It’s been almost 25 years since A Step into the Past premiered on Hong Kong television. The series not only solidified Louis Koo‘s status as a TV star, launching him into a prolific and still-thriving movie career, but also marked Raymond Lam‘s breakout role. His iconic portrayal of Ying Zheng earned widespread praise and propelled him to fame. The show was an instant hit, sparking the wave of time-travel dramas (known as chuanyue) across Asian television and becoming one of the most beloved series for the millennial generation in Asia.
Behind it all was the powerhouse TVB. Adapted from Huang Yi’s novel of the same name (Chinese title: 尋秦記), it followed the adventures of Hong Siu-lung, a Hong Kong police inspector who, after a painful breakup with his long-term girlfriend, volunteers for a time-travel experiment. He is sent back to the Qin Dynasty, just 30 minutes before Ying Zheng’s coronation in 247 BC, with a mission to document the event using a digital camera before returning to 2001. But something goes wrong—he gets trapped in the Warring States period and, by chance, becomes the mentor and advisor to Ying Zheng in his quest to unify China.
After numerous delays, the long-awaited sequel film, Back to the Past (also known as 尋秦記), finally hit theaters in Hong Kong on New Year’s Eve 2025. It smashed box-office records, grossing an impressive HK$11.3 million (around US$1.45 million, including Macau) on its opening day—the highest first-day haul for any Hong Kong film in history. This proves that, even two decades after the original series ended, the story still captivates Hong Kong audiences.
You might be wondering: Should I watch the original show before the movie? Not necessarily. Back to the Past does an excellent job in its opening sequence with a concise recap of the series that sets the tone perfectly—for newcomers and longtime fans alike, refreshing memories from years ago.
Set about 20 years after the final episode, much has changed, but one of the strongest elements that made the original iconic—the electric, banter-filled dynamic between Louis Koo and Raymond Lam—remains perfectly intact and feels even more layered now. Koo, now one of Asia’s biggest movie stars, backed the film through his own production company, One Cool Film Production. It brings back most of the original cast while adding TVB veterans like Michael Miu as the main villain.
The story follows Ken (Michael Miu), the creator of the time machine, who—after spending two decades unfairly imprisoned—decides to seize control of his invention. He travels back in time using modern technology to kill Ying Zheng (Raymond Lam) and take his place as Emperor. That’s when Ying Zheng seeks out his old mentor, Hong Siu-lung (Louis Koo), now retired in a remote village with his family, to help combat this new threat from the future.
Back to the Past feels like a heartfelt tribute from the start—the opening credits echo the original, and it’s impossible for fans not to get excited when the classic theme tune plays. Yet the film skillfully avoids the pitfalls of pure nostalgia, carving out its own path and personality. The long wait was worth it. This is two frantic hours of pure, mad entertainment: packed with high-octane action, stunning upgraded visuals and SFX, infused with a science-fiction flavor that fits perfectly, and featuring mind-blowing imaginative sequences as futuristic elements collide with the Qin Dynasty. The breakneck pace and minimal exposition let viewers dive straight into the plot.
That said, it’s not flawless. Some of the CGI and visual effects do feel a bit dated in places (especially when blending modern tech with ancient settings), but it’s never terrible and doesn’t detract much from the overall fun. Other potential nitpicks—supporting character usage—didn’t bother me as a fan; the energy and heart carry it through.
Overall, it’s a worthy sequel that honors its roots while delivering fresh thrills—highly recommended for fans and a great entry point for anyone curious about this classic time-travel saga! For international viewers, the film is set for a North American theatrical release on January 30, 2026, distributed by Well Go USA (in theaters across the US and Canada—check local listings or the official trailer on Well Go USA’s site for more details).