Battle of the Seven Sisters
| Battle of the Seven Sisters | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | 七公主 |
| Genre | |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by |
|
| Starring |
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| Opening theme | "You Me Her (你我她)" by Kayee Tam |
| Original language | Cantonese |
| No. of episodes | 26 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Joe Chan Wai-kwun |
| Production location | Hong Kong |
| Running time | approx. 45 minutes per episode |
| Production company | TVB |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | 9 August – 11 September 2021 |
Battle of the Seven Sisters (Chinese: 七公主, lit. Seven Princesses) is a Hong Kong drama television series produced by TVB and overseen by producer Joe Chan. The 26-episode series aired from 9 August to 11 September 2021 and follows the Koo family siblings as they confront legal disputes, family secrets, and personal struggles, exploring themes of growth, grief, and reconciliation. The principal cast includes Priscilla Wong, Rosina Lam, Samantha Ko, Kaman Kong, and Judy Kwong. Inspired by the spirit of Journey to the West, the series won Best Series at the 54th TVB Anniversary Awards, while Rosina Lam received Best Actress.
Cast
- Priscilla Wong as Alison Koo Ling-shan, the eldest sister and a successful but cold, high-flying barrister whose thriving career contrasts with her troubled personal life and strained relationship with her younger sisters.
- Rosina Lam as Grace Koo Yu-yin, the third half-sister and manager of a co-working space who struggles to cope with the death of her husband.
- Samantha Ko as Koo Ching-tung, the second sister, a laid-back yet rough-around-the-edges woman who works as an Uber driver and online writer. She has a strained relationship with Alison.
- Kaman Kong as Hailey Koo Sheung-yi, the fourth sister and a piano teacher who secretly faked her qualifications and struggles with personal insecurities.
- Jeannie Chan as Moon Chiu Kwan-yuet, one of the younger sisters connected to the Koo family through complex family ties.
- Judy Kwong as Jasmine Fong Chor-yu, a trainee solicitor who later discovers that she had been financially supported by the Koo family patriarch despite not being related by blood. She is interested in fencing.
- Karl Ting as Sung Wan-kei / Koo Siu-po, the youngest half-brother of the Koo family who returns from South Korea.
- Lau Dan as Koo Pak-fong, the father of the Koo siblings who leaves a series of missions for his daughters to complete after his death in order to inherit his fortune.
- Helen Ma as Shirley Kung Lai, Koo Pak-fong's ex-wife and the mother of Alison, Ching-tung, and Hailey.
- Hera Chan as Wu Ying-suet, a rape victim whom Alison once helped and who later appears as Alison's visual hallucination when Alison develops psychosis due to work-related stress and family guilt.
- Moon Lau as Maya Chuk Mei-nga, Sung Wan-kei's childhood friend from South Korea.
- Gilbert Lam as Matthew Szeto But, a solicitor and Jasmine's mentor who executes Koo Pak-fong's will following his death.
- Joel Chan as Duncan Yip Chi-lai, Alison's university classmate with whom she has an affair.
- Felix Ng as Aden Cheung Man-ho, a physiotherapist and former student of Alison's who develops a crush on her.
- Yen To as Alfred Ching Siu, Alison's mentor.
- Leo Lee as Roy Lee Long, Alison's mentee.
- Tsui Wing as Tsui Ming-hin (deceased) / Gordon Wong Nam, Grace's late husband; she later meets Wong Nam, a man who closely resembles him.
- Timothy Cheng as Philip Shum Chiu-yin, Grace's supervisor who secretly has a crush on her and is also an expert in fencing.
- Luk Wing as Hanson Ma Kei-chun, an aspiring comic book artist who befriends Ching-tung.
- Sunny Dai as Ng Fei-lung, Ching-tung's friend.
