There’s a new drama quietly taking over screens, and at the centre of it is a character you are not supposed to fully trust. Viu South Africa’s latest release, The Season, has officially landed, bringing a high-gloss, tension-filled story set against Hong Kong’s elite social scene. But for lead star Jessie Mei Li, this project was more than just another role. It was a deliberate shift.
Stepping Away from Fantasy Into Something Real
Best known globally for Shadow and Bone, Jessie Mei Li tells PopPulse that The Season stood out because of how different it felt.
“It was a fun prospect to move away from fantasy into a completely different world,” she says. “The world of finance in Hong Kong felt like a big departure. I also loved the idea of playing a complex, flawed character like Cola.”
That complexity sits at the heart of the series. The Season follows a tight-knit group of wealthy friends whose glamorous summer quickly unravels into power struggles, secrets, and revenge.
A Story That Translates Across Cultures
While the series is rooted in Hong Kong’s elite boating scene, its themes feel global.
“All over the world, so many of us exist in this same capitalist system,” Li explains. “Exploitation, underdogs, and secrets are everywhere. I think the revenge story is something we all understand, no matter where we live.”
That universality is part of what makes The Season compelling. Beneath the luxury of yacht parties and high-society events lies a darker narrative about ambition and survival.
Meet Cola: The Outsider With an Agenda
At the centre of the chaos is Cola, played by Li, a mysterious outsider who enters this world with a hidden mission. As the story unfolds, alliances shift, and tensions rise, threatening to dismantle the very structure of this elite circle . It is a role built on layers, something Li clearly leaned into.
On-Set Dynamics: Who Keeps Secrets and Who Spills Them
Off-screen, the cast dynamic seems just as interesting. When asked who she would trust with a secret, Li names Yvonne Chapman, Celina Jade, Kōki, Karena Lam, and Reina. But when it comes to who might accidentally expose everything?
“Without a doubt, the person who would expose everything is Chris Pang. Never tell him anything!!!”
Why South Africans Should Visit Hong Kong
Beyond the drama, Li also had one very specific takeaway from filming in Hong Kong.
“South Africans should visit Hong Kong for the food. I ate my way through Hong Kong while we were filming. It’s a foodie’s paradise.”
A Global Cast, A Global Story
The series features an international ensemble including Karena Lam, Justin Chien, Yvonne Chapman, Celina Jade, and Toby Stephens, reinforcing its global appeal and positioning it as one of Viu’s most ambitious releases to date.
The Bottom Line
The Season is not just another glossy drama. It is a story about power, privilege, and what happens when the outsider decides to disrupt the system. And through Cola, Jessie Mei Li delivers a performance that feels intentionally unpredictable.
Which is exactly what makes it worth watching.