tencent Penguin Pictures
Original release
NetworkTVB Jade
Release21 October (2024-10-21) –
22 November 2024 (2024-11-22)
NetworkTencent Video
Release21 October (2024-10-21) –
5 November 2024 (2024-11-05)[6]
Related
Rosy Business (2009)
No Regrets (2010)
Lord of Shanghai (2015)
No Reserve (2016)
No Return
Traditional Chinese巾幗梟雄之懸崖
Simplified Chinese巾帼枭雄之悬崖
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinJīn Guó Xiāo Xióng Zhī Xuán Yá
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingGan1 Gwok3 Hiu1 Hung4 Zi1 Jyun4 Ngaai4

No Return (Chinese: 巾幗梟雄之懸崖) is a 2024 Hong Kong television period drama, and romantic comedy co-produced by TVB, and Tencent Penguin Pictures by producer Dave Fong, and screenwriter Cheung Wah-Biu. It stars Wayne Lai, Nancy Wu, Edwin Siu, Hera Chan, Celina Harto, Joey Law, Gabriel Harrison, Lee Shing Cheong, Mary Hon, To Yin-gor, and Susan Tse as the main cast.[1] The drama is the 4th installment of the Rosy Business franchise.

Synopsis

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Set in the 1920s to early 1940s early Republic of China era, No Return follows the lives of Tang Kwai Sim "7th Master", and Chai 17. Tang Kwai Sim is a successful businesswoman in charge of Wing Yip Bank left to her by her late father. She is feared by many as "7th Master" being one of the ten most influential tycoons in the Shanghai Concession. She is also the only woman among the cadre of the top businesspersons. Under her ruthlessness, lies a vulnerable young woman facing adversity in both her professional and personal life. There she encounters Chai 17, an out-of-luck businessman, one who's able to give sound business advice, but unable to personally prosper. Chai 17 grudgingly saves her life and the bank from going under, and the two develop a professional relationship that blossoms into a friendship. A friendship to which both were willing to give up everything and their lives for each other.[7] Along the way they encounter many adversaries, including Lam Mo Choi, a manipulative villain with three separate, yet identical identities. He holds a grudge against the Tang Family, and is bent on destroying 7th Master and her allies.

Cast and Characters

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Chai Family

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Cast Role Description
To Yin Gor Chai Man Yee
柴民意
Doctor
Owner of a Chinese medical clinic
Chai 17's father
Suffered a heart attack and died after healing Luk Yik Cing.
Wayne Lai Chai 17
柴十七
Chai Man Yee's son
Business wizard
His abilities made him prideful, he offends many people, rarely talks politely to others[8]
Tang Kwai Sim's friend
Kwai Fa Heung's friend
Benefactor of the Luk Family
He rescued 7th Master several times from danger
He is named after the 17th Hexagram of the I Ching, overcomes all odds, drawn toward noble people, influential and successful[9]
Yuki Law Luk Yik Cing
陸奕澄
Cing Cing
Luk Wing's (9th Master) daughter.
Suffered from a strange illness before being healed by Chai Man Yee.
Became Chai 17's student.

Tang Family

[edit]
Cast Role Description
Willie Lau Tang Wing So
鄧永壽
Owner of Wing Lok Textile Mill. Founder of Wing Yip Bank
Sze Wai Ngaa's husband. Father of Tang Kwai Lan, Kwai Sang, Kwai San, Kwai Sim. Father to Kwai Ping through an extra marital affair with Ms. Lam.
Rosanne Lui Sze Wai Ngaa
詩懷雅
Tang Wing So's wife. Mother of Tang Kwai Lan, Kwai Sang, Kwai San, and Kwai Sim. Adoptive mother to Kwai Ping, but merely tolerated him. Her closest bond was to her daughter Kwai Sim.
Kiwi Yuen Tang Kwai Lan
鄧桂蘭
Elder sister of Tang Kwai Sang, Kwai San, and Kwai Sim.
Wai Kang's mother. Tang Kwai Ping's half-sister.
Carisa Yan Tang Kwai Sang
鄧桂嫦
Younger sister of Tang Kwai Lan. Elder sister to Tang Kwai San, and Tang Kwai Sim. Tang Kwai Ping's half-sister.
Gabriel Harrison Tang Kwai San
鄧桂新
2nd Master, Master San
Tang Kwai Sim's elder brother. Younger brother of Tang Kwai Lan, and Kwai San. Tang Kwai Ping's half-brother.
Covets Tang Kwai Sim's wealth and power.
Nancy Wu Tang Kwai Sim
鄧桂嬋
7th Master
Shanghai business tycoon
Principal owner of Wing Yip Bank
She greedy, duplicitious, cunning and deceitful[8]
Younger sister of Tang Kwai Lan, Kwai Sang, and Kwai San.
Tang Kwai Ping's half-sister. Tang Kwai Sim was the only one in the family who gave the most attention to Kwai Ping
Loves Chai 17. She rescued Chai 17 on several occasions including wielding a gun playing Russian roulette, wagering her life to save him from dying in the hands of Governor Long in episode 16.
Edwin Siu Tang Kwai Ping
鄧桂平
Tang Wing So and Lam Fong's son
Yuri Wong Lam Fong
林方
Tang Kwai Ping, and Lam Mo Choi's birth mother
Brian Chow Wai Kang
偉強
Tang Kwai Lan's son. Kwai Sang, Kwai San, Kwai Sim's nephew

