Anonymous Signal

Plot Synopsis

Anonymous Signal: A TVB Sci-Fi Crime Thriller

Get ready forAnonymous Signal, a gripping new sci-fi crime drama from Hong Kong's TVB,premiering in March 2025. Directed by Jazz Boon (known forLine Walker), this series blends hard-hitting action with a mind-bendingpremise, exploring the dark side of technology and the complexities of human relationships.

The Story:

The series revolves around three formerpolice officers haunted by a sharedpast.Detective KwokPak-fei (played by Joel Chan), Intelligence Bureau agent Keung Hei-man (played by Moon Lau), and the injured Lau Lik (played by Jazz Lam) were once close colleagues. Three years ago, a tragic operation resulted in the death of their mentor, Sergeant Law Yau-pong, and left Lau Lik in a coma.The incident fractured the team, with Keung Hei-man blaming KwokPak-fei for the loss.

In thepresent day, a series of gruesome murders rocks the city. The victims, all young women, are connected to a human trafficking ring.Kwok and Keung, now working in different departments (Major Crimes and Intelligence, respectively), find themselves onparallel investigations. Theirpaths collide when they both begin receiving cryptic messages from a mysterious AI assistant named "Julie." These messages seem topredict future crimes, offering crucial clues but also raising unsettling questions.

Forced to cooperate, Kwok and Keung lead a newly formed special unit, ASIB (Anonymous Signal Intelligence Bureau), to decipher Julie's messages and stopthe killings. As they delve deeper, they uncover a web of connections linking the current crimes topast events, the human trafficking syndicate, and the unsettling truth behind Julie's origins and motives.

Key Elements:

• AI Mystery: The AI, Julie, is central to the series. Is it a tool for justice or a manipulative force orchestrating the crimes? The seriesplays with the concept of future crimeprediction, similar toMinority Report, but adds a layer of technological suspense and ethical dilemmas.
• Action-Packed: Expect intense action sequences, including gunfights, explosions, and close-quarters combat. Jazz Boon is known for his gritty, fast-paced style. Actress Tiffany Lau,playing Wan Ka-lei, even has a signature "deadly scissor kick" move.
• Character Dynamics:The series explores the strained relationshipbetween KwokPak-fei and Keung Hei-man as they work to overcome theirpast and solve the cases. Additionally, a subplot involves undercover agent Chiu Chun-long (played by Owen Cheung) and his relationshipwith Wan Ka-lei, adding a layer of emotional complexity.
• Dark Themes:The series deals with mature andpotentially controversial themes, including violence against women and the ethical implications of AI and surveillance.

Production and Reception:

Anonymous Signalmarks TVB's first major foray into the AI-driven crime thriller genre. Theproduction involved demanding action sequences, with some actors sustaining injuries during filming (Owen Cheung reportedly received 12 stitches to his eyebrow). The series aims to blend social commentary on issues like human trafficking and technological ethics with Jazz Boon's signature fast-paced storytelling, reminiscent of his work onLine Walker. The ending is open-ended, hinting at thepossibility of future seasons. The show began airing on March 17, 2025.

Cast:

• Joel Chan as KwokPak-fei
• Moon Lau as Keung Hei-man
• Owen Cheung as Chiu Chun-long
• Tiffany Lau as Wan Ka-lei
• Jazz Lam as Lau Lik
• Karl Ting as Fong Chi-chiu
• Rosita Kwok as Seung Seung

Episode 1 (03/17)

The series kicks off withSenior Inspector Jiang Xiwen (Moon Lau)investigating a human trafficking case. She receives cryptic messages from an AI assistant namedJulie, leading her to the dismembered body of a missing undercover female officer. The victim’s mutilation matches thepatteof a serial killer case beingpursued bySenior Inspector Guo Bofei (Joel Chan). Despite their mutual distrust—stemming from unresolvedpast conflicts—their superior,Guan Zhenyu (Cheung Kwok-keung), forces them to collaborate.

Meanwhile, Bofei sendsDetective Wen Jiali (Tiffany Lau)undercover into a nightclub, where she reunites with her ex-boyfriendZhao Junlang (Owen Cheung), who harbors hidden motives. Julie’s eerie audio recording of the undercover officer’s final moments leaves Bofei questioning the AI’s origins and reliability.

Episode 2 (03/18)

Tensions between Xiwen and Bofei escalate over guardianshipofLuo Ruirui (Miu Kiu), the daughter of their late mentor,Luo Youbang. Junlang’s secret mission as an undercover agent in the trafficking ring complicates matters when he’s forced to kidnapa target linked to mercenarySong Yaoxing (Brian Chan). Jiali, unaware of Junlang’s true role, resents him for abandoning her years earlier.

As Bofei and Xiwen clash over investigative tactics, Julie sends Bofei a warning about Jiali’s impending danger. Junlang disobeys orders to rescue Jiali from a trafficking den, triggering a violent showdown.

Episode 3 (03/19)

Junlang and Jiali escape the mercenaries’ hideout, but Yaoxing’s interrogation takes a shocking tuwhen he commits suicide. Xiwen and Bofei uncover inconsistencies in the serial killer case, realizing the true mastermind is still at large. Flashbacks reveal Xiwen and Bofei’spast romantic tension, shattered by their mentor’s death.

Thepair regroupat a hospital toprotect Jiali, only to find her and Xiwen kidnapped. Julie sends Bofei coordinates to their location, hinting at the AI’s deeper involvement.

