The locally produced thriller TV series "Happy Birth Death", made with an investment of over RM300,000, officially wrapped filming on Tuesday evening. The crew held a wrap party, with the director, actors, and production team gathering to share filming experiences and express hopes that the series will allow a wider audience to appreciate the beauty of Penang and the strength of local film and TV productions.
"Happy Birth Death", adapted from a movie of the same name, is directed by Don Hoe (何晋亿), who emphasized that this drama is of great significance to him—not only as an extension of the film version but also as his first time directing a TV series, making it highly memorable.
He said that he had always focused on film creation and had never ventured into television dramas. This time, with the encouragement of a friend and co-director, he decided to take on this brand new format and successfully brought the filming plan to fruition.
Reportedly, "Happy Birth Death" was filmed 100% on location in Penang, with Penang Hill being a major filming site. 99% of the scenes were shot inside a villa atop Penang Hill. The crew stayed on the mountain for several days to complete a large portion of the shoot—a challenging process that built strong camaraderie among the cast and crew.
Co-director Terry (陈政鸿) shared that Penang offers rich and unique scenic resources, making it very suitable as a film and TV shooting location. He hopes to keep pushing for more productions in Penang in the future, further boosting the development of local film and the promotion of tourism.
Several actors shared their filming experiences at the event and introduced their respective roles. Lead actress Lim Zhi Yin (林芷茵) said this was her first time acting in a thriller and that she was immediately drawn in by the freshness of the plot.
She explained that the story revolves around a group of people with the same birthday trapped in one location, getting caught up in a series of killings. The suspenseful and tight plot is highly attractive.
Chen Jun Jun—Filming on Penang Hill Extremely Challenging
Producer and actress Jean Tan (陈郡君) revealed that the biggest challenge was the extended stay on Penang Hill, where accommodation and logistical resources were limited. Some crew members even had to camp, and daily meals and equipment transport had to be coordinated from the foot of the hill—an arduous and time-consuming process.
Don Hoe added that, due to the complex terrain of the filming location, the crew often had to walk up and down the mountain in the dark, with nighttime conditions increasing the level of difficulty. Nevertheless, through unity and effort, the team successfully completed the shoot.
The production team stated that "Happy Birth Death" will have around seven episodes, each approximately 60 minutes long. Production has been completed and it is expected to air six months from now on Malaysia’s TV2 under RTM.
After finishing post-production, the show will be submitted for review and scheduling by the broadcaster. If everything goes smoothly, the series is expected to air by the end of this year and will simultaneously be available online for viewers to watch on-demand.
On Tuesday evening, Dato’ Yeoh Soon Hin, Vice Chairman of the Malaysian Tourism Board, visited the set of "Happy Birth Death" and joined them for their final day, officially announcing the completion of filming. Yeoh lauded the team's long-term commitment to local productions, not only giving young actors opportunities but also promoting Penang’s tourism and culture through their work—a cause deserving of continued community support.
He pointed out that combining “film & TV + tourism” creates synergy for economic and cultural growth, positioning Penang as not just the food paradise, but also a leading destination for shooting and cultural creativity.
He also commended local directors Don Hoe and Terry Chen for achieving two major milestones with "Happy Birth Death": elevating local actors and boosting Penang tourism.
He said, "Happy Birth Death" boldly cast many young local actors, giving Malaysian film and TV newcomers the challenge of high-intensity roles and a chance to demonstrate their ability and potential.
He believes Malaysia has never lacked talent, only the stage. Productions like this open doors for local actors to be seen, recognized, and even move towards international platforms.
He further noted that, in terms of tourism, film and TV works are among the most impactful forms of promotion. By capturing Penang’s scenery and atmosphere on screen, stories are created that inspire viewers to yearn to visit, encouraging them to experience it in person.
“This is a work shot 100% in Penang. From the natural scenery of Penang Hill to the carefully crafted interior sets, the series presents Penang’s unique ambiance and charm.”
The crew spent several intense weeks filming, wrapping up the main shoot on a rigorous schedule. The team now moves fully into post-production. "Happy Birth Death" is jointly directed by Don Hoe and Terry Chen, and weaves suspense, thrills, and human nature themes, with the core storyline rooted in the tragic historic events near the end of World War II in 1945.
The plot kicks off with what appears to be a casual “Werewolf” game. A group of young people with the same birthday—August 15—are invited to a remote villa for a birthday party. As the game merges with reality, strange incidents occur in succession and the group is gradually drawn into a deadly chain of events.
In the closed space fraught with suspicion, they gradually unearth family secrets buried for decades and a "cycle of sacrifice"—with the truth eventually coming to light.
The series will air on RTM channels and is produced by FBE Entertainment Group, with strong support from ML BusinessCafe, Youxin Garden, Senang E-invoice, Cna Worldwide Corporation, Urban Hygienist, and XiaoEr Laksa, among others.
Executive producer Jean Tan and co-executive producer WK Koay, together with producer David Lim, led the team, striving for excellence from script development to on-set execution.
The cast features local young actors including Cheang Wei Qi, Lim Zhi Yin, Kok Zhen Tong, Wong Lu Xuan, Leong Man Fai, Lu Ji Jie, and Jean Tan.
The actors take on emotionally intense scenes and extreme situations in the show, delivering taut and thrilling ensemble performances.