Wing Yip Bank

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Cast Role Description
Nancy Wu Tang Kwai Sim
鄧桂嬋
7th Master
Chairperson of Wing Yip Bank.
Wayne Lai Chai 17
柴十七
7th Master's special assistant
Lisa Ch'ng Fong Yee
方儀
Manager responsible for the Investment Banking, Credit, and Sales department
7th Master's closest, and most trusted colleague
Carman Kwan Lai Ga Bo
李嘉寶
Senior supervisor
Doris Chow Tsoi Kyun
徐娟
Senior supervisor
Kristy Shaw Chow Na Na
周娜娜
Senior supervisor
Sze Wai Ngaa's assistant, collected goings-on in the bank
Josephine Hung Ah Lai
阿麗
7th Master's secretary

Lee Family / Osmanthus Restaurant

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Cast Role Description
Lee Shing Cheong Kwai Ting Fung
桂廷峰
Owner of Osmanthus restaurant
Chow Gee Ning's husband
Mary Hon Chow Gee Ning
周芷寧
Kwai Ting Fung's wife
賀楚清 (childhood) Kwai Fa Heung
桂花香
Her name means Osmanthus perfume.
Kwai Ting Fung and Chow Gee Ning's daughter. Chai 17's friend. Wai Ho's childhood schoolmate. In episode 3, Kwai Fa Heung mentions his true name "Lau Chi Keung" 劉志強. Years later met him again as "Wai Ho", became friends, and eventually his wife. She has a caring personality[8]
Hera Chan
張洛齊 (childhood) Wai Ho
韋豪
Ning Lai's closest friend, and partner in crime. Kwai Fa Heung's childhood schoolmate. Years later met her again, became friends, and eventually her husband. Fraternal brother with Master Hao. Assassin, rickshaw driver, later working in the restaurant as a waiter.
Joey Law
Celina Harto Ning Lai
寧俐
Wai Ho's closest friend, partner in crime, and benefactor having rescued him from trouble. In love with Wai Ho. Became jealous when Wai Ho and Kwai Fa Heung became closer together.
Master Hao's god-daughter. Skilled in mimicry. Took refuge in the restaurant working as a waiter.
She has a gentle like water personality, eloquent[8]
Andy Sui Pau Gor (Leopard)
豹哥
Prisoner, broke out of prison with Chai 17. Waiter at Osmanthus restaurant
Oman Lam Ah Gai (Chicken)
阿雞
Vincent Cheung Sik Seot (Cricket)
蟋蟀

Shanghai's 10 Most Influential Business Tycoons

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Cast Role Description
Gabriel Harrison Tang Kwai San
鄧桂新
2nd Master / Master San
Schemed a bank run against Wing Yip Bank.
Schemed to dispose Tang Kwai Sim through a vote of no confidence during a shareholder meeting
Albert Cheung Ngok Cheung Ling
樂祥齡
3rd Master
Ngok Su Tong's father
Lender to Wing Yip Bank. Chai 17 convinced him to lend money to 7th Master
Feng Li Ping 6th Master
Allied with Master San and 8th Master to form a shareholder bloc in Wing Yip Bank
Nancy Wu Tang Kwai Sim
鄧桂嬋
7th Master
Principal owner of Wing Yip Bank, largest stockholder.
張振才 8th Master
Allied with Master San and 6th Master to form a shareholder bloc in Wing Yip Bank
Pat Poon Luk Wing
陸永
9th Master / Uncle Zhai 齋叔
Owner of Forever Bank
Luk Yik Cing's father
徐金水 10th Master

