Regarding Lau Kin Ming's 'imitation': In the latter half of the film, does he consciously or unconsciously imitate certain traits of Chan Wing Yan, whom he admires (e.g., a sense of justice, complex feelings towards Superintendent Wong)? Is this an attempt at redemption or part of an identity theft?

1. Phenomenon Description

In the later parts of the Infernal Affairs trilogy (especially the end of the first film and the first half of the third), we observe that Lau Kin Ming's behavior, speech, and even values increasingly resemble Chan Wing Yan's:

• He proactively assists Superintendent Wong Chi Shing in apprehending Hon Sam.
• Upon Wong Chi Shing's death, he displays clear grief, guilt, and anger.
• His desire to "be a good person" becomes overt—after being promoted to Chief Inspector, he repeatedly tells himself and psychiatrist Dr. Lee Sum Yee, "I want to start anew."

These signs raise questions for the audience: Is Lau Kin Ming "imitating" Chan Wing Yan? If so, what psychological drive underlies this?

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2. Conscious or Unconscious?

Conclusion: Lau Kin Ming exists in an "intertwined state of semi-consciousness and semi-unconsciousness"—he rationally understands that imitation can conceal his identity and facilitate career advancement; however, prolonged life as a double agent has partially internalized that identity, triggering authentic emotions.

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3. Motivation Breakdown: Redemption vs. Identity Theft

1. Identity Theft (Instrumental Rationality)

   • Goal: Secure his police identity after eliminating Hon Sam, maintain control over the records room, and minimize risk.
   • Means: Deepen the "good cop" image by actively participating in investigations and emphasizing loyalty.
   • Evidence: He shoots Hon Sam first, then deletes the files; if solely motivated by redemption, he could have confessed or revealed the truth first.

2. Seeking Redemption (Emotional/Moral Impulse)

   • Trigger: Wong Chi Shing's death and the shock of witnessing Chan Wing Yan's killing shatter his illusion of being "in control of everything."
   • Behavior: Sheds tears over Wong's body; attempts (unsuccessfully) to save Chan on the footbridge; confides "I want to start anew" to the psychiatrist.
   • Limitation: He ultimately fails to confess the truth, even killing a key witness (Cheung Chi Ming). The desire for redemption is overridden by survival instinct and lust for power.

3. Intertwined Motivations

   • Lau Kin Ming is fundamentally an opportunist + an identity-lost individual: he craves the honor of "being a good person," yet cannot relinquish the shortcuts and benefits of being "bad."
   • Therefore, his "imitation" combines instrumentality (identity theft) and emotionality (redemptive impulse), though the latter is consistently suppressed and distorted by the former.

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4. Psychological Perspective: Role Merger and Identity Dissonance

• Prolonged dual identities can trigger "Role Merger": undercover agents confuse their operational role with their true self.
• Lau Kin Ming exhibits "Identity Dissonance"—conflict between his old identity (Hon Sam's disciple) and new identity (elite police officer)—leading to anxiety, defensiveness, and pretense.
• Within this dissonance, "imitation" serves both as self-soothing (satisfying the moral self) and self-defense (reducing the risk of exposure).

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5. Conclusion

1. Imitation Components

   • Conscious: ~60%—Used to conceal identity and seize power.
   • Unconscious: ~40%—Stems from role merger due to long-term undercover work and a genuine yearning to "be a good person."

2. Functional Positioning

   • Primarily an extension of "identity theft," ensuring he can fully replace Chan Wing Yan and obtain a "legitimate police officer" identity.
   • Simultaneously contains a contradictory impulse of "seeking redemption," which fails to materialize due to his personality flaws and vested interests.

3. Final Assessment

   • Lau Kin Ming's "imitation" is neither pure self-redemption nor a singularly instrumental act, but a hybrid, gradual psychological and strategic process.
   • This precisely embodies Infernal Affairs' core theme of the blurred boundaries between "identity" and "humanity": trapped in the inferno, good and evil become indistinguishable.

