In a city constantly evolving, some stories are timeless, and few resonate as deeply as the tale of Hong Siu-lung. Hong Kong’s latest cinematic sensation, Back to the Past, is a cultural homecoming, drawing massive audiences to witness the return of time-traveling warrior Hong Siu-lung (Louis Koo) and the future Qin Emperor Ying Ching (Raymond Lam Fung). For many, this isn’t merely a new movie but a continuation of a beloved saga that began over two decades ago.
The time-traveling sci-fi serves as a direct sequel to the iconic 2001 TVB drama A Step into the Past, itself an adaptation of celebrated wuxia novelist Huang Yi’s The Chronicles of Searching Qin. Picking up nineteen years after the TV series left off, the movie reunites its original stellar cast, reigniting a potent spark of nostalgia for Hongkongers who grew up with the show. Louis Koo and Raymond Lam, reprising their career-defining roles, effortlessly transport audiences back to a golden age of Hong Kong television and cinema.
Its record-breaking box office performance upon its December 2025 release speaks volumes. While Back to the Past is chock-full of martial arts and historical intrigue, it also offers a powerful emotional experience. The film taps into a profound nostalgic nerve, offering a comforting embrace of “simpler” times. In a rapidly changing world, this collective yearning to revisit familiar narratives and characters reflects a broader societal conversation—a desire to momentarily escape contemporary complexities and relive moments of perceived clarity and innocence from the past. For a city that cherishes its cultural milestones, Back to the Past‘s success is a vibrant echo of shared history and collective memory.
If you haven’t seen Back to the Past yet, check out its teaser trailer below (which, in our opinion, is more impactful than its full trailer):
Cover image via SCMP.