The Underworld

[edit]
Cast Role Description
Edwin Siu Tang Kwai Ping
鄧桂平
Half-brother of Tang Kwai Sim
Lam Mo Choi
林茂財
Republic of China Minister of Military and Political Affairs. Holds a huge grudge against the Tang Family
Long Sei Hoi
龍四海
General Long and Aunt May's son
Akina Hong Big Red Sister
大紅姐
Influential, and respected businessperson in Hangzhou. Tang Kwai Sim's sworn sister, and close friend.
Susan Tse Aunt May
薇姨
Long Zhan Tong's wife, Long Sei Hoi's mother
Suffers from glaucoma and cannot see very well. She and Tang Kwai Sim are linked by fate.
Sam Tsang Long Zhan Tong
龍振堂
Republic of China military govenor, corrupt warlord, mass murderer
He has a moody personality, vicious and unpredictable[8]
Steven Chan Adjutant Long Governor Long's right-hand man
Anson Ng Governor Long's underling
Ng Shui Ting Police Commissioner
警務處長
Shanghai Municipal Police. 7th Master has him in her pocket.
怖仁巴雅爾 Brother Lai
孝哥
An underworld boss, employed by 7th Master for discreet missions.
Lam King Kong Man Cing Gor
文青哥
Jailor, abused his power to bully prisoners. Gambling addict
Hellston Ching Cho Dai Fu (Big Tiger Cho)
曹大虎
An underworld boss, thug.
Long Sai Hoi's scheming led to Cho Dai Fu framing Wai Ho for murder, with Chai 17 also going to prison
Marco Lee Yiu King Master Hao
侯爺
An underworld boss, took advantage of 7th Master's kidnapping to extort ransom money from the Tang Family.
Sunny Dai Wu Ying (Housefly)
烏蠅
Master Hao's god son, Wai Ho's fraternal brother, sexually harassed Kwai Faa Heung
Alan Tam Fei Fan Gor (Flying Sail)
飛帆哥
Master Hao's god son
Eric Cheng Kai Tai Tong Si Ling
唐司令
Republic of China general, nicknamed Tong Yu Maa 唐如麻 (kill countless people), mass murderer, drug lord
Gordon Ip Mr Long
龍先生
Gangster, Tong Si Ling's subordinate. Cho gang member
Keith Mok Mr. Chu
朱先生
Gangster, Tong Si Ling's subordinate.
Bert Mok Mr. Gam
金先生
Feng Shui master who can read minds, con artist, episode 12[10]
Cheng Ka Sang Leader of the Axe Gang
斧頭幫幫主
Aunt May's god brother. Tried to intimidate 7th Master. episodes 18, 19
黃福增 Slanted Head Man
歪頭漢
A famous assassin couple from Dongbei. After the death of her mother Sze Wai Ngaa, 7th Master hired assassins to kill Lam Mo Choi, but Chai 17 convinced her to abort the mission, episode 12
陳淑雲 White Haired Woman
白髮女人
Sun Zheng Yu Wu So Ban (Bearded Mr. Ban)
鬍鬚賓
Thug, extorted Wai Ho, and other rickshaw drivers for protection money, episode 4, 6
李婉儀 Hoi Tong
海棠
Wu So Ban's girlfriend, episode 4, 6

Other Characters

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Cast Role Description
William Chu Ngok Siu Tong
樂少堂
Ngok Cheung Ling's (3rd Master) son, episode 1, 4
Samuel Wong Chan Mau Long
陳茂龍
Master San's chief advisor
He offered a poorly written bank reform proposal to 7th Master and was criticized.
梁筠苓 Chu Sau Lan
朱秀蘭
Wing Lok Textile factor worker
Lam Mo Choi's wife, episode 10
Ngai Wai Man Director Ho
何廳長
Blackmailed by Lam Mo Choi, episode 23
Cheng Shu Fung Doctor Tong
童大夫
Helped 7th Master force a confession from Cho Dai Fu, episode 21

[11][8]

Production Notes

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Principal photography began October 7, 2023, and ended December 17, 2023.[12] No Return aired October-November 2024 to coincide with TVB's launch anniversary date.[13] The drama marked the return of screenwriter Cheung Wah-Biu who wrote the first two successful Rosy Business dramas, Rosy Business, and No Regrets his last script before leaving TVB in 2011.[14]

