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King Maker is a TVB drama series that premiered on October 24th, 2005 and ran for a total of 29 episodes. This period drama takes place during the Ming dynasty in China and follows the story of a group of individuals who try to seize power and become the kingmaker.

The story begins with Zhu Zhanji (played by Benny Chan), the son of the Ming Emperor, returning from his travels. Upon his return, he finds out that his older brother, Zhu Qizhen, has been taken captive by Tatars and is being held for ransom. In the meantime, the emperor is ill, and his powerful eunuch, Liu Bingzhong (played by Wayne Lai), is taking advantage of the situation by trying to assert his dominance over the imperial court.

Against this backdrop, Zhu Zhanji befriends a group of individuals who share his goal of overthrowing the eunuchs and restoring power to the emperor. These individuals are Wang Zhi (played by Mak Cheung-ching), a talented and ruthless eunuch who seeks to become the kingmaker; Sun Ruowei (played by Florence Kwok), a former concubine of the emperor who wants to take revenge on Liu Bingzhong; and Zhu Gaoxu (played by Benz Hui), the emperor's younger brother who is envious of Zhu Zhanji's position.

As the story progresses, the group faces many obstacles and challenges as they try to gain power and influence. They must navigate through intricate political alliances, betrayals, and power struggles to achieve their ultimate goal. While some members of the group are more cunning and ruthless than others, they all share a common goal of taking down the eunuchs and becoming the kingmaker.

One of the standout performances in this series is Wayne Lai's portrayal of the character Liu Bingzhong. Liu is a shrewd and cunning eunuch who seeks to consolidate his power and control over the imperial court. Lai's performance is captivating as he depicts Liu's manipulative tactics and clever strategies. Mak Cheung-ching's performance as Wang Zhi is also noteworthy. Wang is a fierce and ambitious eunuch who wants to become the kingmaker at any cost. Mak's portrayal of Wang's ruthless and cunning nature is impressive and adds depth and nuance to the character.

Another notable aspect of King Maker is its attention to historical accuracy. The series provides a detailed and intricate portrayal of the political and social dynamics of the Ming dynasty. The sets, costumes, and overall production design are impressive and convey a sense of authenticity and realism to the audience.

Overall, King Maker is a well-crafted historical drama that delivers an engaging and captivating storyline filled with complex characters, intricate politics, and intense power struggles. The performances are strong, the production design is impressive, and the attention to historical accuracy is notable. This series is highly recommended for fans of historical dramas and those interested in Chinese history and culture.