Liu Jianming's "imitation" of Chen Yongren's traits in the later stages of the film is a complex and multi-layered psychological process. It encompasses conscious effort, is permeated by unconscious drives, and simultaneously embodies both an attempt at seeking redemption and an element of identity usurpation.

The Interweaving of Conscious and Unconscious Elements

1. Conscious Imitation and Pursuit:

   • Pursuit of a Sense of Justice: In the later stages of the film, especially after Chen Yongren's death, Liu Jianming exhibits a strong desire to "clean house." He consciously hunts down other moles planted by Han San within the police force, attempting to bring them to justice. This is precisely what Chen Yongren had been doing while alive. Liu Jianming tries to prove himself and attain a sense of "innocence" by completing Chen Yongren's unfinished work, thereby seeking recognition within the police force. He clearly recognizes the justice and integrity that Chen Yongren represented and consciously aspires to become that kind of person.
   • Complex Feelings Towards Superintendent Wong Chi Shing: Liu Jianming's feelings towards Wong Chi Shing evolve from initial exploitation and murder to a later sense of "inheritance" and "understanding," reflecting a conscious shift. He begins to comprehend Wong Chi Shing's dedication and sacrifice as a police officer. To some extent, he even attempts to assume Wong Chi Shing's role in maintaining the force's order and honor.

2. Unconscious Psychological Projection:

   • Longing for a Normal Identity: As an undercover mole living a life of constant lies and deception, Liu Jianming harbors a deep-seated yearning for a "normal" identity and life. Although Chen Yongren was also an undercover agent, he consistently adhered to the principles and convictions of a police officer, representing purity and authenticity. Unconsciously, Liu Jianming projects his ideal self onto Chen Yongren, longing to attain that elusive sense of "normality" and "innocence" he never possessed by imitating or even replacing him.
   • Subconscious Drive to Escape Guilt: Killing Wong Chi Shing and indirectly causing Chen Yongren's death burden Liu Jianming with immense guilt. He attempts to alleviate this guilt by mimicking Chen Yongren's behavioral patterns, subconsciously believing that by doing what a "good person" does, he can cleanse himself of his past sins.

Seeking Redemption and Identity Usurpation

1. The Attempt at Seeking Redemption:

   • Liu Jianming is genuinely seeking redemption. He is weary of his undercover identity and longs to escape Han San's shadow to become a true police officer. He tries to "atone" by exposing other moles and upholding justice within the force, hoping for a fresh start and a normal life. His attempt to form a relationship with Mary (Chen Yongren's girlfriend) can be seen as part of his desire to possess Chen Yongren's "normal" life and as another attempt at self-redemption.
   • However, his redemption is distorted and incomplete. He still resorts to triad methods (like threats and manipulation), and his "righteous" actions are often accompanied by selfishness and considerations for his own interests. He cannot truly escape the shadow of his past nor attain genuine inner peace.

2. An Element of Identity Usurpation:

   • Liu Jianming's imitation of Chen Yongren goes beyond mere learning or emulation; it constitutes a profound form of "identity usurpation." He doesn't just want to do what Chen Yongren did; he wants to be Chen Yongren, or rather, to become the "good cop" recognized by the police force and society – a role left vacant after Chen Yongren's death.
   • He attempts to take over Chen Yongren's life trajectory, such as visiting Chen's psychiatrist, Dr. Lee. To some extent, he even tries to occupy Chen Yongren's "heroic" status within the police force. By usurping Chen Yongren's identity, he desperately seeks to erase his own history as a triad mole and recast himself as the hero who "cleaned house." This represents extreme self-deception and the appropriation of another's identity.

Conclusion

Liu Jianming's "imitation" of Chen Yongren is a manifestation of his complex psychology. It represents both his conscious effort to seek redemption and escape guilt, and his unconscious, intense longing for a normal identity and a pure persona. This imitation ultimately evolves into a tragic form of "identity usurpation." He tries to cleanse himself by becoming Chen Yongren, only to discover that he can never truly be Chen Yongren, nor can he escape his fate as someone trapped in the "Infernal Affairs." His struggle and imitation ultimately propel him into the abyss of mental collapse and self-destruction.