Filming took place at the Dream Bund backlot at Hengdian World Studios. The Dream Bund, opened right after the COVID-19 pandemic, recreates the look and feel of Old Shanghai with streets and buildings built on a 1:1 scale.[8] Nancy Wu mentioned in an interview that the bountiful environment provided by Hengdian made one feel as though one was in Shanghai. In the past, when period dramas were filmed in Hong Kong, the shooting environment was not enough to match with the drama.[15]

Artistic director Sai Wan Lo designed and produced over 200 period costumes for the No Return, 30 costumes of which were for Nancy Wu's character, who wears both Chinese, and Western influenced clothing together. The artistic director said the hat style worn by Nancy not only added elegance to the costumes, but represented 1930s Western upper class society, and culture.[16][17]

Lead actress Nancy Wu mentioned the strenous nature of the film shoot, taking place within a span of just over two months, with dozens of scenes daily, resulted in her losing weight.[15][18] Additionally, Wu said it was mentally and emotionally draining playing the 7th Master as her character was very complex, requiring a high degree of emotional expression on top of the acting nuances required for a period drama.[19][20]

Producer Dave Fong was satisfied with the performances of the new generation of actors Joey Law, Hera Chan, and Celina Harto, saying they were very attentive, and expressed the personalities of their characters very well.[5] He mentioned Hera Chan has an excellent temperament and performed brilliantly in the crying scene, one of the best TVB actress at crying. The producer said Celina Harto grasped the essence of her role very well, somebody who looks very scheming, but actually a simple, and pitiful person.[21] Celina Harto's performance also won approval from mainland Chinese netizens for her portrayal of a Green Tea Bitch "綠茶婊". Celina Harto mentioned she spent time researching the role, trying several variations of the personality before choosing one that was ruthless enough, but not extremely so.[22]

The sequence of flashback scenes with Wayne Lai and Nancy Wu in a coffin was a continuous 2 minute shot done in one take. [23]

No Return is the third co-produced drama by Tencent Penguin Pictures under their Hong Kong Drama Project "港劇計劃" platform.[24] Containing elements of mystery and suspense in the narrative, light comedy in a period drama, and high production values, producers hope No Return will attract new audiences, and old fans, to a new style of Hong Kong dramas.[25][26]

The Chinese name for the series 巾幗梟雄 means Ambitious strong Woman. The Chinese name for the 4th installment 懸崖 means Precipice, or symbolically, at the edge of no return.

Viewership Ratings

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The following table reflects viewers who watched episodes live on TVB Jade television and on TVB apps online.

Episode Week Highest cross-platform ratings Viewers (in millions) references
01-05 October 21, 2024-October 27, 2024 24.8 points 1.61 [27]
06-10 October 28, 2024 - November 3, 2024 23.1 points 1.50 [28]
11-15 November 4, 2024 - November 10, 2024 22.2 points 1.44 [29]
16-20 November 11, 2024 - November 17, 2024 22.4 points 1.45 [30]
21-25 November 18, 2024 - November 24, 2024 23.5 points 1.53 [31]
Averaged total 23.2 points