Episode 4 (03/20)

Bofei and Junlang track the kidnappers to an abandoned building, rescuing Xiwen and Jiali. The casepivots to“Dreamland Home”, a children’s shelter where a boy,Fang Yu’an, exhibits disturbing behavior linked to cryptic drawings of a “Dark Teddy Bear.” Junlang grows suspicious of a cleaner,Liu Shujuan (Natalie Tong), who narrowly avoids a hit-and-run byFang Zichao, apolice officer and former neighbor.

When Yu’an and another child,WuPeiwen, vanish, Bofei recruits hispsychologist cousinShang Shuang (Rosita Kwok)to decode the children’s trauma. Meanwhile, Shujuan’s erratic actions hint at a hidden agenda.

Episode 5 (03/21)

Bofei savesPeiwen from a trance-like state, while Shujuan’s confrontation with a security guard exposes her volatilepast. Junlang bonds with his goddaughter,Du Ziyu, who suffers from leukemia, but Shujuan’s secrets unravel further when Zichao confronts her about her missing son.

A murder near Dreamland Home implicates Shujuan, who leaps from a building to evade arrest. Julie’s cryptic messages resurface, tying the shelter’s mysteries to a larger conspiracy.

Episode 6 (03/24)

Bofei and the team rescue Yu'an andPeiwen, but Shujuan remains at large. Zi Yu is upset about losing her watch, and Junlang and Jiali comfort her; Junlang hopes to rekindle their relationship, but Jiali can't forget thepast. Zi Chao believes Shujuan is good-hearted, but Junlang disagrees, leading to a clash of opinions. Zi Chao finds the wanted Shujuan and learns about herpast... Bofei and Xiwen realize Tonghui's death is suspicious and find a crucial clue at the crime scene. Junlang and Jiali leathat Zi Yu is in the suspect's car and rush topursue. Zi Yu discovers evidence of the suspect's murders, and the suspect becomes murderous... Bofei and Xiwen, guided by Julie, find the suspect holding schoolchildren hostage...

Episode 7 (03/25)

Bofei and Xiwen work together to rescue the schoolchildren, and the suspect is apprehended. Ruirui'spoor academicperformance leads to a scolding from Xiwen, causing an argument; Bofei encourages Ruirui andpromises to helpher study. Thepolice establish the "Advanced Serial Information Bureau (ASIB)," led by Zhenyu and with Bofei in charge, to investigate related cases. "Yat Tung Yat Sin" hires a new employee, Lai Yande, and Shang Shuang discovers that his girlfriend is her old classmate, Jiang Tingjia (Michelle Mak). Shang Shuang is happy to reunite, but Tingjia seems uneasy. In an effort to improve his and Tingjia's life, Yandeparticipates in a mixed martial arts competition, but receives a threatening video before the fight, forcing him topretend to be defeated by his opponent, Deng Shilong. Junlang and Jiali, following Julie's tip, arrive at their destination and are shocked to see Shilong spontaneously combust!

Episode 8 (03/26)

Yande was imprisoned seven years ago based on testimony from Shilong and his brother, Deng Shihu, giving him apossible motive for murder. Zi Chao and Shang Shuang are ordered to investigate. Bofei and Xiwen support Ruirui'sparticipation in a singing competition, unexpectedly stirring upburied memories. Shang Shuang introduces Zi Chao to Yande and Tingjia to take their weddingphotos, but Shihu and his gang cause trouble, forcing Shang Shuang to reveal her identity; Zi Chao scolds Shang Shuang for mixingpersonal andprofessional matters. Bofei and Xiwen find explosive fragments in the stone house, and forensic scientist Jiang Jiacheng identifies a chemically synthesized substance. Junlang injures his hand whileputting out the fire on Jiali during Shilong's combustion, and Jiali softens and cares for Junlang but notices something strange... Jiali and Shang Shuang install listening devices in Yande's house and encounter Yande and Tingjia being attacked...

Episode 9 (03/27)

Yande and Tingjia are injured in the attack and sent to the hospital. Jiacheng blames Yande for endangering his daughter Tingjia. A management company intends to sign Ruirui, and Ruirui secretly asks Bofei to accompany her to the meeting. Xiwen learns of this and laments that Ruirui doesn't trust her. Bofei reminds Xiwen not to forget her original intentions, and Xiwen makes a decision regarding Ruirui. Jiacheng opposes Tingjia's relationshipwith Yande and tries to dissuade Yande, leading Yande to reluctantly distance himself from Tingjia. Yande sneaks into Shihu's house, attempting to retrieve an important video, but encounters Shihu, and the two fight. Junlang and others see someone escaping, and Shihu feels a burning sensation all over his body as he leaves injured... Bofei and others realize there is aproblem with Shihu's lab report and, upon investigation, discover that the suspect has taken action...

Episode 10 (03/28)

Tingjia's body exhibits abnormalities, causing Yande great concern. The Advanced Serial Information Bureau (ASIB) reviews the call records of those involved and suspects a mastermind is manipulating events from behind the scenes. They recover deleted messages from Yande'sphone, revealing a shocking discovery. Bofei and others understand why Yande deliberately lost to Shilong in the boxing match, and they find a key characteristic in a video. Bofei recognizes theperson with this characteristic, who is likely the instigator of the series of events. The ASIB arrives at Yande and Tingjia's hideout and finds someone setting a fire and fleeing. Everyone is trapped in the fire, and Bofei and Junlang risk their lives to save Xiwen and Jiali...

Chen Shanchong
Guo Bofei

Moon Lau
Jiang Xiwen

Owen Cheung
Zhao Junlang

Tiffany Lau
Wen Jiali