Released in 2009, The Forbidden Legend: Sex & Chopsticks II (also known as Jin Ping Mei II: Love Slaves) is a Hong Kong Category III erotic drama directed by Man-Kei Chin and produced by Wong Jing. As a direct sequel to the 2008 film, it continues the adaptation of the classical 17th-century Chinese novel The Golden Lotus (Jin Ping Mei). Plot Overview
The story follows the decadent and increasingly depraved life of wealthy merchant Ximen Qing (Simon Qing). After murdering Wu Dalang in the previous installment, Simon takes the widow Pan Jinlian (Golden Lotus) as his concubine. His insatiable lust leads him to seduce Li Ping’er (Pinky), the wife of his close friend, eventually causing the friend’s death so he can claim her as his third concubine.
As Simon indulges in extreme sexual games and perverse lifestyles, his vitality begins to drain, forcing him to rely on drugs to maintain his vigor—a choice that marks the beginning of his ultimate downfall. Meanwhile, Wu Song, seeking vengeance for his murdered brother, finds himself caught in a web of betrayal and false accusations orchestrated by Simon's ambitious maid, Chunmei. Cast and Production
The film is notable for featuring several prominent Japanese AV starlets alongside Hong Kong actors: Oscar Lam Wai-Kin as Ximen Qing (Simon Qing). Serina Hayakawa as Pan Jinlian (Golden Lotus). Kaera Uehara as Li Ping’er (Pinky). Hikaru Wakana as Wu Yueniang (Moon). Winnie Leung as Chunmei (Plum). Frankie Ng Chi-Hung as Wu Dalang. Technical Details The Forbidden Legend: Sex & Chopsticks 2 (2009) - IMDb
The Last Gasp of Classic Category III: Revisiting 'The Forbidden Legend: Sex & Chopsticks II' (2009) When talking about Hong Kong’s notorious Category III
boom, most cinephiles immediately point to the mid-1990s. It was a golden era of unabashed sleaze, dark comedy, and over-the-top erotica, defined by films like Sex and Zen
. However, by the late 2000s, that specific brand of cinema was largely considered dead, replaced by polished, mainstream co-productions with mainland China. Then came prolific producer and veteran director Man Kei Chin
(also known as Cash Chin). In 2008 and 2009, they attempted to resurrect the genre with a two-part, big-budget adaptation of the classic Chinese erotic novel Jin Ping Mei
(The Plum in the Golden Vase). The culmination of this effort was The Forbidden Legend: Sex & Chopsticks II 🏮 The Premise: A Classical Tale of Debauchery
Where the first film served as a sort of origin story for the legendary, wealthy playboy Ximen Qing
(played by Oscar Lam Wai-kin), the sequel dives headfirst into the meat of the classic novel. The film loosely adapts chapters 10 through 100 of The Golden Lotus
. Ximen Qing has transformed from the goofy, somewhat naive virgin of the first film into a ruthlessly corrupt, uncharismatic, and predatory tyrant. The plot revolves around his domestic and sexual conquests, his marriage to the small-footed Pan Jinlian
(played by Japanese AV starlet Serina Hayakawa), and his complicated affairs with his wife (Hikaru Wakana) and mistress (Winnie Leung).
