Online Review: Inbound Troubles (2013)

Introduction

The impacts of cultural and media products’ content are so powerful in a sense that they cannot be contempt nor ignore. In the following discussion, we are going to look at to what extent they are valid in reflecting the current situation in our society and their influences in affecting relationships and dynamics within our social context.

In “Inbound Troubles”, a television drama series produced by TVB in early 2013, Stereotyped representation of mainlanders and ‘Hong Kongers’ were noticed and being examined.

Stereotyped representations of mainlanders

In the past few decades, there was a noticeable trend in the changing representations of mainlanders portrayed in TV drama.  The images of mainlanders shifted from a negative portrayal into a relatively more neutral depiction. In this drama, the encountering of two family members from China and Hong Kong, the way they perceive things, their reactions due to different cultural background were depicted.  

In the first episode of the drama, it adopted a straightforward presentation of mainlanders using a typical stereotyped viewpoint. Such as mainlanders like to use a huge deck of cash to purchase things they want and having a mindset that things that are more expensive must be better.

See Figure 1 and 2. 

Figure 1)

Figure 2)

Implication of Social issues

In this drama, some current talks of the town were used as the blue print for the scripts and the plot.  In the first episode, instead of trying to portray a balanced viewpoint, the scriptwriter decided to have the whole picture of what actually happened shown in front of the audience rather than taking side. See Figure 3) and 4)

Figure 3)

Figure 4)

Social issues such as fake products from China and hostile attitude of Hong Kong tour guide mistreating mainlanders tourists were presented in the drama.

Suggested by Rayner, Wal & Kruger (2004), Stereotyping is believed to be a powerful tool for producers to reproduce and represent groups of people in the media, in their own perceptions and ways. However, the Stereotype representation of mainlanders and Hong Kongers in this drama was presented in an ironic way that makes audience feel less offended and provide with audiences a more withdrawal and distanced perspective in looking at these issues. From the program, we discovered that the scriptwriter was trying to present the Hong Kong Mainland conflict in a more lighthearted way. See Figure 5)

Figure 5)

Depiction of relationships between Mainland and Hong Kong

The complicated ‘love-hate’ relationship between Hong Kong and mainlanders was, to a certain extent, one main theme this drama is believed to be focusing on.

The reliance on China as a source of revenue from the government, and mainlanders playing an important role in the development of economy and tourism of Hong Kong draw the people from the two sides close. See Figure 6)

Figure 6)

Reacting to the recent Hong Kong Mainland conflicts, this drama attempted to provide audiences, especially Hong Kong people, with alternatives to treat the mainlanders rather than just being hostile, by also portraying the different faces of mainlanders. Through years of media influence, the images and impressions of mainlanders were being reduced to a few generalized personality traits raised out by Rayner, Wal & Kruger (2004). And this drama is taking a relatively active role in redefining and reshaping the images of mainlanders.

Conclusion

Despite the limitations that may arouse by using stereotyped representation in the media, this drama used stereotyping in an ironic way that it actually, to a small extent, successes to challenges the concept of reinforcing reality. Through the depiction of the whole picture and trying to remain neutral in presenting the issues, this drama also call the audiences into question concerning the agreed value, believed, perceptions and attitude towards the relationships between the mainlanders and Hong Kongers.

Reference

Rayner, P., Wal, P., & Kruger, S. (2004). As media studies: The essential introduction. Routledge.

Wai Sing, Wong, prod. Inbound Troubles. Television Broadcasts Limited: 14 january 2013. Television. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7aryIy8ixg&noredirect=1>

(Lau Chung Him Julius 10464737/21048965)