Limelight Years (2015)

LAI GOR-DUN, a wealthy Taiwan entrepreneur, invites a mysterious author called "MARJORINA" to fly from Hong Kong to Taiwan, helping him write his autobiography. The PR Manager of GOR-DUN's hotel, POON NAM-SZE is GOR-DUN's right-hand woman. She not only helps GOR-DUN get ready to welcome MARJORINA, but also arranges diva WAH FONG-YING to perform at the night of the medal awards ceremony. WAH FONG-YING, a diva of her time, has spent forty years on stage, and is extremely harsh on people. In order to buy designer shoes for FONG-YING at a high-end boutique, her assistant SZETO TIK-TIK dresses up nicely, but is mocked by FONG-YING, who is also dissatisfied with TIK-TIK's performance. The owner of Upstairs Photo Studio is LAW BUN-HON, and his friends call him "LAW BUN". Just prior to boarding a plane, he finds that he is elevated to a first-class seat, which makes him so excited that he even calls his wife MING HA to tell her about it.… ...

TIK-TIK leads SHEUNG-HANG back to her hotel room to make out, but she regains her consciousness as soon as she sees FONG-YING's high heel shoes, and immediately drives SHEUNG-HANG away. While FONG-YING is performing at the celebration ceremony for GOR-DUN who is awarded the medal, LAW BUN makes a phone call to MING HA, letting her listen to her idol's singing. Seeing that LAW BUN also brings an old photo album, SHEUNG-HANG enquires about a photo showing three people, so LAW BUN tells him that they are him, GOR-DUN and LUI TSO-CHI. GOR-DUN challenges LAW BUN to a table tennis contest, but is defeated. On top of that, he even slips and falls, and his embarrassing moment is right away caught on camera by LAW BUN. Having learned from a friend that NAM-SZE is about to get married, FONG-YING tries to catch up with her on social networking sites. FONG-YING grants TIK-TIK a half day off.… ...

NAM-SZE asks TIK-TIK to pass a file to FONG-YING for her, but the following day when leaving the hotel, TIK-TIK completely forgets about it after KA-MING comes to Taipei to pick her up back to Hong Kong. FONG-YING asks LAW BUN to upload the photos to her blog, adding that she has already fired TIK-TIK. However, LAW BUN points out that she has wronged TIK-TIK. When leaving together with LAW BUN, FONG-YING suggests going to the Red House since the place is not only where she made her first stage appearance in Taiwan, but also where MING HA and her family members watched her performance. TIK-TIK doesn't remember the file until she arrives at the airport, so she rushes back to the hotel. On the other hand, SHEUNG-HANG uploads the video that he secretly filmed when TIK-TIK spoke out loud what she demanded from a man, entitling it "Charming Cheap Lady".… ...

FONG-YING decides to go directly to NAM-SZE's home to have a word with her. As to NAM-SZE, she invites her fiance and his family members to have a dinner together, urging TONG YAN to bring her illegitimate son CHRIS back to her home. However, CHRIS hugs her and keeps crying and screaming, refusing to let her leave. FONG-YING, LAW BUN and TIK-TIK go to look for them separately. From a distance, FONG-YING surprisingly sees her younger daughter TONG YAN staying with CHRIS. She therefore thinks that TONG YAN became an unmarried single mother. Asking TIK-TIK out, SHEUNG-HANG deliberately reveals that he is actually penniless, following which he secretly films her reaction, and then puts the video online. Once again, LAW BUN accompanies FONG-YING to look for NAM-SZE. Midway there, FONG-YING receives a phone call from TONG YAN. FONG-YING thus goes to the church and finds NAM-SZE, advising her to call off the wedding.… ...

FONG-YING decides to go directly to NAM-SZE's home to have a word with her. As to NAM-SZE, she invites her fiance and his family members to have a dinner together, urging TONG YAN to bring her illegitimate son CHRIS back to her home. However, CHRIS hugs her and keeps crying and screaming, refusing to let her leave. FONG-YING, LAW BUN and TIK-TIK go to look for them separately. From a distance, FONG-YING surprisingly sees her younger daughter TONG YAN staying with CHRIS. She therefore thinks that TONG YAN became an unmarried single mother. Asking TIK-TIK out, SHEUNG-HANG deliberately reveals that he is actually penniless, following which he secretly films her reaction, and then puts the video online. Once again, LAW BUN accompanies FONG-YING to look for NAM-SZE. Midway there, FONG-YING receives a phone call from TONG YAN. FONG-YING thus goes to the church and finds NAM-SZE, advising her to call off the wedding.… ...

