HONG KONG — After nearly 10 years and more than 2,800 episodes, one of Hong Kong’s longest-running television sitcoms aired its final episode Thursday night, drawing thousands of fans for a live viewing party and an emotional farewell from its cast.
“Come Home Love: Happy Courier” (《愛‧回家之開心速遞》) concluded its run with Episode 2,868 on TVB, the city’s dominant broadcaster. The network organized a public event at a shopping complex in Sha Tin, where more than 70 cast and crew members joined an estimated 3,000 fans to watch the finale together.
As the credits rolled, most of the actors were visibly emotional, many wiping away tears during the onstage celebration.
‘Like yesterday’
Actress Jessica Lam, who played beloved character Xiong Ruoshui throughout the series, posted a heartfelt message online early Friday, describing her difficulty sleeping after the finale.
“Looking at your messages, looking at our photos, looking at the classic flashbacks — it feels like the first day of work was just yesterday,” Lam wrote in Chinese. “Grateful, thankful, touched.”
She thanked fans for their decade-long support, saying the relationship had grown far beyond the typical actor-audience dynamic. “Every message you left tells me that it wasn’t us accompanying you all these years — it was you who accompanied me through this journey.”
Lam closed her note with a Chinese proverb: “Seeing you off for a thousand miles, we must finally part.” She comforted viewers by reminding them that episodes remain available for streaming on myTV SUPER, and suggested the broadcaster might consider reruns.
A family on and off screen
In her message, Lam expressed particular affection for the fictional “Xiong family” and her real-life colleagues.
“The loving Xiong family, the loving partners — they will always remain in my heart. Grateful for having you, accompanying me as I grew. These nine and a half years were my happy time. Every step of the way was full of love.”
She ended the post with hashtags — “Goodbye Xiong Ruoshui,” “Shuishui,” “Last promotion,” and the show’s title — marking a final farewell to a role she had inhabited for nearly a decade.
Record-breaking run
“Come Home Love: Happy Courier” debuted in 2017 as a spin-off of TVB’s earlier “Come Home Love” franchise. It became a ratings powerhouse through its mix of family comedy, workplace humor, and romantic subplots.
The series holds the record as one of the longest-running prime-time soap operas in Hong Kong television history. Its daily broadcast slot made it a staple of evening viewing for millions.
The finale caps an era for TVB, which has faced increasing competition from streaming platforms and changing viewer habits. The network has been experimenting with shorter series and digital-first content, but the longevity of “Happy Courier” demonstrated the enduring appeal of family-centric storytelling.
Broader impact
Industry observers note that the show’s success provided steady work for dozens of Hong Kong actors during a period of economic uncertainty and pandemic disruption.
For fans, the ending marks the close of a daily ritual. Many took to social media to share memories and express gratitude. The show’s producers have not announced any immediate plans for a sequel or special, though Lam’s suggestion of reruns has sparked speculation.
As the final credits faded Thursday night, audiences were left with a promise the series repeatedly made: that even when a chapter ends, the bonds formed along the way endure.
Related reading: TVB’s historical sitcoms; Hong Kong television industry trends; “Come Home Love” franchise history.
