No Regrets () is a 2010 Hong Kong period television drama created and produced by Lee Tim-shing for TVB as a grand production. Set in Canton, Republic of China during the years of the Second Sino-Japanese War, it follows the lives of Lau Sing (Wayne Lai) and Cheng Kau-mui (Sheren Tang), who go against all odds to protect their families from the violence of war.
No Regrets is the companion piece of Rosy Business (2009) featuring majority of the same cast with a new storyline set in a different time period. It premiered on Jade and HD Jade networks from 18 October 2010 and aired for 32 episodes, with the final two episodes airing back-to-back on 28 November 2010. It was one of two anniversary dramas used to celebrate TVB's 43rd anniversary in 2010, the other being Gun Metal Grey. Both dramas were the first Hong Kong dramas to broadcast live with English subtitles. It stars TVB Best Actress winners Sheren Tang (2009/2010) who won for this series and its first instalment, Nancy Wu (2015/2016), Kara Wai (2019), Elena Kong (2022), and TVB Best Actor winner Wayne Lai (2009/2010/2012) who also won for this series and its first instalment.
The drama received critical acclaim during its broadcast, and is the second highest-rated television drama in 2010 in average live viewership. The final episode peaked at 47 TVRs with 3.43 million live viewers, becoming Hong Kong's most-watched episode of the 2010s decade and continues to hold the record in viewership on TVB's online service MyTV with an additional 3.7 million clicks days after its live broadcast. No Regrets received multiple awards at the TVB Anniversary Awards sweeping the main acting categories, including Best Actor (Wayne Lai), Best Actress (Sheren Tang), Best Supporting Actor (Mak Cheung-ching), Best Supporting Actress (Fala Chen), and Most Improved Actor (Raymond Wong Ho-yin). With a score of 9.4 out of 10 on Douyin, the drama remains the highest-rated Hong Kong drama of all time with over 70,000 reviews on the platform. In 2022, the drama was selected as one of ten classic TVB dramas being honoured for a new joint Youku and TVB programme.
Overview
Set in the late 1930s to late 1940s in Canton, Republic of China during World War II, No Regrets is an epic drama that centers on a triad family, the Canton police force, and the Japanese occupation of the city. The Chinese title of No Regrets (巾幗梟雄之義海豪情) literally translates to "Veiled Heroine, Ruthless Hero: Righteous Sea, Heroic Passion", referring to its main theme of righteousness being as vast as the sea and the bond shared by the two main characters, Cheng Kau-mui (Sheren Tang) and Lau Sing (Wayne Lai). The English title No Regrets refers to Lau Sing's dedication and willingness to make sacrifices for Cheng Kau-mui which is referenced in the line from the theme song "for love, I live without regrets".
Synopsis
Canton is in a state of political turmoil in the 1930s. Gangsters are on a rampage and opium trading becomes rampant. As they watch the illicit profits from opium trading escalate, the government forms the Anti-Smoking Bureau under the guise of suppressing opium, but the bureau is under the influence of Cheng Long-kwan (Elliot Ngok), the gang's kingpin. His eldest daughter Cheng Kau-mui (Sheren Tang) who is an unscrupulous person soon returns from Shanghai to reap the rewards. Mui meticulously plans her every move.
On the other hand, Lau Sing (Wayne Lai) is the leader of the Criminal Investigation Team. He has worked hard all his life to ensure an easy trail for his family. Despite his hot temper, he values friendship and brotherhood more than anything else. He almost sacrifices his life to help his timid teammate, Spareribs (Ngo Ka-nin).
Meanwhile, the Japanese army invades China and Canton falls into the hands of the Japanese. Mui enters the darkest time in her life when her aunt Cheng Long-hei (Susan Tse) frames her. Luckily, Sing is always by her side as the two begin to share a complicated relationship after experiencing various political and emotional setbacks.