Asking LAW BUN to develop the photos for him, KAI-YIU reveals that he is helping FONG-YING in preparation of her concert scheduled to be held by the end of the year. KAI-YIU hopes that TING-NGA will not compete with FONG-YING regarding the venue booking, but TING-NGA refuses to give in. LAW BUN's landlord Mr. YEUNG decides to emigrate to Australia, so he suggests selling the property of the Upstairs Photo Studio to LAW BUN at a 30% off discount rate. Though TSO-CHI thinks that CHI-YUE is capable of purchasing the property for LAW BUN, LAW BUN doesn't want his son to spend the money for him. GOR-DUN comes to Hong Kong to buy a yacht; whereas TSO-CHI still refuses to meet him. SHEUNG-HANG and TI-TAK specifically introduce the competitive advantage of the business promotion via an online radio station to GOR-DUN, who thus invites them to go sailing with him.… ...

LAW BUN blames FONG-YING for exposing KAI-YIU's photos to the media, adding that her action has severely damaged his reputation because his clients are based on trust to let him develop their photos. TING-NGA is surrounded by the journalists downstairs, suddenly, FONG-YING shows up and helps her out. Apologizing to FONG-YING, KAI-YIU reveals that in fact it's someone else who spilled the beans. Seeing that TING-NGA blames KAI-YIU for deciding her future without asking for her opinion beforehand, FONG-YING tells TING-NGA that she has no idea how lucky she is. Using herself as an example, she exhorts TING-NGA to try to appreciate what she already has. FONG-YING invites some of the showbiz heavyweights to help organize her concert, including Brother TANG as the Creative Director, and DIAMOND, a cutting-edge musician as the Music Director.… ...

Having learned that FONG-YING buys the idea proposed by SHEUNG-HANG, Brother TANG points it out for her that the idea of "Glamorous Transformation" is outdated, reiterating his cutting-edge concept namely "Moulin Rouge". After that, Brother TANG goes to reprimand SHEUNG-HANG, who not only asks for Brother TANG's forgiveness but also voluntarily reduces his salary by 30%. While feeling sorry for SHEUNG-HANG, TIK-TIK also comes to realize that he will do whatever it takes to achieve fame. LAW BUN and ALICE are having dinner together, during which LAW BUN enquires whether she and his son CHI-YUE have ever planned for their future, adding that he doesn't mind to have a foreign daughter-in-law. CHI-YUE misconceives that his father will not leave since he has already forgiven him and TSO-CHI. To his surprise, LAW BUN states that he is still going to Taiwan to fulfill his dream.… ...

When TIK-TIK is eating the hamburger with her younger brother, she sees that KA-MING is also eating a hamburger together with his new girlfriend, so she swears that she shall never ever be that kind of woman. DIAMOND proposes remaking the music of FONG-YING's hit song, but is rejected by FONG-YING. SHEUNG-HANG opines that FONG-YING should stir up some gossip that would be hyped up by the media for promotion. According to SHEUNG-HANG, it would be better that FONG-YING's second ex-husband TONG SZE-CHIT would be involved too, which exasperates FONG-YING. SHEUNG-HANG also reminds TIK-TIK to seize the chance to develop a romantic relationship with DIAMOND by catering to his interests. LAW BUN notices TONG YAN's waist tattoo looks similar to the one on his old acquaintance THERESA, who turns out to be TONG YAN's Yoga mentor.… ...

LAW BUN recalls the old days he has spent together with his late wife MING HA while listening to FONG-YING's singing. At that moment, he comes to realise the real meaning of what his late wife said to him years ago, and thus appreciates having FONG-YING's songs around the time of his late wife. All of a sudden, FONG-YING has a heart attack, so LAW BUN immediately takes her back to Hong Kong. The concert organizer, Mr. TSANG, goes to visit FONG-YING in the hospital. While there, he indicates that the concert lacks selling points as FONG-YING not only sacked Brother TANG but also lost DIAMOND as her Music Director. He then suggests announcing to the public that FONG-YING is worn out by being overworked and admitted to the hospital in a bid to attract media attention. But, FONG-YING refuses to do so because she doesn't want to lie. Going to the Studio, SHEUNG-HANG asks LAW BUN for the details about FONG-YING passing out in Taiwan.… ...

Discharged from the hospital, FONG-YING sees a large group of journalists waiting outside the hospital, so she thinks someone must have leaked the information to the media. TIK-TIK's mother pressures TIK-TIK to resign, emphasizing that FONG-YING doesn't seem to be a person of goodwill. FONG-YING brings TONG WING's favorite music magazine to the rehabilitation center; whereas SZE-CHIT reveals to FONG-YING that he is going to get married again. After learning that her ex-husband is actually going to marry the one whom he had extramarital affair with years ago, FONG-YING cannot help seething with rage, claiming that she will never ever let her son make a public appearance. Having heard this, TONG YAN blames her mother for being so selfish. TIK-TIK receives a phone call from FONG-YING's chauffeur, who informs her that FONG-YING is nowhere to be found.… ...