Themes and production
According to producer Joe Chan, the series is inspired by the spirit of Journey to the West, emphasizing that the meaning of a journey lies in personal growth and emotional experience rather than the final outcome. The drama focuses on the intertwined lives of seven women from different backgrounds, exploring themes of self-discovery, emotional connection, and how their relationships influence one another's development.[3] Despite the series title's reference to seven sisters, the seventh member of the family group is the half-brother portrayed by Karl Ting in the series.[4]
Plot
Battle of the Seven Sisters follows the intertwined lives of several siblings who face legal, familial, and emotional conflicts. The story centers on Alison Koo (Priscilla Wong), a successful but emotionally distant barrister who is highly focused on winning court cases. In pursuit of victory, she sometimes employs aggressive or ethically questionable strategies in litigation. Alison maintains a secret romantic relationship with a married man while dealing with her strained relationship with her family, particularly her sisters. After receiving news of her father's death, she becomes involved in a mission he left behind, which includes searching for a missing half-sister.
Koo Ching-tung (Samantha Ko) becomes involved in inheritance-related arrangements and approaches Grace Koo (Rosina Lam) under complex circumstances. Grace struggles with grief over her deceased husband while developing an emotional attachment to a man who resembles him. The series also portrays the personal struggles of other characters.
Throughout the story, the characters confront various legal disputes while coping with loneliness, mental health challenges, family estrangement, and personal losses. As hidden secrets are gradually revealed, the siblings seek reconciliation with one another and attempt to move forward toward new beginnings.[5][6]
Music
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "You Me Her (你我她)" | Sandy Cheung | Damon Chui | Kayee Tam | 2:57[7] |
| 2. | "How Do You Let Go of Love? (該如何放棄愛)" | Tsang Chui-yu | Tsang Chui-yu | Vivian Koo | 3:55[8] |
Ratings and reception
| Week | Episodes | Airing dates | Ratings[a] | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 – 5 | 9–13 August 2021 | 20 points | [10] |
| 2 | 6 – 10 | 16–20 August 2021 | 20.8 points | [2] |
| 3 | 11 – 15 | 23–27 August 2021 | 21 points | [11] |
| 4 | 16 – 20 | 30 August – 3 September 2021 | 21.9 points | [12] |
| 5 | 21 – 26 | 6–11 September 2021 | 21.4 points | [13] |
Awards and nominations
Rosina Lam's Best Actress win was described by the media as controversial, with some netizens expressing that they felt she was not the strongest contender for the award.[14][15]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Results | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54th TVB Anniversary Awards | Best Television Series | Battle of the Seven Sisters | Won | [14][16] |
| Best Actress | Rosina Lam | Won |
Notes
References
- ^ 林迅景 (6 September 2021). 七公主.劇評四|策略成功 主打大雜燴式愛情線先係王道? [Battle of the Seven Sisters Review 4: Strategy Succeeds — Is a Multi-layered Romance Storyline the Key to Popularity?]. HK01 (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ a b 獨家|七公主惡鬥反晒面 黃翠如大演騎呢求愛舞 引爆高潮 [Exclusive: Battle of the Seven Sisters Feud Erupts; Priscilla Wong's Quirky Dance Sparks Climax]. Sing Tao Daily (in Traditional Chinese). 29 August 2021. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ 專訪︱監製陳維冠解構開拍《七公主》跟《西遊記》有關 [Interview: Producer Joe Chan Explains that the Production of Battle of the Seven Sisters is Inspired by Journey to the West]. Ming Pao (in Traditional Chinese). 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ 黃欣華 (9 September 2021). 