Predictably, his insatiable and dangerous obsessions eventually pave the way for a messy web of betrayal, murder, and ultimately, absolute revenge. 🥢 The Cast: Bridging Hong Kong and Japan One of the most defining characteristics of the Sex & Chopsticks The Forbidden Legend Sex And Chopsticks II 2009 DVDRip
duology was its casting strategy. To compensate for the lack of local Hong Kong actresses willing to do explicit Category III films in the 2000s, Wong Jing imported popular Japanese adult video (AV) starlets to take on the lead female roles. Oscar Lam Wai-kin as Ximen Qing Serina Hayakawa as the iconic Pan Jinlian (Lotus) Hikaru Wakana as the former nun, Moon Kaera Uehara as Violetta / Li Ping'er Winnie Leung Man-yee
as Plum (Chun Mei), representing one of the few prominent local HK stars in the mix 🎥 The Verdict: An Oily, Outrageous Period Piece
Director Man Kei Chin was no stranger to this genre, having directed 1996's Sex and Zen II (which famously helped launch the career of Shu Qi). In Sex & Chopsticks II
, Chin does not hold back. The film features high production values, lush period costuming, and highly stylized cinematography that directly attempted to emulate the physical extremes and gravity-defying aesthetics of Ang Lee's Lust, Caution However, as a film, it is a mixed bag:
The visual aesthetic is remarkably high for an exploitation film. The Japanese actresses, particularly Hikaru Wakana and Kaera Uehara, do an admirable job handling the heavy dramatic lifting and the intense physical demands of the script.
Many critics and fans noted that the sequel lost the lighthearted, cartoonish humor that made the first installment easily digestible. By making Ximen Qing an irredeemable villain rather than a lovable scamp, the movie trades fun for a much darker, meaner tone. 📜 Legacy The Forbidden Legend: Sex & Chopsticks II
stands as a fascinating historical artifact. It represents one of the very last times a major Hong Kong studio poured a legitimate budget into a hardcore, period-piece Category III film. Shortly after its release, the market for these films all but evaporated as the industry shifted entirely toward making movies suitable for censorship clearance in mainland China.
For fans of pure, unfiltered Asian grindhouse cinema, this 2009 sequel is a beautifully shot, wildly explicit, and unapologetically trashy curtain call to a bygone era of cinema. The Forbidden Legend: Sex & Chopsticks 2 (2009)
The Forbidden Legend: Sex & Chopsticks II (2009) is a Hong Kong Category III erotic drama directed by Man Kei Chin and produced by Wong Jing. It serves as a darker sequel to the 2008 film and is a loose adaptation of chapters 11 through 100 of the classic 17th-century Chinese novel, Jin Ping Mei (The Plum in the Golden Vase). Plot & Narrative Structure
Picking up where the first film left off, the story follows the continued moral decay of the wealthy merchant Simon Qing (played by Oscar Lam Wai-kin):
Expansion of the Household: After murdering the husband of Golden Lotus, Simon adds her to his growing collection of concubines.
New Obsessions: Driven by a insatiable lust, Simon sets his sights on Pinky (played by Kaera Uehara), the wife of his friend Hua Zi-xu, and plots to eliminate her husband to possess her.
Vengeance: The narrative introduces a strong revenge arc featuring Wu Song, the brother of the murdered Wu Da-lang, who seeks justice against Simon. Released in 2009, The Forbidden Legend: Sex &
The Downfall: The film culminates in Simon's physical and moral disintegration as he becomes increasingly reliant on drugs to maintain his virility, leading to his eventual ruin. Key Themes & Critical Analysis
From Eroticism to Horror: Critics note that while the first film had a somewhat whimsical tone, the sequel shifts toward graphic violence and "spine-chilling" psychological horror.
The Price of Lust: A central motif is the "knife above the character for lust," a Chinese linguistic proverb suggesting that unchecked desire leads to depravity and self-destruction.
Power Struggles: The film emphasizes the internal politics and power struggles among Simon's wives and concubines as they vie for his favor in a polygamous household.
Cultural Symbolism: The title "Sex & Chopsticks" refers to a specific scene in the first film where a nun uses chopsticks to observe Simon’s manhood, though the sequel is often noted as being "chopsticks-free" while retaining the brand. Technical & Regional Details Genre: Category III (Hong Kong) / Softcore Erotica.
Cast: Includes Japanese AV stars like Hayakawa Serina and Uehara Kaera, a common practice in modern Category III films when local actresses decline to perform nude scenes.
Availability: Frequently found as a DVDRip or Blu-ray release, often featuring multiple language tracks like Cantonese and Mandarin with English subtitles.