On Douban, No Return scored 5.6 midway through the series.[32]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "巾幗梟雄之懸崖線上看劇情劇透|全25集懶人包(持續更新)黎耀祥/胡定欣/蕭正楠/羅天宇 共譜亂世情緣". TVB. 2024-11-14. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  2. ^ "《色,戒》美指劉世運任劇集藝術總監 為胡定欣度身訂造逾三十款霸氣舊上海女強人造型". Bastille Post 巴士的報. 2024-10-05. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  3. ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖|古巨基再獻聲負責主題曲 網民︰超好聽". am730. 2024-10-21. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  4. ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖丨黎耀祥胡定欣第8度合作展默契 曾勵珍往橫店探班一招慰勞劇組". Sing Tao Daily. 2023-12-04. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  5. ^ a b "專訪|港劇《巾幗梟雄之懸崖》熱播 監製方駿釗:首次內地拍全程驚喜多". Wen Wei Po 香港文匯網. 2024-11-07. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  6. ^ "《巾帼枭雄之悬崖》腾讯视频追剧日历". yule.hk. 2024-10-21. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  7. ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖 : 「柴十七」黎耀祥爆經典洗腦對白 胡定欣獲《色,戒》美指度身訂造霸氣造型". Ming Pao Weekly 明報周刋. 2024-10-05. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "【熱播劇集】台慶劇《巾幗梟雄之懸崖》巾幗經典重臨 再起亂世愛恨情仇". TVB USA. 2024-11-28. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  9. ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖丨黎耀祥親自拆解「柴十七」名字迷思 原來同易經有關:角色名都唔係求其架". TVB. 2024-10-22. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  10. ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖丨蕭正楠表情大暴走 親自拆解三個角色箇中玄機:宣傳海報有答案". TVB. 2024-11-05. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  11. ^ "Closing credits". 巾幗梟雄之懸崖. Episode 1–25. 43 minutes in. TVB.
  12. ^ "巾帼枭雄之悬崖》完成拍摄". yule.hk. 2023-10-22. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  13. ^ "巾幗梟雄之前世今生". Ming Pao Weekly 明報周刋. 2024-11-01. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  14. ^ "巾幗梟雄之前世今生". Ming Pao Weekly 明報周刋. 2024-11-01. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21. 張華標由二○一○年離開無綫,到二○二四年帶着《巾幗梟雄之懸崖》回歸港劇創作
  15. ^ a b "专访TVB艺人胡定欣:从配角到主演,与《巾帼枭雄》的缘分用"七爷"来完成". Shanghai Observer 上观新闻 (in Simplified Chinese). 2024-11-06. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  16. ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖丨《色,戒》美指劉世運任劇集藝術總監 為胡定欣度身訂造逾三十款霸氣舊上海女強人造型". TVB. 2024-10-06. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21. 對於定欣的帽子造型,劇集藝術總監劉世運說:「戴帽除增添優雅、高貴,更是30年代西洋紳士文化的代表,交際場中的風光堂皇冠冕。」
  17. ^ "《色,戒》美指劉世運任劇集藝術總監 為胡定欣度身訂造逾三十款霸氣舊上海女強人造型". Bastille Post 巴士的報. 2024-10-05. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  18. ^ Hsia, Heidi (2024-03-13). "Wayne Lai and Nancy Wu admit challenges filming "No Return"". Cinema Online. Yahoo. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  19. ^ "独家: 胡定欣拍《巾帼》压力大有阴影,封黎耀祥做"QC祥"助执靓演出". Sing Tao Global Web 星岛环球 (in Simplified Chinese). 2024-11-21. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  20. ^ "胡定欣專訪丨胡定欣演「七爺」外剛內柔 女強人激罕曝露柔弱一面:唔係樣樣都咁強勢". TVB. 2024-11-13. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  21. ^ "看好合拍劇前景 望與內地多合作 方駿釗讚新生代演技有提升". Wen Wei Po. 2024-12-01. Archived from the original on 2024-12-24.
  22. ^ "陳楨怡曬43吋逆天長腿演活機心女 不介意被指「頂級綠茶婊」". HK01. 2024-11-08. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  23. ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖丨黎耀祥為效果苦練「水蛇春」對白 2分鐘一輪嘴場口一take過完成勁專業". TVB. 2024-11-07. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  24. ^ "TVB與騰訊視頻達成新的框架合作 實現跨平台媒體時代內容生態新篇章 展開港劇在內地市場的新局面". TVB. 2024-06-25. Archived from the original on 2024-12-24.
  25. ^ "TVB台庆大戏《巾帼枭雄之悬崖》首周开门红,京沪看片会再升追剧热度". Yangtse Evening Post 扬子晚报 (in Simplified Chinese). 2024-11-07.
  26. ^ "《企业强人》聚焦物流商战,你的港剧片单扩容了". Yangtse Evening Post 扬子晚报 (in Simplified Chinese). 2024-09-16.
  27. ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖丨黎耀祥孖胡定欣一齊瞓棺材 對收視感滿意:幾驚得10幾點". Sing Tao Daily. 2024-11-05. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  28. ^ "TVB收視|東張力壓巾幗重奪榜首 陳懿德郭珮文孖妹節目勁收". HK01. 2024-11-04. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  29. ^ "翡翠台节目收视率(2024年11月4日至10日)". yule.hk. 2024-11-12. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  30. ^ "翡翠台节目收视率(2024年11月11日至17日)". yule.hk. 2024-11-19. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  31. ^ "TVB收視|《萬千星輝賀台慶》揮低一眾劇集節目 成績破近5年紀錄". HK01. 2024-11-25. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
  32. ^ "没有邓萃雯的《巾帼枭雄》 少了气场与CP感". Lianhe Zaobao 联合早报 (in Simplified Chinese). 2024-11-04. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21. 至截稿,《悬崖》在豆瓣取得5.6分。
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