七公主|丁子朗激動澄清絕非假冒 終極七公主身份率先爆! [Battle of the Seven Sisters Karl Ting clarifies he is not an impostor; final "seventh princess" identity revealed early]. HK01 (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ 七公主|1-5集劇情劇透:高海寧為得遺產接近林夏薇、黃翠如為贏官司不擇手段 [Battle of the Seven Sisters Episodes 1–5 Plot Spoilers: Koo Ching-tung approaches Grace Koo to secure inheritance, while Alison Koo uses ruthless methods to win lawsuits]. Sunday Kiss (in Traditional Chinese). 6 August 2021. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- 七公主|6-10集劇情劇透:高海寧下藥欲迷暈陸永 林夏薇視徐榮為亡夫 [Battle of the Seven Sisters Episodes 6–10 Plot Spoilers: Koo Ching-tung tries to drug Hanson Ma; Grace Koo treats Wong Nam as her late husband]. Sunday Kiss (in Traditional Chinese). 13 August 2021. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ 七公主|11-15集劇情劇透:黃翠如與陳山聰不倫戀情被公開 [Battle of the Seven Sisters Episodes 11–15: Alison Koo's affair with Duncan Yip is exposed]. Sunday Kiss (in Traditional Chinese). 20 August 2021. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- 七公主|16-20集劇情劇透:吳子冲、黃翠如姊弟戀 陳瀅對馬海倫大獻殷勤 [Battle of the Seven Sisters Episodes 16–20: Aden Cheung and Alison Koo begin a May–December romance; Moon Chiu grows attentive to Shirley Kung]. Sunday Kiss (in Traditional Chinese). 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- 七公主結局|21-26集劇情劇透「七公主」出現!丁子朗自殺 黃翠如崩潰病情惡化 [Battle of the Seven Sisters Episodes 21–26 (Finale): The "Seven Princesses" are revealed; Sung Wan-kei attempts suicide, and Alison Koo's condition worsens]. Sunday Kiss (in Traditional Chinese). 9 September 2021. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "You Me Her (你我她) (Theme song from TV Drama Battle of the Seven Sisters by Kayee Tam on Apple Music". Apple Music. Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "How Do You Let Go of Love? (該如何放棄愛) (Ending Theme song from TV Drama Battle of the Seven Sisters) Musical Work Details". Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong Ltd. 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- "How Do You Let Go of Love? (該如何放棄愛) (Ending Theme song from TV Drama Battle of the Seven Sisters) by Vivian Koo on Apple Music". Apple Music. Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "TVB Interim Report 2025" (PDF). TVB. 2025. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 February 2026. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
- ^ 《七公主》首播反應好 平均收視20點 [Battle of the Seven Sisters Premiere Draws Positive Response, Averaging 20 Rating Points]. Oriental Daily News (in Traditional Chinese). 16 August 2021. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ 《智能愛人》19點創新高 《七救星》成ViuTV收視之冠 [AI Romantic Hits Record 19 Points; Master Seven Tops ViuTV Ratings]. Ming Pao (in Traditional Chinese). 30 August 2021. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ 黃梓恒 (7 September 2021). 三台收視報告|《兒歌金曲》預算失誤?《力圖打排球》成功搶灘 [TV Ratings: Children's Song Classics Misbudgeted? Let's Play Volleyball Scores Big]. HK01 (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 7 March 2026. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ 黃梓恒 (14 September 2021). 三台收視報告|港姐決賽收視報捷 靠張學友搶走ViuTV觀眾? [TV Ratings: Miss Hong Kong Finale Scores Well; Did Jacky Cheung Draw Away ViuTV Viewers?]. HK01 (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 28 December 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Netizens Say Linda Chung Was "Robbed" Of Best Actress Award, Slam TVB For Giving It To Rosina Lam Instead". Today Online. 4 January 2022. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ 賴家杰 (3 January 2022). 林夏薇得「視后」引起中港網友憤怒情緒:下次別忽悠鍾嘉欣拍戲了 [Rosina Lam's Best Actress win sparked anger among Hong Kong and mainland Chinese netizens: Don't ask Linda Chung to return to acting next time]. HK01 (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 8 March 2026. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ 《萬千星輝頒獎典禮2021》得獎名單 [TVB Anniversary Awards 2021 List of Winners]. Ming Pao (in Traditional Chinese). 2 January 2022. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2026.