The Forbidden Legend: Sex and Chopsticks II (2009) is a Hong Kong erotic drama. It is based on the classic 16th-century Chinese novel Jin Ping Mei (The Golden Lotus). Quick Facts Release Year: 2009 Genre: Erotic Drama / Period Piece Director: Ng Yuen-fai Source Material: Jin Ping Mei Format: DVDRip (Standard Digital Rip) Plot Overview
The film continues the saga of Ximen Qing, a wealthy and corrupt merchant. Central Theme: Obsession, lust, and the downfall of power.
Focus: Ximen’s pursuit of various women, specifically Pan Jinlian. Outcome: It explores the consequences of unchecked desire. Production Style
Visuals: High-budget period costumes and traditional Chinese sets.
Tone: Highly stylized, prioritizing visual aesthetics over historical accuracy.
Target: Primarily aimed at adult audiences seeking "Category III" Hong Kong cinema. Historical Context Twilight (Bella & Edward)
The original novel is considered one of the Four Great Masterworks of Ming Dynasty literature. While this film adaptation focuses heavily on the adult elements, the source material is actually a critique of social corruption during that era.
💡 Note: Due to its explicit nature, this film is rated for adult audiences and was a major release in the Hong Kong "Category III" market during the late 2000s.
The Forbidden Legend: Sex & Chopsticks II (2009) is a dark, Category III Hong Kong sequel that pivots from the "whimsical" erotica of its predecessor into a much grimmer exploration of lust and obsession. Directed by Man Kei Chin
and produced by Wong Jing, this adaptation of the classical novel The Golden Lotus
(Jin Ping Mei) transforms the protagonist, Simon Qing, into a "true sleazy bastard" whose unchecked desires lead to murder and his eventual downfall. Plot & Key Conflict The Narrative Arc
: Picking up where the first film left off, Simon Qing (Oscar Lam) has already murdered Wu Da Lang to claim Lotus (Serina Hayakawa). His attention soon shifts to Pinky (Kaera Uehara), the wife of his friend, whom he schemes to steal. Betrayal & Revenge
: As Simon’s corruption grows, Wu Song—the brother of the murdered Wu Da Lang—returns seeking vengeance. Inner Conflict
: Simon’s escalating philandering angers his existing wives, particularly his first wife, Moon (Hikaru Wakana). He eventually turns his lust toward his loyal maid, Plum (Winnie Leung), further fracturing his household. Production Highlights Genre Blend : Reviewers from
note that the film "blazes a new trail by transforming eroticism into violence," effectively morphing from a sensual period piece into a "spine-chilling horror film" as the narrative progresses. Visual Style : Despite a lower budget, critics at Eastern Kicks
praise the "surprisingly handsome production values" and cinematographer Ross Clarkson's ability to make the period setting feel alluring rather than just sleazy. Category III Staples
: Fans of the genre will find the expected excess, including "far out and wacky" sequences involving red ropes and the "hilariously inappropriate use of grapes". Cast Performance
In great forbidden storylines, the obstacle cannot be evil. It must be a system. Think of the feuding families in Romeo and Juliet (Montagues vs. Capulets), the class divide in Titanic (Steerage vs. First Class), or the racial laws in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. The wall is society itself. This allows the audience to root for the couple while understanding why the world is against them.
Do not make the father evil just to create an obstacle. Make the prohibition logical from a certain perspective. Lord Capulet wants Juliet to marry Paris because it will secure peace and wealth—he isn't wrong, he's just ruthless. A good villain-prohibitionist believes they are protecting the hero.
The Legend: Hades & Persephone, Twilight (Bella & Edward), The Vampire Diaries, The Lord of the Rings (Arwen & Aragorn). The Conflict: One partner is eternal, the other withers. The prohibition is biological and temporal. To love a mortal is to court infinite grief; to love an immortal is to sacrifice humanity. Why it works: It forces the ultimate philosophical question: Is a short, passionate life worth an eternity of loss? When Arwen chooses mortality for Aragorn, or when Edward contemplates turning Bella, the story asks us to value the quality of love over the quantity of years.