Ding Hai Effect
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The Ding Hai Effect (丁蟹效應) (or Adam Cheng Effect, Chiu Kwan Effect, Qiuguan Effect) is a peculiar stock phenomenon that affects the global stock markets in general. No reason is given for the phenomenon, and this effect has been a hot topic amongst stock brokers for years after drama series The Big Epoch was broadcast in Hong Kong in 1993. (Ding Hai, acted by Adam Cheng, is the main character of the show)
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When It Occurs
Initially, the Ding Hai Effect occurs when the TVB drama series The Big Epoch or its remake, The War of the Century (made by ATV) is broadcast. Later, the effect is even felt whenever a new show that involves Adam Cheng is being aired.
First Occurrence
The first reported instance of this effect occurred during 1993, when the drama series The Big Epoch made its debut. During the time it was broadcast, the Hong Kong Heng Seng Index dropped by a significant percentage, causing billions of stock losses. Adam Cheng even admitted he was afraid of going to the Financial Districts of Hong Kong after the show airs, for he fears stockbrokers in the area might get physical with him.
Second Occurrence
The second reported instance of the effect was felt during the re-run of the series years later on TVB Jade (one of the Chinese channels in Hong Kong) around 1997. During that time, a stock market (and economic) bubble caused by overinflated housing prices burst, causing a huge stock market crisis that spread to other countries around the world and eventually miring Hong Kong in a recession that it struggles to break free to this day.
Third Occurrence
The third recorded instance of this effect occurred in 2000, when a modern re-make of The Big Epoch, The War of the Century, was broadcast on ATV (One of the two TV corporations in Hong Kong). At that time, the technology stock bubble burst around the world, also causing a big stock market crisis that wiped out many people's investments.
Fourth Occurrence
The fourth instance occurred in the summer of 2003, when the show was re-broadcast on TVB-USA (one of TVB's overseas satellite channel). At that time, corporate accounting scandals swept across the US, prompting companies that were affected to lose billions upon billions in their stock values, thus causing a bear market that lasted approximately until the series ended.
Fifth Occurrence
The fifth instance occurred during the summer of 2004, when Blade Heart, a new TVB Drama starring Adam Cheng, premiered in Hong Kong. At the time, the stock market around the world became unsteady and a downward trend occurred due to high oil prices and instabilities in the Middle East.
Sixth Occurrence
The most recently recorded instance occurred during the first quarter of 2005, when Princess Shadow, a drama show set during the Qing Dynasty, was aired. During this time, continued instability in the Middle East, in addition to record high oil prices, and local political instability surrounding the resignation of Former Chief Executive Tung Chee-Hwa contributed to a small-scale panic and fluctuation in the stock market.
Exception
The only time Ding Hai Effect did not occur was in 2004, when Driving Power did not cause a stock market crash or drop.
Conclusion
The Ding Hai Effect has caused many press attentions of Adam Cheng ever since it began to happen more than 10 years ago. Now, whenever a new show starring Adam Cheng is about to be broadcast, stockbrokers and investors in Hong Kong became incredibly wary of the market, even anticipating a massive drop in the stock market.
While some investors have argued that the effect is no more than a series of coincidences, the show's peculiar effect on the stock market is often regarded by many as more than coincidences. There are also reports that stockbrokers around the world have studied the effects of this strange phenomenon.