FONG-YING asks for Superintendent TONG's help in search of missing TONG WING, hoping he keeps a low profile; whereas TONG YAN feels that her mother is so cruel and hardhearted because she refuses to make publicly known TONG WING's disappearance in order to keep her own reputation intact. FONG-YING turns to LAW BUN for help, so LAW BUN hops in his friend's taxi to look for TONG WING. After receiving the information that FONG-YING is going to hold a press conference, TI-TAK laments that SHEUNG-HANG's upcoming new book, Behind the Glamor, might not be so stirring as expected once TONG WING's secret is made public by FONG-YING since it's the major selling point of the book. The boss, Mr. TSANG, and KAI-YIU advise FONG-YING not to publicly announce her son's secret for fear that her fans will boycott her concert. In the end, both sides agree to wait for another three hours.… ...

TONG WING and TONG YAN return home where TIK-TIK secretly films TONG-WING. After LAW BUN gives FONG-YING the photos he took in the rehabilitation center, FONG-YING sighs and reveals that it's been so long since the last time she and her family members took photos together. In view of this, LAW BUN suggests that FONG-YING could go to the studio together with her family members to take some family portraits. With WING-WING encouraging LAW BUN to vie to fulfill the late MING HA's other final wishes, LAW BUN knows that the late MING HA had always been yearning for attending FONG-YING's concert. After taking the family photos together with her family members, FONG-YING invites LAW BUN to be the photographer for her concert photo album. LAW BUN doesn't know that ALICE is a big fan of SZE-CHIT's movies until he discovers that ALICE secretly takes photos of SZE-CHIT.… ...

Saying that she has known what happened, TIK-TIK coaxes FONG-YING into giving a blow-by-blow account of what happened between her and SHUN-LONG years ago. Officially, LAW BUN joins the concert preparation team to organize the photo album. As SHEUNG-HANG suggests that FONG-YING should invite JAZZ to be the Music Director for her concert, TIK-TIK also tries to persuade FONG-YING to mend fences with JAZZ. LAW BUN notices that TIK-TIK secretly films TONG WING with her mobile phone, so he warns FONG-YING about it and tells her to be careful. Eventually FONG-YING uncovers TIK-TIK's secret filming, following which TIK-TIK cannot help disclosing her relationship with SHUN-LONG, and blames FONG-YING for making SHUN-LONG so depressed. Later on, TIK-TIK admits to SHEUNG-HANG that her plan has been seen through by FONG-YING, so SHEUNG-HANG turns to TI-TAK to vent his frustration.… ...

With TIK-TIK being forced to go on a blind date, TI-TAK figures that SHEUNG-HANG might go to help TIK-TIK out. On the contrary, SHEUNG-HANG claims that he is going to meet up with a publishing editor. SHEUNG-HANG passes a disc containing his manuscript to the editor, but is rejected. As such, FONG-YING suggests authorising SHEUNG-HANG to write an autobiography for her with only one condition, which is that he cannot write anything about TONG WING. Knowing that SHEUNG-HANG will soon release his new book, TIK-TIK celebrates it early with SHEUNG-HANG, who instead tells her that they should not mix up their professional and personal relationship. TONG WING passes out on the heels of his performance of his new song, and the doctors are not optimistic about his condition......… ...

FONG-YING seems to have lost her purpose in life since TONG WING's death; whereas SHEUNG-HANG follows LAW BUN to Taiwan, and TIK-TIK also arrives in Taiwan. On her way to the hotel, TIK-TIK spots FONG-YING sitting idly alone, so she brings her back to the hotel, during which FONG-YING says that she doesn't want to sing anymore. Revealing that he is not going to publish his book, Behind the Glamor, SHEUNG-HANG hopes that FONG-YING is able to hold her concert as scheduled. Meanwhile, LAW BUN also brings her the last bottle of plum honey that was brewed by the late MING HA, trying to encourage FONG-YING to continue performing. However, FONG-YING throws away the honey, emphasizing that she will never ever sing a song. Although NAM-SZE and TONG YAN are both worried about their mother, they can do nothing about it.… ...

