Zero to Hero (阴差阳错) was a MediaCorp TV Channel 8 comedy drama series which aired from 16 May 2005 to 10 June 2005. The series is unique as it portrays the traditional Chinese beliefs of the netherworld and afterlife (e.g. 18 levels of hell, incarnation) in a light-hearted way.

Synopsis

The burning of cash in the form of joss paper and other material items such as mobile phones in the form of cardboard were depicted in the series. It is a traditional Chinese belief that the deceased would receive those items burned for them in the netherworld.

Xie Jizu is a police officer who often spends his free time gambling rather than caring for his family. He dies in a car accident and went to the netherworld, where he befriends some spirits and hear the sad tales of how they died. Zhengde, a general contractor, was brutally murdered but police were never able to crack the case. Jizu decides to make amends by helping Zhengde find his murderer.

Cast

• Edmund Chen as Xie Jizu
• Chen Liping as Zhong Lizhi, Jizu's wife
• Li Xianhuan as Xie Sixi
• Xiao Liyuan as Xie Sanyuan

Other cast

• Patricia Mok as Xie Xiumei, Jizu's sister
• Zheng Geping as Xu Zhiniang ("Elephant"), Xiumei's husband
• Zhang Wei as Xie Shiyi, Jizu and Xiumei's father
• Li Yinzhu as Wang Guiji, Jizu and Xiumei's mother
• Florence Tan as Dolly Leow, Lin Zhengde's wife
• Andrew Seow as Lin Zhengde/Xu Zhengde
• Brandon Wong as Ah Bao (Alex)
• Yao Wenlong as Ah Bang
• Chen Jyh Cheng as Newton, one of the guards of the netherworld
• Jin Yinji as Jizu's 6th great-grandmother
• Henry Thia as "Angmoh Zai"
• Ye Shipin as Ah Gu, the durian seller
• Zen Chong as Ah Ping
• Liang Tian as Uncle Tang
• Fraser Tiong as Ah Car
• Carole Lin as Ah Car's mother

Accolades

The other dramas nominated for Best Theme Song are A New Life 有福, Fish Leong 梁静茹 — Baby Blues 谁家母鸡不生蛋 (《下一秒钟》) Fann Wong 范文芳 — Beautiful Illusions 镜中人 (《路》) Joi Chua 蔡淳佳 — Destiny 梦在手里 (《梦在手里》)