How Hong Kong triad film Young and Dangerous and its sequels, directed by Infernal Affairs’ Andrew Lau, become pop-culture classics
- Young and Dangerous put a youth-oriented spin on the triad genre by adding pop stars, fashionable clothing and moving away from the idea of the individual hero
- The film’s success resulted in five popular sequels – two were released in the same year as the original – plus a prequel, and numerous spin-offs and rip-offs

The Hong Kong triad film Young and Dangerous, directed by Andrew Lau Wai-keung, who would later go on to make Infernal Affairs, was a smash hit at the box office when it was released in 1996.
The film’s success resulted in five popular sequels – two of which were released in the same year as the original – plus a prequel, and numerous spin-offs and rip-offs.
The Young and Dangerous series put a new youth-oriented spin on the genre by adding glamorous young stars and fashion.
The triad “heroes” were played by Cantopop star Ekin Cheng Yee-kin, replete with fashionable clothing and his trademark floppy fringe, with actor/singer Jordan Chan Siu-chun and two other members of his Wind Fire Sea pop group.
Zany television celebrity Jerry Lamb Hiu-fung also starred as a member of the gang, and Francis Ng Chun-yu played a suave gang boss rival. Genre veterans like Simon Yam Tat-wah were relegated to supporting roles as ageing triad elders.