With lots of encouragement, FONG-YING and BUN-HON pull through for each other, and they also invite each other to go for a tour around Taiwan and a whale watching tour. While LAW BUN watches the fireflies that were mentioned by the late MING HA, he accidentally slips and falls, lapsing into a coma. Fortunately, FONG-YING goes to his rescue. FONG-YING not only authorises SHEUNG-HANG to be in charge of her concert publicity, but also lets him write the autobiography for her. Once again, LAW BUN runs into WING-WING at the airport, so he invites WING-WING to take a photo together as a keepsake. Upon his return to the studio, LAW BUN sees that a group of young people are having a zombie theme party. It turns out that TSO-CHI started doing theme photography in the studio and revenue growth doubles compared to the previous year. LAW BUN accompanies FONG-YING to buy a camera, during which FONG-YING requests LAW BUN to be her model.… ...

TIK-TIK hands FONG-YING the unfinished music manuscript written by SHUN-LONG, adding that SHUN-LONG wanted FONG-YING to complete the song left unfinished by him. In order to retain his vision, LAW BUN refuses to go through the surgery. LAW BUN goes hiking together with TSO-CHI and GOR-DUN and takes a group photo with them as a memento. While revealing that he underwent heart surgery in the USA, GOR-DUN also sincerely apologizes to TSO-CHI and LAW BUN. On top of that, GOR-DUN even frankly admits that the reason he returned to Hong Kong is to start seriously pursuing FONG-YING. LAW BUN is ready to head off to Taiwan to photograph fireflies, but is hindered by CHI-YUE. After encountering ALICE in the hospital, CHI-YUE brings ALICE back home to visit LAW BUN, during which he expresses his intention of marrying ALICE.… ...

FONG-YING decides to move her concert forward by scheduling it to be held in one month so as to let LAW BUN enjoy the show and become relaxed before undergoing the surgery. She then assigns TIK-TIK to handle the issue regarding the performance venue. SHEUNG-HANG can never imagine that FONG-YING would give up the opportunity of holding her concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum for the sake of LAW BUN, so he intends to use it as the concert publicity stunt. In the meantime, FONG-YING also manages to invite JAZZ as the Music Director of her concert. Out of the blue, SHEUNG-HANG receives a letter from Brother TANG's lawyer, indicating that the ownership of the intellectual property created by SHEUNG-HANG for FONG-YING including the right of publicity and the upcoming book, Behind the Glamor, belongs to Brother TANG.… ...

SHEUNG-HANG's love confession stirs up public opinion after the web-radio broadcast, and the netizens keep sending him messages of support one after another. As for LAW BUN, he decides to undergo the surgery after TIK-TIK falls into a coma, because he doesn't want FONG-YING to worry about him anymore. Bringing along a wedding gown to the ward, SHEUNG-HANG proposes marriage to unconscious TIK-TIK, surprisingly, TIK-TIK regains consciousness. SHEUNG-HANG thinks that through TIK-TIK's experience of being interviewed by the media will not only help retain her own popularity, but also help promote FONG-YING's upcoming concert. As such, he suggests accompanying TIK-TIK during her interview, vying to help boost her image as a Wonder Lady. TSO-CHI proposes that he and LAW BUN could appear as guest performers in FONG-YING's concert, so FONG-YING lets them use the jam studio for rehearsal.… ...

TIK-TIK invites her mother and younger brother to have afternoon tea in TI-TAK's hotel, during which TIK-TIK's mother inquires TI-TAK about SHEUNG-HANG's personality, though she frankly admits that SHEUNG-HANG didn't leave her with a good impression. LAW BUN wakes up after the surgery and finds out he lost his hearing. As for SHEUNG-HANG, he becomes famous and as a result his other books also become the best-selling ones. Although TIK-TIK feels unwell and doesn't want to attend the award presentation, SHEUNG-HANG manages to convince her to attend. Noticing that TIK-TIK is actually having a fever, FONG-YING cannot bear to see it anymore, so she takes TIK-TIK to hospital in person. While there, TIK-TIK runs into a doctor who was also her attending doctor while she was in a coma. Through the doctor, she eventually gets to know the truth that SHEUNG-HANG's marriage proposal turns out to be a mere show and finds it hard to take.… ...

When SHEUNG-HANG turns to TI-TAK to vent his frustration, TI-TAK expresses his sympathy for SHEUNG-HANG, above which he even opens up with SHEUNG-HANG about what's on his mind. Three weeks later which is also a day before the concert, SHEUNG-HANG delivers the revised lyrics to FONG-YING's home, trying to convince FONG-YING to use the lyrics written by him. As the concert is about to begin, TING-NGA goes to attend the concert as one of FONG-YING's fans. At the concert, FONG-YING stands on the stage, sharing her incredible emotional journey of forty years in the limelight. Midway through, she notices that JAZZ has changed the music; whereas LAW BUN suddenly shows up and starts singing a duet with FONG-YING. Having successfully transformed the studio into a new business, TSO-CHI is thereby interviewed by the media.… ...