The 'W' Files
A 2003 Hong Kong TV adaptation of the Wisely Series.
The 'W' Files, a 2003 Hong Kong television serial, blends science fantasy, action, adventure, and mystery within a period drama setting. Adapted from Ni Kuang's Wisely Series of novels, the show stars Gallen Lo as the protagonist Wisely. TVB first aired the 30-episode series in Hong Kong from 2 June to 11 July 2003.
The story unfolds in 1930s China. After finishing his studies overseas, Wisely returns and opens a detective agency in Shanghai, specializing in paranormal cases. He develops a romantic relationship with Dr. Pak So, though their path to being together is marked by various trials. The series comprises eight distinct story arcs, each following Wisely and his team as they investigate and solve a mystery. These arcs are titled: Paper Monkey, Deadly Body Change, Charcoal, Searching Dreams, Bug Suspect, Supernatural Beings, Ghost Story, and Disturbing Graves.
The cast is organized into several groups: the detective agency, the Pak family, the Green Gang, the Wan family, the Shanghai Police Bureau, and other characters. Additionally, each story arc features its own set of characters.
Several elements from popular culture appear throughout the series. The 1924 song "It Had to Be You," by Gus Kahn and Isham Jones, is performed by Joe Junior. The silent film actress Ruan Lingyu, active from 1927 to 1935, is referenced when characters read newspaper articles about her; after a movie date, Choi May-sin briefly discusses with Wisely Ruan's role in the 1934 film *The Goddess*. A segment of the 1937 song "When Will You Return?" (何日君再來), originally performed by Zhou Xuan, is sung by Lau Lai-ling in the Searching Dreams story. At the series' end, Wisely and Pak So are on a small boat in a lake. When Pak So asks him to guess which lake it is, Wisely replies that he does not care, as long as no strange events interrupt their time together. The camera then reveals a sign reading "Loch Ness," and a giant creature is shown swimming and howling underwater, referencing the public's 1933 fascination with the Loch Ness Monster.
For further reading, the Wisely Series novel series by Ni Kuang is noted, along with several film and television adaptations: *The Seventh Curse* (1986, starring Chow Yun-fat), *The Legend of Wisely* (1987, Sam Hui), *The Cat* (1998, Waise Lee), *The New Adventures of Wisely* (1998 Singaporean series, Michael Tao), and *The Wesley's Mysterious
- field
- Television drama
- genre
- Science fantasy, action, adventure, mystery
- broadcast
- TVB, Hong Kong
- first aired
- 2 June 2003
- last aired
- 11 July 2003
- episodes
- 30
- based on
- Wisely Series by Ni Kuang
Lore & Background
The series is set in China in the 1930s. Wisely returns from overseas studies and runs a detective agency in Shanghai to investigate paranormal events. He meets a doctor named Pak So, who becomes his love interest, and they face several trials before finally getting together. The 30-episode series contains eight different stories: Paper Monkey, Deadly Body Change, Charcoal, Searching Dreams, Bug Suspect, Supernatural Beings, Ghost Story, and Disturbing Graves.
Reader's Guide
The 'W' Files is significant as a television adaptation of Ni Kuang's popular Wisely Series, bringing the paranormal detective stories to a 2000s audience. It features a period setting in 1930s Shanghai and incorporates cultural references such as the song 'It Had to Be You' performed by Joe Junior, mentions of silent film actress Ruan Lingyu, and the song 'When Will You Return?' performed by Lau Lai-ling. The series ends with a nod to the Loch Ness Monster, as Wisely and Pak So are shown on a boat on Loch Ness, with a giant creature swimming underwater. The series remains a notable entry in the Wisely franchise, which includes films and other television adaptations.
Did You Know?
- The series is divided into eight different stories, including 'Paper Monkey' and 'Deadly Body Change'.
- Joe Junior performed the song 'It Had to Be You' throughout the series.
- Ruan Lingyu, a silent film actress, is mentioned in the series when characters read newspaper articles about her.
- The final scene shows Wisely and Pak So on a boat on Loch Ness, with a giant creature swimming underwater.
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